Surprise party!!

Melissa threw Jonah a surprise party for his 30th. She invited some of his friends and made an amazing meal. We had barbecued chicken breasts, roasted poatatoes, asparagus, salad and an incredibly rich and moist chocolate cake! Jonah had asked Melissa a while ago if I would paint a picture for him for his office. His goal is to retire early in a beautiful home in Ghana. He wanted a house on a hill to look at and work towards. So Mel helped me find a picture online of a nice home in Ghana and I sketched it and then painted it and added grass and stuff. I think it turned out ok. He seemed very happy and hung it in his office the next day. We had such a great night! You throw awesome parties Melissa!!

Dance week!!!

It was a very busy week here as the girl's had their final dance shows. They had rehearsals starting on Tuesday evening and every day after that until the final show Saturday night. They perform in a Friday evening show, Saturday matinee and Saturday evening show. It's very crazy and lots of running around.....but they love it!! I volunteered to help out with Cassidy's class Wednesday and the Saturday matinee. The show is awesome and there is a lot of work put into it. They wear stage make-up and costumes. Chloe was a bumble-bee and did a tap routine. Cassidy wore a red and black polka-dot number and also did a tap routine. Ok, look at Chloe. She is so hilarious! I did not tell her to pose that way, I just took out the camera and took a couple pics while she had her make-up on. She is all over this dance thing. She absolutely loves it!! She didn't seem tired at all. I would go and pick her up and she would be dancing around the room or playing with a friend. I had little bags packed for them with snacks and activities because they were gone all week during dinner. One day I was busy getting Cassidy's make-up on for the dress rehearsal and Chloe started getting all the snacks out and putting them into separate baggies for her and Cass. It's so cute! We let them stay up late to watch the second act last night (they perform in the first act). They were both cheering and bopping to the music and the routines. So fun! We had a great week!

Hamsters and responsibility

Hunter and Cassidy both have a hamster. They love them so much. I am so proud of how responsible they are both becoming. They are amazing kids! They clean the hamster cages by themselves once a week and make sure they have everything they need. They are both so gentle and loving with animals.

Family Fun Day!!!

A couple of weeks ago we took the kids to Family Fun Day. Every year Syncrude puts on a great day for the kids. There is a petting zoo, air games, lunch and two presents for each child. It's such a great event and the kids love it. We are so incredibly blessed and have many opportunities here in Fort McMurray.

Auntie Melissa!

It's so fun having Melissa here! She is so awesome and helpful to us. Last Sunday Kimball and I were so tired and Melissa took all the kids to the park so we could have a little afternoon nap. She helps me tidy the house and grocery shop and babysit and it's just so fun hanging out with her (not to mention the perks of sharing some clothes and shoes!! he he!!). Love you Mel!

Chloe turns 5!!!

Chloe turned five on April 29th! We had a great party here at the house for her. She invited a few friends (I was informed that it was a boy/girl party!). Mom and Dad were in Edmonton earlier in the week so they came up for the party too. It was fun, she had a great time! I can't believe that Chloe will be starting Kindergarten in the fall. She is very eager and excited to learn. Chloe keeps me on my toes all the time...she is a very head-strong, independent girl! She is so sweet and talented. She has ten of the Articles of Faith memorized and loves singing in primary. She is fearless and Kimball and I always joke and say that she is five going on fifteen!!!

Time out for Women

I was able to go down to Edmonton this weekend for an LDS Women's conference called "Time out for Women". It was so great! I went down with four other awesome ladies from our ward. Sheri Dew was there as well as some other great speakers and musical guests. It was so fun catching up with people I hadn't seen in a while and having a little break just for me. The theme was the "Sweet assurance" that the gospel brings to our lives. As I sat with over 1400 other women striving to live the gospel, raising families and overcoming challenges, I couldn't help but feel strengthened. I know that the gospel is true and it blesses my life every day.

Cute kids!

After Family Home Evening I always have a treat and the kids are so cute because they jump up to their spots on their stools. They love to help taking turns making and serving the treat. They are just so dang cute sitting there eating! I am so blessed to have such wonderful, healthy children.

Big Hair!!!

Chloe has such beautiful thick hair. Kimball and I were laughing because he had taken Chloe to get a new helmet. He tried the helmets for the five year olds...too small. Then he tried the helmets for the eight year olds...too small. He thought for sure the helmets for the youth (14 years old) would fit. Nope. He ended up buying a ladies helmet!! What gorgeous hair! I love playing with and styling her hair.

Fun at the World of Science Centre!

On the way back from Lethbridge we stayed overnight at the Ramada Hotel. The kids had a blast going down the waterslides. We pretty much had the place to ourselves. We took them out to eat at Red Lobster after. I love it that the kids like seafood! Hunter loves crab legs, lobster and shrimp. The younger kids love shrimp too. They were pretty wasted from swimming and went to bed so well at the hotel. The next morning we took the kids to the telus centre. They had so much fun! There were great exhibits and lots to do. We saw an awesome movie at the Imax theatre about whales. The kids loved the huge screen!! We headed home after and they were so good. My kids are such good travelers. I guess they are just used to it now, everything is so far away from Fort McMurray. We had such a great holiday!

Spring at last!! (We hope!)

Kimball took the kids on one-on-one dates this weekend. He is such an awesome Dad! He took Cassidy to the pet store and they looked at things for the hamsters and then they went for a drive. He took Hunter to get some roller blades and new shoes for outside. Chloe got a scooter and a helmet and Ashton got a new bike! We thought that it was time for Ashton to have his own bike as he has been riding Chloe's pink and purple barbie tricycle. The kids have been playing outside a lot this weekend. We are so happy that spring is finally here!

90 years old!

When we were down in Lethbridge for Easter we celebrated my Grandpa's 90 birthday. Wow! I hope to live to 90 years old one day!!

Guitar Recital!

Hunter had his first guitar recital on April 4th. I am so proud of him and for his dedication to learning a musical instrument. He loves playing the guitar and is doing so well!!

EASTER!

This is our first blog post!!! Skye and Aaron encouraged us to start up our blog! We are excited to share pictures and events that are going on in our lives. Be patient with us as we are very new to this!!!