Happy Holidays!

I thought I would try and update the blog again as it has been a while.  As many of you know, we experienced a sudden loss of someone very special in our hearts recently.  I can only speak for myself when I say that I find I'm still hurting and some days are better than others.  I do try to focus on our blessings and I do my best to keep moving forward and appreciating those around me.  It has made me re-evaluate things in my life and I'm trying to be the best person I can be because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Kayden has grown a lot in the past couple of months.  He manages to say a few things to us now.  Up, yes, no, pee (please) coh (colour), mommy (although I am also known as daddy?), Daddy, nana, wawa (Wendy at the dayhome) Bogey, Bogey (lorelei, they do look the same...), Juice.  The rest we haven't quite figured out yet but I think we will.  Over Christmas Kayden's cousin Rowan was here and she is a big talker and tried to teach him a few things.  The main words he learned from Ro is Wa do? Rowan successfully says what are you doing?  Kayden says, Wa do?  It's adorable.  He also learned Oww! which he uses whenever we wipe his nose.  He has his favorite blanket that he calls baby that pretty much has to follow him everywhere.  He likes to take your finger and drag you over to the item on the counter that he would like.  The problem is figuring out exactly what he's after!

Chad is going back to school in January.  We are looking forward to closing this chapter of student life!  Soon enough it will be all done and all he will have to complete is his work hours.  I can't believe we are already done this career change.  I remember thinking it would take forever and a day when we started this journey.  It was a great decision as I see Chad's strengths shine through when he talks about electrical work.  I'm really happy and proud of him for sticking with it.

So, I do hope to continue updating the blog as all the birthdays for the kids are just around the corner, can you believe it?  2 years have gone by?  It's incredible.  We wish you all a happy and safe 2010!

The new laptop from Auntie Terri and Rowan!

Rowan and Kayden in the new tent!

(the purple chin is from using a marker like it was chapstick)

A gift from our visit with Santa!

Baby...

Happy Halloween!

Roarrrrr!!!!!

Mom! did you see this candy? why do we have to go out and get any?

Here we go!

Oh, I see, look at all my stuff!

I like this one, another one of these please!!!

Sugar High and a kazoo....

Videos

Thanksgiving

Fun times had by all! We had a really low key Thanksgiving this year which was nice since we've been so busy this year.

Family photo...

Kayden all dressed up with no place to go

Cheers!

Kayden's new haircut!!! Isn't he just so handsome!
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Trying to sneak in for some cuddles with Lorelei...

Time to catch up!

Hello! We have a few events to catch up on. Kayden is growing and learning more each day. He's also having some trouble expressing himself and so that has led to a few temper tantrums which is a lovely experience! Hopefully when he expands his vocabulary he'll be able to tell us a bit more about what is going on exactly. The two things that are the end of the world as we know it (in case you weren't aware) are:

The blanket - must be around at bedtime!


The bathtub - draining the water is the beginning of the end.

If you are wondering what a temper tantrum consists of these days it usually includes but is not limited to: crying, crying so hard no noise is at first heard, tossing and turning all over the ground, body vibrating... you get the fun picture. I believe this is usually referred to as the terrible two's. Hmmmm... we are in for some good times so I will keep you posted!

It's been a long time...

We've been a wee bit busy lately so I do apologise on the delay on getting any photos up of Kayden. I started a new job with Bellstar Hotels and Resorts doing HR for them and have had a whirlwind of a month getting used to the new ways of doing things. I'm finally feeling like I'm getting my feet on the ground though so life should be getting back to normal soon.

Now, let's get to the real star of the show... Kayden is growing like crazy! He's starting to lose a bit of his baby look and chubbiness and starting to look like a little man. Just recently he has decided he really wants to talk, so he does, we just don't quite understand it yet. He does say a few things like Dada (his favorite as dad is his best bud at the moment) Mama, wow, Hi, Yeahhhh, Boo! Weee! uh oh and Deedee (Bogey). He gives away kisses to anyone who asks for one and he likes to feed people and the dogs. The dogs love this new and improved feature on this little human being! He love love loves to be outside and can't get enough of opening and closing doors.

So, I'm going to just throw a bunch of photos up in hopes to catch us up a bit and I sincerely hope to be on here again soon....

Grandpa K's 70th birthday in Cranbrook

Stealing cake from the birthday boy

Helping Grandpa K read the cards

Having a blast with Rowan and the balloons Nana blew up


Seeing if Bogey wants to play with the bucket

All dressed up for Lisa and Bill's wedding

And then there were three...

So, I'm not entirely sure how our parents did it when we were little. Having three little bodies the same age kept us three moms on our toes. It was crazy cute seeing them together...

Playing in the curtains

Auntie Ali knows they best way into the Stager household and brought some yummy desert!

More pictures of the three kids are to come as we are going to visit again tonight!!!

Canmore

So, we decided it would be a GREAT idea to go the Mountains so Marty could learn a new word (Montagne). Well, about halfway through the drive to Canmore, when both kids were crying, we were thinking hmmmm.... maybe not such a great idea? We then met up with Kevin (Danica's brother in law) and had some lunch. Marty was not in the mood to sit still and may or may not have thrown a temper tantrum (I'm told this was a mild one). Kayden was doing awesome and then ended the lunch with a bang, literally... Broke a glass in a bunch of little pieces. Danica and I were a wee bit embarassed and I don't think Kevin is welcome back.

So, we decided it was mandatory to have a 'Park' break and that was a great plan!

We played on the swings...

Kayden showed his bossy side...

And then his cute side...
And fell in love with the slide.

Martin ran off just about all his energy...

Both moms are happy on the way home...

Because there was peace at last!!!

East meets West...

We are so excited to have Martin and Danica come for a visit! It is very interesting to see the boys interact as they are quite the opposites. They are learning from each other though and next time they meet I'm sure they will be great friends.

Grandpa Stew!

Or Baba as Kayden liked to call him. Dad and Grandpa were outside working on the patio one day and Kayden said Baba! Dada! So cute... Grandpa is way too hard to say anyways...

Hippo

Just a short clip of Kayden and his new best bud...

Goodbye Elmo, Hello Hippo!

(it was one of our hot days in Calgary which explains Kayden's shirtlessness)

Thanks GG!

Our Backyard is finally done!!!

Well, we've been pretty excited to finish the stone patio in the yard only because, it's the last big yard project! We were not excited about the actual work and well, it wasn't fun but, it's done!

A BIG THANKS to Grandpa Stew who was a huge help in getting this all done.

Before...

After...

Before...
After...
I should have done this one from the same angle but you get the idea. Woohoo! It's been just amazing to sit out there and enjoy it all. It makes the backyard feel so much bigger now that we have more useable space.