Me, myself and them

The Sketch Challenge

2012-01-15T12:56:00.000-08:00

Always love this challenge each month for Skrap N Chat...

Here is the sketch

And my take on it

And Jessica's

And April's

And Dawn's

And Suzanne's

And Jenn's

And Angela's

Sweet Nutcracker Suite

2011-12-30T16:34:00.000-08:00

When I was a little girl, I remember going to the Nutcrack Suite when I was about 6 with my Mom and Grandma. And this year, I got to do it with Mom and Kaylee.

While I had the best of intentions of organizing this and getting us there, I had left it too late but made myself a note to be extra on the ball for next year. But as luck would happen, I was given three tickets for the matinee, which was perfect.

This years performance was the Alberta Ballet, and it was beautiful. It has a very Russian feel to it and the set was absolutely spectacular. Kaylee enjoyed it (although the last 10 mins was almost asleep) and hopefully she is gaining an appreciation of arts. She did say that she didn't think ballet was super girly anymore and that she would like to give dance a try again.

I'm glad that we went, and will definitely do it again. It really is a good part of Christmas.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-26T18:44:00.000-08:00

A day filled with fun, family and lots of new toys for us all!! Santa brought just what the kids were looking for (Millennium Falcon for him and a microphone and speaker for her) with other great things like Etcha Sketch and books

They shared the day helping each other, reading cards together and handing out all the presents to my parents and my brother..

Many of the cards had special wishes in them, and some even filled with gift cards or money for them to go pick out their own things later (a favourite are the gift cards to the book store)

It seems as though so many gifts were a hit, it's hard to tell a favourite yet. The cameras were both a big big hit, and I'm sure we will all see the world from a different perspective! I can't wait to see what they take pictures of.

Dinner was an awesome turkey at Mom and Dad's and by the end of the night everyone was pretty tired. All in all, an amazing Christmas at the Heal house.

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T15:46:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas Eve. It's when the magic it at it's most and the anticipation is so thick you could cut it!! This year was a little different, but I really enjoyed it.

First we headed over to Nana and Papa's. These are one set of the kids great grandparents. Nana is a young 88 this spring and Papa will be 90. They still live on their own and have a pretty good life. I love that my kids have all of this surrounding them.

Afterwards we headed over to Chris' moms. Usually we have dinner with them time year (we rotate who goes where what year) but she suggested an afternoon visit which suited us just fine. We saw Doug and Leann (Chris' brother and fiancé) and then headed home.

A simple roast beef dinner, and a movie was on the schedule.

Of course, what is Christmas Eve without new Christmas PJ's?? A long long standing tradition that has been passed a long. I love my new cozy red ones, Braydon was thrilled that there were snowboarding dudes on his, and KJ is cute with reindeer and snowflakes.

The movie of choice was the Santa Clause, which helps explain a whole lotta questions that can come around Santa Claus.

After the movie we set out some carrots for the reindeer (9) and some eggnog and cookies for St. Nick. Then we sprinkled magic reindeer food on the roof complete with sparkles in them to ensure that they could find out place easily.

Going to sleep was wanted more than it seemed possible, both kids were a little on the excited side of things to say the least. But eventually visions of sugar plums danced in their heads and they drifted off.

Chris and I stayed up a bit later to see if we could catch a glimpse of the big guy, but no luck for us either so we too headed for bed.....where I had the same problem as the kids getting myself to sleep. Happy Christmas to All, and to All a Good Night

Snow Babies

2011-12-23T16:18:00.000-08:00

I have always had a love for skiing. And when I started the kids, they just didn't seem to have the passion for it. So I made the hard decision NOT to make them and just wait it out as hopefully that moment would come. Well this week, it did!! Braydon didn't love skiing, so he asked to try boarding. Ok, I said. Hopefully this will come easier than skiing did to him and we would get those days on the hill together.

Skiing on the North Shore can be a wet sport. But wow did we luck out with the weather. They had lessons planned for three days, two with blue bird sky and one with snow. Worked out pretty well I think. Can you see how big his smile is??

Kaylee did enjoy skiing, and was excited to have another go at it. She hoped onto her board and headed down the slope. She went from purple to orange and I know with a few more days on the hill she and I will be doing some bigger runs together. She did get onto the chairlift and ended the days tired but loving skiing!!

I'm such a happy snow person myself! The kids are keen to go into lessons again in the New Year and I'm hoping to make this a family sport once again.

I love wrapping

2011-12-20T23:22:00.000-08:00

I remember sitting at my dining room table wrapping gifts with my Mom and Grandma. Learning how to curly ribbons, how to fold the paper and how to make each one pretty. Maybe this is where my love of paper and ribbons came from????

Tonight, when everyone else was all snug in their beds, I went downstairs and wrapped for a little while. I'm not done, but it was nice to plug in the ear phones, listen to some Christmas music and wrap away.

We Fish You a Merry Christmas

2011-12-19T23:05:00.000-08:00

A long time ago, in a land just up the road, my Mom bought me a fish tank. The deal was, she bought the tank, I bought and cared for the fish. I thought it was SUCH a great deal because the tank was $200 and fish, well they were cheap.....right??

Let's just say, Mom's always know best right? Fish are cheap, sure. But when you keep killing the fish over and over again, it quickly becomes more expensive than the tank was originally.

The tank already wasn't doing well. I loved my fishes, but I wasn't a good fishy owner. I eventually moved out and took the tank with me, thinking I can do this. Set it all up and bought (more) fish. My friends called it the tank of death. I mean, sure an aquatic frog actually jumped OUT of the tank, we think in attempt to take it's own life. But tank of death seemed just so, well...

Eventually I gave up. But when I moved in with Chris and got all domestic and stuff, I tried again. All faithful, it was fine till my friend showed up at the house and said "you brought back the tank of death". Chris looked at me and asked what that was about. I smiled.

When we moved here, the fishes had all gone to fishy heaven. But when Braydon was about 4 he found the tank and asked me to fill 'er up. Chris looked at me again (this time knowing better) and said this should be interesting. The first few didn't' fair well, until I actually listened to Chris and added an air filter. You see, in my defence, I had asked what I'm doing wrong, and I was told that a small 20 gallon tank didn't need the air, so I never had one.

Well guess what. A 20 gallon tank NEEDS air. It's amazing how long fish can last when you start to figure it all out!!

So today when I got home, I noticed water on the counter by the tank. In hopes that I had knocked something liquid over I wiped it up, only to find more water. Chris looked at me (this time knowing that I could keep them alive) and said I guess you are setting up a new tank tonight.

Instead of finishing up my Christmas shopping, I headed down to Pet Smart to simply pick up another 20 gallon and use all that I already had. But of course, in true me fashion, I found a nicer bigger tank. I sent a quick text to Chris and he said go for it and Merry Christmas.

So now my fish have a beautiful 37 gallon house. The 11 I currently have will soon be joined by some new friends and this tank of hope should last me a long long time.

BTW - Bruce our shark has been alive for four years and seems to be thriving in his new home.

The Annual Heal Christmas Party

2011-12-18T22:55:00.000-08:00

Every year since I can remember, I've had a Christmas party. It started when I was growing up, my parents hosted a neighbourhood sing a long. Dad played on the organ, Mr. Lenord played the piano. The neighbours came and sang songs, drank the punch, brought Christmas treats and everyone got into the festive season.

A few years after I moved out, one Christmas I brought all my friends back to my parents house, Dad played the organ, Mom had out treats and we all sang the same carols that I did as a kid.

When Chris and I moved in together, our first Christmas was also as new home owners, so of course, the Heal Christmas party began. This year we continued on for our 11th.

It was a quiet year. A lot of other events seemed to be happening and took some of our regulars to other places that night. But while I missed seeing some, I still enjoyed visiting with others. Sure, I kinda wish I had an organ and piano in my living room cuz I can sing a mean Rudolph....but I really enjoy celebrating the season with friends and family.

This was a weekend packed with Christmas festivities. Friday a lunch at work, Friday night Chris' staff Christmas party, Saturday lunch with Dave, Sue and Gumpmom and Saturday night at our place. To say the least, I was pooped on Sunday morning, but a Bailey's coffee to start the day kept me going.

What's your answer?

2011-12-15T13:43:00.000-08:00

a favorite photo from 2008

My friend Vanessa had this list posted on her blog and I loved the idea. I hope you either answer below or copy and post it on your blog so I can read it!

1. The holiday season is: my favourite! I look forward to this time of year all year, and can usually tell you how many more days left even in the middle of June!

2. Snow makes me: happy! I love the snow, I love the snow more than most people for sure. I find it peaceful and beautiful and fun.

3. The best comfort food to eat when it's cold out is: hot chocolate with lots and lots of marshmallows

4. Winter is the best time for: snuggling in and watching family movies with popcorn

5. I can hardly wait for: Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. This year, Christmas eve is just us four, which I am really looking forward too. And Christmas morning is so fun with the kids at this age, they are really excited about it all.

6. When it comes to holiday gifts I prefer to: wrap them with pretty bows and ribbons. If I have time, I would love to make some hand made tags.

7. If I were to rate my excitement about the holiday season on a scale from 1-10, I would say I am at about a: +12. I'm a little crazy about this time of year and while that type of excitement usually subsides in someone my age, I don't really see that happening!

Merry Christmas, only 10 more sleeps!!!

Christmas Came Early

2011-12-14T19:04:00.000-08:00

A Christmas Elf snuck into my house and left me a present. What was really sweet is that Miss Christmas junior (aka Kaylee) was the first person in the house to spot the difference!

The Christmas Elf replaced my plain jane tree skirt with something pretty spectacular. The Christmas Elf worked very very hard over the past (apparently three years) and really went at it over the last month.

You see, the Christmas Elf knows how much I LOVE my stockings. And how much I know went into that so many many years ago. So the Christmas Elf found a kit to make a matching tree skirt and spent hours putting it together for me.

The detail is amazing.

The whole skirt is filled with gingerbread houses, Santa's ands Scotties (we had a Scottie growing up)

I know that this took a long long time for the Christmas Elf to finish, and that she did it for me because I love Christmas and I appreciate the effort and love put into this BEAUTIFUL tree skirt.

So thanks Mom, you are the best Christmas Elf ever!! And this will be in our family as long as the stockings are. Love you lots!!

The Stockings Were Hung by the Chimney With Care

2011-12-10T18:44:00.000-08:00

Putting up the tree is always a favourite thing to do. Little tight on space this year with some new furniture, but we made it fit.

