October 2013

Time keeps moving on with or without me taking time to blog.

Here are some of the highlights from October:

General Conference:

 We started off Saturday Morning with the Ord Family third semi-annual Feast on the Word breakfast.  Thanks to a visit at my in-laws over the summer we discovered the joys and deliciousness of Ebelskivers --Danish pancakes--(our favorite are Nutella filled ones).  We had quite the spread and then listened to all the sessions of General Conference and enjoyed the talks.  On Sunday morning we always drive in to the stake center to watch....it helps us feel like it is still the Sabbath day.  I have some prizes to win with the bingo game that we played and then for another session we had certain candy for specific speakers.  Anything to help with listening and staying in the same room. 


My birthday:

 Spencer really goes all out making me look goofy on my birthday.  He made me the balloon flower one of his developing talents and thanks to the dollar store being just a short walk for him on his lunch break, he went there too. 

 



It was a pretty low key birthday Aaron quickly wrote up a card for me and I got a puzzle and some iTunes gift cards....I guess my big surprise came a week or two later when Spencer brought home (he ordered it online) an iPad mini for me.  I'm still getting used to it. I guess I should really look into taking the tutorial for it so I can fully use it and really appreciate what it can do.  It is pretty handy to take to church as long as it is charged, since it has all the books and manuals and scriptures that you need. 

 

 

 

I've been super lucky to have my sister and her family move within about a 40 minute drive of us.  So we get to see each other more than we ever have.  So she was excited to make my cake for me.....and wowwie wowzie look at that sweet beauty!  It was one sweet cake and we managed to eat it slowly a couple of kit kat bars at a time.  She also brought me dinner that I froze for later and fun balloons to help make my day special. 

 

Thanksgiving:

 

We held thanksgiving at my house this year and actually had a really nice time with everyone who was able to come up.  We had enough room for an extra table for people to use to eat instead of trying to eat on their laps in the livingroom. 

 

No pictures, I was a busy cooking that day and everyone who came all brought a dish to help with the craziness of it all. 

 

 

Prairie Gardens:

 

Thanks to the Alberta CA's they held a family day at prairie gardens so we got to enjoy hanging out there again.  We went a few years ago and it was fun to go back.  It was a little cooler this time but we had a nice catered lunch and received some free tokens to play the games/go on the rides. 

 

We had to park in the overflow parking lot and be bused to the actual location.  Our first stop was the haunted house.  Evan sat this one out as he remembered what it was like from last time we were there. 

 

Here are my little Alice in Wonderland kids. 

We tried the corn cannon attempting to hit a target on some hay bales.  I think Megan was the only one who even hit a hay bale, maybe Aaron did too with some help. 

 

There was a bit of drumming going on.  They had a teacher there who would guide you through some different drumming techniques and we would follow her rhythm.  We also went on a train ride, played on hay bales, other outside equipment tried to pet some animals in the petting zoo and fed some llamas. 

 

 

Our last stop was panning for "gold".  This one the kids love.  With your tickets you buy buckets of sand, rocks and other gems.  Them you pour them into this mesh tray and rinse it in the water to reveal your treasures.  They give you a little bag to put your treasures in and off you go to enjoy them.  Our very last stop was a visit to the fudgery to pick up way too much fudge to enjoy.    Yummy! 

 

 

 

Halloween:

 

 Here we are carving the pumpkins I bought.  This is one of our Family Home Evening activities and it pretty much takes all night to do before the kids have to rush off to bed.    Evan is being brave and doing is best to scoop out the guts of the pumpkin himself.  Aaron on the other hand would have nothing to do with it so I helped him out. 

 Megan and Spencer going at it being creative.  I only ever buy 4 pumpkins because I actually do 2 myself by helping the boys and even then we finished first of the group. 

Here are the finished products:  a Master  ball from pokemon, a ghost, a one eye monster face and a headless man. 

 

All dressed up.  The boys went as Ninijas and Megs went as the nyan cat (you know the grey cat with the body of a pop tart and rainbow coming out as he flies across space.) She didn't want to wear the black cat ears we had....she said that some people actually knew who she was and she was thrilled with the costume and still wears the tutu around the house....sigh!)

