Praks Tracks Family Blog

Close your eyes and wish...

2011-07-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

We came across a water fountain today and I metioned to Ella to make a wish with the penny she found on the ground earlier. She was happy to, and closed her eyes really tight, took her time and softly wispered a want a "Dog".It was so sweet! It didn't surprise me, because most of the time she thinks she's the dog whisperer :)

My BIG update

2011-07-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

Noah's room ,not so much a little baby's room

My photo's I took of plane in San Diego.I found all of the letters to spell Noah and One P

Noah's first birthday party.

Grandma's hard work, well done

Yummy ice cream on a hot day in Cultas

Yummy, Noahs first try of my blueberry cheesecake ice cream

Hug a tree once in a while,it's good for you :)

The big hike Ella did all on her own,well done baby

Adrianna and Ella holding hands at lake side

I couldn't keep Noah way from the water, so I finally let him go to it. He loved it!

My favorite picture of Ella so far this summer

What are you looking at?

Happy about the sticks we found on a walk

Noah modeling

Noah's birthday cake mess.

The cousins

Noah and Adrianna being silly together at breakfast, hazelmare

Some very wet sneakers

Noah at the beach,he wasn't liking the sand that day

Ella at the park

Our rock climbing night

Camping kisses

A hike in the woods

Well the Prak house hold have been very busy this summer.As you all know we purchased a trailer last winter and we have been nothing but using it to the max. So far we've done 4 camping trips 3 at Hazelmare and 1 at Cultas lake. We still have 4 more trips to go. The kids have been doing really well with the sleeping arrangements ,but the first nights with Noah are awful. But I do get to have a nap the next day to catch up which is a real treat. I really enjoy having breakfast together in the mornings and going for walks and a little bit of hiking to. Last weekend Ella did a pritty big hike that took us about 45 mins to finish. She surprised me and did really well with just holding Daves hand. I swear that girl has strong legs. Great job girl :)

We're still playing baseball 2 games a week and 1 on weekends. Know that I'm a stay home mom I find I'm even busier than I have ever been. Noah just turned the big 1 on July 2nd. He's beginning to pull himself up on the furniture and has even stood on his own for a few moments. His personality is just like a boy, sweet and cuddly but when he's mad he throws things around. He's very attached to mommy since I'm will both kids 247. He's a great sleeper when he's not teething. Eating can be a challenge ,he hated picking things up. Only cheerios he'll pick up everything else he throws to the ground and wants it off his tray. I know your my baby but I don't plan to feed you forever kids ;)

Ella.....she is a handful! I love you sweetie but I really hope the troubled three's are going to be over soon. She has a big heart and is very loving but it's been tough love and lots of whining with tantrums. Having a little brother around is a good thing, they play well together and it keeps her busy. She started Gymnastics and she's really good at it. The couch even suggested to put her in the age 4 group next time. But I'm not going to rush things. She's loving it and we'll be starting again next month.

I have been working from home cutting hair and doing a lot of highlights. I now know I really made the best choice for me to stay home and work from here. Its been busy and people are looking for me, and that's a good sign that people are happy with the work. yahoo... I would love the next house to have a basement or a separate space to put in a salon.Perhaps I'll just call it "JO JO's". hee...

Dave has been a busy guy with phone call after phone call in the office. With the great weather he's been working with the door open so the sun can shine through onto his office floor. Ever so often he's able to come out and kick the ball around with Ella and swing Noah on the swings. We have had many lunches on the patio together and even a few times getting the lawn cut while I listen for the phones.Hee...We just had our 5th year being married.So we decided to do something different as a couple and we picked to go indoor rock climbing. It was awesome! I seriously could do it every weekend. Then we went for a nice quiet dinner.Just what a couple needs.I truly can't believe how the time has past.And how much we have been able to do in the last 5 years.

Well I know I haven't been blogging as much as I would like to. But I hope to do more in the future. Talk to you all soon again.

May already!!

2011-05-06T15:02:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it's already May ,the time goes by so fast when your home with the kids. Everything is doing great,and we're doing a lot of things we wouldn't be able to do if I was working. May is going to be a great start of our summer/Spring, camping is just around the corner starting us off on the May long weekend.It will be the very first time we get to use our new trailer. I have been busy cleaning and organizing and adding away. While Dave and his Dad have been getting the brakes, hitch and new tires all done to be in the best shape to travel in. We just can't wait any longer!!!! But here is a few things we have been up to in the mean time :)

Happy Spring everybody!!

Hiking with Auntie Trisha and Cousin Erin and kids.

Noah all pooped out by the end of it,so cute!

Ella started Gymnastics in the new building they just built in Ladner.The viewing area is awesome for us moms and dads.

Ella doing her stretches

Her favorite part is for sure the trampoline time,nice bum drop girl!

Ella and Uncle Brad at little Nick's 3rd birthday BBQ

The Easter bunny visiting Ella

Stickers,books and candy.She ended up giving almost all the candy and chocolate way to people. She's not much of a chocolate girl,good thing!

This is Noah smiling away ,when he should of been sleeping. Rosie checks and teething ...can't you tell!

LIFE CHANGE!

2011-04-19T14:16:00.000-07:00

I have made a big decision to become a stay home mom for a few years. I feel like it's the right thing for me and the kids. Ella's out of daycare and home full time with me and Noah. I enjoy taking the kids to play groups around town and I'm meeting a lot of new family's and their kids. We have been going to parks, play groups and lunches with other family's at the home's. Everything to visiting family and friends,walking to grandmas work, going to the bird sanctuary, swimming at the local pool, feeding ducks ,gardening, walking around the crescent and picking up garbage(Ella walks around says"save the planet",hee),going to the library,jumping in puddles and chatting to the neighbors. We're out of the house by 9am most days ready for anything the day will give us. There are some days that are challenging but most days are really... great! I can't imagine even going back to work in a salon. But I could never stop doing what I'm doing. I love what I do and I believe I'm good at it. So I'm working for home, I may never go back into the salon atmosphere again. I want to work to become a home salon. The next house will have a salon space just for me. I can't wait! So you all can know call me a SAHM(stay at home mom).

April Fun!

2011-04-18T20:52:00.000-07:00

Ella just woke up from a nap and her hair looked so beautiful ,I had to take a picture :
Easter egg time,Ella waited very patently for the colors to melt

This is the only way to color eggs all at once

A fun afternoon with her cousin's,silly girls

Abby playing with Noah ,he was so excited

So cute! I just love this picture :)

Auntie Sarah watched Noah from the side of the pool ,so Ella and I could go swimming. Was fun!

Ella's view of her strawberry shortcake girls.They totally smell the same as they did in 1985ish.

Ella with her famous mickey mouse pancakes on her morning of her birthday.What a face!

Ella 2nd year with her pancakes

Ella's Under the Sea 3rd Birthday Party

2011-04-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

All her party Friends for her 3rd Birthday Ella's Ariel cake

Know and Then

2011-04-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

Know, 3rd Birthday

Then ,2nd Birthday

Noah getting older and Ella's turning 3

2011-03-27T21:57:00.000-07:00

Noah 9Months Old Ella almost 3, supporting her home team with Dad

He has 4 teeth. Rolls over and can sit on his own. He's a smiling, fun and playful little man. He loves to eat everything from A to Z. But mostly loves to have his big sister dance and play with him. Ella piles huge amounts of toys on top of him,he doesn't seem to mind ;) He's one that can't not miss his morning nap. Will after stay up for the rest of the day and be down to bed for as early some days as 5:30pm(but not always mama's). He's my growing boy and I really hope he doesn't grow to fast. He's my last baby and I'm going to love every moment.

My sweet Ella is turning 3 on April 8th. I can't believe how much she's become in only 3 short years. Ella is one focused and determined little girl. Her way or the highway. It's been a struggle having to learn she can't conquer the world at her age. She's my little ball of fire and she's all Mine! Can't wait to make you your mickey mouse pancakes the morning you turn 3. It's going to be a great year sweetie.

Before and After

2011-03-21T16:50:00.000-07:00

Bri Before
Brave Bri

Bri After

This is our good friend Bri, she's been grown her hair long to donate to locks of love. A company that makes human hair out of wigs for cancer patients. It was so much fun and she was so brave.Thanks Bri and the opportunity.

The Prak's on the move!