Our tree is filled with ornaments, to too many Christmas balls. Every year Chris received a special ornament of which all are on our tree. He has continued that tradition with the kids and each year goes out and picks one up just for them. I love that that is a tradition he shares with them.

I have lots of my favourites too, the ones most special to me are the ones that my grandmother made. She for a number of years made intricate beaded stars and bells, and there are only a few remaining. But they always have a place on my tree.

Along with pulling out all the other decorations, my favourite to see every year are the stockings. My stocking in particular holds a special place for me because my Grandma made mine (and my brothers) many moons ago. In fact, I don't ever remember having another one.

When I was in my early 20s, I made the same type for my parents and surprised them with it. That was when I fully appreciated the love and time that went into the one I already had. When Chris and I got married, Mom made him one. And of course, in true family tradition, both of my children received them for their first Christmas. It may be years before they truly appreciate them, but I know how special they are.

The house is now (mostly) decorated. Getting close!!

Fa la la la, la la la la

2011-12-08T19:38:00.000-08:00

We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

The school had their Annual Sing a Long tonight, which was lots of fun. While the teachers have been on a work to rule all semester, it was nice to see that the priorities tonight were where they should have been, on the community.

The school gym was packed with parents and kids, and lots of teachers all singing Christmas carols and getting into the Holiday Spirit.

The North Pole

2011-12-08T17:52:00.000-08:00

When you work at a place that has something called The Peak of Christmas, and you happen to be a certified Christmas person who is raising two other such Christmas people, you can't have the season go by without a visit to the local North Pole.

This of course means visiting reindeer (in this case Vixon and Dancer)

Santa Claus

Ice Skating

Sleighrides

and lots of fun!

St. Nick

2011-12-04T23:10:00.000-08:00

The plan today was to go see Santa Claus. And once that plan is in place....well you just can't change it. So when Chris got called into work, we just kept going with what needed to be done, go visit the guy in red.

I'm trying very hard (and this is hard for me) not to push Santa too much. I realize the magic only lasts for so long, so I'm cautious with everything. I have two strong believers in my household and I want that to go for as long as I can!!

After getting the groceries and having some lunch, it was time to head out. Kaylee happily put on her new Christmas red dress, and I found a pair of jeans that didn't have holes in them for Braydon. Out we went expecting to wait in a big line up.

But nope, the one family in front of us was just done with no kids behind us, we got all the time we wanted with Santa. They sat down for a long time and just had a chat with the big guy. They fessed up they fight sometimes, but were trying to be good. Santa asked them to try really hard to be good. They both told him what they wanted - Braydon the lego Millennium Falcon set and Kaylee and microphone with a stand and a small speaker.

I guess when I wasn't listening, Braydon told Santa that there was a new kid around that he would have to bring presents for this year. You see, our friends Kevan and Kelly had a little baby boy Friday night, and Braydon wanted to make sure that Declan's first Christmas was a good one. Full of kindness that kid, makes me proud.

Now not that seeing Santa isn't a big enough deal, there was one more big thing in store for Kaylee. We've been talking for a few months about getting our ears pierced and after she knew a friend got them yesterday, I think she got extra brave and decided today was the day. After picking out some cute pink earrings, it happened. A few tears, but so brave. And now just a little extra cuter (if that's even possible!)

Back home, we took the dog out for a walk, and the kids were kind enough to let me take a few photos. They seem so grown up this fall. Can't say I'm a fan of that.

Then since we were on a roll, we finished up the gingerbread train to wrap up a good day of Christmas cheer.

What to do next?

2011-12-03T22:50:00.000-08:00

Well there is so much to do to get ready for the holiday season, sometimes it's hard to decide what to do next.

Saturdays for us is always a busy day. With two soccer games on and other things that always seem to be on the go, I was hoping to get a solid day of Christmas shopping done too. The morning went by faster than I expected, but I was able to escape on my own after soccer and get a couple of power hours in myself.

A few big items checked off my list (including finding a pair of ski boots for myself, oops!) the last thing I picked up was the gingerbread train.

Each year, the kids and I put together a gingerbread house or train or something. One year I tried to do it all from scratch, but that just didn't work out. And the important part isn't how it got built, but that it did get built.

So when I asked the kids what version they wanted this year they both clearly stated "it's gotta be the train, it should always be the train". Now lessons learned....building it and decorating it should be done with time apart. If you decorate too soon when then icing is still drying from the building stage.....well it falls apart. Step #1 - Saturday night build.

Now I had planned to give it an hour and start with the decorating, but on a whim we decided to watch ELF. If you have not seen this movie, immediately get yourself a copy and watch it. It is an awesome Christmas movie and I consider myself somewhat of an expert on this matter.

At this moment, I do feel that I should share the Elf Code

1) treat every day like Christmas

2) there is room for everyone on the nice list

3) the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear

Now this is particularly important part of my story today, because at the end of the movie, when Santa's Clausometer is too low for the reindeer to fly, and the people start to sing "You Better Watch Out", well my littlest Christmas elf started to sing loud and clear too through the whole song. She made me cry. There is a lot of Christmas cheer in her heart.

So tomorrow....well tomorrow is a big one.

Getting ready for the visit

2011-12-03T08:34:00.000-08:00

We've been holding back getting hair cuts for two reasons. One, we wanted to wait till closer to Christmas and two, well Braydon hates getting his hair cut.

But it was time. This is the last weekend before all the events start to happen, so it was a now or never, and boy did Braydon really need to get his done.

I was once given wise parenting advice of "pick your battles" and I have decided that hair will not be one. The longish style is in, some call it Justin Beiber, but Braydon says it's not. None the less, as long as he keeps it somewhat styled and I can see his baby blues, he can have it how he wants.

Now Kaylee loves getting her hair cut, so it was an easy task there.

So with a small bribe for good behaviour (trust me, we've had tears many times in the salon) the deed is done. While you have to look close to see that hair was cut on Braydon, there was lots left on the salon floor and I'll stop calling him fluffy for a little bit.

Next up, we gotta figure out when to visit Santa Claus.

Dear Santa Claus

2011-12-01T19:54:00.000-08:00

Of course, if Santa doesn't know what you want for Christmas, it can be a challenge for him to get it right. And if you keep changing your mind about what you want....well that makes for even more challenges. So, to make it easy for everyone, you need to write him a letter. And that was how we started December.

Know you would think with my love of Christmas, and my count down for months previously, I would have advent calendars ready to go. But even though I saw them everywhere over the past few weeks, I never picked one up. So before dinner tonight, KJ and I headed out and got a couple for the kids.

I'm pretty sure that this will be asked for for breakfast tomorrow.

The kids couldn't decide what they wanted, and it's been all over the map for a week. So we decided to start with making a list, then writing the letter. Since my camera was out (which is a great thing about DD as I've been lacking pulling it out) I took a couple extra pics too

Once the list was done, it was time to write to the big guy. And this of course didn't go the magical way that all things Christmas are supposed to. KJ started with "Here is what I want" and then was about to list all the things, while I tried to explain that she needed to be nice to Santa, ask him some questions, tell him if she was good or bad, and that she shouldn't be greedy. Well, when you are dealing with a six year old who is excited about Christmas, I need to remember that six is six, and work with that.

AFter some tears and a departure from writing to St Nick, a pep talk and some explanation about not getting everything, we were back at it.

The letters were crafted, polite manners were used, and Braydon even asked for Santa to bring something to Chris and I. Kaylee asked him a bunch of questions, and we will mail them off on the weekend.

Oh and it seems that there may be some peace in our house, the cats and dog are finally getting along (well not enough to get a pic together, but we are working on it)

'Tis the season

2011-11-30T18:40:00.001-08:00

Yup, me again. Maybe 2012 will be the year for blogging (maybe I said!).

Anyhow, along with thousands, possibly millions of others, for the month of December I will be taking part in December Daily.

The idea is to slow down, take a minute or two to document the day and journal it. You can scrapbook it, blog it, take photos, use words, combine them together or do something completely different.

Capture the big stuff, like visiting with Santa, decorating the tree, baking cookies. Capture the crazy stuff like staying up late to wrap cuz you ran out of "regular" time or how you go about hiding gifts from those who seek out in to find out what they are getting before the big day (Chris....). Capture the memories from the past like what was your favourite thing about the holiday season as a child or what was your favourite gift from Santa. And capture the memories for the future, like encouraging the giving side of Christmas.

So while I may not document it each day on it's own, I will document something about each day. And yes, I know that it's still November, but I have to start today because one of my favourite things about the holidays are the lights.

After working three days downtown, Chris surprised me and had the lights ready to go. So when it got dark tonight, we turned on the lights, and voila...the season is on!

Merry Christmas all

Scrappy Stuff

2011-09-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

For the fun of it, and to challenge myself, I've recently thrown my name in the hat to become a Bella Artista. Bella Blvd is a line of scrapping supplies and I've always loved their stuff. Lots of bright fun colours, whimsical without being crazy, and patters that cross from one line into the other.

I had to submit four unpublished lay outs...so while I would love to share them with your right now, I can't. Give me a couple of weeks and I will know one way or the other and then can post away.

So for now - here are some other recent lay outs. Shannon started a 30 pages without new supplies challenges, which is great timing. With Chris off work, running out and buying pretty new papers isn't the top of the list, that's for sure. And I have lots of things to use before I "need" anything (although there is lots of beautiful new stuff out there).

Anyhow, all of these are "old" supplies. Well, some of the papers were bought JUST before the challenge started (phew) and some are down in the bottom of the pile.

And now she is 6

2011-08-25T13:38:00.000-07:00

Birthdays are always big around here. And I love that. For KJ, the summer birthday seems to last a week by the time we get in all the families and friends in. In fact this year she celebrated Sunday to Sunday.

The day before her birthday, we were at my parents house. Dad's birthday is the day before KJ's, and anyone who knows when Kaylee's birthday is should know that. That is because when people ask her when her birthday is, she always says "August 22 and my Grandpa's is the day before on August 21st".

On the actual day, Kaylee got to go visiting with Grandparents, Great Grandparents and Uncles. She loved that. Queen wherever she went. As per Dye House rules, the birthday child gets to pick what she wants for meals. She got Grandma and Grandpa to take her to Wendy's for lunch and it was Sushi for dinner with DQ Ice Cream Cake. Mmmm.

