Happy Birthday Kayden!

Happy Birthday to my oldest son.  I can hardly believe that he is FIFTEEN years old.  I remember when he was little... wasn't that just yesterday??

He has grown and changed so much in the last year.  He is taller than everyone in the family, and as you can see, has grown into a handsome young man.  He is a good big brother (although sometimes, he loses his patience with a certain brother).  He had a pretty good year in grade 8 and has now moved on to high school!  YIKES!  He had a fabulous football season - he was in the newspaper several times, and has now moved on to Basketball.  Hooray for indoor sports!  As much as I love watching him play f-ball, it is nice to be in a warm gym!  We love Kayden so much and are so glad that he is part of our family!! 

Infamous fall family pictures

Well, there are some members of our family who do NOT look forward to this time of year - okay, more specifically, the fact that their mother makes them take pictures!!  Yes, formal, matching outfit, pose together type photos.  There was a lot of protesting at the beginning, but amazingly enough, it didn't take that long!  And this year, we even included mom and dad in some of them!  Hooray for us!  You won't be seeing those yet though - they are being saved for the Christmas card!!

Lately, I have been concentrating a lot more on fitness.  My goal really isn't to "be skinny," but more to be healthy, like my body AND feel good about myself.  It started at the beginning of August with regular dog walking, then in September I decided to step it up a notch.  I have been faithfully exercising (30 minutes of cardio and 15 minutes of strength training 6 days/week) for about 6 weeks now.  I am so happy that I can see results and I feel really good!!! (sometimes I feel old and creaky, but let's face it, I am not getting any younger).  I also started to watch what I eat.  I haven't cut out "treats" entirely, but only have one or two days where I eat a few yummy treats.  I still don't go overboard though, and I really think it is making a difference.  So, remember, make a goal.  Stick to it.  You will see results!!!

Crafting

I have been really busy "Crafting" lately.  I think that is a term that we Turner girls use freely!  I have been loving making Christmas gifts for my Halladay fam in UT.  I want to post everything, but that would ruin the surprise!!! I have also been busy making jewelry.  It has become my fav thing to do in my spare minute (Oh, who I am kidding, I do it instead of dishes, folding laundry, you know the drill).  Now, it is time to focus on Halloween costumes.  My two older boys have made life REALLY easy for their mom.  Kayden is going to be Clark Kent -  glasses, and superman T-shirt under white shirt and tie. EASY!  Jaren is going to be Peter Parker, which Kayden isn't too impressed about because "Jaren is just copying my idea!"  Oh boys, copying is the best form of flattery.  Anyway, his is about the same thing.  Just need to locate a spidey top for J.  The younger two are going to be Minions, from Despicable ME (hence, the picture).  I have finally been able to find overalls that fit Carter, so now on to creating!! Wish me luck!!

More Football

Football has kind of taken over our lives lately (the boys have it almost every day, except Sunday).  This year is Jaren's first year playing and Kayden's fourth.  Last year their team won the Southern Alberta finals, but about half the team moved on to the Sr High league.  It is a real growing year for their team this year, so I think it had been a bit frustrating for all involved!!

 The boys are learning lots though, so if they keep at it, they will ROCK it next year!

 Kayden mostly plays offense now and I think has scored five touchdowns this season.  YAY Kayden.  In the above picture, (you can't really tell from the photo), he had an AWESOME tackle. 

We have had really good football weather up until last nights jamboree.  It was snowing and windy.  Not fun.  It is supposed to be way nicer this weekend for their road trip to Lethbridge!  Go HAWKS!!

Football Season has arrived!!!

With football season in full swing - we are keeping super busy.  Both Kayden (#4) and Jaren (#72) are playing this year.  The team is grades 7-9, so Kayden is on the Senior end of things, and Jaren is a newbie!

This picture was maybe not the best because that catch that the brown team member caught was meant for Kayden.  They have a brand new quarter back, so they are working out some things.  Oh well, it is what it is!!  He (Kayden) has been having a pretty good season - he already has three touch downs and has had some pretty great plays.  So far, the newbie has only played a couple of minutes (more than some others though, so he is happy).  Jaren does get to start tomorrow night at the away game in Brooks though!  Hooray! And, so far, the weather has been really  nice for us fans.  Fingers crossed it stays that way!!!

First Day of School

First day of school.  Four kids, three different schools. All the boys were (surprisingly) excited to go back to school.  I guess the first day of high school and the first day of junior high school (middle school) are something to be excited about!!

 

 Kayden is taking his scooter for the time being.  He has early morning seminary, so he is out the door early and then football practice every day.  Kayden is now the little fish in the big pond again.  High school - scary!!!

Jaren was super pumped about grade 7.  He tells me everyday how much better it is than elementary (and he has to leave a whole hour earlier than last year, and he still likes it).  He just got contacts so he can see when he plays football.  He plays on the same team as Kayden.  Apparently, Jaren grew a ton over the summer too.  Yikes - my kids are growing up too fast!!!