2011-03-16T14:53:00.001-07:00

Well we did it! We made it thought with just a few hick ups along the way.There are MANY great moments of the trip so I'll tell you the best one's. The first day at Disney was the best, we all had lunch with the princesses and Ella got to met her favorite character"Ariel". It put tears in my eye's to see her eyes light up and believe it's all a magical moment. Ella's personality came flying out and it was awesome! Both kids did really well on all the flying, it's was a happy 2 hours. The hotel's where both really awesome for a family of four .Very comfortable and close enough to everything with breakfasts included.I know this really great travel agent you can book with ,he knows everything about Disneyland, heee. There is lots of kids things and ride Ella could do and even Noah got on a few himself. The first few days Noah barely slept ,he would miss a thing. Ella loved the carrousel's,the Finding Nemo submarine ride(Cool),small world(Noah slept the whole time),Dumbo was a big one,Tea cups(so funny, we were all laughing), the safari boat ride was fun to. We met Pluto,Mickey,Goofy,Cinderella,Belle,Ariel,Snow White,Sleeping Beauty and Peter Pan. I think that was all of them. In California Adventure the "World of Color" is totally worth the wait but don't forget your fast pass for that.It was truly Magical,even for me. It was a fun 4 days!

One day in California we got a rental car and drove to Santa Monica Pier.LOVE IT! The sun was out and the beach was packed with people working out(yoga on the beach) bikes,dogs,foods stands,people performing all around.We walked the Pier and Ella and I danced to every music performer. We looked at the carnival rides and gazed out to sea at the end.We rode the indoor carousel and leave it all behind. After we were walking back into the city and they have this long road for only people to walk (No cars allowed) and window shopped(Could of gone through all of the store, a shoppers dream....sign). We even saw the "IVY" restaurant.If your a girl like me and knows what the IVY is all about that was very cool. It's a restaurant that you see all of the *LA star* got for lunch. They all sit on the patio for the paparazzi to get a glimps of them for more explosion. I didn't see anybody but was it fancy food they where eating. After all the excitement we hopped back into the car and drove to the Medieval Times early dinner.I was not to sure if I would even enjoy something like this,but it was awesome! Ella totally loved it and the food was good and the whole thing was exciting. by fluke we got to the on the Blue team (Ella's fav color) and she even had our horseman throw her the flower into the crowd of people. She sniffed it for hours and was very impressed with herself.

So that was part one of our trip. Part two started off a little bit different.Noah started to get sick and it only got worse as time went by. We hopped on our 2 hour train to San Diego picked up our rental van(AWESOME) and drove to the emergency clinic. Thanks God for medical insurance just to see the doctor it's $200,one medication was $84 and the other $14.Crazy eh! So poor Noah had Crope, ear infection and a high fever. Once the med's kicked in all he did was sleep for 2 days straight. I was happy it happened in the middle of the trip,I found out you shouldn't fly with an ear infection .Your ear drum can actually explode or something. But this was really the only hick up of the whole trip. San Diego started with a trip to Legoland. This place is great for ages 2-8. Ella had a blast,and it so fun seeing all the lego people and animals all around the park. Next day we drove to the Safari Zoo where we saw animals that we all have never seen before. It's very large zoo with lots of walking.It was a really hot and sunny day to be there. And we had another carousel to try there. It was cute seeing Dave and Ella riding animals. Dave on a gorilla and Ella on a tall giraffe. Had some rest at the hotel and swam in the pool. Then we were off again, this time to Sea World. What a place, it was full of fun things to do and for all ages. The best part was for sure the Dolphin show and of course Shamo show. At the Dolphin show we decided to sit in the "Soak zone"......Ophs! We had two kids happy and clams but once the first wave of water came it all changed. We where totally soaked off of one wave. Dave and I were laughing so hard and the kids were screaming. It was funny but it was time to move up a little higher in the sun to dry off. hee!!haaa..Ella met cookie monster and Elmo there ,she wasn't to impressed at first but thought they were great by the end.We went back tot he hotel for more swimming and relaxing in our room. Then our last Park day arrived, the San Diego Zoo. Really nice park with exotic animal such as Elephants,Lions, Apes and giraffes with crazy Panda's to. I say that because today's morning news said a Panda at the San Diego zoo hurt somebody(Not sure what really happened though). So for our last day we went to the US Midway ship ,was really interesting and fun. The kids and I packed up and got home in one piece. It was a trip we will never forget and I think this is the longest posting I have done. I guess we really did do a lot. I wonder what will be next for our family of travelers?

What' happening on our Family Trip.

2011-02-27T19:40:00.000-08:00

Safari zoo
Disneyland

Santa Monica pier

Legoland

Seaworld

Mideveil time's

Here we go.....Disney and San Diego

2011-02-27T10:31:00.000-08:00

This is what I've been up to for the past few days.It's seemed like the list went on and on but it's all in there. Not only is there 3 huge bags we have to bring our double stroller and 2 car seats. It's going to be a handful! See you when we get back, so exciting!

Tears...Pain and memories

2011-02-06T13:33:00.001-08:00

This is the only picture of me feeding Noah (Hornby Island) Ella is feeding her Carebear. Another moment I will forever remember xoxoxox

This was hard.......Noah decided it was time to stop breastfeeding after 7 months. He's been showing me signs for about 2 weeks know. But just like Ella I wasn't ready,so there were some tears and my heart broke a wee bit. Knowing it will be my last time EVER made me sad to the core. I had a hard time even remembering Noah's last good feed on me.Which I really hoped to have and cherish. To this day I still remember the moment I feed Ella for the very last time. So this week was a hard one with tears ,pain and more pain.

Time to talk about my boob's......;) They have gone through so much it's crazy they made it through feeding 2 kids. I had Mastitis with Ella and with Noah and I have it again today. I wonder really how many Litres of milk I have produced over the duration of breastfeeding. Imagine this.....I feed Ella for 71/2 months full time and could drain each boob with 4 oz each time. Then with Noah I feed the same amount of time with the same 4oz each feed from each boob. CRAZY! NO WONDER it was so hard trying to get them to stop producing milk. But after all the pain and suffering it gave me wonderful quiet moments with my kids that I will take with me my whole life. I will miss it greatly but I'm happy to say their all mine once again.

Weekly fun!

2011-02-01T13:51:00.000-08:00

Ella blowing bubbles in the back yard.
Playing tag, I got her!

Noah and his new teeth.

Engagment cake for Brad and Sarah.I got to use fondant for the first time...fun!

Congrats!

Walk in the farm lands,cold but nice!

Ella reading in her basket of toys

Finally....the day has come!

2011-01-26T13:29:00.000-08:00

We have been searching high and low for our trailer for next summers adventures. We did it! Finally found exactly what we were looking for. It's 19feet long ,king dinette bed for Dave and I ,2 bunk beds for the kids and everything else in between that's going to be a luxury. It's so exciting to know that were going to be off the ground and more comfortable. We already have planned SO many trips with family and friends for the coming months. It's hard to buy something like this and have to wait to use it. But it looks good in the driveway and I have been slowly collecting things for it. Can't wait!! So happy.....

Really....!

2011-01-22T18:59:00.001-08:00

I recently asked Ella what she wanted to be when she grows up?? She answered"I want to be a Pumpkin, a good one". I also asked her to "hold her horses", she answered" but Mommy I don't have a horse". Again the simple things in Life are special.

Water so pure

2011-01-17T13:38:00.000-08:00

Noah crying at the most perfect moment....Priceless!

A proud Mamma!
Abby and Ella ....again Priceless

All the Grandparents

Nick and Trisha as Noahs Godparents, thank you for being apart of it all..xox

Noah is tears,so sweet!

Yesterday was a great day for celebration for our family and friends. It was Noah's day to be baptised. I must say I never thought I would ever go back to being a church goer but I truly love my church. David's family have been going there for a long time know and it's a real nice church community. The people are so nice and helpful. So it was only natural that I have my kids Baptised there. Noah was great! He cried on cue right after Jim (minister) blessed him into the church. So cute! And it was a big day of teething for him ,so all the pictures have him with the rosie cheeks EVER. This morning I checked his teeth and looks like three have poked through. We love you Noah and Happy Baptism

Sleeping...Dreaming ...What!

2011-01-13T16:01:00.000-08:00

Noah has aloud me to sleep most of the night for the past few days. He must be going through a growth spurt. Because of this extra sleep I've been able to dream again. I couldn't even remember any dreams for the longest time. Since I've been dreaming it's all not good things. It's crazy things, like going over a cliff with family members and saying our goodbye's, sad eh!. That one did wake me up and I couldn't sleep anymore. So why is it that he graced me with sleep and I can't even dream about happy things? I just started Yoga classes and hoping it will calm my nerves and get me to relax better. I'm practicing my breathing and keeping my body all aligned. Will be interesting to see how I'm going to feel in 8 weeks of yoga and more exercise.

Looking forward to find my body and some of my mind again. ;)

My 1st painting project of 2011

2011-01-07T18:27:00.000-08:00

Day One
End of day One
I will be getting another picture of the whole room all set up with the baby change table placed under the branches.

Finished project

I was lucky enough to be able to paint some wall art of a tree blowing in the wind on a friends baby room's wall. I had so much fun doing it. It took me 2 nights 6 hours and I long loud play list blaring in my ears. Was fun and I really needed to get my creative side started again. So I have some great painting idea's and projects that I will be doing over the next couple of months.

