A Snowy Saturday

Our family has spent the last month or so adjusting to our new schedule since Murray has changed jobs.  One of Murray's main reasons for switching jobs was so he could spend more time with his family but lately between hunting and studying there hasn't been much time leftover.  This Saturday was different though, Murray was actually home all weekend!  After studying in the morning while Zachary and I cleaned and played, after lunch we headed out to a tobogganing hill just the three of us to give Zachary his first taste of sledding.  It was so much fun and the weather could not have been better!  Here are a few pics.

 

Taking a rest at the bottom of the hill.

About to go down the hill with Mommy.

One more sleep until Michael, Katie and Aisling get here!

Happy Tuesday!

I won I won I won!

Who would have thought that I would walk into a liquor store and come out with a winter coat?

Last Saturday, friends of ours hosted a Christmas party and where do you stop off before you head to a friend's party?  The liquor store of course.  While I was waiting for Murray to make his selection for the evening, I noticed a really nice white winter coat hanging from the roof.  The sales lady said it was a promotional item and that you didn't have to buy anything to enter, so I threw my name in...why not?  I also entered my name for the snowboard and the mini Christmas tree decorated with airplane sized bottles of alcohol because hey you never know right?

Yesterday I got the phone call that I actually won the coat!

I was so excited I was actually jumping up and down in my kitchen, the sales lady on the other end of the phone must have thought I was crazy!

So here it is.

(a little big, but it was free!)

 Merry Christmas to me!

Happy Saturday!

Christmas Cookies

What do you do when its -35 degrees celsius outside?  Spend the day baking cookies of course!

Zachary's latest thing is that he likes to 'cook'.  For a 20 month old he actually can be really helpful and has the attention span to almost see a project completely through.  Cookies are his favorite thing to 'cook,' I think this is only because he tries to eat as much batter as he can in the time it takes me to bake all the dough into cookies.  I love baking and one of my fondest childhood memories is baking in my Grandma's kitchen in our housecoats.  One of my joys this week was being able to share that with Zachary.

 

 

 

Of course we have to share a cookie with Teddy when we are done.

Happy Sunday! 

Christmas Comes Early...

Yeah its December!

The beginning of December means...

1. Hunting season is over! (although I thinks its important that my husband has hobbies and interests I am always thankful when hunting season ends and I get to see my husband again on the weekends).


2. Holiday season has begun!

Because hunting season has finished we had Murray home today and we were able to get a few things done around the house like put up the tree and the Christmas lights outside.  Yes we had the warmest November on record this year and we were out in the freezing cold and blowing snow today putting up xmas lights.  I know!  (I already expressed my feelings about this to Murray).

 

Zachary enjoying his first real snow day this year. 

Zachary loved helping decorate the tree ( and we didn't even break too many ornaments).  He was so excited.  Everything we pulled out o the box he would shout "a ho ho!" Ho Ho being the words Zachary uses to describe anything Christmas related.

I am fortunate enough to have a few friends who have boys a little older than Zachary and every couple of months I get a big bin of clothes that their sons have outgrown.  It's really great.  Today we were going through the latest bin and Zachary was having a blast trying on everything from Spiderman shorts, to mittens, to rubber boots, to rain coats.  Everything he put on he had to run out of the room to show his Dad.  He was having so much fun.  After we went through the bin I thought to myself maybe I should have saved this bin for Christmas morning, we could have saved money on presents!

 

Christmas came early to our house.

Happy Saturday!

Halloween 2009

Happy Halloween from our house to yours!

 

Zachary's Obsession

I think most would agree that it is a lot more fun to dress little girls than little boys.  Simply put there are just not that many accessories out there for little boys, really there is only hats and shoes.   Zachary LOVES hats and shoes!  When guests come to our house he is always fascinated with their shoes, and usually has to try them on.  We can not leave the house without Zachary asking to wear one of his hats.  The most resent add on is mittens or 'ninnies' as Zachary likes to call them.

After asking Zachary if he wanted to go outside one day, I turned around to find he had gotten himself ready without me.

Good job little man but I think you forgot something...

After waking up from a nap, Zachary decided his teddy bear needed shoes and a hat.  We ended up digging out all his baby keepsakes and one thing lead to another...and well see for yourself.

Homemade Build-A-Bears!

 

Happy Saturday!

Beautiful World

I am thankful to be alive and healthy and for a family that is full of love.

What are you thankful for?  

