Quebec City

I was fortunate enough to go to Quebec City for a work conference. It was a great vacation where I got to fly on an airplane by myself, I had a hotel room all to myself and got to learn all about my profession. It was a really fun weekend. Lots of good french food and lots of fun exploring. There were lots of people there as it is very touristy, but that also meant lots of things to do. They would close off streets so the pedestrians could walk through the streets without cars. I was very impressed with how "green" the city was. The majority of their buses are run off electricity, they recycle all of their paper hand towels and really encourage walking. The city itself is beautiful. It feels like a little mini Europe. Cobblestone roads, the buildings and the delicious food. I even posted on facebook "

It's not every day you get to go for a run on the Plains of Abraham. I think it means I get to have poutine for lunch

Like I said it was a fantastic vacation.


Here is the view down one of the streets.


The Chateau Frontenac. Where D day was planned. They cancel hundreds of reservations so that the hotel could be empty.


More roads and more beautiful buildings.
And here is the funicular, which is an outdoor elevator. Takes you up the cliffs.


Quebec City is still a walled city. Here is one of the gates.


This is the view from my hotel room.
And the view at night.

I got to see some old friends, like Chantal, who is great.
And newer friends who we enjoyed fondue with.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Not a mommy trip..

I'm so excited. I'm going on a work trip to Quebec City. I can't wait to take pictures and eat sugar pie and speak french. I feel like it's started already. I'm packing and it's amazing how much I can pack for myself when I don't have to fit anyone else in the suitcase with me. I have 2 pairs of shoes, more shirts then days I will be there and my carry on has nothing kid related in it. My iphone has movies I want to watch, a book for me and my computer to do work I need to do.

Yeah!!

Pictures to come soon.

Jenn

Dop Wuk

So after months and months of monthly newsletters to Nathan talking about how his speech is lacking he has started to say more and more. Although he's still won't say Grandma, he is trying to say alot more. Last week in Florida I asked him if he would like meat or cheese sandwich. He turned around and said "meet and eese". We have also been working with him to say Lucas, and instead call him Luke. L's are hard to say, so today when Lucas was out back riding his bike and Nathan was on the deck, he starting yelling at Lucas "dop wuk, dop wuk".

So cute, and so nice to see him communicating.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Florida: A good time in pictures

Well we've been back for a couple days, so I thought I'd post some pictures highlights. First off the boys were really good on both the flight down and the flight back. Lucas is definitly getting to an age that is easy to travel. He was happy to watch movies and play games for the 5 hour flight. Plus I'm always happy to get a new stamp on my passport, although the actual going through customs makes me kind of nervous. Those people have alot of power. Anyway onto the picture highlights.



I think one of the enjoyable parts for Grandma and Pop (and Auntie Lexie) was being around Lucas and Nathan all the time. And just as much as Grandma and Pop loved it Lucas and Nathan loved it even more. Every morning Nathan would run in and wake them up. And then there would be lots of playing bad guys, or hide and seek or "get-cha" games throughout the day.


I was grateful to have Grandma and Pop around so that I could actually swim and do laps. Nathan had a great time with Grandma an Pop in the pool as well.


We did bring the "beach" bag from Mexico. So it had lots of toys to play with in the pool. These are ones that we had alot of fun with. They are called water cannons, but they are kind of like an easy to load water gun. At one point Darryl and Dad were laughing so much they couldn't keep squirting each other.

Here we are at the pool again. Lucas loved the swimming. He got a lot better at it too. He could swim with the life jacket off from the side wall to the back wall.


Other then being at the pool we spent 3 days at Disney. It was lots of fun. We did magic Kingdom last time and it was even more fun this time

Florida: First Couple of Days

We have had a super fun first couple of days here in sunny and hot florida. The first day we enjoyed ourselves by the pool, went to the Super Walmart (where the fresh food section is so small). We also went to a very cool restaurant called T-Rex. It is done by the same people who do the Rainforest Cafe, but it's done with dinosaurs rather then a rainforest. Here is a video Pop put together with the highlights.

The next couple of days we have spent at Disney. We are a family who loves Disney. We go there every couple of years and so we have our favourite things. Animal Kingdom we love the Safari Ride and this time we saw the Lion King show and the Nemo show, which were both outstanding. That's one thing I love about Disney, is that in one day you get a little bit of everything. Little bit of Broadway, little bit of circus, some rides, some animals, a car show. None of it is as big as the real thing, but it's cool how they can provide you with a little bit of everything. Later that evening we went back to Magic Kingdom, which the kids loved. They have a shoot 'em up ride there that both Nathan and Lucas thought was fantastic. They also have a go cart ride there which both boys could do and had fun at. The fireworks at Magic Kingdom were also really good, although the walk to get out was crazy.


Today we headed to Epcot and Darryl and I finally got to do Soarin'. The last couple of times we have been here we seemed to have missed it. Whether it was sick kids or busy doing other stuff. It was super fun, although I don't know if it was my favourite as I'm a bit scared of heights as it is.

I'll leave you with this as it is getting late and post part two in a couple of days. I'll also be sure to add pictures later.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Spring Playlist

Here is the latest Spring 2010 Playlist

1. Wellington's Wednesdays (Live) The Weakerthans Live At the Burton Cummings Theatre (this live version is great)
2. Four Seconds Barenaked Ladies(the most fun song from the album)
   
3. Wavin' Flag Young Artists for Haiti
4. You and Your Heart Jack Johnson (new Jack Johnson is always good)
   
5. Take It Upon Yourself Sloan (the boys loves this one)
   
6. There's a Light Jay Malinowski
7. I and Love and You The Avett Brothers (this one may have been on the winter one too)
   
8. Gives You Hell (Glee Cast Version) Glee Cast
9. Loving You Is Easy Sarah McLachlan(yeah new Sarah)
   
10. Manifest (Live) The Weakerthans Live At the Burton Cummings Theatre
11. 4 Minutes Glee Cast
12. Magic Pilot(This is from the BNL concert, but I'm loving it)
    
13. You've Been a Friend to Me Bryan Adams (Really love this song)
    
14. Deny, Deny, Deny Joel Plaskett
15. Jessie's Girl (Glee Cast Version) Glee Cast

Enjoy

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Nathan's Monthly Newsletter

Dear Nathan,

Happy 25 month birthday baby. It has certainly been an eventful month (or atleast last week) for you. It's been interesting to have you at the hospital and to see other peoples reactions of you.



