Happy Thanksgiving

I would just like to take a minute to wish every one a Happy Thanksgiving. I have an enormous amount of things to be thankful for and so I will save you all a big speech and save it for another time. However, one thing I would like to be publicly grateful for this season is for my friend Valene who taught me how to make these adorably festive treats this weekend!

Last Camping Trip of the Year

I love getting away for the weekend. It's not that I don't love my home or the people around but there is something refreshing about breathing in that nice clean mountain air.
This past weekend we went camping with some friends of ours. Our last camping for the year and I was a little nervous with it dropping below 0*C in the evenings. The plan was to leave late afternoon Friday but some complications came up and we got a pretty late start to our trip. We left Airdrie just before dark with some very excited children in the back seat. We had never driven the winding gravel road up the mountain at night before and the headlights kept playing tricks on me, making me think there was something in the trees as the shadows from our beams as we passed by. At one point Ryan mentioned that he thought something was just ahead of us but because of the turns in the road we couldn't see far enough ahead. I brushed it off saying it was just the lights from the truck and just as I finished saying the words there was something in front of us kicking up some dust. As we got a little close we could see that it was massive and had a huge antlers. We were chasing a moose in our truck and it was keeping a steady lead in front of us as we were going about 25/30km/hour. It was so amazing. The kids were "oh and ah" - ing and I was shocked at the speed this thing was going along with his size. The moose finally found a spot clear enough on the side of the road and darted off to the left ending the chase. It was the coolest thing.
We arrived well past bedtime and quickly got the kids settled in bed before relaxing by the fire.

Thankfully we stayed warm enough in the trailer and woke up to minimal frost. After breakfast the boys went out for a dirt bike ride while us women stayed with the kids and let them play in the creek and explore the area. With it being so late in the season there weren't any other campers near by and Banks didn't have anything tempting him to wander so he stayed relatively close by without us having to worry about him bothering anyone else. Banks likes to stay close to the kids for the most part anyway so he followed them wherever they went exploring.
Brayden and Sydney each took turns riding on their little dirt bikes. We had the perfect spot for it, there was a little clearing with some little hills to ride on and some tire tracks left in the mud that acted as a trail.
One thing I love about camping is the food. I love making snacks and so we came ready with puffed wheat squares, rice crispy squares, and other treats. We pigged out on the snacks enough that no one was really hungry for lunch so because we were camping we just decided to skip that meal and went for a nice walk up the road. We kept plenty warm enough as we kept moving and urging the kids along. It was so beautiful with all the fall colours and the calm weather. We found a nice bridge where the kids spent quite a bit of time just throwing rocks into the creek and I enjoyed how quiet it was. They collected sticks on the way back to camp which Brayden used a hatchet to make us a little fire wood.

After our walk the dog was exhausted and let the girls crawl all over him while I got dinner started. For my birthday I got a cast iron dutch over from Ry and the kids and I was excited to use it for the first time. Other then when Ryan and I were Ma's and Pa's on trek I had never used a dutch oven before. I've seen other people using them but only observed. I was set on making my family a real meal without using the kitchen in the trailer. I had cajon seasoned chicken, potatoes and green beans and so I placed the chicken and potatoes in my dutch oven and let them cook. As soon as my chicken was done and the potatoes were almost done I threw in the green beans and let them cook in all the juices. It was delicious! We couldn't get enough. I love it when the kids want seconds!

The next morning I made cinnamon buns cooked to perfection using my dutch oven and put the rest of the day in motion. We went for a nice joint family walk exploring the area. It was so nice and quiet and a great way to spend a Sunday morning. After our walk we relaxed around camp before cooking lunch and packing up camp. I will definitely be doing some more fall camping next year!

Karate Chop

Tonight was Brayds first Karate class. Ever since he watched the movie Karate Kid and discovered he was able to kick himself in the face, Brayden has been interested in learning Karate. Ryan and I have talked a couple times of putting Brayden in a martial arts class but with us being so transient we hesitated to spend the money on something we didn't know he'd be around long enough to finish. Since we've finally settled and put down some roots the time had come to enroll Brayden in something other then Cubs. We were told of a Karate class that a couple of his friends were attending and went with it.
With it being his first day he doesn't have his white outfit yet so he's pretty easy to see but in case you have any doubts, Brayden is the one in bright orange doing his thing.

Celebration!

