Waterton Winterfest

This past weekend was Winterfest in Waterton, and I'd been looking forward to getting out there all week!!    (I know this picture looks like my kids are all excited, but it took a lot of arm twisting to get some of the to willingly get in the van. ;)

Lucky for them, wagon rides were being offered, and that was exactly the kind of thing we needed to perk them all right up!

We essentially got a wagon ride all throughout the core of Waterton, and my kids sang and cracked jokes the whole time.

Jess of course was in her element, and even brought her wildlife identification book along for the ride.    Not that it came in handy or anything, but still, she likes to carry it around;)

Nate surprised me the most.   He was the one who bawled the whole morning any time we mentioned a trip to Waterton.   Then he cried as we all got ready to go.   He cried for part of the trip out.  And he cried as we waited for our wagon ride to begin.   

Apparently he warmed up to things as soon as the horses got going.    

He's still talking about the super fun time he had!  (He's such a little scammer)

After the carriage ride, we went down to our favourite family hangout at Pass Creek, where we enjoyed hot apple cider and granola bars in the newly built camp kitchen.     

John thought up a clever way to cool his cider down a little;)

Whenever our family gets out to do something a little special together, I always feel inclined to take a few pictures, you know...to capture the love and all:

And I'm always so thankful for my very cooperative loved ones who value the preservation of memories as much as I do.   (I was being sarcastic.   My kids hate me. I'm sure of it)

Fortunately, John learned a long time ago that when I say "look at the camera" it's really just easiest to do exactly that.   

It was a BEEEAUTIFUL day in Waterton.   Still a little chilly, but warm enough for things to be melting.   It is such a hopeful thing to see the cold and ice begin to dissipate, and to know that spring is just around the corner.  

It is also such a hopeful thing for me, as a parent, to see my kids happily playing together and enjoying the great outdoors.   At one point I looked at John in shock and said, "Look!  They do still know how to play!!"    Lately it seems as though if they aren't in front of a TV or computer, they just don't know what to do.    It would appear that the trick is to get them 30 miles away from the nearest internet connection and new life is breathed into them.  

It was the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon!!!

Our Week in Hashtags

We've officially got an 11 year old!!   

This past Tuesday was Abby's big day, and she was so excited.    

Jewel, Kendall and their kids came over to help celebrate which made things extra special for Abs.    Because really, how could you not feel special when "Happy Birthday" is sung with accompaniment?  

 And a flute nonetheless! 

Abby asked for a Duck Dynasty cake so that hopefully explains that mess of a picture in the top corner.   (Apparently a cartoon of Si saying "Happy Birthday Jack" was the best I could do.   Luckily- it was all Abby needed!!!;)   It's always fun to visit with family, and on this particular night we were entertained with the longest most ridiculous story my niece Ava has ever conjured up, AND she introduced us all to the wonderful world of #Hashtags.    Forgive me,  but I feel inspired to end my paragraphs from this point on in just such a fashion.   (#Just trying to be cool, #wannabelikemyniece, #11 years already!, #say what?!!!!)

Wednesday brought some warmer temperatures, which was such a relief!  

Sam attended cubs and they all joined their leaders on a nature hike to the "Hidden Valley."    Perhaps you didn't realize that there was a hidden valley right here within town limits, now did you?    Me neither.  Apparently such a place does exist, though the trek there required a jaunt across the frozen Lee's creek - which ...apparently is not so frozen anymore!    Sam came home soaking wet, which prompted me to go off on a 2 hour lecture about how you never... NEVER play on an icy creek in the spring.  Though I'm surprised I even needed to have this conversation again.

    (#isn't that common sense?, #Duh!, #keeping him alive is harder then it looks)

John and I are still in "move out mode", seeing as the new owners don't take pocession of our home until April 1st.   Turns out what we thought was going to be a laid back way to move is quite actually the worst arrangement in the history of the world!  We've spent the last two or three weekends conjuring up work there, and likely will spend a couple of more weekends there before all is said and done.  For the love, WHY do we always feel the need to leave a house better then it was when we got it?   I don't know, perhaps I'm just having a hard time walking away?   

