September Phone Drop Part II

Found a few more gems on my phone today that I just had to share.  

Three of my loves ready for Church.  

Ryder is a champ at the bottom lip - this was when he found out that Grandma Farm wasn't having lunch with us.  

Southridge has started Northridge up in the North end of Lloyd.  We have decided to make that our main home base...but after being gone most of the summer, we were excited to finally go again and see our friends (and have breakfast as well!).  Exciting things happening at Northridge!  

Lego is literally taking over our house it seems.  I decided one day that instead of being frustrated, I would put the lego man to work that was in our bathroom....perfect ring holder! :) 

I seriously am tempted to keep Ryder in a carseat and come up with some excuse as to why I have to have these :)  

Heck YES!  There are three performers that I have always wanted to see...Carrie Underwood, Reba, and George Strait.  As of April 23, 2016 I will have seen all three.  Super happy that this man is coming out of retirement and very excited to have a holiday with my momma!  

Someone has started karate and LOVES IT! 

The beauty of Fall at our place is so breathtaking!   What a gorgeous spot we live on! 

Mckenzie and I went to a women's trade show and came across some CUTE puppies.  They stayed cute there and did not come home with us much to Steve's dismay and disappointment ;) 

See that temperature.  This was on a Ryder preschool day...

And this is him wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt.  Oh and no socks.  Seriously...this kid!  Yes he was cold.  Did that mean he will put pants on...no! 

Oh and guess what bundle of cuteness started dance class and is loving it :) 

However, that belly needs some work...lol.  

Harvest Time

Each Fall the kids head out in the combine with Uncle Drayson to get their harvest fix.  However, each year Uncle Drayson has only had to take one or two.  This year, Mckenzie was not going to be left behind.  It took us two days and two combines, but we succeeded in getting all three kids in the combine.  Happy kids.  And they sure do love their Uncle Drayson!  

Ezra rode with Scott...and he even got to drive!  At one point, the combine broke down, so Ezra was also able to help Scott fix the combine.  He was a pretty happy little farmer.  

Tannis in her combine - she remained childfree for most of the time until Scott handed her Ezra for a little bit.  

Mckenzie rode with Uncle Drayson.  She was happy as a clam with her little lunch kit.  

Uncle Drayson unloading the combine and Tannis waiting in line.  

It was past dark when Anne went to pick them up.  The two of them came bounding in the house and when I asked them what their favourite part was, both replied "supper in the field".  Sounds like Auntie Pat knows how to get on their good side.  

I have no pictures of Ryder riding with Uncle Drayson because he was on a different day.  

September Phone Drop

We prayed for a very long time that the nanny that would replace Jule would be one that the kids would connect with very quickly.  Our prayers have been answered many times over with Anne.  Anne is originally from Denmark but has lived in Canada for the last 19 years.  It has been a privilege to have her with us the last month and a bit.  She is only with us for our outfitting season, so our time with her is quickly coming to an end.  I took this picture on the second night she was with us.  The kids chose her over me to sit with :) 

Went grocery shopping and had to do a double take :).  This completely made my day!  

Amen to that! 

A forced nap happened one afternoon and when I went to take them, this is what I found.  

Someone get's to be a bigger boy on Thursday's after school.  Each Thursday, Ezra catches the bus home with the Willis girls and hangs out there until karate.  He loves his time on the bus! 

Thankful for God's promises! 

Another Next Step

This was a day that I was dreading.  I wasn't at all prepared for this day.  Mckenzie starting Preschool.  Funny how with the boys, I was all good (actually, pretty excited!) for them to start Preschool.  But not this tiny bundle of me.  

Maybe it was the fact that she was thrilled to be a big girl and going to school just like her brothers.  Maybe it was the fact that she said goodbye to me even before we had pulled into the parking lot.  

Maybe it was the fact that she clung onto my finger as I walked her to her classroom and I thought "she doesn't want me to leave".

But really

It was the fact that when the teacher came over to show her some toys, she let go, grabbed that fantastic lady's hand, walked away, and suddenly turned over her shoulder with a big smile and said "bye mom!".  

And yes....I cried.  

