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He's soooooo Handsome

We put it off as long as we could, but after lots of headaches and watching as Nolan constantly rubbed his eyes during his evening reading, I thought it was time to take him back to the Optometrist. Nolan was delighted with the verdict and was so busy bouncing around it was hard to nail him down on which pair he liked the best - Spencer and I went for the indestructible ones.

I HAD TO HUG A GIRL

When I picked Nolan up for lunch last week - he came running to the van and said, "Guess What!! - the fire alarm went off at school and we all had to go outside without our coats". The temperature that day being - 24 and -31 with the wind chill - they weren't allowed to go outside for recess. Then he went on, "it was so cold we had to huddle together (I imagine it looked similar to a scene from March of the Penguins) and I HAD TO HUG A GIRL!!! I had to pat her back and she had to pat mine, it was HORRIBLE.

I hope this attitude last well into his teenage years.

We're Still Alive

It's been awhile I know. I'm trying to think of anything exciting to share with you that has happened over the last month and a half.

• Jarom turned 5 - It's hard to believe that my baby is 5 - where did the time go? He had a fabulous day. Lots of presents and a cake that was to his exact request. A round cake with blue icing and purple and yellow sprinkle with jelly beans that go around and around.

• My bestest friend Annie came to visit me - She been trying to convince us to move to Vancouver and up until now I have been resisting - after seeing our temperature at -27 and hers at +7 I am a little tempted.

• Nolan is back ripping up the court at B-ball. I had originally opted out of coaching, but after realizing that the coach needed some help I am back coaching and really enjoying it.

• I've discovered the value of one on one dates with my kids. I used to think that since I am a stay at home mom I spend tons of time with my kids, which is true, but it is mostly time spent driving them to their various activities, getting them to clean their rooms, do their homework, brush their teeth - all the boring mom stuff. So about mid November Nolan and I went out on our first date and it was so fun to listen to him talk (don't think I've ever heard him talk that much). Turns out he is pretty funny.

• I finally made a batch of buns that tasted delicious, my kids went crazy for them. http://snipsnailsandpuppydogtails.blogspot.com/2007/09/thank-goodness-for-mcgavins.html (someone is going to have to teach me how to set up a link, this is all I could come up with)

• Jarom passed the crocodile level in swimming and is moving on to become a whale - he does a pretty crazy dive - more of a jump really with his arms in diving position.

• Much to my kids delight we finally (their words not mine) got snow. I now have a snow fort in my backyard. Nolan will derive hours of pleasure working on it until it melts in the spring.

It's Official - He's a Six!

Last night Nolan was invested into the cub pack. I would love to share another montage with you, but I’ll exercise some self restraint and share only these two photos.

Spencer and I were so proud as we watched Nolan perform the Grand Howl:

“A-h-h K-a-y L-a-a
We’ll do our BEST!
DYB, DYB, DYB, DYB
We’ll DOB, DOB, DOB, DOB

And repeat the cub promise:

1. I promise to do my best,
2. To love and serve God,
3. To do my duty to the Queen;
4. To keep the law of the Wolf Cub Pack;
5. And to do a good turn for somebody every day.

It was all so cute.

Halloween Fun

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Another Halloween has come and gone! My kids are hyped up on candy and are driving me CRAZY. This Saturday I plan on sitting them down with their buckets of candy and letting them eat themselves into sugar oblivion. Something I am sure their primary teachers will love me for. I figure the sooner it’s gone the better off we all are.

As always the pumpkin carving was entertaining. Nolan feels he is old enough to design and carve the pumpkin, therefore Jarom has decided he is also old enough to design and carve the pumpkin. Jarom is scary wheedling a carving knife and was therefore limited to very small saw. They both did a great job on their Jack-o’-laterns. Nolan was even brave enough this year to clean out all the “crap”.

Nolan has been talking for months about being a Zombie Hockey Player – something I was very relieved at since it requires very little work. Jarom wanted to be a fire breathing Dragon and I can not tell you how excited I was when I finally found his costume. In years past I have been excited to sew their costumes, but this year there was a very sad Saturday morning when I thought I may have to sew the dragon costume. I’ve come to realize they don’t really care if I made it myself or I bought it at the store. Plus in the end I am sure it was much cheaper.

