9 Months Old
How can they change so fast. It was just a few weeks ago Jonathan learned to crawl and now on his 9 month birthday he starts cruising. He's been standing up in his crib for a few days but this was the first attempt to move from one support to another.

Any bets on how long til he's walking??!!

Aggie Days
My mom and I took the boys to Aggie Days today. Ben had a lot of fun.
Here's Ben in the corn maze. He didn't really understand you aren't supposed to go under the ropes.
Even I really enjoyed seeing the sheep being sheared.
Ben really liked trying out all the tractors and bulldozers.

April Snow time Fun

I can't say I was very impressed about the snow this morning. Ben, on the other hand, was thrilled. It was up to his knees!

Friend
On Sunday, a friend of mine I've climbed with passed away while ice climbing. Ivo (on the left) was a great climber and always took the time to pass on his experience. He will be missed.

New Haircuts, New Books and New Foods...

I gave in to Matt and agreed to let Ben get a "Faux-hawk". I have to say it does look cute.
Reading time with Daddy. You can see how long Ben's hair had gotten.
Jonathan has started eating more finger foods...here he is trying raw strawberries for the first time....they were a hit!

Carrots make me Laugh??

Tonight when I was feeding Jon his carrots he kept laughing. Each time I brought the spoon towards him he kept laughing. This is probably the hardest I've ever heard him laugh. I have no idea what was so funny!!

Superman!!

Lately Ben is into Superman. He saw one of the old movies and loved it. I had to take a video of him playing his favourite Superman game. I think I played it 40 times in a row the other morning and I still had to tell him to stop. My mom was a little embarrassed that I recorded her but it just shows she is a great Nanna.

A Weekend Away
Learning to play Settlers....Matt kicked all our butts.
The view from our room. It was beautiful but the train goes right behind every couple hours....not so good for sleeping.
We hiked in Cougar Canyon on Saturday. Here's Matt trying out the ice...not so good tasting he said.
A look behind while we walk. All four of us. For those of you who don't know, Ryan and I grew up together. Our parents were good friends. Its great to have spent a weekend getting to know him and Kim better.

A Family Day Walk

Teething!!
Jonathan has two more teeth coming in. He already has the two on the bottom and now is getting two on the top. Its funny because they are not the middle teeth! Someone said he is going to look like a pumpkin.

Ice Climbing



Before Matt headed back to work he went with two friends to spend a couple days ice climbing. Matt is the top guy in the last picture.

You know you're committed when....
Matt headed out for his run yesterday just like always.....even with the temp being -31C and -48C with the windchill. This is how he looked upon return 1/2 an hour later.

A Walk Outside

An Update...
With everything that's been going on we have been neglecting our blog. Here's an update of how we're doing and what we've been up to.
With Matt feeling a little better and an offer to watch the kids from Auntie Sarah, Matt and I headed out last Friday to catch the hockey game at a pub downtown. It felt great to get dressed up (somewhat) and just hang out.

Even with his croup, Jonathan has become quite interested in our food. Whenever we eat he is reaching towards us and watching us very intently. He has been having rice cereal in the mornings for a couple days now so today we broke out the peas. Ymmmm.


The last two photos are from a backcountry ski day Matt did with his sister....the day before his appendix ruptured. Lucky it didn't rupture out there!

We are hanging in there....I am now sick, Ben too, Jonathan is starting to recover from his croup and Matt is atleast up to going out to pick up groceries. Thanks to those of you who have been praying for us.

A Rough Couple of Days

For those of you who haven't heard Matt is in the hospital. I took him to the clinic on Friday because he was having some pain and nausea. After hours of waiting they sent us home and made an appt for Sat morning at the Rockyview to have an ultrasound. (They thought he had kidney or gull stones). Well the ultrasound showed no stones so it was back to the clinic for more waiting to be reassessed. Well waiting (in a bed atleast) to see a Dr. Matt got suddenly worse, fever up to 41 C, shaking, and extreme pain. They were quick to give him some morphine and call an ambulance. The ambulance came at 5pm and took Matt back to Rockyview where we were told we were the 16th ambulance to arrive. They had the patients in the stretchers lined all down the halls. (Quite a site!!)
We were lucky? that Matt was really sick because we didn' t have to wait too long to get in. They finally decided he had ruptured his appendix and would need surgery.
At 10pm Sat night they took him in. It took 2 hours to get it out and all the toxins that it had leaked but it went well. I have never waited so long to get looked after but am thankful all is well now.
Matt has to stay in for 4-5 days but already is doing a little better. Please keep him in your prayers and I'm sure he'd welcome a visit from anyone interested.

First photos with Santa...

Not hard to tell who is who now, they are looking so different.

Christmas # 1
Our little family
My sister and I posing in our Christmas pajamas.
Jonathan checking out his stocking.
Jonathan's new seat....he really likes it.
Ben tearing into the first present.

Christmas # 2
Ben was thrilled to get Donkey and Shrek cookies in his stocking.

Ben helping Jon open his stocking....ooooh he got bibs!