O Canada!

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!!!!!!




We had a great Canada Day. Ben was working because it is paid triple time, but he got off at noon, so it felt like he didn't work at all. Our lovely community Riverdale had an explosion of activities for the family to do. First, was their annual Bike Parade. All of the participants decorated their bikes and helmets, and starting on the corner of The Tree Frog Press, the whole neighbourhood rode their bikes to the community hall. It started off with us all singing, O Canada, which, everytime I sing, makes me incredibly grateful to live in such a wonderful nation. We then all rode to the community hall where there was treats, face painting, games, live music, potluck BBQ, and of course, the Spray Park. Although we left quite a bit early, and really only participated in the parade and some of the games, we still had a lot of fun letting the children play and getting to know our neighbours even more.


Lily on the way to the starting line.

Here is Isabelle in front of the car that lead the parade. These are her favorite cars. Everytime we see one she says, "they're so cute."







We then met up with Ben's family at Rundle Park, and then headed to Gwenn and Dennis' for a potluck. It was great fun as always. The kids always have fun playing with their cousins, and it was a bonus to have Ben's sisters and their families, the Johnstons and the Eklunds, in from out of town. (Utah and Rocky Mountain House.) The Johnston's announced the great news that they are moving back to Edmonton! Sara told us, at one point it was just her and Lily sitting at the table outside eating a cookie while all the other kids were running around playing. She said that Lily then put her cookie down and said, "May I be excused please?" We have been trying to teach our kids to ask that before leaving the dinner table and it seems to be working!







After that, Ben and I decided to pack the kids up and take them to the fireworks, which did not start until 11:00 pm. It was very late for the girls, quite the change from their usual 7:30-8:00 bedtime, but they were troopers and stayed up the whole time to watch the fireworks. The girls absolutely loved them! Especially Lily and Isabelle. It took a little while for Chloe to not be afraid of them, but eventually she liked them too. It sure made for a late morning; Lily did not wake up today until 11:30, a record for even her. Chloe got up at 10:30, and Isabelle, our early riser, didn't even even wake up until 9:30. Just in time for her soccer! When Lily got up she said, "I think the fireworks are still sleeping." All in all it was a great Canada Day.



Every year they do this Great Waterfall from the High Level bridge. You can actually run under it and get all wet.





The girls watching the fireworks. This was their first time seeing them in real life.

Dia del Padre by Ben Anderson

I know it's a little late, but I had a great Father's Day! Fantastic! It was mostly celebrated on Saturday, which was great. Saturday AM started with a fast-breaking feast of epic proportions. I feel uncomfortably full, just thinking about it. Cake-Waffles with ice cream, raspberries, whipped cream, and sausage. I just couldn't stop eating! Heavenly (and that's not a word I toss around lightly). After breakfast the girls gave me my gift. They had done such a great job of keeping it a secret, that I was completely surprised. After I had opened my Father's Day gift Lily excitedly proclaimed, "We got you a scarf too, Dad!" (the awesome Manchester United scarf was actually for my birthday, but who can blame a 3 year old for getting a little impatient?)

Aside from the breakfast that I will reflect on with joy for months to come, and the gifts that I will wear proudly, and with affection, the greatest things I received for Father's Day were received bi-annually over the last 6 years. First my wonderful wife, who is my greatest blessing, and a source of exceeding joy. The best thing about being a Dad is partnering with her in this endeavor.



Next are my girls. I can't list them individually, because it is impossible for me to put them in any order. Collectively they make me miserable almost every day. I sit at work thinking about how much I'd rather be where they are than where I am. In their own ways they make me happier than I could have ever imagined, and there are so many things I love doing with them.



I love Izzy singing her silly songs, or telling everyone we meet everything she will do for the next two days.



Lily makes me laugh when we are driving, and she shouts from the back seat, "I want to listen to the Beatles!" and continuing until I comply (which isn't usually a hard sell)

Chloe is so young, but is such a fun little girl. She loves giving high-fives, and bounces. I love when she tries to communicate in her way, and when I get it she melts me with her grin.

As this is a Father's day post I have to mention how blessed I am with regards to Father's. My own Father has been an example of faith and commitment throughout my life. I strive to emmulate him as I develop relationships with my own children. I am also very lucky to have a terrific Father-in-Law who is 100% dedicated to the happiness of his children and grandchildren. If I were an scientist with a hunch-back assistantand a secret lab I would combine the DNA of these two amazing fathers to build a Super-Dad to be my Dad Coach. They are both terrific examples to me of what a father should and can be. Happy Father's Day to all Father's, but the Happiest Father's day of all was mine.

Recent Happenings

So with the mixture of rain and sunshine has come the beautiful flowers, green grass, and dandelions everywhere. There are two big lilac bushes right outside the front of our place, and the fragrance is very potent and wonderful. We've been enjoying the outdoors everyday, and can't wait for summer.

Isabelle has started a "fun soccer"; a little league organized by some of the ladies in my ward. In fact, my cousin is her coach! They do such an awesome job with all of those little kids. Izzy is loving it and is so excited to go each week. I am impressed with how fast she seems to be learning it; this is her first time ever doing soccer, so I wasn't sure how it was going to work out.

We are glad she is enjoying it. You can tell I never played soccer growing up because I had no idea the shin pads were supposed to go UNDER the socks. At least I wasn't the only mom there who made that mistake. I quickly fixed it as soon as I learned. :)

Here is Nicole molding the next generation of Canadian soccer superstars.

