Bower Ponds

Today we hung out at Bower Ponds in Red Deer for a little while. We enjoyed chasing the geese around the pond and watching them swim. If Camilla had her way she would have jumped right into the water with them. I could see it in her eyes as we stood at the waters edge. I knew she needed a day at the park when she started hanging from my cutlery drawer and trying to climb up on everything. She's such a busy little girl! She thoroughly enjoyed climbing, hanging, sliding, swinging and running. It was a super hot afternoon. The perfect day to be outside. 

Eskimo Kisses

 Today while Hyrum was swinging in his baby swing, Camilla walked up to him and wanted to give him an "ekeemo kiss". I told her that Eskimo kisses were done by touching the ends of our noses. She then took her little fingers and touched the end of hers and Hyrum's noses. We both giggled. Then I watched as a tender moment was shared between brother and sister. Eskimo kisses are so special, especially when given by a big sister! 

Camilla is such a great big sister. Often when Hyrum is crying she will go up to him and ask, "Whatsa matter High-am?" and kiss him on the cheek. Then she will pat his head and say, "You're ooootay High-am, you're ootay...." She did this yesterday and it melted my heart. I love the mini-mommy that my little girl is. It reminds me how important my role is as a mother to teach her what she needs to know and how to show her love.

I love my sweet little Eskimo's!

Our Bashful Boy

If there was one word that Mr. Stannix and I would use to describe our little boy, it would be bashful, at least lately. Yesterday morning an elderly lady approached me in the grocery store to take a peek at Hyrum and without fail, he flashed her his bashful little grin. When Daddy comes home from work he gets a bashful hands-over-the-mouth smile. If Hyrum is being talked to by a stranger, he will often smile bashfully and hide his face in my shoulder. If a lot of people are in a room visiting, and suddenly someone pays him some attention, he will make eye contact, flash a bashful grin, and turn his head to the side. In the morning when I go to get him from his crib, he will look up at me and smile bashfully. It is my favorite little look of his. Even when he drools down my arm (which happens a lot lately) or fills his pants while he's on my lap, I adore him, because of his bashful smiles!

Camilla's "Curse" Words

Last night we were driving home and Mr. Stannix went a little fast around a corner. I told him to slow down and he said he wasn't mad. I sat in the front seat and stared out the front window. Camilla was in the back. Mr. Stannix rounded another corner and Camilla said, "Flip! Flip!". As we debate about speed in the front, I could hear Camilla in the background. "Flip!" "Holy Cowww" "Shoot! Shoot!" and then I heard something that brought an instant smile to my face. Mr. Stannix and I both chuckled when she muttered the words "Holy Dap!" (Holy Crap) over and over again. Where does she learn these things? We are now home from a fabulous weekend. Laundry is done, kids back on schedules, bags unpacked. Right now, my babies are upstairs sleeping. Camilla cried before bed and wanted to go back to "Damma's" house. She stuck her lip out and pouted during her story. I think she had fun this weekend and could probably live at Gramma and Papa's forever!

Siffleur Falls

A Quiet Day

Today has been a relaxing day. I think almost all of us took naps this afternoon. Camilla spent some special time with Uncle Chris outside on the lawn. They were cute together.

I was so glad that my dad noticed it and I was able to capture the moment!

 Gramma Purdon finished Hyrum's blanket and I am in love with it! She showed it to me last time I was out before she put the edge on it and I was in tears. It is so beautiful and I feel so lucky that Hyrum has a blanket made by his Great Grandmother. It's so special! She spent a lot of hours on that blanket pre and post surgeries and while she was in the hospital. I love my Gramma! She's so talented.

I got to spend some quality time with my sis and she painted my toe nails for me. It's been YEARS since they've had color on them. I love them! Then we did Camilla's toes and fingers pink. She had fun!

The clouds have been so neat tonight. There are some lower white clouds that are blowing and moving around like crazy. I am hearing some thunder and excited for a good storm!



Antique Days

Today we took in antique days with my family. It was a lot of fun and we all came home with nice rosy cheeks! It was a beautiful, blue sky day!

Camilla's souvenir, a homemade shingle!

We started the day by watching the tractor pull. They had a whole field of tractors waiting to compete. You start at one end of the track hooked up to a trailer with a weight on it. As you pull the trailer, a weight on the back moves closer to the front making it harder and harder to pull. The competition is all about distance, and who can go the furthest before they stall out! I couldn't believe some of those tractors were still running they looked so old! Near the end you would see them with both front tires off the ground as they slowed to a halt!

