New Wheels!

The boys got a bike and a scooter for Christmas, they LOVE riding them. Here are pictures that we took on one of the first trips to the park with the new wheels.

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It is a little hard to believe that I have a four year old, crazy! We had a little birthday party for him while we were at my parents' place for Christmas. Jerry and Katie brought a pinata with them and Tyler really attacked it. It was very amusing!

Merry Christmas And Happy New Year!

Okay I admidt this is a little late but here it is anyways. I decided that with having to move, clean and resettle in our own home, have a baby and then send out baby announcements we would forgo the ritual Christmas card. We didn't get any great family pictures anyways. Blessings to you all this New Year!

Are We Gonna Go to the Y Gym?

Riley has been asking to go to the Y gym recently (it is in Winnipeg). When I ask him what he wants to do there he says "hockey". They loved all the free hockey there. . . . it seems like boys are born with innate skill and desire for these sorts of things.

7 lbs 12 oz !!!!

I had another ultrasound yesturday and everything looks great. I will find out more details from the midwife on Tuesday but from what the ultrasound tech said our little guy is healthy and happy. He, however, looks to be weighing 7 lbs 12 oz already and they tend to gain about an oz a day from here on in so . . . . so much for a small baby! It's funny, when we first found out that he has a two-vessel embilical cord instead of three I did some research and found a few things consistant in almost all of the studies. . . babies with a two-vessel cord or more likely 1) to be girls than boys (ours is clearly a boy), 2) to be smaller than average in size (ours is NOT), and 3) to be born early. . . here's to hoping, I feel very ready to meet this little guy and hold him in my arms!

I think that I have a little bit of a nesting bug. . .yesturday I made 5 meals for the freezer and everytime I turn around I just want to clean something else. Mr.Clean Magic erasers can perform so much magic!!!! Anyways I should sleep while my boys are sleeping. . . .

Quote of the Day

As we were working on packing stuff up today to head back to BC on Thursday I was trying to decide what to bring on the airplane, what to unpack at Nana and Papa's and what should be in a suitcase to unpack in Victoria. As we were talking about this Tyler says,

"Mom, I wish we could bring Auntie Meghan on the airplane that would be great."

A "Goodbye" and Two "Welcome Heres"

Last week Monday we had the opportunity to celebrate with Duane and Petina in welcoming little Chase Bradley into this world.Then early Wednesday morning we said good-bye to my Aunt Donelle as she passed away. She was sick with Huntingdon's Disease and while it is so wonderful that she is no longer suffering she is leaving behind two children and their spouses and children who are grieving her loss.

Then on Saturday we got an email from the Booths anouncing the arrival of little Lucinda.

Life is such a mystery and as our life journeys intersect with those around us we have the opportunity to bless them. Let's remember to do that!

Snow!

One day this past month we got dumped on. Ty was in his glory. Riley watched Ty from inside (he's not a fan of snow). Since then we have had "warmer" (around 0*) weather and the snow has melted. Yesterday the snowman's head fell off. "We" (read, "Tyler") are eagerly anticipating more snow so that we can rebuild Frosty.

Manitoba Museum

The boys and I have a membership at the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature and have been enjoying exploring the museum at least once a week.

It's Been A Month!

I am shamefully returning to the blogging world. This last month has been busy but more than busy I am just always tired and most of my spare time is spent sleeping instead of other things, like blogging. Sorry for the absense. I will try to bring you up to speed on the last few weeks over the next couple of days.

I Miss You!

This last weekend our friends at The Place got to go on the annual fall retreat. From the pictures on James' blog it looks like a lot of fun was has. This picture (having a bit of trouble loading blogger's pictures I'll try again later) in particular made me miss you guys. When Tyler saw the picture he said, "I miss baby Owen, I want to go back and play with Owen, when are we going to go back?" (This isn't to say that we aren't having fun out here but we do miss you guys! We are now off to Grandma and Grandpa Bargen's for pancake breakfast!)

Road Trip

This last weekend we went on a road trip to Leader, Saskatchewan for Cory's cousin Justin's wedding. The whole thing went quite smoothly. It was the longest period of time that the boys have been in a vehicle (about 7.5 hours of driving time on Friday) but thanks to Auntie Meghan we had a GREAT time! It was a fun chance to hang out with the Bargen family all weekend at various hotels, thanks Mom and Dad!

The BEST Friends Ever

I just want everyone to know that we have some of the best friends ever!!! Yesturday when the boys and I came home from gymnastics there was a heavy box waiting for me. It was filled with all sorts of treats that made me smile, you guys are the best!!! Thanks so much Anthony and Erin, James and Hil, Ryan and Cindy and Gabe and Ang. We are really looking forward to coming home and hanging out with you again "soon". Thanks again, you really made me feel special!

