A new strain of Chicken Pox!

These days you never know what kind of funny contagious infections can come around!

Mom's first chalkboard love note from Jacob!

Skating on our Backyard Rink

Ivan made a wonderful rink in the backyard...when it was finally cold enough for a few days in a row the kids were able to enjoy it almost every evening. It was great for them to practice their skating, hockey and figure skating skills.

Kaelyn's become quite the figure skater.....have a look!

Triple Axel!!!

Vancouver 2010....here we come!

Watch out Sydney Crosby....here comes the next hockey superstar!

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's

November has come.....and gone!

Once again I am amazed at how quickly time passes by. It is easy to walk through each day letting the minutes go by as we go about our daily tasks, schedules and routines.

And that is why I love being able to do this...it allows us to reflect on the blessings we receive from our Heavenly Father...."they are new every morning; Great is Thy Faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:23)

We have been busy with the normal ins and outs of school and work and preperations for the Christmas Season. The kids are working very hard on their Christmas Programs for both school and church.

Both the kids did fairly well on their report cards...Kaelyn, "a sweet and pleasant girl" works very hard at her work but still struggles in some areas. Jacob is getting into the routine of school everyday and is "on his way to being a good student".

What's new with Kaelyn?

Lately Kaelyn has been using her a lot of her energy to use her creative talents. She loves drawing and making cards for everyone. She's even started learning how to knit.

Ivan and I will go to bed and find little notes on our pillows.




I cleaned out her room the other day and found lots of different papers like this one with verses or catechism written out.


She loves being creative and often has Rachel over on Sundays to create, sing and dance!







And, being the good mother that I am?!?, I read through her diary to make sure she all was well with her. When she is a little older and finds out I did this I might not be the good mom after all but this was too cute to not share....(and besides, what she doesn't know won't hurt her!) So here it is....in Grade 2 and already lining up her perspectives....

The List....

and the rating....1st, 2st, 3th

What's up with Jacob?

November brought along many birthdays to celebrate and Jacob was one of them. My "little man" is now 6! His gift from mom and dad and Kaelyn....a new basketball net!







Jacob was thrilled to spend his evening with his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins!

Ok....and then there was the "FRIENDS" birthday!

Well, let me tell you this was a new experience for me. Hunter, Karter and Seth arrived at 11:00. I had popcorn made for them when they came and I went upstairs to get my camera and was sidetracked for a couple minutes in putting the laundry in the dryer. Do you know what 4 boys can do in 15 minutes???? Have a look and see! I came down to popcorn all over the floor, ripped wrapping paper and spilled pop....I did manage to catch the last present being opened!

Ivan came home a little later for lunch to find me in a shocked state, still unsure of what had just happened and had the boys release some energy downstairs playing hockey and soccor....

FACT: When you use a straw in a pop can and blow bubbles for several seconds it gives you a beautiful volcano like explosion....

I got to see four of them!

And of course November usually brings about our first snow. Jacob was thrilled he had a chance to use his GT Racer from Grandma!