July 1st

We have a tradition as a family; as soon as we enter the road that leads us to our beloved Red Rock Canyon, I unroll my window and we all inhale . We breathe deeply as we soak in the smell of the forests; there is nothing like the smell of the woods to replenish your tired soul and bring joy to your spirit.

Tuesday night we did a quick hike up to Crandell Lake 2 km each way; Jarom hiked it like a pro.

Little pyros hard at work.

To celebrate Canada day we hiked up Mt. Galloway; a very steep climb; but worth every footstep as we were able to gaze down at the beautiful valley below us.

Noli showing me his love.



See how far up we climbed. Down below in the valley is our camp ground.

The hikers.

Cooling off in Red Rock Canyon

My favorite place on earth. It's beauty is overwhelming.

That's right - It's COLD glacial water.

Favorite Pictures of the Week-End

Saturday Spencer had to study for his 9th and final exam (YIPPEEEEEEEEE) on his journey to become an Architect. The kids and I left him to his studies and ventured out to our own bit of paradise - my parents.

Don't you wish you could savor a fresh burnt marshmallow right off the roasting stick? Kids know how to enjoy life.


I love that even though you can't see Nolan's face you can tell there is a look of pure joy in his expression.

Freedom

It's official - we're free!

Today was Nolan's last day of grade 4 (another post all in itself as I am not old enough to have a child one year away from Jr. High). Which mean - no more schedules, no more 4 trips a day to the school picking up kids, no more 20 minute crazy lunches - where I repeatedly yell at my kids to eat faster and stop fooling around. Oh the bliss of it all. I am so giddy I can barely stand it.

Instead we will be

Going camping with Spencer’s family at Writing –on-Stone
Visiting my best friend Anne
Hunting lions at the Calgary Zoo
Visiting Rachel and Paul and attending the Telus Center
Riding the rides at Callaway Park
Hunting Dinosaur Fossil at Tyrrell Museum
Floating in the lake
Laying on the shore while the boys fish
Having sore fingers from blowing up water balloons
Watching a movie projected on a sheet in the backyard
Learning to play tennis
Seeing 10 new species of birds
Scaling the cliffs at the climbing wall
Attending a baseball game
Hiking in the mountains
Performing random acts of kindness
Relaxing at White fish with my family
Water sliding
Canoeing
Swimming in the pool
Learning to throw a freebie
Making homemade ice-cream
Going on picnics
Water fighting
Going berry picking and making jam
Playing mini golf
Gazing into campfires and roasting marshmallows
Ripping up the court at basketball camp
Sipping freshly squeezed lemonade

Another Milestone

Do you sometimes get the feeling that my kids are merely humoring me by letting me take their picture?

Jarom's year of Kindergarten wrapped up yesterday. He is a grad and a oh so handsome one at that!

It was an emotional day for his mama as it seems like kindergarten is the last year I get to cuddle him before he starts his big move to independence.

My Favorite Memory

Ever since our kids were big enough to sit up in the tub, Spencer has supervised while he played his guitar and sang silly songs to the kids. I loved cleaning up the supper dishes and hearing him make up a song about them and then hearing the giggles of boys that always followed. It's one of those memories I know I will remember forever and it brings me pure joy whenever I think about it.

A Father's Day

Cute Boys

Great Dads

How delicious (literally - my mom is a great cook) it was to spend Father's Day with my Dad.

When I take away

this

and this,

and this.

This



and this


are the result.

On a related note, I've cleverly hidden the DS from the kids and am now unable to locate it. If anyone has possible suggestion of places I may have hidden it, it would be greatly appreciated. The person to guess the winning location will receive a Water Bottle Thingamajig.

Water Bottle Thingamajig

I've seen different versions of these Water Bottle Tag Drink Holder Thingamajig around the Internet and always wanted to make them. I decided last week was the time - crafting sooths my souls and heals my spirit. I made 12; I couldn't be stopped until the last cupcake sticker was gone.

Now I just have to figure out what to do with them all. Chances are good, if you stop by my house you will be leaving with a parting gift.

Finally some sugar and spice

Some thing I seriously lack in this house is girly things. I don't get to make all the cute dresses, hair pieces or accessories I desperately want to, which is why I am so glad that my friends have daughters and their daughters like girly things.

I saw this purse over at Skip to my Lou and thought is was so cute I had to make it. Once I started sewing I realized it was meant to be sewn as a project with your daughter - great summer time activity idea.

So Cute, So Fun.

My play date with Janelle - making cupcakes - what a treat!

I later learned Janelle's dog also thought these cupcakes were mighty tasty. Yet another reason we remain a dog free house.

Win Win

Doesn't this seem like the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day? The boys went wild with the water and I finally have clean screens.

