Aidan graduates

On May 26 Aidan graduated from preschool. There was lots of fun things to do but the boys favorite was the bouncy castle with the big slide. After playing games and bouncing lunch was served. Hot dogs, chips, fruit, veggies, juice boxes and cupcakes were enjoyed by all. Following lunch they had a little ceremony to present the kids with their certificates. Aidan was really excited and started dancing on the stage not knowing there were people watching him. It was pretty funny. I can't believe he'll be in kindergarten in the fall. Time has really gone by fast. My Aidan is not so little anymore.

May long weekend

Our May long weekend started with a trip down to Magrath. Mike had to install a center seat into his truck so that we could all travel legally. Sydnee enjoyed her first time in the hot tub on Thursday night and the rest of us enjoyed a steak dinner. Our Friday started off with a visit to Grandma and John's. We visited for awhile and enjoyed lunch with them. Then we were off to Kate's farm which was much anticipated by the boys. There the boys were able to ride in a tractor and help Kate drive the bale truck. We went into the field to feed the cows and see all the new baby calves. We even helped give a sick calf some medicine and watched Kate's Dad haul a dead cow out of the field with the tractor. Not a pretty sight but the boys weren't to disturbed by it all. The highlight of the farm trip was when Kate's Dad gave the boys each a farmer hat. They were so excited and really thought they were farmers. That night the boys stayed home with a babysitter while the adults went to a movie. Sydnee's first movie experience and she did really well. Then out for dessert afterward. Our Saturday started early. We were on the road by 8:45am, headed back to Strathmore. After a quick stop at home to grab a few extra things we were finally on our way to Edmonton. The kids and I slept most of the way there so it seemed to go by fast. When we arrived in Edmonton the boys were so excited to see the West Ed Mall. But first we had to check into our hotel and get settled in there. Then we headed over to the mall to check everything out. Our first stop, show the boys the water park but had to remind them that we weren't going there until tomorrow. Then we went over to Galaxy land where we met Rhonda and Isiah. All the boys enjoyed some of the rides and had a great time. After the rides we all went for supper at the old Spaghetti factory. By this time it was about 9 o'clock so we headed back to the hotel to go to bed. On Sunday we started with a great breakfast at the cafe Europa then headed to the water park. We were there when it opened at 10am so we got some good seats and headed into the water. The boys were so excited to try all the water slides and were brave enough to even go on the steep and scary ones. Rhonda and Isiah came at about 12:30 so we enjoyed the rest of the day swimming with them. I think everyone had a good time even Sydnee enjoyed swimming for the first time. After leaving the water park at about 4 o'clock Rhonda and Isiah headed back to Red Deer. We walked around the mall for a little while longer and ate at the food court before heading back to the hotel for an early bed time. On Monday morning we woke up, got all packed up then went back to cafe Europa for breakfast. After breakfast we had a blast mini golfing with the kids for the first time and to top it off Griffin and Aidan each got a hole in one. After mini golfing we watched the sealion show which was super fun and the boys were amazed and a little scared at seeing them up close. Then we went down into the sea life cavern to pet sting rays and see the sharks and the penguins. Now it was time to head home. The weekend had past so quickly it seemed. On our way home we stopped at Rhonda's so Dennis could meet Sydnee and we had supper with them. I was glad to get home but it had definitely been a great weekend.and it wasn't even to crazy with 4 kids. I would call our first holiday as a family of 6 a success!!!

Sydnee's photo shoot

On May 8th at 11/2 weeks old Sydnee had her first photo shoot. She was a really good girl for the photographer. She was awake for most of the time but started to get sleepy and wanted her soose. I thought the pictures turned out so darling.

Sydnee's first few weeks

We are all enjoying having a girl in the house from her many facial expressions and noises to laughing hysterically when she shoots poop at her Dad. Her first few weeks have been so special. Her brothers love her to death and love holding and kissing her. The second day she was home her Grandma Kimberly gave her a bath and she was not to pleased with that idea. The next day Mike decided to have a shower with her which she enjoyed much better. She already loves to sleep in her own bed and even slept through the night the first few nights home. When Sydnee was 11/2 weeks old we went down to Magrath for the Mothers Day weekend. But before heading to Magrath we stopped in Calgary to meet Baby Briggs. Him and Sydnee are only 3 days apart and they looked so cute together. Mike and the Boys went swimming with Kate and Levi on Friday. We had a great time visiting with family and had a yummy dinner at Grandma Harkers on Sunday. While we were there Sydnee had her first photo shoot. She did a great job and the pictures turned out so cute. Having Sydnee in our home has been wonderful so far and we look forward to many more fun times with her.

Sydnee Shay Utahana

Mike and I arrived at the hospital at 6am on April 28, 2010 as told. We were both feeling very nervous and excited. We were both praying that the surgery would go well and that the baby would be healthy. Soon after arriving I was taken to a room and put on a monitor and given an I.V. Now it was the waiting game, both of us feeling more and more nervous as the time passed. We were soon informed that we had been bumped back due to an emergency so the waiting continued. Finally at about 10am we were introduced to the anesthesiologist and a few of the nurses who would be attending the surgery. Now we both new that any minute I would be taken to the operating room. Sure enough by 10:30 I was taking that long walk to the O.R. feeling my heart start to beat fast and my legs getting shaky. Mike was asked to wait outside while I received my spinal. A few minutes later when I was laying down with my lower body completely numb, Mike came into the room. At this point I was feeling calm and relaxed. Mike was right there to hold my hand the whole time. After a few minutes of feeling a lot of pulling and tugging I heard that joyful sound, her first cry. I immediately started crying myself. Nobody said a word because we had already told them we knew it was a girl. But being both a little doubtful I had to ask. "Is it a girl?". Then the nurse replied very delightfully, "Yes it's a girl". Then the tears really started to flow. Was I hearing it right, Did I really now have a daughter. I was so overjoyed that I couldn't stop smiling amongst the tears. Sydnee Shay Utahana was finally here and she was perfect. She weighed 7lbs 61/2 oz. and was 201/2 inches long. She had light brown fluffy hair and big dark eyes. The next few days in the hospital seemed to whiz by but being able to just hold her in the quiet was so nice. We arrived home on April 30th to a house full of people anxiously waiting to see her. Grandma Kimberley, Dani, Nadean, Denver and Rhonda were there to greet us. Mike and I still look at her in awe, we finally have a girl. We have been so very blessed with our little family and we are so happy.