Grandma Great is really GREAT

My Grandma Gibb is an amazing person. She is somebody who I look up to and hope I can be like in so many ways. I don't know a more loving, kind, patient person who happens to have a LOVE like no other for BASKETBALL. She can shoot the smack with any NBA lover and give you all the up to date stats on any player or any team. Not a game goes by that she hasn't watched from begining to end. She doesn't get to come to Calgary very often so when she decided to come up we were all very excited. We celebrated her 87th birthday while she was here.

The kids thought we should put 87 candles on the cake for Grandma Great but we didn't have 87 candles. Instead we put on 4 (one for each of her children).

Dad, Grandma Gibb (Grandma Great to my children) and Mom!

Among many other talents Grandma is an amazing quilter. She has give each of her grandchildren handmade quilts and has now given her great grandchildren each a quilt made with love. She told my kids that when they snuggle with their quilts they can think of Grandma Great's loving arms wrapped around them! These quilts are her way of giving love to all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren no matter where they live.

Grandma and Sadie.

Grandma and Kailey.

Jordan, Grandma, and Carson.

Grandma you are the greatest!

The Olympic Torch Relay

On Wednesday January 20th, 2010 we were able to watch the Olympic Torch run right past Carson and Kailey's schools. They had a whole celebration with donuts and hot chocolate. Good old Lanny MacDonald (old timmer Calgary Flames player) was there hosting the celebration with lots of Olympic Athletes (past and present) right from our own community. Sadie and Jordan felt the excitement of the Olympic Torch coming and were waiting patiently to see it run past!

Finally it came down the highway and through the parking lot of the school. I have to say it was quite an amazing thing! It really does stir emotions of excitement as we gear up for the Olympics. It made me think about what an amazing opportunity it was for Calgary to host the Olympics in 1988. I knew it was a cool thing but didn't realize just how amazing it was. I wish I could back in time and relive those Olympic days in Calgary because I know I would appreciate it so much more!

Best Christmas Present EVER

We went to Utah at the end of November and while at the BYU book store Jordan's eye caught something that he wouldn't let me forget about - a BYU football helmet and ball! He LOVES football and spends most of his time playing football with Carson in the basement. For a tiny 5 year old he sure can tackle hard. Up until Christmas he didn't have a football helmet but would use an old hockey helmet instead. He had said he wanted a football helmet for Christmas but when he saw the BYU football helmet that was it. He had to have it and he wanted it right then. I told him no and he spent the whole time we were in the book store crying and whining about how he just wanted this helmet so bad. Meanwhile Sonya snuck off and bought it for me. I knew it was going to be the present of all presents Christmas morning and boy was I right!

He gave us just the reaction we were looking forward to!

Notice the Nurf Gun in the background - it was the best gift ever until the helmet arrived. The gun didn't even get touched the whole holidays!

Of course Big Brother had to help him get it on just right!

Once placed on his head it didn't come off very often. We spent a lot of time over the holidays at Grandma and Grandpa Gibb's house because all of the Gibb family was there. The ball, helmet, and uniform was always the first thing to be put in the car when we left home and he could never get enough of playing football in the basement with Uncles, Dad, and brother. After a couple of days he even figured out how to drink his can of pop without taking off the helmet (and not even using a straw). New Years Eve the kids all slept at Grandma and Grandpa's house. When we went to tuck Jordan in after midnight this is how he was sleeping!

Merry Christmas JJ - may all your footbal dreams come true!

Sadie In Cinderella

Sadie is part of a special dance troupe called the Peanut Group. They are 7 to 9 year olds that have been handpicked from their studio and work on more advanced dancing. The Alive Danceworks Troupe Group put on "Cinderella" in December. They had 3 performances over the course of the weekend. Sadie LOVED performing on the stage and being a part of the troupe of dancers. Lots of time and practice involved but she loved it!

Of course when you are performing on stage the hairdo and make up is everything. The more makeup the better! Her teacher kept saying "more sparkles and gems!" Sadie's eyes would light up every time and with each performance there was more hairspray added and more sparkles and gems!


The final rehearsal before heading backstage for costumes and "more make up!"

A quick pep talk for the peanut group by Miss Jen - their awesome teacher. She is the director of the dance studio and coreographed the whole show - AMAZING!

Sadie loved having the mirrors with the lights all around her. She felt like a real star! Here she is making sure she is beautiful before their turn on stage.

The peanut group stole the show with their adorable fairy costumes. The audience giggled when the girls all bent over to look like flowers.

The peanut group before heading on stage.

This was the best day of Sadie's life so far! She did an amazing job and stole everyone's hearts. Baby, you were born to dance!!

Happy Birthday Kailey

With Kailey's Birthday being on December 22 we always try to not let it get lost in the Christmas hustle and bustle. Grandma, Kailey, MacKenzie (her friend from basketball), and I went for lunch at Montana's. The best part is when they make the birthday girl wear the moose head and sing happy birthday to her. Kailey also likes the 3 mini ice cream cones. Kailey turned 11 this year - I can't believe how quickly she is growing up. She is so quick witted and hilarious to have around. She gives her dad a run for his money when it comes to the family prankster. She is also a little business lady. She has started her own business www.chickcharms.blogspot.com and has taken her school by storm selling these adorable necklaces that she makes and customizes for people.