If there is anybody that would be interested in an Wall Art I'm available :)

More little things

2011-01-07T18:10:00.000-08:00

When Ella snuggled up to me in the early morning the first things she said was"Mommy I missed you".Then when I picked her up from Daycare the first thing she said was

"I'm so happy to see you".

xoxox Mom

'The small things"

2011-01-05T12:51:00.000-08:00

Ella Xo
Noah Xo

My baby's

Every night as long as I can remember Ella and I like to talk about the day before she closes her eyes for bed.Lying there together in the dark, while she sucks her thumb and strokes my hair and plays with my earrings. It's the small things that are the best part of my day!

Love you Ella

xoxox

I enjoy nursing Noah in the dark and watching his chubby little hands floating straight up in the air. He will gently play with my nose and run his fingers through my hair. Closing his eyes with a sense of calm around us. I find myself dreaming about my little boy and who he will become.

Love you Noah

xoxox

Christmas Eve and Day 2010

2010-12-26T13:30:00.000-08:00

Besth Family dinner.Kimm and Dave with Roxie
Noah the lady's man!
Carving the turkey

G.G. Noah and Danny

Jenny and Christine

Jessica and Noah

Part of the table eatting dinner

Dinner at Nick and April's. Noah all dressed up in his tie

Nick and Dave,cheers!

Hudson with a big smile for Auntie Jo

Abby and Ella showing off thier new shirts from Grandma

Momma, Me, April and Amber. Merry Christmas lady's!

Grandpa being silly with Ella.xo

Ella making sure everything is ready for Santa.Eggnog, cookies and a carrot for Rodalph. She also wanted me to open the glass doors for him. So cute!

Ella and her stocking

Noah checking out him new shoes

Finally! Dave has him own jersey to wear.xo

Noah helping me open my new PJ's.

"Yah man, New cars....sweet!"

Hanging out after all the opening of gifts ,watching the Grinch.

Christmas with the Praks

2010-12-20T13:22:00.000-08:00

Everybody!
All the kids

My Christmas Present

Ella halps me feed Noah ,she is really good at it

Visit to G.G's house

Lucas * Ella * Amber

Ella was in shock that Santa was there ,she couldn't take her eyes off of him.

Well were right into all the holiday festivities. I have posted some pictures of the weeks fun. We made a trip out to VanDusen Gardens with my Mom,Lucas and Amber and us with the 2 kids. I'm happy to say that Ella walked the whole time all by herself and Noah never slept the whole time we were there. He wouldn't miss a beat of his first Christmas. But they both fell into a deep sleep on the way home,it was a lot of work for them both.

The kids and I visited G.G. Besth (great grandma)to see her X-mas decorations ,what a hit they all are with Ella. And we were lucky to see Marilee (Auntie) come over for a drop in to. xo

We also had our annual friends Christmas dinner of 18 Adults,7 kids and 4 baby's. We have been doing this dinner for around 10 years know. It's all the same people and over the years they have multiplied with getting married and having kids. It all started with 6 or 8 people having a nice quiet Christmas dinner. It was very busy night but very worth it to, just to have everybody over together.Next year were going to have to book a hall !

"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY BLOGGER FRIENDS"

Ho hhooohohohoh...

2010-12-06T14:00:00.000-08:00

Ella told Santa today that she would like more LEGO and she wanted to help him make toys.AWESOME!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!

Jolene, Nick and Lucas

2010-12-01T13:14:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture that was taken in 1990. Lucas is the wee little baby maybe a month old or so. Nick doing his usual face for pictures, and me with the big grin. It was take the day I got my Polaroid camera.

Baby, Snow, Hair, Fat Cats and more......

2010-11-26T19:19:00.000-08:00

My sweet smiling Noah with no teeth, but if you look really close there's one on it's way!
Mama sneaking a kiss...again!

This is how long Ella's hair in when it's all wet.She has had 3 hair cuts in her entire life.I love cutting hair but not Ella's, I just love it long.

This is my good friend T and she lets me do anything I want. So today she got a Mohawk and a STAR! Anyone out there for a really....change????

Sweet!

My dear fat cat named Dori.Look how small her head looks. I swear we only feed her once a day!

This is the Fed Ex man that comes to my neighborhood often. He got stuck that day and sat there for 4 hours. I went out and filled his coffee cup with hot chocolate to keep him warm....poor guy!

Ella excited to see the tall Christmas tree going up.

Ella and Dave finishing it off with the Star on top. My theme for my tree this year is Pink and white....for the girls in the house of course.

Finger licking good date night

2010-11-14T18:45:00.000-08:00

Well last night was fun. We had a double date with Bradley and Sarah to a Ethiopian Restaurant called "Harambe" in Vancouver on Commercial and 5th. You use no utensils just your fingers and hope for the best ;)I was always hoping to try it agian and it was awesome. Dave and I first had this adventurous food when we visited Amsterdam. We pigged out at dinner and still had room for some Marble slab icecream. I had the " birthday cake icecream with cookie dough, oreo's and lots of fudge.I just couldn't resist! Need to go for a run after date nights :)

Fall moments at home

2010-11-04T13:52:00.000-07:00

As you can see Ella is not impressed that Noah is pulling at her hair ;)
My wonderful family,love you guys!

Ella reading her book,trying to find Goldberg

Ella is starting to become a photographer,she loves taking pictures and she's good at it to.

My little Noah 4 months old

Noah waking up his sister from a nap

Ella's new way to watch her show's...cozy!

Halloween 2010

2010-10-31T22:01:00.001-07:00

I love having a scanner,haaa

2010-10-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

4 days and 4 nights

2010-10-23T21:36:00.000-07:00

Well Dave has been gone for 4 days and will be coming home very late tonight from California. I am exhausted! We 3 had a really great time but it's really not easy not having that extra person around.You tend to do things all so differently just to get things done.The house has been in a total disaster and cleaned everything today.

Ella's been a great help this whole time.Such a wonderful age to be able to say go read your books in your room ,while I put Noah to bed. "Ok,Mommy" Ella can make things very easy when it could be a very hard thing to do without her help. She had a mile stone as well, Ella is know going to the potty all by herself and changing her clothes all by herself. I believe I have heard her say" myself" all week.Well done baby! If only she would eat all by herself, needs some work on that.

It was so sweet and a little bit sad when Ella crys for her Daddy for every nap and bedtime;( But soo happy when Dave called and got to speak to him over the phone. "Ok daddy this"...."Love you Daddy that"...."See you later". So sweet! Glad you'll be home soon Dave,its not the same without you xo

Happy 4th Birthday Abby

2010-10-18T09:42:00.001-07:00

Wow! I can't believe how much you have grown Abby. Your a wonderful little girl and a great cousin to. We love you very much.

Happy 4th Birthday babe

Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-18T09:32:00.001-07:00

Strong girl
Say cheese!

Just love it!

Noah and Ella

Daddy and Ella

Hudson and Noah with Grandma and Grandpa

Ella hanging off of Nicks leg!

Weee.wweeee!

BIG smiles for mom

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-10-12T13:43:00.001-07:00

Ella stacking her books in her room
smile

ella and uncle lucas

ella and abby

besth dinner table gets long every year:)

Ella playing in Nanna's and Pappa's backyard

Prak dinner

Cheers!

Nanna and grandkids

Janie and me

1,2,3,4 kids

family fun day at the Aquarium on Thanksgiving morning

4D show,awesome!

My sweetie pies

Cheese!

Kisses for my little man

Hugs too!

Playing around with the camera at home

Freddie is back

2010-10-12T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here is Ella and David holding their own Freddie dolls that Auntie Jane had made for them. As you can see David's has gone through the wash a few more times than hers ;)

All clean!

2010-10-03T19:17:00.000-07:00

What is it...what is it mommy??
"Dirty one" with a big hug

Ella on her first day of "movers and shakers" Dancing with scarf's

Noah and Mommy dancing in the kitchen

My beautiful kids

Oh the Dirty one!

2010-10-01T22:32:00.000-07:00

My sweet Ella has a really hard time letting me clean her blanket of choice. So I've been trying to get her to put it into the wash herself so she can feel like she's doing something good for her blanket. Ironically, she calls her blanket "Dirty One". Why...you ask!. Because when we went camping one time I called her one blanket clean one that stays in the tent for sleep time. And another one of the same was called the dirty one that she can play with outside of the tent. So I believe "Dirty one" was more fun than clean one, so there for dirty one is her favorite of all the blankets she own's. I love her for this! So tonight it was sooo dirty it had to go into the wash and not into her bed with her. She got the strength to put it into the wash and not in her bed. It is know "fluffy dirty one" that smells wonderful.So I decided to wrap it up and make it into a gift for her to open in the morning. Hope she likes it! That girl can always make me smile.

