One GREAT Weekend!!

Good Friday was not just "good" it was the BEST! A friend of John's and his wife invited us out to Sparwood BC for the day to play with them and enjoy the holiday together. I was especially excited for this little day trip because I so rarely leave Alberta that any trip (no matter how small) seems like an adventure! We passed through Frank Slide which brought a tonne of childhood memories back to me. I remember going there with my Dad. As I was explaining to Abby how a giant chunk of mountain came crashing down on an entire town, I looked back at her, and her eyes were so wide with wonder you could just see the fear on her face. "That can't happen again though right?" she kept asking.




Abby came and played on the rocks with us for a bit. Brave Girl:)) If any of you come to visit us- we have a renewed determination to show you some of our favorite spots. Walley Beach...the Fay Wray fountain (hee hee)...and now Frank Slide. It was pretty cool- and I could picture all our little nephews getting hurt real good on these rocks!!! But oh what fun:)


We arrived in Sparwood, to be greeted by the most charming little town ever. Seriously can you believe the backdrop around this place? The kids had a blast! Isn't it funny how happy kids can be as soon as they get into a room full of toys that are different then their own? Of course- it helps that the back yard was a snow world complete with drifts, caves AND tunnels.

To say the least, our little ones...played hard. Shauna prepared an Egg Hunt, showed us all her scrapbooking (I shouldn't say this but I think John is hooked!), they took us to see the "Biggest Truck in the World", and cooked up a fabulous Easter feast complete with the yummiest Easter Buns I' ve ever tasted.


Shauna and Terry if you are reading this- Thank you Thank you Thank you! It was so nice to visit and you all were so good to us. On the way home we couldn't help but ask ourselves why we don't try to keep in better contact with good friends! What's our problem anyway?

We got home around 9:00 and carried the kids to their beds. I loved seeing them so exhausted. It meant they had fun. It also meant they'd sleep soundly so I could prepare things for the Easter Bunny to come. You see- the Easter Bunny comes to our house on Friday night. (Who wants sugared up kids on Sunday for church...not me!) We have a couple of easter traditions that I just love. When I was growing up my Dad would always create elaborate mazes (made of Jelly beans) beginning at our bedroom door leading us on to our hidden easter baskets. Abby and Sams trail of Chocolate eggs (I like them better than jelly beans ok?) led them around the living room and out the front door to a little bush that we'd covered with eggs. Under that bush was their basket full of games, treats and sandles. I have to admit,I copied the "egg tree" from my sister-in-law Sarah. She told us about this years ago and since then I've been doing it as well. I don't feel bad about copying her though. She does cool things like this all the time, and it's like they say, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

So the kids found their baskets, filled their cute little faces with chocolate and then helped us make breakfast. Bunny pancakes and smoothies. It isn't breakfast in this house without one of Johns smoothies!



Now we are full...happy...and content after a fun couple of days. It's time to get to work. We plan to set up a fence today...prune our trees...and pack up all our winter clothes and gear. Yes-that's right- I've decided that it is time to bring out the warm stuff. By so doing, I've officailly declared that winter is over and we will not see any more of that yucky white stuff again. ...you can thank me later.



We are so grateful for the gospel and the promise of eternal friends and families. Especially as we've been so blessed with great ones! Happy Easter

HOPPY Easter!!!

We had so much fun visitng these little sheep that live down the road from us. Those little lambs were so darn cute! I want one!!!




We are looking forward to the long weekend. Tomorrow we will go to BC to see some friends, we plan to do a lot of yard work, set up a fence and enjoy the company of family and loved ones. Isn't the Easter season great? It is nice to be able to reflect on all that we've been blessed with. We wish you all the best this weekend! Hope the Easter Bunny finds you!

AHhhhhh!!

Ever feel as though you've bitten off more then you can chew? It's been one of those days for me.

Despite the cluttered feeling I can't shake, something really cool happened this morning. Our doorbell rang around 10:30 and when I opened it there stood one of the beehives in our ward. I was her primary teacher last year. She had her arms full with her painting supplies. Now, I was not expecting this visit from her, however I did know that she has recently begun art lessons. I thought to myself, "Self...she may have something to teach you." Boy did she. For the next few hours we painted together...sharing technique...giving advice. It was also handy to have her around as I was able to step out sans babies for a bit to take abby to preschool. (Wouldn't it be great to have a 12 year old?....one of those built in babysitters. Sigh ...one day) Anyways she just rambled off a load of rules...ideas...pointers that no doubt came straight from her art teacher. Like a sponge I just soaked it up. At one point she said, "Isn't it funny? You used to teach me-and now I'm teaching you."

