When the Toones get together

A little over a week ago, we received news that my Uncle had died very unexpectedly.   I had made plans to attend his funeral in Wetaskwin this past week but Jessica got sick the day we were to leave and had to stay back.   I was so sad to not get to go up there and be with the rest of the family at that important time.   Thankfully they all came down here after the funeral service for various family events over the next couple of days.   

On Wednesday evening my Uncle George organized a family dinner at the High School.    

This is pretty near ALL of the Toone bunch!

My sister Crystal and her family couldn't make it to this, and neither could a few of my cousins who lived farther away- but this is most of us.  

One of the hardest struggles for me is coming to grips with the "what might have been" moments in life, and I definitely wish that I had spent more time visiting with my Uncle Don.    For several years while John and I lived in Edmonton we did get opportunities to see him here and there, have him over for dinner, or help him with his landscaping.  At the time it never seemed like much, but now I am so very thankful for those moments, and I wish we'd done more together.  

It's one of those lessons in life that I feel I'm still trying to learn.   

(How to appreciate those in my life NOW!)

(This was taken at the Graveyard in Claresholm.   My Grandparents, Aunt, baby cousin, and now Uncle all rest here now.) 

It felt so nice to spend the afternoon in Claresholm.    It's where I grew up, and I couldn't help but feel like I had come home;)   So nice to see some familiar faces.   

One thing I love about all the Toone's is that they are so strong in the Gospel, and even in moments like this, when we gather for such a sad event, you can still feel such joy and happiness from them.   

Thank goodness for the gospel and the knowledge we have that Families are Forever!  On Thursday morning we all attended a temple session and it was a particularly neat experience.  I liked sitting next to Jewel and Chad before it started, but felt so sad to think of those who weren't with us.   It would have been extra awesome if my sister Crystal could have been there;)

My Uncle Jim and his entire family, (which is quite large in height as well as numbers:) travelled up from Utah together on one very BIG Bus!   They were kind enough to offer all the extra seats to anybody and everybody who might want to travel to Wetaskwin or Claresholm with them, and it was definitely a highlight, especially for the kids.     

It's nice to have these visits every now and then (even if for reasons such as a funeral) to reconnect and be together.    What a wonderful group!  I feel so grateful that I get to be related to and know such special people!

Apparently on your Birthday- it's ok to pick your nose.

John was a Halloween Baby.   Two years ago though, we came awfully close to having TWO Halloween babies.   Despite John's hopes, (and secret attempts to make me trick or treat with the kids until I went into labor,) it wasn't until early the next morning that Nate actually did arrive.    So now, we have a birthday on Halloween as well as a birthday the day after.     It makes the festivities extra hectic...and extra enjoyable!    It's like a double party, and nothing makes for a sugar high like having birthday cake and then going out and collecting  TONNE of candy from all the neighbors!  

 This year, as soon as we'd finished eating, and as the kids rushed around finding the remaining fragments of their costumes to put on - we paused to sing Happy Birthday to these two:

Conveniently Nate chose this moment out of the whole day- to pick his nose.  Of course right?    He apparently couldn't have even waited until after he blew out the candles.  Geesh!   

Days later, when I reviewed the photos on my camera, I wasn't the least bit surprised to see that their was not one single birthday shot that did not consist of him with his finger up his nose.  

Thanks Nate.    

Thanks a lot!

Oranges are meant to be eaten!

I always know Christmas is coming when the local grocery store starts selling mandarin oranges.  My family LOVES mandarin oranges and a crisper full of them never lasts long.    I've noticed lately that Nate is particularly fascinated with these juicy little balls of vitamin C, though not for reasons I would wish.

He is ALWAYS going to the fridge for another orange.  However- as soon as I peel it for him, he sticks his pointy finger through the center and walks around with the orange hanging on his hand for as long as it will remain there.   When it does fall off, or dry up- it's back to the fridge for another.   

This morning I heard the fridge open, followed by the pitter patter of 2 year old feet running downstairs.   Determined to not let another orange go to waste, I followed him downstairs, determined to take it away from him.  I was a little confused however to find the orange stuffed under his shirt, and when I tried to take it away, he burst into tears and cried, "Baby.   Baby!!!"    