 

This was a busy night for us as we had swimming lessons that we attended to and I made it easier on myself and stopped somewhere easy for dinner that night then we zoomed home and changed into our costumes and then Spencer made it home and him and the kids headed out up and down our area and came home with a haul. 

 

 

Happy Halloween and a great end to the month of October for us. 

 

 

 





September 2013

The days are flying by...

We had a good summer and then the busyness of school came and of fall routines.  I am actually glad for getting back into a routine but the first two weeks were the toughest. 

Of course on the first day of school we are always running a bit behind what with trying to haul all the school supplies and Kleenex boxes there for the rest of the year. 

 The weather was nice so they got to wear just their summer clothes and we had to save the back to school warmer fall clothes for next week.  This is Evan starting grade 2....

Here is Megan heading out and starting grade 6!  Wowzie! 

Having to change schools was quite the challenge and change for all of us.  Evan fit in really easily and had minor adjustments to his teacher.  Megan --- well it was a bit trickier.  Things are much better now and hopefully we can only go up from here. 

Aaron started preschool this year and loves it....he doesn't quite understand why Megan and Evan get to go everyday be he only goes Monday and Wednesdays? 

A few other things that we did this month....we attended the city sheep farewell....they are brought in every year to help trim the grass and people can pet them etc...

 So we fed the apples, carrots and leaves from the trees.  Evan and Aaron were a bit unsure about feeding the sheep since you had to hold the apples in your hands and not get bitten in the process but I think they both succeeded a few times. 

Here is my little sheep....he fits right in with the herd don't you think?

Spencer and I celebrated our 13 wedding anniversary.  We kept it low key this year.....hopefully spencer is planning to take me away for our 15th anniversary!  Hint, Hint!

Summer Highlights

Sorry for my neglect of this blog.  Trying to get settled has taken all our time and then some.  We are still waiting for our final grade and by next weekend we will be able to actually use our driveway.  We are excited for that! But then we need to better organize our garage...the to do list is never ending and some things are out of our hands, so I learning not to worry and waste time on those things.  We'll plan and save and then move ahead when ready.

Here are some of the things that I've missed blogging about:

 Aaron and I went on a field trip to the Aerospace Museum in Edmonton.  It was something different he isn't really into planes especially ones that just sit there in a museum.  There was lots of information and I was able to read some of it but we had to keep moving to keep it interesting. 

You couldn't touch hardly anything but this airplane was one that he could sit in.  The planes were pretty rustic and very basic.  They even had a wooden plane that was neat to see.  Some of the history of the Edmonton City Center Airport was interesting to read about.  On a scale of 1 to 10 with one be blah and ten being amazing....I give it a 4. 

 We can't forget about the selling of our home and we did it ourselves! 

 This is a sideways picture of the highlevel bridge trolley car that we rode on.  That was Spencer's first time.  It was a bit drizzly that day but still a fun experience.  It rides from Old Strathcona to Jasper Avenue. 

Here is a picture of what it is like to ride on the top of the highlevel bridge!  Once upon a time there used to be 4 sets of rails on the bridge.  The CN rails were in the middle and the two trolley rails were on the edge.  Yikes!  You are really high up and no rails/fences on the side for extra safety.  Before they cross the bridge they stop to make sure that the bridge is still there and safe to proceed. 

 The St. Albert Children's Festival.  We went to this a few years ago and then our schedule never seemed to mesh right but this year I decided that this was worth it for our kids and so I took them on a little field trip on a Thursday afternoon.  We bought tickets to the show "Drums of the World".  It was different types of drums and drumming from around the world.  It was a loud show but very good.

 Here is Aaron playing in one of the tents where you can build and try new toys. 

 Here is the "silver man" that acts like a statue and moves only occasionally; enough to make you laugh and scare you.  Evan had a good time fooling around with him. 

 Here is one of the site activities that we did.  They made "wax art".  It was a good thing that all the activities were mostly in tents, since we did have a downpour for a while that day and had to stop our hula-hooping and bouncy house jumping. 

Of course no experience or fun outing would be complete without some cotton candy! 

 A trip down to Calgary included a temple session with a few of my siblings and parents and then a birthday party get together to celebrate my mom's 70th Birthday. 