Yeah...it was a humbling moment.

4 things.

1. We attended the local production put on by the Elementary School "Ei-Ie Ei-Ie OOPS." (I probably spelled that wrong, I know;) It was a darling little play about a bovine with self esteem issues that has lost the ability to MOO. The barnyard animals all work together in the cutest play I've ever seen. And might I add-that barnyard consisted of the BEST pig 'd ever seen. Good job Ava!

2. We took the kids to the local museum for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Pretty much organized chaos. The kids cleaned up on chocolate and even got to see the Easter Bunny. That has pretty much solidified, for them, the notion that the Easter Bunny does infact exist. Therefore, we will likely use this to our advantage... in the form of manipulative bribery. (ie: "Abby the Easter Bunny skips right by homes of kids who don't share...") That kinda thing.

3. We have a budding artist. One of my favorite moments this week occurred when Sam and Jess were both napping. I pulled out some art supplies and Abby actually joined in the fun this time. She usually does not enjoy coloring, or anything artsy. So for 30 blissful minutes we painted together while watching Chicken Little.

4. We've seen the light!!! So we've finally decided to change every lightbulb in our house. We replaced the old ones with the newer energy efficient ones. What a difference that made. I love how un-DIM our place is now. Between that and the dryer we also replaced.. we're hoping to see a major decrease in our utility bill. Ok maybe I'm just dreamin. Atleast it is bright.

Heart attack!

So yesturday was a pretty good day. I got a lot done. The kids played with friends...all in all very productive. That is...until...the "episode" as I like to refer to it as. John came home from work and I began preparing dinner, as is the routine for us. Now, I have often said that bad things can happen in that hour before supper and today was proof of that. Minutes before eating I asked John to help the kids wash up and come to eat. Abby came...Jess came...no Sam. John went looking for him, but our house is not very big. It wasn't long before he came back to report that Sam...couldn't be found. Good Grief I thought- I do NOT have time for this. We looked and looked for him. Then we called and called for him. After several minutes of this I began to get frantic - we began yelling for him. ...Nothing.

It was then that I realized our front door was unlocked. Not open-but unlocked. Common sense told me there was no way he could reach the doorknob (as we'd purposely installed it several inches higher than on normal doors.) Yet...what if Abby opened it? What if it had been left opened? What if...

Panic hit. That is when I realized that one of two things happened. Either Sam escaped outside or he was somewhere in the house...hurt and unable to call out. A significant amount of time had gone by by this point. What if Sam had gotten all the way down the street and fallen down the steep hill...what if he was wandering the neighborhood lost and panicking...what if, well I know this town is safe but the worst possible scenario was going through my mind, and as I ran down the street in search of him, I felt certain that Sam had been kidnapped and was halfway to the border by now.

All the sudden a sweet little voice called out, "I found him!" John and I both ran to where Abby was and sure enough there too was Sam. In the house...in his room...underneath a big pile of stuffed animals...with a BIG grin on his face, a bag of cookies clutched to his chest.

You know that shaky feeling you get when you've been in a car accident? I felt that for the rest of the night. Every time I looked at that tiny little boy I had to take him in my arms and tell him I loved him and BEG him not to scare me like that again. Yet...looking back I can't help but feel a little bit nervous. There is no doubt that he heard John and I calling for him. No doubt...he knew he should answer us- yet he didn't. Infact, the whole experience was quite a delight for him. I'm afraid my son has a very twisted sense of humor.

Why is it that kids enjoy watching us sweat?

A SPRING in our step

Yesterday was a great day. For starters, the weather was gorgeous! Everything is melting and we are beginning to see patches of green grass creeping out from underneath the disappearing piles of snow. I LOVE spring! Something about this time of year that just makes you wake up a bit doesn't it?