It isn't every day when we are able to fit in all three set of parents but today was a success. We drove down to Lethbridge Friday night for the weekend. We woke up early this morning and went with Ryan's parents and each of his siblings to the LDS temple in Cardston. It was a nice relaxing morning and a great start to RYANS BIRTHDAY! Everyone stuck around afterwards for some lunch before departing so we got to spend the morning with the Beatties. We then went back to my moms for a little bit to change and eat some birthday cake with them and then took the kids to my dads because not only is today Ryans birthday but it is also my dads birthday. While we were there we had the most amazing appetizer I have ever had in my entire life. It might have been the best food I have ever tried, AMAZING. I couldn't get enough of it and I couldn't eat it fast enough. I felt that if I was going to slow down and enjoy it that I would get less because everyone else was eating it too. We had a great time at my dads hanging out, the kids always love playing around with Auntie Kait and she never fails to keep up with their expectations. Tonight she taught them the illusion of walking up/down stairs behind the couch along with riding the non existent elevator. Always good times to be had!
So, too two of the most important men in my life: Happy Birthday and I love you both!!

Tooth Extraction

This afternoon after church Sydney decided that it was time for her tooth to come out. She had already proven to be a little tougher then her brother when it came to teeth when she lost her first tooth. She just went into the bathroom and ripped it out. This tooth, however, was proving to be more of a challenge. It wasn't loose enough for her to just pull it out because the slobberiness of it kept making her fingers slip and she couldn't get a good connection.
Ryan mentioned that he'd be able to pull it out with one of his tools and she pretty much just laid down right there waiting just at the suggestion. So off Ryan went and grabbed something from the garage and ripped it out for her. She's so tough!

S is for Snake and/or Squished

This afternoon the kids were out riding bikes when Brayden ran inside out of breath and excited about something. He comes into the family with wide eyes and starts telling us "We found a snake! A snake!"
I was a little skeptical and asked for clarification but was given the same answer. Yes he was sure it was a snake, no it was not a huge worm. He wanted a camera so we could take a picture so I walked back down the drive way to where they were huddled and inspecting this snake. I'm not too sure what I expected but it wasn't a real snake, what I got was in fact a snake .... a gross squished snake.

He's a Mouser

You might be wondering what in the world Banks is eating? Well, it's a mouse. I guess he found a trespasser in the garage and took care of it for us. Yuck! I guess I'd rather it be in his belly then inside the house.

First Day of Joy School!

Today was Madisons first day of Joy School. It's a parent run preschool group that I'm doing with 3 other moms. There are 2 girls and 2 boys including Madison and I think she's going to love it. She really does not like to be left out of anything that her brother and sister are doing and school is a pretty big part of that. She was so excited as we got her backpack together with her pencil crayons, glue and paint shirt and seemed pretty ok with everything as I dropped her off for the first time.
After I picked her up she had so much to tell me. She had a great time and seemed pretty disappointed that it wasn't going to be an everyday thing. I guess you have to save something special for kindergarten!

My Sister Got Hitched

So, I've been making paper flowers on and off for a couple of weeks now. Why would I spend hours of my free time discussing chevron and gluing? For my sister and only for her. She got married and our hours of work were on display in the middle of all the tables at her wedding. We put together beautiful bouquets of hand crafter paper flowers mixed with beautiful fresh flowers Friday until it was time for the rehearsal. Once they were put together and we left for the rehearsal dinner we had to trust that the next time we saw them they would be perfectly placed around the room.
The next morning bright and early over a bag of potato chips we got beautified for Kait to walk down the aisle.

After we were clothed, hair frozen in place and every eye lash in place we made our way to the wedding location. It was held in Springbank Alberta at Matthews' dads place. We were a little worried because the wedding and reception were outside and it was raining but we had to wait. We took the wedding party pictures on the property and hid in the trees in between pictures. It worked out perfectly and don't they say that those cloudy days are the best for photographers? After pictures guests started to arrive and so we went into hiding.
We spent the time listening to people make their way into the right area and waiting for a break with the weather. As soon as the rain lightened up everyone gathered around the alter and it was time.
The ceremony was perfect and the rain help up right until the newly weds first kiss as Mr and Mrs Kliewer. They got to walk back the way they came under umbrellas and finish up some pictures before gathering under the tents for the reception. It was so beautiful with all the flowers, lights and decorations. I wish I had pictures of it all but I thought that would look trashy to start taking picture from the head table and so I only have a few that I was able to sneak.
Everyone gave amazing speeches (myself included), the food was incredibly delicious and Kait & Matthew looked so happy. Perfection.