T-Ball

The t-ball year of baseball is by far the best year of all. The kids are beyond cute, the confusion is high, the excitement is loaded and the games are short. Jarom was our power house hitter - POWER HOUSE!

and how could you possibly call yourself a ball player if you came home with a clean uniform - sliding into every single base is a must.

Yes I did make these!

and if you don't examine, inspect or scrutinize these cupcake to closely you will be as impressed as I am delighted with the outcome.

Nolan has a shark obsession, which doesn't actually seem like a strong enough word to describe his loves of sharks. When he is a grow up man his occupations will be a marine biologist - specializing in sharks. This I find very interesting because a. Nolan has a fear of deep water and b. he is afraid of sharks. But because I am such a fabulous mom, I have yet to bring these points to his attentions, and instead let him enjoy his dreams.

But, I digress. Nolan and a fellow classmate have in their spare time this school year been doing a research project on sharks. They gathered lots of fun little tidbits, then Spencer and I helped Nolan assemble his project into a PowerPoint presentation which he is presenting to the class as I write this.

Along with his presentation he asked me to make shark cupcakes, since my cake decorating skill are very limited I hunted the Internet in search of a cupcake I thought I could handle and thanks to the folks at A Baked Creation I found a pattern.

When the Cousins Get Together

There's tomfoolery

and Cowboy times,

and lounging with your favorite pal.

There's water bombs,


and mesmerizing flames,


and joyful memories until they're together again.

I'm back

The last couple of months I've taken a break from blogging - not sure if anyone reads this anymore - I do know a couple of people still do, because I get e-mails every once in a while asking where I've been.

I've been taking care of my grandma. A couple of months ago my grandma fell and I felt like she wouldn't be with us much longer and I wanted to be with her. A couple of weeks before she passed away, I knew the end was close, so every moment I had to spend with her I did. It was a blessing to me to be living here and able to share that time with her.

So now I'm back. Back to my "normal life" and I'll be sharing it with you on a semi regular basis.

The Next Joe Montana

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Rachel and Paul came down for Easter Week-end. Paul is a football coach and Jarom is a rough and tough tackle man. Paul is teaching Jarom the ins and outs of the game and Jarom loves it.

Catching Up

not really sure what I've been doing that would prevent me from posting for almost a month, but I'll try to think of all or at least some of the wonder goings on at the court house this month.

1. Finally after months of waiting, Thursday Spencer got a notice in the mail letting him know that he was a genius and passed another exam. He wrote another one yesterday. I'm not sure what the count is now or how many he has to take; after 14 years of working on this degree, I'm starting to lose count on everything - did he go to school for 10 years of 25? It all starts to become distorted. But I will venture a guess that this was 6 out of 10; but as previous mentioned I really have no idea. But if you check back after Spencer has seen this post I'm sure he will have the correct statistics for you.
2. Jarom lost his two front teeth. I love his gummy grin and listening to his mispronounced sentences. The first tooth he lost, when his ever loving grandpa shoved a ball in his mouth; knocking the tooth out and causing Jarom to swallow it. Jarom had a bit of stunned look on his face, but I was quick to let him know that the tooth fairy would still come and joked that he would poop the tooth out in a couple of days. Jarom thought this was so funny, he was sure to share all the details with his kindergarten class the next day.
3. Swimming lesson, soccer, basketball, and gymnastics are all done and now I find myself with two glorious weeks of not having run kids, from one activity to the next. Whatever shall I do with all my time? Perhaps it will be listening to them proclaim how bored they are.
4. About 3 weeks ago I joined the gym. It's been great. I've loved it. This week my body is finally starting to get used to the work out; every single muscle in my body no longer hurts and makes every movement I make complete and utter torture.
5. Joelle came to visit. It was magical. & we had really delicious pink slurpees.

That's all I think of for now, but if I think of any thing else I'll be sure to post.

The Wait is Over

Not that you were really waiting, as it's been sooooo long you probably forgot all about me and my project. I finished it a couple of weeks ago, but I wanted to finished up the "space" before I shared the finish product with you. After searching all of this town, I have yet to find a print that would be perfect on the wall behind and so I've decided to share with you anyhow.

Before

Step 1. Stripping all the old paint off.

I actually loved this step, it was delightful to see all the old ugly paint bubble up and reveal a glorious grain pattern in the wood with each graze of my scrapper.

Step 2: Sanding, sanding and more sanding.

Note to self: next time invest in an electric sander.

Step: 3 Staining - I actually failed to take a picture of this step

Step 4: Clear Coating

I had one coat left to do to complete the project and the weather dipped below freezing, Spencer brought the dresser inside so I could finish the job (I think he wanted his garage back).

My finished project - and I love it.


I know that many of you are questioning whether or not I actually did this myself or if Spencer did it and I am just taking the credit. Well my doubting friends, aside from some teaching on how to properly apply stain and clear coat, I did it all myself.