I was feeling especially energized and decided to spend the morning re-organizing my cupboards. A major dejunking. Every cupboard. All of them. To me-that is a beautiful thing. I find it very rewarding to look into a cupboard and know that everything in it is stuff that we actually use. I have no difficulty parting with junk. (Mind you there has been a time or two when John has wished I hadn't been so impulsive that way.) I've decided that I'm going to spend one hour every day on some aspect of spring cleaning. (ie windows, spraying the house, steam cleaning...whatever) I'm enjoying the thought of it.

Oh yeah,....back to our beautiful spring day. We picked up Abby from pre-school as usual, only today we took the time to play on the playground a bit. It was slightly overcast and I thought that it might actually rain. Now that - would have been perfect! Abby and Sam loved playing, I loved feeling the satisfaction of knowing that the kids were actually being active again after the long winter months, and Jessica enjoyed...the Rocks.


Jess stood very happily in one spot and never really deviated from it. Those little pebbles sure held her attention. ...and apparently they tasted good to her as well.


After the park we stopped by the farm that is down the street from us. They have the most adorable little lambs right now and Sam and Abby can't get enough of them.
Seriously aren't those little things CUTE!!! And nothing says spring more than little lambs.

After family home evening we went outside to enjoy the perfect evening. The kids broke out their bikes for the first time, and Grandpa even came by and had homemade smoothies with us while we listened to two nearby owls. Grandpa tried to lure them closer by calling to them, and now Abby is amazed that she has a Grandpa who can "speak owl."




Today was one of those days where nothing could have bothered me. Teething baby?...piles of laundry? ...botched supper? -it's all good. I was just feeling some gratitude for the important things in life. My beautiful kids...my husband...spring....and CLEAN CUPBOARDS.

All Bugged Out!

So today was the much anticipated day! Abby's first birthday party. You know, it seems to me that Abby's birthday has been the dominant focus in our home ALL week long. Thankfully - Sam still thinks it's been all about HIM.

Seeing as Abby turned 5, we told her that she could invite the five girls that she goes to school with. Of course we invited Mya too because my kids can't seem to BREATHE without seeing her daily! The theme: Spring Fling. Sounds easy right?

I tried really hard to keep the party simple, but boy is it easy to go overboard. I decided earlier this week that I needed to simplify and downsize in a major way before I exploded from the stress of my 5 year olds birthday party. Cuz you know that can be SOOOO stressful!!!!! Therefore, in efforts to simplify, we opted out of many of the games I'd planned, decided against the trip to the nearby farm to see the baby lambs, and of course it was good bye Pinata. Despite the (above)omissions from an already worn out mom, I think the kids still had a fun time. They planted flowers to take home...went on a "bug hunt"... played "Bumble Bee Bumble Bee, are you sleeping?" Mostly though, they just did what kids do best. Play. (It helps to have John around when the playing starts. He's so good at that) They were very sweet girls. I couldn't help but think that one day Abby will be driving "mainies" with some of these same kids. Ugghh...stop thinking about it Tanis.

The menu consisted of Caterpillars, Butterfly wings, Ant Sandwiches, and Ladybugs. Look at us, trying to be all healthy. Well..except for those blasted ladybugs!


All in all it was a pretty good time. Mind you, one sweet little girl couldn't help but ask..."But when are we doing the pinata?"

She's FIVE!!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Today is Abigail's birthday! We have some family coming over this evening to celebrate and then she is having her first real "friend party" this weekend. Something tells me there will be a lot of sugar consumed this week. LOTS and LOTS.

I had fun making this video montage for her today. Looking through all of her pictures brought back so many memories. Since she is our first, she's had to put up with our early days as I learned how to be a MOM. I hope she'll forget those days that I didn't do so well;) Abby is such a spunky little girl and she is not really afraid of anything. One thing I love about her is her ability to consider everybody her friend. I remember one time when we took her to the park, there was a group of rebelious teenagers smoking up on the playset by the slide. I cringed inside as Abby went up to these adolescents and said, "Hey friends...wanna play?" We'll have to encourage her to be a little more selective in the future...but I do love how open and inviting she is to others.

Abby you really are a special little girl and one of MY best friends. Happy Birthday!

A year ago...

It was a year ago this weekend that I was preparing for a family dinner we'd be having the next day. Jessica was going to be blessed. ...It was Abby's 4th Birthday. It was a year ago this weekend that we got the call. My Dad had suddenly passed away.