 (#welcome to the move that never ends, #still miss it)

The kids have had a great season of Champs, and this is the first year that Abby, Sam and Jess each got to participate.   I've LOVED seeing their improvement!    There is one week left and I'm not sure John and I know what we'll do with those extra two hours.    (oh wait- yes I do!!)   We're determined to keep the kids working on what they've learned.   Abby was asked to be a part of a spring league team but John and I reluctantly opted out.   She's gotten good- she really has, and I know this league would only help her get better, but we just aren't ready to start planning our schedule around basketball.   Not.just.yet.  Next year we'll put her in for sure! 

(#poor deprived child, #we lazy, #Ihaveaphobiaofoverschedulingmyfamily, #commitment issues much?)

Sunday is undoubtedly my favourite day of the week.   8:30 am church felt particularly painful this morning with daylight savings and all, but the afternoon was enjoyed in the most relaxing way.   We took a drive to look for eagles (the migration is upon us!) and then settled down to watch a movie together.   Can you believe it though- the kids tried to convince us that "NACHO LIBRE" should actually counts as an appropriate Sunday movie!   You know, because "there is a priest in it, and it's about an orphanage, and that one guy asks for forgiveness... "    (Those were my kids justifications, not mine;)    

 (#fat chance, #ifI'mnotcarefulthey'llgrowupdumb  #Saturdays warrior or nothing at all!)

We hope you all had the most fabulous week ever.

SPRING IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!!!!

Just Chilling!

Brrr....it is C-O-L-D!!!

The past few days have brought arctic temperatures our way, with windchill making it feel like a balmy -39 degrees!!   I'm not kidding- that is just too cold for any sane person to have to put up with.  

February is always the worst month for me, and I think everyone around me agrees- we are DONE with winter!  It's definitely time to move on to warmer days;)

After a week off of school, and a crazy move, it was nice to be able to get back in to a routine, which of course, leaves Nate and I alone during the day.   Apparently he has grown so bored of our every day interaction that he'd rather read the ensign instead! 

I seriously walked into the room to find him doing this.   I felt so bad for the poor kid that I immediately took him down town for a swim at the local hotel.   

On Monday night, our new neighbour Melanie stopped by with her three kids.  They didn't stay longer then a minute or two, but they left behind the most delightful FHE treat ever.  Crepes, creme and fruit!   So yummy;) 

 It was so thoughtful of her and such a comforting reassurance to me that there are good people all around us.  John and I are so lucky, we seem to "win the lottery" every time with great neighbours!!

(I wish they could say the same about us though;)

On Friday, John came home with a sheepish and confused look on his face.   He explained how he had pulled up to the house...parked in the driveway...realized he was not far enough over, so re-parked the truck....walked up the front steps...put the key in the door...and attempted to enter the house - all before realizing that IT.WAS.THE.WRONG.HOUSE!!!!

For the life of me, I don't understand it, but he swears that in the dark the two houses just look alike;)    Melanie and I were laughing about it the next day and she admitted that she was a little confused herself as to why John was just trying to walk into her house!    haha.    

It was pretty funny, yet despite the joke it has become, we have spent the rest of this weekend shovelling driveways and trying to reassure all who live on this block that we really are not creepy people;)     Well..not the rest of us at least!;)

On second thought...perhaps I should just speak for myself! ;)

HAPPY MARCH!!!

Adventures in Babysitting...Part 1

Six months ago, John and I put our house up for sale.    

A couple of weeks after that, at an evening Relief Society meeting, a member of our ward threw out the suggestion that we should sell our house and just buy hers, as her and her husband were getting ready to serve a mission.   (I think she was joking, but I kinda latched on to the idea and somehow within a couple of days that morphed into a house sitting arrangement.  It seemed like the perfect idea!)

So, for the past few months we have planned to do just that.  The Ridley's prepared for their mission, and John and I continued preparations to sell our house.   Only problem is - it wasn't selling.   

That might have something to do with the fact that NOTHING is selling in this town!

I tried not to worry about that small logistic too much in the weeks that followed, and I especially tried not to worry when Danny and Kay got their call and an official date was set.    As their reporting date approached though, reality began to set in and the prospect of being responsible for our home and their home began to overwhelm me.

We began to pursue the option of renting out our house and coming back to it in a year, but there were a few problems with that.  1.  The renting pool in town is pretty shallow   2.  John and I would not make good Landlords  3.  A year from now we'd still be faced with the same necessary renos that made us want to list the house in the first place.

What to do...what to do?  