A little while ago, this awesome little petting zoo came to the Capilano elementary school, which is not far from us. It was during Izzy's playschool hours, so only Lily and Chloe were able to enjoy it. And did they ever! Lily loved all of the baby goats, bunnies, calf, and they even had a wallaby! Lily liked to brush its hair. Chloe was so excited to see all the animals too, and wanted to hold the bunnies a lot as well. She kept waving at the animals saying, "Hi! Hi!" It was fun.

So our little nephew Parker broke his arm this past weekend, falling out of a fire truck! He had to get two pins put in his arm. At least he is OK. We went today to go see him at the hospital, which was really exciting for the girls. The Marusiaks showed up the same time we did, so it was like a family reunion in the hospital room. I guess the surgery to put his pins in went well, and he seems to be doing really well now.

What's a Slurpee?

The other day we were all out playing at a playground, and it was quite hot out. After a while, Ben said, "OK, its so hot, who's ready for a slurpee?" to which Lily replied, "What's a slurpee?" It has been so long since we've had slurpees that our three year old couldn't even remember what a slurpee was. We figured that is a good thing! Ben and I have been trying hard for the last while to limit the sweets, and I guess we're doing a good job. Taylor was having a sleepover and so we wanted to let them have some treats. We even let Chloe have her first slurpee. She loved it as you can see...

A couple of days ago, we found a few bees in our basement!! We think there may be a nest under one of our porches, and then they are somehow finding a way in. I said to Isabelle, "We're going to have to get someone to come out and get rid of them all," meaning of course an exterminator. She then said, "He'll sure have to bring a lot of shoes!" We usually hit them with a shoe or something like that to kill them. I thought it was funny, even though I am terrified of bees, and unfortunately, have passed this phobia onto our girls.

Our street is very active with kids who all seem to play in their front yards, maybe so that they can all play with each other. Our kids love playing with the neighbours and are always so excited to see any of them out. Even the kids who are a little older love to play with our kids who are a little younger. This neighbourhood is so friendly!

Because of the heat, we got out the old wading pool, and with that, came all the kids!

Today we went for a walk around Beaumaris Lake, and we were lucky to see some goslings! Our favorite part of going to Beaumaris is seeing all of the ducks and geese, so this was extra nice. We didn't want to get too close, but here are some pictures.

Mother's Day 2008

I always love Mother's Day. It really makes me appreciate not only my own Mother, and what a wonderful person she is, but also my Grandma, my Nana, and my Mother-in-law, all of whom have been and are wonderful mothers to me. Not to mention, Mother's Day also helps me think about and realize what wonderful mothers are all around me through my sisters, sisters-in-law, cousins, aunts, and friends. They are all such great examples to me as I try to be a good mother myself. We had really good speakers in church yesterday, one of whom mentioned that we are raising future mothers, and how important it is to be a good example to them, and how powerful a mother's influence really is. It made me so grateful to be a mother, and to have Isabelle, Lily and Chloe. I love being a mom! It is one of the best experiences of my life.

As I was searching for pictures of all of the mothers in my life, I realized we sure don't take that many pictures of adults! So here are some great pictures, even though some are a few years old....

This is Chloe and Grandma Herget, her great grandmother. It was last summer, 2007, we all got together for Robbie and Miles' baptism. We don't get to see Grandma Herget very often because of distance, but we love it when we do! Her warm smile and happiness are so great to be around.

This is Lily and Great Nana, (my Nana), this past Christmas 2007. We also don't get to see her very much for the same reason! She is always ready for hugs and kisses from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, which we love to get from her! I miss both of my grandmothers, and wish I could see them more than I do.

This is my mom and Izzy in the summer of 2004. Isabelle was 15 months old. The girls are always so excited to visit and see Nana. She is such a wonderful grandmother to them; she loves to play with them, and spend time with them. She is so good with children and babies.

This is Isabelle and her Grandma Gwenn, my Mother-in-law. This was taken at an Anderson Family Reunion back in 2004 as well. The girls love Grandma Gwenn, love to visit her, go on birthday dates with her, and love to get babysat by her. Living in the same city, we get to see Gwenn a lot, but sometimes still not as much as we want! She is so fun to be around, and such a great example to me.

This is my mom, my Nana, Isabelle, and I taken in the summer of 2004 as well.

Last Thursday, Izzy's playschool had a Mother's Day lunch, and the kids recited a poem and gave a special gift to us. It was so sweet. Every Mother's Day, Ben always helps the girls make it a special day for me. This year, he helped them pick out flowers and make dinner and breakfast. It was so nice! We also went to the zoo on Saturday, and then last night went to Jessica and Chris' for dessert potluck. It was a great weekend and Mother's Day!

Daddy's Owies :(

So with the arrival of the beautiful warm weather, Ben decided to get out his good old rollerblades and skate to and from work last Monday. Living in Riverdale, there is of course a very steep hill to go down on his way home. He said he was turning a corner, and he was about to collide with a cyclist, and so, swerving to get out of the way, he lost his footing and.....this is what happened!

His thigh...


His stomach...



and his arm...


He appears happy here, but he was in a lot of pain. OUCH!!! His favorite shorts were shredded; but that, of course, was the least of our worries. Luckily he was able to take a day off of work and rest. We are just thankful it wasn't any worse, and that he is healing well.