Our little Ballerina

Thank you Gran for the adorable tutu...she loves having it on, mostly to eat and play with:)

Looking Back at 2010!

Here are a few highlights of 2010.  It's so nice taking the time to look back and remember all the things we did and accomplished over the past year...we feel so blessed.

-Parks turned 2 in January and started sleeping in a big boy bed...he has grown up so incredibly much in just one year!
-In February my very good friend, Christina, visited us from Ottawa with her daughter Ava.  They stayed with us for a week!  It was so nice to have them here and see our new life in Alberta.
-Matt, Parks and I all flew to Ottawa in mid February for our 'Potvin' Christmas.  It was the first time Matt had been back since we moved...he was only able to stay for 4 days than back to work he went.  We met our newest niece, Tessa for the first time! Parks and I stayed for 2 weeks.
-I was given two baby showers (Ottawa/Alberta)
-In March we gave Parks his first buzz haircut...it was very hard for Mommy to watch all his hair fall to the floor...
-I finished Grace's Nursery 2 months before she was born...I was eager, but in my defence it was just a closet.
-We spent Easter long weekend at Tie Lake.  Matt crashed his Dad's snowmobile which later cost us $2400! 
-Matt passed his very important one year Firefighting exam with 94% and officially was no longer a rookie firefighter as of May 18th! wooooho!
-At 37 weeks pregnant I walked the entire Calgary Zoo on the hottest day ever...I couldn't move the next day!
-On May 19th Matt and I celebrated 10 years together...that was the day we started dating:)
-Our beautiful baby girl Grace was born on May 28th.  She is our biggest blessing of the year.  We are so very grateful to have her in our Family.
-My parents flew out in June (Dad's first time ever since we moved here) to meet Grace.  Dad stayed for a week and Mom stayed for 3 weeks!  They were a HUGE help.
-We had Grace's Blessing when she was 2 weeks old...while my parents were here.
-At the end of June Matt bought a motorbike off his brother.
-Spent a lot of time at the Brand New Okotoks Spray Park
-In June Matt and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary...my mom watched the kids while we went out to dinner and a motorbike cruise (the one and only).
-Matt went on paternity leave shortly after Grace was born for 4 months...best decision ever!
-Spent most of the summer at Tie Lake
-In August we had the 2nd Annual Hill Family Reunion at Tie Lake for a week...It was a great time...
I ran for the first time at 7 1/2 weeks postpartum...not such a great idea after a c-section.
-Matt, the kids and I flew out to Ottawa in September, so my brother and Robyn could meet Grace for the first time.  We stayed for 2 weeks.
-Matt turned 26 years old in September
-We decided it would be best to sell Matt's motorbike as it was just not suitable for our family
-Shortly after making the decision to sell Matt's motorbike, I backed our car over it...we have some repairs to do now:( oops!
-Hunting Season was good to Matt this year...He shot a Cow Moose and later in the season a buck that was 5 inches off of being in the record books...lots of meat in our freezer this year:)
-I turned 27 years old in October
-Ammo turned 4 years old in October:)
- The kids and I flew out to Ottawa in November for our 3rd trip of the year and stayed for 3 weeks!
-Matt finished paternity leave and his vacation weeks at the end of November and was ready to be a Firefighter again.
-We spent Christmas with the Hill Family and enjoyed our own time at home with the kids.
-On New Year's Eve night we put the kids to bed early...lit some candles, had a chocolate fondue with fruit, drank yummy sparkling juice out of our fancy wedding glasses...and played an awesome couples game.  It was the best night ever!



It was an awesome year to say the least and I look forward to 2011!  I'm so grateful for the good times... and for the bad times for making me stronger.

Visiting Daddy!

It's always a little hard when Matt has to work his 2 night shifts a week...but luckily he is at a really close hall, so we went and visited him the other night....

This is the truck that Matt is driving while he is at this hall

Holding on to the jaws of life

Parks getting to sit in Daddy's seat!

We are so lucky to have a Firefighter Daddy/Husband to visit:)

Skating

Here in Okotoks we have a little ice rink outside that is super close to our house.  We are hoping Parks will want to learn some more.  This was his first time going...he totally doesn't get the concept of it, but likes it none the less:)

Grace is always happy to tag along to all our outdoor adventures as long as she is bundled up nice and cozy:)

Here's my goof ball husband pretending to know what he is doing with that stick:)

Here are the boys taking over the rink

I think I lasted a whole 5 minutes with my skates before I was in excruciating pain

Zach and Parks having a chip break

He loves playing hockey...its so cute watching him try to hit the puck

This is what Parks enjoyed the most...

Merry Christmas!