I love Thanksgiving weekend, not only because we usually spend it will our families sharing wonderful meals.  I love this holiday simply because its not clouded with an abundance of presents, decorations and obligations that seem to deter from the true meaning of the Christmas season. During the Thanksgiving weekend I usually get the opportunity to stop and think about how truly blessed I am and think about what I am thankful for in my life.

Hope you had an opportunity to think about and share what you are thankful for this past weekend.

I recently came across a new song and it is one that I enjoy more and more every time I hear it. Its called Beautiful World by Dierks Bentley featuring Patty Griffin.

Lyrics

There's tears and there's fears and there's loses and crosses to bear

and sometimes the best we can do it just whisper a prayer

And press on because...there's so much to live for and so much to love

It's a beautiful world.  Say what you will but I still believe its a beautiful world. 

And I know I'm not dreaming it, I just choose to believe in it.

So I hate that I sometimes miss what's right in front of my eyes.

And I know at the end of my road I'll be wanting more time.

Just another sunset...

One more kiss from my baby a smile from a friend.

Its a beautiful world.

Zachary and Lincoln in their matching glow-in-the-dark Halloween jammies Thanksgiving day.

What is the best way to learn how to use the potty?

Have your best bud show you how it is done.

This picture cracks me up.  Ty showing Zachary how he uses the potty.  Despite a 2 year age gap these guys are the best of friends...too cute!

Zachary is consistently using the potty during the day time when we are at home.  For naps and bedtime he still wears a diaper.  He has a few accidents, but we are on our way to being potty trained.

Happy Tuesday!

Update!

Wow are we four weeks into the school year already?  Time sure flies when you are having fun.  

Our fall transition has been fairly smooth and everyone is doing well.  Working part time seems to be a good fit for me.  I really love my time at school teaching and I still get to spend days at home with Zachary so I don't feel I am 'missing' anything.  Zachary seems to enjoy his dayhome, he is a really social little guy so I think he likes his time with all the kids, even though he is really tired when he comes home (I think its a long busy day for him).  Murray hasn't had to go away for work yet and it has been really nice to have his help in the mornings and in the evenings.   Things might change the first time he had to go away but for now everyone is doing well.

The only part I am struggling with is finding time to fit in exercise.  It seems over the past month I have added school and taken away exercise, not a healthy way to live I know.  Now that we have adjusted to our new schedule, my goal this week is to find some time to work it back in.  

Our funny little man wearing his Elmo Easter basket as a hat.

Happy Monday! 

A Weekend Away!

For those who don't know I love to scrapbook.

With an 18 month old around the house I don't get a lot of time to do it anymore, but this weekend I got to go on a scrapbooking retreat.  It was great!  Scrapbooking uninterrupted for two whole days and catching up with an old friend.  

Good to get my creative juices flowing again...

What I am reading...

Sometimes when I am reading, a phrase just jumps out and grabs me because it is so meaningful to my life at the moment.  Right now I am reading 'My Sister's Keeper' by Jodi Picoult.  In the book the father, Brian, is explaining parenthood.

"Parenting is really just a matter of tracking, of hoping your kids do not get so far ahead you can no longer see their next moves."

I think this is true if you have a toddler or a teenager.  You always seem to follow them around, steering them clear of danger but really just hoping and praying for the best.

Deep thoughts for a Sunday night I know.

Happy Sunday.

Summer Reflecting...

It is the night before school starts and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even my little mouse.

Zachary was burnt out today from a day spent at the mall back to school shopping.  Not the best way to spend probably the last hot day of the year but it was nice to shop with my mom and brother and have lunch together.  I know Zachary is tired when he grabs my hand, leads me to his bedroom and asks for his blanket. 

As Zachary catches up on some sleep I have a chance to reflect back on our summer together and think about the year ahead.

Things are going to change some around here and I am both nervous and excited.  Excited because I love teaching and I am thankful to be going back part time, but nervous because change is always difficult and it will mean more time away from my little man. Wish us luck as our family adjusts to our new schedule.

A few photos to celebrate summer 2009.

 

We have spent a lot of time at the park this summer.  Zachary is now a slide expert.
 

Splish splashing in our little kiddie pool...oooh that looks cold.

Fishing for prizes at Capital X

Experiences mini dough nuts for the first time, um I guess he liked them?

 

This one is one of my favs, what a crazy little monkey.

Happy Sunday!

Sometimes I wonder...

Sometimes I wonder how we got from this...

to this...

