Train depot and Jersey's

The Boys LOVE the train depot in our city.  It is an old depot that is now a visitor center for the city. They are friendly with the staff as we wait for a train to zoom past.  This wait can be short or long, you never know.  As we were leaving for the depot this particular time I wished i had a grab and go snack handy. Then I thought of paper bags of popcorn!  Genius.  The boys were content waiting for the popcorn to pop. I filled paper bags with popcorn and we munched away outside while we waited for trains to go by.  This is a memorable day for the boys.  Not only was the pop corn a hit but there were 5 trains that round.  Compared to the 1 or 2 or sometimes none.  (I set a time limit on how long we watch for ; )

Best buddies!

Kansas City MO Temple

The Temple was announced in 2008 conference!  The same session as the announcement for the Calgary Alberta Temple!  It was quite the thrill.  All the family phone lines were going!  It is a stunning temple.  This is the open house.  Toma was visiting during the open house time so she too was also able to attend with us.  I need to upload pics on here from that amazing visit with Toma for the weekend. I still can't believe that dream came true of she and I spending time together from so long ago 1999.  That is a long time ago when you consider the distance to Russia.  I always knew we would see each other again but didn't know when.  

The boys did well during the tours.  I took them with another friend Gretchen on a different day too. 

It is a huge blessing to have a temple in our area.  So thankful.  It will be dedicated on May 6th.  Which is also Kya's birthday.  Easy to remember for us how old this temple is from now on.  There was a great attendance to the open house by members and non members of the church.  I am always glad for these kind of opportunities in the community to dispel and clarify misconceptions and  thoughts of the Church.  So positive! I love the temple and the beauty and peace that I feel there.  I am thankful for the covenants I have made and the blessing it is to return again and again.  The temple is for everyone. I feel so close to my Heavenly Father there and feel of His love for me and his great love and concern for ALL past and present. 

Kya : ) we love you!

The Hearing when Kya was adopted - will be unforgettable for me.  The feeling of love, relief and gratitude was tangible.  Family love.  Even the Judge was teary and personable.  The attorney was crying with joyful humble tears throughout. Really I doubt there was a dry eye in the room.  The spirit was so strong.  We all felt a beautiful peace and comfort and love there.  The Judge had her go up to where she sat and allowed Kya to use her microphone for the questions she asked.  Kya was so sweet and confident.    I think a precious moment that is etched into my mind is when it was all said and done Kya along with her parents Chad and Amy were asked to stand and could turn to all of us seated behind them.  Kya turned into Chad and was sobbing.  Amy encircled them and the 3 of them together - it just seemed like we were so blessed to be able to witness such a tender moment.  Then Mia and Eli joined them and now this family was complete!  This pic above is this moment! 

That Kya has got a smile that lights up her entire face.  

At Grandmas Sanners home after Kya's baptism and confirmation!  Another special day for her!

At the Winter Quarter's Temple for Kya's sealing! Yet another special day for her and her family!

Attending the Winter Quarters Temple will not be as likely anymore...considering our new Temple district will be the Kansas City Missouri Temple!! I have fond memories of this Temple.  I am sure we will return someday...I hope.

All the family headed to Jimmy Johns for lunch after we were at the Temple. 

Our boys travelled so well and we didn't regret bringing them along at all. 

Wade actually said that he was SO glad that the cousins and rest of the family there

could be together - That we did the right thing coming as a family.  I'm thankful too! 

Eyelashes? I take it as a compliment

If you are looking for someone to help you, I'm not into this personally, but I recommend Leon for your eye care needs. He squares up and while breathing loudly and rhythmically he focuses with slow precision while his chubby little fingers begin honing in on fluttering eyelashes.

It is hard to say if he believes they are in need of thinning out or if it is merely an exploration to ensure ones eyelashes are clean, clump free and at their longest lengths possible. He's good.

This skill has been developed at age 10 or 11 months on his first client, me his mother. Then his client base grew thereafter. His father, while they wrestled he found it imparitive to pause briefly for this "lengthing" or the untimely "thinning". Another client is Kent, his brother. Playtime can turn into worktime, when Kent is holding still long enough those eyelashes are ripe and ready and Leon won't let the opertunity pass him by.

I forgot to mention his focused determination turns to a grand satisfaction, the reward of a job well done. He's good.

Warm embrace

Safe arrival to my mom's front door! We actually got to land and drive into the city ourselves. As wade was getting things into the rental car he commented the car reeeeked of smoke. Thankfully we hadn't loaded in the carseats just yet. I put my bag in the front seat and got my own wiff of that Toyota and yeah there was no way we were going anywhere in that car. Caravanned luggage, carseats, strollers, and ourselves back to the rental gal and she not only gave us a new vehicle but also an upgrade at no extra fee! Loaded up and we were on our last mode of transportation to as Kent says "Grandma Spencer's house, in Edmonton, in Canada.  To Grandmas Spencer's and all my cousins and Grandma's red bucket of cars. And Tommy and George."

