Yukon Lewis'

Hunting for Moose

2008-01-07T11:39:00.003-08:00

Marin Turns 1

2008-01-06T22:00:00.001-08:00

Marin almost got to open her present all by herself.

Trick or Treat

2008-01-06T21:48:00.001-08:00

Marin our little red and purple fairy. She stayed home and dumped the candy bowl. Derric had the evening off (which is amazing - he most often works Halloween) and took the kids around the block. This was one of the first Halloween's we didn't have snow.

Princes Hazel and Knight Kaelen.

Derric was ultra excited as he bought fireworks on our road trip home this summer to lite for Halloween. The scenario: Secret agent Lewis lit off his first 3 fireworks in the back yard. Success!! the kids and neighbours were thrilled. But as secret agent Lewis was setting up his final 4 fireworks two Police officers on bicycle rode down our street. Laying low till the coast was clear Lewis returned to the back yard to carry out his mission. The neighbours were notified and the fireworks deployed. Agent Lewis quickly hid the evidence (in the BBQ) and life returned to normal. A cop car did drive down our road - but it was too late the packages had been deployed.

Happy Birthday Daddy.

2008-01-06T21:37:00.003-08:00

Derric turns 34.

The Long Ride Home.

2008-01-06T21:33:00.001-08:00

We put Hazel on the plane in Vancouver August 27th so she would make it back for her second day of school (school in the Yukon starts the week before Labour Day) and the rest of us headed back up the highway for the long ride home.Kaelen and Marin were great little travelers.

By the time we got home they were pretty fed up with the car. Kaelen wouldn't sit beside Marin - he didn't want to take care of her and Marin hated her car seat.

Highlights of the trip: 13 out of 17 nights tenting. - Derric's family bonding! Picking our own peaches. Seeing the Okanagan. Picking fresh corn on the trip home.

The scenery was lovey but I still think I am spoiled with wanting to fly (comes from having a husband who works for an airline).

You Pick Peaches

2008-01-05T22:50:00.001-08:00

As we were leaving Kelowna we saw a U-Pick Peaches orchard. The kids had great fun finding as picking peaches - more fun than eating them.

Marin on the other hand just wouldn't stop eating her peach.

She would scream if you took the peach away from her mouth.

A Look at Kelowna's Past.

2008-01-05T22:45:00.001-08:00

During our Kelowna trip we visited Father Pandosy's Misson. It was really interesting to see. Derric, Ruth and I enjoyed the visit. I think the kids were bored - but they did get to go to the water park.

Water Parks! YaHOO!

2008-01-05T22:38:00.001-08:00

Ours kids are so deprived up in the Yukon - no water park (well this is not entirely true - we will have one for next summer and apparently the water will be heated)Marin found the water very curious.

Kaelen just loved this hose of water!

Hazel found a hose with no water.

A Playground in Kelowna.

2008-01-05T22:25:00.001-08:00

After Penticton we headed over to Kelowna with Derric's mom and our niece and nephew. I have never been to the interior of BC and Derric wanted to show me around. The kids were fascinated that you could go to a park that has a playground, beach and water park!

Our little monkey.

Kol posing for the camera.Tia - the leader of the pack.

The Big Adventure

2008-01-05T22:08:00.001-08:00

On August 15th we ventured out of Whitehorse with our van full, pulling a small trailer full of soccer gear. We were on our way to Penticton for Derric to sell soccer gear at a tournament. It was a long long ride. The kids were amazing - but it was so great to finally get there and visit with Derric's family. Derric's parents, his two sister and the nieces and nephews came to visit with us in Penticton.

Marin and cousin Hannah. They shared a playpen.
Sometimes Marin won, sometimes Hannah won.

Cousin Nathaniel.

Kaelen and Nathaniel playing.

Kol, Tia, Hazel, Kaelen and Nathaniel.....this was the best I could get out of them.

Little boys just love water - especially when it sprays.

The weather was hot the day we arrived in Penticton but after that the sun would come in and out of the clouds. A cold moment for Hazel - but she just couldn't stop playing.

Marin just hanging out.

Look Mom and can Stand! - August 14th

2008-01-05T21:51:00.001-08:00

I guess it is time to lower Marin's crib. Here she is after pulling herself up to a stand.

