That was Awkward

I recently purchased a T-shirt for Abby designed to celebrate the awkwardness that has been her Junior High experience.   I have been proud of her for playing volleyball, acting as the Student body President this year and well..surviving it all.  The truth of it is though - she's awkward!   

Not a day goes by where she doesn't come home and say, "Mom...wanna know what was kinda awkward...?"   or  "Ok...it was so awkward, I was really distressed!."   (That's another regularly used word of hers - distressed.  If I had a dollar for every time I heard that one;)

Anyways, it's become a bit of a joke for us to tease her about her awkwardness so I figured this T-shirt was the perfect way to celebrate the end of her Junior High Career.  

It says, " I came. I saw. I made it Awkward."  

Naturally I had to get a T-shirt for me too because well... who'd Abby inherit her awkwardness from if not her even more awkward momma.   (At least there is still hope that Abby will outgrow this whole phase of life, I on the other hand am doomed.)   

There is not much we can do but laugh at/with ourselves! ;)

Easter Break

Let's see, what can I say about Easter Break.   hmmm...

While everyone we know travelled to Aruba, Cuba, Hawaii and England - we:

1.  Went to the Head Smashed in Buffalo jump just outside of Fort McLeod!  

That's right.   We party hardy around these parts;)

This was Monday's excursion and in all honesty it was a necessary road trip.  Our house was all packed up but we had no where to move to until the next day so we really just need to burn some time.  The kids LOVE coming here though!

After visiting the museum we went home via Pincher Creek so we could make a stop in Waterton. 

There are lots of changes coming to Waterton this year.  They've expanded the parking up at Cameron Lake, tore down the post office and are building anew and there is a controversial new visitors Centre going up that is threatening the life of the current playground/waterpark.   They are anticipating record numbers of people this summer (with it being the 150th celebration) which has John and I thinking we may just try to stay away this year.  We may enjoy it for a couple of more weeks before the crowds start to arrive.  

Our week actually began and ended with a trip to Waterton.   On Friday we took a drive out after supper to see if the road to Cameron lake had opened up yet.  (One could have just called, but like I said - we are all sorts of wild when on vacation.)   

Winter is definitely hanging on in Waterton.   We noticed some hikers up on Bearshump but most other trails are still closed.   The water is thawing though, so spring must be winning!

We swam at the lodge until late in the evening, coming home only once we were all warm and toasty and ready for bed!

In between our two Waterton excursions we:

* Packed up all of our things and prepared to move

*Unpacked the Olsens things and restored their home to the way it was before we took over

* Packed up all of the Holts things and stored it away to make room for us

* Moved into the Holt's house and unpacked in one day

* Landscaped the Holts front yard

* Got a nasty spring cold (some of us at least;)

* Changed Wards

* took four naps

* saw the new Beauty & the Beast movie

* started a Fairy Garden (Jessica) which is totally darling!

This morning was a little hectic as we went from attending church at 1:00 to attending at our new ward which begins at 9:00 am.   (So much for sleeping in;)  Anyways, we were all rushing about when Nate came to me with a pair of pants that he said fit him better around the waist but were too long.   He insisted that I "make them shorter for him."  So there I was, 30 minutes before church, hemming up this new pair of dress pants for Nate.  I was just happy he was willing to wear anything but Nike shorts, you know?   No sooner had I gotten Nate taken care of then Sam came upstairs furious because he couldn't find his suit pants.    It took us all of two seconds to realize that I had just hemmed Sam's pants to fit Nate and of course - church was starting in 5 minutes.   

Nate was thrilled with his new suit, but Sam was not a happy camper.  He thankfully had an old pair of khakis that Mala had given him so all was well(ish) in the end. 

  Here's hoping next Sunday goes a little more smoothly;) 

Here's a picture of our new place.   We will be here for a minimum of 22 months.  (The Holts typically extend their missions but they said they will check with us first before doing so to see where things are at.)   It is our hope that in 22 months we will have achieved our goal(s) that we set when first starting out on this wild House sitting adventure.   We have talked to so many couples who have said that they wish they could have done this and others who have tried but can't seem to find anybody to rent to them.   We've never sought this out but have always felt so grateful for the couples who have approached us with a rental opportunity.  It's a pretty big deal to trust your home with a family of SIX.   I honestly don't think I could do it, but we are sure grateful for them. 

This particular home is perhaps the smallest home we've ever lived in but it has lots of charm.  

We look forward to loving it like our own!

Easter

We have been moving preparing for our move this upcoming week which has caused me to have a bit of a one track mine.  Thankfully, we have had extra special reason to pause a little and reflect together as a family on all of the blessings that we have been given.  

On Friday we had our annual Passover supper.  In the past the kids have all gotten dressed up in their best Arabic looking attire, but alas their costume bins were packed, so instead we found some ancient Arabic music online and cranked the music up loud.  (It's all about setting the scene, right?)

For supper I made Israeli Salad,  Potato Latkes, Flatbread and Hummus, Olives and BBQd Pork.    

Ummm...yes, that is right.   All these years I thought it was jewish custom to only eat pork.  

All that hard work - only to be so un kosher in the end.