Here is my mom with her two cakes....a black forest and a German Chocolate cake.  We had quite the fun day.  We went swimming at the leisure center and then back to my brother and sister in law's house for the party.  We had a pasta dinner with all the trimmings, present opening, hanging out and cake eating.  A fun busy day.  We slept over and went to sacrament meeting with them in the morning then headed back home.

Well I knew that this move would pretty much be our summer but we needed to get away and the kids wanted to go to the Cardston parade 'cause they throw candy.  So that is where we headed.  But first we made a stop at Calaway Park!

Lesson learned....go to calaway park when it threatens rain, as hardly anyone else is there and you can walk onto any ride. 

 The park did shut down earlier but we were good with that as we pretty much went on every ride that we wanted to and we still had to finish driving down to Cardston.


I'm pretty sure that the population of Cardston doubles when their heritage day festivities are going.  Lots of people return home for the fun...as we did this year. 

We spend most of one day in Waterton....hiking, watching beautiful waterfalls, having a picnic lunch, playing at the park, getting wet, and eating ice cream cones.  The weather was awesome. 

 Here is Evan cooling off in some water while trying to collect as many "special and pretty" rocks that he could.

 We even made friends with a chipmunk.  I remember feeding chipmunks here when I was a kid....this might be the same one! (or at least a relative)

 



We endured many pancake breakfasts and then enjoyed a candy laden parade that's not too long and not too short.  The kids were catching candy in their buckets! 

 

 

Our journey continued as we drove to the US to visit with Spencer's parents. 

 We drove up through Logan's Pass....of course it was breathtaking...and also very busy.  We couldn't find a parking spot at the top to stop and hike around so we just kept driving. 

 Grandma and Grandpa were very generous and gracious hosts' for taking such good care of us.  We went hiking, shopping, Costco visiting, cheap and giant ice cream cone eating. 

 One day we took off and went to a family amusement center and had a blast....we almost did it all (except for the basketball activity).  Evan and I rocked the go-carting.  Megan was thrilled and scared at the same time to be able to drive her own cart.  Yikes!  If that is our dry run for when she really drives....look out!

Mini golfing and we all conqured the frustrating maze!  Megan finished it first, then Aaron and I and finally Spencer and Evan. 

 Then there was the bumper boats.  Evan and I had a funky boat that wouldn't spray that far needless to say we all were pretty wet when we were finished. 

 

We watched a movie, enjoyed A/C, had BBQ's, and swam pretty much everyday.  We were all sorry that we had to leave by the end of it.  

Still Here....

We have been extremely busy at our house....making many important life changing decisions and just doing what needs to be done everyday so this blog has been neglected.  We are still alive and safe and healthy and happy. 

We have been doing some of this....(p.s. that isn't our home)


and some of this....(that is "us" buying a new home; p.s. that isn't the one we bought)


So these are some of the decisions that we have been making.  It is always stressful to sell and buy a home.  We have been extremely blessed to have peace through this time.  Attending the temple and faithfully serving in our church callings and trying to live as we should have enabled us to feel that peace that comes from the spirit and to have heavenly help.  We sold our home in about a month and I'm so glad for that.  We did the fix ups, touch ups, and de-cluttering, and various home showings.  I'm glad that that part is done.  Add to the mix the need of some where new to move to and daily life and we were hopping.  The kids miss some of their toys that we packed away already and other furniture items that are gone, but as our move date draws closer I'm getting more and more excited.  It is sometimes hard to focus on the day and all the other tasks that must be accomplished in the mean time.  YIKES!  Gratefully it is all coming together and we hope that it continues to go smoothly. 

Another thing that we are doing is this...


It is more me doing this but Spencer has been stepping up to help with the childcare and workload after he comes home from work.  I have been taking this course online and loving it.  So I get to try to stay organized and get back into the school groove but that is the fun part for me.  I loved going to school (post secondary anyway) and I did fairly well.  This course will serve us/me later on as I maybe look into re-entering the job market in the future.  It is almost the perfect mix of legal/accounting/staying organized/focused.  This is what I need right now for me in my life.  I am doing it for me so I think that I'm really enjoying it and don't feel so much pressure.  The course is 13 weeks and so I'll be done at the end of July.  Wish me luck.