I like to eat. I like to eat eat!

2008-01-05T21:37:00.000-08:00

Meet our little hover. She just loves to Eat.

Chicken Pox, Chicken Pox

2007-07-19T21:29:00.001-07:00

Hazel turned up the with Chicken Pox on July 1st - apparently she was infected the last week of school. Chicken pox were a breeze for her - she hardly had any pox and she was hardly sick. Hazel refused to let anyone take pictures of her pox - Kaelen tried. Well it is two weeks later and both Kaelen and Marin have the pox . They have not been so lucky. They have been very uncomfortable, very sick and covered with about 10 times the pox that Hazel had.

Kaelen told his Nana today that his polka-dot are going away - they have turned into owies and will soon go away.

Kaelen showing his "polka-dots". A not so pretty Marin - today by far has been her worst day.

She has sores everywhere - even on her toes and in her ears.

A baby shouldn't look like this!

Visit with Heather, Emily, Dana and Lydia

2007-07-19T21:04:00.001-07:00

Our cousin Heather (from Faro) came to town with her children Dustin, Emily, Lydia and another Faro friend - Dana. The girls stayed with us for a week while Dustin went to Marsha Lake Bible camp (overnight camp). Emily and Dana did a dance daycamp while Hazel, Kaelen, Marin and I hung out with Heather and Lydia. We had a great time. We went to see Ratatouille at the theatre. We went swimming, played at the parks, saw the horse show and test drove minivans (Heather has an itch to get a van) and enjoyed some warm weather. Hazel is now the proud owner of a orange goldfish named 'Sparkle'. Heather just couldn't resist getting Hazel a pet (amazing Derric said okay to it - I am still trying to get him to say yes to a dog).

Marin one hot evening

Marin and Kaelen

Hazel and Marin

Emily, Hazel, Marin and Dana

Lydia

Kaelen running through the sprinkler

Emily, Heather, Lydia and Dustin

Please Mommy Put me to Bed.

2007-07-16T23:28:00.001-07:00

Going.

Gone.

A Visit to Faro

2007-07-16T22:25:00.000-07:00

The family headed out to Faro on Sunday June 17th to visit Heather, TJ, Dustin, Emily and Lydia and for Derric to run his soccer camp for the week. Here are some highlight of out trip.

Summer Soccer Explosion - Faro Daycamp
(Hazel is in front row - 6th in)
Kaelen at playgroup.

Marin in the air
Lydia eating dirt.

Faro playgroup with Kaelen.

A clean cute Lydia.

Marin.

Kaelen dressed as a soldier.

Hazel with Heather's lizzard. (Kaelen was too scared to hold him)

Dustin

Heather and Lydia.

Emily (on the right)

A cold Lydia

We had a great time. The week flew by so fast - it would be nice to go back again. Only bummer was Hazel developed a high fever during our visit.

Kindergarten Graduation

2007-06-15T20:11:00.001-07:00

I can't believe her school year is already over. Kindergarden has flown by. We were so fortuante to have such a special teacher - Madame Lange.

Hazel at Kindergarten Graduation. Hazel was soo excited - she wore a real grad cap. It was my cousin Tallulah's highschool grad cap from 2 weeks before.

"The Last Day of School"
It took me until the morning of the last day of school to know what to give Madame Lange as a thank-you present - this picture.

Classmates: Heather, Bailey, Hazel, Dylan and Ewan.
(Hazel and Dylan have been friends since babies.

Classmates: Anisa, Gracie, Marya, Hazel (and of course baby Marin)

Happy Baby

2007-06-15T20:09:00.001-07:00

Marin just loves her Exersaucer. She especially loves to drop her legs into a sitting position because the saucers makes this loud bang noise.

Photography Time

2007-06-15T20:02:00.001-07:00

Derric , Marin and Kaelen helped me set up for my photo shoot last week-end. I photographed for Leaping Feats (a dance school). Hazel danced in a little piece called "Tell My Ma".

Soccer Season in the Yukon

2007-06-15T19:44:00.001-07:00

Both Kaelen and Hazel played soccer this year. Our soccer season starts the beginning of May and ends about 6 weeks later. They both really enjoyed themselves. Kaelen and his ball - photographed by Granddad.