The next day, Chris' Dad, Sue and Gumpmom came for dinner. Gumpmom also has an August birthday, so we always get together for the youngest and oldest family members to celebrate together. Kaylee's choice for cake that night, strawberry shortcake. Mmmmm

A few long days (all days are long when you are six) and finally it was her party day. Now KJ is just like me, gets so excited before the party happens that by the time it finally does happen, she's pooped. Her six buddies (all boys) arrived for a monster party. They made a monster craft, played zombie tag and monster lunch was spiders and octopuses followed by a six eyed monster cake.The cake was only going to have 3 or 5 eyes, but when I told the birthday girl that she promptly informed me "um, it HAS to have 6 silly", and so the 6 year old had 6 eyes.

Water balloons, aka monster eggs, were tossed after lunch with a little sprinkler time and me realizing that 1.5 hours would have been fine. None the less, they all had fun and the birthday week came to an end.

Six. Wow. That was fast! Happy Birthday Kaylee, love you lots.

All in the numbers

2011-08-15T16:19:00.000-07:00

30 + 5

I read on a blog about picking 5 mini goals and working towards them. That seems to be right on track the way I am thinking these days, pick something attainable and go for it. Be happy with results, because any result is movement forward.

So here are five mini goals. I will give myself two weeks to accomplish them. Someone remind me to check in.

1) No more fast food junk. I'm not saying no treats, but if I need to "drive thru" to get it, I'm not allowed. Now this goes with my 30 for 30 challenge that I am in the middle of (day 14 to be exact). So if the bottom half of my 30 days includes no junk - even better.

2) Clean kitchen countertops daily. Now, let's think of this...........will it be realistic? Ok, 5 of 7 days, the kitchen counter must be cleaned up and free of debris before I go to bed. This way in the mornings, I'm not starting my day surrounded with clutter.

3) Laundry goes into drawers. Sersiously, this is one bad habit of mine that drives me nuts. Laundry gets washed. Laundry gets folded. But not a lot of it goes away before it gets worn and then hits the cycle of needing to be washed again.

4) Purge the kids rooms. After seeing success at the garage sale with my parents, it proves more and more that my kids have way too much crap. So before the new school year starts, their rooms are going to get reduced in clutter.

5) Add 15 on four days. So this 30 for 30 challenge is great. But for the next two weeks, four days of each week will be 45 mins. I need more of a push and I don't want to get into bad habits. This is such a good one, I really want it to stay.

In case you are wondering what the 30 for 30 is........there is a group of us that have pledged to do 30 mins of exercise for 30 days straight. It can be walking, hiking, swimming, yoga, in fact, you can even include cleaning if you are doing it and breaking a sweat! The thought is that at day 24 you have done it enough to form a habit. And by day 30, you've pushed past the ugly wanting to quit and your body is now "craving" the movement, thus making you want to continue.

Tonight, some of the group is meeting to do the Hoskins loop together. We have a few bears in the area, so safety in numbers. Plus, it's always more fun with friends.

40 Years

2011-08-14T19:38:00.001-07:00

When pregnant with me, my parents bought the house that my brother and I would grow up in. That was 40 years.

40 years of birthdays, Christmas', anniversaries, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and 40 years of living lives. Good lives.

40 years worth of stuff. Some junk, some good, some memories and some "where did that come from". Today was a day to mark on the calendar, as it was the FIRST garage sale in 40 years. There was a lot of stuff.

I wish I had taken more photos...there was lots to see (I thought I did take more, but for some reason they didn't stick on my phone, oh well).

Some "treasures" included there two pieces of Mexican art that my Mom and Dad brought home from a trip.

And some things that my Grandma had up in her house, one cross stitch she did and one that an Aunt made. Not my thing anymore but I put them to the side and as it turns out, my cousins are thinking about taking them.

And our skis that we spend hours and hours and hours on as kids.

For entertainment today, this sweet kitty showed up at 7:30am and hung out with us for the process.

In the end....I ended up with a box of stuff to take home too. A few photos, a couple of tea cups that have memories and a couple of mirrors for KJ's room. Richard grabbed a few things too I noticed.

And Mom and Dad put a couple of things back - like the ugliest almost so ugly it's cool platter / tray that 40 years of family meals have been brought out on. I'm glad it's staying. Somethings still belong there.

Vacation 2011

2011-08-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe that I've been back at the real world for a week, it seems like vacation just happend, yet a million years ago at the same time.

We headed back to Madrona again this year in Parksville. I really do love where we stay, it's a perfect spot for the kids to run around and us grown ups to relax and enjoy the view.

Chris took the opportunity to head out before us and ride down to Victoria to cheer on Lynn Valley as they were playing in the BC Little League Championships. He loved that he got to take his new ride for a real trip.

Tons of time on the beach this year, our weather was perfect with only one morning of clouds and the rest full of sunshine.

Hit all our typical spots: Golfing

Coombs:

the massive playground:

But there were lots of kids around Madrona so we just to hang around and enjoy where we were.

With the wet wet summer we have had, the silver lining would be that there were no fire bans this season, so marshmallows were roasted, s'mores were devoured and some late fireside nights of just us grown ups were very much appreciated.

One NEW adventure we took in was MooBerry Farm and we had a ton of fun. The only people on that tour the kids got up front and centre with the cows, got to learn how milking happened and how cheese is made. Did you know that a cow eats 100lbs of hay a day and poops 65lbs out? Lots of very interesting info that day, and we will go back for sure.

Meeting a one day old calf was pretty cool too

We did have one unexpected call while in the middle of it all, Chris was called to say that he was being laid off. It did put a damper on it for a day but in true vacation spirit we moved on from that and enjoyed the time together as a family.

I know people travel all over the world to find the most beautiful beaches, but I know how lucky I am living a quick ferry ride from this.

It was perfect

2011-07-17T17:22:00.000-07:00

He couldn't have done it better. Really, a perfect weekend. A great way to celebrate a great ten years together.

We left Friday afternoon and headed to the island. We were the last car onto the ferry. Enjoyed the views of the west coast on the way over and were both excited about a just us weekend.

When we got the to room, we relaxed before dinner. The rain fell outside, but our cozy log wood room with beautiful views of the beach - there was no need to be outside. Dinner at 7 - our only scheduled event for the weekend.

Dinner was great, the muscles were the best either of us have ever had. We loved them so much we ate them the next night too!! After dinner, we walked back to our room, through the canopy covered surroundings. Such a beautiful spot.

Arriving back in our room, there were candles, rose pedals, roses and champagne, along with strawberries dipped in chocolate waiting for me. So sweet.

But what happened next, well that is what brought tears to my eyes. Before I knew what happened Chris was down on one knee presenting an anniversary diamond ring. Telling me how he loves me, and that while he didn't ask me to marry him (I asked him), he was so happy that we are together and that he is still in love with me and I make him happy. Perfect words, perfect surprise, perfect husband.

Champagne out on the deck. A really perfect night.

Ten Years Strong

2011-07-14T18:40:00.000-07:00

Today, Chris and I celebrate our ten year wedding anniversary. And I say that with a lot of pride.

Back in the day...when we first met at the mountain, he was big goof with loud friends and a party lifestyle. He seemed nice enough, but really not my type.

Then, in the late spring of 1999 something made me look at him differently. Still not sure what it was, but all of a sudden instead of our "hey" as we passed each other, it was "hey, how was your weekend". Then I found myself at his baseball games. Then I found myself hanging around the mountain top talking to him.

Then, I found myself on Aug 23 kissing him. After a fun night out with friends, and a conversation about what our pretend future would be like together, the irony of that all just being the beginning has never been lost on me.

We planned our life together that night. Two kids, one boy with the middle name Christopher, one girl with the nickname KJ. We would have animals, in particular a wolf cross dog. We would live on the North Shore, we would get married on a golf course. Even the people we said would be in our wedding party were. Right then, it was like a road map all laid out for us. And that kiss, that kiss made my knees go weak. It made my heart skip a beat. It made me scared, excited, thrilled and full of aniticpation.

Well, the rest pretty much followed suit. I moved in with him at the cabin on the mountain that following January. We were engaged in May, and married the following July. Fast? Nope. Right? Yup.

Of course, first up was Takaya, our sweet wolf cross pup. Then Braydon Christopher and Kaylee Jordan. Within the first five years, we fell in love, moved in, got engaged, married, bought a house, had kid, bought a different house and had another kid.

You would think things have slowed since then, but in truth, they've picked up. All of a sudden, it's ten years since we said "I do". Ten years of growth, opportunity, lessons learned, forgotten and re-learned. Ten years of hugs, kisses, cuddles and the odd disagreement or two. Eight of those years being parents together, including working through a miscarriage and then the blessings of Braydon and Kaylee. Diapers, late nights, no sleep, figuring out all the how tos of a being a Mom and Dad, and still trying to be husband and wife.

As the kids hit a new stage of life, school, sports, play dates and independence, it's another stage for us. Shuttling them to everywhere. Hours at a ball field, or nights at a school music festival. Dinners with four, fast and furious to get out the door. Coaching, leading, less cuddle time, more on the go.

The future sees no slowing of our pace. Busy children = busy parents. But through all of that, I am happy to say that parents are just one roll in our lives. Somewhere we still find time to be Kirsten and Chris. Husband and Wife. Friends. Companions, and yes, some of that other good stuff too.

All too often marriages fail because there is an expectation of perfection. Doesn't exist. Just a willingness to let the little stuff go and appreciate the good stuff as it sometimes happens so fast you may miss it.

The love of my life has surprised me with a trip over to Tigh Na Mara for the weekend, just us adults. I'm so looking forward to our two days together and reviewing the ten years of the past.

I'm lucky to have found this one, even if it took me a few years to really see him.

I love you Chris, Happy 10 Year Anniversary.

His new love

2011-07-13T19:16:00.001-07:00

I know he still loves me, but at least for now, this girl just might be his favorite.

He's wanted a new bike for a long time. He's had a stressful year and tried to keep a positive attitude.

He's worked hard and it looks as though his work will still be there for a bit.

So while it wasn't in the plan, sometimes you gotta remember you only have one life to live and you might as well enjoy it while you are here.

A little about KJ

2011-07-10T16:21:00.001-07:00

So since I missed a post or two over the summer, I thought it would be good to catch up on things as I go.

I thought I would start with KJ. Hard to believe, but my baby just wrapped up kindergarten. She knows how to read, she writes very well, she can spew off our address and....well here is no surprise.....her social skills are above her grade average. In grade four, that will read "if she spent less time socializing and more time on her work, she would surely improve her grades". Seems vaguely familiar.