I've been trying to write an entry about my Dad all day but I can't seem to be satisfied with what I type. Perhaps it is because nothing I could say would do justice to how much I miss him, or how great of a man he was. Thankfully, my sister Jewel wrote a very beautiful entry on her post and she really summed up everything I have been feeling. She included a slideshow of my Dad that included so many pictures of him with our kids. He was the BEST Grandpa. Go here to read what I wish I could have said about this man that was my Dad.:))

Mostly I wanted to give a shout out to my siblings and let them know how much I love them and that I am thinking of them this today. I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have that Mom and Dad are together! Love you guys!

Just singin along

So last night, as I was on my way home from running a couple of quick errands, I managed to get a little bit distracted. Just as I turned the corner and proceeded up our street about to pull into our driveway, a song came on the radio that I hadn't heard in a long time. Suddenly I was compelled to pass by my home, (sorry kids...sorry John...sorry dishes that had to be done), and I just drove, soaking up the memories that floaded into my mind as I sang along.

Isn't it funny how a simple song can take you back to a totally different place and time. Some songs bring back such vivid memories to me I can almost feel the weather or smell the odors of that moment. For example, hearing Whitney Houston's "I will always love you," will forever remind me of warm summer days, riding in my yellow jeep with my little sister, as we belted (or bellowed) that song at the top of our lungs. Hearing "Heart in Peices" by Chicago reminds me (for some reason) of christmas tree hunting in the mountains when I was ten. Nelly Furtado was playing on the radio one time as I fished along the North Saskatchewan river and now every time I hear "I'm like a bird", I go back to that same spot in my mind, the beautiful summer evening, mosquitos and all. My all time favorite memory comes to mind every time I hear Eric Claptons "Wonderful Tonight." John performed that on his guitar on our first date. Sure he probably sang it to lots of girls before me...but whenever I hear it now, I can't help but feel like it's my song, or should I say OUR song. What kind of songs do that for you?

It makes me wonder sometimes, when I turn on the radio, what music am I listening to today, that will one day bring back vivid and tender memories of little feet, a dirty van, piles of laundry, and a to-do list that is quickly reaching impossible proportion. ...I hope it won't be something by the Doodlebops;)

Just a little, white one...

So we went over to my sisters house this evening to celebrate her husbands birthday with them, and some other family. She served a delicious strawberry layered desert and we played a cute little game with the kids, but that's beside the point. As we were talking, the subject of pregnancy came up, because let's face it, anytime you get more than one mom together that topic will inevitably be discussed. Anyways, I happened to mention at one point that I have, a time...or two lied to Doctors during my initial pregnancy checkup about my "dates." I push them up by one week, and ONE WEEK ONLY, thus making my due date on their records one week earlier. My reasoning for this was simple. It meant that worst case scenario, even if I do go overdue and need to be induced,technically, the baby is still out of my tummy and in my arms at 40 weeks-no later. Now I know most people don't worry much about being over due, but until you've had to puke daily,for nine months straight-don't judge me. Besides I have, like 8 lb babies...I'm not jeopardizing any extra growth or anything. I was only wanting to ensure that I didn't have to be sick for any more than 40 weeks. 41 weeks? I don't know if I could do that...OK?!!

This does pose a little bit of a dilemna for me now however, when people ask me how close my kids came to being born on their due dates. On record? My youngest was 6 days late. Seriously though, my kids have all come on their "real" due dates or a day after. Now how do I answer that without going into a long drawn out confession about what a liar I was? Honestly (no pun intended) is that really so bad? I didn't think so, until we got home and during our scripture study John just happened to read about honesty and how the "angels in heaven do not decieve." Great. Nothing like some light reading before bed to help me sleep tight:)

Ok...Sure... I've lied before. Like when I go shopping and come home to show John the purchases, I tend to "round DOWN" when describing the prices to him. If someone asks me if I like their outfit I will ALWAYS say yes even if I don't. When asked- I'll always insist I'm not that busy...even if I'm SWAMPED!

HOWEVER, and in my defense, I really do strive to be an honest person. For example, this past week during Volleyball, I reached high to block the ball as it came over the net. I felt my fingers slightly graze the ball before it landed out of bounds. Now I could have lied and said I didn't touch it, but I was honest, thus giving the serve to the other team.

