Triple the Fun!

I cannot say enough about how much I adore this family.  I've blogged pics of my friends' triplets many times and every time we see them they are even more fun than the last.  We came to Red Deer (though Sam suggested we call it Orange Deer because that sounds better) and Stac suggested a trip to the beach.  Even though Shaun's parents live very close to Gull Lake and we recently purchased land by Gull, we've never taken Sam there... today was the day!  So a quick trip to the grocery store and dollar store and then we were on the road - two mommas, one daddy and four crazy critters!

Captured Sam and the triplets all in one shot!  YES!  This was an awesome idea that kept a pile of boys busy... a pond with a river to the lake.  Building houses along the bank.  Lots of great play time building this town.

For those of you that haven't been to Gull Lake, you can walk a km without the lake going above your knees.  I watched my little man chase a beautiful blonde quite a distance.  I realized he would probably follow her forever, I had to go chase him down... luckily this is the shallowest lake EVER.

Our long walk back together gave me the chance to remind him that Mommy is the girl that will always love him most and there is no girl that could ever possibly love him more.  Just kidding.... or not.... either way, he seemed to end knowing I'm his best girl!

Not only did I get to see the Alexanders but I also got to see another long lost friend and her boys.  These two mommas are so awesome.  Hands on, play hard, lots of love sort of moms.  And they have the best ideas... like covering as many boys as possible neck deep in sand.  AWESOME!

And this is the 5 minutes of calm that swept over Gull Lake.  :) 

This is how Sam spent most the day.  The dollar store water squirter was a major hit... soooo happy.

Thank you Orange Deer friends.  We love you soooo much and enjoy every wild moment with you.

Back Yard Fun!

Sunny summer fun in the backyard!

Sam followed this little bee around the yard.  They bumbled around together for 10 minutes or so!

Chalk on trampoline... fun and an awesome result!

Boy in a bubble!

Canada Day 2013

The Connolley's wore their red and white and headed down to the annual Canada Day parade in Airdrie.  We set out early to get a curb side spot (this is very important to me!) on foot, as parking can be a huge nightmare.  Turns out Canada Day was going to be a scorcher this year and we were a sweaty mess... a happy sweaty mess but still very sweaty!
It has also become sort of a tradition to spend this wonderful day celebrating with our dear friends the Gordays.  What's better than kids, BBQs, friends and fun... nothing!  

Our favorite parade spot is just down the curb from the Farrell family's favourite parade spot.  Sam with two of his buddies!

Spencer climbing up Shaun to get a better view of the street.  Happy first Canada Day Spencey! 

A couple of our favourite Canadians!

Beautiful boy, happy momma!

There was tons of fun to see at the parade.  It's actually a really great one with bands (though my fav local teenage band wasn't in it this year... WTH!) and horses and rodeo princesses and dogs and candy and tractors... allllll the good stuff.  Oh, and don't forget the shiners!  They had crazy little airplanes this year.  Sam waved and said Happy Canada Day to every single float/group that passed!

This puppy looped back around and snagged Sam and Logan from the crowd of kids for a hug.  He knows some cool kids when he sees them!

Our walk home took MUCH longer than we expected and our little man couldn't hold out.   Hot day and too much fun is definitely tiring!  It was ok to have a nap today since we had a fabulous play with the Gordays including some sprinkler under the trampoline fun.

Look at these two faces... am I the luckiest girl in the world or what!!!  We are patiently waiting for the fireworks to start.  Sam had a bunch of hilarious one liners while we waited... "I see some birds.  Maybe the fireworks will shoot out of their mouths."  "Look an airplane.  I think it's going to Banff."  He also had a couple glow in the dark bracelets that he was using to tell time.  Firework time that is.  Seems silly, but it was brilliant.

Beautiful.  Such a great show.  One of my very favourite things about Canada Day.

Just watching and loving it.  He told us it was "awesome".

