Introducing...Us!

When Barry and Shantell wed in November of 2002, they planned a large family. This dream was cut short when Barry tragically passed away in January of 2009. His son was born months later, the youngest of three. Now, years later, we are making a good go of our family life. We live on a beautiful 10 acre piece of land in a brand new house. While I, Shantell, am a high school music teacher, I am, at present, self-employed as a photographer. I am setting up a studio in the four bedroom trailer that we used to live in, right beside the house.
The children are all in dance class and take horseback riding lessons. We tried for soccer but it was full and we are just starting with a community childrens' choir. We are home-schooling for kindergarten (why not, I am a teacher!) and all the children participate. We are therefore able to incorporate field trips and study projects outside every day. We have great fun and my three year is already starting to read!
We are all learning french together and I am starting the girls in music lessons. Schooling is their favourite thing to do!
My mom and stepdad live only a half hour away in Drayton Valley and my dad and stepmom are located in California. We love to visit there! We plan to take the kids to Disneyland this winter for the first time. They are VERY excited!
We have a great network of friends with wonderful children who come and play often (they love our place because it is so fun outside and we have the BEST playhouse!). This summer, we have money budgeted for a rocking playground and are looking forward to getting it set up!
We also spend alot of time in the summer outside. The television is packed away as soon as the snow melts and we are rarely indoors until fall. We plant our own garden (the kids already have our plants started indoors), and then make jam, baking and canning with our own delicious food. We can often be found at the Sangudo beach where mom, a former lifeguard, is teaching the kids to swim.
We are just a loving family loving life and dreaming of that sweet little one who may become part of our home and our hearts...