I gave him the orange back and he stuck it back under his shirt sticking out his tummy-obviously happy to have his "baby" back where it belonged.    He continud to hold that orange for a large part of the day, truly treating it as though it was his precious responsibility.  

I'm wishing he'd go back to sticking it on his finger instead!!!

This could be a very long Orange Season for sure!

A Birthday Carnival like NO other!

Our little nephew Maddax (Rach & Brent's boy) turned ONE this weekend, and today we went into Lethbridge to celebrate the occasion.   I already wrote about the other events of our week but trust me- a party like this deserves a post of its very own!

Rachel planned a Birthday/Halloween Carnival that would put any party planner to shame.   Brent offered up the Vivint headquarters and they invited some of their nearby friends and family.   Oh my goodness- what a party!!!    The kids got goody bags with tokens that they could spend on various games:   Abby loved the face painting that Maddax's Aunt Lana did for her.   Nate wouldn't stop bowling and barely gave the other kids a try (but hey...at least he wasn't hitting anyone;).   Sam LOVED the fish pond.  And Jess was her usual self...happy with it all!    John was put in charge of the candy jar contest and he took that job very seriously to say the least;)

There were peanuts, brownie-covered oreos, candy popcorn, caramel apples, veggies, hot dogs macaroni, and the yummiest cupcakes ever!    

Maddax was a doll and we love that little boy so much!   It was cute to watch him as everyone (all 40+ of us) sang Happy Birthday.    He must have loved the attention because he clapped for the first time and seemed so proud of himself for it!!!     Rach impressed us all with her amazing candle blowing skills,  (not really though;)  and my kids came home that afternoon exclaiming that THIS...was now officially "the best day EVER!"

So, thank you Rachel and Brent for not only having such a cute little boy, but also for completely trumping every 'best day'  that I've ever tried to give my kids.    Well done!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the happiest little boy we know!

Halloween Fun (the week before;)

What a week!    There has been a lot of busyness around these parts and Halloween isn't even here yet!

The kids LOVED our ward Halloween Carnival, but of course, who wouldn't love a party with a fish pond and a seemingly endless supply of corn dogs?   

This party was also a great practice run for the kids  as they tried on their Halloween costumes for the first time.    Abby wanted to be a Halloween Fairy (based on one of her fairy books) and this little skirt just didn't cut it for her.     Sam has wanted to be Megamind for weeks which I thought would have been perfect!   After getting his costume ready ...he decided last minute that he wanted to wear his two year old Spider man costume.  Again:(    Apparently he didn't want to wear blue face paint?    Good to know.    Nate was the cutest little frog so long as he wore the frog hood over his head.   Which was ...never.  So, basically he walked around all night wearing a green sweater;)    

John however was happy being "Mr.Smarty pants," and I must say- he played that part so well;)

Earlier in the week we took the kids to a "Spooktacular Reptile Show" that was in town.     I don't know what I was thinking- it was disgusting.   Even worse,  I walked out of that show listening to the kids ask, "Mom!  Why can't we just get a snake?!"  and "Mom!  I can't believe you think snakes are slimy!  They totally are not slimy!"     and my favorite- "Mom!  You never let us get any pets we like!"

I guess I set myself up for that by taken them to the show;)

Friday evening we replaced our family movie night with.... Game Night!   

It was a tonne of fun and the kids LOVE playing clue.   I even won, which I know is not the important part.   However, it means that John Didn't win - and that is important to me;)!

This also made me happy.   Monday night we saw the first flakes of snow begin to fall.   By morning we had the slightest blanket of snow on our front lawn- but it was enough to make the kids scream with delight.     The kids made snow angels, tried to make snowman only to realize it was just powder, and Jess even gathered some up to store in our fridge for the next decade:)!    

Now that the first snowfall has come and gone, I can safely say that it can very well STAY GONE now.    

Here's hoping we get a few more nice days this week!

He isn't always this bad....

