Kids

Kids

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Family photos 2015

Meg took some photos for us this summer and we love them!!!!

Thanks Megs!

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

First sentence

Last week, John said his first full sentence.

'Hey Mom, I am going to sit down.'

I can't believe how fast this is happening!! Maybe baby will be 2 years old in just one short month. 

I love you so much John John and I am so proud of you. Grow on little man!!!

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Swing life away

There are so many moments in my life where I just sit back and marvel at the man I get to call my husband. I still cannot wrap my mind around the fact that he chose me - what could I have ever done to deserve such a partner? 

And that, right there, is exactly what he is. My partner. I am so blessed to have an equal, a partner to share the load that is life. To bask with in the abundance of good times, for comfort in the moments of grief, to hunker down and work alongside with during the long hours of hard work and exhaustion. My life and his are so intertwined that we have truly become one. 

Doug is one of the most hard working men I have ever had the privilege of knowing. The best part? It's not just at his job, it's the way he governs all aspects of his life. He works hard, he plays hard, he lives hard and he loves hard. No matter what kind of day he has had at work, as soon as he walks in the door, he is Daddy. He is much like his own father, which is nothing short of a gift. My father in law is so attentive to his children and grandchildren. He is a shining example. Doug is completely competent to tend his children - he knows their routines. He is ever so involved in all areas of their lives - school, friends, morning and bedtime routines, likes and dislikes. He is hands on, everyday.

 Once the kids are in bed, he hangs up his 'daddy' hat and is replaces it with the one entitled 'husband'. There are no words to describe the kind of husband Doug is. Sure, he is tender, patient, loving, resilient, understanding, selfless and a total goofball, but those words can only show you the tiniest glimpse of who he really is. Honestly, the intensity and depth of our relationship as husband and wife is sacred...maybe no one else is supposed to truly understand it. 

At the risk of sounding totally cliched, I am who I am thanks to the love and support of my darling Doug. I could not do what I do, say what I say or feel what I feel without him by my side. He is my better half, my heart and soul. 

I testify that true love is real. Bliss within marriage is absolutely achievable. I have felt it and I feel it now. Men and women are meant to be joined together, to learn, love, grow and bear children. It is my priveldge to be able to have this blessing in my life.

Dougie, I love you. Every part of my soul is yours. Let's swing life away.

Pre-K!


Last week, not only did Nola start kindergarten, but Robbie also started Preschool! We have never done traditional preschool before, however we felt that it would be good for Robbie, especially with his speech. He will go just one morning per week until December, then at that point we will re-evaluate where he is at and where to go from there.

That leaves me one morning per week with just John. Truthfully, it feels kind of bizarre!! John was so confused - he kept looking around saying 'where's Robbie?' 

It is such an exciting, foreign and new chapter in the Walton family!! I can't believe we are already here!!

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Kinder-what?!?


Can you believe this?!? My baby is in kindergarten!!!

I was doing remarkably well with her going to school for months. I have been so excited for her! She is a social butterfly and has been more than ready for school for quite some time. I felt absolutely wonderful about her going...until I brought Robbie to preschool meet and greet. Then, there at the school, I realized I wasn't going to have her around all the time. This triggered all the crazy mommy emotions!! Don't get me wrong, I am still so excited for her, I guess I am just a little sad too.

With my emotions and all, I am so excited and proud if my little girl. The world is your oyster Nola!!! Love you!!

Monday, September 7, 2015

Berry farm

A perfect day at Broxburn :)




Nola created this contraption for berry picking. She was hilarious!!





It got too heavy, so Daddy had to take over for Nola.

And of course, what is a trip to Broxburn without spending a good chunk of time on the slide :)










I simply adore days like these. My life is so full!

Dentist!

The kids had their first cleanings at the dentist! Nola was up first and was a super star.



Rob was next and was just as amazing as his big sister!!!



Such big kids I have!!!

Camping with Grandma

A while back, my mom and dad brought their trailer down to Fernie and parked it in AJs yard, so Mom invited me and the kids down for a one nighter camp trip.