3 months old in 3 more days

2010-09-29T16:38:00.001-07:00

NOAH AND HIS BIG EYES

Summer 2010

2010-09-17T14:20:00.000-07:00

Noah & Ella
Noah 2 months old

Smiles everywhere!

Me.

Bryanna & Marks wedding

The gals

In the school bus to the reception,so much fun

Walking the walk.

Ella getting excited about the PNE

The dogs show nap time

Wow! its a cow

We decided to go the one day it rained really hard,was worth it!

Entertaining the kids while stuck in traffic

What a year! We have been able to jam pack everything we could in our first summer of a family of 4. It's been busy going on mini vacations to camping trips and 4 weddings inbetween. I have been enjoying being a mom of 2,it's everything I ever hoped it would be. Ella and Dave have been the joys of my life and know Noah has filled my heart with even more joy. Ella has put all her love into helping me take care of the little new monkey in our house. She's been very neutering to him and really try's to make sure he's ok at all times. She wonders where he is when she wakes up from a nap and make sure he has his soother in his mouth;) She's been wondering!

Noah is growing, I never knew how much boys like to grow so fast in such a short time. He was born 7lbs 14 oz, and in 2 months he's a whopping 17lbs 2 oz. He's my little porker!Noah looks just like his sister but bigger man hands and larger nostrils.But had the big eyes and brown hair like his Momma. He lets me sleep most nights with only 1-3 times waking up to feed. He loves to giggle and smiles at anybody that will talk to him. Having kids is a crazy time but so much fun!

busy...summer.

2010-08-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

Hornby Island
From my garden

Dinotown

Noah 2 months

Sorry for no real updates,but when everything slows down I'll be right on top of it all again.

August has already been so busy

2010-08-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

CAmping Farm party

Ella and Abby loved to dance

Daddy and Ella waking up from a nap,watching the carrots get some water

Ella at the farm

all smiles here

my two baby's, ella loves him

sweet

Noah 11lbs. 110z already.

Sleepy time,what a bum

"Nacho your average date night"

2010-08-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

This was a date night we had with Nacho's and a movie. Love you Dave

story time....

2010-07-15T20:30:00.000-07:00

Smiling Noah

This is how Mommy feels

Fun in the backyard with cousin Ryan and Nick

July 10th we attended Mandy and Al's wedding, and Noah came along for the ride. So glad we made it!

Ella and little brother Noah, Macin and little brother Kayden

David's 31st birthday ,yummy carrot cake

Ella helping Daddy pick some of our potato's out of the garden, they were awesome!

Noah with his big eyes, just like his big sister

Well I can finally say I have done it all. I had a C-section and had a girl, as well as a natural birth and had a boy. I can know say having a natural birth was quite painful but one of the best experiences I have ever had, and I do wish I had it with Ella too.

So here's the story for those that want to know how Noah came into this world.

I started knocking on David's office door around 9am July 2 with small pains. Them I started to realize that something was really happening. I already had a doctor's appointment for 10am and had my mom come over to watch Ella. We all went to the appointment together and found I was 2 cm dilated already. Went home and walked the block keeping time with each contraction I had. By 1pm I was in the hospital with bigger pain but with small smiles. Once they broke my water it got crazy, I pushed for 2 hours and out came Noah at 11:14 pm. I always told my doctor that I really wanted the whole experience and he was able to give it to me. I got to feel Noah's head when I was crowning,Dave cut the cord and Noah was placed on me right away. We even had a science project with the placenta( sounds gross but...). He opened the sack and explained what we were looking at. Apparently I had a large placenta,huh...I had pushed so hard the last 2 hours determined to get him out. That I pushed with my face which burst blood vessels in my face and my eye balls almost popped out. I wouldn't recommend pushing with your eyes, I was seeing double for almost a day. Having to close one eye to see anything or anybody. They were so swollen I had to ice them for a few days.

Days later I had another doctors appointment with Noah by my side. The one thing I remember is that all my water was behind Noah when we came out. There for, everybody got completely drenched. So we brought doc a gift of new parts of socks and a photo of him holding Noah for the fist time.

I do know I loved both experiences but would never want to do it again. I believe we are done!

One girl and one boy what else could I ever ask for. I'm so happy to be me;)

We did it! He's Here...

2010-07-06T14:59:00.000-07:00

Day 4 and at home

Day before July 1st,cherry picking

Canada Day July 1st,only a family of three

Around 1pm checking into Hospital

Noah eye's wide open

Mommy checking him out to see if he's real ;)

Ella's first good look at Noah!

Had to put the picture in twice, he's so cute! hee..
Family of Four

It's a boy!

Noah Vann Prak was born at Richmond Hospital July 2nd at 11:14 Pm. He weighed 7lbs. 13 oz. and 49 cm long.

~More June fun~

2010-06-28T16:50:00.000-07:00

Baseball fun!

Ella coverd in paint and playing in her water boats

I love this picture of Ella, what a cutie!

Dinner at the beach park.Playing with Daddy!

Snuggles!

Full mouths of Momma's dinner,yummy!

Roses in my garden

Our first batch of Carrots out of the garden.Here there getting a good wash for dinner

A good look at my favorite flower,the clematis plant. I found this ladder in the Spring clean up.It's a great piece for the clematis to grow on.

I have a request to put an updated picture of Dave settled into the new office. Get to work sweetie!

PINK and BLUE toes!

2010-06-25T13:12:00.001-07:00

BOY OR GIRL painted toes, know I'm ready,hee !

39 weeks TODAY

2010-06-24T13:52:00.000-07:00

39 weeks today
Ella and I visited the Bird Sanctuary today

The Beach park yesterday and had a picnic together.This is Ella pushing her blanket in the swing

More of the Ducks

I went to the Doctor's today and the head is down and ready to go. Know as today I am 39 weeks pregnant and really ready to have this baby anytime. I have been trying to go out with Ella as much as possible before the new addition comes. It's been challenging but we have had some great last days together as Ella being the only child for one last time. My emotions have been a little bit up there, nerves and worries about the birth. I can't believe soon I'll be meeting this baby and finding out once and for all what it is....If I had any feeling at all for my guess of gender ,I would guess boy! But another girl would be so great too. Will try to keep you undated as time goes on, hoping I don't go another week. Wish me luck and Dave too!

Camping at 9 months pregnant,hee!

2010-06-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

Helping Dave make the first fire

Ella helping feed Adriana's ,she thought it was awesome!

Daddy and daughter having a moment
Good morning Daddy's "Its Father's Day" and it's time for crafts

Ella and her Dad making a special stepping stone for the garden

Family of 3, soon to be 4 camping

Pool fun

Look at the posture!

Ella totally relaxed putting her feet up and having lunch

Ella feeding Mom and Baby

Nice time for a game of boccie while the kids are napping

Our tent and soon to be bigger car, I can't believe we fit all that we do for camping in this small car. Time for an upgrade!

Well it was my first real weekend off and the sun was shining. We have been able to camping 3 times in the last month or so. But I was still working and sick for the second one. I wasn't about to miss this last weekend away. It was so great, the sun was out the whole time and the kids had so much fun. I couldn't believe I could sleep so well in a tent at 9 months pregnant,but I did.

Father's Day morning we made Dave and Derek a nice hot breakfast of scrabbled eggs and hash brown's, yummy! Then we made stepping stones for our gardens with the kid's helping. I was the most relaxed I have been in months. I thought about nothing and did nothing too, it was perfect! Can't wait to take 2 kids camping and make more family memories in the future.

38 weeks

2010-06-15T21:00:00.000-07:00

Well this month was a crazy month for my little family. We have been all sick over and over again, for over 4 weeks we have had everything. Ella and Dave started out with the 24 hours flu ,after that Ella came down with a bad fever that she had for 2 days and more throw up. I got sick with a head cold,major sore throat and really bad cough. I have been on the mends for weeks know and just a few days again Dave started getting all my symptom's as well. Ella is doing really great(Knock on wood) and were both trying to breath with our noses for the first time in days. Sleep has been minimal and time is running out.

So getting pasted all the complaining, we do still plan to have Father's day camping this weekend, that's if the sun is out. And enjoy the last few weeks the best we can. We have the baby's room put together and the house is ready,I think! I have come to terms that the pain of child birth is on it's way and it's going to be the last time being pregnant. I told Dave today "If you ever thought I would consider having a third baby? It will never happen, this pregnancy has made it all clear and I my limit is 2 kids." I think were both able to just start to get excited about the birth of the new baby and were ready as well ever be.

We're really looking forward to when Ella can come meet her new baby brother or sister in the hospital. I have planned it so she will have a gift there for her from the baby, so hoping she likes the idea of a new baby. And I have a disposable camera for her to bring to the hospital and take pictures of her new sibling. See things through Ella's big blue eyes. I hope all that will get her excited and feel like she's all apart of it all too.