 Luckily...just 10 days before the Ridley's were scheduled to leave, we received not one, but two unofficial offers on our home.   It felt like a miracle!  Proverbial Manna from Heaven!   Literally, an answer to prayer!

So here is where things currently sit: 
Five days ago, (the same day the Ridleys left for their mission) the papers were signed and an awesome young family from Edmonton will be moving in to our home.    I think that is the part that makes me most sad.   I realized this weekend that we are moving away from some of the most stellar and special people that I have known all these past 5 years!   I know we are still in the same ward and all, but what if our friendships change now?  And even worse- what if they end up liking this new family MORE?!!  The jealousy would seriously get to me!  haha

John on the other hand, has no regrets.   Not because he didn't love where we lived, but because he refuses to live "looking back."  Steady John is always hopelessly optimistic that we are exactly where we need to be and I love him for it!

This past Friday and Saturday we got rid of 1/3 of the junk we've accumulated and moved the rest of our stuff over to the house that will be our home for the next 12 months or so.  We look forward to taking care of it, and loving it as though it was ours.

Here's hoping for an uneventful and blessed experience house sitting!!

Let the adventure begin....

Poof! She's 7 :(

Jessica's birthday snuck up on us this year.   In fact, it really does seem like only yesterday that we were bringing this little girl home - and POOF...now she is 7!

It makes me a little bit sad really.

Jessica though, was thrilled, and made all sorts of demands last Thursday that she obviously felt entitled as the Birthday Girl to make.    Breakfast in bed...a cake decorated exactly according to her homemade diagram...the eating of dessert before supper....and a turtle!

Unfortunately, only one of her birthday request was actually met, and we all ate an incredibly sugar filled cake as a result:   

I know this is a horrible photo, but I loved that when we all started singing "Happy Birthday" to her, she stood up and began to conduct!  haha  (I guess if we are going to sing to her, she may as well make sure we do it properly;)

Earlier that day, this crafty girl kept coming to me asking me how to spell all sorts of words.   I suppose I should have questioned what she was up to, but I didn't.   Turns out- she had taken a black marker to her white shirt and written all sorts of celebratory birthday messages about herself! 

 (You know, just in case any of us happened to forget it was her big day!;)  

 This girl would be impossible to forget, and she was certainly spoiled by family and friends who love her as much as we do!

Jessica is such a Bright Light.  

She reminds us every day to simply "love everything about the whole world" and we sure are grateful for her influence in our family!

Ski Day!!

The kids didn't have school this past Wednesday, and John was accompanying several High School students on a ski trip.   We decided to take advantage of the opportunity and get the kids out there too so that John could teach them how to ski.    

It's sad to admit, but up until now, our kids had never downhill skied before, and given the gong show that was last months X Country ski event - I did not have high hopes they'd like it at all.   So I took a couple of precautions: 

First, I spent several days prepping and warning the kids that downhill skiing was hard.  Really hard. In fact, they probably wouldn't like it very much at first.;)   

Second,   I pawned our youngest boy off on my sister for the day.   (Ever tried to keep a four year old happy in a ski lodge for 8 hours?   Me neither, and I didn't want to!)    Besides, it's not like my sister had anything going on, what with her newly broken ankle and all!!! 

Note:  THIS is why you don't play basketball when you are old...ish;)

Yes, that's right.   I left my four year old behind to be babysat by my poor decrepit sister.   

What's the big deal?

Ahem.  Meanwhile, back at the hill....

we were quickly able to find John and within minutes the kids were all suited up and raring to go!   

I adore the confidence that they all had.    Jessica was initially determined to stay back with me, but as soon as she took a look around and got a sense of the excitement- there was no turning back.

I was impressed at how quickly they got the hang of it.    John said it took two maybe three runs before they each were completely hooked and loving it.   (See it does help to prepare them for the worst sometimes;)     How the chair lift didn't freak them out, I'll never know.  

Just watching them on the chair lift made me nauseous.  Yikes, there they go!!!

(I'm the one behind the camera, praying that the cable holds;)

Just a couple of minutes later, I'd watch as four of my favourite people would come zooming towards me.   Jessica was almost always leading the way.

John said Jess had some serious speed, and occasionally he'd have to kick into his fastest mode just to catch up to her!  She's crazy.

Sam was slightly more cautious, but mastered his stopping technique in no time!   

