Jason's 33rd Birthday

Today, Jason turns 31, for the third time. 

Last year, it was the forgetfulness of a pregnant wife that he turned 31 a second time. This year, it was planned forgetfulness (if such a thing exists) as I just thought it would be funny. Good thing he enjoys a good laugh.

Seeing that today is Monday, and our wise 5 year old and 3 year old pointed out that Monday is family home evening, we celebrated the big day on Saturday.

I cannot emphasize adequately enough how excited the kids were for Jason's birthday. They were counting down from Valentine's Day onward. I think that is partly due to how much they love Jason and partly due to the fact that Jason has the first birthday of the year in our family. But the biggest aspect is definitely the genuine love and excitement for Jason and his birthday. 

We kicked the day off with pancakes (which were supposed to be waffles except that I picked an insanely complicated waffle recipe that was not working out), then the kids played in balloon paradise in our living room and set up a party room for Jason complete with a birthday meal that Milayla cooked up in their play kitchen. We spent the afternoon at the Biodome. And then came home to get cleaned up for Sunday, get the birthday dinner underway and open presents. Atticus had the brilliant idea of hiding Jason's presents and having him play hot/cold in order to find them. The kids thought it was a riot and Jason and I had a good time with it as well.

On the birthday present list were some new dress clothes for work and some homemade peanut butter cups that the kids made during homeschool time the day before. There was so much excitement for Jason to see all the great things in the gift bag that the kids were handing the items to Jason out of the bag so that Jason could see the presents quicker. Oh, and then there was the picture that the kids made for Jason over a month ago and have been rotating the hiding spot for every week so that Jason wouldn't find it. So much excitement. The most important part was that Jason enjoyed it all. And I'm fairly certain that he did enjoy it.  

I'm not entirely sure what it is, but something about seeing the silhouettes of this family of mine in front of the large aquariums at the biodome makes my heart happy. That, and seeing the interaction between Jason and the kids. He's a great dad and so loved. And I just love all the smiles.

Unfortunately, spring is eluding us and Saturday greeted us with lots of snow and awful temperatures. Seeing that we gave winter our one last hurrah last week on holiday, this new temperature drop is a bit of a rough go around here. I'm sure that spring will feel all the sweeter when it comes thanks in large part to the extra blast of cool. 

Yet, really, the weather did not make a difference on the day at all. Jason is loved. We are happy that he's ours. And happy to be celebrating his birth into this big 'ol world. Happy that the cheesecake turned out. Happy that he was raised to be a good, honest, and righteous man (and so happy that he builds on that every day). And happy to see him enjoying his birthday and to be celebrating it with him. 

All this to say - HAPPY (31st) BIRTHDAY, JASON! We Love you!

Mont Tremblant

We just got back from a few days in the mountain region of Quebec. I cannot even begin to describe the breadth of emotions and feelings that I have about our little vacation away. It was exactly what we needed. We left electronics at home (so grateful to have left the house hunting behind us for a bit), printed off some maps, packed our warm clothes and headed off. We planned it all under the radar. Meaning, we didn't tell the kids what we were up to. I let on that we had planned a surprise but they had no idea what it was at all. When they woke up Monday morning and Atticus saw a suitcase in the hallway he started jumping up and down and when we asked him what was up Atticus replied, "We're MOVING!!!". Then he ran to inform Milayla about the impending move (which Atticus had decided was to Germany) and they held hands and jumped around in a circle proclaiming their excitement. There was a little bit of inner questioning to myself about why we are trying to look for a house when there were two children jumping for joy at the thought of moving - and they were certain, because of the suitcase, that it would be somewhere far away. Yet, we look for a house. Back on topic though...

The trip was fantastic. I had suggested it to Jason as an attempt to give winter one last hurrah. Seeing that Jason only had a couple days available off work until his vacation renews later this year, we did not have a lot of time to work with (or funds seeing that we are trying to buy a house). But we were able to make it work to go to Mont Tremblant. I was a little unsure how it would be seeing that we don't ski. And despite my enthusiasm about us taking up skiing, I knew this was not the trip to make it happen. I was set on just heading out to the mountains and letting us absorb winter and we did it more than I thought we would.

Among our activities were ice skating; it was both Atticus and Milayla's FIRST time and they let that awesome determination reign supreme as they picked themselves back up after each tumble; tubing, snow man building, swimming, gondola rides, mountain climbing, card games and a sugar shack.

I am so proud of the kids; they conquered some big stuff. Milayla was only on the ice a few minutes when she proclaimed she was ready to skate solo and she wanted to trek down the little ice hill that connected the two skating ponds. Then Atticus was next and no matter how many times they took a tumble they kept getting back up. They have both expressed a desire to continue with skating.

They also, very bravely, took on the huge tubing hill that was set up. I loved going down the hill with them. Milayla volunteered first and when we got to the top of the hill the momentum from her excitement dwindled away quickly when she saw just how high up we were. Yet, with the help of lots of supportive people at the top of the hill and some prayers from family at the bottom of the hill she felt ready (she had the option to walk down the walk way if she wanted) and she giggled the entire way down the hill then went down two more times the next night. Atticus ventured down once on the tube and twice on these great sled things with a steering stick that are like the ones they use in "It's a Wonderful Life".

It was a pretty big treat to enjoy some meals out as well. The kids were originally enthused by the bland offerings on the kids' menu but both had a hard time actually eating it - the desserts were much more heartily eaten, that's for sure. And when we needed a little bit of down time we played a round or two of our new Book of Mormon Go Fish cards that the kids got from G.Bob and G.Wen (that's how Atticus writes their names in shortened form).

It was a really great trip. Great enough that the kids voiced that they wanted to stay there longer - well, actually, they asked for forever. Though, with Phineas having developed a cough and having not slept very well in new surroundings he was pleased as punch when we drove into our garage at home. We made it home in time to unpack everything, get the laundry well underway and read books with the kids before it was time for dinner and choir. Future self: thats a good time of day to get back from a trip - mid afternoon (and beat traffic, too).

Loved spending some time with these incredible, wonderful people, getting some time away, being outdoors, loving winter, seeing just how bright and crisp and sparkly snow can be (I never realized just how dingy even the fresh stuff in the city is), and I even loved the over the top excitement that kept our little ones from falling asleep the first night. I've written some more personal and special elements and thoughts that I have processed of the trip in my journal but suffice it to say - the trip was fantastic. And I have hopes of another little trip out of town once things thaw out a little bit more. We've been spending way too much time in the city.

Enjoy the pictures!