Hazel with her participation medal.

The Fairy Godmother's Sparkles

2007-05-11T22:40:00.000-07:00

Hazel is performing in this years ballet production of Cinderella.
Her class is the fairy godmother's sparkle.

Hazel and her best dance buddy - Grace.

We refer to the girls as giggle twin 1 and giggle twin 2.

A Brithday for Kaelen

2007-05-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

Kaelen turned 4 on May 8th. We had his party the day after.

Kaelen and his guests.
Ethan, Adele, Bodhi, Joah, Kaelen, Connor

Kaelen was so excited that when Adele arrived first he opened his present right away. He didn't know to wait. This was Kaelen's first little kids birthday party.

Connor

Adele

Ethan

Bodhi

Joah

Anneke

Seth

Daddy and Marin

Cupcakes with lots of icing and a little cake.

Bath for Baby

2007-05-05T22:42:00.000-07:00

"Hello Marin. Who's that looking at you?"

"Its Daddy!"

The Great Easter Egg Hunt

2007-05-03T18:57:00.000-07:00

The hunt begins.

Happy Marin just watched.

and made faces.

Kaelen found a car

Showing their baskets.

Sisters.

Kaelen in the Snow - March 2007

2007-05-02T21:59:00.000-07:00

Hazel's Birthday, Feb. 16th - she' 6!

2007-05-02T21:47:00.000-07:00

Hazel with her loot bag of candy her teacher gave her.

Crazy me I invited 10 of Hazel's friends to her party. I must admit Hazel's friends were so well behaved.... I was worried as Derric was flying and I was to start the party myself.

We did a craft indoors (water bracelet).......

opened some presents.....

decorated some sugar cookies.....

then headed for the slope

for some spiny,

silly,

zoomy fun.

Sarah and Marin

2007-05-02T21:44:00.000-07:00

February 8th, 2007

Marin hanging out with mommy and daddy.

A Little Teddy Bear

2007-05-02T21:30:00.000-07:00

A Birthday Trip to Remember!

2007-05-01T23:51:00.000-07:00

This year we celebrated my birthday at Lisa and Randy's cabin - out at Fox Lake. Very memorable as Derric, Hazel and I celebrate a previous birthday of mine out there 5 years before.

It was cold outside - but the cabin was warm.

Kaelen found a view master to play with

Typical Marin - sleeping.

Typical Derric - tired.

Hazel cuddling her little Marin.

Derric just loves a wood stove - he had the little cabin just cooking.
This was the first time Marin could be naked and not be cold - what a treat!

A Cabin with a view!

Fox Lake ahead

Skating on the Speedskating Oval

2007-05-01T23:43:00.000-07:00

Whitehorse hosted the Canada Winter Games this year..... and the long track for speed skating was made outside. Derric was fascinated with the huge ice rink and would often drive by or take the kids skating there. Here is one of there skating days.... and wow was it cold.

3 peas in a pod.

Can you see Ed in the background with his water truck - he is making ice.

Our Little Teddy Bear

2007-05-01T23:37:00.000-07:00

Kaelen and Marin

2007-05-01T23:32:00.000-07:00

Kaelen loves to cuddle with Marin. Derric and I have sometimes found him snuggle in her crib with her.

Last visit with Ingrid, Cameron, Erik and Henry.

2007-05-01T23:24:00.000-07:00

On our way home from Nanaimo we stopped in at my good friend Ingrid's house for our last visit with them in North Vancouver. Ingrid and I went to high school together. It has been great having her to come and visit with in BC. She and Cam are moving to Ontario this spring.

Me trying to be a professional photographer and get a great picture of Erik (3) and Henry (1). Erik and Kaelen are only a couple weeks apart.... Kaelen really enjoyed playing with Erik. I am going to miss not having Ingrid so close.

A Hamster Habitat for Kids!

2007-05-01T23:08:00.001-07:00

During out visit in Nanaimo we got together with all of the cousins for a play in the tubes and tunnels. They were once referred to me as a hamster habitat and the concept has stuck with me....

Tia!