I don't know what is up with Nate lately but he has been a real turkey.    (And when I say "turkey," that's really just short for "BULLY!")    I don't know if this is just a foreshadowing of what the Terrible Two's will be like, or if he is simply trying to establish a bit of dominance around here, but he's taken to hitting, kicking and hurting anyone who dares to even breathe in his direction.  

Unfortunately, he usually chooses to exert his punishments on all kids younger then him, though lately he has gotten brave and begun to attack Sam.  (can't say that's entirely undeserved;)    I've tried to redirect Nate and I swear I've walked him through the process of apologizing I think about a gazillion times in the past week.    I know he's familiar with the concept of "sorry" because I now hear him say it to his 'victims' AS he is hurting them!   

He'll walk up to some poor cousin or friend and say "Horry." and then... WHACK!!!
 or   "Horry." and then SLAP!!!!    

(You get the picture;)

 I'm beginning to question his sincerity.   In fact, I'm beginning to question whether this little boy has a conscience of any degree inside that cute little 30lb body of his.

The other day he had been particularly mean to Sam and I'd grown tired of the same old routine of making him apologize.    So, I stepped things up to a full blown 'time out' - which little Natey certainly didn't like.    As we sat there in his room staring each other down I figured that perhaps finally I had made some progress on the issue.   With his little head in my hands I looked straight into his deep brown eyes and asked him...no begged him to 'please stop hitting people and to be a nice boy.'     He gazed up at me so fervently that I was immediately filled with hope that he had in fact seen the error of his ways.   

Then, without even a smirk or a blink he reached his little hand up to my face ....grabbed my nose....and HONKED it!   And hard too!

It was at that moment that I realized that nothing, absolutely NOTHING I have said to this point has penetrated that steel trap mind of his.    Perhaps nothing will.  
I've resorted to praying for him as well as those he comes in contact with.    

Heaven help this stage to pass quickly!!!

Fortunately though- there are still moments in a day when the sweetness within him shines through and he is cute and lovable once again.  

Lucky for him!

Miss this? ...Perhaps

I am always...ALWAYS being told by others to "enjoy" this stage of life-because I will miss it when the kids are grown, and I have to admit- I sometimes wonder if that's really true.   

I mean I know I'll miss having the kids around, their giggles, their cuddles and the innocent easy problems that plague a household of kids.    

But the arguments over stolen crayons, messy kitchens and entryways and countless hours at the table doing monotonous homework with them?   Will I miss that too?

I snapped this photo last week during a particularly hectic moment:   

The kids all needed me to help with some aspect of their work (even Nate for goodness sake!), and what you don't see is that a pot of spaghetti noodles were at this moment boiling over on the stove.  

It's funny how when I look at this picture now I am overcome with emotions far different from the ones that welled up inside me that day.      This scene looks almost calm and ....lovable.

I'm beginning to think that it is indeed this type of moment that I will one day wish to have back.   

Ready for Winter (sorry to you all;)

This past weekend we worked on getting our yard ready for winter.   

I know...HUSH with the winter talk right? 

It seems as though I am the only one around here who is excited for snow.   Truth be told - I do NOT like winter at all, however I do like the first snow fall.    

There is something magical about it, and this weekend was spent preparing for it's arrival.   

My wintry scentsy scents have been moved to the front of my candle cupboard.    The Christmas songs have been loaded onto iTunes.    I've got a stack of recipes for soups and stews ready to be made.  And our storage room is full of apple juice that will supply my endless thirst for hot apple cider.   All of this in preparation for that one day when we will wake up and discover that snow has blanketed the town.  Oh what a cozy day it will be!   (Don't worry though,  I'm sure that after that one day,  I will dread and loathe the snow just like every other normal person around here does.)

Best of all though- this weekend we got our yard cleaned up after a summer of growing.    Our front yard looks a little bit less like an old folks home as I cut down most of our perennials, and even dug out a few for good!   John and his Dad worked on the back yard shredding up all the remains that I had scattered over the garden.    Corn husks, carrot tops, the chard we couldn't finish and the zucchini we barely touched-  all of it got shredded up and then 'tilled back into the ground.   