KJ is the free spirit in our house. She doesn't over think anything. She acts and enjoys the ride as she goes along. We could all learn a little from her.

She likes to make people laugh, and will strike up a conversation with just about anyone.

Her brother is her idol, she has her father wrapped around her finger, and I, well I am the one that she still crawls into bed with for a cuddle whenever she gets the chance.

If you ask Kaylee what she would like to be when she grows up, she changes her mind daily. Sometimes it's an artist (like me she says, melts my heart!). She also wants to be a baseball coach like her Daddy. She can be whatever she wants, but I'm not in a rush for her to grow up.

We went for a "summer" hair cut today. She cut off about 3 inches. She's adorable (as always) - but that much more big girl and not little girl. The hair dresser asked her how old she was and she said "I'm five, but I'm pretty much six". Guess so.

Back to Blogging - Welcome to Summer 2011

2011-07-03T18:32:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm back. I never meant to leave really, but honestly - I've never had SUCH a busy spring that I needed to drop a few things. This was one. Laundry was the other :)

But now it's the lazy days of summer (so they say) and I thought that I just couldn't let another whole season go without documentation. So I'm back.

Summer here really always starts for me the July long weekend. Mainly because it's the first weekend without school, all the sports are done, it's Canada Day and it's Chris' birthday.

Summer here of course means the pool. Ahhh the pool.

Summer here also means baseball. Yes, the kids have actually finished for the season, but we still take in lots of games. Especially since Chris' roll as the president...and that Brianna is playing in the all stars

Yes, the good old days of summer..........means ice cream

and being creative with our time

and like I said, birthday celebrations

Back to the being creative, I didn't have any wrapping paper for Chris' gifts, so the kids drew on theirs. Braydon took a lot of time on his, pretty proud of what he did (Chris was impressed too)

One other thing that means summer to me are bugs. Now I'm not your typical girl - I kind like bugs. This summer, I've NEVER seen SO many caterpillars. I love caterpillars, always have. Richard and I would hunt and hunt for them, maybe be as so lucky as to find one or two a year. But this year, I see three or four a day!!

They of course turn into butterflies

Braydon thought he found a green lady bug, but apparently it's a spotted cucumber beetle

So now I prepare myself to return to work tomorrow morning. The kids are heading to bike camp which they are excited about. Chris figures that work is over this week, and that he will be laid off for a bit, but we will see.

All in all, glad that summer (and blogging) are back!

A Week of Purrr Fun

2011-02-15T07:18:00.000-08:00

Well it's been just over a week with Raven and Hawk, and all is well. Ok, the dog and kittens aren't napping together, but we are getting there. Last night Takaya and Raven lied next to eat other a foot away, no gate. The only time it got exciting was when I went to close the door and needed to move everyone.

Each day, the kittens get to explore new parts of the house. The kids are LOVING having these small things around and I cannot believe how the kittens just let them do stuff (gentle stuff) to them. Raven especially. Hawk has calmed a lot, and I know with another week of trust, she'll be just fine. Her purr loudness level is up about six notches already.

On Saturday night, we let the kids have a "sleepover" with the kittens in the basement. KJ was tickeled pink to wake up with a kitten next to her. Seeing her with easy going cats has been really good - she actually has been a bit hesitant to pick them up. She has never been able to "play" with a cat, so having two has been awesome.

Watching Raven and Hawk play is fun in itself. My vet friend said it would be "more fun than a barrel of monkeys". He wasn't wrong.

I hope a few more days and gates can go down and dogs and cats can live in harmony. Something that hasn't happened in this house in over five years.

On this day of love...

2011-02-14T15:44:00.000-08:00

I am thinking about marriage. What ones work, what ones don't. Why does mine?

I just head from a friend that her 10 year marriage is over. Apparently it's not been in good sorts for a few years, something that came as a surprise to me. I also heard that another friend of mine just got engaged, not someone I would have thought was looking for that "ever after". I guess you can't predict everything.

So where does my marriage stand? Good. A work in progress, but that is what it's all about. I didn't marry Mr. Romantic, but I truely believe I married my soul mate. Because he doesn't allow me to settle. He doesn't give in, or give up on me. He challenges me, makes me laugh, frustrates me, and loves me for who I am.

Sure, there are moments that I wonder when the flowers might arrive as a surprise to my office. And maybe one day they just might. But if they don't - I still know he loves me. How? As sick as he is, he just walked the dog in the rain so I didn't have to. He said "go" when I found two new kittens to bring home. He said "just do it" when my puppy was sick and I knew it wasn't going to be cheap. He keeps buying my scrapbooking stuff cuz he knows it makes me happy.

And really, in a day and age where more marriages seem to fail than succeed - I am happy to say we are succeeding. And I am confident that will continue, because we both know each other is worth it.

So Happy Valentine's Chris - I love you.

Takaya

2011-02-07T22:25:00.001-08:00

Today has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster. And while we don't have a final answer, I am feeling a bit more at ease than I did this morning.

After almost of 24 hours of her not being able to keep anything down, the sound of her snoring right now is incredibly peaceful. She spent the day in the hosipital, on IV and drugs, and while the diagnosis isn't totally sure, it at least doesn't seem to be the end.

I know at the old age of ten, her years around are less than more. But I'm not ready to see her go - not yet. Aside from this bout, she's in pretty good shape for an old girl. She's been with me through everything. She was our first family member, and came to us right after we bought our first place. The kids adore her, she is Chris' daily pal for his walk. It would be lonely without her.

So while she needs to go back for a little more care tomorrow, I am optamistic that she is on the mend and hopeful that this is just a blip in her world.

Babies back in the house

2011-02-05T18:28:00.000-08:00

I knew it would not be long before we got another cat. In my life, I have lived a total of five weeks without one. Five long weeks. That was from the moment I moved out of my parents house until my room mate got Madison. Maddie and I were buddies, in fact, I was the only one Madison liked. So when Lia moved out, her "gift" to me was the cat.

Madison and I did a lot of growing up together, and when she died at the well lived age of 16, it was a tough good bye.

Harley came along just over a month later. She was a nice cat, but try as we did - she never fit in. And while I was sad to see her go, I knew it would not be long before a new furry friend came along.

I've been stalking all the kitten sites. Watching, waiting. Chris was ok with getting a new cat, and even agreed to getting two kittens. He wanted to wait a bit, but knew when I found two black kittens, well let's just say I got my Valentine's gift early.

So as of this afternoon, we have officially welcomed Raven and Hawk into our lives. While I picked the names (kinda going with the theme like Takaya) the kids decided who was who. And in the six short hours we've had them, it seems like the right names went to the right cat.

Raven - who is a little larger and a little fluffier than her sister is the trickster of the two. A little more bold, and seemingly the dominate of the two, she's goofy and silly. Her purr is loud like a Raven and I am sure she will be the one who loves everyone.

Hawk, the smaller and shorter hair kitten is a bit shy, watches from her post and attacks her sister from the side when she is least expecting it. Her purr is soft and she is slower to trust. She will be the most loyal, but to whom - well it's too early.

I am happy to have babies in my life again - this is the first time ever than I've been able to get two at once. Something tells me it's going to be more than I expected, but double the fun!

A Scrappy Weekend

2011-02-04T13:03:00.001-08:00

Last weekend, Skrap N Chat celebrated our two year birthday!! TWO YEARS! I can't believe it's been that long that fast, but it has!

We celebrated with a crop, naturally, and the girls totally rocked the gallery with great creations. I got to play along too, which I loved because - well let's face it, I like to scrap. Here is what I came up with:

Happy Birthday Skrap N Chat - it's been a great couple of years and I am looking to even more fun in the future!!

My Favorite Time of the Day

2011-01-25T23:01:00.001-08:00

Is now. It's 11:06, and really I should be in bed. Especially since sleep was lacking the last few nights.

But it's nights like tonight that I get a little me time in. Kids and Chris are asleep. I already crawled into bed, but as soon as the snoring started, I crawled out.

I check creative blogs - scrapbooking blogs, photography blogs, cooking ones. I lurk through facebook. I catch up on stuff that my normal life is just too busy to check out.

I'm sitting here in a peaceful house. Some laundry got done. Some dishes got done. Even the oven got cleaned. Life is good right now.

PS - when I was taking a pic on the i photo, I always check out to see what the kids have done. Every once in awhile they re-find the feature and take pics of themselves. Kinda cool to see what they do and how they act without a grown ups influence. The Braydon photo is recent, but the KJ photo is old. Both adorable in their own right I thought I would share them.

this is

2011-01-23T19:05:00.001-08:00

Thanks Harley

2011-01-23T16:19:00.001-08:00

Our time together wasn't long, but thanks for the cuddles along the way.

Some days are tougher than others

2011-01-20T20:07:00.000-08:00

This baby is all grown up. I love him more every day.

But as he gets older, he has the ability to frustrate me more too. You see he and I are a lot alike and because of that, we tend to butt heads.

Like tonight. He's getting into an "I don't like baths" stage. Tough - he still needs to have them. They don't have to be long, but they must include soap, water and the hair must be washed. If that takes 1 min - fine. If that - like tonight- takes an hour - so be it.

Every ounce of him fought it. After figuring out that just telling me he wasn't washing his hair wasn't working, he came up with his ear hurting. I spoke calmly, I took deep breaths, but I stuck to my guns.

Then the water was cold. Tough. He could get out when his hair was washed.

Finally, at the hour mark - when I was well past going in and talking to him about anything - Chris pops his head in, and within seconds Braydon is washing his hair. He doesn't dare argue with his Dad like he will with me. I know it's a Mom vs. Dad thing. I know that. It was the same for me growing up. Push Mom to the outer limits, but don't do the same with Dad.

So this sweet little boy is all grown up. And we have a long way to keep working on how to deal with each others stubbornness. Chances are, it will be a work in progress.

A quick photo challenge

2011-01-20T11:02:00.000-08:00

I love photography, and would love to get better at it. One site that I get a ton of inspiration from is from Shutter Sisters

When I saw a photo yesterday of the heart shaped marshmallows, I thought I would send a quick photo challenge out to the SkrapNChat girls.

Take a photo of a beverage. Simple. Here is one, I plan to take more.

Homemade Goodness

2011-01-16T20:21:00.000-08:00

My house smells yummy right now. Banana bread always smells delicious.

And I'm prepping some asparagus soup for the rest of the week too. Potatoes and asparagus. Mmm.

