I'd rather eat cheesecake

Okay, so tomorrow is the day when sign-up begins for the Vancouver half. Last year it sold out in 4 days and I am completely lacking motivation to sign up for it. Who wants to spent 2 to 2 1/2 hours running in the middle of February? It just doesn't sound like me. Why does my mind/body prefer not to do anything physical? When I actually go running it feels great and I feel great afterwards but to go is the really hard part. I don't like going. I don't want to go. So somebody encourage me to sign up. Part of me just hopes it will sell out before I actually decide.
The weather is absolutely miserable here. Rain. I don't like the rain. I would much rather have it snow and be cold and have to bundle up. Rain is just wet and chilly and ugly. Snow is bright and crisp and beautiful, even snow in November. Winter needs snow and I need winter. Christmas lights just don't look right here.

Just a mish-mash of pics

Family and Friends. We've got, from left to right, top to bottom:
Joyel, Dezene & Elijah; Maren, Ethan & Joel; Uncle Mike, Auntie Julie & Joel;
Joel & Grandma; Auntie Nikki & Joel; Grandpa & Joel;
Joel and the Leafs!!(for all you Canucks fans - don't worry, we're not Leafs fans; Josh and Joel playing old school Fisher Price; and Josh, Hannah & Joel.

The much anticipated.... Chicken Big!!

We had a fun Halloween up in PG. As you can see Joel was thrilled to be forced into a hot chicken suit with layers and layers underneath! We went to a few houses on the street where I grew up and then we went up to Uncle Mike and Auntie Julie's house and then we went to the high school to watch the fireworks. It was a busy night and Joel was very happy to get undressed. He talked and rolled around the floor for almost an hour afterwards!!


 

Joel's costume

Sorry all, but the pictures will have to wait until at least tomorrow. We are at my parent's house right now and can't get the pics from the camera to the computer! We'll be home tomorrow night!

SNOW!

Joel and I are up visiting my family and Brad is in Holland for work. It's quite nice to get away from life for a week, although I wish Brad was with us! We miss him. Yesterday we woke up to snow. I stood Joel on the couch so he could watch it fall out the window and he was so excited! It's raining today and so it is melting quite quickly. I went for a short run in the rain and cold temp. this morning. It felt so good!! Tonight we will be celebrating Mike's and Monica's birthdays. Should be a great time with everyone together again!

FYI

Just for those of you that don't know, if you click on the picture it will get bigger. I know the pictures can be a little small.

Giddy up!!

I just had to include this picture. It's from when we went to Lynn Canyon. Check out the look on Joel's face. He is nothing but trouble! As you can see he loves my pony tail! 

Please don't report us!

I think this picture would be a public health nurse's worst nightmare. Bumper pad, stuffies, mobile, blankets and a cat all surrounding a sleeping baby. I think it's cute and Joel is still alive to do it again. I just can't get over Cooper. His love for Joel's bed is stronger than his dislike for Joel. 

Soo soo

Here's Joel and his new way of sucking on this soother. It's supposed to say "I love Mama". Is he trying to tell me something?? He can be so silly sometimes. 

Not much to say

I really have nothing to write about. I guess I could let you all know that Joel is "cruising" now. I just learned that word from a friend and it means he is moving along furniture. He's still not officially crawling but he sure gets around on the floor now and he really likes to kick his legs like he's swimming. I've got to get that kid to a pool again. We are really looking forward to our trip up to PG. The only problem is warm enough clothes for Joel. Do you guys have any little mittens and booties for babies up there?

Our little boy

Here are the Wal-mart pics of Joel. I'll bring some up to PG for you guys.



























Hey Josh, is it a "Whoa baby"?

Our little man

 

Nature pics from Lynn Canyon

 

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving Monday at Lynn Canyon. Another gorgeous day. Many people had the same great idea as us because as you can see it was pretty busy there but beautiful just the same. We went over the suspension bridge - I couldn't get to the other side fast enough. It really moves with all those people on it. I have no idea who that guy is in the blue shirt. I'm sure he'll appreciate being on my blog. Joel really loves being in the backpack. He gets to perceive the world in a whole new way.

 

Thanksgiving Hike

We took our nephews, Duncan and Ethan for a little hike to Minnekhada Park. It was a beautiful afternoon and a perfect time to get outside and enjoy some nature. Duncan took some good pictures of our little family. Thanks Duncan!
After this we went back to Karen and Ty's for a wonderful turkey dinner - Thanks Karen. Joel also had his first turkey, it was just strained turkey and vegetables from a jar. Pretty yucky if you ask me but he loved it. He ate the whole jar.

Joel's Dedication

On Thanksgiving Sunday we had Joel dedicated at church. Grandma and Grandpa Breedveld and Auntie Karen and Uncle Ty and Duncan, Ethan and Rachel all came. Joel was a very good boy. We read the passage from Ephesians 3:14-19 and wrote a prayer for him. Pastor Tim asked us a few questions about raising Joel in the church and he asked the congregation to promise to be committed to Joel and the other children's spiritual well-being. Here are a couple pictures. We have it on video too so we can show the PG family.
 

Cool dude

I know, I'm cool.








Even cooler, I can sit on Everest!







Okay, not so cool. My jammies are way too tight!

Hugs

We just found out that Mom and Dad won't be able to come for the dedication. Sorry guys that you have to miss it and we hope you are feeling better soon Dad. And we'll be up for a visit soon anyway. Hugs to all from Joel!

Running

Yay, Brad and I have been for 2 runs this week and we are feeling good. It's nice to be able to do 30 min! Aside from that kind of running, I feel like I am running all over the place lately. Life gets busy in the fall and I don't even have kids in school. Today we stopped in at my workplace to visit and they are all shocked at how big Joel is. It was nice to stop in there for a visit but I am still not looking forward to actually working there again!
Recently we got Joel's Halloween costume. I always said I wouldn't let my kids celebrate Halloween but I couldn't resist! I can't wait to dress him up but you all have to wait until you either see him dressed up or until I post pics. His costume is hilarious. We are looking forward to Thanksgiving this weekend. We are having Joel dedicated on Sunday and Joel will have both sets of grandparents there! We are looking forward to having Mom and Dad N. here for the week. Joel loves having Grandma and Grandpa time!

I love food!

As you can see, Joel loves to eat! I think it may be his favourite time of day. We have no problem getting him to eat. It's keeping him from our food that is a bit of a challenge!