Tomorrow I will be taking on the challenge of starting potty training for Ella too. She's so close and I haven't had anytime to focus on her. She will be waking up and going straight to the potty to pick out her first pair of panties of the day to wear. I'm hoping because she has NEVER felt wet before that it will make it all kick into gear. She already poop's on the potty it's just pee pees that are the challenge. Will keep you up dated!

Today was my last day of work and thank god it's all done. I honestly can't believe I have gone this far being on my feet. And for the first time I came home and took my shoes off and saw my feet purple and swollen. Today I was on my feet for a full 9 hours, that's not cool! I've had enough.....no more work for another year,yahoo!

So there you go! That's all that's happened for the past while and I hope it's all up hill from here. Thanks for listening to me babble on ,it felt really good.

xoJo

The new office!

2010-06-01T20:27:00.000-07:00

Dave setting up Look at all that fresh air!
Nice work Dave

Oh, and this is Ella glass pet turtle. I think a turtle would be a great first pet of her own.

Proud of you Dave, your very good at keeping your word :) luv you

June is here!

2010-06-01T19:45:00.000-07:00

The new office door and window

The beginning
Ella waking up in the morning of camping

Ella has a new friend ,Sarah!!!! Come....

Waking up in the tent! We managed.

Ryan showing the kids that this is a log cabin,and tomorrow he will show them the tepee :)

Sarah, Ella and Bradley

The beach day, Ella loves the beach and getting messy!

Ryan ,Alex and Nicole

Ella taking it all in

Say cheese mommy

36 weeks, belly getting very heavy!

Well we have be so busy in the month of May. But know that June is here and I only have 4 more weeks to my due date. I'm doing nothing but have fun! We managed to go camping over the weekend and had a blast even in the rain. It wasn't to bad, I took my time doing things and went for lie downs twice a day to save my energy and get off my feet. The only thing hard was getting in and out of the tent. Putting Ella down to bed was hard to,but we did it. I do hope the weather gets better for the month of June. Because we plan to go camping 2 more weekends, if no baby. Were very close to home ,we only camp in White rock. Totally do-able for a 30min drive to Richmond if I go into labor. I just want to enjoy my family of three as much as we can before live gets turned upside down again. Dave and Papa have been working really hard on the new office in the backyard. He promised me that it will be done by the end of May and he starts his journey to the backyard as of tomorrow. I can know start the babe's room, finally! I have been feeling no excitement for the new baby and I think it's b/c I couldn't really get the house ready. But I'm getting there! I added a picture of the new office space,a day at the beach and my huge belly at 36 weeks.

Erin and Gary's wedding

2010-05-17T22:14:00.000-07:00

Mc's for the night!

The bride and father
Look who caught the brides flowers..you go girl!

The beautiful dining area

The cartoonist,so much fun!

The wedding ceremony

Trisha ,me and Sarah

Me talking to the babysitter

Dave and I were the MC's for the night and it was so much fun. We had tables hoola hoop for who goes up for the dinner first. They had a cartoonist,awesome! And the venue was really unique and beautiful. First wedding done 3 to go. I love wedding's!

Belly and Ella photo shoot

2010-05-17T22:09:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to my mother in law for the belly photo shoot today. Ella and I had so much fun.

31weeks and growing

2010-05-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

Ella loves to read up on the baby
Seeing what's she's getting into :)

Ella and Mommy sticking own belly's out at 31 weeks

BOY OR GIRL????the needle and thread said BOY, it was right last time with GIRL :)

Hello everybody,

I haven't had much time and energy to blog lately. Life has been so...busy with work and home life, I wonder when I will get the chance to relax before I have this baby.This time around has been so different I only work part time and work has been killing me,it's so busy and short staffed.I'm really not to sure how I'm getting through it all. But I only have 6 more weeks of work and 8 weeks to my due date. Time is almost running out. We still have lots to do with the new office in the shed and the baby's room. David promises that it's all going to be done by the end of May. Once the office it done I will finally have a baby's room. So looking forward to it all. I have made new drapes for the window and I'm so happy how they turned out:)

I have posted some new pictures of the big belly ,and I just realized how much I have grown by looking at the last picture at 25 weeks. crazy! Will hope to post more beofre the baby is here.

all my love to all my viewers

Jolene

Ella's Easter birthday

2010-04-18T13:52:00.004-07:00

Ella waiting for the party to start

Pritty dress

Easter birthday hunt

All the kids with their egg's

Family photo..kisses

Fun days!

2010-04-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

Ella reading up on whats happening to mommy :)
Mommy's little helper :)Ella can you look up 29 weeks

Finger painting turned into face painting

Was so much fun!

And very messy

But we didn't care :)

Ella's master piece

Ella watching Finding Nemo with baby and mom :)

Ella wishing Grandma a good show with her United Entertainer's

Dave and I became "Godparents" to Sweet Adriana.

Our God child :) We love you!

Well life has been very busy! And we haven't had the baby yet. I've been feeling really good "Lately" but not sure when that will change again to being sleepy and tired. I'm know 29 weeks in and my last doctor's appointment was all good. I have told my Doc to that I really want the whole experience this time. Dave cutting the cord and the baby placed on me right away. I really feel like I missed out on a lot of Ella's birth. But I asked him to make it painless and quick too :)

Since I last wrote Ella has become a 2 year old on April 8th at around 4:02pm. And she is already starting to change with a little bit more attitude and lots of NO's. But it's a stage I will learn to love but hope it doesn't stick around. She has grown a whole inch in a month and is growing up so fast. Lately she enjoys helping mom with the garden and we've been doing a lot of mommy and me time. Since this is the last few months that she will be an only child. Ella's going to be a great big sister and we can't wait. She knows that this bay is also Ella's baby,and that it's going to be a "Sister"(So she thinks)...hee I would love another girl but a boy too would be great.

25 week photo

2010-03-18T15:11:00.000-07:00

The belly button is like it's own island ..hee:)

23 weeks and Ella update

2010-03-10T21:47:00.000-08:00

Ella brooming
Just waking up from a nap

Ella trying to be like grandma

Charming the piano man at Country meadows

Grandma and Grandpa's Anniversary dinner 67 years, and happy brithday to grandpa on his 97th birthday.xoxox

Meeting her new friend Kaden for the first time.

Mommy and Ella working on their funny faces

TWO little piggy's

She eats so much, my little piggy!

Who know the second pregnancy would be SO different. It's harder!!! Way harder. And I'm out of breath just typing it. I'm looking forward to having this baby in my arms already. Maybe it's a sign that I really only want 2 kids. I'm really mostly looking forward to see what Ella will be like with the new baby. I truly believe that she's going to love it. I'm know 23 weeks pregnant and some what nervous as well. With Ella I had a C-section so you could say I feel like I scammed the system of "birth".Nature birth isn't for everybody but I truly feel I should know what birth feels like by know. I'm going to hope for a natural birth this time and I have no idea what I'm getting myself into. With Ella I felt ZERO contractions or pre pain. I still to this day have no idea what a REAL contraction feels like . So for me it feeling like I'm going in my first time giving birth. I really want to do the natural birth, and hope that it all goes well. Time will tell!

Ella bean.

She is growing up so fast, and has become a real magical little girl. She's a spark for people that meet her, a charmer and a little girl with lots of love in her heart. Any visitor to the house gets a tour of her room. And gets the low down on what you"NO TOUCH" of whats in her room...so funny! Ella is know sleeping in a BIG girl bed since last week. We have had no problems with the change and she has embraced it really well. No getting up in the middle of the night and she will call for when she's done sleeping, more than we ever thought it could be. She's a spinning dancer and bumps into everything doing it. But it seems really worth the spin,with giggles after. Loves to play tea party with her dolls. Her vocabulary is crazy she know can say pretty much anything and hears EVERYTHING:) Her favorite words are "EAT!"... "I SEE!"...and "SHOW!" These are the words I hear daily that she drives into your head. I totally remember doing this to my mom, where I would just say "MOM" over and over again to get her attention. She knows what she wants that's for sure. She can make me smile everyday and she's helping mommy get through this pregnancy with lots of love and laughter. She will soon be turning 2 on April 8th, which is hard to imagine. I still can't believe I'm a mom that will soon be a mom of 2. It's truly something I have always wanted and it's hard to believe it's happening.

I'm happy!

4 days in Tofino

2010-02-24T13:03:00.000-08:00

We finally got the chance thanks to Grandma and Nanna for taking care of Ella bean to go to Tofino. Dave and I had such a wonderful time and the weather was fantastic! I'm glad we didn't get the stormy weather people talk about.We couldn't of done most of the thinks that we did do if it was raining. We both have never been before and we made it our last time going away trip before the new baby arrives. Tofino is a very special place, it's like a sprinkle of heaven! We had some friends stay at the Break beach lodge" and recommend it to us. And I would do the same for everybody I know. It was in the high price range but TOTALLY worth it. Long walks on the beach, beach combing (so many great treasures) biking, hiking and hot tubing. We even took a short boat ride to Mears Island to see the 1000 year old tree's, they were amazing! Once back to the Island we got a coffee and tea for me and walking round the small but very cute town of Tofino. Best trip in a long time! Here are some of the pictures we took on the 4 day Jo and Dave weekend,enjoy!