It's been an emotional weekend here so the smells are extra nice tonight. Harley has some health issues and we need to make some choices. I know I'm an adult, but I hate making grown up choices. (Thanks Mom for listening today, and for offering your help). For now, we continue with the meds and see what happens.

And have some banana bread.

The Sketch Challenge

2011-01-15T15:10:00.001-08:00

Each month at Skrap N Chat - we offer up a sketch challenge on the 15th. This month, I picked this sketch from Creative Scrappers

The design team each does an example, and then the rest of the members have their go at it. This was my take.

And Suzanne's

Dawn's

And this month our Guest Design Team member Tash

My Personal Shopper

2011-01-13T22:33:00.000-08:00

This crazy lady is an un-likely friend.

Suzanne and I first met about five years ago on a scrapbooking site called Kindred Creations. It was my first scrapping web site to visit, and I was hesitant about even being on there. But the women seemed friendly and WOW, did it do a lot for my scrapping ability.

Suzanne was very nice on the boards, and I loved her Hawaii album. She mentioned that she would be traveling to Vancouver, and that started our true friendship. I invited her and her husband to Grouse, but unfortunately I wasn't really able to spend any time with them (I regret not trying harder). When we met in person, we just clicked.

Just over a year later, Suzanne was the most gracious host when I went to Utah to CKU. Not only did she offer her home to stay in, but she was a ton of fun the whole weekend. We call each other our Internet girl friends and chat daily. If you picked the two of us out in a crowd you probably wouldn't put us together - different life stages, different backgrounds, different lots of stuff, but I adore her.

As you know, I was impressed by the beauty of Utah and hope to return one day soon. Along with the dessert mountain terrain - these lucky ladies have a kazillion scrapbooking stores around them. And not just stores, warehouses. In fact, I think scrapbooking may have just been invented in Utah!

Each year, American Crafts has a huge warehouse sale in December. For the past two years, I asked if Suzanne wouldn't mind picking me up stuff. She knows my style, knows what I like and I trust her to be my personal shopper. I give her a budget range, and let her go. The stuff that she can get me, for the prices.....well let's just say that the $40 she spent this year would have cost me well over $200. Well over.

Plus she threw in a couple extras for me, just because that is who she is. Sweet Suzanne! Thanks Suzie Q, I LOVE the stuff.

355 more to go

2011-01-10T22:42:00.000-08:00

I will fully admit that I stole this idea from my friend Jenn. Thanks Jenn!!

Since picking my word "motion" I have done a lot of thinking. About what I want to accomplish with this word. What results I want to see. And how I will make this word work with me. For me. For the year.

So a simple way is to put a list together, a list of things that I want to make happen. The "motion" is the action part.

#1 - De-clutter. Specifically all the crap that seems to have surrounded me in my house. If we move, then I have too much stuff to move. If we stay, then I have too much stuff to stay. I am going on a purge mission.

#2 - Play more. I so enjoyed getting out on the hill yesterday, I want to do that more. I've really enjoyed playing with the kids games with them, classics like battleship and perfection. Less TV. More Play.

#3 - Exercise. Be it skiing. Wii. Walking. I need to get more of it. All of it.

#4 - Document more. Blog. Photo. Whatever. Document.

#5 - Date more. Date my husband. Some nights go out without the kids. Some night, plan a date for when they have gone to bed. Date my kids - we always have fun when we have one on one time.

Just a list of five for now. Let's check back and see how those are going.

I Knew This About Him

2011-01-10T21:58:00.001-08:00

I married my opposite. I knew that.

I married a man who over thinks things. I knew that.

I married a man who is quiet. I knew that.

I married a hard worker. I knew that.

I married a stubborn man. I knew that.

I married a man who needed to learn what good relationships were all about. I knew that.

I married a man with a huge heart. I knew that.

I married a man who wasn't as sure as I was about having kids. I knew that.

But what I also knew, and he now gets - is what an awesome Dad he would be.

And when KJ got this quiet, over thinking, tired guy to dance around the kitchen like he too was a five year old, the only smile bigger than his and hers was mine.

I married a great guy. I knew that.

A shared passion

2011-01-09T21:28:00.000-08:00

Onto the hill we go.

While I always said that I would have skiing kids, I have to say that I haven't done a great job of raising them. See when you only have one weekend day away from the mountain, it doesn't really make you want to go there for the other one.

But this year, this year I don't work weekends. So this year, the kids are hitting the slopes.

Braydon has skied a few times before, but I want him to have a few lessons. To build his confidence the right way. He thinks he can ski. What he has a hard time with is slowing down to actually build the right skills to ski properly. I took him down the Cut a couple years ago, and it was too much too fast. Now I want someone he will listen to do the same thing - then I will take him again.

He had a good time, but was pretty tired afterwards!

Now KJ, she was sooooo excited all week. This was her first time, and she wanted to ski so badly.

When I picked her up after her lesson - her response was just what I wanted "AWESOME MOM".

Both kids are keen to go back again next week, and I told them that I would have a special ski date with each one after a couple more lessons. I can't wait!!

While they were off on their lessons, I got to do some turns with my baby brother. We don't get to ski very often anymore, so it was a nice treat too! Even better when he said I had nice turns!!

My body is a bit sore today...guess that's what motion does to these old legs. Looking forward to getting back at it again soon. Even Chris' interest seems to be peaked!

An Alteration of Word Choice

2011-01-06T23:11:00.001-08:00

Movement is a good word, but Motion is better.

Motion (n): A state of progression from one place to another.

My word needed a direction, motion has that. Motion forward.

I have also just joined in on an on-line class with Ali Edwards, tracking, journalling and documenting my word. This will help me stay on track, and a great way to look back on the year.

Another Chilly Day

2011-01-03T11:37:00.000-08:00

The weather all week has been beautiful, clear and crisp. Chilly really. The fog rolled into the waterfront this morning, and we ventured for a walk down by the terminals. We used to come here all the time, Takaya would swim forever and then the wet dog smell would last even longer.

She's aged a lot in the past few months, and at the age of 10, her days are limited. So I let her run for a bit, but I know she will be sore tomorrow. She still had the mind of a puppy, but her body not so much. I can relate.

The kids are busy with their DSs right now - they used some Christmas money to buy some new games. KJ's needs some reading, so I am helping with that. Return to healthy eating Day 1 is going well, already realizing quickly that some of my old bad habits may be a bit harder to break than others. But I have a goal, and I will get there!!

Slow Movement

2011-01-02T19:29:00.000-08:00

Well, the cold I was pretending not to have is winning today. So everything was a little slow. Thank goodness for Dayquil, it's the only way that the kitchen got tidied and groceries got done. As the last day before good eating is the way of life (needed groceries before starting this new way), I thought a big breakfast was the way to start our day.

Kaylee is my little kitchen helper these days, and today she helped make pancakes.

I also got to see two good friends today. One moved out to Calgary just over ten years ago and I miss her. She needs to move back, but that isn't happening.....yet. But it was nice to have the three of us catch up while the six kids ran around. We decided next time we meet at the Bear and skip the kids!

I did prep some soup for the next few days. A very low point asparagus soup. All ready to go and I am looking forward to it!

The first of the movement

2011-01-01T19:27:00.001-08:00

It was a beautiful day 1 of 2011, so Kaylee and I decided it would be good to get outside and go for a hike in Lynn Headwaters.

Typically she is a slow slow walker. While we do a lot of walking, she is still slow. But today, we did the 2km fairly quickly, which was nice.

It was chilly outside, so we bundled up and headed out. It was a perfect way to start my Movement Movement :)

A new Year, a new Word

2011-01-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

Well here we are at the start of another year. Yes, the blogging started so well in 2010 and then didn't end the same way. But this year is different. This year is about documenting. Documenting me, my life, the family and friends around me. The good, the bad, the ugly and sad. Taking out the camera more (I know, really you would think that couldn't be done...) but taking different photos. Sure the kids will continue to be my stars, but to take more character photos. Take more photos of the world around me. Take more photos of me. And of Chris. And my parents and brother and in laws.

Document my world. My work. My changes. With words too (that is where this fits back in). To write. To capture the moments, my feelings, my wants.

As you may know, each year Ali Edwards encourages people to pick a "word" that represents you and encourages you to work towards that goal. I have been thinking of my word all month, and changed it almost daily. So I came to think that maybe ONE word isn't enough this year. Maybe I need to change it up.

So to start the year, I am choosing movement. Movement for my body. Movement for my mind (I have really enjoyed 'learning' a new job this last few month). Movement for my weight to go down. Movement of house. Maybe that is a move itself, maybe it's a removal of clutter. Time will tell.

To embrace this word right away, I have moved two loads of laundry and one pile of garbage. My daughter and I are going to move our bodies and go for a small hike on this beautiful day outside.

And I will move my butt into this spot more often too!

A daily thing

2010-11-01T18:15:00.000-07:00

I love it. I love it too much. I love my diet coke.

It's my afternoon thing. It's my evening thing. It's my thing.

I know it's not good for me. I have given it up in the past (for 9 months each time) but I went back.

I love my diet coke.

Boooo!

2010-10-31T18:21:00.000-07:00

A sppppoooookkkkky Halloween, with a TON of kids this year!! We broke all records with over 300 trick or treaters coming to the door. If this is a new trend, I better start buying now for next year!!

We had five pumpkins this year, all so I could roast seeds. I love seeds.

On Saturday, Bridget and Charlotte came over where we all made haunted houses from graham wafers. I told them they had to fit as much candy on them as possible, something a 7,6,5 and 4 year old had no problem with!!

While the original plan was for a pirate and Darth Maul to leave my house....the plans were changed on Friday afternoon. So a last minute kitty costume and an easy to put together hockey player and we were set for the night.

A fun night for all, with lots and lots of candy back at the house. I wonder how long it will last?

The pumpkin patch

2010-10-11T18:44:00.000-07:00

If I am being honest, I go to the pumpkin patch for one thing. And it's not for the pumpkins. It's for the photos. I took well over 100.

I love the warm fall colours, and the kids love the excitement of picking out their own pumpkin. With a small window in the weather, the kids and I, along with Nicki and her family headed out to Richmond to the pumpkin patch.

The photos are my record of a great day, and this was a great one.

Girl Time

2010-10-10T18:52:00.000-07:00

A rain wet weekend. And then, a small break with the weather. I needed to get outside. I needed fresh air.

I needed to get out of the walls of my house. I asked everyone if they were interested in a hike at the hatchery. I only got one taker.

