Fairwell to Canada

We finished up our trip by visiting my adopted Oma and Opa. We're really not related to them at all but I have always viewed them as grandparents and I love them dearly. Naturally I had to stop by to show them Little Ethnie.

And of course we had to have some dessert! So good!

Their home is so quaint and charming. I just love it!

Having a crucial conversation! We love you Oma and Opa!

It was Great-G-pa's 83rd birthday. He went for coffee in the morning thinking he was 84 but when he returned he realized his math was off and he had gained a year. So he really turned 83. Here's Ethnie with the Birthday Boy!

She sure did love the paper table cloth.

Happy 83rd Birthday G-pa! We love you dearly! Thank you for letting us come and visit and spend time with you on your special day!

It was a wonderful and busy trip. We are super excited to be home now (and even more excited that the customs officer was super nice and let me across the boarder with my expired green card. I grabbed my old one accidentally, that wasn't fun!) We sure did miss Daddy and I have a feeling he missed us too!

Family Photos

 While I was in Canada I wanted to have same professional family photos taken. We have only ever had professional photos taken once and that was at my wedding. We were scheduled to take pictures the night before however a huge storm came through and we were unable to connect with our photographer. Fortunately Susan was able to refer us to Sherri with Capture It! and I absolutely loved her!!! She did such a wonderful job! Here are some of my favorites. Ready for a picture overload??

 The main reason for these pictures was to take some 4 generation photos. I just love this picture!!!

 Which is probably why I included it in both color and black and white.

 Ethnie and Great-Grandma Ida Heyden. Isn't she beautiful. I have always thought that my Grandma was gorgeous.

 Great- Grandma and Grandpa

 I have only seen my Grandpa in a suit once in my life and that was for my wedding. He looked so handsom it brought tears to my eyes. He is not much fro pictures but I was very grateful that he came. I sure do love that man.

 This picture makes my heart happy!

 I love Mom! She makes this picture!

 Don't smile..... It was super hard.

 They are so cute! This is what it's all about!

 Opa and Oma van den Berge

 Katlynn is so stinking photogenic it is insane! Golly that girl is stunning, and super sweet I might add! I have loved getting to know her throughout our recent visits.

 I love love love {love} this picture!!!

 When it came time for Chris to take his individual shots he smiled politely and said he wanted to take soe with Ethnie. He melts my heart.

 That's how we roll. I really wish Jakob was there for some pictures but that's okay. Once again a huge thank you to Sheri with Capture It! It was a pleasure working with you!

West Edmonton Mall

 When I first moved to Las Vegas all I heard everyone tell me was how fabulous the shopping was here. I'm not going to lie I had some pretty high expectations. Yeah sure the prices were okay, the first time I went to Meadows mall I was seriously disappointed I mean really... you call this a mall? I came from a city that has one of the largest shopping malls in the world. Even Fashion Show Mall looked like a McDonalds to me. Here are some fun facts about WEM.

 The owners are 4 brothers who came to Canada from Iran in 1964 with their father. The Ghermezian brothers turned the family rug business into the construction empire it is today. They turned undeveloped land into West Edmonton Mall in a series of 4 phases, the first one complete in 1981.  (source)

Unusual mall attractions include a skating rink, waterpark, bungie jump, miniature golf, an amusement park, indoor skateboard park and shooting range. There is also a marine animal park and sea lion exhibit with twice daily shows. (source)

 Until 2004 West Edmonton Mall held the title as the largest indoor shopping center in the world. As of now (November 2011) it is the largest shopping mall in North America, and fifth in the world. (source)

I absolutely love the pirate ship. I mean seriously how cool is that?

 Facts:
West Edmonton Mall holds records for:
World's largest indoor amusement park
World's largest indoor triple loop rollercoaster
World's largest indoor lake
World's largest indoor wave pool
World's largest parking lot
World's largest indoor permanent bungee tower

 (source)

  This is a new slide that drops you vertically down the slide! You stand on a trap door and you literally free fall down the tube into a loop. I'm just saying I would be freaked out!

 Mama doesn't like to show her braces but I totally love this picture!

 This beauty here is a fire breathing dragon. No joke! Once an hour he comes to life and blows out fire. H'es pretty cool.

Did You Know?
The length of the Mindbender is equivalent to 48 blue whales lying end to end
West Edmonton Mall's size is equivalent to 48 city blocks
Yearly visitation to the Mall is approximately 30.8 million
With more than 800 stores and services, it would take three 24-hour days to visit each one once. (source)

 I found a new hat shop while I was looking around! I fell in love with this leather top hat. If only I was a millionaire and $350 was equivalent to $15. It was beautiful and had a coordinating men's hat as well!

 Ethnie loved watching the skaters on the ice rink. 

It was a full day of shopping. We walked the whole mall and I only bought a couple of scarves. Now I'm sure one can understand why it's hard to compete with something like that... even in Vegas.