My cousin Tannis showed slight dissapointment in our Christmas card this year; don't get me wrong - she thought that it was pretty and all but she was looking forward to the year in review that I have done the last few years. I promised her that before January 1st, a year in review would hit the blog. Here it is December 29 already (WOW, where did that month go!)....Steve is gone on a night run with work, I've got Oceans 12 on the tv and I'm sat in our comfy chair. A great night for a year in review.
We were blessed with a great year. Filled with much fun, laughter, and finally good health! Enjoy!
JANUARY
My back surgery took place at the end of the month. It was successful! We have battled for a few years some not-so-healthy-health, it is a reminder that we do take good health for granted. The recovery from the surgery was harder than I expected, but once the 6 weeks was over, I have felt great and have no problems since. However, the specialist cannot guarantee that this won't happen again (I apparently have the back of a 60 year old) - so I am working at building a strong core and back to help prevent it from happening again.
FEBRUARY
We celebrated Valentine's Day as a family at the Kitscoty Hall with a spaghetti supper and a family movie night.
Took Ezra to his first NHL hockey game. He had a fabulous time!
MARCH
This picture made big time news. A friend that is a journalist saw it and used it for an article with the Calgary Herald. If you want to read the article, let me know and I'll send you a copy!
APRIL
We went on a family vacation to Ontario: it was a great time of catching up with Steve's family in Port Dover and spending some time just as a family as well. I love this family!
While we were gone, a huge snow storm hit Lloydminster and Area. This drift is going down our driveway. It was CRAZY!
MAY
Ezra performed in his first dance recital and the two boys stole the show. We were so very proud of him! And he enjoyed dance enough that he asked to be back in it again this year!
We joined with many other young families and spent a weekend at Southridge Camp for the Family Camp. It was also our first time in our camper with all three kids in the bunk bed area = success!
JUNE
We celebrated Ryder's 2nd birthday with a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse party. Hard to believe that he is already 2!
We celebrated Mckenzie turning one with a You are My Sunshine themed party. We are so blessed with our little girl!
JULY
We completed our Canada Day festivities by enjoying the Canada Day Fireworks in Lloyd. Not only was this the first time to watch fireworks as a family, it was also the first time that Steve and I have watched fireworks since we have been together.
The kids and I headed to the lake for four weeks. It is becoming one of our favourite summer activities. This year while at the lake: we went mini golfing, grandma came to visit, ate lots of ice cream, went berry picking, Uncle Drayson taught the boys how to make squirrels your friend, Falon and I got really good at loading up the gator and wagon so that we didn't have to haul much to the beach, and Falon and I survived having 7 kids ages 8 and under (with the youngest being 3 months) at the lake without our husbands (Steve made it for the last 2 days).
AUGUST
I coordinated a good family friend daughter's wedding. It was a beautiful day and a super fun wedding! Also part of the co-orindating was arranging a helicopter ride for the bride and groom (thanks to my cousin for being the pilot for me!)...best part was that my boys got to go on their first helicopter ride!
We celebrated Ezra turning four by taking family and friends to the movies to see "Planes" and then heading back to Steve's parents for cake and visiting. FOUR! Can you believe it!
SEPTEMBER
The kids and I drove out to Abbotsford to help move a friend out to College at the beginning of September. It was a quick trip but we really enjoyed the catch up visit with my best friend: Auntie Sarah, Uncle Matt & their super handsome son, Sully.
On the way back we stayed at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - beautiful!
We were in full swing with outfitting season. We eat, breath, drink, and sleep "hunting" during this month. Both Ryder and Ezra love to head out with Steve and our guests. Ryder loved his first time hunting...and yes that is a real dead goose.
I also managed to get the kids together to take some pictures in amongst the beautiful fall colours. This has become one of our favourite pictures!
OCTOBER
Once we completed outfitting season on the 16th, Steve and I took off for a much needed getaway to Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. It was a great time of relaxation and rejuvenation!
We hosted our annual Family Hallowe'en Costume party - this year we were in the Incredables!
NOVEMBER
This month brought more hunting (deer!), shooting dad with the dart guns, and a movie night at the Kitscoty Hall.
DECEMBER
Celebrated the Birth of Jesus!
There you have it - 2013!
A total of 3703 pictures were taken.
Even more memories were made.
Wishing you and your family all the very best in 2014!
