We've had many experiences over the past few weeks. From the mundane things like cleaning out an abandoned suite in our building and surviving the daily grind to important family events to buying a house (EEK!). Please bear with me (again) as I recite our comings and goings. This blog entry has taken me SO long to write because of internet problems and blog problems, etc. Blah.
There were a lot of family things surrounding my Grandma's funeral and memorial service. The girls and I traveled down to Fort MacLeod and back in one day so we could be at the graveside dedication and family celebration of her life. We all attended the memorial service in Edmonton. It was a good time to remember all the things Grandma did for us and how much she means to us.
This is where Grandma was buried - in her family cemetery. It has a beautiful view and it was a beautiful dedication. It was difficult emotionally because it hadn't really sunk in but when you see the actual casket - it became very real. It was a very sad time but it was good to hear of how far her influence spread and to see all the people that she had touched.
Madeline really enjoyed the family time after the graveside dedication. The dinner was held at
Windy Rafters barn at my Uncle Monty's house. It was very fun to hear stories about Grandma told by her brothers and sisters.
Claire enjoyed the outdoors time and was very good in the windy weather.
After Grandma's memorial service in Edmonton, we took a family picture by the
temple - the place my Grandma loved to be.
A few weeks ago, Natalie and Travis got married! It was a fun day, besides Claire's screaming through the ceremony that I had to miss because we had to spend it out in the hallway. Don't get me started. Let's just say that we probably won't be bringing to girls to any upcoming weddings. Natalie looked stunning and Travis wasn't too bad himself. It was fun to celebrate their love and to welcome Travis to the family, officially.
Click
HERE to see photos from Natalie and Travis' wedding.
Natalie (and Carrie!) graduated from
Marvel College and I was invited to go to the celebration. It was great fun to be a part of it all.
Here's Ryan holding both girls at once. A pretty big feat.
One of the joys of managing an apartment building is cleaning up after others. Sometimes it's worse than others.
We have done battle with the hotel/coffee shop/bars across the alley for some time now. Every weekend they pile up their recycling bin to overflowing and if there's any wind at all, it blows all over our parking lot. One weekend when we got home from church there was a shredded paper surprise all over our grass and parking lot.
Daddy and his girls
We attended the
GRIT year end picnic and had lots of fun.
Claire had fun in this neat spinner at the park.
Madeline actually held still for getting her face painted. She asked for a clown face and had lots of fun pretending to be a clown for the rest of the day.
One of Claire's favourite activities when we go to singing groups is parachute games. Here she is enjoying the parachute.
Claire and Madeline like holding hands in the car. It makes me really happy to see that!
That same day we celebrated Ukrainian Easter at Sheila and Don's place (We're not Ukrainian - this just denotes that it was way past the traditional Easter celebration).
Luke and Madeline battled for the Easter eggs. Otherwise, they played quite nicely with each other and had lots of fun.
Sarah really likes Claire and was giving her lots of kisses.
The girls took a little ride on a mini horse. Claire's an old pro now because of
Little Bits.
Maddie was over the moon about her horse ride!
We also got to meet all the new baby goats. Madeline almost electrocuted herself twice on the electric fence while running after them. Never a dull moment.
Claire also enjoyed meeting the babies.
Here are the girls having fun reading together.
Here's another picture of Claire on Babe. She's doing so well. We have one class left and then a break for the summer. We've tried several arrangements for support on the saddle and last week was the best ride she's had. We put the gardening kneeler pad behind her for back support and then a "c-shaped" cushion in front of her and it worked very well. They're so flexible and willing to try new things at this program - it's really great!
While Claire has her riding lessons, Madeline and I explore the riding centre. We found the elusive kitty the other day and Maddie would not leave it alone. It was fun to watch.
Madeline was helping me make a salad and I let her play with the leftover Cool Whip. She was dipping her fingers in it and eating it and then she started sharing with Claire and they both had it all over their faces. It was fun to see them having fun together.
Ryan totally surprised me on my birthday. It was a Sunday and we have church at 1pm so I usually try to get some supper ready to cook before we go to church. Ryan told me not to worry about it and that he would take care of things. I was a little frustrated because I thought we would get home and be hungry with nothing to eat. But while we were at church, my family came up and tidied the house and had a delicious supper ready for us when we got home. I didn't expect it at all and it was lots of fun.
Maddie helping me blow out the candles.
Here's Dad and Claire on my bday.
Broc and Ryan taking a ride on the new bike.
Some items don't really go along with pictures. We met Claire's new developmental specialist for next year and she seems great! I'm really excited for her preschool year.
I volunteered at the Corporate Challenge
Bunnock tournament for the Little Bits fundraiser. It was great fun and I got to meet a lot of neat people. I also got to represent the parent view at some GRIT group interviews for new Developmental Specialists. It was neat to see the selection process. I attended a neat Spring cleaning Enrichment activity and got to get rid of some "treasures" and picked up a neat clothes hanger for Maddie's room.
We spent some time at West Ed at the Waterpark (thanks to Val!) and Galaxyland (thanks to the CNIB and Auntie Mel) and had lots of fun there.
Claire got snazzy new leopard print AFO braces. She picked out the pattern herself and
they go with everything!
I will do a separate post about the new house but that's what we've been up to for the past...month!
