Alan's Fourth Birthday

Alan is four years old now! We had a party for him this weekend at the Little Gym, where we could do his favourite game, Smack the Cheese! After lots of fun in the gym, Alan shared ice cream and cupcakes with a great big 4 on them with his little friends.

On his birthday, Daddy was Watch DOG at school, which meant Alan got to have Daddy at breakfast and Circle Time, and Daddy got to see Alan's turn as the line leader. Since he had such a busy weekend, after school and a trip to the doctor Alan had a nice long nap. Then it was off to Perico's for dinner with Auntie Chelle, Auntie Karen and Meme Nancy.


Alan getting ready for his party at the Little Gym


Getting a boost up onto the bars


Monkey brothers...


Alan takes a big leap


Alan loves challenges


Under the parachute...


... is so much fun!


Cupcakes with buttercream and marzipan 4's


Birthday dinner at Perico's


Happy Birthday Dear Alan!


Alan and Auntie Karen check out the sombrero!


Happy Fourth Birthday Alan!

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[slideshow - Smack the Cheese!]

The Twelth Annual Canada Day BBQ

This year was the twelfth year we've celebrated Canada Day together. With Alan in the middle of a chemotherapy treatment we kept the festivities quite small. Auntie Chelle and Auntie Mana joined us in Canadian colours!

The family wore t-shirts that Daddy got on a layover in Ottawa at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Mommy and Daddy had Avro Arrow t-shirts. Another great year celebrating with salmon and good friends!


Auntie Chelle and Auntie Mana with Alan


Canadian t-shirts!

Kevin is six years old!

Kevin turned six on Memorial Day! We had a party at the Little Gym where Kevin has celebrated many of his little friends birthdays over the last year with great fun. Kevin and Alan had a great time running amok all over the gym, and then enjoying cupcakes and ice cream.


Taking a jump off the balance beam


And again!


Everyone loves bubbles!


Smack the cheese!


Bamn!


Getting ready to hop!


... squish!


Mmmm, ice cream!


Cupcakes!


Hurray for cake!

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[video - Smack the Cheese!]



[slideshow]

Daddy's retirement

Today, Daddy flew his final sortie in the Air Force and had his retirement ceremony. Kevin and Alan were dressed in flight suits and patches just like Daddy. Kevin was so excited to see Daddy in his plane and Alan climbed up on stage during the ceremony to sit on Daddy's lap.

We were happy to celebrate Daddy's service and so honored by those who came out to observe the occasion with us.


Daddy getting ready


Kevin with the T-38 at 3's Inn


The whole family after Daddy's flight


Alan climbs into Daddy's lap during his retirement ceremony


Daddy had two T-38s for the boys - Alan decided to roam the halls partway through the ceremony, but Kevin was pretty thrilled!

[slideshow]

Parachute Boys

At Bryce's birthday party, Kevin, Jake (Center) and Bryce (Left) shake the parachute. Kevin was participating in the activities so much! Running, jumping, wiggling, dancing, lying down... he even stood on one foot and walked along the balance beam a few times (with a hand from Mommy).

One of the really fun activities was Smack the Cheese, where the kids ran across the mat and tackled a large foam wedge. Kevin was laughing and had a great time watching, but that doesn't always translate into him being willing to participate. Well, this time he got up and took a run at the wedge. Rather than tackling (which he knows how to do quite well from one of his favourite games at home, Tackle Daddy), he ran right up to the wedge, stopped, and tapped it down.

Kevin's 4th Birthday Party

With many of the kids in Kevin's playgroup starting kindergarten or going to preschool full-time this coming fall, this was probably the last time we'd be doing a playgroup birthday party. Along with the playgroup, we also had Gymboree buddies and Mackenzie. Unfortunately, Baby Alan had to have chemotherapy so he and Daddy couldn't come.

We had the party at McDonald's - a great playscape, Happy Meals, cake and ice cream. What more could you ask for? Kevin had great fun with his friends, climbing up to the top of the playscape and making it down in record time when it was time for cake and ice cream.


Sawyer and Mackenzie


Kevin and Mommy



A birthday cake with Ronald McDonald

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Choo choo!

Mommy and Kevin went to little friend Austin's birthday party at the Texas Transportation Museum.

There were trains - small, medium and large - and cars and carriages oh my!



Kevin loved the garden train with Thomas.

Birthday Balloon

Alan had a great birthday party, and on his birthday today, he's still having fun with his birthday balloons!



Update - one month later and the balloon is still floating! and Alan still loves it!

Alan's First Birthday Party

Today was Alan's first birthday party, at our family's favourite place, Dynamoze!



Grandma's feeding the birthday boy. Cupcakes soon!



Auntie Glo came for his birthday party too!



Our birthday boy loves frosting!



Sleepy boy - it was a fun party!

Kevin is 3 years old!

We can't believe it but Kevin is 3 years old! We had his birthday party on Wednesday. The theme was "It's a Party Under the Sea, Because Kevin's Turning Three!" because Kevin LOVES fish!

We made a fish-shaped cake (Mommy baked and frosted and Daddy decorated) surrounded by blue cupcakes.



Here is Daddy adding some finishing touches to the cake.


The "fish" birthday cake and "ocean" cupcakes arranged for the party. Note the "3" candle on the lead cupcake. Added July 5 - Kevin's cake is now featured on coolest-birthday-cakes.com!


Daddy gives Kevin upside-downs!


Alan naps while Mommy chats with Auntie Chelle and Auntie Jenn.


Everyone is singing Happy Birthday!


Kevin had a lot of fun at his party!


So did little brother Alan.

It's Easter!

Today, we had an Easter Party and Egg Hunt at Kevin's playgroup. Kevin enjoyed some yummy glazed ham...


... and had fun with the cascarone (confetti egg).


Alan was stylin' in his Easter outfit, complete with bunny feet and a cotton tail.


Mommy and the boys.