All About Me

So I saw this super cute idea on my friends Kristi's blog - even though I wasn't tagged I still thought it was way fun and wanted to do it too. The idea is to type in your answer into Google image and pick the best pictures that pops up. So this is me. ENJOY!

My First Name








My Last Name










Place I was Born










My favorite animal - this one I struggled with as I don't really like animals. Nolan informed me that I should do more research then I'd like animals way more. Who couldn't love a face like this.











Past Love - This one's for Spencer. Ha Ha!













My Favorite Object - or in this case object(s).













Favorite Food - I'm sure this came as no surprised as I am quite open about my love of brownies - notice the icing. So good.










Favorite Color










Bad Habit - watching, not actually putting of the skills into play and cooking gourmet meals for my family.











First Job - I'll let you use your imagination on this one, but I will say it was horrible.










Future Job













Place I want to Visit










My Age. or so I tell Nolan and his friends and anyone who asks.










Your Turn!

Wednesday August 13, 2008, Patrice (my youngest sister) went to the temple. It was a special occasion marked with tender moments and I was so glad I could be there to share this moment in Patrice's life.

Happy Day!

I bought myself one of these today. It's a labeler. Mock if you must, but I have wanted one forever and I now feel like my life is complete. I am able to organize as I never have before.

I'd be happy to come over and label for you.

Trip to Calgary Part 2: The Military Museum

After dropping Sheena and Michel off at their hotel, we spent the night at Rachel's. After we put the kids to bed we had sister time and ate lemon pie right out of the tin while watching a show about crazy parents who want their kids to be stars.

Nolan and Jarom have been enchanted by the Calgary Military Museum ever since we first drove by the tanks on a previous trip to Calgary. They begged and begged to go there, so after Rachel left for work the boys and I went to check it out.

There were lots of amazing exhibits to see and it was all very interesting. I would like to go back again as it was hard to fully take it all in. I also thought it put war into a whole new perspective for Nolan, who is used to seeing war in terms of television and video games.

This mural was amazing. It was all individual pictures making up a bigger picture. The mural was also on computer screens and when you touched one of the pictures a background on the person would pop up along with an explanation on their contribution to freedom.

As we were walking into the museum, I was busy tucking away my wallet and camera, not really paying attention to what Jarom was doing. He was so excited he went running right through a freshly poured side walk.

This isn't the real photograph, I felt to stupid to go back and take a picture just so I could blog it.

Ok, I have so much to blog, our Strate family reunion, Whitefish, The Northcotts, Our visit with Sheena, Patrice going to the temple, plus an update on our housing/move situation and then some as we are movers and shakers and the fun never ends. In all reality I realize you may not be as interested in our life as I am; but as previously mention this is for the most part my journal and I want to remember all these moments.

Where to begin... I guess I'll start with the latest event - Meeting Sheena and Michel in Calgary then work my way back.


Sheena and Michel flew all the way from their bit of paradise in France to come and see us again; well I think they may have actually come to see Sheena's family but we were included in the trip and felt lucky to see them. Our family has loved Sheena ever since we first introduced ourselves outside the RS room of the Dalhousie Chapel 8 yrs ago. Sheena is part of our family and when Michel snatched Sheena we claim him as well, plus he has earned himself the title of The Candy Man as he presents Nolan and Jarom with candy every visit.

Yesterday after an overly confusing ordeal of finding the bus station in Calagary we met up and then went to explore the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. I thought it would be a nice place for us to visit without having to contain the kids to much, this having the situation nice and relaxed. When we first arrived at the bird sanctuary we were a little disappointed as I was expecting something like Fort Whyte in Winnipeg and it was a hot dry field - even the lake had dried up, not to mention the only bird we spotted was a Magpie. Then as we were pulling away we noticed we had gone to the wrong place, once we arrived at the right place the Sanctuary turned out to be very beautiful. It was a hot hot hot day 37 degrees which is why everyone has pink cheeks.



We then visited the Calgary Tower. I thought this would be very cool as Flat Nolan made a trip there earlier this year and it would be very cool for the real Nolan to visit. Ok, the Calgary Tower is a scary place. I would not walk over the glass floor. Michel shared in my feelings, we remained at a comfortable distance while the other three dare devils took their life in their hands and ventured over the glass.
Jarom had absolutely no fear and would lay on the glass - CRAZY. But it was cool to see the city from so far up!

Reunited

There were so many hard things about leaving Winnipeg, but for my kids leaving the Northcotts was amongst the hardest. It was a happy reunion when they were all together again. Nolan and Greg have hardly been seen as they spend all there time exploring and climbing trees. We finally tracked them down yesterday and suggested going to a movie to which they replied, "why would we go to a movie on such a beautiful day as today".

We're off to go raspberry picking -YUM!

Bone Crusher

We are back. Well actually we were back on Saturday, but the internet has been down since then and this is the first I've been able to share our adventures in Whitefish. I only have a few minutes as I have to go grocery shopping as the Northcotts are due to arrive sometime today and I think it would be good to have food to feed them.

However, I wanted to share this photo. I have wanted to go rafting FOREVER. Every summer as we drove down to Whitefish I'd see the rafters going down the river and my face maybe even my whole body would turn green with envy. This year we finally went and it was so much fun. I was so excited I couldn't stop talking, which caused our guide to take an instant disliking to me and I paid for my chattiness by being pushed into pretty much the coldest water I have ever been in. I had so much fun and can't wait to do it again - minus the kids so we can really have a wild time!