Date Night with the kids

As one of our goals this year Spencer and I have been making a full out effort with spending time with at least Evan and Megan on a one on one basis this year.  We rotate months...so this month is Spencer's turn and he'll go on a date with Megan and then Evan for an hour.  We have it scheduled on the calendar so we don't forget and we have a list of ideas that we can choose from as well as a small budget for the activity ($10).  

We try to remember that it isn't exactly what we do together as long as the one on one time is there and it is spent together.  We have an uninterrupted to talk and share feelings, ask questions and get to know each other better. 

This last Tuesday we must admit that it kinda snuck up on us but Spencer and Megan made these beauties at home....

What you can't smell and taste from this picture is that they are mint chocolate chip cookies and they tasted divine!  Megan took a bunch to school the next day to share with her friends.  She said they all loved them and asked where she bought them from. 

In March Megan and I went out for some Sushi.  It was delish and we hung out and played some boggle.  I went with Evan to A&W for some root beer floats and he picked out some toys that were on sale at Wal-Mart.  As we enjoyed our floats we read from his school book together.  These are wonderful memories in the making. 

March Highlights

Oh March....the month of snow and what feels like more snow. 

I think the holiday that we enjoyed most was St. Patrick's Day and we're not even Irish!  I think that everyone should be Irish on that day cause it is fun to celebrate.  This year the holiday fell on Sunday and we had Stake Conference that week and I noticed a lot of other people still wearing their green.  My kids wore green on Friday to celebrate a little at school but I said no to having green hair since it wasn't on a school day.

We had one set of missionaries over for dinner that night and they helped us celebrate with our dinner.  I made Irish Stew that we put over top Colcannon potatoes, green Jello, a spinach strawberry salad and limeade to drink.  Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of that but I did remember to get a picture of our delicious dessert....

brownies with mint icing and chocolate on top with a scoop of ice cream.  It was sooooo sweet, maybe too sweet but we each enjoyed a piece anyways.  Notice the fun plates....!

This is the month that we also got our basement flooring replaced.  It looks like a million bucks!  I'll have to take pictures and show you later.  We got this done on Thursday the 21st;   the day of the worst snow storm of the month.  Of course I also signed Aaron up to go to a lady bug class at the Muttart and were lucky to have made it.  He had a great time. 

 He made these lady bug wings.  Did you know that some lady bugs have spots and some "stripes"  or a combination of both and some have none? Also you can't tell their age by the number of spots on their back?  I know!  that last fact blew my mind.   They also come in red, yellow or orange colors? 

 We went to the feature pyramid that is titled "Up Up and Away"  and it was filled with spring flowers.  It may have been a snow storm outside but inside it was spring! Here they went on a hunt to find a lady bug. 

 We always take time to smell the flowers. 

 In the tropical pyramid we had the chance to look at things the same way a bug does...with "bug eyes".  These were cool glasses to look through. 

 Enjoying the view of the flowers through bug eyes! In the desert pyramid we had the chance to reach into a bag and use just our sense of touch to understand the ways in which plants can protect themselves; example a cactus (plastic) was in one bag and we learned about its spikes and thick skin to hold in water in the desert.  We also felt a wax candle and lots of plants in the desert have this protection to help hold and retain water.  

 In the Temperate pyramid we got to smell some plants and release a lady bug.  First we had the chance to inspect the lady bug under the magnifying glass container to see all of its parts then we got to pick a plant and place the lady bug on it.  Lady bugs eat aphids so hopefully they can help the plants and feed themselves at the same time. 

We Aaron released his on this fern plant. 

Here he is walking with his antenna.  He also planted a Christmas Cactus plant that I've been faithfully watering.  (Some day it is going to be a big and flowery as Grandma Burt's!)

Also on this day I had to drive the kids to piano lessons.  Yuck! 

These following pictures are memories that I don't want to soon forget.  Evan playing the piano and Aaron patiently sitting beside him taking it all in waiting for his turn to "practice". 

I must say that I'm pretty impressed with both of my piano kids.  We have our routine down that they practice 5 minutes before school and 10 minutes after school.  Really it's more like 2 minutes before and 5 minutes or less after.  They think if they have played through the song once then their done.  I'm going to have to reinvest in a timer so they can have a better sense of time.  P.S if their morning chores aren't done before they leave for school...no privileges after school and they still get to do their chores and responsibilities.  We are putting first things first or trying to anyways.