Josh is One!

A year has gone by since Josh joined our family and we couldn't feel more blessed! We love him so much and we've had a fun couple of days celebrating the fact that our baby is now a little man (yup he's one year old. You're all right - time flies). So here's what we've done:

Everyone knows that we are 'careful with our money' (some may say 'cheap') so the night before Josh turned one we took advantage of going to a local indoor playground called 'Let's Play!' because it is free for children under one. Hopefully he will get to see it again, but in the event that its a while until we frequent it again, we went to take advantage of one last free entrance. We had tons of fun climbing, crawling, and sliding all over the place. The reality is that Josh's smile and giggle while we are there are worth more than money can buy, so I'm sure we'll be there in the not too distant future - especially with the probability of several feet of snow and temperatures below 'rediculous' coming at us in no time.

While Dad worked on Josh's birthday, Mom and Josh went to the dog park (Copper likes Josh's birthday too. We've only been about three times this year. Before Josh we went more than three times a week. Copper is getting used to being second in line.). It was nearly 10 degrees outside so it was a good time to take advantage of one last outing in Edmonton. Hopefully Josh's future birthdays will present the same opportunity (unlikely).

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Lindsey and their boys stopped by to congratulate Josh on his accomplishment of being one and brought him a really nice abacus - never too early to start down a good carreer of accounting (Just joking Josh - you can do whatever you want when you grow up). It was nice to visit, though it was much too short.

We had the official party on Friday the 11th. Marie's family joined us for homemade pizza and cupcakes. It was great to have everyone together to celebrate Josh's first birthday. Josh and Dad had fun feeding each other the cupcakes and Josh was spoiled with several gifts and had a lot of fun watching all of his big cousins walk around. Josh took 6 steps that morning and is really excited about being able to walk - even though his excitement often brings him to the ground to clap for himself.

We can't believe one year has gone by already. For Josh, this is a big day! For us, November 10th will always be a special day because its the day that we first met the boy that we were told we never would. He truly is a miracle! He brings a special spirit into our home. He helps us come closer to our Heavenly Father and to better understand His unconditional love. We wouldn't trade this day, or any of the 366 days that we've come to know Josh so far, for anything in the world.

Truly, these are days to celebrate!

Josh's halloween costume.

Here is some pics and a small video from Halloween! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXbAP2yBw20 CLICK to SEE the VIDEO!

He GradgEEated!

Mark had his graduation this past weekend! It's very exciting! Here are some pictures!

A three day "Ironman"... for your Brain!!

Well, he did it! Mark has survived writing the 2011 Uniform Evaluation (UFE)! YAHOOO!!! We hope he "hit it out of the park"!

It seems as though the last five years has been leading up to to these past few days and now it is all done!(pheww!)

I can't explain the relief I heard in his voice once speaking to him when it was finally over. He exaplained that it was "very tough" but he feels "he gave it all he had". He has been working so hard studying and preparing for this exam and I know he has done everything in his power to be prepared! I am so proud of him! I feel like this test has stretched him farther than I've ever seen. It has not only tested his accounting/business knowledge- it has tested his confidence, his motivation, his work-ethic, his ability to balance his home-life, his time management, etc, etc. I even feel like it tested him physically... there were days he would push so hard, he would come home physically ill because he was so excerted mentally.( it's kind of hard to explain.)

All I know is I'm glad it's done for him. I'm proud of his efforts. Thank you to everyone in the family for your prayers and chearleading... he really appreciated and needed it!

Now we just wait till December! (that shouldn't feel long at all... kidding)

As far as I'm concerned.... He's a great "Mark"!

( I know... totally dumb and cheesy ending, but I just couldn't pass it up!)

Summer don't go! (a picture update)

CUTE... that is all i need to say.

The simple joys of a kiddie pool! It never gets boring.... and josh loved it too!

One of our favorite places this summer was the Legislature. We loved to go play in the water and play with a soccer ball on the grass. We will miss this for sure!

A night at the batting cages for Mark to blow off some "studying stress steam".(try saying that three times fast). If the whole "accounting" thing doesn't work out he can always go out for professional baseball. (kidding)

Quading out at Wizard lake! Josh loved it!

Sometimes we would go meet Mark on his lunch break and help make for a good study break! daddy is da coolest!

A "Glam" Fam.

Our first Family Photos! It was a lot of fun!

Fun with "Mum"!

Best paying job in the whole world!!!!

Fun with Dad!

Josh loves his dad and so do I.

Josh's tricks!

And most recently... I can now say "Mom" and then of course clap for myself.

(sorry it's a little blurry, it's just a copy from a Book I'm making for Josh)

Totally... WICKED!

It came!!! Wicked Finally Came to Edmonton! My life feels like it couldn't get any better!

Am I a little over excited and dramatic about this? Maybe. Maybe not.

I saw Wicked in New York with my Mom back in 2005 and fell deeply in love with its amazing music and plot. Since then, I have been telling Mark about it and wondering when he'd ever get to see it. Well, it came to Edmonton and we went for our Birthdays! It was TOTALLY AWESOME! We sat in the second row and I had goosebumps the whole time! Mark loved it too! I don't think he's as crazy about it as me... but that's ok.

Mark and I hadn't been on a proper date in a long time and this was sure the way to go. Josh got to spend some time with Grandma and had a great afternoon. Here are some pictures of us at the play and also when we got home. Josh was SO happy to see us! He sure is a cute kid.

Surprise!!!!!

To start this post out I have a picture of Josh waving to all of you. He has recently learned to wave and clap his hands, so he does it A LOT. He is so proud!

Mark is now 29!! Since he has been away so much and studying so often, I figured he really needed a night to relax and hang out with friends. Over the past month I have been planning a surprise Birthday Party for him and the biggest surprise was that I was able to keep it a secret! I tend to get a little over excited about things and I can never keep in something exciting which also goes for Mark. We usually always crack and open presents before Christmas day and before our birthdays... we just love to see each others reactions.

This year I decided to be different. I know Mark is too humble and wouldn't want people making a fuss over him so I figured it was better he didn't know. I spent weeks getting our yard ready; weeding, gardening, pruning trees, planting trees etc. I bought banners and blew up balloons for the yard(I had constant headaches from this). I printed large pictures of Mark to surround the yard (mostly to embarrass him, and it worked). I baked three cakes- one lemon cake with chocolate icing, one chocolate cake with blue vanilla icing and one cake to turn into skor trifle. We had banana chocolate chip muffins and oatmeal muffins (Mark's favorite) and a large cupcake cake made into a Calculator (compliments of Safeway). I bought a patio set and got it ready. I hid everything downstairs and did things only when he was out of the house. Each day I had to bake I would bake right after he left and a few hours before he got home I would ensure the house did not smell of evidence. I made curry, fried onions, popcorn, and garlicky food on days that I baked to ensure he had no clue. And it worked. Everything was Perfect! The weather was supposed to cooperate as well... until right at 7:30 when it was to begin... it DOWN POURED!!! grrr.

So we all ran into our messy garage and had a party in there! It was still loads of fun! Mark was speechless! He was so surprised and so amazed people came!( about 40 people came) He asked me who brought all the food and where it came from... I told him and he didn't understand how I could keep such a secret! We had a wonderful time! I LOVE YOU MARK HILL! (ya old man)