There. Do you think that cancels out the whole due date thing?

One Beautiful Day

The kids played at the park today for the first time since last fall. They sure enjoyed it. Infact, I think I packed em up and brought them home much sooner then they would have preferred! Definately lookin forward to spring here!!!

Birthdays...Carnivals...and the great Outdoors!

Brace yourself. We've had a busy week...I've got lots of pictures...and I'm in the mood to talk! I'm afraid this little recap is going to be, well...not-so-little:)

So the school students down here are enjoying a week off. And when there is no school...John has no prep...no marking, no early mornings. Aaahhhhh-this is when being married to a school teacher rocks! We've had a lot of fun with him and others this week. Some of John's family came last weekend to visit and we all went cross-country skiing in Waterton. A big thanks to them all for making that fun trip happen. It was so beautiful and WARM, and just great to get out in the fresh air and enjoy some great company too. Jessica was quite content to be carried on John's or my back. Sam and Abby were equally content so long as they too were being carried! By the end of the day John and I had a renewed determination to get our kids out more doing stuff like this so they don't become complete wuss'! (is that how I say that? Wussie? Wusses?) Bottom line...we have ventured out on the skis a couple of times since, and they are enjoying it more and more each time. The weather has been amazing
Family day was perfect. My sister Crystal and her son came down to visit for the weekend. It was great to see them and to hang out together at Jewel's house. If I get permission, I plan to post a recipe for the BEST BBQ pizza Jewel created. I'm telling ya, Hmmm-mmmm! It was loaded with BBQ sauce, chicken, corn, and black beans, topped with cheese! Oh, look at that, there you have it...the recipe:) After lunch, we all went to a local carnival that was put on by a business here in town. The kids got their faces painted, toured a museum, got some funny shaped balloons, and played some great carnival style games. We took them home tired...painted, and full of sugar. Later that day we all built some snowmen together outside. The warm weather has helped make the snow perfect for building!
Other activites accomplished this week were: skating as a family, trips to the library, baking, gathering all of our tax info, watching the awesome lunar eclipse (wasn't that cool!) and celebrating Jessicas 1st birthday!

Yes that is right our little baby turned 1 yesturday. It seems a little anti-climatic to just mention her at the end of this post...she deserves a lot more fanfare than this. There is something about Jessica that just lights up our little family. So often I see little individual characteristics in each of my children that I think could, one day, be great talents and abilities. She is such a happy little soul. I think that is a gift of hers, and hopefully she'll carry that happiness and positivity with her throughout her life. This has been a big year for us, one with many changes, and I'm so grateful that Jessica has been here, our little "ray of sunshine" through it all!


Happy Birthday Jess!!!

Major Meltdown

No I didn't have one today. The meltdown is in reference to the fantastic Chinook that blew through here. Yahooo the deepfreeze is over! I actually felt the need to rush through what needed to be done (ok John would tell you that I'm always in a "rush", but today I made particular haste), just so that we could all get outside a bit to play. I really thought that the practically waist high pile of snow would be gone in no time and I didn't want to miss it. Boy did it feel great to get some fresh air and the kids enjoyed every second. Jessica wouldn't stop squealing-and I realized it was the first time this entire winter that I've really brought her out. Usually when we go somewhere I've got her bundled up, ...in a snow suit,... with a blanket tossed over her head and face,... running her to the van, all the while she can hardly breathe she's so covered. Well today she finally got to enjoy it a bit. Sam and Abby rolled around the snow with a couple of their friends until they were soaking wet. WET I tell you! I love it. Will I jinx it to say I think spring might be on its way?







Only two more days until Valentines Day! I can't wait! I am a real succor for Holidays. It doesn't matter which one. I just love getting to teach my kids about the significance of each celebration, and seeing their enjoyment gives me the best feeling. Tomorrow Abby is having a Party at preschool. I remember those parties so well. No, doubt she will come home with a handmade envelope full of cute little Valentines. I will be, eh-he... I mean SHE will be so excited to look at every single one. Ohhhhhh!!!!!

I made a bunch of these cinnamon succors this past week, so we put this Valentines Bouqet together for her teacher. Hope she likes cinnamon...my family sure doesn't!