Theo - Derric's cousin Dave and Gina's little boy

Hazel and Makiah - Theo's sister

Nathaniel - our nephew

Kaelen and Kol moved too fast and would not let me photograph them.

Boxing Day - To Nanaimo

2007-05-01T22:59:00.000-07:00

The kids and I heading for Naniamo on December 26 - Derric stayed behind to work. It is a great day to fly - the plane was not even half full. We had a great trip playing with our cousins Tia, Kol, Nathaniel and Hannah.

Hazel and Kaelen made gingerbread houses with Grammy and Tia and Kol.

They had lots of fun eating them too.

This is Hazel and Tia's beautiful house (it was bigger than the boys).

Kol couldn't wait for me to take this pictures to start eating!

Kaelen getting his daily wrestle with Lucy (Tia and Kol's dog).

A visit with Great Grandma and Grandpa - Kaelen refused to get in the picture.

Highlights of Christmas

2007-05-01T22:45:00.000-07:00

Hazel in operation "OPEN" mode.
She needed to open all her gifts before stopping to look at them

Kaelen eager to see what Hazel was opening.

Hazel iching to move onto the next present.

Kaelen excited to get a "Cars" movie car.

More Car!

Our friendly neighbourhood Santa delivering chocolates.

Our little bunny

2007-01-08T14:11:00.000-08:00

This is me trying my hand at being Anne Geddes!

Pictures by Sarah

2007-01-08T14:08:00.000-08:00

This year we settled for pictures of just the kids.

It was hard enough to get the three of them to cooperate.

Two sister.

Kaelen tried so hard, Marin was just too hungry to relax.

Two gifts from Santa

2007-01-08T13:59:00.000-08:00

The kids and l left Derric and Marin sleeping as we raced off to the City's (the employer for Derric and I) children's Christmas party. This is us with Santa.

Hazel's School Christmas Concert

2007-01-08T13:57:00.000-08:00

Derric and I participated in our first Christmas concert event at Whitehorse Elementary. Here is what happens.
1. You and every other family show up at the school an hour before the concert and participate in tree decorating activities.
2. You run from class to class (well the kids and I did - we lost Derric and Marin at the first class) and try and complete as many tree decorations as possible. It was high stress.
3. Afterwards you struggle with a gazillion other parents over an endless mound of shoes and boot (Hazel school does this really neat thing were everyone removes their outdoor footwear at the landing of each floor so as not to get mud all throughout the school - good practice when there are few parents attending the school, not so great on concert night - kids were falling all over the place trying to wade through the mound of shoes) to find out that their are about 60 too few chairs in the gymnasium for the number of parents.
4. You hear your little darling sing out loud two songs en francais.

Christmas Pageant at Riverdale Baptist

2007-01-08T13:51:00.000-08:00

December was a whirl wind of activities for use. The day after Hazel finished her 6 Nutcracker performances the kids joined in our churches Christmas pageant.

The littlest angel!

Shepard boy (our should we just call him Linus from Charlie Brown - see the beloved blanket)

Our Little Mouse

2007-01-08T13:38:00.000-08:00

Hazel was asked to be a part of this years production of Nutcracker. Like all aspiring dancers she has started off as a little mouse.... where they ever cute! During one of the performances she announced that she would next like to be the sugar plum fairy (she's going to have to wait a little while for that).

Marin meets Hazel and Kaelen

2006-11-15T10:40:00.000-08:00

With the Norwalk virus going through our hospital there was a ban on children and non family related adults coming to the hospital. This meant that Hazel and Kaelen could not come to the hospital and see Marin and I. This was especially hard on Hazel. Marin did very well for being a preemie and we were able to leave the hospital Sunday November 12th. Here are Hazel and Kaelen holding Marin during the first hour of meeting her.

Its a Girl!

2006-11-15T07:59:00.000-08:00

Derric and I would like to introduce our new daughter.
Marin Ruth Lewis
She was born Wednesday November 8th, at 8:09 pm. She weighed 6lbs 4 ozs. She was 22 inches long.
And yes she was early. Just like Hazel Marin came 5 weeks early.

