Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Our Weekend in Crowsnest Pass
Shawn's parents built a cabin in a teensy town named Bellevue within the Crowsnest Pass area of Alberta. Shawn has been badgering me to take the family for a visit and I can't say why I resisted! We had such a fun time!
We started off at the Frank's Slide Interpretive Centre. Ella started her dangerous forays immediately.
Averi has a weird face, lol!
While we didn't want to pay admission to the Interpretive Centre, the grounds boasted a hiking path that we all enjoyed!
Love the silly poses!!!
Shawn trying to keep Ella safe:
Ella after I told him just to let her go:
Shawn had to make a mad climb to prevent her from making it to the top and, in all probability, flinging herself off the precipice! She's a really fast little monkey!!
Funny how Taylor's the one who end up hurting himself:
Dad tried convincing him to be brave... He got over it soon enough.
Another silly Ella pose:
And a sweet Ella pose:
We also took the children to the swimming pool in Sparwood, BC. It was fabulous!!
It was a terrific trip up until the very end when nerves became too frazzled to withstand anymore. ;)
On the way home, we stopped at the Lundbreck Falls.
We started off at the Frank's Slide Interpretive Centre. Ella started her dangerous forays immediately.
Averi has a weird face, lol!
While we didn't want to pay admission to the Interpretive Centre, the grounds boasted a hiking path that we all enjoyed!
Love the silly poses!!!
Shawn trying to keep Ella safe:
Ella after I told him just to let her go:
Funny how Taylor's the one who end up hurting himself:
Dad tried convincing him to be brave... He got over it soon enough.
Another silly Ella pose:
And a sweet Ella pose:
We also took the children to the swimming pool in Sparwood, BC. It was fabulous!!
It was a terrific trip up until the very end when nerves became too frazzled to withstand anymore. ;)
On the way home, we stopped at the Lundbreck Falls.
Canada Day Celebration
It's high time I get these pics posted!
For the last several years, our church has put on a celebration for Canada Day. It involves food, entertainment, kid activities and the flag-raising. In the photo below, Ella can be seen plucking the Canadian flag markers for the flag-raising ceremony. Eek, that child!!
I, with a couple buddies, happened to be part of the entertainment [footage below]...
That horrific part in the first song was my fault, of course. It is quite unfortunate that I was the one holding the mike at that point. :s In our defense, we had only 4 days notice in which to find songs and practice! (And in defense of the audience size--determined by the pathetic smatter of applause--we were the first act and, therefore, a crowd had yet to accumulate.)
For the last several years, our church has put on a celebration for Canada Day. It involves food, entertainment, kid activities and the flag-raising. In the photo below, Ella can be seen plucking the Canadian flag markers for the flag-raising ceremony. Eek, that child!!
I, with a couple buddies, happened to be part of the entertainment [footage below]...
That horrific part in the first song was my fault, of course. It is quite unfortunate that I was the one holding the mike at that point. :s In our defense, we had only 4 days notice in which to find songs and practice! (And in defense of the audience size--determined by the pathetic smatter of applause--we were the first act and, therefore, a crowd had yet to accumulate.)
Ella's 3rd Bday Celebration
For Ella's third birthday, we got a strawberry-rhubarb pie and lemon cream cheese torte at Costco. Nontraditional but Ella's still too young to have a preference.
We celebrated at Grandma and Grandpa Nelson's home. There were a lot of family visiting because Shawn's cousin had gotten married that weekend.
I've been waiting for Ella to turn three FOR-EV-ER. I have been assuming that she would grow out of some crazy behaviors. Since she has not, and under the advice of 3 people who have children with disabilities (within one week!), we are having Ella assessed for behavioral or developmental issues. She's a very bright girl but extended family (and those who have followed this blog) will allow that she has more than her fair share of bizarre performances. (This comes to mind as well as the 2011 Swan family reunion sacrament table swan dive (@ Bear Lake) that I don't think I've shared on the blog yet.)
Some footage:
We celebrated at Grandma and Grandpa Nelson's home. There were a lot of family visiting because Shawn's cousin had gotten married that weekend.
I've been waiting for Ella to turn three FOR-EV-ER. I have been assuming that she would grow out of some crazy behaviors. Since she has not, and under the advice of 3 people who have children with disabilities (within one week!), we are having Ella assessed for behavioral or developmental issues. She's a very bright girl but extended family (and those who have followed this blog) will allow that she has more than her fair share of bizarre performances. (This comes to mind as well as the 2011 Swan family reunion sacrament table swan dive (@ Bear Lake) that I don't think I've shared on the blog yet.)
Some footage:
Thursday, July 26, 2012
A Trip to Heritage Park
This was a quick trip to Heritage Park back in June.