This BC Girl is COLD!

These pictures were taken from the back porch yesturday. October 10, the first snow. Tyler enjoyed watching it snow and playing UNO with Grandpa. The amount of snow here is about the same amount of snow that we normally get the whole winter season in Victoria (about 2 cm). My current wardrobe doesn't contain very many warm things so I am begining to feel cold, I may have to go shopping. . . .

aMAZin' Corn

On Saturday Cory's office had a family day at the aMAZin' Corn maze. We got to enjoy spending time together as a family doing the maze, a horse pulled wagon ride, petting zoo, playing on 20-foot high tower of hay and a supper. It was "with" other company people but yet not really with them. I don't particularily enjoy meeting and greeting with a bunch of people that I don't know and won't be getting to know so this work sponsored event was perfect for me! Thankyou Taylor McCaffrey!

The Joys of Ketchup Chips

Assiniboine Zoo

Today Tyler, Riley and I went to the zoo. It was a great morning! We saw many different animals and enjoyed the absolutely beautiful fall day. Ty was wondering if Uncle Tyler and Auntie Megan would come with us next time and help us find the zebras because we couldn't find them. Ty's favorite animals were the "swinging monkeys" and Riley's favorites were the pigs. I enjoyed watching the black bears get into a little skirmish, I think that they must get kinda bored in there.

Differences

We've been in Winnipeg for almost three weeks now. There are things here that we don't get to experience at home and vise versa, it is interesting to me that the kids notice some of these differences too. On the way back to Dad and Mom's one day last week Tyler commented about the roads, "I guess that they're just fixing this road right?" Well Tyler, no, the roads in Winnipeg are just a whole lot bumpier than they are in Victoria. In Victoria they repave roads that are already very smooth. In Winnipeg you learn to swerve around the pot holes.

Here HE Is. . . .

Introducing Bargen Brother #3! Our fetal assesment on Friday showed us some very clear boy parts. He appears to be healthy and happy inside of me. Apparently it is quite difficult to make a girl. (Agreed? Erin, Amy, Sarah, Rebekah, Tanya, Catherine, Darla. . . . between the 8 of us we have 15 boys and 0 girls!) We are loooking forward to having three boys and all of the excitment and energy that that will bring to our household. Tyler is very excited and already protective of this newest member of our family.

First Day of Swimming Lessons

Ty had his first swimming lesson yesturday at the YMCA. He had a lot of fun. It amazed me the things that he did for the teacher in the water that he won't do for us. He gets to swim every Thursday for the fall and it is all included in the YMCA membership of $18/month!

Here's to a semester away from school!

A Winnipeg Weekend at the Cottage

We (Cory, the boys and I and Ty and Meg) just got back from a wonderful weekend at Grandma and Grandpa Bargen's cottage at Winnipeg Beach. It was a refreshing time and it was great fun to spend time with Ty and Meg. Here are a few pictures of the boys playing at the park close to the cottage.

Like Father Like Son

Tyler is talking on the phone to Papa and Nana right now. . . he walks all over the place chatting and chatting, he hardly lets them get a word in edgewise. He loves to talk on the phone.

On the Tramp With Water

Tyler discovered jumping with the sprinkler under the tramp and is now continually asking to do that. While he's jumping he continually says "This is so fun!"

We Made it to Winnipeg

Well, we made it. We actually arrived in Winnipeg last week Thursday at about midnight.

It has been really busy here so far but life is begining to be a little more normal. Cory, Tyler and Riley built the trampoline in our backyard and Tyler has spent many hours jumping on it already. I've joined him a bit but it kinda feels like I'm shaking the baby out so I don't spend too much time on it.

On Saturday we went up to Falcon Lake to go water skiing. Ty LOVED watching Uncle Tyler and Daddy "skate" (ski) and "jump" (wake board). He kept on saying "Wow! That was NICE." The lake was fairly cold but Ty jumped off the back of the boat into the water anyways. It was a short swim.

Cory started work at Taylor McCaffrey yesturday. He will be working there until December 15. He thinks that it will be a good place to learn and work and there is FREE juice and coffee. What more could a law co-op student ask for?

The boys and I found the library yesturday and are going to sign up for a weekly gymanstics class tonight. I think that we will also try to attend some gym time drop-ins at the local YMCA. I'm looking forward to getting into a bit of a routine here, it helps me stay sane.

Spending Time in Abbotsford before the move to Winnipeg

Preparing Cory's birthday cake with Nana.

Quality time with Papa.

Better Late Than Never

Last Thanksgiving Tyler was the ringbearer for Tiffany and Matt's wedding. I just got this picture this week and thought I should share it with everyone. He was 2 1/2 and did a great job!