Carter was also happy to go back to school.  Can you tell?  Poor guy - he just got a new appliance/retainer two days prior and it was awkward for him to smile.  It was either this pic or one where he looked mad.  I chose this one.  Carter was happy to get back to school to see his friends.

Tyler, my soldier, standing at attention and ready to go.  He too, was ready to get back to see his friends.  All the boys were up super early and listened so well the first day.  I wish they were that enthusiastic every day!

As a celebration of back to school/end of summer a bunch of families got together at a local park and had a bbq/fire.  It was super fun to see so many people and celebrate the last bit of summer!!

Green belt

This post is LONG overdue!  As you can see, Jaren has earned his green belt!  Hooray!  This was back at the very beginning of June.  He worked really hard to get it!  Thank you Sensei Gord (and Sensei Dean)!

White Rock - Part 1

My favorite day of the trip!! We journeyed about 45 minutes to White Rock - aka tourist town.

 

 We started off at a nice little beach (I can't remember the name), where the kids played in the sand and water, found shells and buried one another.

 We had a picnic lunch and some of the braver people dove off the pier into the freezing cold ocean. But, I am getting ahead of myself. First - I was able to meet up with a dear "old" friend who I have known since I was Tyler's age! It was so great to see her (before she jetted off to France - lucky gal). She brought her sweet little daughter with her and although we couldn't visit long - I was so glad that she took the time to come and see us!!!

 Kayden (above) and then Kayden and his pretty darn chicken Mom jumping off the pier!  It was so cold!!!

             The professionals - Rob and Lindsey diving and flipping.  These pictures are f                                     separate times the guys jumped/dove.

                                             All the cuties lined up and sitting on Kayden!

                                                         Ah...Kayden, the Merman!!

Water slides, beaches and more!

On day two of our trip, we spent a quiet day (it was Sunday) with the T's.  Who am I kidding - there were seven kids in the house - it wasn't quiet!!  The next day, the weather wasn't all that great, so we packed up the kids and drove down to the states.  I think it took us 10 minutes to get there!  Seriously!  We made our way south for another half hour and did some shopping - some of my boys inherited their mother's love for shopping, not mentioning any names.

Day three was movie/lake day.  We took the kids to see "Brave" and then went to the beach.  We planned on doing some cliff jumping, but the water was way down and that beach was closed, so we headed to another lake where the kids played in the sand/water while the adults chilled.

Day four - Cultus Lake Water Park.  I think this was the boys' favorite day of the trip.  We got to the park at about 10 or 10:30 am and stayed ALL day.  I think we left at about 6 or so.  The little boys (and Natalia) loved the "Colossal Canyon."  Okay, it was my favorite too.  You could have a maximum of 5 riders in the raft (or four adults) and when you rode with Lindsey, you were sure to have a blast!  He always made the raft shoot up the sides of the slide and it was super fun!!  Unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures of this day - too busy having fun!!!

The Vancouver Temple and Stanley Park

 Our first full day with the T's brought us to the Vancouver Temple.  It is on a quiet, unassuming street, but as soon as you pull up, you know that you are at a very special place.  Above is the crew, minus the photographer!!

 

Then, it was on to Stanley Park.  It was very beautiful walking around the park - it may however, have been too long a walk for some of the little people that we were with.

One of Tyler's favorite things to do - play in the sand (or dirt, if it is the only thing available).

 

                                            Jaren giving his little buddy a piggy back ride. 

                                        Four cool cats catching a breeze and taking a break!       

 

Teenagers!!!

In the middle of our journey around the park, the boys were inadvertently included in a very large water fight.  While I wasn't too thrilled about them getting all wet, they had a blast!!!  After Stanley Park, we headed to a take out Italian place and had a little picnic.  It was a great day!

First Leg of our Summer Vacation

Back in the "old days" when I used to sell Creative Memories (scrapbooking supplies), I used to tell people to start their albums with their recent photos and then work on the back log.  That is what I am going to do here.  So, on to our summer vacation!!

First stop:  Sky Trek Adventure Park in Revelstoke, BC

This shot is so you can see how high up the boys were - just the older boys were allowed to do this.  The younger two had a course just for them!!

 This is Linds patiently waiting for his turn and Kayden (below) traversing the double black (hardest part of the) course.

 Jaren looking so comfortable ;)   On the skateboard!!

 Jaren making his way through and Daddio just hanging out!! 

 Tyler made this little kid course look like a piece of cake! 

 Carter just rocked this course!

The boys had a great time at the aerial playground.  The big boys took a lot longer on their course, so Tyler and Carter go to play on a cool adventure play ground which had a zip line and everything.  Once they tired of that, we headed to the Enchanted Forest, which conveniently, is right next to the Park. 

 Carter was a bad boy!!

 Ty having a nap in Old Mother Hubbards' house. 

The Enchanted Forest was great for the younger boys.  I love the above pic of Tyler challenging the pirate (too bad the pic wasn't better).  Now, off to Abbotsford!!