Last week you were sick, which is not totally uncommon for you, but over the night it got much worse. I had kicked Daddy out of bed and brought you into bed with me. When you woke up the morning you were having a lot of trouble breathing. To the point where all of your chest and neck muscles were working to have you breath. I knew this wasn't good and so I took you up to the Children's hospital. They were amazing there and got you in right away. The respiratory therapist asked us some questions and when they determined it was a bad case of croup, they got you the drugs to make it better. You were such an amazing patient. Even the nurse commented on it. She said she'd never seen a kid your age not fight having the mask on. And the doctor asked if you were always so laid back (which you are, as long as mommy is around)



You still love mom. Although you don't cry anymore when I leave you want to be with me all the time. The other day at the hospital I was going to leave to pay the parking and the nurse was going to stay with you. You were having none of that. Or the other night you woke up in the night and was calling out Daddy's name, when Daddy went in you were so upset and was calling for mom, mom again.

Your speech continues it's slow but steady pace. Your favorite word of late is "boo-yah". It makes all of us laugh which makes you say it even more. I think when Lucas gets excited about something it makes you just as excited. If Lucas laughs at something you do, you do it over and over again. You guys are still best buds, even though you can't say his name yet.



We've spent lots of time outside over this last month. The weather is getting better and so we are enjoying the fresh air and the snow. It's great because we both love being outside. You love riding your plasma car and playing in the dirt.



Today is Mother's day and I feel so lucky to be your mom. You are a sweet and wonderful boy.

love mommy

Mother's Day

Happy Mothers Day to all of the mothers out there. As I look at my two boys I feel so lucky and so happy to be their mother. The blessings and love and joy they provide me is worth more then any amount of money could buy. I love their blond hair and smiles. I love their beautiful Mother's Day presents and their kind gestures. No doubt that mothering is the hardest job in the whole world, but also not doubt you reap the biggest rewards from it.

Mothers are so amazing, amazing how you would give up everything, including your body and sleep and time. I love my mother and see so much of her in me. I also love Darryl's mother and think she did such a great job to raise a good son.

What a great day to celebrate the wonderful things in life - Mothers.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

9 Years and Still Going Strong

Nathan had quite the cough today so I stayed home to hang out with my boys on today my 9 year anniversary. Being at home hanging out with my boys has made me awfully grateful for my life. As I'm sitting here I watching Lucas whisper the right answers to Nathan's ear for Dora the explorer. What a nice brother he is. What good kids I have.

Well this wasn't suppose to be a post about the kids. Because while I believe my kids have made my marriage better, I strongly believe that you need to have balance in life, so although kids take up lots of time, it's still important to have marriage time. I think it's one of those things that keeps a marriage good. Is dedicated time to reconnect.

Now I'm off on another tangent. So yeah, Happy Anniversary Darryl. It has been great to be married to you for the last 9 years. I look forward to the next 25 years too. You are a great partner in life. I love that over the years I see us move through good times and bad times and still come out stronger on the other side.

I love you and looking forward to our anniversary dinner on the weekend.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

A Work in Progress

Right around the time we heard about Darryl losing his job we also got a "call back" from the doctor about his yearly appointment. Turns out he has high cholesterol. For those of us who know Darryl well we were pretty surprised. This is the guy who eats salads for snacks. Rarely does he eat chocolate he much prefers candy, so a cavity yes but high cholesterol, no. =) So we have been attempting to change our eating and lifestyle habits to be more healthy. I think my husband is pretty awesome and want him to be around for a very very long time. So we researched what foods are highest in cholesterol and what helps it and try to lower his numbers.

The food that seems to be highest in cholesterol is meat, with red meat being worse then white meat. So I was inspired by Lesley and her new years resolution to eat more meatless meals. But to be honest it was really hard. I really like meat. So instead I am trying to proportion less meat into our meals. This works quite well for us, because we eat lots of stirfry's and pasta dishes. So now, we are trying to cut the meat I would usually put in these dishes in half. So now rather then 3 chicken breasts in the stirfy we'll do 2. Or rather then half the tray of ground beef, we will use a quarter and switch to ground turkey rather then ground beef. We have been trying to be healthy in other ways as well, but this isn't something I have read very much about and thought was a good idea, keep the meat, just less of it.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

GO Hitmen GO!

Early this week I entered a contest with Calgary Child's Magazine to win tickets to the Calgary Hitmen. Unlike our NHL team, the Calgary Flames, the Hitmen (which are in the league below them, the WHL) are in the playoffs. I think they are trying to fill the stadium so they were giving away lots of free tickets. So on Friday we got the call that we had won some tickets. So on Saturday, Lucas Darryl and I took the train down to the Saddledome for the game. It the first time both Lucas and I have been to a hockey game at the Saddledome. It was really fun we danced during intermission, had icecream and candy (although I really wanted a hotdog) and cheered very loud when they scored a goal. I did find the ice smaller then on TV and was a little lost sometimes with no commentator. But Lucas had a really fun time and was so good for it. I didn't know if he'd last the whole game but he did and didn't lost interest in the game. It was a fun way to spend a Saturday night.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn