Tribute to my Grandpa Enns

This was the tribute that I gave to my 90 year old Grandfather on his birthday about a week ago written and delivered by yours truly on his special day.

90th Birthday Tribute to Grandpa Fred Enns

Well first, I’d just like to say what a gift it was to be asked to deliver this very special birthday tribute today to my Grandfather - Fred Enns.  I was excited to have the opportunity to share with you all some facts, some memories and was especially thrilled to be the one to honour him on such a huge birthday milestone.  However, I must also disclose that almost immediately upon accepting the request, I began to feel a beaded sweat on my face.  I noticed my heart rate was rising, and the initial nervous butterflies in my stomach were now turning into full blown angry bats looping and twirling around in my abdomen.  Yes - I was panicked.   How on EARTH was I going to pay homage (ah-madge) to such a legendary man and his 90 epic years?  How was I going to compose something about someone so incredible into a birthday tribute?  Well, I don’t know that we can totally capture such greatness into a five minute speech, but I guess that because I revere my grandfather who has personally affected my life on many occasions I’ll say now that I only want to be able to acknowledge his greatness and maybe make him smile during this tribute.  

So, where do I start?  Well, let’s think about how old this distinguished gentleman actually is… 90 (PAUSE) 90 guys!  Just to give you an idea of how ‘ripe’ 90 years really is, I did a little research and came across this wild fact:

In July of the year my Grandpa was born (1925) a high school biology teacher was found guilty of teaching evolution to his students, and was fined $100 for it.  Can you imagine?  Wow how times have changed.  I as a teacher thought that was an interesting segway to the fact that I have always been so proud that my grandpa was a school teacher and then a principal and then a University Professor and then the Dean of the Faculty of Education at the U of A.  Both he and my mother Laurie had a huge influence on the profession that I chose. I would state that I couldn’t have loved my job as an educator anymore than I have and I can thank my Grandfather for inspiring me to become one.

I’m also always so proud to say (and brag about the fact) that I still have a lively, healthy Grandfather.  His toast to the bride on my wedding day will forever be such a highlight and special memory for me.  Every year, it has been such a joy to share my birthday with Grandpa Enns in the same month and to give him a birthday phone call on his day and happy to get one back a few days later on mine.  

I actually have a picture of us sharing the experience of eating my first ice cream cone in his back yard in Edmonton on my first birthday.  

It’s still astounding (considering the fact that he’s now 90 years old) that getting a huge Grandpa Enns bear hug after family sunday night meals almost hurts because those hugs are still filled with such strength and vigour even to this day.  I received one of those hugs the day that he attended my university convocation where both he and my Grandmother Nettie came to the graduation ceremonies.  I felt so proud that my grandparents - especially my grandfather, took the time to celebrate my educational successes.

But this is the type of man I have always known Grandfather Enns to be.  A man that we all know as kind, thoughtful, faithful, extremely wise but never presumptuous.  Much smarter than anyone in the room but who is smart enough to sit back and just listen.  A man who I find more and more relatable and easy to talk to as the years go by.  The perfect mix of leader, advisor and friend blended with a dash of quick-wit - but just enough - never too much.  Kind of like a fine wine…only getting better with age.  Please raise your glass with me and let’s toast to this amazing man!  Happy 90th Birthday Grandpa Enns!  Here here!

 My one and only shot of that day with my grandpa and it turned out to be blurry - that's ok though - I still love it.

Receiving a very special certificate from our Prime Minister Steven Harper

There was even a beautiful Opera performance!

She too got very emotional.

Great Aunt Lola, my cousin Mandy, Will (who is in love with ladies of all ages), Great Aunt Laura and my Mom!

A very happy birthday to you Grandpa!  Let there be at least 90 more good years ahead of you. 

Kate

XO

Will's 8 month update

Will’s eight month update

Personality:

He’s still a super smiley and social little guy.  He’s learning new things everyday (mainly from his big sister) and just wants to be awake and active all the time.  

Sleep:

It’s unfortunately regressed a bit again.  We were in such a nice routine and then wammo - teeth and a cold and a growth spurt all at once.  Will is all over the map with naps at this point but gets at least one big one somewhere in the day.  I’ll be working pretty hard this week to get him back on track with the regular two big naps per day rhythm cause I know how much it pays off if we stick with it.  

Physicality:

Will weighs 18 pounds and still has just the two bottom teeth.  I thought for SURE he’s be sprouting out a few more this month since he’s been a big slobbery mess some days, but alas, nothing has cut through yet.  JUST CUT THROUGH PLEASE TEETH!  

