Julian and Daddy

Andrew has been saying that he feels like he doesn't know Julian that well, and wants to change that. Since he started his yearly 6 day a week job that lasts for just over 4 months, that statement makes sense. He isn't around much, so how could he know him that well? This makes me sad, but I know a few things that help: Summer season is more than half way over and that means we get Daddy around full time for a few months! And secondly, when babies are under 6 months, I would say they are all partial to their mama and Daddy's can't do that much to soothe them, and may find them a bit boring. For me personally, I looovvee the baby phase. Give me a newborn, give me a baby under a year old, I love it. I love every age, but there is something about a baby that I especially love! Andrew was making Julian coo and laugh and it was so sweet, so I snapped some photos...Julian is 3 months and a week old, Andrew is 31. Taken July 6th, 2014:

Julian is still so little and Andrew has a lifetime to know him, and so do I. He is such a sweet boy and sure brings us a lot of joy.

Just a girl and her Panda Bear

I just wanted to document a sweet little moment of my little girl. We went to a new park today and 95% of the time we leave the house Jayna brings something with her to the car. It's pretty cute actually, and always something different. Today was her Panda Bear from Grandpa Marshall. I thought it was pretty dang cute when she started pushing it in the swing! haha

And down the slide...

I hope I never forget my sweet little Jayna Joy at this age.

My little babes and me!

I realized the other day that I hardly have any pictures of me with BOTH Julian and Jayna. So I snapped a few of us while Jay was getting ready for bed on July 3rd. Nice way to end my B-Day : Funny photos with my kiddos. I am 30. Jayna is 2.5 years, and Julian just hit his 3 month mark a few days prior.

My 30th Birthday!

Alright, so I am not one of those people who dread turning a certain age, but I have to say this Birthday was definintley the strangest thus far in my life. 30. I turned 30, July 3rd 2014. I do remember as a young kid that 30 was old, and seemed light years away. Now it has come, it has happened, I've hit it. I'm 30. And I don't think 30 is old. Truly, I think you are starting to get old at 70....Starting. Not old even at 70. Turning 30 is a whole new level. I am in my 30's now. Bye bye 20's! And man, so much happened in my 20's!! It's what I knew! But now I have the 30's to experience for the next 10 years. After I got over the shock, the strange surreal feeling that I am now 30....I am excited. I feel good. I like it. I honestly feel like I know myself better, have a wider and broader perspective on life and people, I have changed for the better in a lot of ways, and I am working towards a more confident self. There are lots of positives to being 30, and it is a whole new level. Age is just a number, and no one can really set the rules to how you must look or act at each age. Life is about embracing it, experiencing whatever comes your way with strength and grace, and tolerance. Life is beautiful. Life is an incredible journey, and we are all in it. I can't say that I am totally looking forward to getting older, I would like to stay young forever, but I am sure I will just embrace it as it comes. Wisdom definitely comes with age, and that is nice to have. One of the best parts about my special day is hearing Jayna sing/mostly yell out of key : " Happy Birthday to You! " So stinkin cute! Jayna woke up in the night so Andrew was sleeping with her in the bed in her room, and I got to wake up to this sweet boy on my special day. Nothing better I don't think!

My birthday fell on a Thursday this year, so Andrew had to work, but we had a few hours in the morning together. I really wanted to go to Duchess Bakery and get a little treat for my birthday ( I am doing 21 day fix which is a daily workout and an eating plan ) so no cake for me on my birthday this year. We found a sweet cafe 5 doors down from the bakery and man oh man am I glad we went there! I couldn't have picked a better place to go, and I know I will remember this cafe when we leave Edmonton!! It was delicious food, and great atmosphere! And the best part was there was a "breathing room" pretty much a play room that occupied Jayna when she wasn't eating which was soooo awesome! No more running around after her while eating out, it was truly amazing.

After lunch we walked five stores down to the Duchess Bakery. I must add that I LOVE bakery's. I always have. And half the time I find that the baked goods aren't quite as good as they look. Well that ain't the case with this one. Everything looks as good as it tastes. They are especially famous for the macaroons. I had never had one before, but wow are they ever good! For my birthday cake this year, I got a chocolate coconut macaroon haha. Nice and small, and I enjoyed every tiny bite oh so much!

After the Bakery, we headed home and Andrew went to work for the day. My friend Saren called and we made plans to meet at Castle Downs Spray Park, I had just discovered this place a few weeks earlier, and it's pretty sweet for kids. We played there for a few hours, it was dang hot! It was nice to be with a friend on my birthday and not just me and the kids...I mean it was my birthday, the one day I think every one should get some love and extra good treatment. It was a nice day. Let the 30's begin!

Andrew's 31st Birthday!

Andrew turned 31 on Sunday June 22nd. What. The. Heck. It is weird enough that he is 31, but what is even weirder is that means I'm turning 30 next week!!!! Kind of crazy to think that I have know my husband since he was 17 years old... that's almost half his life. Andrew isn't big on birthdays, but I LOVE them, although being married to him has probably mellowed me out a bit. He just wanted to have a good family day together, and so we did! I bought him a few small gifts, nothing major. He told me on his birthday after I had been asking him for a few weeks that he wanted a gun. I was going to try and pull it off, but Cabala's didn't have the one he wanted.( Good thing, because the next week after his birthday he went out and got the Hunting gun he wanted, and was one happy man. ) He's ready to stock up the freezer this Fall. We both still feel bad about hunting, like poor animal. BUT it is healthier than store bought meat, and God put them there for us to eat in moderation, so there you go. Last year we had deer meat and we loved it. Andrew was super lucky this year because his birthday fell on a SUNDAY! His only day off each week from May to August. So after early morning church we drove out to Long Island Lake, about 1 hr and 15 mintues North of St. Albert. It was definately worth the drive. Quite a nice lake, with a good size beach and a small playground. Jayna and Andrew played and swam, and I pretty much just chilled with Julian, and we all went walking together on the beach. I went swimming right before we were gonna leave, it was very refreshing, glad I did that. We definately miss our beaches and lakes in BC every summer. The Island is where it's at for summertime and we haven't been on the island during summer since we were dating back in 2007! SO Andrew and I will for sure have a celebration when one day we get to stay home for the summer! Yay! Until then, we will explore where we live temporarily and have fun doing it! Can I just say, And I LOVE my City Select Baby Jogger stroller. It's so nice to have a double stroller for my babes!It even made it through the sand nice and easy.

Nice and cozy with Daddy. Jayna sure loves it when she gets to spend time with her Daddy. Every day she asks: " where's Daddy? " I say : " He's at work. " She asks : " Why? " I say, " Because that is what Daddies do, they work to provide for us." Thank you dear husband for working so hard for our family and for making our life so exciting. Even though I have struggled at times that our life isn't super "stable" as in staying in one place to live, and even though you are far different than most men... I know everyone is different, but those who know Andrew know he is extra different lol ;)I have come to accept this as my life and find excitment and joy in our life. I would be so different and my life would be so different and for sure more boring if I didn't marry you. And I really like my life.Happy Birthday sweetheart, we love you so much!!! I know you will have an awesome 31st year!