The awesome conductor!

Mr. Stannix took his little girl for a train ride twice around the loop. The little antique train sure could go!! Camilla had fun waving at everyone as they drove around.

 Look at these two romantics!

 Uncle Chris

Camilla loved Sparky! She ran up to me and said, "I gave the teddy a hug!"

Alas, everyone tuckered out and it was time to head home!

For dinner we enjoyed smokies over the fire and good conversation.

Camilla picked flowers for us all! Gramma got the biggest ones!

 Mr. Stannix looked pretty hot in my Dad's hat. It kept distracting me when we were playing horse shoes, and my Dad and I lost to Chris and Mr. Stannix.

I finished off my evening with a giant bowl of fresh raspberries drowned in half and half and covered in sugar! My favorite!! Then we all had a soak in the hot tub and got ready for bed!

Multi-tasking

Ever since Hyrum has come along, Mr. Stannix has gotten really good at multi-tasking! I'm going to be doing some multi-tasking of my own today as I clean up the house, pack bags, load the car, and pack up the kiddos for a trip to the acreage! We are headed out to enjoy the long weekend with family. I am just hoping I don't forget anything. The kiddos bag is usually a lot bigger than ours! I will be preparing myself for Hyrums blow-outs and Camilla's tom-boy tendencies to get real dirty! Thank goodness I don't have to pack bottles and formula yet! Cross your fingers that the weather is nice, we're thinking about getting in our first hike of the summer. Camilla's a pretty good little walker and we think she might be up for an easy day hike. We will be leaving after work to pick up my brother Chris and then we will be on the road! I'm looking forward to getting out of the city and going home to the acreage. It's always fun to be surrounded by family!

Three Months

Dear Hyrum,

You are three months old tomorrow! Time has escaped me. In this short three months you have pretty much mastered sleeping through the night and will sleep for eight hours at a time. You are very good at self-soothing and can often be found sucking your fist or blanket. I'm glad you like your crib, but I miss your tiny newborn body that could curl up on my chest and sleep.  The other day you cuddled into me and fell asleep all on your own. I sat on the couch and cuddled with you, because I could, and enjoyed every second. I will continue to enjoy these special times as much as I can now because I know that soon you will be older and not so willing to hug and snuggle me.

Your neck is getting a lot stronger now. You enjoy tummy time, it makes you laugh and giggle. Your favorite way to be is sitting up in the middle of the couch propped with pillows and blankets. You love to see what's going on and especially what your big sister is up to! She makes you smile and laugh like no body else can. You seem to have a great love for her already and I am so looking forward to watching you both grow and play together. She loves you sooo much and tells you so as she climbs up on the side of the change table to give you kisses. Her favorite names for you are "Buddy" or "High-am". I'm sure her "R's" will be all practiced up soon! She loves sharing things with you, especially food, and we always have to remind her that you are too little still. I'm sure you two will be great friends when you're old enough to eat the cookies and chips she offers you!

You love to laugh and giggle! I discovered a ticklish spot the other day as I tried to change your clothes. Every time I go to guide your little chubby arms through the arm holes you let out a little giggle. Your arms are probably the most ticklish I have ever seen! It makes me smile each time you need a new outfit, and I look forward to dressing you each morning.

I feel special because you can already say my name. Often times when you are crying, or wake up in your crib I hear "Mum-mum-mum" between your little cries. I'm glad you know who feeds you and changes the diapers around here! I'm sure your "Da-da-da's" won't be far behind and soon you will be going on great adventures together!

Keeping growing and changing my little boy! We sure love you!

xoxo

Mum

Grateful for Cousins

 It's been so wonderful to have cousins so close by with kids so close in age. Camilla has lots of second cousins to play with as my Gramma and Grampa Hudkins have over 12 great grandchildren (and more on the way). I love our huge family! It's such a blessing.

With our firsts...

May 2009

Jenny ~ 36 weeks

Addie~ 34 weeks

January 2010

Amelia ~ 7 months

Camilla ~ 6 months

With our seconds...

February 2011

Addie ~ 30 weeks
Jenny ~ 24 weeks

 

Little Second Cousins

Hyrum ~ 3 months

Stella~ 2 months

Some more super fun second cousins...

 Cami and Kingston jumping on Great-Gramma's bed

 Mia, Jacey, and Cami chilling out together

 The girls together

 Watching videos together

 Kouper, Hyrum, Camilla

Almost our whole family...