This year was Christmas with the Hill Family.  We enjoyed it very much and it was nice to see everyone.  Matt and I are starting our own traditions with our little family of 4 too.  On Christmas Eve we went into Calgary to watch the Live Nativity Pageant...it was freezing cold:) and we had to wait in line for almost an hour before we could watch it.  (I know! its crazy...open to all the public and every one's lovin it) Luckily we went with Rob, Tammy and kids as well as Barb, Ben and kids so the wait went by fairly quickly...plus we brought hot chocolate:)  As soon as we got home we opened up our new pajamas from Nana and Papa (a 'Potvin' tradition that I intend to keep), than we had Parks decorate Santa's cookies...Parks wrote him a little letter, we put it all downstairs and off to sleep Parks went like a good little EXCITED boy.  Christmas morning was wonderful.  Parks opened his stocking first...was thrilled with everything! We had our traditional eggs Benedict with hash browns...another 'Potvin' tradition:) Than he opened up his present from Santa...a new train table (thanks Nana and Papa:)) Matt and Parks spent most of the morning putting it together down in the basement...and around 11:30 we opened up the rest of Parks' presents while skyping with my parents, Jeff, Robyn and Tessa.  I think it is safe to say Parks LOVES Christmas.  That night was the traditional Hill Christmas Eve Dinner at the Big Rock Chinese restaurant.  We took up half the restaurant...i think we were close to 50 people??  After that we went to a retirement home and acted out the Nativity Story to the old folks there.  The Spirit was strongly felt and it was such a nice way to give of our time.  Christmas Day Matt worked...Parks played with his billions of toys for a good part of the day than the kids and I went out to Matt's parents...we went tobogganing, than had Christmas dinner with the whole family again:) Turkey this time. Matt arrived from work in time for dinner.  We played a fun present exchange/stealing game.  It was a good time. 

Christmas' just keep getting better and better thanks to these two little munchkins

The very important cookies and milk!

Our living room all decked out and ready for Christmas morning

I don't know how long he will believe in Santa for, but I plan on holding on to these adorable moments when he is just in aw.

Here we are Christmas morning 2010.

Our beautiful Children

Proud Mama with her little angel

Matt was the narrator and Grace was baby Jesus:)

Christmas is in the air!

I just love this time of the year...Its the only time that I appreciate the snow.  Our house is all decorated up...and I just love being home.  I love my tree and all the sentimental ornaments...we wrapped all our presents last night and put them under the tree.  We tried to wait as long as possible for Parks' sake because he is sooooo excited about Christmas presents...i knew it would be torture for him.  Matt has to work all day on Christmas Day, so our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day have been bumped up by a day:)  Its Christmas Eve TOMORROW!! woohoo!  That way Matt is home Christmas morning (Friday) for Parks to open all his presents:)  We are so pumped for Parks, its funny how when you have kids you get all your happiness just by seeing them happy.
anyways here are a few pics of what we've been up to...

Grant and Sue have the perfect spot for tobogganing at their place...its a good time.

Matt giving Mark the push off!

Our brave boy. He looks terrified but he insists going by himself:)

This is the most hurtin looking gingerbread house ever, but it was truly made with love and Parks' was so proud of himself:)

Parks' pimped out tent that we put over his bed...loves it Nana and Papa;)

My Special Boys

Parks decorated his own cookie...can you tell...look at all those sprinkles:)

He is so pumped to only have 3 left! Its the first thing he does when he wakes up in the morning

This is how Grace usually greets people...tongue is always out

Little sweetie

As soon as Parks hears Grace waking up he runs in to give her a snuggle

Grace's 6 month update

Little Gracie is now 6 1/2 months old...she finally just got her 4 month old shots (I like being a little behind).  She currently weighed 18lbs 11 1/2oz.  and 27 1/2 inches long.  95% for her age.  She is growing fast now.  She still nurses usually every 2 1/2 to 3 hours all day long. She is an expert at rolling over both ways.  She prefers being on her tummy and scooting around in circles to get things.  She lifts almost all her body off the ground, just hasn't figured out how to put her knees under her.  She loves sitting up on her own and doesn't mind when she crashes...i usually have a pillow behind, but the carpet is pretty forgiving:)  She still loves the jolly jumper and excersaucer or chilling in the hamper....she's pretty much always happy and smiling especially when Parks is playing with her.  She just adores him.  She has 2 bottom teeth, and is wanting to eat more and more solids.  She sleeps through the nights pretty much...with a quick feed around 4-5am. than up and ready to go at 7-8am.  She has 3 naps a day always totalling up to 3 hours.  I will be doing signing with her like i did with Parks.  She like watching the Baby Signing Time.  and pretty much already knows the 'milk', 'all done' and 'eat' signs.  She doesn't do them yet...still a bit early, but understands them.
I think Ammo will be her main inspiration to crawl...he always lays just far enough away from her where she cant get to him and it just torments her...watch out Ammo...it wont be long!:)

Obviously we have to strap her up when she's in this chair now, but this is usually how she sits in it.

Sitting up all by herself like a big girl

watching a movie together and playing with dolls:)hehe