First Day of Grade 2 & 4

Today was the first day of school for Brayden and Sydney. Sydney is starting Grade 2 and pretty excited. Brayden was a little nervous to be starting Grade 4 but seemed to be way more relaxed by the time he got home. This is his last year in elementary, next year is middle school. YIKES!

I Just Keep Getting Older

It was my birthday today. It was nice and quiet, a little family dinner with Ryan, the kids and my sister. We went to Costa Vida here in Airdrie and then let off some sparklers to celebrate. I can't imagine a better way to celebrate.

Spartan

I got Ryan to do a race with me! The Spartan Sprint came to Calgary again this summer and so I signed the two of us up. My intention was to train and get all buff for it but things didn't exactly go as planned. Moving, going on our vacation, getting used to our new surrounding and my laziness all took a priority and I did no training. Oh well, at least Ryan had no training either.
It was such a fun race, I super enjoyed it. Ryan totally slowed down for me and ran the entire time with me even if it meant that at some of the obstacles he had to wait because I was slower then he or because I failed to climb a rope and had to do 30 burpees. I thought it was nice of him to slow down and wait but he could have totally helped me through some of the obstacles. At one point I was almost at the top of the climbing wall but just could not get my leg over the top to climb down the other side and Ryan was just standing there at the bottom watching until some dude grabbed my leg and threw it over for me.
Brayden also ran a mini Spartan that he liked. It was his first time ever doing anything individually competitive so it was nice to put that taste in his mouth. He was just excited to claim a medal at the finish.

Fashionista

This girl knows what she likes as far as style as no one can tell her differently! That scarf, those shades = perfect.

Camp Time, Reunion Style

This year we headed back to the Westcastle area for the Beattie reunion. It's just so pretty up there and free, who doesn't love free. Super wet this year with a lot of flooding so it was great that we were able to get a spot that was accessable and not too muddy.
It was rainy when we got there but everyone pitched in and got a huge tarp up that got everything covered up for us and the kids didn't even seem to notice. I just made sure they were in warm clothes and thankfully Ryan's mom made a costco run for me in Lethbridge and was able to pick up Brayden a rain jacket. With the crazy Calgary flood and constant rain, everything rain gear was sold out in Calgary. I went to so many stores throughout Airdrie and Calgary and couldn't find Brayden a jacket that would keep him dry this weekend.
Friday morning we got down to business early. Things were damp and there was a good cloud cover but the rain had lighted up and it looked like the sun had a fighting chance to break through those clouds. We brought Banks with us so Ryan got up pretty early to take him to pee and for a walk before he started getting anxious and woke anyone up. As people started waking up things started to happen; an archery target was set up and the kids started riding on their bikes and quads around a good loop right by camp so we could keep an eye on them.

Banks loved all the attention he was getting from the cousins who were brave enough. It seems as though I have a few nieces and nephews who are a little scared of dogs. Considering Banks is only a few months old but still huge I can understand when this bigger bundle of energy that is your size comes at you with a huge tongue that could be scary. Banks did great though and even let some of them pull on his ears. He seems to put up with a lot more rough love from smaller kids, when the older kids would bug him he would just leave and go find a spot to lay down. Sometimes I feel like doing the same thing.
Pretty soon after breakfast we tried to get the kids a little cleaned up so we could take a family picture. We've decided to try to get this big family shot out of the way the first morning so we don't look like we just camped all weekend long, greasy and exhausted. I think this idea is genius even though I still look greasy and tired, at least it's better then 2 more full days of camp on me.

The kids were kept busy with their toys and when things started to slow down we would do some game or activity someone had planned. One of those was this great swimming spot down by the river. There was a tree swing and the water was so clean and beautiful. We took advantage of a sunny period and went for a few hours.

We just barely beat this mini rain storm back to camp! Brayden ended up keeping his swimming gear on since he was just going to stay wet in the rain anyway. The clouds were dark and looked a scary for a little bit but, like the other night, it passed and we were able to get out some other activities to do.

The last morning when I got up to take Banks for a little walk it was so beautiful. All the moisture clung to the earth and the sun was spreading through the mist promising a beautiful day. Ryan had prepared a Sunday School lesson for the adults while Grandma took the kids. We ate our lunch and packed up camp before saying our goodbyes and heading home.
Another great family reunion!