Canada & a Wedding

I just got back from Canada last Friday and am finally settled, unpacked, and have a somewhat normal schedule right now.  It seems like I have been traveling a lot lately! It has been very fun and so nice to see everyone, but man is it ever exhausting!   Luckily, our trip to Canada this time was for a happy reason - my little sisters wedding!  We had a great trip and did a lot of fun things .... I am glad everyone was kind to me and the kids, even though Avery was on the tail end of her hand, foot, and mouth disease ... yuck!  So onto my normal blogging ... lots of photos, not a lot of words, and no funny commentary (not good at that, although I wish I was!)

 

This is at Galaxyland - at West Edmonton Mall (the biggest mall in Canada).  I loved going here as a child, although it was called Fantasyland back then (I think Disney sued them and they changed the name).  Avery loved playing in the ball pit with her cousins. 



We took a train ride around the park

Once again, Jaxson LOVED playing with his cousins. 

There is Alvin - Karen's fiancée (at this point).  He was up in  Edmonton a few days before Karen because he was writing the MCAT.  Nothing like initiating you into the family like dragging you around shopping malls and parks in an unfamiliar city without your fiancé there.  Good thing Alvin is a good sport - happy to have him now an official part of the family :).

The kids loved the merry-go-round.

Big smiles!

A fun park near Jason and Kamry's house.  Jaxson and Talia had a lot of fun playing together. 

Oh how I love dirt, and sand!  At least makes for a good photo.

Avery and cousin Addi. 

One of my best friends from high school met us at the park.  I don't think I have seen her in 3+ years!  It was so nice to talk and catch up.  This is her adorable daughter Isla.

So good to see you Sarah! 

Starting young ... giving girls flowers. 

This was a duck pond right next to Jason's house.  The kids loved feeding them!

After spending a few days in Edmonton, I stayed with Amelia and her kids in Lethbridge (Justin was in Calgary for the month finishing residency).  This was the coolest park shaped like a train.  I just love the soft and solid floor.  No loose pieces of stuff to get stuck in your shoes, and it was soft and a bit bouncy.  We grabbed pizza and had a picnic at the park - so fun!  Thanks Amelia!

Jaxson having fun with Kate and Kara

These things were pretty cool.

Finally, the big event.  The temple ceremony was beautiful (if you want to learn more about what we believe, click here).  Karen and Alvin are great for each other, and the whole day was just amazing.  Karen's colors were a vintage pink, ivory, and gold.  All of the grandkids (minus Penny ... not letting any of those kids hold a 2 month old!)

Jaxson insisted on sitting next to Talia, and just look at his smile with I made that happen. 

Cute couple!!

Taking photos out in the sun is hard for little kids.  Jax found himself some shade and a snack.  Smart boy.

The kids sang "I love to see the Temple" at the family dinner. 

Beautiful reception.

Sisters!

After wedding math.  Avery's eating one of my favorite Canadian treats - a fudgeeo!

The Monday after the wedding, we took Alvin's family up to Waterton.  Our first stop - hiking bears hump.  Such a fun, short, and steep hike!  I am so glad that Alvin's 3 younger siblings really liked Jaxson and carried him up and down the mountain!  Jaxson called them the 3 luigi's (he is really into Mario right now).

Another one of my best friends from high school, and my college roommate - Jasmine- also met up with me as we went around Waterton.  It was so nice to catch up with her too!!

Made it!

Beautiful view of the town sight.

Cameron Falls.  So pretty!  Cammie was also so great to help me watch both kids. Crazy to think that just a week later, this place (and the rest of southern Alberta) is crazy flooded.  Send prayers their way - they need all they can get!

After bears humps, eating at Wieners of Waterton, going by the falls, we went to throw rocks in the lake. 

Avery wanted to go in, just like the other kids were doing.  I was shocked she stayed in so long ... this water is FREEZING!