Happy Valentines day to all of you that I know and Love. Isn't it great!!
I hope John gets me something good! We'd agreed not to really buy eachother anything this year, but I totally got him something and it was SOOO expensive!



HEE HEE
(k only kidding...I just wanted to make him panic for a sec;)



Sugar Cookie Recipe for Laura and anyone else!

K Laura sorry for deleting this recipe. I'm glad you liked it. Here it is for you again:

1/2 cup butter, 1 egg, 1 1/2 cups flour, pinch of salt, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 Tbsp milk, 1Tsp baking powder, 1tsp vanilla. Cream together, cut in shapes and bake at 350 for 8 minutes.
HERE IS A GOOD TIP: I made these the other day and I didn't have any milk so I used 2 Tbsp of sour cream instead. They were fantastic. Also when you make your icing, add a tsp or two of almond extract to the icing. Yummm.

Vampires, Werewolves...and ME

I have been doing a lot of reading lately, and that is unusual. Infact I think I've read more books in the past two months then I have in the past decade. My most enjoyable reads this past month or so have been the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. Seriously! Not since the "Babysitters Club" have I been so excited by a series of books. It is all about vampires, and werewolves and I have to admit that I have gotten sort of swept up in the world of the supernatural. Examples of this:
For starters I think I may have developed a teensy little crush on one of the few GOOD vampires. His name is Edward and he is a dream! That said, not all vampires are good-infact most are deadly. I'm suddenly too scared to go outside and start the van in the mornings. The thought of a "bad one" lurking just inside our garage has me terrified. I find myself seriously contemplating what I would do if I ever did come across a vampire. Of course, I'd be a goner. Apparantly, they move like lightning! Last night I reached an all time low, when my 2 year old woke up during the night. I walked back to his room, layed down with him and rubbed his arm until he fell back to sleep. When he was out again, I just layed there, desperately wanting to return to my own warm and comfortable bed, yet the thought of venturing out into our dark hallway had me paralyzed. So there I stayed, on that cheap IKEA mattress, (curled up in the fetal position), blankets over my head, listening for any sound that might of been caused by a vampire or werewolf. I pretty much acted like a 6 year old. Is that crazy or what? Don't worry, this morning I woke up feeling like a complete idiot. Not to mention the kink in my neck.

I forgot how great it was to just get lost in the make believe world of a book! Anyways, I finished the last book this morning. Shortly after that, Sam crawled out of his bed and threw up...a half hour later Jessica did the same...and I'm feeling sick as well.


I guess it is back to real life for me!!




________________________________________________________________
On another note, I was tagged by my sister in-law Kristen. I'm out of fresh answers for these "tags" so I'm going to have to dig a bit deepeer.

Seven things you may not have known about myself and/or my family:

1. I am in love...with a vampire:)))

2. In Junior High my friends (ok everyone:) called me "Mel." It was short for "MALnutrition." Yes I was a bit scrawny, but honestly they maybe took it a bit far. To this day I still plan to take my kids out of school in time for those hideously awkward junior years, and then return them to the public system, unscarred and confident, by grade 11:) I wonder if John will have a problem with that?

3. The only thing I really truly fear is...everything I can't control. :)

4. Deep...deep...deep down it bothers me when people comment on how much our kids look like John. I mean, true he is the better looking one, but I did do all the work for those long 9 months!!

5. We are very nomadic in nature. We've been married for six years and have moved NINE times. It seems only fitting that the first home we purchased would be a "mobile" one:))

6. Our dream vacation would be to rent an RV and drive across the country to PEI stopping everywhere inbetween.

7. I think John is the most amazing person I know. There is nothing that he can't do. He can fix, build, create ANYTHING. He's practically superman

Happy Groundhog day to everyone. According to the official Website in which I got this pic from, ol Phil saw his shadow. Six more weeks of winter. Did you know that Groundhog day actually marks the mid mark in the winter season? Seriousy are we only halfway through? I guess I'm in a "glass half empty" kind of mood when it comes to the weather right now.

I ventured onto ETSY for the first time ever last week and ordered some of these: http://ribbonwands.blogspot.com/. (Sorry...having some trouble posting the link any other way right now) I was EXTRA thrilled when they arrived on Friday;) Thanks Nikki. Can't wait to give em to my wee ones on valentines day!!