Torch in Ladner

2010-02-09T22:21:00.000-08:00

Ella getting her chance to hold the torch

Dave holding the torch Run torch man run!

Ella and Alex with their apples...yum!

Ella ,Dave ,Ryan and Alex all walked over to the Municipal hall and watched the torch run by. The kids got free apples and enjoyed all of the excitement. Dave and Ella even got asked if they would like to have a picture with the torch...So cool. It will be something that will be very memorable for the two of them. Sadly I had to miss it all for a day at work, but I'm glad Ella and Dave got to experience it all.

19 weeks pregnant

2010-02-08T14:59:00.000-08:00

The side profile and spin
Looking right at you,2 eyes, nose and mouth

They said the baby was very active and looks healthy.

Getting bigger, way bigger than last time!

Well so far I've been feeling pretty good about being pregnant the second time around. I had a little bit of sickness at the beginning but all over know. I do have some lower back nerve problems and my belly button has been sore. I really can believe I'm only 18 weeks and my Belly button has almost popped. That's never happened last time either(really hope this baby is not a 10 pounder)! The baby is moving around like crazy and feels very low. Ella has loved hugging and blows raspberry's on my belly. She thinks it's funny :) We have so much to do before the baby arrives. Like moving Dave's office out of the baby to be's room, and get Ella in a big girl bed. The office is going to be made into the back yard shed, which I think will be much nicer. He'll be able to open his door and get some fresh air and some sunshine in the summer time. And the kids and I can nap with no phones ringing. But I can't seem to be able to start nesting until all is done and I have my baby's room. So looking forward to all the new changes and a great summer with 2 kids and a great husband to spend it with.

A little something from my sweetheart for V-day

2010-02-07T22:05:00.000-08:00

Picture of the three of us in the local paper.

This is something that I got to come home to after work on Saturday. A nicely written article about how Dave and I met. It put tears to my eyes and was a very nice surprise. On V-day the article could be picked from a draw , dinner for 2 at the Primerose is the prize. Hope we win!

Love blooms in kitchen at Reo's

(David Prak, Special to The Delta OptimistPublished: Saturday, February 06, 2010)

Pizza. Pasta. Seafood.
Not exactly the ingredients that make up your typical love story, but when you are a cook at a local restaurant, you have to work with you've got.
Mix that with hard work and long hours, and you end up with a cook falling head over heels for a beautiful, spunky waitress. They do say that the way to a woman's heart is through her stomach...This is how Jolene and I met. Our relationship developed over the years we worked together at Reo's, and when it was finally time to leave the restaurant, the foundation for our life together was already set.Over the years I have come to realize it's not the story of the meeting itself, but the story of what it has become: a love that is reflected in our daughter's eyes and, in Jolene's rosy cheeks, the glow of the baby still to come.
Happy Valentine's Day, Jolene.

On Sunday you can do alot!

2010-02-01T12:30:00.000-08:00

relaxing in the livingroom.
Hudson

family

Ella loved the puppy,sally!

Her gift from Mar and Ko ,she loves it!

Lucas and Amber,so cute

Sorry about the upside down Grandma ,April and Hudson

Ella and Abby being silly

Dave and Kimm the travel agents of the family

The tree's in Ladner are huge and beautiful

One of the very long roads I walked

Berry's

I passed feilds and fields of blueberry,yummy!

More fields

I love these colors

More beautiful tree's

Ella and her sponge

More water

Cleaning her wagon in the sunshine

Helping mommy!

Fondue dinner with the Prak's,yum

some of the food you can cook. I even had Deer meat, it surprised me ...not to bad

Ella and Pappa being silly together

Kids play time

Yesterday was a great day. I had planned for some of the Besth family to come over for a brunch and a visit to our house. Some of them haven't had the chance to see the new place yet. It was a great visit and hoping to do it again soon.

In the afternoon I put Ella down for a nap, and Dave mentioned that I should go for a walk while she's out for the count. It's the little perks that we get for having Dave working from home. The sun was shining and I headed out for a walk that became a very long walk. I so enjoyed the time to myself I just kept walking. I went through all the farm lands that circles our house. I had my Ipod and my camera and had a wonderful hour and a half walk. "It's was great!"By the time I got home and sat down with a huge glass of water Ella woke up. Lucky me, it worked out. Once she was up Ella helped me wash the car and her wagon .Ella got completely soaked from dipping the sponge in the bucket,she thought it was great!. We both have nice clean vehicles know!

In the evening we heading to Dave's sisters house for a Fondue dinner with the Prak's. We try to fondue every few months and it was delicious. It's a lot of work to put together since there's a lot of chopping,dips and oil involved, but so worth it. yum yum!

Bulbs,bulbs and more bulbs

2010-01-18T16:32:00.000-08:00

All the green is bulbs....sprout sprout sprout.........")

I have so many bulbs coming up,I so excited. I'm so my mothers daughter with the gardening I love it just as much. The month we moved in I checked to see if there was anything going on in the front garden bed. And to my surprise there was a ton of old bulbs in there. I have no idea what they are but I added a lot more and I can wait. They are coming up so nicely so I hope we don't get a frosting anymore.

While Ella was sleeping today I got out and cleaned out the bed. I watched some birds bathing in a large puddle of rain.They were singing like they where in a Cinderella story. It was a day that felt like Spring and I'm so glad it's changing. Spring is truly the best time of year for me. Here is a picture of the front of my house where I got my hands dirty today.

Great family morning

2010-01-17T12:05:00.000-08:00

For sometime know Dave has been working Sundays. We don't really get any full days together useless we get work off. But this morning was a great start to out Sunday. We woke up early and drove ourselves to the IHop in Richmond, which Mama was craving to have there all you can eat pancakes...yummy! We drove home with our full belly's and got all our warm clothes on for a long walk. We went though all the farm lands near our house,it took us over an hour. The weather held up for us and even had some sun shine. About half way Dave got crapped on by a bird, what a lucky guy. So for the rest of the way Ella kept reminding Dave that he had "Poop hies". So funny! We got home had a apple and cheese snack and Dave went to work and Ella went to bed and I'm able to get somethings done. It was a nice morning.

xo J

Ella after all the party's

2010-01-07T13:48:00.000-08:00

love you babe

Christmas Eve and Day

2010-01-07T13:35:00.001-08:00

Kimm's for Besth dinner
Auntie Randy ,mom and Ella and Mar

soem of the huge family there was 28 if us there and some missing,was fun!

My snuggie ...and yes I use it every night to get warm. Thanks pappa

The cousin's...Nick, Ryan and Ella

Prak family dinner

The tree

Christmas morning 2009

The mess

Ella opening her 120 pieces of plastic food for her kitchen..loved it!

Ella's stocking

Ella always asks to hold her new cousin Hudson. big kisses too xo

The girls getting right into it....Ella's favorite words this month was "ME"...and "MORE"

Fun !

The Besth house hold doing another appy dinner (no turkey for us) love it!

friends Christmas party 2009

2010-01-07T13:29:00.001-08:00

It wasn't me! "Adriana"...I wonder who it was?

Squishy ...but fun!

The table

The kids had craft time making bells for their X-mas tree's

The smallest additions to the party Hudson and Austin (sorry for the sideways photo)

The annual friends dinner party. The house is smaller and the families are getting bigger. It was squishy but tons of fun. Looking forward to next years :) Love you all

xo Praks

Family New Years Eve

2010-01-07T13:19:00.000-08:00

Dave ,Ella, Macin and Sean (lindsay was there to)

Erica ,Adrianna ,Derek ,Nicole, Ryan and Alex

Family

Macin being silly

Ella being silly

New years was really one of the best ones yet. We had 3 other families and their kids come with us to the Train in Stanley Park. The kids had a really great time, Ella was over the moon with all the lights. After that we decided to go to White spot for dinner, the service was not great and we sat there for a long time. But the kids never complained and they were happy happy happy. We ended up at a friends house and all 4 kids went right to bed in all three bedrooms. It was amazing how well the kids did and they make it sooo enjoyable and relaxing. Best family new years ever!