Though I want to see many other places in this huge world of ours, I'm so glad that I call Canada home.  I feel blessed to live in a country of freedom and opportunity and that my child will never have to fight to attend school or struggle to get medical care.  A land of beautiful landscapes, sunshine and snow, Tim Hortons, peace and dreams.  Our true north strong and free...

Look Out Summer 2013

After the craziest work year of my life, I'm ready to enjoy some summer time with my friends and family.  Time to reconnect with people that I didn't see enough of over the past 10 months, quality time adventuring with my boys and remembering to pause and enjoy the time off.
Summer '13 started like this...

This spring we did an awesome science experiment... we grew caterpillars!  It was cool to watch them grow over night and one by one build a chrysalis.  Soon enough we had 5 beautiful butterflies.  I was nervous to let them go, as they had become a real highlight for Sam to check out each day.  On release day, Sam took off the lid and as each one flew away he called out saying "Bye buddy, find your new home."

One of Sam's buddies. 

After the butterflies were gone, Sam took the chance to get an up close look at the empty chrysalis.  This kiddo loves science!

Content

HAPPY!

Patient

Curious and gentle

Proud

This summer has brought a lot of rain.  This storm brought the most perfect rainbow.

Peace

Mother's Day Run 2013

We continue each year to fundraise for and run in the Mother's Day 5km Run.  I had a pile a amazing donations to a cause that is so dear to our family.  I always take a look back at this time of year... I look back at my first days as a mom.  My sweetest little peanut in the incubator.  I think of all the hard conversations, scary sounding treatments, tiny little fingers.  I remember the incredibly caring and passionate people that work in the NICUs at the Foothills and PLC... I have no words for how important those doctors and nurse are.
I also think back to the first year I ran this event.  With the handsomest 1 year old, just fresh on his walking legs, pacing the street down town ssssuuuuper early before the race.  I think about how I wondered if I would be able to walk for 5 kms and I think about how one year earlier I was facing my own medical mysteries and struggles.
This year - we arrived and parked in our regular race day parking spot.  We loaded up the stroller with goodies, water, entertainment for Sammy and my camera.  We went to the start line.  Sam and I ran a couple little warm up races... Sam tripped and I got to wipe the rocks from his hands and tears from his eyes.  We talked with Sam about what we could see, I could see his smile catching peoples' eyes and the smile he always received in return.  And when the warm up music came on and everyone starting moving, I felt happy to be there and excited to run and proud of the smart/beautiful/hilarious little boy in the stroller and crazy about the man at my side.  Life is good.

Our yearly startline photo together

We found Ronald McDonald wandering around after the race.   We scored a picture AND a sticker!

Sam getting ready for his race (unfortunately he got stuck behind some kids, couldn't get to me, felt like he lost the whole race and then they didn't even hand out medals this year... so we aren't going to talk about it!)

Two best guys.

We went for lunch at one of my favourite restaurant, Big T's, had deep fried pickles and a beautiful BBQ meal.  Spent the afternoon in the yard.  Perfect day.  To top it off, got my fastest time in the 5km to date... nothing to brag about in front of an avid runner, but a personal best.

A Spring Visit!

We headed homeward last weekend to see our Moms and spend some time in the country.  We had an awesome visit with my family and celebrated Maeg's 11th birthday.  We also spent some great quality time with my in-laws on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Mom's turn to come play soccer!  Love this little man!

Out at my Grandparents' farm at the world's most efficient wiener cook out!  Even Sammy got to roast a couple.

Perfect day

Happy kite kid!

Helpin' out.

Three generations of kite fliers!  Pretty neat to fly kites at the top of the hill!

Helping hand from sweet cousin Kaili!

So excited for a tractor ride!

Farm boy!

Sam's First Day of Soccer

I was super bummed two weeks ago when Sam had his first day of soccer and I wouldn't be able to be there.  Shaun took on the task (little did we know that 250 3 and 4 year olds also were having their first day of soccer) and had a Dad and Sam day.  Fortunately our good friends the Gordays came to be Sam's biggest fans and snap a couple shots of the man in action.