Olivia, 9 months

Our little lady, on the move...

A Visit with Thomas

Thomas came to Westbank the other day! We're not quite sure how he got here as we couldn't find his tracks. Anyways, the boys had a blast driving the famous engine.

Freedom!

Owen went as Braveheart to work this year...

Tired trick or treaters...

Our young warriors. The boys version = "Freedow!"

Pictures by Bethany

Our professional photographer friend Bethany Scheidel took some amazing pictures of our kids last weekend...Check out more of her inspired work at booandty.blogspot.com. Thanks again Boo and Ty!

Wee-a's latest

Our little 'Wee has been enjoying pulling herself up and along everything lately. She has been crawling since 7 months, which I am sure is faster than the boys. She moves with a patience persistence, shuffling along in her tights and dresses to wherever she sets her sights. Our friend Joni once had a dream about Olivia, that she was climbing the walls, which scared me somewhat at the time, thinking "How am I ever going to be able to keep up with another active toddler?" But I see now it is a grace that she keeps up with all of us. A beautiful spirit, our little flower blooming. So, this is the way that she greets us in the mornings lately, full of beaming smiles and girly squeals...and a overflowing diaper.

The day our leaves fell

A moment in the leaves with Sim. Classic fall stuff, you know...

Happy birthday Isaiah

The little monkey man turns one! My nephew Isaiah Walker and his fabulous monkey cake. Great party Tobi and Stew!

haircut horrors

Ok, so the other day, I decided it was time for the boys to get a haircut.
Judah's first real haircut.
He was obviously more attached to the curls that I thought...

Celebrating Lara

The beautiful Lara Kuchta turned 30 this weekend, and we all went in a limo (thank you Vera!) for a cruise around the westside. A complete surprise to her, she was so excited! The amazing thing too is that we are (almost) all moms, many with newborns, so it was a defintie treat for all of us to be out without any kids in sight.

Beaver Lake

We spent last weekend with the Walker side at Beaver Lake, a small fishing lake in the hills above Kelowna. Very peaceful, except for the occasional cry from a loon or a wail from a toddler. Thanks again mom and dad!

Our Twins

Inspite of their size difference, I often have people stop ask me if these two are twins, especially when they are side by side in their stroller! Judah, 20 mos & Olivia, 7 mos (almost)

Fintry

Grasshoppers,
Grubby kids,
Smores, smokies and Fruitloops,
Lack of sleep and lots of fun!

Our first camping adventure in the "wilds", beyond our back yard, at Fintry campground.

A day in the life

Have you ever had a time when you felt so judged as a mom? This morning was totally that for me, and I am trying to shake it off...so I will write it for anyone who cares to read.
Went to the health unit to get Judah and Olivia's shots, so not exactly the most fun out trip to begin with. The waiting room was full of great toys, I guess they got some money donated and bought the latest and greatest, the boys were so excited. Sim found a train push toy (can't get much better than that for him right now) and began to push it around. The "volunteer" granny whose supposed to help with weigh in, etc got quite uptight about the noise and started to reprimand him for driving the toy: he might hurt someone, although my kids were the only ones there. I suggested they put away the toys they don't want to be played with ( how's that for an idea?). Sim found another toy and she still found it was her place to tell him to stop making noise. I was trying to fill out the forms on Olivia's development while this was going on, and I just about lost it on this lady. Something triggers in me when old women are controlling and think they know it all. Probably need to deal with that one I guess...
After the shots, the waiting room was full of first time moms and dads, both there to support their little one. I remember when we just had Sim and Owen would take the afternoon off to come for moral support. Gone are those days as here I am trying to comfort my two youngest after their needles, nusing Olivia and making sure that Sim doesn't steal the prized airplane toy from another 3 year old boy. Then the tantrum as the boy walk out of the room with the plane, never to be seen again. The room is dead quiet (except for Sim) and all the first timers watch to see what mom does. Nice. Volunteer granny staring me down. What's my mantra again? I won't die, don't loose your dignity, I'm a good mom. Deep breath, and then...Olivia barfs all over me and the waiting room floor. Wonderful, and time for the Goward gong show to leave, thank you very much.

Sitting pretty (well)

Olivia (5.5 mos) sitting up recently with a little help from her big bro Judah (19 mos)

la lune

a summer (almost) full moon, painted orange with the recent forest fire smoke

Lockharts

Tim and Sandy Lockhart and their 3 kiddies came through town, and we got to exchange babies, as we hadnèt met our thirds. Eden is 10 months (check out the gorgeous hair colour on her! to dye for:), Jonvie is 2.5 and Issac is now 4, for those who know them.

our camping adventure...

...in our backyard!

Owen took the boys practice camping for the long weekend, complete with their first taste of smores, very late night stories and early early mornings.

Right before falling asleep, Simeon (aka Daniel) said: Thank you for building the tent, I love you Daddy.

Makes the sleep deprivation worth it!

Peach Orchard waterpark

A beautiful morning with the Walker clan in Summerland...

name change?

The other day at breakfast, Simeon introduced himself to all of us as Daniel. We have been reading about Daniel and the Lions, so thinking this was part of the story for him, taking on the role of the brave boy. Later that day, we were at a waterpark and I overheard him talking to any kid who would venture near him saying, "Hi, my name's Daniel!" Ever since, whenever Owen or I call him Sim he corrects us: he is now Daniel...

our kids...

Simeon 3 yrs, Olivia 5 mos, Judah 18 mos

On growing up...

Today the kids and I were watching the "Simmy show", when Simeon was a baby, in honor of his birthday. In one scene, Owen was carrying baby Sim on his shoulders. Sim turned to me and said, " Mommy, can I grow little again?" Somedays that's what I wish for too.

Whenever I ask Simeon how old he is now, he joyfully says, "I'm free!"
Oh yes, my boy, you certainly are!

1,2...3!

Tomorrow our Simeon turns three years old, and we had a party for him yesterday with fam and friends. This one feels like a significant birthday for him, a gateway from being a toddler to becoming a little boy. Enjoy the adventure, bubs, we love you!

2 beautiful things...

Olivia at 4 months, our rollie pollie girlie, and

A daisy!

this one's for Boo...

In the twinkling of an eye, I turned from painting with the kids to answer the phone, and Judah became Ronald Jr.