A little DRAMA

Almost a month ago, Calgary got some pretty white stuff that was perfect for making snowmen.....so I sent out the boys and Daddy to have fun!  I even captured the first half of their time in the snow.  Moe wasn't quite sure he liked the snow.....and was pretty cute watching Daddy and his brother.  Charlie loved it and enjoyed shoveling, throwing, and eating snow.  They were having a great time.

Well - I was folding laundry upstairs when I heard banging on the window.  No big deal, happens all the time with Charlie and Moe.  BUT - then the door opened and I heard Doug say, "Bella, come downstairs right now.  We had a major accident." 

I take off for downstairs, but realize I don't hear any crying......I get to the door and Doug says, "Charlie put a shovel in my eye", and he promptly leans against the wall of the house.  In those few seconds, I think about life without sight and how our lives could radically change.  Its amazing how quickly you snap into action while also thinking about the effects of a major injury.  Doug thought his eye was a gone - he almost fainted getting up to the house!!!

Long story short, his eye was basically swollen shut in the 30 seconds it took me to get downstairs, but thankfully, no blood.  We iced it immediately and called telehealth which advised us to go to the ER.  We literally live 2 minutes away from the hospital, but drove 15 minutes to an emergency clinic because the wait time was 2 hours shorter.  Doug was checked in, his eye frozen, and given a prescription to ward off any infection - all within an hour.  Pretty impressive.  The shovel did pierce the side of his eye, but thankfully there was no damage to his eyesight.  He even thought he would be able to go back up North for work....which he realized wouldn't happen once the freezing wore off :).  The pain/stinging sensation was pretty intense for those first few hours. 

His eyes were sensitive to light for a few days and he sported some sunglasses even though it was dark outside :).  BUT, within 4 days, his eye was completely back to normal.  I was shocked at how quickly it healed.  We had a couple chuckles about how we reacted, learned a good lesson about shovels, and were very thankful his eye wasn't damaged. 

Sorry the story is long, but this is definitely one I want to remember.....and now for the pictures to remember that day!!!

We are still here.....

These past two months have absolutely flown by......We have been 'living' in our new house for 2 months now, but we are still very much in the process of calling our new house, home.  Doug has been up working in the Edmonton area ever since we moved, so we have been going back and forth as a family to see him :). 

The first few weeks up North were in the hotel, which worked great because Charlie LOVED helping the housekeepers and maintenance man.  I mean LOVED.  He loves to help and be useful, and he was so excited when Uncle paid him for his work.  Charlie took us out for frozen yogurt one evening and was happy to pay!!!!

But poor Moe.  He quickly caught on that if he screamed in the middle of the night, we would come to his rescue very quickly.  Doug and I had more than a few restless nights on the couch as this would be the only place he would sleep with us.....He would not sleep in our bed....to excited :(.  But he also had fun helping and getting to push the button on the elevator.

Our second multiple week stay had us at Uncles new townhouse - which is conveniently located across the street from the hotel.  We fared much better there in terms of sleeping arrangements, and we had better home cooked meals.  But I'm sure Uncle was ready for us to leave for a bit knowing that we will come back again soon!!!!!

Here are a few pics that we took before winter came - a family photo shoot session.....some are outtakes, a few are pretty cute.  I love my boys!!!!

4 Years Old

Charlie is four!  He has been four for a month now, but with moving and being away, I wasn't able to post the pictures from his birthday.  We had a pool party at the hotel and boy, hosting a party like this is soooo much easier :).  The kids swam and then had snacks.  It was pretty quiet in the room while they were waiting for their food and then eating it.....they were probably both hungry and tired from all the swimming.  Then we did birthday cupcakes and presents and the 2.5 hours was over.  Crazy!

Charlie had a great time and even went down the waterslide - finally!!!!  We've been looking at the slide for two years!  For over two years he has refused to go down it, but had said a few days before his party that when he turns 4, he will go down the slide.  So, down he went!  And some of his other friends went down for the first time too!

And we had the usual Charlie snacks!  Popcorn, jello, grapes and veggies.  Thanks to Grandma M and Auntie Pookie for supplying the food and making it look fun and cute!

Charlie, we love you.  We love the boy your turning into and we love your enthusiasm.  Have fun being 4 and yes, you are 4 for a long time now!

Happy Trails to you.....

Until we meet again.

Four years ago we moved from Ottawa to Strathmore in what ended up being a time for massive change.  These past four years have been quite a ride - two children, a business to operate, friends to make, and learning how to do life with our new normal.  It was a big adjustment - for me....mom - but along the way, we made some great friends, made some awesome family memories, and started some new traditions. 

Also during this time, I took A LOT of pictures.  In total, I have edited 4200 photo's - and that was from fall of 2011!  I always told people that my second born would have just as many pictures, and I'm hoping I have kept my word :).

So as an end to our time in Strathmore, I thought these pictures would be fitting.