I LOVE how clean it all looks now and every time I look out our window I breathe a sigh of relief that we are indeed ready (like good little ants) for the...um..."white stuff."   (Should it ever decide to come.)

Which, by the looks of the forecast,  might actually be quite soon!!!

Eeeeeek!!!!

Halloween Fun

The Halloween Craziness has officially begun around here.   Halloween is perhaps one of my most favorite holidays.   Next to Christmas of course;)   ....And Thanksgiving.   

Oh...and St. Patrick's Day;)

There is nothing more enjoyable to me then experiencing a holiday through the eyes of my kids.   

Yesterday, our kind neighbors at the end of the street gave our kids a HUGE pumpkin to carve.    They were ecstatic!  Abby carried it home in the baby stroller and the kids had to cut into it that very moment!   

(granted-twenty minutes into it and I was the only one left working on it still, but that's beside the point;)  

Mr. Jack'o Lantern joined us at dinner that night and the kids decided that because Daddy isn't ever home for dinner these days - then ol' pumpkin head here would fill the proverbial void that's been left by his absence.    Speaking of dinner:   That night, it was "brains" (naturally), bread bones, and monster meatballs. (I know right!)    Tonight- we had breakfast for dinner only I had to make the pancakes in the shape of a which hat!   

I seriously don't know if I can keep the Halloween theme going at dinner time.   I'm plum out of ideas.

Speaking of IDEAS.   I need some suggestions for Halloween Costumes for John and I.    I so badly wanted for us to dress up as Will & Kate and I'd even begun practicing my royal wave.   But judging by the way John rolls his eyes at me when I suggest it - I think it's pretty much a no-go.

Someone...please inspire me!     

Lessons from a Waterfall...

"Water is patient;  It is as gentle as the morning's dew. It is non-confrontational, even respectful, in circumventing the rocks in a stream. It makes room for everything that enters its pools. It accommodates by assuming the shape of any vessel it is poured into. And it is humble, seeking always the lowest level. Yet along with - or rather because of these adaptive, yielding properties, it is ultimately irresistible; it carves canyons out of stone."

—

Huston Smith

Scenic Autumn

Fall is without a doubt the most beautiful time of the year!  

This past thanksgiving Monday we took the kids out to St.Mary's for one final afternoon of fun.

   (I hate to sound like a pessimist but that darn snow will be here soon, and I'm just trying to visit our favorite places before it does;)   

St. Mary's was definitely a favorite this summer.  We would often drive out here on a Sunday afternoon  just for a little stroll.   Whether we came to fish or search for fossils- no visit here was complete without a half hour at the playground.    The kids were always up for a trip to St.Mary's!

Doesn't it look beautiful now?

 I found this beautiful row of trees that were all starting to turn red.    I was so excited that I made the kids abandon the playground and join me for a family photo.    They weren't too happy about it;)

But I was THRILLED!

 This photo makes me long for a long winters day with a good book and a hot chocolate.   It's just kinda cozy to me.

This is what Waterton looked like on Sunday.   We drove out to watch the Elk, and were surprised to see how much snow had actually fallen in the mountains already.   

See what I mean?   SNOW!!!   (Though I love the contrast it provides)

 Oooh and I am LOVING the stunning Autumn sunrises!  I don't know why the sunrises are so beautiful lately but it has become a part of our morning routine to open our blinds each morning before this disappears!

 Nope there is nothing prettier then a fall day!

Here is a picture of my family enjoying it all.   

 (Though, I confess, these smiles may have been the result of an insane amount of bribery/threats/pleading.) 

Thanksgiving

Sunday night we drove the kids out to Waterton to watch and listen to the Elk that are gathering on the flat.      I'd packed along some hot apple cider and hot chocolate for us to enjoy and as the kids sipped their warm drinks I asked them all to tell me what they were grateful for.   

Here's how it went:

Jessica- "I am grateful for mommy...and daddy...and puppies....and the scwipturs...."

Sam-  "Mom and Dad."