A video clip:
Ella's finally big enough to go on!
Conversely, Taylor is now too big to go on!
A video clip:
Monday, July 23, 2012
Daddy/Daughter Outing
Some blustery day in May, Daddy had the opportunity to take Ella out along with his friend's dog.
Ella enjoyed throwing the ball for the pooch [video below].
Ella enjoyed throwing the ball for the pooch [video below].
Science Open House
Back in March, Shawn stayed home with Ella so that I might take Taylor and Averi to Bridlewood School's Science Family Fun Night!
We started off by witnessing how many text books 3 eggs could hold up. Turns out about 33!!! Imagine the breathless anticipation!
Ah, the power of the mighty arch!
Then the baking soda volcano...
Taylor and Averi creating polyhedrons with marshmallows and toothpicks:
Such a fabulous kiddy craft idea!!
There were other exhibits and experiments but I didn't capture them all on camera. We all had a lot of fun, though!
We started off by witnessing how many text books 3 eggs could hold up. Turns out about 33!!! Imagine the breathless anticipation!
Ah, the power of the mighty arch!
Then the baking soda volcano...
Taylor and Averi creating polyhedrons with marshmallows and toothpicks:
Such a fabulous kiddy craft idea!!
There were other exhibits and experiments but I didn't capture them all on camera. We all had a lot of fun, though!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Hugs & Kisses
I chanced to find Shawn in the somewhat unusual activity of shaving his face at 9:30pm. He caught my inquiring look and said, "Taylor's hugs and kisses." I immediately swooned with adoration.
Not a bedtime goes by that Taylor doesn't procrastinate by insisting upon his hugs and kisses (Averi has adopted this pattern, as well). How sweet that Daddy was shaving for the occasion! (We returned from a "camping" trip at Crowsnest Pass this evening--will hopefully post more on that soon!)
Note to all men: The way to any woman's heart is through her children! ;)
Not a bedtime goes by that Taylor doesn't procrastinate by insisting upon his hugs and kisses (Averi has adopted this pattern, as well). How sweet that Daddy was shaving for the occasion! (We returned from a "camping" trip at Crowsnest Pass this evening--will hopefully post more on that soon!)
Note to all men: The way to any woman's heart is through her children! ;)
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Death and Marriage
I have 2 sweet little children brushing my hair as I type this. I'm a sucker for having my hair groomed. ;)
Lol!!
There's probably plenty of men who would agree with that sentiment. Al Bundy from the old TV show "Married with Children" comes to mind!
Taylor: When I have a wife, I'm going to do this for her.
Me: Awwww!
Averi: When I grow up, I'm going to marry Daddy cuz I'm a girl.
Taylor: Daddy's already married so he's going to die soon.
Lol!!
There's probably plenty of men who would agree with that sentiment. Al Bundy from the old TV show "Married with Children" comes to mind!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Ella-ese
Ella's speech varies from the astounding to the unintelligible. After she completed a cute little gibberish monologue this evening, Averi turned to us and exclaimed, "I don't speak 'Ella!'"
Monday, June 18, 2012
Ella's Surgery
Considering I had just written this post, imagine my surprise when Ella's surgeon's office called me with a surgery date of June 7th!
[I've been remiss in keeping this blog up to date. There are a few things that I've wanted to post. Mainly, I just can't wait to be able to remember ALL the GOOD things after death. ;) ]
I have a couple of pictures on my phone from after Ella's surgery but until I have a way to transfer them to the computer, that's where they'll remain.
Her surgery (tonsil- and adenoid-ectomy) went well; no post-op complications. I spent the night in the hospital with her but she didn't sleep much after the anesthetic effects wore off. We walked the halls of the unit for a lot of the night. :( She was allowed as many popsicles and jello as she wanted. She wasn't a fan of the jello. She ate lots of popsicles and apple juice after the surgery but then promptly threw it up. Following this, however, she ate and kept down 3 bowls of chicken noodle soup!
Daddy and the kids visited for a short time in the evening. They had to leave expeditiously due to the fact that Averi and Taylor were too boisterous and unintentionally waking kids trying to sleep. Why don't kids ever listen??
Ella had horrific breath for a week or so but that is normal. Averi, among others, constantly checked her diaper to see if she had messed herself! My favorite comment, however, came from Daddy who said that it smelled like something crawled into her mouth and died and then something else crawled into her mouth, ate the dead thing and then died. lol! Some of the more colorful versions were longer.
Ella was not a fan of taking Tylenol. She was supposed to take it every 4 hours for the first couple of days. The only way we could get her to take it was to force a FastMelt into the back of her mouth. They're difficult to spit out because they kind of stick to your tongue but we had to monitor closely. The liquid Tylenol was promptly spewed out on most occasions, despite using a syringe and only squirting it in in small amounts. Crushing a FastMelt and mixing it into applesauce or yogurt only worked if she'd eat the whole amount, which didn't seem often.
