February 26

 Our boys really love their little sister.  They love to talk to her and play with her.  Davis spent a good hour pushing Taylor around the house in the back of Phoenix's Tonka dump truck.  We said she looked like a Princess in her Chariot.  It was really cute. 

 

 

Davis had grading day at Jiu Jitsu and he was advanced to his Yellow Bar.  He was so proud of himself, and I was so proud of him too.  He has been working really hard.  Stupidly, I forgot to bring my camera to class, so I took a far away picture on my phone, while Taylor was trying to yank it out of my hand.  

 

 

  

We finally got some real Edmonton-like snow.  I spent a good hour hour shoveling it, and it was amazing how high the piles were when I got done.  I was wishing that I had a snowblower.  Someone down the street was using one, and I was convinced that he was using his just to taunt me, because I was out with just a shovel.  

 

Top Ten

I haven't been great at keeping up with my blog, but now that we have 9am church, it is my goal to take a shorter Sunday afternoon nap, and work on my blog. Here are some top 10 highlights of what the Edmonton branch of the Wolsey family have been up to from the end of September until today.

1. West Edmonton Mall

We live right next to WestEd and our kids think it is the coolest place ever!! They love to go walk around, play at the arcade, go bowling, eat. One of the first things that we did was check out the Pirate Ship.

2. Drew's Birthday and Tom and Jane Come to Visit

Drew's parents came up for his Birthday. In our house on your Birthday you get to request your favorite meal for dinner. Drew's request was Chicken Enchiladas and for dessert I made peach and coconut cream pie.
We were still having really nice weather, so on Saturday we went for a picnic at William Hawlrek Park. It was a beautiful day.

3. Telus World of Science Centre

We decided to stay in Edmonton for Thanksgiving so that Drew could get ahead in his lesson planning. That weekend we checked out the Science Centre. It has become one of our favorite places to take the kids. There are so many cool things to do and see there. The highlight of our first trip for Davis was being picked to be a helper in a Chemistry Exhibit. He got to pour "water" into cups to make different drinks for the Persnickety Princess. The thought it was pretty cool.

4. Davis Starts Jiu Jitsu

We encourage our kids to participate in sports activities. Marcus picked soccer, but Davis decided that he wanted to try something different, so we put him into Jiu Jitsu, and so far it has been the perfect fit. He looks forward to going every week, and he has told us that when he gets big, he wants to be a Jiu Jitsu teacher.

5. Halloween

We love Halloween. The kids love decorating the house and making it spooky, carving pumpkins, dressing up, and of course, Trick-Or-Treating. Drew took the boys out for a little while and they went to part of the houses in our Community, and they came back with their bags bursting with candy. I think that we still have some left (even after Drew took the mini chocolate bars out and took them to work). I wanted the kids to dress up all as a theme like they did last year, but they couldn't agree on something. Davis wanted to be scary, so he was a Ghoul, Marcus was Optimus Prime, Phoenix was Superman, and Taylor was a cat.

6. Edmonton Winter

One of the things that worried me about moving to Edmonton was the Winters. I have heard that they are brutal and that it is cold, and there is lots of snow and it is miserable. We have been very lucky to have a very mild winter, but there have been a few bouts of very cold weather. I have to be honest, and I would rather take the cold and lots of snow over the constant mind numbing wind that Lethbridge gets.

7. Marcus Turns 5 and More Visitors.

My parents and sisters came up the weekend of Marcus' birthday to help us celebrate.

My boys are obsessed with Lego, so that was a natural fit for a theme for Marcus' Birthday Party. Some boys from Marcus' Primary class and Kindergarten class came over and we played Lego inspired games, ate Pizza and Lego candy, and had a Lego brick cake.

8. Phoenix Turns 3

Phoenix was very excited when it was his turn for a Birthday Party. He even had what type of cake he wanted picked out for over a month. He picked a Max & Ruby cake from Dairy Queen. My parents and Karen and Martin came up for his Birthday Dinner (Spaghetti and Meatballs), and for cake and presents. Phoenix was so excited after each present that he would open, and did a little victory dance.