Grade three I have noticed seems to be Nolan’s big independence year. This year he decided he wanted to go out with his friends. Apparently Trick or Treating with your friends is much cooler then with your parents. Spencer went out with Nolan and his friends – I’m not sure if Nolan encouraged Spencer to stand a house or two away.

Young Womens Temple Trip

One thing I have learned over the years is that when you are trying to go to the temple there seem to be many many many obstacles that present themselves. As an YW presidency we have been trying to take our girls to the temple for over a year now – last weekend we finally made it.

Friday and Saturday I had the opportunity to take 6 of my young women to the temple. It was awesome to be in the temple with them and watch as they did baptisms; definitely something every leader should get to experience with her girls.

There is something about driving 6 hours, spending the night at a billets and then driving home another 6 hours (in the end it was more like 8 – but we had a good time!!!) that brings unity to the a young women’s group. One of the blessings I hadn’t anticipated.

On the way home we took many detours. I have always wanted to see the Souris Swinging Bridge, but have never been able to convince my family to veer off the main highway and go on this little adventure with me. I had NO problem convincing the young women. We had so much fun running across the bridge and roaming around the town. Not to mention the stop at the Bakery YUM!!! Further down the road we stopped to take a picture with a gigantic and anatomically correct camel. Once it seemed we weren’t in a hurry to get back to the city, we stops at any and all town signs that seemed appealing. So much fun!

He's a Cub

For about a month and a half Nolan has been in Cubs. He absolutely LOVES it. Right after he started he said, “Mom, I wish I could go to cubs Monday, Wednesday and Friday". He is lucky to have the best cub leaders EVER. They do wonderful Cub Nights. So far Nolan has learned how to build a fire, built a weather vain, learned about first aid and knot tying. This is totally Nolan’s thing. He has already earned a badge - his cooking badge. He makes a mean buttermilk pancake and fried egg.

These are pictures from the cub halloween party last night!

Calling All Book Lovers.

I desperately need a good book to read. I seem to be running a bad streak. The last 4 books I’ve tried to read were less than enjoyable and I gave up have way through.

Please share your favourite reads with me

Family Fun

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Here are some pictures of all the fun we had while everyone was here for Nolan's baptism. If it's not totally obvious I love making the movies. I especially love this movie making site as you don't have to post it for the world to see before you can put it on your blog. Nice!

Nolan's Baptism

Here a just a few pictures of family during Nolan's baptism. I'll post more tomorrow. We have a wonderful week-end and felt so very blessed to be surrounded by family.

Why Oh Why!!!

Me being me, there are very few concerts that I am willing to fork over big bucks to go and see.

Josh Gorban and Bon Jovi would be two concerts that I would be willing to pay pretty much anything to experience. Nothing makes me happier than relaxing with a cup of hot coco and listening to “You Lift Me Up” or blasting “Livin’ On A Prayer” as I drive my kids to school/sports/their friends, wherever.

I woke up Tuesday morning and heard on the radio that Bon Jovi would at last be paying a visit to Winnipeg. A phone call to Spencer sharing the exciting news, pretty much guaranteed that come Saturday morning he would be busy on the phone securing tickets for his sweetheart!

Imagine my disappointment this morning when Tricia squashed my dreams of reliving my youth by rocking out with thousands of other screaming Bon Jovi fans, by informing me that the concert is once again on a Sunday.

WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?????????????????

I missed Josh Groban because he came on a Sunday and now I am going to miss Bon Jovi. I’m not really sure what I would do if I wasn’t young women’s president, I’d like to think I wouldn’t be going, but chances are pretty strong that I would. I think this is probably why I was called as YW’s pres. - to keep me on the straight and narrow.

Guarding Angels

I firmly believe that Jarom is one of those kids who have 2 or 3 guarding angels with him at ALL times. Countless times in his almost 5 years here on earth I know that the only reason he is still with us is because 99.5% of our blessings go to keeping him safe and alive.

Last week Jarom was suppose to be playing hockey with Nolan in the backyard, when suddenly I heard him at the front door screaming –as only Jarom can. Immediately I notice the bike helmet on his head and the golf ball size goose egg above his eye. By now the swelling has almost gone down and he has a nice little shiner (although nothing can compare to his previous black eye).

Now I could go on and on about all the mishaps in Jarom’s short life, but I’ll just share the recent heart stopping incident.

