It's a winter wonderland!

Explain to me what is happening with our weather systems! Now Liam and I are in Edmonton for 10 days so I fully expected minus 20 something weather but the day I leave Chilliwack we had a front lawn full of snow and since them almost 50 cm of snow has dumped there! Wow so really I can't complain because at least I remember how to drive in Alberta snow and the cold temps are cold but it's nice to walk into a place for a nice hot cup of cider.

The view from the upstairs window.

Since it has been too cold for Liam to be outdoors (did you like my excuse there for staying indoors) we have been busy around Grandma and Grandpa's house running, playing with toys and being hopelessly spoiled.

You can imagine how many times Grandma has put these dishes back already.

We've been to the Royal Alberta Museum to take in the Bob the Builder interactive display where Liam burned off a lot calories running from station to station then back again. You can actually get a season pass to go to these exhibits everyday...and you could tell which parents had been there everyday. Key signs: glassy eyes aimlessly staring at the Bob the Builder video that is most likely memorized in their minds, not really caring where their child was...probably hoping they got hurt somewhere so the next morning the kids would awake saying 'I hate that Bob the Builder!'

Bob told me to go down the slide this way!

We've even been to the YMCA here. A beautiful facility with an indoor playground complete with a woman who leads songs, plays with a parachute and let's the kids go wild. For a fairly busy place I have to say it was peacefully quiet and Liam never got pushed off a slide instead there were about 5 different slides that he didn't even know what to do with himself. We were lucky enough to meet up with one of my dearest friends, Chloe and her husband, Felix, and her sons Rueben and Levi. They kept insisting Edmonton would be a great place to come back to. Hmm we'll see...don't miss the weather so much as the people. Thanks Chlo for the the wonderful visit!!

Chloe and the men in her life!

We have a week to go in Edmonton and many more people to see. So until next time stay warm!!

Love,

Mo and Liam

'The Day I turned into a Monster' written by Liam

It was a grey glooming day in November when I turned into a monster. I am not sure what came over me but after November 19 I have never been the same. I am now a monster dressed up in a little fat kid's body.

Remember I wasn't always this way. Up until this fateful day in November I was a sweet 14 1/2 month old toddler. I never did anything wrong even though those two people that live in my house tell me I do. Apparently, unrolling a full roll of toilet paper is wrong - if it was not meant to be unrolled wouldn't it be simply stacked in a pile? Also throwing my food on the floor is wrong - what do they expect me to do if it doesn't taste good? The reality is I am the perfect child, I go to sleep when they want me to, I play with other kids, I run around the house...what more could they ask for.

However, that Sunday morning the 19th I felt different. Grown up maybe I was only a week away from being 15 months old or I slept in...that always changes your day. Nevertheless, I was different. The day started the same I went to do errands with those people I am suppose to call my 'parents' and came home for a nice 3 hour nap. In the afternoon, my dad and I watched the Grey Cup while my mom baked some chocolate chip cookies (what those are I will never know but they smelt good!!).

As dinner approached I started getting a little bored so I headed into the kitchen to help my mom cook some food. I helped myself to a pot and lid in the drawer and proceeded to push the pot around like a curling rock until I was abrupted interrupted by my mom who took my pot away while messaging her head. So without a pot in my hand I thought about doing the next best thing...
I got in the drawer instead...way more fun anyways then pushing around a pot and lid. I was allowed to play in there for what seemed like 5 seconds and then I received the boot.

Little did they know I would return to cause even more havoc. I have learned to reach things on the shelf and counter by going on my tippytoes. Even though I can not see what is on the counter by feeling around you can almost always find something to play with and today was my lucky day. My 10 pudgy fingers felt along the counter and hooray I was in luck...

Who knew the chocolate chip cookies weren't all for me? Needless to stay I did not get to eat even one cookie instead I was relegated to the living room.

This is only the beginning apparently the monster urges are suppose to get even stronger when you turn 2!! My parents will LOVE that!

Enjoy your week and see you soon.

Liam

Bathtime Buddies

November is always such a blah month. Why is that? Is it because it is in between the excitement of Halloween and Christmas? Probably but it's going...thank goodness.

I thought I would just include some photos of bath time at our house when buddy, Sam, was over a few weeks ago. Can you believe Sam is 7 months old already!! I thought I was writing about his baby shower just yesterday!!