Trick or Treat

2006-11-12T22:06:00.000-08:00

Well this year Derric and I forgot about our pumpkins and froze them by mistake. We had to borrow this one off of Nana. Grandad came over and helped the kids carve (Derric had to work). The deal was they had to scoop the goop in order to be able to carve the face.
Hazel wasn't impressed.
They did a good job of their pumpkin.
Hazel dressed as a beautiful butterfly.
Look its Bob the builder.
This year the kids went trick or treating with Grandad. The weather co-operated. It wasn't too cold, but there was snow. Kaelen spent most of the time falling in the snow (he was so excited the get to the next house). This was the first year he understood what Halloween was. When he came in the door he looked at me and said "Mommy I dot Candy!" in amazement. His candy bag was full and snow and candy.

Lewis Family Photo

2006-11-12T22:02:00.000-08:00

I remember this style of extended family photo as a young kid with my grandparents as the center couple. Now my parents have the kids that are all grown with small families. I appreicate these moments so much more now.

Drivers Wanted - The next generation - volkswagen driving blue bloods.

Cute?!? - well......... I think that's a safe way to discribe these two peas in the pod.

A Venture to Nanaimo

2006-11-12T21:38:00.000-08:00

On October 1st the family set out to drive our Jetta down to Nanaimo and sell it so we could buy a bigger vehicle for the baby to fit in. This would be our first family road trip. I have to admit that with Derric working for Air North I have never done the drive out or back during our marriage and I have only ever driven out once to Vancouver. It was smooth sailing down. We saw bison, goats, sheep, elk, caribou, deer and moose. We arrived in Vancouver to hot weather (well hot for we Yukoners).

The kids and I spent the week-end with Derric's family while he coached a boys soccer team from Whitehorse at a tournament in Richmond. The kids had a fabulous time playing with their cousins Tia, Kol and Nathanial.

They picked apples off of Grammy's apple trees.

They flew kites.......

road bikes.......

and enjoyed the weather.

Auntie Jana invited Hazel and I to join her kindergarten class on a trip to the local hobby farm.

We went on a hay ride...

... and picked a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. The only catch was that the children had to be able to carry their pumpkin.

Amazingly we found a vehicle to meet our needs at a price we could afford. We are now minivan owners - Derric and I bought a 1993 Mazda MPV van. Our return trip to Whitehorse wasn't as easy as the trip down. We hit snow between Ft Saint John and Ft Nelson. It took us 6 hours to drive 377 km. We again hit snowy and slippery weather about an hour outside of Ft Nelson (I'm glad Derric was driving this stretch). Thankfully we made it through.

We stopped at Liard Hot Springs for a much needed break and play for the kids.

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

2006-09-22T18:40:00.000-07:00

Derric's soccer training for preschoolers - Air Sprints!

Bob the Builder

2006-09-17T13:31:00.000-07:00

Meet our toolbelt wearing, hammer slinging son. He's looking for a place to hammer his nails - anyone need some help?

Look who can tie her Shoes

2006-09-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

Hazel decided she wanted to learn to tie her shoes. She mastered it on her 4th try. It is amazing what she can learn when she wants to.

Puppy Dog

2006-09-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

This is a typical Kaelen look

Kaelen's 1st Day of Preschool

2006-09-13T10:20:00.000-07:00

September 12th Kaelen attended his first day of Preschool. He is in a Waldorf program two morning a week for 3.5 hour each day. The location couldn't be better - he is at Hazel's school which is kitty-corner to where my dad works. As Kaelen knows his classroom is upstairs and Hazel's classroom is downstairs.

I guess he had fun yesterday, because when my dad picked him up he was quiet (Kaelen is never quiet). He was also so tired that he lay his head down on the table to eat lunch.

Family Camp

2006-09-07T12:37:00.000-07:00

Every year our church rents Marsh Lake Bible camp for the Labour Day week-end. This year both Derric and I had the week-end off so we decided to partake in the fun. Sadly this was our only camping trip this summer with the kids. With both of us working more than full-time we didn't have much opportunities to play.

As you can see Hazel had a fabulous time at camp. There were 4 other girls she played with. She helped Derric and I pick cranberries, got dirty and spent her entire week-end outdoors.