I was just downstairs working on YW’s stuff and Jarom was upstairs watching T.V. Jarom asked me to come upstairs, which in and of itself is very usual as he likes to be left alone to his T.V. watching – I know I’ve mentioned his love for the T.V. When I got to the top of the stairs I saw Jarom with the blind drawstring cord wrapped repeatedly around his neck and he was sort of standing on his tip toes was it wasn't to tight.

Already certain items have been band from our house: suckers, little round balls, sharp blades, T.V. stands, halogen lights. Now we have one more – cords.

It's Great to be Eight!

nolanspencercourt

will be baptized on Saturday

Oct 13, 2007 at 4:00pm

delicious refreshments to follow

Look out below

Growing up it was always so much fun to jump off the top of my dad's boat. Up until this summer we couldn't get the Nolan or Jarom to join in the fun. When grandpa sweented the pot, by telling the kids he would pay them 5 dollars if they jumped it suddenly became something they wanted to do. They were still really scared, but once they made their first jump we couldn't stop their dare devilsh ways.

Grandparents

I just received these pictures from my Dad and couldn't help but think how lucky my kids are to have such wonderful grandparents.

Summer Reading

I wanted to share some of my summer reading – as I know this is why so many of you click daily onto my blog site.


I’d wanted to read the Birth House for quite some time and it was much different then I had thought it would be. I thought it was about a house unwed mothers went to have their babies; instead it is the story of a girl growing up in Nova Scotia who become a midwife.

From The Birth House:
"My house became the birth house. That's what the women called it, knocking on the door, ripe with child, water breaking on the porch. First-time mothers full of questions, young girls in trouble, and seasoned women with a brood already at home. (I called those babies 'toesies,' because they were more than their mamas could count on their fingers.) They all came to the house, wailing and keening their babies into the world. I wiped the feverish necks with cool, moist cloths, spooned porridge and hot tea into their tired bodies, talked them back from outside of themselves.
The Glass Castle is a heart breaking memoir of Jennette Walls. Jannette grows up in total poverty; her father being a alcoholic, who moves his family from one town to the next to follow his latest idea to make them rich, all the while feeding his kids tales of a Glass Castle he will one day built them.


After starting this Novel by Anita Shreve, I’ve decided that I very much enjoy her books. I love the style she writes in and I find her books are a quick read. This is the first book of hers that I’ve pick for myself ,as Spencer usually buys one of her books to put in my Christmas stocking. Pick up this book if you want an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Just the way we like him

Screens

When I was a young mom, I remember listening to my friend, Nicole communicate her frustration with her inability to keep her kids off The Screens (computer, T.V. and game system). I remember at the time thinking and probably expressing, “what’s the problem; you just turn off the T.V. and tell them television time is over and that’s it”. Once again as the years have gone on, and my second child has reached the age of television watching, game cube playing and computer exploring I have once again been taught that valuable lesson – Never say Never.

Jarom is a Screens fanatic! He will wake up at the crack of dawn rush down to the game cube and play until I rip the control from his tightly clutched fists. At which time he will head for the T.V. and masterfully manoeuvre the remote to the channel of his choice. He loves the remote so much he hides it in his coat pocket when we go to pick Nolan up from school, thus ensuring two things 1) that he is guaranteed sole use of the control upon returning home and 2) he gets to feel the remote in his pocket while we are driving and dream about all the wonderful cartoons which await his arrival.

This has been a totally adjustment for me; Nolan who still doesn’t know how to work the remote complied with my turn off the TV and just say no policy. Jarom will sit for hours trying to undo the lengths I’ve gone too to prevent his screens addictions. The only thing I have done that seems to work is physically removing the TV and hiding the controllers.

I'm off to go round 6 for power of the remote. Wish me luck.

Alone at Last

Yesterday was the first day of school; Nolan started grade 3 and after lunch Jarom attended Pre-school. Normally at this time of the year I feel sorrow and a desire to shut all the curtains, lock the doors and keep my kids with me. This year however, I felt a little relief at seeing them securely in their classrooms.

I’m not sure if it's because I've caught some sort of nasty illness from my kids that is leaving me drained of all energy, achy body, and a sore throat among other complaints, for over a week now or if it is the ever constant sibling rivalry turning into more than one fist fight and a couple of biting matches, that helped make the transitions of a new school year a lot easier than I have anticipated.