13 Weeks of baby # 2

2009-12-24T15:36:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve 2009

Time again...:)

2009-12-18T19:45:00.000-08:00

As all of you guessed it and most already know, we are preggo again. I'm 3months in already and feeling great. Our due date is July 1st "Canada Day". Ella already know's where Mommy's baby is, she will point to the belly and kiss it. I think Ella will be a great big sister, she's so much of a mommy already! It's so funny, every baby that come into our house Ella right away wants the baby to poop and give it a change. She just loves her little friends (Hudson, Adriana, Hannah and Austin). It's baby fever out there, with so many of my friends with new born's and more to come. I'll be on maternity leave with April (4 months together ) Lindsay (8 months together) Erica and Bryanna will still have time off in the summer. It's going to be so much fun! Will post a baby bump picture soon and will keep you posted.

He's HERE.....it's a boy

2009-12-16T20:38:00.001-08:00

Hudson Nicholas Besth

On Dec 11th early in the morning my little 8lbs 6 oz new nephew arrived for the best Christmas gift ever. He's beautiful and he's here to stay. He's the first boy on my side of the family of the grandkids. The grandparents are so happy and the new family of 4 are doing great. So thank you Hudson Nicholas Besth for a early Christmas gift to the whole family.

xo Love: Auntie Jo ox

December fun

2009-12-16T20:31:00.001-08:00

Ella was in the moment of saying "Juice" Adriana is smiling again, such a happy girl
What a helper I had with clearing the drive way :)thank you Ella

"All I need is my thumb and blanket and I'm ready to relax"xo

Dori ....always so festive.

This house had a very unique way of having Christmas lights. loved it.

The Annual Hurley Open house, every year they put one on and do such a wonderful job. Thank you guys :)

Holiday fun, cheers!

Ella in her pritty Christmas dress

look at likes???

2009-12-08T21:06:00.000-08:00

This picture was taken in August of my mom (Brenda) and Ella. And forever know people look at Ella and say "she sure looks like your mom". Same hair color, same nose! What do you think???xo

Really Ella.. I can't believe it!

2009-12-02T19:10:00.000-08:00

Pooh ie #2
Poo hie #1

Over the weekend mess

Today we played out in the cold making pictures

Put our tree up, she's so much fun!

Ella helping with the lights

Ella helping Daddy with the tree

One at a time Ella, good job!

So the last two days for Ella have been big maybe huge milestones for her. All weekend she kept asking me to go poo hies on the potty. So we tried and tried some more, but nothing. Monday came along and she asked again."Poo hies Mommy Poo hie". OK, sure! She looked right into my eyes and she Poo hied in the big potty. I couldn't believe it, I was so happy! She got a sticker and I couldn't stop talking about it at work to my other mom clients. And then it happened again, she poo hied the next night to. Ella got another sticker and her Mom and Dad are very proud. Hopefully it's all a good sign for things to come. It was a moment I will never forget, no joke! haa.

Girls weekend at home

2009-11-29T20:15:00.000-08:00

Dori and I waiting for the last sheet of cookies to be done
Yummy,but some head fell off....so their holding they heads ..haa!

Cutting cookie time

Ella reading her book to her baby

Ella pretending to work like Daddy, get to work Daddy no more play time for you, hee

It doesn't happen often but Ella and I where home alone for the whole weekend. David my Dad and Brothers and friends went to Calgary to see the Grey Cup Game. It's always a fun and challenging this to do when there's only one parent around. But Ella and I had a great time together playing and going for walks. We read a ton of books and changed her baby's bum over 100 times, I'm sure of it. She seems to be poophie all the time :) We napped together and made cookies to. I did have to work on the Friday and Saturday and Grandma came over for the whole day Saturday to be with Ella. They had a blast, going to mom's work and seeing the bunny and kitty. And I'm sure Ella made her change baby's bum too. Peeyu! (not sure how to spell that one). We had a good time but ready to pick up Daddy tomorrow and tell him all that we did. I'm sure he has some story's of his own, what would they be?? hmm.

The night out on the town

2009-11-25T21:12:00.000-08:00

My beautiful flowers..."me over here"
The 30 year olds.

Some of the group at the hotel room

Rachel , April and Me...xo

The wet wet walk , with lots of giggles

Dave and Rach..xo

Marc me and Bryanna..xo

Coolest table there

Lindsay and Sean...xo

Erica and Rachel...xo

I love him..xoo or am I sleepy?

Whats so funny?

These 2 always get the camera some how..xo

Erica's shaky face..xo

Lindsay's shaky face..xo

Rachel's shaky face...xo

"NICK" the winner of the night ...man oh man! What a winner...xo

Sarah and Brad..xo

My BIG wish , and it was a big one!

The family couples...xo with Lucas and Amber. So nice to be with you guys..xo

Tracy and Mandy..xo

The day started out with a great morning hanging out with my family. I did have to work on my birthday but it turned out to be a great day. When suddenly, I was chatting to my client in my chair and a man in the front yells out..." Is there a Jolene that works here". I was like who is that yelling my name?? Then I saw the dozen roses in his hand, I got flowers!!!. So I waved my arms around yelling back at him...." I'm here , over here". The last time I got flowers was when I got my wisdom teeth pulled..hee. I was very surprised! I first thought it was from my girlfriend Bryanna b/c the writing looked like hers. But once I opened the card , it wasn't from bry .....it was from David??? Love you so much hun but I was sooo shocked. You hate flowers, " they die" remember. It caught me so off guard I had tears in my eyes, then my client started to tear up too. It was a great moment, even thought Dave hates flowers ...he knows they make me happy! Thanks you again babes. xox

Once I got off work and over the shock. We got ready and sent Ella to Nanna's house for a whole night's sleep over. She was so great for them, slept all night and have tons of fun too. Thanks you so much Nanna and Pappa, couldn't of done it without you. xoxox.

So here we go, off to the big city. Something we don't do every often. We got to the Hotel and had another surprise with a nice big room. So all my friends can meet up in the room have some pre drinks, thanks to Dave's mini bar he lugged around in a huge suit case. Got ready for the party to start. We all gathered and had a great little house party of our own in the room. Lots of laughs and story's being told, was so great! Then we all got ready for a very wet walk to the Kingston Bar/Restaurant. I totally recommend that place for the service and the hard work they did for our large group. The food was awesome, and drinks were flowing. And when it flows the camera starts clicking. So the strange pictures of my friends faces is a normal thing on a night out. We have this things where one person holds the camera and the other shakes there heads, it's more funny when you've had a few to many. But it happens so often it was about time I put some on my blog...sorry guys. But when you have my camera it's fair game. xo

It's was a night to remember and I'm so thankful that I have amazing friends and family. I feel very luck to have you all in my life. With all of us in the same way of life, being youth family's that we are. I know how much of an effort it is when you can come out like you did. And all I can say is Thanks and it means a lot :) And Dave you make me so very happy and I'm so thankful to have a wonderful husband and Father to Ella. love you

xoJo

The BIG 30...

2009-11-21T08:32:00.000-08:00

Well it's happened. I'm officially 30 today. I've always said that my Thirty's are going to be the best. Tonight were going dowtown with some friends,I believe. Dave's planning the night and I'm not exactly sure whats happening. It's going to be a good day! Yeah for me!!

Falling...

2009-11-11T09:44:00.000-08:00

Ella helped her mum pick put some of the many leaves from our front yard. It was a nice sunny cold morning and we had a really great time jumping in the piles.

Halloween fun....

2009-11-04T13:22:00.001-08:00

Ellas loot, she was very proud of herself
Ella wanting ot hold Uncle Brad's hand

Daddy's turn to hold hands

Mommy's turn to hold her hand

Ella as a Monkey and Abby as a Spider

This is the new babysitter, the kids thought she was boring!

The famous Tractor

She was so happy riding on the hay ride

Well we had a really good Halloween this year. Ella really enjoyed going door to door. She was so surprised that people were giving her things to put in her empty bag. And that bag got really full, so full that she had to drag it home. We walked around the whole Crescent,while Ella wanting to take turns hold everybody's hand. Uncle Brad and Sarah walked with us and helped give out candy. We got about 25 kids come to the door which was better than our other place with the maximum of 14 kids.

We also went to the McGee fright night the Thursday before. Every year we go and visit Auntie Kimm as she volunteers. There was a haunted house and crafts and a very cold tractor ride. Ella was so excited about it, she loves Diggers and tractors. She wanted to stand the whole time to see the tractor drive. And had the BIGGEST smile on her face the whole time. It was a good night.

All worked up....

2009-10-25T18:20:00.000-07:00

Remember....
We're at the point where Ella has decided to scream and cry and call out"MOMMY"..... for bedtime. She can get so worked up I have to really stay close because she'll get so upset she'll puke. I just wait till she gets tired enough to either fall asleep or tired enough that I can go back in and she'll fall asleep on me. How do I make bedtime easier and not so crazy. She knows how to push my buttons and knows what to do to get" Mommy's" attention. Any ideas ????

FALL ,I love this time of year

2009-10-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

yummy
say "cheese"

Open wide.
yogurt smile

more...

look at all those pumpkins

Ella at the patch

This is the one she picked herself

Ella on my leg again....she still needs me!

