Adam's First Birthday

We celebrated Adam's first birthday in a couple of different ways. I posted this blog of course with some of my favorite pictures of Adam from this year set to music. As it was Friday, we had playgroup as usual and I made ice cream cone cupcakes for the kids at playgroup.



I also had a birthday sign, balloons, and noise makers.



After playgroup, the boys had their naps and then we played before dinner. At home, we had a quiet bbq dinner and opened some presents and yet more cake- this time a cake in the shape of a number one.



^I was hoping to get video of Adam actually eating the cake, but he took so long exploring it, I ran out of room on my memory stick and he had started eating by the time I switched sticks.










I had a special birthday crown (that I made for Ryan's first birthday- which I kept and pulled out for Adam to use as well as the "I'm 1 today" button) but Adam barely let me get a picture of him in it.


Before we opened presents, we did something Amanda mentioned in her blog on Amelia's first birthday.


^We did it twice because I was afraid he picked only what was closest the first time.
I guess it is a tradition that when the baby celebrates his/her first birthday, you place some objects out in front of them and whatever object the child grabs first is an indication to their future. I guess Adam will take after his father and be into electronics.
Opening presents- of course Ryan had to help!










All in all, I think it was a very successful and fun day!

Happy Birthday Amanda!

It is about to be Amanda's birthday. Technically it is already her birthday where she lives now. Amanda is my husband's brother's wife. She is the sister I never had but always wanted. She is a great mom, wife, daughter, sister and friend. She inspires me to be a better me in all my various roles. I am grateful that she and Darryl found each other and now have such a beautiful family to share with us.My favorite memory of Amanda is of a thoughtful care package she sent before Ryan was born. And of a family photo album she made for us the Chrismtas before Ryan was born, when they came home to Canada for Christmas with Kathryn.

These are two photos of Amanda, from this summer. What I really like about these photos is how you can see Amanda as a mom interacting with her daughters (actually I think both pictures are mainly of Amanda and Amelia, but the point is still the same-great mom!)



Darryl's mom shared with me a neat trick that she uses to remember her sons' birthdays which ironically also apply to the son's wives. The day of the month of birth of her sons (and her daughter's in law) are only one day apart with the oldest being born on the first calendar day (12, 13, and 28, 29- BTW this is also how we fall according to age as well, with both men being older than not only their wife but their sister-in-law as well). Then all she has to do is remember the month. We are all born in different months, but Darryl, Amanda and I are born in subsequent months, leaving Brad born close to our months but not in a subsequent month. But Brad has a distinctive birthdate, so that might help her remember as well. Then again, what mom doesn't remember the birth of her children? I just think the math is cute, and that it is weird that Amanda and I also fall into the pattern.

Anyhow, Happy Birthday Amanda! I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Maybe someday we will be able to celebrate it and thanksgiving together with our families.

Memories of Melanchuk Family Vacation'08

Now that the company has left, the pictures and videos have mostly been uploaded, I can now share some of my favorite memories from our too short but sweet Melanchuk Family Vacation of 2008.


Kathryn, Anita and Adam do some puzzles:


Kathryn and Ryan play with bubbles:






Kathryn the bubble princess:


Amelia at A&W:


Darryl, Kathryn, Brad and Ryan at the pool:


Adam watches Ryan sleeping:


Cutie Amelia with grandpa Lyle:


Family fun with bubbles:


Princess ladybug helps Ryan open gifts:


On a hayride:




Kathryn with Adam:


Kathryn with the rocking horse:


Kathryn loves her new "My Little Pony":


Bubble girl Amelia:


Laughing Ryan:


Twirling girl Kathryn:


Daddy Darryl and his girls:


Amelia interupts family pictures to sit on great-grandpa George's lap:


Ryan with the dog at the farm:


Amilia relaxing with grandpa Lyle:


Outdoor fun Kathryn and Ryan:




Smiling Ryan:


Kathryn and Darryl:


Anita and Brad:


Brad and Ryan:


Amelia:


Adam:


Kathryn and Amanda read princess stories:


Vance and Darryl crack up:



Our family on the hay ride:





Amelia on the rocking horse:


Princess Kathryn:


Ryan and Brad at the farm:


Kathryn tests out Ryan's bike:




And a couple of videos of some precious memories: (click the picture and the video will open in a new window)