Without fail, Abby always came soaring past me striking some sort of celebratory pose, or proclaiming how much "she rocked!"    Like I said- I adore their confidence!  ;)

They all had so much fun it was virtually impossible to tear them off the hill.   It wasn't until the ski lift attendant shut things down (and not a moment sooner) that the kids sadly relented and headed to the van.   Tired, but so so happy.

During the hour and a half long drive home the kids shared stories of the day and compared highlights.    At one point Sam thoughtfully said, "Mom?  I don't know what it is, but I just kinda...I don't know...feel taller now."  haha.    He was one proud little man, and yes, he seemed a bit taller to me too.

 And how did I spend my day, you ask?

Sigh....it was pretty dreamy;)

January Blues

January is always a tough month for my family.    The excitement of Christmas has worn off, school is in full force again, and the winter weather is not going away any time soon.    I've got 4 bored little kids around here, and it doesn't help that we have made TV off limits on weekdays.    (They aren't sure they'll survive the torture, but I'm willing to take that risk;)    

To curb the boredom, Jessica has taken to odd and random craft projects.   One day she made a bouquet of flowers out of a Kraft dinner box, construction paper flowers, and uncooked spaghetti noodle "stems."   She had wanted to give this bouquet to her Aunt who was visiting, but it somehow mysteriously made it's way into the garbage before she had the chance to.    (I have no idea how that happened!;)        

This was a mouse she made one day after inhaling an entire can of mandarin oranges all on her own.     

She's taking our goal to "reuse and recycle" to a whole new adorable level!    I love her creativity!

Knowing that January is always a slow and sluggish month, I signed Abby and Sam up for Ultra kids (a running club offered to elementary aged boys and girls.)      This group actually began running back before Christmas, and though it has taken a few weeks for my kids to catch the vision of it, they have been running every day now!    On Saturday John even ran with them, and they doubled their miles!   (I've always known it helps to take a buddy along;)

And when all else fails-   when the crafts have all been done, and the kids have run their little hearts out - they have taken to dressing their little brother up in dresses and taking pictures.   

Say what!!!???   

I know I shouldn't be okay with this, and I do worry about what kind of permanent damage this might be causing....BUT...it brings the kids together on a common cause.  Not to mention the fact that Nate LOVES the laughter it invokes, and it buys me a few minutes of uninterrupted quieter then normal time.    Win Win!

It would appear as though my kids aren't the only ones suffering from a case of January boredom blues.    On Saturday morning, as we were having breakfast, our doorbell rang and this is what greeted us:

I seriously laughed until it hurt, as I clearly was not expecting this.    Apparently we laughed a little too much, because our poor neighbour went home upset, and came back later to tell us that "it isn't nice to laugh at people!"   And she is so.so.right!    I humbly apologized and tried to take her seriously from that point on.   It was pretty cute!

It has been a challenging couple of months as we have listed our house and then debated back and forth what it is we really want to do with it once we move.   Do we use it as a rental, or sell it?    I don't think I could handle the stress of being a landlord, but I also worry that I will regret giving this home up, and all of the neighbours that I love so much.    However, after a very helpful conversation with a member of my ward, (who conveniently happens to be a realtor) we have decided to stop being fence sitters and forge ahead.   

I'm already tired of trying to keep this house clean 24/7 and my kids think I'm the meanest mom ever, so here's hoping this home sells sooner then later!  

(sob...sob)   ;(

The kids' "worst day" ever!

My family had big plans to get together over the holidays for some cross country skiing.   Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances, and sad events made it impossible for a couple of my siblings to join us, so we all but decided to postpone for another time.  

On the last day of our school break though Jewel and I decided to get our two families out there and give it a try.    John and I have been enjoying this sport for a couple of years now, but bringing kids along...?    Well, that's a whole other experience!!!!

At some point during the drive out I actually took a second to pray that we would see a wolf.    It was just moments later that we all pulled over to watch this little guy.   

...which actually turned out to probably be a coyote, but still - that's a prayer that was almost answered;)

Waterton that day was a little chilly.   As in, the thermostat on my brother in laws truck was registering at -18 kind of chilly!

But the cold weather made for a beautiful backdrop.  I actually think that the coldest days make for the prettiest days. 

It was a very pretty drive!

