Our good friends from college, Ryan and Sherri-Lynn, moved to Canada 2 years ago in order for Ryan to join her family's farm business. We've been wanting to go visit them for a long time, however it never works for Micah. Finally, the kids and I decided to go without him. We left last Wednesday and got back Monday night. Another friend from college, Mandy, also made the trek with her kids. In all, there were 6 kiddos age 3 1/2 and younger. It was a lot of fun! Due to the craziness, I was a bit lax on on taking pictures, but here are a few.
We did lots of fun stuff and enjoyed being together! Saturday, Ryan and 2 other babysitters watched the kids so us girls could go to Edmonton for some girl time--so nice!!! We went to a bead store to make necklaces and bracelets, ate dinner, and then had fun walking around
IKEA talking and decorating our houses!
Ethan, Shanna, Kayla, Elliot, Mandy, Landon, Sherri-Lynn, Nathan (and Caleb - he was sleeping)
More pictures will follow but I have to share the story of Canada almost not letting us in the country. I went through customs and the lady stated firmly "do you have a document stating that you have sole custody of these children?" and I'm like "no, but I have their passports," and she again stated very unfriendly "that's not good enough you must go straight to customs." The kids and I went to immigration and stood in line for at least 30 minutes (all the time Ethan crying/fussing off and on). Finally, I get up to the immigration officer and he is not so friendly. He proceeds with asking me a hundred questions (okay maybe not 1oo but felt like it - it was a lot) and finally says that he must contact my husband. All the time he never explains what's going on. I told him he could try Micah's office number but he probably won't be there. He wasn't so then I gave him Micah's pager number and after trying him twice Micah called back. (funny thing is Micah told me he thought at first it was our friend Ryan playing a joke and was just about to say something very smart alec but stopped). The Immigration officer then asks Micah the same 100 questions that he had asked me to confirm that both our stories matched. Finally, he said that most abduction are from non-custodial parents and they have to confirm custody when parents travel alone with children. After a lengthy visit with Immigration, we got everything sorted out; now we can laugh about it.
First flight for Ethan!
Kayla did great on all the flights - she actually only watched 30 minutes of a video and then just wanted to color and work in her workbook.
This is Ethan on one flight - needless to say he kept me busy as always! Thankfully he slept some on every flight except one!
Ryan showed all the kids around the farm. The tractor ride was fun and it was cool to see how GPS works. Above was Ethan playing with canola seed.
Ryan did a great job helping with the kids and entertaining us! He was a great sport to put up with us all!
Micah's cousin Natalie and her husband Micah. (a little confusing when we are together) Sadly I don't have a pic of Micah's other cousin Gina.
Kayla was so excited to be Cinderella! Thank you Aunt Traci and Uncle Brett - they gave her this outfit for her birthday last March. Ethan just cracked us up all night waddling in his outfit!
Micah and my brother both ran with me, what was going to be 3 miles each turned into Chad running 6 miles with me and Micah running about 8 miles with me. It was nice having some company along the way and mostly just the encouragement to push me on. Thank you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!