Being the final baby to go to school it was a proud realization that we have raised three very confident children.  Confident that they will seize any new opportunity with a smile.  And that she did.  

Sugar and Spice, and Everything Nice.

Wishes and Dreams, She's More Than She Seems.  

Sippin' Tea and Playing' Ball, She picks Herself Up After a Fall.

Make Believe and Play Pretend, Her Imagination Has No End.

Strong and Brave and Sweet and Smart,

Describing Her, That's Just the Start.

Embrace Yourself and Watch out World, for this Amazing Little Girl.  

Our Children

MCKENZIE

Mckenzie is 3 years old.  She is the Princess, literally - girly and pink, she loves having her nail done and doing hair.  She loves her baby, blanket, and playing with dolls.  She loves to be with me in the kitchen or sitting on my lap at the table.  She loves to colour and makes crafts and she is very excited to be in preschool and loves, loves, loves her dance class.  She is very happy that she get's to go to everything that her brother's have in the past (Awana's, wee worship, school, and dance) and that she doesn't get left behind anymore.  She loves dresses and being a princess.  But she is also fearless and loves exploring.  She doesn't back down and will hold her ground.  

RYDER

Ryder is 4.  Ryder likes things his way, yet if you can convince him to try something new and he likes it he will stick with it for hours.  He loves being by himself and playing on his own.  His smile is contagious, he is largely animated with his facial expressions and he has a very tender heart.  Ryder loves to spend one on one time with people, but his favourite person has and likely will always be his Grandma Farm.  He is fierce, lovable, determined, and he brightens up any room.  Ryder loves lego, tractors, hunting, and movies.  Ryder is in Awana's, dance, and attends preschool two times per week.  Ryder will only wear shorts and short sleeve shirts (some battles aren't worth it).   

EZRA

Ezra is 6.  Ezra is in Grade One and is also involved with Awanas and karate (which he loves).  He also wants to join the ski club this winter.  Ezra is Mr. Smart (iepants) who is always eager to learn new things and also loves things with details (lego, challenges and even crafts if it is detailed).  His number one love language is touch and quality time.  He loves to play cards and practice his math and writing.  He does not like to read.  Ezra is our child that loves challenges and is already showing signs of a very avid hunter.  Ezra is not afraid to tell people about Jesus and he already has a deeper comprehension of things around him that we do some days.  He is very wise and mature.  Ezra is our child that would wear socks, pants, and long sleeve shirts 12 months of the year.  

There is no higher calling in life than the
task of bearing and raising the children
whom God has trusted to our care.
We are given a few brief years to love
and guide them and instill the
values in which we believe.
Then suddenly, the children are grown
and have families of their own.
What endures for mothers and
fathers after that moment of release
is a precious museum of memories
to be enjoyed for the rest of their lives.

-Dr. J. Dobson

Parkinson Family Photo's

For Christmas last year, we purchased a family photo shoot for Bob and Jan.  The last time that we all had our pictures taken together was at Steve and I's wedding - which is a long time ago ;).  As Steve said "dad's not going to love this gift", and I said "Your mom is and that's what matters".  I was so right!  Such a special treat these are.  

Prior to Parkinson pictures, the photographer (Lime-Light Photography....recommend!) convinced me to have some done with Jule and I am super glad she did!  What special pictures these are to our family and to our children.  We miss Jule a lot!  She has left footprints in our hearts!  

And then onto the Parkinson photos :) 

Our family with Bob and Jan.  

Grandpa and Grandma with their grandchildren

Our children with Grandpa and Grandma Park

One of my favourite pictures of the two of them!  

Bob and Jan with their two sons

The men

Three generations of Parkinson Men

The boys with their Mom

The beautiful Ladies.  

I am so blessed to be in a rich heritage with these two.  Amazing women of faith they are!  

Peter, Tammy, Steve and I

The Grandchildren.

I LOVE this picture!

And each child with their grandparents :) 

Okay, I'll admit, the gift was for selfish reasons as well.  I wanted to have some pictures of the kids with their cousins and their grandparents :).  Bob and Jan are getting younger every day ;), and I'm sure that they will be around for years ;); yet I wanted to make sure that we had pictures to always remember them by.  These are great photos and I am so glad that we had the opportunity to do them!