one!

Happy 1st Birthday to...

...our little Ko-bear...
...Bubba...
...Bubbee...
...and our Little Buddy...

You have brought our life SO much joy! You were so unexpected in our family, but God knew we needed you, and we are SO thankful!

You are so full of joy and peace...that's what your middle name means, God's peace. And I truly think He has given you that! With all the changes we have had in the first year of your life, you have been a calm, low-key, go-with-the flow child. Your brother and sister adore you. Daddy is completely smitten by your cuteness. And I just cannot kiss you enough.

You are getting so big! A couple of weeks ago you took your first step! You haven't been interested in practicing since then, but you walk well along the furniture, and crawl faster then I can run. :)

You are very daring. It is absolutely essential that we close the toilet seat, as somehow you always find your way into the washroom and your hands like to splash in the toilet water. (which by the way, is something your brother and sister never did!) If we don't buckle you into the highchair or your stroller, you will most definitely stand up and try to balance yourself. You are crazy!

You are just so sweet! Your smiles light up the room. You are starting to give kisses, always at the perfect time.

You say Mama, Dada, Buppa (Papa), Ah-Duh (all done). You wave night-night and are starting to sign more, please, and thank you (we had a late start on that)!

You love music...we can tell already. Any time you hear a beat you are quickly dancing in your seat. When Daddy pulls out his guitar or I sit down at the piano, you are quick to crawl over to try to participate. You love watching Praise Baby. The other day in the car it sounded like you were trying to sing along with the worship music we were playing. Precious!

We just LOVE you, sweet boy!

Happy ONE day!

first day of school!

Today was Natalie's first day of Kindergarten! (Did I really just write that? My, oh my, how times flies). Look how big my girl is!
Showing off her new backpack...
Oh, whoops...this is from MY first day of school, 26 years ago! :)

PS. Heavens to Betsy, Mom...why in the world did you put me in a pastel sweatsuit for my first day of kindergarten??! Please tell me it was stylish in the ever trendy 1985.

This morning was early...had to be up at 6:30am. So please excuse the tired eyes in the following pictures!

Showing her little "self" puppet she had to make for her first day of school.

Natalie and her little friend, Devyn. I went to high school with her mom, Sonja, who was a year younger then me. We just found out recently that our girls would be in the same class so they have been able to play together a couple of times since. Natalie told me today that she followed Devyn around all day long and that she is her best friend! :)

Lining up outside her classroom.

Mrs. Humphries welcoming the kids...

Natalie at her seat...

With her tablemates - Destiny, Analise, Lauren, and Eva (not pictured)

One last look before we left...and yes, I was crying.

koen dances

The other day the kids were watching Mary Poppins. I was giving Koen some snacks in his highchair and he started dancing...it was too cute! This boy loves music!

(please excuse the quality of the video - this was taken with my iPhone)

labor day in vancouver

This past Monday (Labor Day) we decided to head downtown to enjoy some time together. We walked around the Stanley Park sea wall for a bit...it was such a beautiful day!

After walking, we headed to Gastown to try to eat at the Old Spaghetti Factory. The wait was ridiculous, so we decided to try another place.

We ate at Steamworks Brewing Company...it was really good and we would definitely go back.

playland/pne

Last Saturday night my parents took us to the PNE. It was my first time since the day Princess Diana died...funny that I remember it. So I guess that puts it at August 31, 1997...14 years ago!

We had a great time with my parents and Ben, Kari, and Lacey. The kids enjoyed some little rides, saw some animals, watched some shows, and saw some cool exhibits!

This was Landon's face during most of the show...

"new" lamps

I have been on the hunt for bedside lamps for our bedroom. Shaun and I have both been engrossed in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, so we have been reading before bedtime. And a ceiling light just doesn't quite cut it for our aging eyes. :)

Even at Home Sense the best prices I could find was $39 per lamp. Not really in our budget at the moment. So I decided to hit up MCC (thrift store) and see what I could find.

I found two identical lamps...priced at $7.50 a piece. But, it was 50% that day, so I got them both for $7.50!

I had some leftover black spray paint from our kitchen table project, so all it took was a coating of that. Then I took off the old lampshades, and added some that I already had.

Voila!

It's amazing how two new lamps can make your room feel brand new again!