On the amazing side, her loud breathing and snoring have completely disappeared! The difference has been like night and day! She no longer has her apneic spells and we no longer fear that she won't wake up.
On the negative side, we can no longer hear her coming.
;)
[I've been remiss in keeping this blog up to date. There are a few things that I've wanted to post. Mainly, I just can't wait to be able to remember ALL the GOOD things after death. ;) ]
I have a couple of pictures on my phone from after Ella's surgery but until I have a way to transfer them to the computer, that's where they'll remain.
Her surgery (tonsil- and adenoid-ectomy) went well; no post-op complications. I spent the night in the hospital with her but she didn't sleep much after the anesthetic effects wore off. We walked the halls of the unit for a lot of the night. :( She was allowed as many popsicles and jello as she wanted. She wasn't a fan of the jello. She ate lots of popsicles and apple juice after the surgery but then promptly threw it up. Following this, however, she ate and kept down 3 bowls of chicken noodle soup!
Daddy and the kids visited for a short time in the evening. They had to leave expeditiously due to the fact that Averi and Taylor were too boisterous and unintentionally waking kids trying to sleep. Why don't kids ever listen??
Ella had horrific breath for a week or so but that is normal. Averi, among others, constantly checked her diaper to see if she had messed herself! My favorite comment, however, came from Daddy who said that it smelled like something crawled into her mouth and died and then something else crawled into her mouth, ate the dead thing and then died. lol! Some of the more colorful versions were longer.
Ella was not a fan of taking Tylenol. She was supposed to take it every 4 hours for the first couple of days. The only way we could get her to take it was to force a FastMelt into the back of her mouth. They're difficult to spit out because they kind of stick to your tongue but we had to monitor closely. The liquid Tylenol was promptly spewed out on most occasions, despite using a syringe and only squirting it in in small amounts. Crushing a FastMelt and mixing it into applesauce or yogurt only worked if she'd eat the whole amount, which didn't seem often.
On the amazing side, her loud breathing and snoring have completely disappeared! The difference has been like night and day! She no longer has her apneic spells and we no longer fear that she won't wake up.
On the negative side, we can no longer hear her coming.
;)
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
You've Got Grass
While snuggling with Daddy, Ella looks up Daddy's nose and announces:
You have grass!
You have grass!
Saturday, June 2, 2012
My First Recital
OMGoodness, I'm so ecstatic that this is over!
It may be recalled that I received singing lessons as a Christmas present. My instructor, the fabulous Tanis, is a coloratura soprano and has a Masters in Vocal Performance. She lived just a couple of blocks away (in my ward) so it took me less than a minute to drive there (Shawn: Why don't you just walk??). She has since moved to a small town just south of Calgary but the 25-minute drive there is still worth it. ;)
My motivation in taking singing lessons is to hopefully acquire the confidence to perform. As is true with teaching, I am fairly certain that the more I perform, the better I will become at performing. I insisted Shawn record me at my recital so I could critique myself. The added benefit is that I got to hear what I sound like. I've never been able to "hear myself" when I sing... Weird, but true.
You can't really tell that I'm dying of nerves (except that I can't breathe and don't smile or make much eye contact), but my usual stiffness is broken up with occasional hand rotations/waving... Whoops. I do that during lessons/practices to help with energy and flow. Didn't think I'd carry it over to my performance. Bah, whatever.
The recital takes place in a United Church building.
Taylor filmed my little pre-recital-footage message so excuse the shaking and noises. ;)
It may be recalled that I received singing lessons as a Christmas present. My instructor, the fabulous Tanis, is a coloratura soprano and has a Masters in Vocal Performance. She lived just a couple of blocks away (in my ward) so it took me less than a minute to drive there (Shawn: Why don't you just walk??). She has since moved to a small town just south of Calgary but the 25-minute drive there is still worth it. ;)
My motivation in taking singing lessons is to hopefully acquire the confidence to perform. As is true with teaching, I am fairly certain that the more I perform, the better I will become at performing. I insisted Shawn record me at my recital so I could critique myself. The added benefit is that I got to hear what I sound like. I've never been able to "hear myself" when I sing... Weird, but true.
You can't really tell that I'm dying of nerves (except that I can't breathe and don't smile or make much eye contact), but my usual stiffness is broken up with occasional hand rotations/waving... Whoops. I do that during lessons/practices to help with energy and flow. Didn't think I'd carry it over to my performance. Bah, whatever.
The recital takes place in a United Church building.
Taylor filmed my little pre-recital-footage message so excuse the shaking and noises. ;)
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