Kaelen fell in love with the older girls (10-13 year olds). They were very kind and played with them. Kaelen came home dirty - his pants were filthy, he face was filthy and his hair was covered in dirt.

Derric and I enjoyed a week-end away from telephones, computers and TVs. It was really nice not to have to cook for ourselves or plan activities for the kids. We were also able to add some more wild cranberries to our freezer full of fruit.

Hazel's First Day of School

2006-09-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

Well it has finally come - school, a routine and waking up before 9:00 am. Hazel started her first day of French Immersion kindergarten on Friday September 1st. Wow was she ever excited. Her teacher is Madame Lange. There are 16 children in total in her class. She goes to school all day, 5 days a week. One of her favourite things is taking the bus to and from school. We are very lucky. She spends maybe 15 minutes on the bus to school and about 10 minutes on the bus home. It even drops her off right in front of our house. Yippee!

Hazel has informed me that her name at school in not Hazel, but Azel - in French H's are silent.

Kaelen in really enjoying having Mommy, Daddy, Nana and Granddad all to himself while Hazel is at school. He is not missing her at all. I guess he knows he's got a good thing happening for now.

Grammy Came to Visit

2006-09-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

We were lucky enough to have Derric's mom Ruth come up for two weeks this summer to give us a hand. It is amazing just how busy Derric and I can get. The kids had a great time with their Grammy. Here is a picture of the three of them on the Copper Belt train.

Summer Swimming Lessons

2006-08-04T08:26:00.000-07:00

Being in charge of the pool for the summer, I enrolled Hazel and Kaelen into swimming lesson for the last two weeks of July.

This was Kaelen's first time in swimming lessons. He participated in our first preschool level - Puddle Jumpers. He loved his teacher Jenna, and amazingly he mostly listened to her instructions.

Hazel participated in Paddlers, our 5th preschool level. Here she learned how to dive into the water and swim a entire length of the pool (25 meters). She found lessons very cold. The picture above is her shivering.

Cool Kaelen!

2006-07-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

Mowing the Grass 101

2006-07-08T09:50:00.000-07:00

#1. Get two pair of children's down-hill ski boots. (they do not have to be sized correctly - just needs to stay on the foot)
#2. Put ski boots on two willing children.
#3. Get out push lawn mower.
#4. Have children stand infront of lawn mower.
#5. Begin mowing lawn.
#6. Watch children run.

2 Hours, 10 minutes and Still Smiling!

2006-06-17T17:50:00.000-07:00

Derric and I whipped out to Haines Junction last night for him to ride legs 1 and 2 (58.5 Km) of the Haines Junction to Haines (Alaska) International Bike Relay today. Here is a picture of the mountains we tented under.

15 minutes into the Race and smiling.

2 Hours into the race, with a numb bum, a broken cable and still smiling.

Lunch Time, eh!

2006-06-15T16:24:00.000-07:00

Well, today was a nice break from all the scorching heat we've had over the past week. It has rained all day. Everything has become so green. Sarah and I took a "how to" greenhouse course and it is paying off. The Cherry tomatoes should be ready to start picking by the end of next week and we have 2 cucumbers that should be ready this weekend. Sarah along with her parents spent a day cleaning up the yard of our rental house. It has many existing garden beds and a yummy raspberry patch. We picked enough to make 2 batches of jam last year.

Take care
Derric

Surprise, It's a ?

2006-06-08T21:21:00.000-07:00

It is now official. Derric and I are 13 weeks Pregnant. I guess Derric won out on the debate that the world needs another Lewis. We decided to wait to tell everyone when my doctor ordered an early ultrasound. He wanted to be absolutely sure about my dates - my dates are bang on. We are due December 13th - we'll see if I make it that far. Hazel is so excited. Kaelen can't see the baby inside my tummy so he's a little confused.

Summer Has Slowly Arrived.

2006-06-07T22:24:00.000-07:00

We are madly trying to take care of the yard work and plant our garden. Derric has once again fallen in love with his plants. He diligently attends to his tomatoe, cucumber, and pumpkin plants and various flowers we have growing in our greenhouse. Hazel and Kaelen are having a great time outside. They really know how to get mucky.

Hazel at Preschool Graduation

2006-06-07T22:09:00.000-07:00