Jackson4

Family

2012-01-30T20:09:00.000-07:00

We had some professional pictures taken of us back in August. Emily and I just bought a new printer over the weekend so I was finally able to scan them. I think the kids, especially Liam has changed; probably because he's lost four teeth since then.

Happy 6th Birthday, Liam!

2012-01-17T18:37:00.005-07:00

Today is Liam's 6th birthday. We can't believe how quickly the time has flown. We had his 'friend' birthday party on Saturday at a place called Shakers Fun Centre. Unlimited laser tag, climbing wall, arcade games and other fun things for him, Emily and 7 of his buds to do. Yesterday was party number two with Todd's parents and today (his official birthday) is the four of us celebrating him.

A few ways to describe the little man:

Strong-willed - very hard to sway which will hopefully serve him well
Affectionate - will run over and give hugs
Athletic - the kid can skate, play soccer, climb, throw a football like no other
Great appetite - "he has a palate of a 40 year old", some of his favorites: mussels, calamari, shrimp, "fat meat", vegetables
Helpful - makes mommy and daddy's coffee on the weekend; keeps his room pretty tidy
Energetic - on the go, go, go and the questions!
Bright - good at math, likes to spell and learn new things

We are very proud of our son and look forward to the years ahead and all he will do.

Captain America cake

Getting ready for laser tag

Spin the wheel for a prize

Hurricane booth - wind that blows up 80 mph

Climbing wall

Birthday cake #2

Celebrating in kindergarten

One of my favorite pictures - Emily meeting Liam in the hospital 6 years ago today

"Your parents are cool"

2012-01-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

Possibly against our better judgement, Todd and I agreed to let the kids stay up as late as they wanted last Friday night. So no nagging, no battles to get to bed, just two sleeping bags on the couch, a bowl of popcorn and a kiss good night. We watched a family movie, brushed teeth and said good night. They were so excited and had been looking forward to their 'adventure' all week. Their friends at school said that they have the coolest parents. Pretty sure we weren't going for that title, but it was a fun thing for them to do. We think they fell asleep around 11 or midnight so not bad. Liam was bright eyed and bushy tailed the next morning and Emily slept until about 8:30 am. They were early to bed that Saturday night though!

Getting comfortable

The afternoon after...

Happy Birthday, Babca!

2012-01-09T19:28:00.001-07:00

It was my mom's 70th birthday on January 2nd. My younger brother organized a surprise birthday party for her so we made the trip to Lethbridge. I think she was surprised and happy that her kids were there to celebrate her. My dad was in on it and teary-eyed while she gave him heck for 'lying' to her (he told her they were going elsewhere for supper).

Happy birthday, mama!

Babca and granddaughter

Liam wresting with dzadza

My brother and sister-in-law

This is what we do at Grandma's

2012-01-03T20:56:00.002-07:00

Emily and Liam are still off this week from school, but Todd and I are back to work. So Grandma and Grandpa were able to look after them for us in Brooks. Emily sent this video yesterday of some of the fun they are having.

Email from Emily:

"Liam loved getting pie in his face gramma got it off with a dull knife he got it in his face 3 times then he did it himself
Love Emily
And heres the video
Grampa says he is nuts.
It was banana cream pie
I love you"

2012

2012-01-01T16:09:00.003-07:00

The tree is now down and the decorations are put away until next year. We had a very good Christmas holiday and feel very fortunate. It's now a new year and although I'm not a huge believer in resolutions, I have decided to focus on a few areas I could improve in:

1. To be nicer or less judgemental, especially when I'm not in the situation or do not share a perspective

2. To do at least one thing that I've never done before each month. It doesn't have to be big, but just something that is a new experience

3. To not just talk about 'things' to do or that need to get done; but just do it

4. Run the Nike Women's 1/2 marathon in San Fran in October with my sister-in-law

There are many other things for 2012 that I will aim for such as continuing to be active and practice patience, but the above are things I will add extra focus and attention to.

Happy New Year to all.; continued health, happiness and prosperity.

Holiday Visiting

2012-01-01T15:52:00.002-07:00

Over the past week we have been lucky to spend time with many good friends. This past Friday we went sledding and over to L & J's house for dinner and laughs. The kids all get along really well and enjoy seeing each other. Liam even gets into the groove with the three girls.

Racing down the hill

Walking up the hill for my one and only slide

Airdrie Lights 2011

2011-12-28T21:00:00.003-07:00

We usually take in the Zoolights each year, but this year we went to the nearby city of Airdrie with friends to stroll through their festival of lights. Free parking, fewer people, a much lower cost and of course great company made it a fun evening. New tradition?