So us girls headed out. We were greeted by a rainbow.

Some fish.

And some spiders.

She is just so cute, I love hanging out with just us.

We will come back, again and again.

Oh, I cannot leave without posting this photo. This is true K J spirit!

Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Lisa

2010-09-22T23:58:00.001-07:00

and the rest of the girls at Skrap N Chat

#10 - I don't need to put on my nice clothes and make up to have a "girls night out"

#9 - These ladies "get" my love of paper and understand the shared agreement of not telling my husband how much said paper costs. The also understand the "need" to have your camera, the knowledge that buttons may look better on a lay out than on a jacket, and sewing machines can be used often and rarely touch fabric.

#8 - While it may have been paper that brought us together, we are thicker than the best glue out there when it comes to supporting each other

#7 - Lisa is like the sister I never had. She shares my good looks and love of life, but there is that connection of not having to explain everything to each other to understand exactly what we are talking about that makes her extra special.

#6 - My internet girlfriend Suzanne loves me every day at SNC, and I love her back. She is the reason I know internet dating works. <3

#5 - Through any tough days, the girls at SNC have support for all, and judgement on none. Now that is a rare and special thing.

#4 - The creative energy is endless, and my journey as a scrapbooker, photographer, story teller and woman is stronger because of my friends at Skrap N Chat

#3 - Sleep is over rated and I can find people to talk to at all hours (special shout out to my late night buddies Shannon and Dawn as well as others...and yes Lisa & Suzanne, you chat at night too, but I already gave you kudos)

#2 - I love to banter and Lisa loves to banter back. She takes it as well as she gives it. You gotta love that about a yankee eh?

#1 - The friendships, the lifelong friendships, that I have developed from all of these women is simply priceless. While I have had the privilege of meeting few, I have the honour of knowing you all. Thanks for being part of my daily world.

Holy September Batman

2010-09-21T22:32:00.000-07:00

When the school year starts, you know it's going to be busy. When your second child enters into the school system, you know it's going to be busier. When soccer season starts, you know the next level of busy hits your system. When your second child starts soccer, it's all new territory. When you throw in a new sport of football, you are reaching the top of the chart busy. When your second child asks to be in Sparks and you volunteer to be the leader - well let's just say, busy isn't a descriptive enough word.

So being behind in my blog is just one aspect of my life I am behind on. Laundry is backed up too. The dog needs grooming, that will have to wait. The fish tank needs replenishing, but that too will wait.

Am I actually ahead on anything? No. But I do have a few photos from the past couple weeks:

Braydon's first day of Grade two. Well, second really. Chris forgot to take the first day photo, but really, day one was for an hour and he was with his grade 1 teacher. So I guess this actually is the first day of grade two. He is loving it so far.

Oh how Miss Kaylee has been waiting and waiting for Kindergarten to happen. SO excited, even if it took five days of slow (slugs travel faster) intergration..... Happiest K kid ever. She even said today, week two in, that each day just gets better.

First day BOTH kids going to the SAME location. For the five years the two of them have both been around, they have had seperate care during the day. Finally, they both go to the same school, for the same amount of time, on the same days. Happy Happy me.

Somewhere in the middle of all the stuff about the kids, I got a me night out. It was my 20 year high school reunion (will do a separate post) and I had SO much fun. Because I get myself into stuff I have no intention of being in, I was on the organizing committee. Here are my team mates, Paula, Kim and Chris.

Soccer season is upon us. Year three for Braydon, but on a new team. Year one for Kaylee. He is on team Solar, she is a Wildcat. I love that both my kids love sports, and I hope that their love of activity continues for many many years to come.

Go team Heal (her first goal). Now to catch up on some sleep!!

Friday -the last day (warning....heavy photo day)

2010-08-28T11:05:00.000-07:00

And so the last day is already here. Time went so fast, too fast. So nice to be away, truly away from all the busy world we live in most of the time.

While we offered to take the kids out to the park or something special, everyone wanted to stay at the beach. And today, we would build our best sandcastle ever. At the end of the day, the kids like to get to the highest point of the castle and wait for the water to win......she always does.

It's been nice to have one on one time we each family member as the week went along. Some Kaylee time for me. Some Braydon time for me. Some Chris time for me, and even some me time for me. I polished off a 600 page novel and enjoyed every moment of it. I even snuck out to the LSS for just a couple pieces of paper....just for me.

One thing I did not get was a great photo of Chris and I....this is why....

The kids were also into letting me take photos of them today, of course of which I jumped at the chance. I know there will be a time soon where I am denied photo ops, but until that day comes, I will continue to take excessive amounts of pictures.

It's truly been a great vacation. We all enjoyed it, and are all looking forward to coming back soon.

Wednesday and Thursday

2010-08-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

Days like these are why I know I would be fine if I were to retire now.

More beach hours for Wednesday. Dig, walk, relax, read. Repeat.

Thursday back to Coombs in morning, picked up a couple of Christmas gifts and then lunch beach side in Quallicum .Back to the "golf course" to play Kaylee's free round for the afternoon and more ice cream to end the adventure.

More smoked salmon, more beer, more moon. Nice life.

Day Four - Tuesday

2010-08-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

Coombs day. Coombs is this little....well....blip in the map 25 minutes northish from Parksville. A handful of families settled here around 1910 under the leadership of the Salvation Army's Ensign Crego. The community was named after the Army's Canadian Commissioner, Captain Thomas Coombs.

Ecliptic would be the best term. One day I would love to go and just wander the day without the kids, it's my kinda place. Lots of junk and stuff you don't need, but lots of crafts and knick knack stuff that always inspires me too.

We headed up for lunch and some wandering. There are all these status, well I guess more like carvings, that the kids climb all over.

And of course, there are the goats on the roof. Here is the story on that:

The idea for the grass roof came from then owner, Kristian Graaten. He emigrated here from Norway with his family in the mid 1950’s and longed to see some of the buildings from his home country. Many homes in Norway were built from the sides and slopes of the hills with the roofs built as an extension of the hillside.

After the grass had rooted a family of goats appeared. Legend has it that a “few glasses” of wine inspired the idea of putting the goats up on the roof, but you will have to come in and ask Larry about that.

We spent some time wandering through the stores and deciding what we should buy and what Christmas gifts we could pick up, knowing we would come back later in the week and do some shopping.

Later afternoon was back on the beach and building ourselves some sandcastles. The kids have big ideas of what these things should look like, but are at least willing to settle for big and not so beautiful. Lots more time in the water and relaxing by the sea.

Both Chris and I are getting lots of time to read, which is such a nice change. Need to remember how much I like reading when I get back home.

Another STUNNING moon tonight. We sat right on the beach and enjoyed the moon rise. Such a beautiful place.

Day Three - Monday

2010-08-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

Mondays on vacation are just fine with me.

Today we set off on a couple of adventures - up first was the playground in Parksville. This is a playground like no other, it has just about everything. Tons of swings, millions of things to climb on, teeter totters for big and small, mini zip lines....lots and lots to have fun with.

It was good to just let the kids run in any direction and chance them around.

A quick trip back "home" for lunch, then the adventure that they were both REALLY waiting for was up next. Each year, we go mini golfing, and I know it's at the top of the list of fun things to do.

18 rounds and guess who gets a hole in one at the end??? Yup, the ever mature 5 year old. She's just a little proud.

An ice cream to end the day and walk back to the beach for some more digging in the sand.

The kids couldn't wait till it got dark to play with the gift my parents sent for Braydon, some glow in the dark lights. They even shared them with the kids next door.

One of the reasons Chris and I really wanted to be right on the beach again this year was so that once the kids went up to bed, we could just sit out and relax - get some quality grown up time together.

Each night we got to do this, and it was such a nice change from the running in and out that our regular lives have. With views like this, it's pretty easy just to sit back and enjoy.

Day Two - Sunday

2010-08-22T22:34:00.000-07:00

We knew that our plan was to spend a lot of beach time on our vacation, but could not control the weather. However, when you wake up to this, you know it's going to be a good day.

The only thing better than that - is this....our big five year old!!

I cannot believe how fast these five years have happened....and how much our lives are better because of her lively spirit.

As our first full day of vacation came to be, the kids took their time getting up - but KJ just wanted to open the gifts that she knew came along for the trip. We decided that we would open a gift here and there throughout the day, enjoying them as they happened.

The other plan for the day was exploring the beach. One of the best things about this beach, is when the tide is out, you can walk forever and explore sandy tide pools along the way.

The waters edge seems a million miles away, but the walk along the sandy beach is nothing by enjoyable (well, it was a little windy).

More presents (including gifts send by Grandma and Grandpa for both kids) flowed through the day, as well as throwing in a sand castle or two.

One cannot have a birthday without a birthday cake - so KJ and I headed out to let her pick one out. While the triple chocolate cake on it's own seemed divine, the idea of adding smarties to it just could not be argued, so we did a little decorating to help it along.

My baby turned five, and the whole family had a great day. Life is grand.

Parksville 2010

2010-08-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday

Another year, same beach, same beautiful surroundings.

The night before we left (Friday), we celebrated Dad’s 65th birthday. I baked him his Mom’s Raison Cookies, but my Mom stole the show with our family favourite – tenderloin peppercorn roast. I made some snap peas, carrots and waterchestnuts stirfried, and Richard brought some sinfully delightful potatoes that were, well awesome.
Saturday morning we got up early, ate some breakfast and headed out to wait in the ferry line up. Lucky us we made the first ferry out that we had hoped to – and even luckier ran into some friends on the boat. It helped kill the time on the way there while Braydon and Nathon played DS and Chloe and Kaylee headed up to the top of the ferry to check out the winds.

Arriving early on the island, we ate some lunch and drove up the to resort. The ferry docks in Nanimo and the drive up to Parksville is about 30 min. We were glad to have have arranged early check in as it was just before 2pm.
Walking into our place at Madrona, we were instantly happy that we choose to stay beachside this again this year. The beach goes out for miles and miles, and when the tide is in, the kids can walk out forever too.
I headed to get our supplies for the week (or at least a chunk of it) and came back to find he kids outside already playing.

Taking it easy on the first day, we played in the sand, went for a walk or two and hit the water. A few cold ones on the deck for me and Chris and the enjoyment of just being able to relax – we know we hit the good spot.

Appies included freshly smoked salmon, cream cheese and crackers with some wine. Life doesn’t get much better than this.
My baby turns 5 tomorrow, wow!! I know she is excited to have a vacation birthday.

