Fun at West Edmonton Mall

We spent a good part of last week in Edmonton hanging out at the West Edmonton Mall. Kevin was attending a seminar for a couple of days so the boys and I had fun exploring the sights in the mall once again. The first day we had to spend the afternoon at Galaxyland (the amusement park) and take in as many rides as we could.

When you're on holidays, who doesn't have ice cream for lunch?? :)
Of course Landen wanted what his big brother was having!

Both boys tuckered out from all the walking - if there was an extra seat I would have been doing the same thing!! :)

We had a wonderful time and it is a break that we all look forward to and need a lot!

More From Letniak Christmas

Our little performers

Kaitlyn, Jacob, Jenna, Jaren, Jonathan and Landen

Action!

All suited up now for the Baja thanks to Uncle Trent and Auntie Randi!!!

And he's off!!

Ride 'em cowboy!

Keesha's Surgery

Yesterday my poor little Keesha went in and had some major surgery to remove a very large slow-growing tumor on her side and one small tumor on her back. This large tumor has been there for the past 4 years and has never seemed to bother her but lately it would sicken me to watch how the weight of this thing would pull her one side down. And upon removing it we now know why, it weighed 1 1/2 pounds!!! I couldn't believe it!! She also had a small bump on her back that I figured if we were doing such a big procedure we may as well do them both at the same time. We did not get it tested to see if it was malignant of not........she is 12 1/2 years so to me an answer of that wouldn't change anything in the course of her life right now. We both just want her to be comfortable and by the looks of how she is doing at home she seems to be doing quite well. So now I am praying for a few more "healthy" years to spend with my beloved Keesha!

The NASTY tumor - it filled 3/4 of a quart jar!! It was about the size of a small coconut!

The incision site where the large tumor was excised from. There's not much dog under all that hair!

Such a precious face

The incision site from the second smaller tumor

My Dear Keesha

It is so sweet to watch not only the relationship between the brothers but also the relationship between the kids and the animals. Keesha is such a kind and gentle dog who loves getting any attention from the kids. Landen enjoys carefully laying by her, petting her, and giving her many kisses. On Thursday Keesha in going to have a surgery to remove a slow-growing tumor that has been above her rib area for about 4 years now. It is just getting to the point where it is weighing her down on that side so we are hoping that all goes well and this will help her quality of life in her last couple of years. We'll keep ya posted!

Enjoying the Warmer Weather

We have all been enjoying these above freezing temperatures and getting outside before our snow all melts. Jaren absolutely loves being pulled on the saucer behind the ski-doo and Landen enjoys being the one pulling Jaren!

Letniak Christmas Day 3

On the third and final day we bundled up and headed outside to take part in another Canadian favorite sport - ice hockey. We had a big disadvantage that day - the extreme cold temperatures and a very bad wind chill. The younger kids and us ladies didn't last too long, even by the fire before we had to go back to a nice warm and cozy house.

Trying to stay warm by the fire

Jaren clearing the ice



Don't know who's keeping who warm here....Landen or Auntie Julie??

Playing hockey - we do the best we can........no skates and I'm thinking the wrong kind of stick Kevin?? :)

That evening the rest of the family came over to our house for hot soup and cornbread so we could visit one last time before they all parted their ways the next day.

Letniak Christmas Day 2

This day was considered our "Christmas Day" and we had a delicious turkey dinner at Lawrence and Debbie's that evening. Before the dinner though we all gathered at the Hemaruka hall to get some professional family photos done since we had everyone there, along with Grandpa and Grandma Letniak. So after the professional pictures were taken it was free-for-all with our own cameras and group settings. They then played a little bit of discing which is much like curling but not on the ice.

Jodi and Landen

All the cousins with their spouses and/or significant others

The Letniak cousins - from oldest to youngest

(left to right)

The Letniak Great Grandchildren - from oldest to youngest

(left to right)

Great Grandpa and Great Grandma with all their Great Grandchildren

3 generations

Letniak Christmas Day 1

If you're in Canada, how can you not play a good afternoon of curling?!?!
Little cousin Jenna (from Michigan)

Landen not too sure what those rocks are for.

Jonathan giving it a try - gotta start them young!

Family supper at Connie's for everyone after curling. All the great grandchildren seated here.

Upon arriving back from our trip from Terrace, we had to quickly switch gears and get ready for company that had already arrived at the farm. This year we had a late Christmas gathering with the Letniak family and we were able to have the ENTIRE family out at the farm to celebrate. It was good to be all together and have some wonderful photo memories created. Don't know it this opportunity will ever happen again!

Marshmallow Roast??

One VERY chilly late afternoon my creative husband had the wonderful idea of going out to have a marshmallow roast with the kids on some brush piles he was burning. By the time we got on the ski-doo it was getting down to -18 degrees Celsius. So coat over Landen, we all piled onto the ski-doo to head to the burn pile.

Upon arriving there we found not much for flames but LOTS of smouldering smoke and ashes!!! Kevin found a couple of red ashes to warm up our frozen marshmallows to satisfy Jaren!!! We had a good laugh and at least some very cool fresh air!!