 

9.  Christmas   

I know it is cheesy, but every so often I like to dress my kids in coordinating outfits.  Since Taylor got a black and red Christmas outfit, then I had to get red and black ties for the boys too.  

 

We pulled the kids out of school a day early and headed down to Southern Alberta for Christmas holidays.  Our first stop was Aetna to spend time with my family.  While we were there my Dad found the only snow that was in the area and took us sledding and snowmobiling.  The kids had a blast, and I rode a snowmobile for the first time in years.  

 

 

 

Christmas Morning is the best when you have kids.  I love watching them opening presents and seeing how excited they get over their new toys.  On Christmas day we packed up and headed to Lethbridge for the week, so basically all their new toys were packed in the van for the week.  When we got back to Edmonton and unloaded the van, it was just like Christmas morning again when the kids finally got the chance to play with their new toys.  

 

Boxing Day is just not complete without the usual Wolsey celebration.  This year the 3 boys sang "Christmas Don't Be Late".  They did a really great job.  

10.  Bob the Leopard Gecko

About a year ago we went to the pet store for a family activity.  Davis told Drew that he really wanted a pet.  Drew told him that he could get a pet if he picked something that wasn't stinky and if he saved his money and paid for it himself.  Davis decided he wanted a Lizard, so we did some research into what would be the best Lizard for kids.  Davis got his brothers involved in the saving, and they finally saved up enough money to buy their Lizard.  I am really proud of how hard they worked to save and accomplish their goal.  There were times when they wanted to buy something, but we would just remind them that if they bought it, then it would take them longer to buy their Lizard, but they persevered. 

SomeThings We've Been Doing

On Labor Day Karen and Martin came up and we went out for Vietnamese food, then we went to River Valley Park. It was so pretty down there. There are playgrounds, golf courses, picnic areas and tons of bike paths.

After the Park, we went to Elk Island National Park. There you can see Buffalo, Moose and Elk. But, we only saw Buffalo. At the Park is a huge Playground, a lake, picnic areas and hiking trails. We plan on going back for a hike and a picnic.

Taylor started eating Baby Cereal. She loved it!! The next time I fed it to her, she was so excited, she was kicking her feet and laughing.

Taylor started using her Jolly Jumper. She really likes it, and of course when ever she uses it she has an audience, and someone to "help" her jump.

Davis lost his top tooth!! It was wiggly for a long time, and Drew tried to pull it out for 3 days. Finally it was barely hanging in, and it was at a funny angle, and he was able to get it out. Davis was so pleased.

Meal Planning Monday

Yeah, I am late on posting this, so let's call it Tardiness Tuesday...

Monday- We had boring spaghetti (sauce from a jar, hamburger, you know the kind) and peas. Davis wanted to have it for dinner on Sunday, but I made something else, so I promised him that I would make Spaghetti the next day.

Tuesday- Cheesesteak Sandwiches and a green salad.

Wednesday- Sweet and Sour Meatballs and Rice

Thursday- I'm not really sure if it has a name, but it is this egg and tuna salad stuff that you put on buns, and then toast it.

Friday- It is Drew's Birthday, so I let him pick the meal. He requested Chicken Enchiladas, and I will make a green salad. And for dessert I am going to attempt to make peach and coconut cream pie.

Saturday- I know we had something similar a few days ago, but I am making Spaghetti and Meatballs. This recipe is so good, that Monday's Spaghetti is embarrassed to be seen with today's Spaghetti. Oh, and a Caesar Salad.

Sunday- I am making Chicken Tortilla Soup. Since we have late church, I love to try and make something that I can throw in the crockpot before we leave and come home to a yummy smelling house. Especially since we are all starving by the time we get home.

The First Day of School

When we told the kids that we were moving, Davis took it the hardest. One of the things he didn't want to leave was his School. He loved school. He had excellent teachers and great friends. I admire his courage to start grade 2 in a new school. It was hard, and he had a hard first couple of days, but things are getting better. He isn't getting lost everyday and he has made some new friends.