This is my whole family, the only people missing are my parents as they stayed back to watch little Luke.

I'll post more photos and stories at a later date.

Does Life Get Any Better Than This?

I love days like today. The kids wanted to have a bonfire for supper and as I sat there watching the kids cook their hot dogs, roast/burn their marshmallow and lick the sticking goodness of leftover marshmallow residue off their dirty little finger, I thought how lucky we are. Moments like this need to forever engraved in our memories and cherished.

I have countless good memories sitting in the swing in the Taylor's backyard as our family did this exact thing, then the kids would climb trees while Spencer and Dale threw the football or frisbee. Good Memories.


Today was also Jake and Nolan's last day of Basketball camp. All the family gathered at the Gym to watch as the boys played in the final 5 on 5 basketball tournament. We have great little ball players!

Red Rock

August 23, 24th and 25th we attended the Strate family reunion - my dad's side of the family. My cousins travelled from far across the land so we could all be together. It was so awesome to see most of my cousin again and grow closer to them and their kids.

Red Rock Canyon is our favorite place and pretty much any out of towners who come for a visit get taken there to enjoy the beautiful panoramic view as well as climb up the canyon and dip their toes in the glacial waters.

We stopped for lunch at Crooked Creek and the kids had a marvelous time climbing the creek. I've been there before but the kids were older this year and way more adventurous. We came across a pool of the coolest water you've ever felt (I think Nolan's faces pretty much says it all). There was a waterfall filling the pool, and since I think I've share with you before, that waterfalls are among my favorite things, I was excited to find this little gem. You must come for a visit so I can take you to our new little hide away.

After lunch we travelled up the road to Red Rock. The kids had the best time climbing up the canyon; but my absolute favorite moments was when with grandkids cheering her on my mom went down the water slide and into the freezing water. My brother has made a montage of everyone water sliding. Check it out.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Only at Grandpa's

I don't think I have to tell you have excited Nolan was to be trying out Grandpas' gun.

A couple of weeks after we arrived in Alberta, Noli went over to his friend Levis house. Levi 's brother used Nolan and Levi as targets while he shot at them with his pellet gun (I actually have no idea what kind of gun it was) I as his mother (and a city mother at that) was a little alarm, but Nolan thought it was the greatest time ever and has been begging to shoot a gun ever since.

Last night Nolan and his cousin Jake were given a lesson in the art of sharp shooting. Grandpa took them out and the boys shot at tins cans. I think Nolan liked it a little too much.

As a side note - we enjoyed a Strate Family reunion this week-end so I'll be posting about that soon.

Reese Reunion

Yesterday we went to Milk River to meet some of our relative (Spencer's side of the family) who are visiting from Germany. It was a fun afternoon spent, visiting with family and as you can see the kids had the best time riding the Go Kart. Nolan was a little nervous at first but quickly starting ripping up the trax. Jarom had no trepidations and immediately took off; we had to send someone responsible (thanks Amanda) along to make sure my wild boy came back in one piece. The boys had a great time playing in the rain, climbing in the fort and riding around the Reese Farm.

Indian Days

Rachel came down on Saturday and took Nolan, Jarom and I to Indian Days. It was so cool. I was totally amazed with all the costumes, the bead work and feathers. It was awesome to watch the dancing, hear the singing (not sure if that is the correct term, I want to say chanting, but that does seem right either) and listen to the beating of the drums. The men's fancy dance was my favorite as the costumes were unbelievable.

After the dancing was over, we took the kids to enjoy the rides. I was very nervous about letting Nolan on the rides, as he can not handle the tire swing at the park and I could envision an re-enactment of the Amusement Park scene from The Sandlot. But all was well.

Jingle Dress Dance

Ladies Fancy Shawl Dance

Men's Fancy Dance

Nolan and Jarom Enjoying their Umpteenth treat of the day

The Ferris Wheel, surprisingly was their favorite ride.

Happy Birthday Morgmyster

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Robin Hood

Auntie Patrice is very cool. Tuesday she took the boys for the afternoon and when Nolan and Jarom were returned to me, they were sugared up and the proud owners of bow and arrows. Jarom saw this hat and had to have it as he becomes Robin Hood every time he puts it on. Now my days are filled dodging arrows as they whiz by my head.

Patrice also took them to see Wall-e, which apparently is not as good as the kids had anticipated, but Nolan has just informed me that there were a couple of funny parts. Then she made coke bottle rockets with the boys and sprayed them with pop. Only an aunt would do such a thing.

Lake Francis

Nolan loves the mountains. I know it's been said time and again, but Nolan is almost a clone of Spencer; the only thing stopping him from being an actual clone, is the extra thick head of hair he inherited from me. The mountains are a part of him and anytime spent there is amongst the happiest.

Saturday Nolan and Grandpa, along with my dad's neighbours the Steed's, hiked to Francis lake. They started off in Waterton National Park and drove the boat into Glacier National Park, then began the hike at Goat Haunt. It was a 6 mile hike into the lake taking them 3 hours to hike into the lake and 2 1/2 hours to hike out.

Nolan was especially pleased when he caught 2 fish. Nolan is a catch and release man, but the Steed's kept their fish cooking up 3 of them. Nolan did not enjoy eating the fish, but apparently cutting off their heads, tails and gutting them was a good time.

Nolan came home dirty, blistered, exhausted and happy!