There is something quite special about going home at Christmastime.  It was so nice.  The home decorated with exactly what I remember.  But minus all the Christmas decor, my mom is the gem whom makes the home our home.  I love her dearly.  She knows me inside and out.  We can talk with just our eyes and understand.  She loves my family like she loves me.  I love how she respects and loves Wade and how she loves and adores Kent and Leon.  She is amazing with each (14) of the grandchildren.  She can zero in on each and give them attention and love and learning.  Mom teaches as she goes.  I still have a lot to learn from her.

toboggan time

A few hours at the hill that I went to often during the Canadian winters as a youngen is where we found ourselves during the holiday!  It was a great time!  Only one major collision... involving one nephew getting crashed into.  Otherwise we all zoomed down and climbed back up over and over! Then Cam and Tressa showed up with their GT Racers!! I have a slight phobia for these from a bad experience flying down an ICEY huge hill one year when I was 10 or 11 years old.  I had my friend Ilia doubled up with me on a GT and we were headed straight for a jump.  The hill/mountain was so slick it glisened in the sun.  One could have skates on...  at any rate we didn't land the jump.... rather I face planted my right cheek as my landing gear.  A honkin scrape and in coming days a gross scab and thankfully NO scar.

Christmas at our home

Sunday Dec 18th we decided to mark as the day for our own little Christmas because for the first time since we've been married the 25th would actually be in Alberta!

On December 8th we decorated our christmas tree and brought out other decorations and nativities.  Kent and I began hanging the little christmas balls on the tree but I left for a moment to change Leon's diaper and get him ready for bed.  When I returned Kent had successfully hung nearly all of the balls around the bottom tree branches.  classic!  : )  He had no issues when we redistributed to the sparcer areas of the tree.  He helped hang them higher being held in my arms.  Christmas music playing and hot chocolate being served up soon. 

Mom mailed use these word ornaments to us.  We are eager to see the Canadian family SOON!!
On December 16th Beth and Phil opened their home for a festive night - they planned out a craft and of course all kinds of delictable desserts!

Painting Ornaments

Wade invited a couple from his graduate program.  Haochen and Yi!  They had a great time with our family too! 

1 st semester

Both Wade and Kent have completed their 1st semesters in school. Both are eager for more!

and Leon has a skill set of his own to show too....

The captain says fasten your seatbelts

Kent was invited into the cock pit not once but twice! As we boarded the planes we were stopped by (thankfully) admiring flight crews. Never a sour look from them toting a toddler and a baby on. In fact they were quite opposite "would you like to meet the pilots?" they directed the question to Kent! Next thing we know kent is talking it up with the captain. They let him to press buttons, see maps, lights, push the throdle (if that is what it is called) and even wear the captains hat! So kind. Oh and gave him some

Christmas treats from their stockings. One of the flight attendants had given each of the crew a stocking full of treats. She told me that she loves to fly with this crew and said what good friends they each were. And you could tell. They had fun and that influenced everyone to have a great flight. Because of how awesome they were right off the bat it sure eased our tension. We boarded frantically. We had rushed onto this flight from a very late connecting flight. We landed in Denver on time but there was no open gate. For 30 minutes we sat there on the Tarmac waiting to deplane. Once off the plane we booggggied to our next flight. Thankfully they had some reason for a delay so that afforded me a mere moment to change Leon's diaper. (high fives to Leon for not having a messy diaper during those long 30 previous minutes!) And what a relief to make the connecting flight to Edmonton and have a fabulous crew to fly with.

Both were excellent travelers. I was concerned for Leon's welfare and that of the nearby passengers. But all was well. Kent asked to get out of his seat once and that was remedied by saying "the captain says fasten our seatbelts. So that means we need to stay in our seats."
"ohhhh" says Kent. From there on that was the standard answer for basically anything. (Wade jokingly milked that one everyso often) "the captain says this or that..." :)

Kent was entertained watching disneys Wally movie on wades laptop. And both boys were satisfied enough with our endless supply of crackers, granola bars, Kent's raisins and super handy puréed organic fruits in pouches with screw on caps. (love those)
Books, toys, laptop with Wally and food! Thats how we survived! Oh and a couple naps to speak of. Can't forget that!

Leon is quite tactile. Has to touch everything he sees. I imagine him as he lunges for the folding tray wondering to himself is that hard or soft? If I turn it this way or that way will it open? There, did it. If only mom would let me I could touch the guys hair in front of us - again. That carpet looks a little dingy but I'd still love to crawl up and Down that ailse and follow the lighted path they were just telling us about. Mom let's use the seat cushion for floating! Where is it? Do you want to read this emergency card again? Here, take it. This pouch here is so handy. Why is our bag way under the seat in front of us? It's hard for me to get things! He is a busy, wonderful boy.

Kent was stunned at the realization that we were high in the sky above the clouds. It was neat to hear his thoughts as he looked out the window with wade. Soaring high in the sky. Also with the take off and landings we were always seated above the wheels so all the mechanics of the wheels were not only heard but felt. Fascinating to kent. Worrisome to the lady in front of us who had a panicy look whenever the airplane was making a suspicious noise.

Landing in Edmonton! Ah! It was a wonderful feeling to be back! Wade and I were thrilled!