And I was immensely grateful for our warm van.   And hot chocolate;)

But eventually, the pretty drive had to come to an end, and we all had to get out...into the cold.  

I'm pretty sure that Jewel and Kendall appreciated having to stand around and wait for us to get all our kids bundled up, and wrangle Nathan into his sled.    (To say we had an unwilling participant would be an understatement.)     Finally though- we were off!!

...and 10 minutes later (at best) we were headed back the way we came.   

Cold.  Frozen.  Hungry.   Frostbit. and Frustrated.

But hey, I think it's remarkable that we braved the frigid temps that long.    Yay us!!!!

On our way down from the mountain the kids each took their turn volunteering just "why exactly" this day was the worst day ever.    And then.....

they all fell asleep!!!

I can hardly wait to get back up there again.   

(Though something tells me that it will most likely be sans children!!)   

Thriving!

What a wonderful week this has been!

It has been perfectly relaxing, with just the right amount of wild and crazy fun!   

The girls have been working so hard all week long on their paint-by-number kits that they got for Christmas.   They are quite complicated projects, and Jessica has surprised me and devoted hours and hours to the tedious work.    She says she wants to be an artist one day!

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We were so glad that Ben, Kat, Marilyn and Blythe came down for a couple of days.   The kids had so much fun playing non stop wii games, and Blythe was content to just watch everybody else.   (Though she has taken an early interest in playing board games with the cousins!;)

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 Of course John and I had to continue our traditional Lord of the Rings Marathon.    It has become (oddly enough) my favourite holiday tradition, and it has been even more enjoyable this year!

John and I also managed to work in a date this week, and celebrate our 12 year of marriage!    Yup....twelve.   

I'm pretty impressed with us;)  haha.

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Abby and I volunteered to do "Meals on Wheels" deliveries today, and I am so glad that we did.    Despite the fact that I was not feeling super great, Abby was a phenomenal delivery person, and she made sure that every person on the list received their meal.   They were so gracious to her, and it was nice to wish these dear people a Happy New Year!

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John and I almost took the kids to Calgary for New Years Eve, which would have been so fun!  However, due to previous commitments, and the fact that I got sick- we decided it'd be best to stay home.   So...I did the next best thing:   I turned our Christmas tree into a "New Years Tree" so that even though we won't be getting together with family and having fun together, the kids will still think it's a party!    Throw in some crackers, cheese and summer sausage- and oila.    Party indeed!!!

We are getting ready to welcome in  2014.   

It has been such a busy year for us in a lot of ways, and it brought a lot of new experiences to our little family.    John and I talk often about what lies in store for us as we go into this New Year, and I think it is safe to say that "Change" is going to be the name of the game.   I've begun to accept (a little bit more) the notion that "change" is a good thing, and I really am looking forward to it all!   

I feel so grateful for this choice life we live and for all that my little family is blessed with.   

We are happy, healthy and THRIVING, and my hope this year, is that we can share that with those we love most!!!

Happy New Year to you all!!!!

Christmas Day

This is what Christmas Eve looked like, after the kids had all gone to bed!   

Presents were all set out, stockings were filled, and John and I were enjoying "It's a wonderful life" together.    This is my most favourite thing about Christmas Eve!  I just love the anticipation of Christmas morning.    

(The anticipation was higher then it even normally is, because we happened to know that this year- our kids were getting royally spoiled!!!)

They woke up at 6:30 in the freakin am on Christmas Day and John and I were mean.   We made them wait until 8:00 for Grandpa to join us!    

As per our Christmas Day tradition, we took a drive out to Waterton later that day.    You never know what you are going to see when you go to Waterton in the winter.     We've seen a golden eagle feeding on something, we've watched huge herds of Elk, but on this particular day the most exciting thing we saw were these giant waves!

The wind was fierce!!!  

I could hardly walk into the wind, which is precisely what I had to do to get this shot.   However I managed to get back to the van in 3 seconds flat! ;)   It was windy!!!

Santa brought each of the kids their own fishing rod, and Sam got a bow and arrow.   Being in Waterton today only made us long for warmer summer days of fishing together.    Sigh....

But, for now, it is winter.   We'll happily spend the time cozied up in our basement with cups of hot chocolate, endless hours of wasting our brain power watching mindless television, and just flat out enjoying each other's company.

We're all about enjoying the moment around here!