Here's a pic of his first bottom two teeth.

Food:

Solids are coming along nicely.  Will eats four meals a day (one of them is sort of a snack) and he nurses four to five times while he’s awake and once in the middle of the night…still.  He’s such a momma’s boy.  SUCH a momma’s boy.  As you can see below, he also loves his sister to bits and she knows it...

 'Where'd she go Mom?'

Me at 8 months postpartum

How are you feeling?

I’m feeling great.  This past week has been full of fun and birthday blessings and even celebrations for my 90 year Grandfather who was acting like a 60 year old at his birthday party!  The tribute to him went well (I thought) but I was not expecting to get emotional during the reading.  I had no doubt in my mind that I would be rock - but once I got up in front of all of those people and started to speak I noticed that my Grandfather (who was standing directly in front of me), was becoming emotional.   That just totally caused me to lose my composure and then it was a bit of a emotional mess throughout the speech.  Haha.  I really wish I could have gotten it recorded or something but Nate was out and about driving baby Will around in the vehicle for his nap, so he wasn’t able.  Anywho, it was what it was.  I’ll post what I wrote if anyone was curious sometime this week.

Any weight loss?

I’m at 107 this month which is up from last month so we’re getting some positive healthy progress here.  I’m happiest and healthiest in my ‘range’ so I’ll be eager to get the last few healthy pounds on and keep it right around in there.

Best moment this week?

My birthday fun!

What are you looking forward to? 

There is a wedding coming up and I’m super pumped to go.  The kids getting married are both LOVELY people and they are getting married at the most gorgeous location that I’m thrilled to take photos off (haha).  Also, lot’s of friends and family will be here so I’m just so happy that we’ll be seeing everyone back here this summer.  

Here are a few sweet shots of the two kiddos when we went out for ice cream the other night.  ENJOY!

I would put money on the HOPE that they're both left handed.  AHHHHHHH!!!!  Fingers crossed.

Singing for ice cream!

and chill...

Scarlet: "Mommy, I'm finished!  More PLEASE!"

Me: "Well sweetie, if you're done then you're done.  We have to save room in your stomach for supper"

 Then she gives her Daddy this face:

and he gives her more...

#proudparenting

My Dolly

THOSE LIPS!

She's totally left handed.  Just saying...

 Then Will, ok Scarlet give me that...

Have a great day friends!

Kate 

XO

So happy I could eat a flower!

Excuse the lighting on the following pics - we turned the lights off in the kitchen so we could really see the sparklers!  It ended up casting some funny shadows on us, but I still LOVE these shots of the kids and I that Nate took.

Scarlet loooooooved the birthday cake.  She sang the birthday song at least a million times later that night and well into bedtime and then the following morning asked 'Can I have some birthday cake for breakfast please mommy?'  Both kids were and still are sick but for my day (as you can see) they put on brave faces and didn't complain too much.  THANK YOU KIDS!

This birthday for me was a really beautiful, quiet, hot summery day which is all that I really wanted.  I got a call from one of my sister-in-laws and we were laughing about how we both would rather have a casual birthday at home versus a wild birthday night out on the town.  I guess this is just showing my age.  But the truth is, it was a lovely one for me full of little blessings.  The kids and I went to the park for a few hours and just had a sweet afternoon together.  Then Nate got home from work and we ordered sushi and ate birthday cake.  Nate and I will be celebrating alone later on in the week - we’ll do dinner out at a new restaurant near our house.  I received  some gorgeous flowers from him that totally inspired me to get creative - so I grabbed my camera and got going.  The typical stand and shoot pics weren’t exciting me in any way so I just NEEDED to do these gorgeous blooms justice.  Setting the shot up wasn’t totally easy, but the picture turned out almost exactly like I was seeing in my head so I was also pretty happy with that.  

Another fun thing that happened to me on the 7th was that ViciDolls (a clothing account on Instagram) featured one of my pics taken in one of their dresses!  I was told that they would be sending me some of their clothes to take more shots of and then they would continue to feature them on the account!!!  I was super excited and can’t wait to get creative with those.  Maybe I should eat some of the clothing pieces just like the flowers?  I’m sure that would go over well.  Haha

This was the shot and the full outfit deets can be found in 'Style'

Hope everyone has a great day.  

IT’S SUMMER!!!

Kate 

XO

It was all about the pool...

Lot's of swimming in the Travel section today!  

Hope you enjoy

Kate 

XO