Calling All Girl Friends

Back in my early days of Winnipeg, when my kids were little and Spencer was gone every Thursday night to YMs my girlfriends would come over and we have a girls night. We would craft as we watch the Thursday night line up on TV and we would of course eat fabulous desserts.

I loved this time in my life. Some of my best and life long friendship were created and fostered during these evenings. This Walnut Brownie with Maple Butter Sauce from Bakerella is the perfect treat for just such an occasion; as much as I want to make it, it seems like something only to be made and shared with girlfriends, talking, laughing and sharing.

I've long had a love affair with brownies and upon reflection I've decided that like all wonderful things in my life my love of the brown chocolaty wonder is linked to precious memories. Growing up I have countless memories of evenings spent in the kitchen with my sisters and mom; laughing and eating brownies still gooey hot right out of the pan.

Behold the Castle

The Boys built this castle yesterday and asked if I would take a picture and then post it on my blog so all of you could see it. They are very proud of it.

For those interested, The castle is built out of Imaginext - the old version. I've recently (just now) learned that Fisher Price has revamped the Imaginext line, made it for a younger age and the kids are no longer able to build and rebuild the castle.

This has been one of our families all time favorite toys. Hours and hours have been spent, constructing castle, planning attacks and fighting battles.

I Seriously Love This

The only place I found to make such a purchase is the UK. If anyone know where such a beauty can be bought, I have the perfect wall just waiting.

One School One Book

The kid's school is in the midst of working on this project - One School, One Book. Every child in the school received their very own copy of - Ida B by Katherine Hannigan. Every night we read 2 chapters and then the following day at school the boys answer questions and complete projects.

I think it's an interesting undertaking. Jarom has no interest in the book and at first Nolan merely tolerate it, but as we delve deeper into the story and learn about Ida B and her family we become more intrigued.

Ida B is a free spirit, who couldn't be herself at school and as a result she has been home schooled for the last 4 years. Her best friends are the trees in the apple orchard and the brook; when she is seeking wisdom or comfort she goes to visit a wise old tree up on the hill. Last night in our reading Ida's mother was diagnosed with cancer, under going chemo and Ida B is being sent back to school.

I find this book interesting and I enjoy Katherine's descriptive writing style. The book deals with deep issues at the interesting to discuss with Nolan. I'll be interested to see how the book ends and Nolan's thoughts on the project.

Even Dr. Pepper tastes better in this

I have a project

and I am soo excited about it.

It's going to take me awhile to complete my project, but I am so delighted with my little find I couldn't help but share it with all of you. It may take days, weeks or even months, but it will be fabulous when it's completed.

A Whole New World

Jarom loves to swim. Most Wednesday morning I try to take him. It's a good way for him to burn off that excess energy he has an abundance of. Today I took my camera along; when I got to the pool I remembered it was waterproof and thought, hey wouldn't it be fun to take some underwater pics of my kookie Jarom.

After a apprehensive moment I plunged the camera under the water and here are the results.

Jarom's friend getting in on the action.

Do we have another Architect in the making?

This morning while we were doing Jarom's "homework" he decided to put the letters into piles according to whether or not he liked them. And even though the letter O is in his name he still doesn't like it. When I asked him why he didn't like those letter, he broke into a lengthy explanation about lines and the way they really should be going. It all sort of reminded me of many conversations with Spencer.

How does that happen?

Today our RS lesson was Elder Nelson conference talk on Celestial Marriage. During the lesson one of the Sisters mentioned that her and her husband had been married for 70 years and never had an argument. 70 years no argument.

I seriously want to know how this happens. I've heard this same statement during conference addresses or in a story from one of the lesson manuals and to be quite frank I sort of thought they were made up. No one I have ever personally been in contact with could make such a statement.

Seriously, how do you go through 70 years of marriage and not argue? I want to know. I'm going to become best friends with that Sister and find out all her secrets or maybe I shouldn't because I bet bitting your tongue and self control are a major part of it.

Mr. & Mrs. Paul Rachmistruk

It was the most perfect day for a Winter Wonderland themed wedding. We awoke to a snow fall that was enough to cover the ground, but not enough to cause problems.

The day was, as every wedding day should be, filled with love, happiness, a beautiful bride and a an entranced groom.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Hobo Tote

My sewing skill are very limited, add that to my inability to follow pattern directions and what follows is me calling, Tricia or Sister Gatz and them basically holding my hand as I complete my sewing project.

Which is why I am so proud that I completed this awesome Hobo bag all by myself!!! Feel free to pat me on the back, as I've been doing a bit of back patting myself!

So I've been trying to find a pattern for a cute tote bag I can take along shopping with me, in an effort to be a little more environmentally friendly. I came across this pattern at jcaroline creative, and after finding this so cute material and then spending a week, cutting, thinking, picking out and sewing, I finally finish it. I love it, and I may go shopping right now, so I can put it to good work.