Nolan’s new teacher is Miss Sopka who is apparent very good for boys. He came home happy at lunch and tired afterschool. His best buddy Leon is in the other class, which caused a couple of tears, but with the promise of lots of play dates, he seems ok. I guess time will tell as the school year unfolds.

Jarom is attending preschool 3 times a week for 2 hours. It’s just enough time to give me a few minutes to myself to enjoy all the things I love to do like watching soap operas and eating bonbons. Ummmm – maybe in my dreams. I remember when Jarom started last year I thought I would have all this time to accomplish everything, but in reality my "free time" managed to be taken up with things like volunteering and Vt'ing.

Jarom had a great day and like his teacher very much.

P.S. Jarom insisted on wearing his soccer medal to show his teacher.

Thank Goodness for McGavins

When I was a little girl one of my favourite things was rounding the corner of our block at lunch time and seeing my grandparent's orange truck. My mouth would start to water as I broke into a run because I knew what would be waiting for me when I opened the front door – homemade scones.

My grandpa Blumel was an expert bread maker; we grew up on homemade bread. White was our favourite, but once we’d polished off the white bread we start on the brown. Rarely did a loaf of storeboughten bread make it into our home. I remember sitting beside my grandpa as he ate the sacrament bread and hearing him muttered “McGavins” as if it were a swear word.

With such a talented grandpa, I figured bread making was in my gens; I could pictures my family gathered around the table feasting on home baked cinnamon buns or enjoying their bedtime snack of toast that I have lovingly prepared with my own hand. This has not proven to be the case. In fact nothing could be further from the truth. I have absolutely no skills in the bread making department. Any recipe calling for yeast should just ripped out of my cookbook because there is no way it will ever be made by these hand of mine.

In an effort to still supply my family with fresh baked bread, I asked for a bread maker for Christmas one year. Even the bread maker refuses to deliver a perfectly made loaf of bread.

I just tried to make pizza crust for my kids for lunch and that was a huge bust – so it’s official. If I can’t even make pizza crust I was not meant to enjoy the comforts of home made baking.

Grocery Shopping tales

Ok, My cousin Amy posted this on her blog and I thought it was so funny, I wanted every mother I know to have a chance to read it.

I hope you're sitting down and your blatter is empty.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130144061675

My first video

Well, my plan to do a daily post of our summer fun didn’t exactly pan out; so instead I’ve made a movie. One of my young women showed me a movie she had made and I was so impressed I had to try one of my own. Since I am computer challenged it took me longer than I would have liked; I had to wait for Spencer to come home from work every day and fix the latest road block I had run into. But here it is!!!

We had so much fun, although lots of our activities are missing since, once again due to dead batteries, I used my parent’s camera and have yet to receive those pictures.

We were so fortunate to see so much of our family (some by birth other by us claiming them as our family – Sheena and Michel and the Taylors). It was hard to say good-bye to them again, but at the same time; I felt so very blessed to have such wonderful people be a part of our lives.

My Boys

WHAT!!!

This is a funny story about Jarom I wanted to share before I forgot it.

One Sunday in my parents ward the priests were talking about preparing for their mission. As the priests were talking Jarom was coloring with his book on the seat, so he was kneeing on the floor facing me. As one of the priest talked he mentioned that he knew that he had to learn how to cook and clean and do his laundry because his mother wouldn’t be there. Jarom whipped his head up and yelled, “WHAT, you’re not coming on my mission with me.”

Good-bye Rachel

Well its official – my summer of fun with my family is OVER.

Bright and early this morning we set off for the airport to bid farewell to our Rachel. We were running a little behind and since the plane was leaving at 8:50 whether Rachel was on it or not, we were saved from a tearful good-bye. Nolan however, had a really hard time with Rachel leaving us and tried to stage a protest by refusing to get out of bed; in the end he resigned himself to his aunt’s departure and settled for a long hug.

Our time with Rachel wasn’t action packed, like I would normally like, but I think we were all a little tired from our time at Grandma’s and need a couple of low key days. We did however manage to squeeze in a movie (Oceans 13 and although I have been a great fan of the Ocean movies in the past I wouldn’t recommend this one), Lunch with Spencer and a stroll around the Forks, bike riding and tennis playing and a couple of movies: Fracture and 300 (I am still a little shocked Spencer rented it and thought I would enjoy watching it - nasty).