Kids hopping in Santa's sleigh

Making marshmellow snowmen

Best quote of the night, "Is this glue?" And it wasn't the kids who asked. :)

I think this is his sister's snowman

First Tournament - Bowness 2011

2011-12-28T20:56:00.001-07:00

Liam is playing in his first Timbits tournament this week. He's enjoying it, has scored a goal so far, but really liked playing in goal and 'making an amazing save' (his words which have Todd worried).

Tournament update:

Liam had a breakout game in their third game. He scored three goals and did well back-checking. He even lifted the stick of another player and took the puck away..just like he and Todd practice in the basement. Pretty textbook and he made it look easy.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-27T17:12:00.001-07:00

This year we travelled to Lethbridge and Brooks to spend time with both families. December 22nd to 24th in Lethbridge with my parents, brother and sister-in-law. We then travelled to Brooks on December 24th to 26th and celebrated Christmas with the Jackson/Otto clan (18 of us all together at Grandma and Grandpa's house). And what a celebration it was. Lots of laughs, good 'debates', playing mini sticks with the cousins, bottles of wine, tons of food, church Christmas Eve and it 'only' took 3 hours to open gifts Christmas morning. The kids loved both trips and were sad to see it end. Emily still hasn't eaten her 25th chocolate from her advent calendar because she doesn't want it to be over. We all feel very lucky to have such great families and to be able to spend time with them.

New haircut while in Lethbridge

Excited to open his first gift

Let the madness begin

Gift from Santa - Cookie the dog

Waiting patiently for his turn

Even Santa was tired

Storm Trooper costume from Santa

Cousins cuddling

Making Zombie vomit

Playing with my new camera lense

Zombie lab

Drinking Zombie 'brains'

Lots of this

Table set for Christmas dinner

More cuddling

Rosemont Christmas Concert

2011-12-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

The kids had their school Christmas concert last week. So cute. Liam even dressed up for the occasion.

An igloo made out of milk cartons

Liam is in the blue sweater, second row, second from the left

Emily is fourth from the left

December to Date

2011-12-11T18:57:00.001-07:00

It's only the 2nd week of December, but it has been jam packed with activities - hockey games, Youth Singers Christmas concert, Christmas parties and just playing in the snowy winterland that Calgary has recently become. The next few weeks will be just as busy with preparing for the big day.

Liam playing in his first official game, not just a practice. He had a hat trick.

Emily the Elf at her Youth Singers' "Pirate Christmas" concert

Suncor kids' Christmas party

Face painting from the Suncor party

Making a snowman and going sledding just before the big snow storm

Tradition: Christmas Tree Cutting

2011-12-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

We went out for our 4th annual Christmas tree cutting today. Grandma and Grandpa joined us this year and we brought home a beautiful tall tree, all for a $5 permit. The kids enjoyed some hot chocolate and apple cider before heading back to town. Stay tuned for a decorated tree tomorrow...

Looking tall

Found the perfect tree so getting ready to start up the chainsaw

Warming up by the fire with some hot chocolate and apple cider

Orange Crushers

2011-12-03T21:24:00.000-07:00

Liam's junior Timbits hockey team name is the McKnight Orange Crushers. It's amazing to see how the whole concept of 'team' forms. He doesn't quite get that he should be passing the puck to his fellow players, but he does understand that they all have the same hoody and toque. Liam is also very proud of having his name on one sleeve and having 'his' number 11 on the other.

2011-11-27T19:24:00.002-07:00

Our household (except for me, knock on wood) has been battling some illnesses the last little while. Liam started with the stomach flu a week ago, then Emily was down for a few days with the blahs and a cough, and Todd was feverish. The kids had early dismissal from school on Friday and they were feeling better so the three of us went to the Muppets movie. The rest of the weekend was relatively low-key other than Youth Singers for Emily and hockey for Liam. Hopefully this is the last of the sicknesses for awhile. Oh, and today was spent trying not to be blown away by the 100+km/h wind. Downtown Calgary was even shut down due to flying debris and breaking windows in some of the buildings.

Plain spaghetti dinner in jammies

Nice sunset before the crazy wind storm

Knitting in between coughing spells

Just Cute

2011-11-18T19:41:00.000-07:00

Emily and Liam are like any brother and sister; they are good friends, but also get into some battles and annoy each other. The last few days though, they've been the best of buds and just super cute together.

Emily helping Liam (he's starting to read)

Ice cream, sprinkles, chocolate chips and maraschino cherries for dessert

Cuddling during a family movie night

Slip Sliding

2011-11-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

We took a drive this afternoon out to Johnson Canyon which is near Banff. It's a great little hike during the summer as well as during the winter. A lot of people ice climb in the area. We didn't see any as the ice isn't quite ready, but the kids had a lot of fun sliding around on the ice along the path.