At the bird santuary, it was REALLY cold

See the fish????weird!

Ella looking out

A duck nibbled on her fingers, she didn't like that much!

The one thanksgiving we made it to

Nice turkey

Ellas new winter jacket

Book time

Well we've been slowly moving into Fall and doing more fall things. I have had the enjoyment of getting into my garden and finding a whole bed of soil FULL of old bulbs. It was a totally score on the tulip trip that I had that day, and I don't know what there are. I probably have over 100 bulbs in my front bed of the house. It makes me so excited to think that come Spring time I will have the most beautiful front display of flowers. Hee, I'm so much like me mama. xoXO. Ella has been a total joy helping her mum in the garden and picking all the weeds out. Finding all the worms and digging a new hole for them to live in. We've been reading more books and we can read the whole book with her attention. Food is fun too, watching her feed herself. She'll open her mouth SO wide to get it all in on one bite. She can know say many new words like Puppy, truck, dirty, meow, kitty, Daddy and Mummy, Nanna , Pappa, Grandma and Grandpa, Abby(sorry no nick and april yet) .We think she put two words together a few days ago"Hi Daddy".If you ask her to say something it sounds so close. David and I agreed we'll stop the bottles after our Mexico trip and she's had no problems with the change. Ella is not a enfant anymore and Mommy is getting some withdrawls. She's growing to fast and seems to be more and more independent everyday. It's been a lot of fun days!

Happy birthday Sweet Abigail

2009-10-18T12:33:00.001-07:00

ABBY TURNS 3

wow how time fly's

We love you babes

xo Dave,Jojo and Ella xo

Great Mazatlan Trip, bad home coming!

2009-10-07T13:35:00.001-07:00

Daddy and Ella before our flight
I found it so funny that Ellas hair went soo straight on the plane,must be the air!

Ella and Daddy on the first morning
Ella so happy to see the pools

Pool time

Cool girl

What can I say the girl likes her shades

Big kisses for mommy

Peekaboo

Waking up from a Mexicain siesta!

Our hotel!

The beach,look at those waves

MAZATLAN 09

Ellas favorite slide

The pool view from our room

Mom and Ella

Ella telling mommy to go get it!!!

The thing I'm suppose to go get, she dropped her Noah man 7 story's high, what could I do!!!Sorry baby

Ella and her towel bear. She thought it was so funny when the head fell off....it's still funny!

Swimming Swimmming

Ella resting!

Mom ,no more pictures

The beach band, that came out of no where

She loved it. And was dancing ont he beach

Mommy and Ella dancing to the music, was very special moment

Dinner time, yummy

Grease, show

The sunset

My little girl

David got eatten that day by a shark

Ella , trying to figure out that drink she'll have next!

Mexicain baby, Ella baby and Canadian Baby all together

Ella watching the plane come in so we can go home!

Watching her "In the night garden" she LOVES IT!!!!!!

Were home...The flight to Mexico was great, Ella had fun watching all the people go by and playing peekaboo with the people behind us. Once we got there the weather was 35'not including the humidity. It was hot! The hotel was great , our favorite food was the breakfast buffet and the rib at one of the restaurants,yummy!. Every time we sat to eat a meal the mexician workers laughed and played with Ella ,she's such a charmer. The beach had huge waves and the sand was nice and soft on the feet. But I did notice a little bit of garbage on the shore, pop cans and waste(not good). The pool's were the best, Ella had her own kids pool area. She was able to walk around in the water by herself and play with the other kids. There was a huge (big for her) water slide that she had no problem going down. She can be so brave some times, it surprised me! For her nap times we took turns sitting in the room reading our books ,while the other one was at pool side getting the tan. It worked out really well, but Ella only slept an hour or so a day for naps. The trip was very memorable and we had a ton of fun, but we both agreed that it was hard work chasing Ella around. I knew it was going to be different but it was to exhausting for us. Next year we'll stay closer to home:)

Once we came home everything for me went up side down. We got home Sunday night,went to bed and felt great waking up a home. I walked into town with Ella that morning, and by noon I had the worst pains in my stomach, by 4:30 I had enough and Dave drove me to the doctors. He said it was a bacteria you must of gotten on the last day you were there. Something I ate or touched perhaps??? He said go home and drink lots and it will get out on it's own. OK, went home and it got worse and worse, so I decided to get ready for bed. When I was in the washroom trying to get myself ready for the night, I thought I was going to get sick again, but I ended up collapsing on the floor. My hole body seized up completely, I couldn't move my hands and legs and my muscles were cramping up like you wouldn't believe .I knew then I needed help, Dave called 911 and I went to the hospital. When I got there,I still couldn't move my hands but could walk, and I had no idea what went so wrong. But the doctors took some tests and my blood came back great...No H1N1! But I was really dehydrated and I had low electrolytes. And that was the reason my body seized like it did. I never even knew that could happen with dehydration. I got filled up with liquids and I was sent home around 2am. Ella slept through it all, even with the cute fireman in the house and all the noise. Today was the first day I feel much better, just my muscles hurt from twitching and I'm still tired. It was a great family trip, but what an ending! I guess the moral of my story is you never think it's going to happen to you, even if your the mom that is always bring out the hand sanitizer. You just never know!. And I hope it never happens again!

A day in the City

2009-09-13T20:23:00.000-07:00

Waiting for the train
The giant tear drop

This Ella angle

The countdown

Ella chilling infront of the Musium

Ella and Mom

Gastown clock

Meeting Austin For the first time .My girlfriend Bryanna's first baby ...so happy for them....

Austin was 6lbs 13 oz . And was very close to being born at home or in the car drive to the hospital. But made it just in time...wooo. That was close ;)

We decided to park at the River rock Casino and go for a ride on the new train that take you all the way to the Waterfront. We have never taken Ella into Downtown Vancouver and had a nice day together. So, we became tourists and went to some of the land makers of the city. Had lunch at the famous White spot( famous b/c Dave loves Triple O's). And even saw the Gastown clock steam. It was nice to get Ella out of her own environment and into a different one to explore in.

It's amazing that we could do all that in just a half a day, when it would of taken us forever to get there and back. It only took us 20 Minute's to get on the train and back to our car in Richmond. It was so impressing and so happy we have it. Looking forward to the next trip!

Special photo's

2009-09-10T10:57:00.001-07:00

August and Sept fun

2009-09-03T14:08:00.000-07:00

At Grandma's Garden
My little carrot helper xoxo

Moms chilli's, amazing and Hot

Ella eatting all the tomato's.... she's a big helper for grandma

A dragonfly in the beans

Ella can fit in her babys stroller, what a teeny bum

Ella and mom getting ready for a walk into town and a visit to the Hub(kids play place in Ladner)

Ella watching Dave mow the lawn with his NEW lawn mower

He was soo happy with his new toy, but a few minutes later after this picture, the wheel fell off. Still waiting for the new one to come in....:) to :( xoxox

We have had lots of play dates with friends. This is Ella and Bella playing sleepy time in Ellas crib. So cute!

My sweet pea's I pick every week from my garden.

Our first BBQ with the Besth's at our new home

April and Nick and baby to be... due Dec 23rd. Can't wait ot be another Auntie Jo

Happy birthday to my best girl Lindsay. 30 years old and been friends for 7 of them

Lake Goodwin 3 years in a row

2009-09-03T13:36:00.000-07:00

Yeah ummm, I can't seem to find my floor of the tent?
David, Gerry and cousin Erin Ella and Nana getting sleepy

Ella's in the middle of the boat on her first boat ride

Ella learned how to say" PUPPY" this weekend...so cute!

The castle queen

Sunshine all weekend

Dreaming of the water

Ella and daddy

some of the gang( Laurie, Great grandma goodwin, Carol and Great Gran Goodwin)

Ella and Mum

Water time, got to hot

The kids and Pappa

Uncle Dave ,the best driver ever!

On the boat, so much fun!

Who brought the blueberry on board?:)

Ella waking up from a nap in the tent. She sleeps soo good in the tent, all night long

Agian, you want to go on again............OK!

I truly can't believe it's September already. Since the move we've been so busy with getting organized and having fun to. We have been camping with the Praks/Goodwin family in Washington's "Lake Goodwin". Yup that's the real name and that's why we go there..hee! It's a beautiful Lake with amazing lake shore homes and the water in so crystal clear. Dave's uncle Dave was there with the boat again and we all got some great water skiing and tubing done. The kids loved the sandy beach and swimming in the water. Ella went on her first ever boat ride and she loved watching Nana water ski (what a cool Nana she is). The camp fires every night were so relazing after a hot day in the sun. The food of course was to die for as usual. And on the way home we did our Fall shopping (Kohl's, Target, Costco) I love shopping in the states, so much fun :) So here are some photos of the big camping weekend, enjoy!