Nate- "Park!"  

Abby - "Well... mostly right now, I'm just really grateful for my sense of humor."

*****

On Saturday we drove in to John's sisters house for a delightful Thanksgiving feast!

Rachel and Brent were fabulous hosts and put on the craziest yummy dinner ever.

(Rachel had apparently been worried that her turkey was not going to turn out and that Thanksgiving would be ruined, but as you can see, it all turned out perfect;)

There was soo much good food to chose from, and the already fabulous meal was made even better when we got to enjoy some of Kat's home made pumpkin pie!    Pumpkin Pie is a favorite in my family and I wish I could make one that looks this pretty;)

The kids had fun playing at the park,  watching movies, and of course posing for a group photo:   

Afterwards, Abby shared some of Aunt Rachel's awesome Thanksgiving jokes with us and everybody was very kind to laugh;)    (Perhaps this is why Abby feels so grateful for her sense of humor these days;).   

The night was almost perfect.   Unless, of course, you happened to be little Marilyn.    In her case, she spent the evening dodging the aggressive antics of her slightly older cousin Nathan.     For the record- John and I take bullying very seriously and we will be launching our Anti-Bully Campaign shortly.    

Truly- this kid will be much kinder (fingers crossed) by the time we all get together again.

Which, I hope... is very soon!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Some of Abby and Rachel's Thanksgiving Jokes:

Q:  Why couldn't the turkey go to Church?

A:  Because he had such FOUL language!

Q:  What do hippies put on their Thanksgiving potatos?

A:  Grooovy!

Q:   What does a Turkey's phone sound like?

A:  Wing!  Wing!

Q:   What did the Mother Turkey say to her naughty Son?

A:  If your Father could see you now, he'd roll over in his gravy!

The annual bus ride

Once or twice a year John pulls up to the house in a big yellow school bus in preparation for one of his weekend tournaments.     The kids immediately dash out the door and on to the bus for a little bit of fun, and (if they're lucky) - a ride around the block!

It's something they always look forward to.   I often find myself feeling a little bit sad that they are town kids and will never really get to enjoy the fun of busing to school like I did when I was little.   

 How boring it must be for them to have to just simply walk or ride an ordinary old bike every day.     

However, after observing how crazy Sam got with just his one measly annual Bus ride, I realized that  perhaps...it's all for the best;)        

A COLORFUL day

–Bright Idea (Friend, Oct 2011)

“Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord."

(Waterton Sept 2011)

* Feeling- grateful today for the beautiful fall colors that are all around.  (Autumn really is the BEST season!)

* Wishing - it wasn't raining.  Our little garden is in desperate need of some pre-winter "tlc." 

*  Enjoying - the sound of the rain while I cuddle with Jess and Nate.  (motherhood is so rough;)
* Laughing - every time I hear Jessica insist that Nate is just a little "Tobbeler."   (aka: toddler)
* Trying - to understand why some people say such mean things about others.  

* Regretting- that I sent Sam to a Birthday party without wrapping the present.   (WHO does that?)
* Savoring - the smell of freshly baked gingersnaps (Too lazy to wrap gifts, but I always have energy for cookies;)

*  Needing - to focus on the things that matter most.  

*  Looking forward - to a beautiful Thanksgiving Weekend.  

*  Thinking - a trip to Waterton to enjoy the trees might just be the perfect thing for today.

ENJOY THE COLORS!!!

(Waterton Sept 2009)

Conference Weekend + Waterton

This weekend has been one of the best weekends EVER!  Truly, it would be hard to beat.   

John has been away at a tournament pretty much all weekend long so the kids and I have tried to keep busy as well.    On Friday evening, after supper, the kids and I headed out to Waterton, stopping once to get ice cream in Mountain View.    I don't know why I always stop for ice cream, because it only ever ends up as melted goey pools at the bottom of every cup holder in our van.  Clearly my kids don't love ice cream enough to actually eat it, but gosh darnit they do love choosing it.     And I'm a sucker for tradition. So ...we stopped.   Flavors were chosen.   Money was wasted.  And we all were happy.