Emily making an inukshuk

Hanging on tight

The lower falls

Confederation Park

2011-11-11T18:33:00.002-07:00

It's Remembrance Day today and we had plans to head south to spend time with friends at their cabin. Unfortunately one of their kids has a bit of the stomach flu so we postponed our visit until the new year.

We are being spoiled with some very mild weather so I took Emily and Liam to Confederation Park for some fresh air. They played, climbed and jumped off of trees and met up with some school mates for an impromptu playdate.

Bit fuzzy, but I love this picture. They were singing to each other.

Trick or Treat

2011-10-31T22:03:00.001-06:00

Halloween, the big day has finally arrived. The kids have been having a 4-day ghoulish marathon that started with a carnival at their school this past Friday. Emily dressed up for dance on Saturday, we went to a halloween party that night, Sunday was another dress up day with Youth Singers and now it's actually Halloween. Four days of costumes and candy. Now it's the countdown to Christmas...

Monster Ghoul, Pretty Pirate and Scary Scream heading out

Coming back with their loot. The "hands" were their halloween bags that their Auntie Wendy bought them in Phoenix. They were a hit. Thanks, Auntie Wendy!

Not bad for a couple of hours

Pumpkins

2011-10-30T19:45:00.001-06:00

We typically get together with friends for an annual pumpkin carving contest. Unfortunately our schedules this year didn't work out to continue the tradition. But, we can't not carve pumpkins, so we continued the 10th annual tradition on our own. Here are all the winning designs:

Emily getting into the guts

Todd and Liam concentrating on their design

Practicing on an apple

Guess who carved which pumpkin......

"Scream"

"Brain-man"

"Disco Cat"

Halloween Decorating

2011-10-22T16:49:00.000-06:00

With Halloween just over a week away, we brought out the decorations. The kids are quite excited about getting dressed up and trick or treating. Ironically, Liam doesn't want to wear any of his thousand-and-one costumes. He wants to be "Scream" and Emily is going as a pirate.

Todd's famous spider web

Victoria

2011-10-11T22:52:00.001-06:00

Todd ran his first marathon this past weekend in Victoria, British Columbia. It had been a few years since I had been there and it was Todd's first time. The weather was beautiful and watching the runners was quite inspiring. The winner ran the race in 2 hours and 14 minutes. Todd did great too. I was very proud of him as he crossed the finish line. He wasn't too worse for wear so we were able to enjoy a few days afterwards exploring the city and surrounding areas. One of the days we took a drive to French Beach in our zippy Volvo car that we rented. A great little getaway.

Already a lot of snow in the mountains

Morning of the run

So envious of the beautiful flowers still in bloom

Looking fresh at the 5 km mark

Walking around Beacon Hill Park

Ivy growing on the Empress hotel

Almost done - sprinting to the finish line

Lots of pumpkin patches

Training Camp

2011-09-28T18:44:00.002-06:00

Liam has been participating in a hockey camp this week prior to starting Timbits next week. He's picked up where he left off last year and is really enjoying the various drills.

He should be getting his Timbits jersey next week

One of the bigger kids on the ice

Liam is the one who does a spin-a-rama..

Ladies' Phoenix Getaway

2011-09-26T19:33:00.002-06:00

My MIL's birthday was this past weekend and to celebrate the milestone, she, my three sister-in-laws and I went to Phoenix for 4 days. It was a extended weekend full of fun, shopping, laughing and dining in the 106 degree fahrenheit Arizona heat. I could easily spend more time (and money) there. Some highlights included a pedicure that included a hot stone massage, a 'raw earth' treatment, soothing leg mask, paraffin wax among some other treatments during the almost 2 hours - all for $55! A giddy late supper at the Melting Pot (a great fondue restaurant), 75% off at Ann Taylor and a movie experience like no other at ipic theatres. Reclining seats, fuzzy blankets, pillow, wine, food and popcorn delivered to your seat. Such a great idea and so civilized. Now to convince Todd to buy a place down there.

Some birds native to Arizona. They looked like road-runners.

View from the condo

Getting ready to hit the shops

Day one shopping results

Birthday lemon souffle

Pool at the condo

Sunny Sunday

2011-09-18T17:07:00.000-06:00

This weekend seemed like a rare one where we stayed in town and didn't have specific plans other than tap dance class for Emily and a birthday party to attend. Today we went to the Farmer's Market for some fresh veggies and just to look around. Emily got a "tattoo" and Liam had his face painted. Pretty uneventful weekend, but I like those every once in awhile.

Emily's tattoo that will apparently last for about two weeks

Liam's lizard

Emily and Liam playing football with some neighborhood kids