Their First Time Camping

2010-08-13T23:22:00.001-07:00

I love camping. We have different ideas of "camping" in our house. I would get a tent and be happy. My parents, it's a motor-home. Chris, it's a cottage by the beach. Call it what you want - I like it all.

Growing up, we had a motor-home, and throughout the summer (and even a couple of winter weekends), we would hit the open road and head out on an adventure. We went a variety of places, but ended up with a few favorites along the way - namely Lydon Washington, at the KOA there.

Recently Mom and Dad purchased a "new to them" motor-home, and I got all excited. The memories quickly flooded back of all the good times we had as a family growing up, and I hoped that my kids would get to do the same. Sure enough on their second trip out, Kaylee and Braydon went along for their first time camping (cuz really, I can't call beach-side cottage as camping....vacation yes, camping no).

It wasn't a long way out as their adventure was to Fort Langley, but they had a great time. They had lots of stories to tell me, and from the photos, there were no shortage of smiles.

Or greasy fingers for that matter, as the second half of the trip has a blur on the lens, and I know Braydon was playing photographer.

Hopefully this is just the first of many. While I am sure they will get the chance to get out with their grandparents again - maybe one day I get that tent and spend some time with dirt in our beds too. Then I shall be even more grateful to Chris' style.

Sometimes it just works

2010-08-07T21:57:00.000-07:00

One of the main reasons I love to scrapbook is to capture memories on film, and give that photo a bit of a kick.

Growing up, there were photos taken, but not to the extreme extent I take photos. While I love capturing the special events like birthdays and Christmas', my favorite photos are of those 'everyday' moments. The moments that happen over dinner, or out at the same playground you visit a million times during childhood.

One of those moments came last week at dinner at my parents house. Mom isn't a big fan of her photo being taken, but I would give a million dollars to have more photos with my grandma, so I take them anyhow. And after last months health scares with her - the photo ops are even more important.

As you may have guessed if you read this blog - to get "good" pics of my kids, I allow them lots of silly shots too. I continue to take the pictures, assuming that I will just delete the pics. But this time, I found a challenge at Skrap N Chat that needed 8 photos, and I was glad to include the nice pic along with all the silly shots of the kids and Mom. Sometimes it just works.

A Picnic in the Park

2010-08-04T14:49:00.000-07:00

One annual membership that we get a LOT of use from is our Vancouver Aquarium membership. We love to be able to explore the deep blue sea right at our finger tips. I remember clearly my trips there as a child and so glad that I can have the same experiences with my own kids.

Today it was all about seeing the new 4D movie, and lucky for me it was Sponge Bob Square Pants. I can't say by any means I am a Sponge Bob fan, in fact the opposite - but the kids REALLY wanted to go, and I promised.

It was fun, not because of Sponge Bob, but because of the 4D. You smelled pickles, popped real bubbles, got splashed and felt the rumble of wheels below you.

Of course, then we needed to go see the animals, beluga's were the main wish today. We actually stayed and watched the show, something I haven't done for years. Braydon was there a couple of weeks ago with one of his camps, and apparently he remembered all the information that he learned back then, as he proudly answered all the questions.

They did warn us that we were in the splash zone and we got fully splashed!! KJ wasn't a fan in the moment, but if you ask her how she got wet today, she will tell you the story with a big smile on her face. I'm just thankful that I listened when she made the suggestion to hide the camera!!

The other promise was a picnic and feed the ducks. Instead of ducks, we met up with some Canadian Geese. Can't say they represent how well loved Canadians are for being friendly - they are mean little buggers. Took the bread (and scared the #$@(*& out of KJ) right out of her hands.

We grabbed their favorite special lunch treats and ate outside in Stanley Park. One day soon I would like to plan a full picnic with the four of use for dinner. Something just right about enjoying a summer picnic.

It was a good day. Outside, enjoying the sunshine - just wish Chris wasn't working. Oh well, he gets to have his adventures with them in two weeks, and I am pretty sure a trip to the Aquarium may be included.

A morning in the Cove

2010-08-02T23:57:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite places in North Vancouver is Deep Cove. It's one of those little places in the world that is right next to a metropolitan city, yet a million miles away. It's secret almost. And it's perfect.

Chris and I joke that when we win the lotto we will live in one of the houses on the bluff. Just far enough in to drive, yet with a boat on our dock ready to take us away.

It has a small playground that the kids love, and a sandyish beach with lots of crabs to search for.

It's filled with kayaks and ocean breezes.

Our kids love to explore and we love to dream.

With the sun warming the morning skies, and us having our Tim's on the beach, life really doesn't get much better than this.

Thanks Daddy

2010-07-30T22:43:00.000-07:00

In a continued effort to ensure that I post what was important in June, I cannot miss Father's Day and a tribute post to my Dad.

My Dad instilled a lot of things growing up. Hard work counts. Tradition is important. Family comes first. And of all rules that were repeated, it was the one "sharing, sharing, sharing". This is a bit of a family joke, because really it's a law that derived from the Beaver / Scout movement. In fact, it's a direct lift - but it just became law somehow.

Dad isn't the huggy lovey type, but was the first to tell me how beautiful I looked when we went out. He wasn't the kind of guy who asked about boys, but made sure he listened at the dinner table.

I have fond memories of just him and me time growing up. He owned a gas station, a Chevron - and while I was only two when he sold it, I remember going to the store and hanging out with Joe (the german sheppard). I still love the smell of gasoline. I distinctly remember a night that Mom went out to bridge and Dad, an old car industry friend and I build cardboard boxes for his new autoparts store. I may have been 4 or 5.

The summers always had one "go to work with Dad" day, which meant that we got to drive up to Squamish and Whistler with him. The best part was when we arrived at the Husky Gas station in Whistler - cuz there was a dog there to play with.

We drove home together from the restaurant the night of my 16th birthday - which also contained a fight. There were a few others, those fight things, over the years - but it was always about him looking out for me, right or wrong.

It's funny now to watch how different the rules are. As Dad changes into Grandpa and how lightened and relaxed he is with Kaylee and Braydon. It's nice to see him have the time to play with them - when I was growing up he worked to ensure we had everything. We did.

So thanks Dad - thanks for everything.

Beaching it with KJ

2010-07-28T22:48:00.000-07:00

A while back (you know, when I forgot to blog) Kaylee and I had a date day. Braydon was at a birthday party, and those can be a hard on KJ. She doesn't get really why she can't be included in on his buddies birthdays, cuz when they are at our house - she plays with them.

She's a party girl through and through, and really doesn't want to miss out on the action. I mean, what if they have fun??

So for this round, she and I planned a date. Headed to Deep Cove, went looking for crabs, had an ice cream cone, took a couple of photos and just had some good old girl time.

I hope as she gets older, we can keep doing these things together. It's nice for just us two to hang out. She's so full of life that you can't help but have your spirits raised by her. She just has a good vibe about her.

This is really her last summer as my baby for it's Kindergarten come fall, and that is big kid world. I love watching her grow and learn and experience, but at the same time - I would be just fine for her to stay my baby.

Last night she had a nightmare and crawled in with me. While I don't sleep well with her tosses and turns, there is something more comforting that her little self still needs to cuddle up with mom. May that never stop.

Scrappin' it up

2010-07-25T22:45:00.000-07:00

Been a bit since I posted some lay outs, and I thought it was time.

Friday with my Boy

2010-07-22T23:19:00.000-07:00

Braydon and I seem to be a whole lot alike.

We get frustrated at the same type of stuff, we both like to be right, we both try to push the edge a little to see what we can pull off. We are both quick to think on our feet and curious to see the world. We both like to make sure it's going to be ok, and we are the first to help out a friend. We are both leaders, we both like to be in charge, and neither of fond of the other one of us when they do the same thing to us. Yes, we fight. He is the child that frustrates me.

Braydon is my serious side of myself. It's the side that is always there, but I wish I would let free. It's the one that makes me be the coordinator of the friends, the one who makes sure that the lunches are made on time, the one that knows what the priority should be. He does not do well with time constraints, and neither do I.

And when we are both rushing out the door, we get mad. We get mad at ourselves but we take it out on each other. There, I just admitted, I am not perfect!

BUT, you take us out of a time crunch, and together we are kindred spirits. His love for nature matches mine. His passion to be free in the wilderness and run amongst the trees and I am right there with him. His respect for Mother Nature and appreciation of where we live makes me happy to be there with him.

So last Friday we hit Lynn Headwaters. Just us two again, the best of pals. The watch left at home and the canyon our playground. Over the suspension bridge, him leading the way, me following with my camera.

As he grows, my photo shoots are more limited with him. But this day, it was smiles, giggles, full out laughter. He is the one that makes me laugh so hard I cry. Yes, the serious one makes me laugh that hard. Some hiking, some ice cream and some time together - a perfect morning.

I have noticed that my little boy, well is quickly leaving the childhood. So when I get these days together, I treasure them. And when we have mornings like we did today, I am glad that I have the photos, the memories and the wisdom to get a big kiss before bedtime.

What 10 lbs can do for the ego

2010-07-21T19:26:00.000-07:00

Weight and I have a relationship. Can't say it's my favorite relationship - but one that I will have my whole life so I might as well make the best of it.

It's not my goal to be "skinny", but healthy is where I am heading. For my wedding nine years ago, I was at a weight that was healthy. After a few different goes at Weight Watchers, it was a good place to be. Then....well....life. And bad eating habits. Then a baby. Then back to Weight watchers. Life. Another baby. Back to Weight Watchers. And...finally....I got my lifetime.

As proud as I was, I was still back to bad habits, and over the last four years all that weight I "lost" was "found" again.

But, life this time, I am using as an example and using it to motivate me. Unfortunately my Mom has the same relationship with weight, and it was winning. After landing in the hospital in April with breathing issues, she went back to WW. Knowing if I didn't change too (and realizing that talking about joining again isn't the same as doing), I headed back.

After my gallbladder surgery, I lost about five pounds. Banking on the fact that I liked the results, I got my butt back to a meeting, and while it's coming off slowly - it's coming off. In total, I am down 10 pounds.

I still have a bit to go (more than a bit, but little goals are more attainable) - but I am going to win this battle. And with some self determination, this may be my last losing round. I would love to, and am motivated to, keep it off. Healthy. That is the end result I am looking for.

Benifits so far...well today I wore a pair of pants that I haven't dared to put on for a couple years. Last week, I threw on a shirt that my Mom bought me three years ago that I just removed the tag off. And I bought myself a new summer dress.