Thursday being our final day we thought we should have an outing, so we decided to go to a little place called Emu Ville – it promised to be a good time, learning about Emus and going on a train ride, what could be better? After driving all over the southern part of Manitoba we decided it no longer existed (apparent there aren’t a lot of people wanted to visit an emu farm – imagine that) and decided to visit the Zoo instead.

On our way to the Zoo, we passed the golf dome and decided we would rather go mini golfing. After a highly completive round of mini golf which proclaimed Rachel the best golfer of all, we headed off to the greatest Gelato store in all of Winnipeg – Nucci’s.

We finished off our afternoon with a little frog hunting in Kings Park. The kids had a wonderful time, and although Rachel and I were fine with the small frogs, when Nolan captured a great BIG frog we turned into the girls we are and screamed and screamed as the frog tried to make his escape.

It was great to have Rachel here and we ( me especially) am going to miss her.

(due to dead batteries I was unable to capture any of our fun time with Rachel, all the memories are on her camera; these our some pictures from our time in Alberta)

2 down 7 to go!

He's done it again...

passed another exam.

HAPPY, HAPPY, JOY, JOY!!!

We're Back.

I’m sure you have all been checking my blog daily to see any new posts I may have posted (or given up entirely on me); fear not, your wait is over. We have returned to Winnipeg and have lots of fun stories and pictures to share. We even managed to convince Rachel that her time off from work would be best spent with us in Winnipeg – very excited to have her with us!

We had five glorious carefree weeks of freedom. It was so good to be around family, allow my kids the freedom to run around and explore grandma and grandpa’s acreage to their hearts content. Time went by much too fast and there were lots of tears as I brutally ripped my kids away from their grandparents and brought them back to the “Houde”.

I’ve decided to draw out my summer posting a little bit and everyday (or so) post a new activity we did over the summer.

The Pictures are of Nolan with the dogs, Max and Matty and Jarom in grandma and grandpa’s crab apple tree.

1 down 8 to go!!!

Congratulations

to Spencer for passing his

Materials and Methods exam.

We are so very proud of you.
Love, Angela, Nolan and Jarom

It's a boy

Congratulations

to Rob, Tanya and Dalin on their new arrival.

Braden Parker Court

(not 100% sure the spelling is right)

We can’t wait to see photo’s of him!!!

Soccer Wind Up

Last night was Jarom’s soccer wind-up. We all gathered together to enjoy a bbq of hot dogs, chips and pop. Jarom received his team photo and medal. He has been talking all season about the medal he is going to receive at the end of soccer. He was so excited to FINALLY get his very own medal (just like Nolan) and proudly wore it all evening. We had to display it on his wall as soon as we got home.

More Baseball Pictures

Drowning Ruth

It has recently been brought to my attention that many of my blog viewers do not enjoy my book reviews, but would rather see more pictures of my adorable kids and stop wasting their time with my thoughts as I turn the last page of my latest novel. I was shocked to hear this news, well not shocked exactly, it bought back memories of Spencer, Tricia and James with their eyes glazed over at party night while I tortured them with the latest developments in my book.

For you who dislike my book review I have 2 words for you - TOO BAD! I like writing them and since this is my blog you can just skip them.

“Drowning Ruth” is an Oprah’s Book Club selection that I picked up at a garage sale for $1. In the past, I’ve read a few of Oprah’s selections but found them to be a little too on the darker side of life; although I always find the main character’s in Oprah’s selections to be complicated and they hook me in as soon as I start reading. This book proved to be no different. "Drowning Ruth" is a thriller that keeps the reader guessing until the last page - what happened on that frightfully cold evening in November which caused Ruth’s mother to break through the ice and drown.

I very much enjoyed this book; if you have an opportunity to read it, take it!

Baseball Jamboree

Saturday Nolan participated in his first Baseball Jamboree, I’m not really sure what the difference is between a Jamboree and a Tournament, they seemed the same to me.

Nolan’s team played 3 games and Nolan was in heaven. In the first game he played first base and kept catching pop fly after pop fly. He was so thrilled; catching pop flies in his favorite part of the game. He has a running total of how many he has caught during the season and is more then happy to share his stats with anyone willing to listen. He is a great little player and plans to continue his baseball career again next season.

For all those wondering… I did not join the ranks of the Spit Spitters.