70 Years Young... A trip to Kane Acres

Today is my Gramma's 70th birthday.  She is an indescribable woman and I'm so happy to have her as a role model in my life.  Many many many days in my childhood were spent on my Grandparents farm, so each time I go back it's a walk down memory lane.  Today, not only did I get to celebrate 70 years of life, but also share this special place with Sam.


Happy birthday Gramma.  I love you more than you will ever understand...

Great Grandpa taught me how to smash playdo balls...

SMASH!

Now a quick lesson on airplanes... don't want to brag but my Great Gramps is a pilot who owns his own plane!  Maybe one day I'll get to go up with him!!!

Auntie Brie teaches me about chicken, but I don't like them!  I don't trust those noisy birds!

YES!  We found a tra-turrr.  Best day ever!

All sorts of fun things on the farm!

Sam with the birthday girl.

My Gramma is an amazing artist creating beautiful pieces out of everything... and I mean everything: willow, oil paints, feathers, pencil crayons, water colours, glass and millions more.  She looks at the world through the eyes of someone who find beauty in everything.  We made t-shirt of some of her art pieces today so that we could be her walking art gallery.  This doesn't even do all her work justice, but hopefully it shows how much we all admire and love her.

Fall Family Photos...

There is an absolutely beautiful park 20 minutes out of Airdrie.  It's a real hidden gem and we are so happy that a family friend told us it existed.  It was the perfect place for some photos of my guys.  Both Sam and Shaun are such good sports when it comes to my undying urge to capture every moment.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Shaun takes Sam down by the creek

Sam loved watching the water... so distracting!

Laughs with Mommy

Nothing better than smooches!

Love

Family

My boy o'boy!

The Connolley's

This rock in the middle of the creek was a huge hit.  So was the leave 'snow storm' that happened while we were here.  A gust of wind plucked hundreds of leaves from their trees and they snowed down on us.  Pretty amazing.

One last shot before the drive back home for nap time.

The Cracker Thief

Cooking supper I notice a strange calm has come over the house, followed by a crinkling from the pantry.  I open the door to find...

My Baby Picasso

This morning we took out a little paint sheet Sam got at Airdrie Fest and tried our hand at painting.  It was very neat to get to watch Sam figure out the process of wetting his 'brush' and dipping it in paint before colouring the page.  Not going to lie, a lot ended up on his neck (no clue why he kept putting the brush there), but for the most part he was very interested in it.

Dip dip dip the brush in water...

then rub it on the colour...

and BAM paint!!!

Wait a second, this is a q-tip not a paint brush!!!

From the artist's point of view.

That is one proud little boy.  First painting to go up on our fridge.  I love it.

Daddy's Big Run

Shaun has been running since the new year at the gym at his work.  I knew he was running, but I had no idea how hard he had trained!  We loaded up early Sunday morning to head to a 10km race in Canmore.  There were thousands of people (there was a 5km and half marathon the same day), so it was something very cool to be a part of.  The crisp mountain air made me worried that we'd be cold, but Sam kept me very busy until Shaun crossed the finished line... really no time to think about being cold.  Shaun did an amazing job... he finished 31st out more than 600 people!!!!  The beautiful mountains, my baby cheering O, O, O (go, go go) and my wonderful husband running across the finish line... almost a tear jerker for this sappy mom!!!  I'm so proud of Shaun... maybe one day I'll be able to run with him!

GOOD MORNING racers!!!!

The Connolley cheer squad (we are actually wearing matching outfits!)

Pre-race

Sam's favorite part of the run was the platform in the middle of the field.  He jumped off a BILLION times!

Hey Dad, wait for me!!!

I knew he'd come back for me!

Some of the 10km runners... can you see Shaun?

Shaun crosses the start line and his time begins!

We watched these stationary mini loaders for a long time... better than the zoo apparently!

Water break!  Watching for daddy is exhausting!

And here he is finishing about 45 min later!!  Yay!

Post-race photo

Being a biggest fan is hard hard work!  Sam was tuckered right out!

We celebrated at the park after returning to Airdrie... note, matching outfits .

Guess Who We Spotted at Airdrie Fest?!?!

We decided that we'd take a family outing to Airdrie Fest this weekend.  Apparently, it's what all our nieghbours were up to too!! So nice to see the Ross Family and the Farrell girls out on the town.  Airdrie Fest is still a work in progress, but with great friends and cute baby antics anything can be fun!

First stop, a seat in a fire truck!!!  So many things to look at Sam could barely sit still.  Quite an amazing machine!

Next we found Parker by the Pick-a-Duck!  Sam showing her which duck to pick.  

Both kids picked a duck (with tons of help) and got a sticker.  They became obsessed with their stickers.

Mommy and baby train ride... saw all the sights of Airdrie Fest!

Love at the chalk station!

This is more funny than the picture does justice... Sam was chasing Parker with his hoop.  Just as she stepped onto the grass (and to safety) Sam hit the curb with his hoop and BOUNCED back.

He thought it was soooooo hilarious!

P sneakin a mini donut!

A whole herd of beautiful Farrell women arrived!!!  Who knew it would be such a hit!

One Muddy Day...

I love that I still get to spend every other day with Sam... a perfect day at our house...

 Happiest when dirty or wet, as long as he can be outside!!!