Wow these boys are NOT camera shy!!

Not much to report these days otherthan:

- Liam finishing this set of swimming lessons - apparently he gained so much confidence last Sunday when Matt and I took him to the pool he kept squirming out of our arms only to sink to the bottom. When will this fearless boy learn?

Typical Liam around water - up, down, up, down.

- We went to the Rememberance Day parade with Sheila and Gavin so we could watch Har march with the RCMPs very cool to see him in action but a very moving ceremony. I felt bad admitting that I didn't normally go to any Rememberance Day events other than the ones hosted at the school I was working at.

- Now Liam and I are looking forward to flying back to Edmonton in a few weeks to visit! I am not sure if I am ready to come face to face with snow again but it will be worth it to see our friends and family!

If I haven't got a hold of you yet to meet up please email me!!

Have a great end of the week.

Liam reading Sam a book!

Love,

Monique, Matt and Liam

Motor boat, motor boat go so fast!

Before I get started into this post's topic I have a very important congratulations to do. So first order of business:

Congratulations Kim and Luke on the birth of their baby boy, Trent Luke Van Valkenburg, on October 30, 2006!!! Can't wait to see you guys again!! Will post photos soon.

For the past month Liam has been enrolled in swimming lessons (okay more parent and tots swimming lessons) with his friends, Sam and Ethan. They have 2 more classes to go and then they graduate to elite swimming where they will be swimming up to 4 hours a day, 7 days a week...maybe one day. :)

Mom just let go will yeah?!!

It is a great class where they learn to get into the pool by sitting or standing on the edge, blow bubbles, go underwater, kick their feet, and of course sing the mandatory songs of 'Motor Boat', 'Wheels on the bus', and 'If you're happy and you know it'! The classics!

Sam showing off his swimming skills!

So far Liam seems to doing well - he splashes the other kids, tries to jump out of my arms, hangs on the ledge of the pool by himself and manages to annoy at least one child each class. haha kidding.

Liam flying through a part of the pool called 'The River' - jets on the side propel you through the circular pool

I have been giving him pep talks during the class since his cousin, Matthew, is also finishing up swimming lessons in Burnaby and it is almost time for a swim off!!! The battle of the sumo babies!!

Bring it on Matthew!!!

We have had a busy weekend and it is finally time for a well deserved Sunday rest. So far in my resting I have dug up all the dead plants from this summer, cleaned the living room, made a soup...yep I am well rested. :)

Happy Weekend everyone!!!

Talk to all soon.

Love,
Mo, Matt, and Liam

Dalai Lama in Chilliwack

Okay, okay, okay Halloween was 3 nights ago and the photos are only going up now. Cry me a river I have been trying to post these photos since Tuesday night but no luck until *tada* breakthrough. Can you sense my frustration through writing - argh!!! Take a deep breath and okay all better.

So after a great amount of discussion for the last month about Liam's costume the following suggestions were made:
- Curious George (vetoed since the movie came out this year and who knew how many George's would be out there)
- Max from Where the Wild Things Are (unless you read the book who would know who or what he was)
- Little Sprout from Green Giant (Did Green Giant last year need to be more creative)

However, after we gave young Liam his haircut the comment we kept receiving was 'Wow, he looks like the Dalai Lama!' So we took it as a sign and waaalaaa this year we introduce the mini Dalai Lama. I want to thank my neighbour Tracey, second year in a row, for sewing the outfit.She is a sewing master! Thanks Trac!

Now here's a photo of the Dalai Lama for those that may not know who he is.

Less talking and more photos so here is Halloween night 2006. We went Trick or Treating with Gavin, Sheila and Har. Young Gavin is dressed like his daddy - an RCMP mountie!! They had a blast and raked in some serious treats as well.

Little Lama himself!

Dalai Lama being served tea at Playcare.

RCMP Kheleh and the Dalai Lama in their high security vehicle for the evening!

After a hard night's work the two men shared some drinks and some laughs!

The Lama disrobed!!

Another successful Halloween! We hope everyone had a great night too. The Mini Dalai Lama and I will be visiting Edmonton later on this month so get your tickets now (translation: let us know when you're available so we can hook up)!

Love,

Mo, Matt and Liam