I am happy to report that Murray made it home safe last week, we have been enjoying his company and catching up ever since so there has not been a lot of posting from me.  Sorry about that.

Zachary and Murray at the Zoo.

In the last few weeks of summer it is hard to tell if we are winding down or winding up for school. One last camping trip this weekend and then its all business next week as I head back to work.  

Happy Wednesday!

I did it!

I finished my first Triathlon race!  This was only a mini version of the big race in two weeks but it felt good to finish all the same.

Have I told you how wonderful it is having a photographer for a sister-in-law? Michelle was able to capture some great photos of the race for me.

Nervous before the race

My mom and Zachary cheering me on.

My special little fan wearing the t-shirt my mom had made for him.  Sooooo cute!

Swim to bike transition

Sprint to the finish line

My friend Paula and I at the finish line.  I am so proud of her.  She had a baby in December and only decided to register for the triathlon 2 weeks before!  What an amazing lady!

Happy Tuesday!

Summer Randomness

We are officially in summer mode around our house, and I am loving every minute of it.

 Unfortunately, Murray is away working for the next three weeks so Zach and I are trying to keep busy and fill our time while Dad is away.  When Murray goes away I really don't know who it is harder on Zachary, Me or Murray.  Absence really does make the heart grow fonder and we can't wait until he is home again.

After washing his hands, Zachary discovered the fun of rubbing soap all over the mirror.  I think he looks so much like Murray in this picture.

We had a chance to spend some time with Zachary's Auntie Kelly.  The three of us braved the heat and visited Capital X.

Going through the farming exhibit.

He was suppose to 'feed the animals' by putting corn in their buckets but this smartie knows food goes in the animals mouth not the bucket in front of them.

Planting a potatoe.

Riding the tractor.

What fun, what fun.

Happy Thursday.

A Tri-ing Decision

If you read my blog regularly you may remember that I participated in the Devon Triathlon last year. Two friends and I entered as a team and I did the bike portion of the triathlon.  I enjoyed the race atmosphere and decided I wanted to enter the race as an individual the following year (a lofty goal for a person who can't swim and has never ran any kind of distance). 

In January I took swimming lessons to learn how to swim, and I have been steadily improving since. This spring I forced myself to learn how to run long distances (this is my biggest challenge I really hate to run).

With August and the Devon Triathlon around the corner it seems I have almost completed all of the training I need to achieve my goal.  One problem...self doubt.  Every time I work myself up to register I usually chicken out, but deep down I know that if I don't do it I will be super disappointed in myself.  I have already spent a lot of time and energy preparing for this race. I have spent so much time training and organizing childcare so I could get a swim in here or a run in there. I need to just register!

Wednesday was the big day...I registered...I am committed...so ready or not  here I come!

I am reminded of what it says on my reusable Lululemon bag 'do something that scares you everyday'.  This scares me.

Wish me luck.

Happy Friday!

A few more wedding pictures...

Samantha and Josh got the photos back from their photographer.  They had a few of Zachary thought I would share.

Zachary and his beautiful Auntie Sam

I love, love, love this one!  I will have to put this one up when Zachary gets married.

Dancing with his Mama.

Off to pack today.  We are camping and playing bocce with friends all weekend!

Happy Friday!

Life Lessons

Reading through the paper the other day I came across an article by Regina Brett who listed 45 life lessons.  There were a few that really stuck with me that I thought I would share.

1. Life isn't fair but it's still good.


2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.


3. It's okay to get angry with God.  He can take it.


4. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up your present.


5. Don't compare your life to others'.  You have no idea what their journey is all about.


6. Overprepare, then go with the flow.


7. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.


8. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.  Your friends will.  Stay in touch.


9. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.


10. Envy is a waste of time.  You already have all you need.


11. Your children only get one childhood.  Make it memorable.

This one was my favorite...

12. Life isn't always tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Happy Tuesday!

15 Months...and finding new independence everyday

Look at me Mom. I can put my hat on, climb onto the chair, and turn the pages of the newspaper!

I am a proud Mama.

Just a little piece of my everyday joy.

Happy Monday!

Robins!

Recently we had a mommy Robin build a nest under our deck.  After a few weeks, the eggs hatched and we were lucky enough to get to witness the little babies learning how to fly first hand.  It was pretty fun to watch.  Murray was able to get very close and took some cool pictures I thought I would share.

Just about ready to jump out of the nest.

Hopping around the garden.

Pretty cute eh?

Just thought I would share.  

Happy Monday