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!

Many Thanks for this Thanksgiving weekend!

It's 4am flight at 6:30am. We were told to be at the airport 3 hours prior to our flight time for international flights. That's WAY early. We planned to be there for 4am instead. Good thing, because when we made it to the check in - there was NO STAFF. They are not even open until 4:30. Phew! Glad we didn't leave our home earlier than needed. At that time of day every extra minuet is precious! We were so excited - we're off to Uncle James and Auntie Rachaels home! Kent was keen to watch all the airport traffic, luggage being pulled this way and that, others walking around inspecting, planes docking to a terminal. He is becoming a regular flyer for his age! 10 months old and getting on the 3rd flight in his life. We arrived in Calgary by 11:30am and were greeted most warmly by mom! She braved her way to the airport dispite all the poor signage. She is so wonderful! We were so grateful to be with her again! There is nothing like seeing her as a grandmother to Kent. She is so attentive and loving to him. Right away talking with him and asking about his flight and singing songs and giving him lots of squeezes and smiles. We hadn't even made it out of the airport yet! Those are sweet memories for me. After Wade used his made packing skills to organize moms car with our additional luggage and thanks to Mandy for lending us her car seat, we were on our way to James and Rach's where they had a Thanksgiving feast in the making! This isn't a pic of the thanksgiving dinner, but every meal was like a thanksgiving dinner - so this works just fine! A feast indeed! It was so wonderful to see everyone there! All of Rachaels family minus Trents family, and Greg - and all of our family minus Toms family. We've talked in the past about how nice it would be to have a "reunion" with the Williams and the Spencer families. And now we've basically had one! William and Ryrie got baptized this American thanksgiving weekend and we sure had a great time together! Look at Rach! She is expecting their 5th son! Due January 17th -ish. N is also expecting! Their 4th!

It doesn't seem that long ago when W and R were sitting in that high chair! Eight years old now!!

The baptism and confirmation was so special. I didn't want the meeting to end. There was such a strong presence of the spirit and love for these two fine boys. What a sacred ordinance. I'm so grateful that we could attend. A cherished time in our lives. Wade and I feel so blessed to have the loving family and gospel of Christ that we do.

Emma is sure growing up! She is a ton of fun! It was too short of a weekend together. Made for a tough goodbye. After Mom, Wade, Kent and I said our farewells at the church building to the rest of the family and headed to the car to make the drive back to the airport I welled up with tears. It's always so hard to say goodbye especially when I don't know when we'll get to see each other again. When we got to the car I realized I needed to prepare a bottle for Kent. I fetched what I needed and headed back into the church. On my way out I ran into Lloyd, Jeanette and Emma Clay and Corbin and James again! Knowing that I needed to be on my way I still couldn't resist another round of goodbye hugs. Emma was crying and I asked her if she was ok? I only then realized it was saying goodbye that was tough. I guess I just think that I'm the only one who is the "sad" one who has to "leave". I've figured they all have each other and I'm the one who visits and be the one away. BUT I got a new take on the whole goodbyes situation. My heart went out to Emma. I didn't want her to feel sad. I hugged Emma again and told her how thankful I was we could hang out again and that we will again and again and again! Each of my darling nieces and nephews Campbell, Tressa, Amberley, Jayda, Emma, Clay, Corbin, William, Ryrie, Owen and Thomas - their parents and grandma - If only we could see each other whenever we wanted. Thankfully Wade loves them all too and we will always try to come whenever we can. I think C, T and E need to come together to visit us! That would be great! Send the 3 oldest whenever you can!! OK! Sure love you all!

Uncle James and Kent

Wade wrestling with the kiddos - remnants of speed scrabble below

Lloyd sharing his recipe and and green onion cake making techniques with us. So yummy!

First Sunday as official members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

Nice new scriptures and cases boys!

The two youngest cousins for now! Thomas and Kent

Airport goodbyes! Wade was the man behind the camera.

Mom it was so wonderful to see you again. Thank you again!

Till next time! xoxo

Canada here we come!!

For Kents first time flying the flight attendant gave him a pin with gold wings. We had smooth flights with Kent he couldn't have been more well behaved. So for all those other flyer's who gave us looks of 'super we're travelling next to a baby', he did awesome and won their hearts instead. On the flight home I actually had one woman ask me as she sat next to us "so, how does he do flying?' with a bit of a negative tone in her voice. Thankfully Kent was himself that flight too being the chill, mellow, content-Kent with smiles and laughs and sleeping times too. Eager to see mom and Kent got a warm embrace from Grandma! I get SO excited doing the last walk out of customs to push through the doors. Tears come and with a huge smile my feet can't go fast enough. The doors open and there's mom feeling the same way. There is nothing like reuniting.

Our first stop was to James and Rachael's home. Their first time to meet Kent. I still have Owen's voice in my head "I want to hold baby Kent". The boys instantly began calling him Kenty. I loved seeing THEM. Will and Ry have grown and matured so much! Owen is a wealth of information and Thomas since I've only had the opportunity to be with him only one other time his entire life - definitely blew me away with how much of a little boy is now. I love being in their home, where there is fostered much learning, work and play, order, love and security. The boys took right to taking us around the inside and outside of their home. It was neat to see photo's come to life in the club house out back. The boys with their story and explanations of what they like to do in the club house. Showing us their tool boxes from Grandma on their shelves. A sword fight ensued. Running in circles. Laughter. Laughter. Laughter. We ventured around the back of the club house where Owen was a brave tour guide. When he began to climb beyond the pile of wood boards toward twisted barbed wire fence, we turned back. Uncle James and Aunt Rachael were holding Kent on their rocking bench as we continued to explore the beautifully growing garden. Each boy has their own plot to tend again this year. Their back yard continues to change. This summer quite dramatically with the addition of a deck. James showed us the design he drew up. Big project! It is well underway. Look forward to seeing it come to fruition. While James has a new deck, Rachael is working on a new baby! Definitely look forward to seeing the fruits of her labours! correction- fruit. To say the least, what a busy, wonderful family. After the reunion William and Ryrie will be having a recital! William even requested that there be refreshments and a program. They've been preparing and practicing well. Their teacher is their Grandma Williams (Nana, is that how they say/spell it) via web cam! Remarkable isn't it?

At dinner Thomas had a joke to share with us. What's is your name? Jane. What colour is the sky? Blue. something something something... UP. Jane blew up! : ) Thomas's version in a commanding tone is: Name!?, Sky!? (I don't remember the last part but it would lead me to reply with UP! ) Then with the biggest smile he would connect it all - Jane blew up!

I promise Owen and Kent got to spend time together.

N-H-L! Living room hockey at it's best! Puck handling skills, swift goalie, passes and goals! Action packed fight and even a Zamboni!