Sigh...epic fail!

The Easter Bunny managed to stop by and provide the kids with Easter Crafts, Pop (which they hardly ever get) and more chocolate than one person should ever have at one time.  

Sam has been lounging around all morning now insisting that we all respect the Bunny. 

What a goof!

We are so very thankful for this Easter Season, for this week we have to be with our kids and for the chance that we have today to reflect on the Resurrection of our Savior.   

I rely on His enabling power every single day.   

Food Trucks and life at 100 years....

One of the most exciting things that April has brought with it is the arrival of "FOOD TRUCK SEASON!"   Woop Woop!!!   Our little town does not provide a lucrative enough base for these food trucks to permanently set up camp, but every once in awhile an announcement will be made (via facebook) that they will be in town.   The trick is to get to the truck a few minutes prior to the scheduled opening time to avoid having to wait in line;)   

My favorite food trucks from last year were the "Flyin' Hawaiian" (which showed up this past Friday:) and the "Grub n' Go," which serves chicken fingers hot dogs and Filipino Spring Rolls and Pancit.  (Random perhaps but so delicious!)

Just when I think the warmer weather will help me get outside and loose weight....

(perhaps if I jog down to get my mini donuts and pina colada?)

Abby has only a few short months left of being the student body President.  For some unknown reason she (along with her friends, no doubt) decided to declare the last week of March a Dress up week which involved a certain theme every day.   Wednesday was "Disney Theme" and Abby craftily rigged up this Belle costume for herself.   She was super proud of it!

A few stakes in our area combined efforts to host a Family Day of Discovery at the High School.  The entire weekend revolved around Family History and bringing it alive.   On Friday evening there was a multi stake activity in which Mormon motivational speaker Hank Smith came and spoke to all of the youth.   Abby was invited to attend a special pre-activity meeting with him.   

Apparently the youth who met with him just talked with him about all things Canadian (ie: toques, poutine etc) and they took pictures together on the Temple lawn.  He was a super funny speaker and had the kids engaged the entire time.   I'll have to look up some of his other talks.   

On Saturday, Abby (along with her friend Hope) were presenters during one of the sessions.  

They taught us about the 1940 census, specifically what information we can gather about our ancestors from it.  She did great!  (in a darling, awkward sort of way;)

We're packing up and getting ready to move again, which means that I am (again) dejunking/sorting/organizing every bit of junk we still feel the need to hold on to.   

This was an old window pane that I have continued to bring with me from house to house.   Finally, I rigged up a practical use for it (and when I say I did, of course that means John did;)  It is now my necklace and earring holder.  I love it so much.   

I had to share this picture too.  Nate's Teacher texted me the other day and shared with me an assignment that she had her students do.  They were to draw a picture of themselves at 100 years of age and state what they would like to be doing.   

Nate's picture/response to this assignment is as follows: 

"When I'm 100...my Grandsons will dig me a grave."  

Sometimes there just are no words....;)

March Madness

What the ...what?  When did March end on me?

Thank Goodness have pictures to remind me of all the fun we've had.  For example...

We celebrated Grandpa's 74 Birthday with some of the cutest kids we know!   Blythe, Marilyn, Maddax, Savannah and Vivian all join us for the night.   

   

We ate yummy food, sang a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" and the kids played until late into the night.  

John and I were forced to stay up extra late this night because Abby was attending her very first stake dance EVER!   It was 80s themed, which blue eye shadow, dark liner, rolled up jeans etc.   

 It's a good thing Aunt Rachel was here and could get help her ready for me.

(One more picture of Grandpa because we love him so much!)

Abby has been enjoying her 2nd year with Leslie's Girls Choir group.  A few weeks back an Edmonton Children's choir did a Southern Alberta tour and made a stop here for a night.  We fed them all an evening supper and then the two choirs joined efforts to put on a concert.  

 It was a fabulous opportunity for these girls to mingle with other talented singers their age. 

Abby got a baritone Ukelele for her birthday and has been taking it with her everywhere she goes, jammin' with cousins, friends and anybody else who will sit down beside her.   She's learned some cute songs on it so far.  (Is it starting to seem as though March was all about Abby?)

Every spring and fall (when the General Relief Society Broadcast is held) my sisters and I get together and try to do some sort of service project together before the broadcast.   In the past we have baked buns/bread and delivered it to busy moms,  delivered flowers and chocolates to women in the ward etc.   This year we decided to try something a little different by opening up our very own "Cousins Cafe!"

We invited women in the ward who had young daughters, some who were going through hard times, and others who we just knew would be alone on this day.   Ella, Ava, Mya, Brooklyn, Abby and Jess were the waitresses and in charge of serving us for the entire dinner.   They had fun taking our orders and I had fun just sitting there visiting;)   I think I should step back and let my kids do more of the work in the kitchen, this was kinda a easy night!  (Though that may in part because Jewel, Heather and Crystal shouldered much of the prep work without me;)  haha

It was a wonderful evening, an excellent broadcast, and the perfect way to welcome in Spring!!  

(yup, that's right, in case last weeks snowstorm had you wondering - Spring IS here!)