Dad let Alvin's dad borrow his hat.  I love this picture! haha :)

Of course, we needed to stop by Big Scoop to finish off the day in Waterton.  Jaxson was in Heaven!

We also stopped by the cabin on the way out, and this guy came right up to the deck.

At the Prince of Walls hotel. 

Back into Lethbridge one more time before leaving .... and once again at McDonalds for lunch.  The kids love the play place.  Remember I have a photo like this just 2 months prior of Avery and Addi in their high chairs in this same spot. Same restaurant.  Same table.  Same highchair (jk ... probably not .. but could be!)

Went to see Grandma and Grandpa French.  Of course my kids were going nuts and didn't sit for a picture.

Back in Texas! Both kids ran to see daddy and have been playing with him every since.

Avery's Room

After 5 long months of working on Avery's room, I am finally done!  Ok, so I didn't work on it for the whole 5 months, but it takes a long time gathering items and finding time between surgeries (3 of them so far), funerals, traveling, etc.   I was the most excited to decorate her room, and now that I am done, I am going to start on Jaxson's room and finish up the kids bathroom (I am looking for a fishy/sea creature cup/toothbrush holder set ... let me know if you have seen one!).  Here is our little Princess's room in Pinks, grey, and ivory. 

 We painted that side table to match the dresser, it was originally black.

  This is the dresser Ryan had in his room growing up.  His Grandma made it for him!  We did a little paint touch up, and added the pink crystal knobs.

Polka dotted diaper wipe case.

 This mobile was made by one of my jomazing accessories facebook fans in exchange for some headbands and shoes.

 "Princess, Daughter of a Heavenly King" - love that saying!

 One of those fun chunky necklaces that are so popular right now.  I had someone custom make it for Avery at a good price in exchange for me telling my fans about her page :)

May

Just a quick post to show what we Harbor's have been up to lately. 

At the zoo early one Saturday morning.  Cute photo of the boys. 

We had a stake "fiesta" activity.  I guess in April there is a big fiesta party/weekend thing here.  I don't know much about it, but the stake put on a fun activity at the church.  Jaxson was really excited to get shaved ice.

Me and Avery enjoying my favorite ... popcorn! 

Love this picture - check out Avery's gap!

Jaxson's favorite -- the bounce house.  No surprise there!

They also had some games set up around the parking lot for the kids to enjoy.

Rhonda, Lee, and Lolita (Ryan's grandma) came into town for a couple of days at the beginning on May.   We took them to a famous, super-country style BBQ place.  We loved the food last time, and this time it was alright - not as good.  It was fun atmosphere though, and they have a playground for kids to play on while the adults eat.  Out back they have some fun old-timey decor. 

Every Wednesday I go play volleyball at the church.  We all bring our little kids and the run around or play on iphones/ipads. This is Joshua, Jaxson's friend who is often there too.

Jaxson also started tucking his blanket into his shirt and calling it his "jet pack."  We played one morning for a while, and gave Avery a jet pack too.

These are Jaxson's trophy's that we built.  They have now transformed into missile launchers. He likes to tell everyone he meets about his huge, real missiles.

Just thought this was a cute photo after church.  Avery fell asleep in the car and was snuggling with Ryan when we brought her inside. Awe, nothing better than snuggles from your kids. 

Ever since we went to Canada in March, Jaxson has "Stopped taking naps" during the day.  I didn't make him do it while on vacation.  Sometimes this is how I find him in the afternoon though.

Avery just being her usual messy self. 

 Every morning this week, Jaxson has asked me to wrap him and Avery up in his blanket.  Then he gets upset 5 seconds later when Avery breaks free and he is not wrapped up anymore.  Oh well, makes for some cute pictures though.

Jaxson Highlight

The day after Avery's birthday, we went to get some photos done of her.  Well, we decided we couldn't leave out our sweet son Jaxson either (and I may have bought 2 groupons to the picture people :)  Here our sweet, spunky, silly, and fun-loving boy.  He is 3 years and 4 months old.  Love you Jaxy-Bear!