(I'll have to clean the van before John gets home;)

The Autumn colors are beautiful right now in Waterton and I'm afraid the next time we get out there, most of the leaves will have fallen.     The Elk are starting to gather on the flat and it is a Fall tradition of ours (again with the traditions;) to drive out to watch them.   

We've seen some pretty impressive battles before between the males, and there is not a more awesome sound then hearing them bugle!      

Saturday was spent in the laziest way.     With John gone, I took advantage of the solitude and did very little in terms of cooking.  Or..cleaning for that matter;)    We did get out a couple of times during the day to run some necessary errands.   

(And yes, when I am home alone with the kids - a trip to the Dollar Store is definitely considered...NECESSARY!)

   Since buying their "loot" Sam has insisted on shooting anyone he could with his bow and arrow,    Jess has been dazzling us all with her cheap jewelery, and Abby is still wearing the most ridiculous pair of giant sunglasses.    

 A trip to a nearby park was the perfect way to end the day.   (Atleast if you happen to be within the ages of 2-8;)

I spent several hours on Saturday watching the first two sessions of General Conference.   

 I'm pretty sure they were two of the BEST sessions EVER!   

So far, my favorite talks have been:

This one by Elder Arden on becoming the "Masters of our TIME." 

 Definitely Elder Cook's talk about "Looking Up."

And THIS ONE from President Uchdorf. (of course;)  

In about an hour we will all settle down on the couch to watch the final two sessions.   The kids will fight and argue most of the time over who gets which crayon, and they'll require an exorbitant amount of junk food to stay quiet.   John and I will be cuddling on the nearby couch- trying our very best to not doze off due to the cozyness of it all.  

At least, that's how Conference Sunday's have played out in the past.
It's practically tradition!!!!

Every day moments....and the Calgary Temple!

                    

                   

A couple of nights ago Nate refused to go to sleep, which lately is unusual.    He kept insisting he was hungry but no matter what we offered- it wasn't what he wanted.   Finally at 10:30 pm he asked for "noodles."    Did we cave and give our child Ichiban in the blessed middle of the NIGHT?

Totally!

As John and I sat with our heads drooping to the table, re-watching Elder Uchdorf's most recent talk-Nate happily slurped up his noodles.   Every .last. one.   

Then it was a hug and a kiss goodnight and that was that!

********

The second photo is one I snapped one night as I was waiting for John to join me for our nightly episode of M*A*S*H.   First though, he had to check out all his favorite 9/11 conspiracy theorists sites. When I snapped the picture, he was explaining (in incredibly boring detail) just why exactly it "defies all the rules of physics to accept that the twin towers collapsed because of the planes that flew into them."    Something about implosions, and liquid cement, and blah... blah ...blah.....   Seriously though- I love it when John gets all passionate about an issue.   All I have to do to get him riled up is say "9/11" and WHAMMO!   His jaw clenches firmly, his eyes get intense, and the wrinkles on his forehead get even deeper.   It's beautiful.  (He's beautiful.)

********

Jessica came home from preschool the other day sporting the most adorable self-made Turkey Hat EVER!    So far, ALL of my kids have had their turn making this hat at school and I truly look forward to seeing it each and every year.    In fact, John and I BOTH remember making hats of our own, just like this one, when we were little!  

It made me think of all the things I used to do when I went to school that don't seem to be done anymore.    (Like reciting the Lord's Prayer every morning before announcements.)     It sometimes makes me sad that most of those things I remember aren't a part of a typical school day anymore.     

 It's nice to see though, that the beloved CONSTRUCTION PAPER TURKEY HAT is still going strong;))!

********

Back in August, John and I spent a couple of days in Calgary sans children.

The first night there -we went out for dinner and then drove over to the Temple building site to see how construction was going.    This picture is a month outdated now,  but it gives you an idea of how amazing it's going to be.

I love it already!

John has a tournament all weekend so I will be watching Saturday's General Conference Sessions sans "the handsome one".    

Any idea how to keep four um...."lively" children happy for four hours:)???