Marcus on the other hand has had no problems adjusting to a new school. He loves Kindergarten. He is excited to go everyday. Even if it is just to get away from Phoenix.

Change

I struggle with change. I am an over-thinker and a worrier. We found out in October that because of budget issues Drew would not be offered a full time job at Lethbridge College. I cried for weeks. I assumed it was the natural progression, once he finished his Master's, then the College would offer him a job. It was my job to check the job postings for Colleges and Universities in western Canada. We were willing to go anywhere for a full-time job, but hoping that things at the College would change. I dreaded looking at the job boards, it was depressing. It was getting into summer, and nothing that great was coming up, and we were going to plug away with a contract position at the college. Then in the last week of July, Drew got a phone call. One of the jobs that he applied for (NAIT) wanted to interview him, and a week later he was offered the job and was off to Edmonton to check things out.

It was a hard decision to leave Lethbridge. We had so much to lose - we were close to family, the kids were in a good school, Drew liked the College, we were in a good ward...But, we had so much to gain by leaving. A permanent full-time position. This is what we prayed for. So in a whirl-wind month we managed to squeeze in camping at Writing on Stone, swimming in the pool, going to Edmonton, going to Ashley Lake, and packing up our house.


There are things I am not going to miss about the house: The mouse situation, water in the basement, the septic tank, having no water because of a broken pump, or frozen pipes, getting stuck in our driveway, and in the winter hearing the wind and worrying that we wouldn't be able to get out of the yard, and having the power go out for long periods of time. And, I don't think Drew will miss all the many, many, many hours of cutting grass.

But there are things that I will miss. This is the house where I fell in love, with both Drew and the Clark Family. This is the house where we brought Taylor home after she was born. This is the house where I brought Drew home from the hospital. This is the house where there were so many delicious meals. This is the house of making chocolates. This is the house where so many games and hands of Rook were played. This is the house where we welcomed loved ones into the family. This is the house where we said Good-Bye to loved ones. This is the house of many well-wishes as we set off for other adventures such as missions, marriage and having babies. This is the house where many Birthdays were celebrated. This is the house where countless hours were spent jumping on the trampoline, playing kick-the-can and swimming in the pool. This is the house for sleep-overs. This is the house of the annual Doug and Nola Clark Memorial Swimming Party. The house has a history. We will all be forever grateful for Doug and Nola for not just building a house, but for building a family and traditions of love and kindness.


So, here we are in a new city, in a new house, in a new school, in a new ward, with a new job, trying to figure out why we are here. When we met with our Bishop for the first time, he told us that he felt inspired to tell us that we were brought to our ward for a reason. That is a scary prospect, but I know that we are here for a reason as well. It seemed like things fell into place so easy, how could it not be right?

Meal Planning Monday

I had planned to work on my Blog yesterday afternoon, because I figured that would be a good Sunday activity, but it was such a nice day that I spent it napping and outside with the kiddos. So, here is the plan for the week.

• Monday: Bean and Sausage soup with some cornbread muffins I pulled out of the freezer this morning because Phoenix insisted on eating a frozen one.
• Tuesday: Shepard's Pie. If you want to be technical the correct term is Cottage Pie because I am not using lamb.
• Wednesday: Chicken Parmesan and a Caesar salad. My kids love Caesar salad. It's kind of funny.
• Thursday: I call this Mandy's Pasta, because she told me how to make it. It is a baked pasta with cheese, bacon and onion in it.
  
• Friday: Hamburgers and Pasta salad. Even though it has been raining for what feels like a year, I am so ready for Drew to light the Barbeque and for us to eat outside. We even got the deck swept off last night so that we can.
  
• Saturday: Breakfast-For-Dinner. Not sure what I'll make yet, but I'm thinking it will be pancakes...maybe Star Wars Pancakes if I'm feeling fancy.
  
• Sunday: Roast Chicken with whatever vegetable that appeals to me when I go to Safeway this week.