Rodeo Royal

Calgary's "official" pre-Stampede season starts with "Rodeo Royal"--some qualifying rounds of Rodeo (calf-roping, steer-wrestling, etc. all included) in the spring, including an agricultural trade show/display and the "Black Star Saloon"--featuring lots of fun country bands. We went last night, and despite the fact that I forgot my inhaler and allergy pills (ended up finding both at the Medical tent, so I was fine!), we had lots of fun watching the bucking broncos, bulls and the "wild pony race"--my personal favourite, where kids chase a small "wild" pony and try to get on its' back and ride it before the time runs out...lots of good clean fun! Here are some photos of the highlights...Keep in mind that Stampede runs July 6-15th here, and our guest room is first come first served--we'd LOVE to have you out!! http://calgarystampede.com/
:)

Work...

Just an update on "everyday life": work is going well for both of us--Dave happy with his role at Calgary Health Region, and me enjoying my busy busy days with the kids at Providence. Here is a recent "article" I wrote on the Providence website:
http://providencechildren.com/www/main/page.php?page_id=11

More Malcolm!!

Just thought these were way too cute...

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

xoxo

Spring has sprung!

Spring has arrived in Calgary--lots of tulips starting to grow, and buds on our trees! This weekend was beautiful: sunny and +15c both days--so nice to be outside again after hibernating all winter!

Moab part 2

Dave's Moab trip...

I (Dave) was Mountain Biking in Moab, Utah the week before Easter with a group of 10 others from Calgary. After a 17 hour drive straight south of Calgary we arrived. We had great weather, the landscape is unbelievable (like Mars!) and the rides were epic. After a few days in Moab we went for a change of scenery and headed to check out the trails in Fruita, Colarado which were amazing in a different way. Here are a few of the photos and I will add others as I get them from the rest of the group.

Welcome to the world, Malcolm Daniel--our newest member of the Jackson family!

Well they did it--and just in perfect timing! Joel and Janet are the proud parents of a baby boy, born this morning at 1:21am, at 9lbs--a big, healthy baby! They told us this morning they have decided on Malcolm Daniel for our new little nephew. I'm off to the hospital again for one last visit with the new family before my flight leaves at 3pm--couldn't be better timed! We are so proud and so happy for them--I'll post more photos as they come! :)

Happy Easter!

Here are some photos from our family Easter visits: Aunt Joan and Uncle Fred came down to Bobcaygeon on Wednesday for a visit; then Stratford on Saturday and Sunday with Aunt Judy, Lori, Kathy, Chris and the kids; a very brief visit with the Brewins in Grimsby, before heading back to Oakville/Mississauga to wait for our much awaited baby niece or nephew (to arrive any minute!!). I'm so lucky I was able to visit with so much of our family and friends in such a short time period...and so glad I will still be here (hopefully!) with the newest member of our family arrives!

"Aunt Kathy" and Madeline...

"Grandma Judy" and the Tiplers...

The Brewins

Aunt Joan and Uncle Fred in Bobcaygeon

Babies babies babies!!!

It is such an exciting time right now--as I've been lucky enough to visit a few new little ones, and have been around for the preparations that come along with expecting a new baby! Our cousin Lori had a little girl Dec 18th--here she is at Easter--getting so big and wanting to move around and be so active--amazing how much she has changed since our first visit when she was just 4 days old! I also got to see little Gabriela Millar at less than 2 weeks old--mom, dad and baby all doing fantastic! Amy of course is due in July, so we are eager to hear all of her exciting updates! We hope to meet Alexa Gorham at one of our next visits to Ontario.
Recently we have learned that our very close friends Jim and Andrea Bailey are expecting a little one at the end of October--we are so thrilled for them! Tim and Kirsten Hogan are also due around the same time--so exciting to have a new baby coming in Calgary too! As you can see, there is a good reason why this is "babies babies babies" right now--a bit of baby fever! We couldn't be happier to be a part of all of these new little lives, and look forward to having exciting news of our own in the future...but not TOO soon...in the future... :)

Beth and Maddy



Beth, Ines and Gabs

Welcome Alexa! (Congrats Frank and Desiree!)

We are so thrilled to share more exciting news from our friends: Frank and Desiree Gorham are the proud parents of a daughter, Alexa, born on Monday, April 2nd. Congratulations! (We will hope to soon have a photo of the happy family to share...)

Ontario Visit! (so far...)

Amy and Janet's growing bellies: Due dates= Apr 12th and July 12th--guess which is which?... (Amy actually looks much bigger than this in person!)...

Beth is in Ontario this week, visiting with friends and family (and keeping her fingers crossed that our soon-to-be niece or nephew will arrive sooner rather than later!). Here are a few photos from the family visit on Sunday...