And since I was having a good hair day - thought I would take a couple of "in the middle of it" photo (if I am brave....I will share at the end a before and after).

My last reveal at Scrap Yourself

2010-07-21T14:56:00.000-07:00

Once again, it's a reveal day at Scrap Yourself, my last for now. I've enjoyed the journey and plan to keep up with the challenges. Hopefully I will have time again in the near future to join the DT there again.

This time around, it was Pet Peeves. Ohhhh how I have many, but with the way things are going around these days, I thought I would do one about people who are just too serious.

We all know the type, we all have them in our family, our friends and co-workers. It's those people who have nothing but advice, to tell you how it should be, to tell you their worries and woes. Life it too short people. Focus on the good, fix what you can and move on. Sometimes you just have to stop and laugh. It's a simple thing, and guess what - can really make a difference.

Reminded Again

2010-07-12T20:31:00.001-07:00

Today, I had the rare pleasure of being in downtown Vancouver. For those of you who know me well, you know that my adventures off the North Shore are limited - not because I hate going downtown, but because I love the North Shore so much.

But I was quickly reminded what a beautiful city our whole city is. I mean, visually, you would be hard to win an argument that there is a prettier city out there. But as I sat on the corner of a building located right by the waters edge, I enjoyed the city life for all the west coast as to offer.

Parking underground, I laughed as I emerged to a huge Tim Hortons line up. Only a good ol Canuck is willing to wait for their timmies. As I sat outside (with a quicker version of coffee today), I watched the best of our city walk by. Lulu lemons jogging past....north face jackets, coffee in everyone's hand, power suits walking beside mom's with strollers, hard to tell who is a local and who is a visitor.

As I sat in my meeting, I enjoyed the huge office window and watched the float planes come in and out . With the wind making the water glisten with the white caps and the blue skies emerge over the mountains, well if you have to be stuck in a meeting - that is where you want to do it.

The only thing that wasn't right about the morning.....my camera was at home.

Way Up High

2010-07-10T14:42:00.000-07:00

Today Chris gets a well deserved golf day with the guys, so I thought I would take the kids up the mountain.

And up we went. Up the Tram.

Up the Chairlift.

And Up the Eye of the Wind.

Other sites and scenery....including paragliding and bears

Me and My Dog and My Son

2010-07-09T15:27:00.000-07:00

It was just a me and Braydon day - they are pretty rare and I really enjoy them. We decided that Takaya needed some coolness of her own on this hot hot summer day - so we headed for the river. She's almost 10 now, and getting into the car is the biggest challenge, but once she hit the water, she was all puppy again.

Her famous move is to lie down in the cool refreshing river. I think this is because she has the second almost wool layer of fur, and it takes a minute or two to penetrate through to cool her down.

As always, we played a little ball, and as always, she lost the tennis ball we brought. And as always, she now smells, but is much cooler and happier for the adventure.

Braydon hit the pool again today, and I can see him improving all the time. Tonight we are heading out for some family time, looking forward to it.

I am Wonder Woman

2010-07-08T19:08:00.000-07:00

and Jamie Sommers. Always have been.

At Scrap Yourself this week, I got to pick the theme. It was top of mind because Braydon asked me about my favorite things from childhood. I was very very lucky during my childhood, I have nothing but fond memories of playing in the neighbourhood, being able to use my imagination and doing lots of fun things.

One of the things that I spent more than a summer doing was being Wonder Woman or Jamie Sommers. Those two 1970's shows were my favs. Two powerful women doing good in the world. Strong, fast, beautiful....why not look up to them. For the majority of 2+ summers, I LIVED in my Wonder Woman bathing suit. The Superhero Mom in my world was smart enough to know how much I treasured it and bought more than one, and more than one size.

It must have been a birthday, not sure, but in my possession were some gold (ok, yellow plastic) wrist cuffs, belt and the crown. For sure the walkie talkies that were a birthday gift just added to the fun of those summers communicating to the other Superheros in my posse.

Unfortunately, I can only find one washed out photo of me in my first "power suit", and it's such poor quality that scanning didn't really work well. But the memories are clear as day - and I was happy to capture it all in a lay out.

Yes Virginia, there was a June

2010-07-08T15:47:00.000-07:00

I just forgot to blog. A lot. Again. Oops.

It's just that the surgeries took a bit more out of me than I expected, and once you get away from doing this for a bit...well it's hard to get back on track.

Many things have happened, but I never know where or how to catch up, start again, blah blah blah. So here is the deal. I will blog today. Then I will blog over the next couple of weeks things that have happened over the past month, then hopefully I will have caught tup and will keep up.

Today I got to play catch up with my friend Jen - it too has been way too long since we hung out with the kids. When they moved away last year (all of four blocks) I knew our daily time together would no longer be the same, but reality is - when you don't live next door to each other, it's a lot more challenging to fit in the time.

Having said that, meeting at the water park today was like no time passed at all. Braydon and Brad embraced each other with the biggest best friend hug possible. My heart melted. I had hoped that they would remain friends, but worried that a year apart in school may have changed that. It did not.

Rachel and KJ also got a long, and for them, their's is the relationship that has grown. Now that Rachel is three, they play with each other and enjoy each other's company much more.

Back to our place for a hot dog lunch with popsicles for dessert - it was a perfect summer day. Now we are off to watch some baseball and enjoy these warm summer nights

Scrap Yourself

2010-05-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

It's reveal day again at Scrap Yourself, and this weeks theme was "If you could go back in time". I choose to scrap about the sleepovers that my brother Richard and I used to have. Always seemed to be in my room, probably because I had the bigger bed. But in the photo, it seems that beds were optional since we are on the floor.

Gottal love the classic 70s colours. I love this memory in particular because it's something that my kids do the same. They ask almost nightly for a sleepover, although we limit it to the weekends (they stay up way too late). It's nice to see things that I enjoyed as a child are being replayed right in front of me.

2010-05-12T17:24:00.000-07:00

It was reveal day at Scrap Yourself, the first time my work gets to be officially posted as part of the DT!

Here it is a bit closer up - the theme was essentials, three things I need daily!

It continues to elude me

2010-05-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

There is seven minutes left in the game. The score is now 5 for the Blackhawks, and 1 for us. There will be no Stanley Cup in Vancouver this year.

Go Montreal.

Go Boston.

It's hard being a Canucks Fan

2010-05-11T20:35:00.000-07:00

Right now, it's 3 -1. Not for us. Blackhawks are winning and if we loose tonight, it's over.

I stress watching these games. It's the third period and we need at least two goals in this period to get to OT. Three goals gets us a win and forces game seven.

Hockey Gods, if you are listening, please let us win. Tonight and if that happens, a win Thursday too. While you are at it, let Montreal win tomorrow and give us back the Coyotes.

Thanks.

Some Lay Outs

2010-05-10T19:45:00.000-07:00

Been a bit since I posted some of my work - so here we go again!! Skrap N Chat hosted a National Scrapbooking Day / Weekend crop and I got to play along, followed by a week of knee surgery recovery (guess I should document that too...), lots to play and scrap!

Mother's Day #7

2010-05-09T19:06:00.000-07:00

I am only seven years into this mom gig, and every year I survive, I appreciate my own Mom more. Even at the ripe old age of 38, she is still my go to for things, and I am glad she is part of my world.

This year, I put together a little mini album about five things that she has taught me. Of course, there are many more than five, but these ones came very easily to the top of mind. Most likely because they were taught by example, not from one specific incident.

#1 - It's the little moments that count. Sure the birthdays and Christmas' are important, and our family tend to do them in full style. But without those regular days in-between filled with happiness, then I wouldn't be filled with nothing but happy childhood memories.

#2 - Be friends with your brother. Mom's brother always lived in a different city when we were growing up - but when we got to visit with Uncle Bob, it was like they just saw each other. I am very lucky to have a close brother, whom I get to call a friend as well as a sibling. My hope is for Kaylee and Braydon to have the same thing.

#3 - A house filled with laughter and love make a home. Our house was always filled with people coming and going. Mom would come downstairs and find 10-20 people in the basement. They just showed up. It was always the way. I want the same for our house. Everyone is welcome.

#4 - Marriage takes work. I come from one of those "rarer" houses these days as my parents are still married. In fact next week, they celebrate 39 years together. I know that it took work to get there, compromise, listening, looking the other way, talking, and knowing that the other person will be there. Mom and Dad are opposites. So are Chris and I. We have a healthy marriage, that is tested at times, but coming from a home that I learned a good marriage just doesn't "happen", I am looking forward to celebrating my 39th anniversary too.

#5 - Get everyone to the table. Dinners in our house were eaten together. At the table. Even as we got older, dinner was served with the four of us at the table. Talking, listening, even fighting through the teen years. Anyone who wanted to join us for dinner was welcome. Sunday dinners were small, medium and large. Mom's turkey and burgers are legendary. These photos made me laugh the most. One is Rich and Bronx, taken last fall. Bronx seems more like a person than a dog. The other is 1979, where our cat Jebby is eyeing New Years Eve dinner. Everyone was welcome.

So thanks Mom. For everything. Happy Mother's Day.

Day 7 - Sunday Sunday

2010-04-25T10:13:00.000-07:00

I do recall last time that I started off the beginning of the week all gung ho, and slowing down as the week progressed. This time, I said to myself that won't happen. Yes it did. But that's ok too. The sickness and Mom ending up in the hospital kinda threw this typical week into a not so typical week, but all in all, glad it's still documented. It does show how crazy life can be, and how I adjust accordingly.

Sunday's are finally back to being at home. After working all winter long on Sunday's - they are extra special this time of year because I get to hang with my family.

I woke up to kids quietly playing lego and building things, which I love to see.

Chris took the dog out, the kids played on the computer (it still blows me away with how good they are on it!!)

Then Kaylee and I walked to swimming. Love getting some just girl time in.

Little hand holding....my favorite thing.

Some grocery shopping (this was a cheap shop!!)

Snacks

making a card

going to a few open houses (it's our thing these days), and prepping for the next week.

Braydon needed to bring a recipe to school and he picked out chocolate marshmallow cake. Mmmmm. MY favorite! Should make that soon.

In the evening, things quiet. Chris and I have our tea, the dog bugs me to take her out, I am happy that the antibiotics are working full force and that Mom is feeling better. The week comes to an end, but the next one will be just as busy, most likely as crazy, and hopefully appreciated as I go along.