Blog Attack

Yes I know you haven't heard from me for a couple months and WHAMO there you have it I'm bloggin for the third time in a day. As I've said before the blog has turned into a family diary of sorts and its nice to just get the thoughts out and pics up of random experiences we've had along the way. 

So what else could I have possibly been up to this year already?! 

Well my buddy Candace and I finally bit the bullet and left our kidlets and hubbies behind and met in Jasper for two nights.

 

 I drove from the West and she headed in from the East. It couldn't have been any better timing for either of us and was so good to rinse  the brain with some laughter, share a few bottles of vino, and enjoy endless chinwaggin with a fabulously uncomplicated friend ( i like those kind). 

 

Actually apart from all that we also rented some cross country skis for only $16 and hit some beautiful trails up behind Jasper. It was tons of fun as we found a trail that allowed us to ski amongst the trees and challenged us enough but not too much to break any limbs for the day! 

 

The trail took us all the way back into down and then we drove back and grabbed the other vehicle. Anyways I've always heard that moms need a random get away but after doing so I can say it was definitely a therapeutic experience for all!

 

The next excursion I was on was with Alistair. We had to head down to Vancouver for three days for our typical slew of appointments that I jam into as short a time frame as possible. As usual its always in the back of my head we may get told something new and not so positive that we have to normailze but I am happy to report that wasn't the case this trip. We got to see two ortho docs, one for his hips legs and feet and the other for his cervical spine concerns. 

 

They both were happy with how things were aligning and so far no surgery in sight. WHEW!

 We also saw an allergist who we won't need to see again and Alistair got his feet casted to get an impression for new splints. No and don't worry they were just a five minute casting not a five month set! The only thing I wasn't expecting was three more separate appointments/trips to vancouver in the next year! Eek Its all based on how often the specialists want to follow up and this time none of them could align with the other. O well.....we are getting pretty good at this gig and the airlines are pretty darn helpful. However, the biggest part that helps demedicalize our trips and make it actually kind of fun is that my friends continue to take us in to their place and spoil us rotten. I'm sure I've said it before that they live right down town which makes it all the more fun. 

 While we were waiting for them to return I decided I needed a brew by the seaside. We found this fantastic spot overlooking English Bay while in "Milestones" restaurant. I splurged and had a pricey seafood salad and two brews. The staff were super friendly and chatted away with me off and on. As i was finishing up the last brew the manager came along picked the bill up off the table and scrunched it up in her hands. "Today I think you don't need to pay this.....I feel like paying it forward" she smiled. What a treat!

 Anyhow, like I said its always a treat heading down and being treated so royally by my friends Don & Kim. They always go above and beyond and make our stay so lovely.

 Alistair got a bed time story each night...which their son Grady enjoyed immensely in Alistair's "hot tub". Grandma Hedges bought this for Alistair awhile ago and its been so handy. It deflates into a small backpack and it contains him so nicely so everyone can have a good sleep. Walmart in the USA have them pretty cheap but to get it here we ordered it through Amazon. Here's a link for more info KIDZ BED

 Don also got Alistair playing hockey the first night. They defended goal as Grady shot soft puks by them into their mini nets. All this extra and unique interaction for Alistair is truly the icing on the cake. You can see the joy in his eyes for the inclusion and interaction. Happy kidlet makes happy mama!!

  

Well spring has truly sprung here in the North. Water is flowing in all directions and the heavy winter jackets are finding a hook down in the basement.

  

I can see a spring and summer full of learning, exploration and loads of smiles.

Hope its kicking off the right way for all.

Cheers Julie

Some Videos To Enjoy

Uncle Havin Fun CLICK HERE
Francis Making Chili CLICK HERE
Georgia & Francis Running in Circles CLICK HERE

Variety Update

Well I thought I'd zip off Jason's bday blog there and then post some more as wow I had no idea it had been so long since I've posted. Seriously I don't know where this winter has gone. Perhaps it has to do with me working almost full time this winter plus having a busier home schedule but whatever the case there has been no winter blues or longing for spring as I truly haven't had time.

So just an update on the whole Variety Telethon experience. It truly was humbling and heart warming to be part of. The whole vibe of the place was amazing. Everyone is there for the benefits of children in need and it was just so obvious. Incredibly in less than 24 hours they were able to raise 6.6 million dollars! WOW It just is such an amazing orgainzation and the things they do for others and the stress they relieve off the parents of children with greater struggles is phenomenol. Just a few of the things I heard that they have done is provide financial support for accomodations when families have to travel to the hosptial, replacing all the windows in a families home whose daughter is allergic to the son as well as provide all her UV clothing, provide funding for communication devices such as Ipads and switch toys, pay for orthotic costs, assist with vehicle ulterations, supporting special diet costs, and the list goes on! Really amazing!!!

 Well as you can see we got to meet a ton of Starwars dudes. A split second prior to this Francis was giving good ol Darth Vader high five but she's not looking too impressed here.

 While we were down in Vancouver we were incredibly spoilt. It definitely is hard on Alistair all the coming and going and changes that go with the experience but he really did quite well. We were invited to be there for the opening and closing but timing and over stimulation just didn't allow us to be involved. However we were able to spend the day there with many other families. It was interesting to hear the stories of others lives and how they came to be here that day as well. Apart from Francis having had enough during the live interview it all went really well. She just didn't want to sit and look cute or pretty for the five minutes but it gave a taste of our life. On top of it we were given a professional family photo shoot which will be loads of fun to see. One of the highlights for me while we were down was we were able to all go out as a family for dinner. Since we could just go to the restaurant in the hotel we were able to leave at anytime if Alistair saw fit. Fortunately it wasn't till bill paying time that he had had enough. Anyhow, it was just lovely to do.

Surprise!

 

 Jason had the big "4" - "0" here on March 4th. I wanted to make it a little extra special and was racking my brain for the past year with how I could make it memorable. If you know me I tend to fly by the seat of my pants with these types of things and suddenly realize I should've done some prep work. Well it finally dawned on my there was really nothing i could buy for Jason to make it extra special as he really doesn't put a lot of weight on materialistic things. Then it clicked! If I could get his brothers out and make it a total surprise that would be the icing on the cake. It was a big endevour for all as Justin had to come out from Cape Breton which is over 6200km away and BJ had to come from Manitoba  a slightly shorter hop skip and a jump of 2100km. Well believe it or not we made it work and to top it off we got both boys coming off the plane at the very same time. I sent Jason up to the airport with him thinking he'd be grabbing my brother. So of course Jason was fashionably late and he used the excuse with me that George may meet a "lady on the flight and the last thing he'd want for me to do is turn up on time." Anyways, George had driven unbeknown to Jason and was also at the airport. So due to the late arrival of Jason the boys were able to stage it and have Justin and BJ surprise Jason from behind. I guess he "didn't say a word for at least five seconds". The picture captures his pure surprise perfectly.

 We topped it all off with  Jason's ultimate feast of steak and lobster feast with some close friends and family.

 All the guys stayed for a week and the house was alive with laughter.

 I don't think they missed a night without board games and of course a brew or two ;D

Francis made sure everyone stayed inline.

 I didn't get a shot of Jason in it but he did wear this specialized shirt I made him to go along with the numerous bottles of whiskey people gifted him.

 This is a bunch of the boys at the start of the evening. Even Alistair was out at the fire for a good hour keeping the testosterone levels high.

 Well as you can see we had lots of kids, lots of food, and lots of laughs.

May the next forty years be as good as the last!

Love you hun!!