We headed out on a Wednesday morning and got there at lunch time. We met up with GG at A&W for some chicken and fries. After, we went down to AJs and got things settled at the trailer. Since John napped in the van, we decided to head out to Tie Lake and take the kids to the beach! It was SO fun! Very nostalgic for me...I grew up on that lake. The kids were a little leary of the waves at first, but they grew to love them.

Nola loved the sand



Rob splashed in the waves



And John hung out in the blanket and snacked with us



On our way back from the beach, we HAD to stop at 3&93 for an ice cream. Again, nostalgia. I had been craving hard ice cream all week and it sure hit the spot!



For dinner, Steve, Laura and Lacy came down for corn and burgers. It was great to visit with them and see sweet little Lacy! I can't believe she is 9 months old!! Where has the time gone?!?


Bedtime went great! We kept the kids up as late as possible, snuggled them to watch a show and then they all slept beautifully! Score!!!


The next day was perfect - up, at'em and back home. 

My mom is amazing, which is a whole other blog post in itself. Thanks for taking care of all of your babies Mom. I love you to the moon!!

Ami!!!

A few weeks back, my niece Ami came and stayed with us for a couple days. I can't even begin to tell you how awesome it was to have her here. I seriously love this girl!!

Meg and Ames showed up on Wednesday night once the kids were in bed. Doug was exhausted, so he only visited for a little bit before heading off to bed. As for me and Megs? Ya...we were up until 1am chatting. I swear, I don't know what I would do without that girl. We had an amazing chat...amazing. I am sure I will blog about it soon, I am still just chewing on what she had to say.

 The next day Megs left around 11am, so all the kids and I packed into the van and went to DQ for lunch. After lunch we went to the swimming pool. Now, I will level with you, I was VERY nervous to take all these kids swimming. Ami is 10 and in no way would have her responsible to watch one of my kids in the pool, so I was intensely on edge hopping between what each kid wanted to do. Luckily, Nola and Rob were in the thick of swimming lessons and were doing great. We spent most of the time in the baby pool, but we did also go to the big pool. Nola loved kickin around in her life jacket with Ami. Things got a little interesting after swimming when I realized I had locked my keys in the van. Whoops!! Doug came and rescued us :) Haha.

While waitin for Doug, we played at the park. John was in heaven!!



For dinner we made chicken fettuccini Alfredo. Once we tidied up the kitchen we settled down for a movie night. Ames brought 'despicable me 2' and we ate a mountain of junk food and popcorn.

The next day Ami made us eggs for breakfast! What a nice treat! After getting ready for the day, we went to the library. I wasn't sure if Ami was lookin forward to going to the library or not, but once she got in there and saw that she could play mine craft on the computer, she was good to go :) We hung around there for a good hour or so.



Since John missed his nap the day before, we made sure he got one in after the library. Lucky for me, when John was napping, Ames took Nola and Rob to the park and I had a few moments to myself. Ami rented 'diary of a wimpy kid' from the library, so we watched it after they came back from the park. It was SO funny!! I was literally laughing out loud.

We got all packed up and ready to take Nola and Rob to their last swimming lesson. We met up with Nana and Eva at the pool to watch them. After the lesson, Doug took the boys home and Nana and I took the girls on a girls night.

Three words.
Best.night.ever.

We got Little Ceasers Pizza and we to to Henderson Park. I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do for our night. I really wanted to be able to visit and make memories together...not just zone out in front of a movie or something. Then I got the idea to play 'truth or dare'. It was perfect!! We were able to talk about yoursleves, but also get goofy together too. Some of the highlights were watching Nana play the air guiar, and the girls running around in circles screaming 'I'm a maniac!' We talked about our brothers, favourite things to do and what we want to be when we grow up. Again, it was perfect. The only thing that could have made it better was if Miss Lou was there. Soon, she will be big enough to join us :)

After the girls night, Nana took Nola, Ami and Eva back to Cardston for a sleep over. As I drove home, my heart was totally and completely overflowing with love and gratitude. There really are no words to describe the love I have for my nieces and nephews. My love for them is so real, so raw, so intense. Just typing this, my eyes are welling with tears. I hope they know that Aunt Jess always has their back, because I do.

True joy comes from my family, which makes perfect sense, as the family is central to the Lords plan of happiness. How truly grateful I am for that knowledge!!

Ames, thanks for coming to play. We all can't wait to do it again :)