Friends

Fall 2003 Cam and Tara hosted the first fondue party, Starr and Cory followed in December, we hosted in February 2004 and Scott and Laurie in April.

Our fondue parties had 4 couples and no children, since Scott and Laurie live in Red Deer, they came into town every time - so it was only fair that we all headed out to their house for their party. At the time - Cam and Tara had Brendan, Scott and Laurie had Katie - but all children were baby sat on those evenings.

We experienced a long break from the fondue group when everyone started having kids - Jarilyn, Ace and Francis were all born in 2004. Scarlet born in early 2006.

October 2006 we decided we needed to do another fondue party before round 2 of kids was born. Matthew born in late 2006, Charlie and Jacqueline born in 2007.

So this Saturday Scott, Laurie and family came to Calgary - the Mercers were generous to open their house to a now much larger group - not for a fondue party - just an afternoon gathering. A chance for everyone to see each other's children.

We had a great visit with everyone - the group now has the same 8 adults, but a 7 year old, an almost 5 year old, 3 - 2-1/2 year olds, a 1-1/2 year old, and 3 newborns.

For those of you that do not know the history on this group - Adam, Cam, Starr and Scott all used to work together at Calgary Valve and Fitting - now all the wives are stay at home Moms together.

Cory showing where a pool table could fit.

Cory and Scott


Cam and Charlie

Adam and Jackie

Scott and Matthew

The men and their babies: Scott & Matthew, Cory & Scarlett, Cam & Charlie, Adam & Jackie.

The girls and NO kids!

Housewarming

Saturday evening we headed over to my brother Blake and his wife Karen’s house for a housewarming party. They moved into their new house at the beginning of March and absolutely love all the space they now have.

I happened across someone doing a little “housewarming” himself…

Family

Friday night we were invited over to my brother Paul and his wife Catalina's house for dinner. We had not been there since moving day back in February so it was nice to see the place fully assembled.

We had a great meal, shared Jackie around and even got a chance to play a game.

Catalina slaughtered us all on the first game of Settlers of Catan - and she held Jackie almost the whole game - hmmm - interesting - good luck charm or strategy??

But we got a chance to play another game - this time we got Jackie to sleep and I won!

Uncle Paul

Friends

This past Thursday Jackie and I headed to Three Hills, a friend from high school was in town and Grandma and Grandpa were itching for a visit.

Well, for those of you that live in Calgary, you know what the weather was like - Calgary got 7 cm of snow - I drove through a blizzard to get there. Don't worry I was thinking about all our friends and family that live in Ontario at the time - on the same day they had +30 and smog warnings in Toronto. Yup - lovin' Alberta weather!

But we had a great visit - I got to see Kim, her 1 year old daughter Lyla and Kim's Mom Marion - people I have not see for at least 8 years. I got to know Kim when her family moved to Three Hills at the beginning of Grade 8 - 15 years ago. We lost touch for a while - but through the wonderful world of Blogging and the Internet we have caught up and watch each other's family grow.

Sorry - no photos - I forgot my camera.

May Long Weekend Camping

For many people May Long weekend kicks off the camping season – this year we got a head start – but this weekend we headed out with our friends. We were back at Mount Kidd with 4 trailers, 4 families, 8 adults, 8 kids – 3 of these newborns.

We had a good time in spite of the weather. Saturday afternoon – rain, Sunday morning – rain that turned into snow, Monday morning – lots and lots of snow.

Brendan, Cam, Charlie (in the blanket being held by Cam) and Jarilyn Craig.

Scarlett Mercer

Adam and Brutis - we woke up Saturday morning with a dog that had a very sore leg - barely walking, so Adam took him into a vet in Canmore - nothing broken looks like a sprain - so here are some drugs and keep him off his feet for a few days. Yeah - how do you tell a dog to stay off his feet for a few days especially when you are camping - well - Adam came up with a solution - looks funny - but it worked.

Craig Foley and Adam playing Snake Toss

Jackie - this is her sleeping all bundled up in her stroller - outside

Tara, Jarilyn, Cam and Brendan Craig playing Boccie

Jazz and Brutis - last May Long Jazz and Brutis were both puppies and the same size - they got along very well and still play great together - this is Brutis' girlfriend.

Me - I am always cold - and this weekend was no exception, you can't see it in the background - but there are kids with no jackets playing in the field - I have on a tank top, sweatshirt, fleese jacket and my winter jacket on - finally warm.

I had Adam snap a few shots before we left Monday morning - the trailer is packed up - but look at the snow.

The Volleyball court - for someone who is always cold, why do I camp this early in the season? Trust me - I would never do this without the furnace.

Too Cool for School

While camping this past weekend we realized we are going to need some stuff that fits to keep the sun off her head and out of her eyes – so I picked up a pair of new born sunglasses – when I put them on for the first time yesterday she smiles immediately and had me running for the camera.

Crying...

On Monday I took Jacqueline in for her first immunization shots. Oh, how she cried! But it is over quickly and I know she won’t remember this and hate me for it later.

We did do a weigh in and measurement.

Weight:
Birth: 7 pounds 1 ounce
1 Month: 9 pounds 11 ounces
2 Months: 11 pounds 7 ounces

Height:
Birth: 19 ¼ inches
1 Month: 21 inches
2 Months: 23 inches

Her First Camping Trip

As many of you know Adam and I love to camp – but I did not really fall in love with camping until last year when we entered the wonderful world of Trailer Camping! This is where you have a furnace, bathroom complete with shower and flushing toilet, microwave and fridge. I know there are many people that do not consider this “real” camping – but to those people I say if you want to rough it – go ahead – I like to be warm at night and not have to ever again walk to the outhouse.

Well, we are bound and determined to camp with Jackie, so we decided to go out for one day this weekend. I would love to say she loved it, but to be honest I am not sure she really noticed. Here are a few photos from the weekend.


Adam and Jackie - it was a beautiful sunny day on Saturday - we brought the only sun hat we had - much too big for Jackie right now.

But too small for Dad

She looks so small taking a nap on our bed.

Diana, Kristi and Eric came out to join us for the afternoon and dinner - we took advantage of the day and went for a walk around the campground. What a privilege to be able to live so close to the mountains and get views like this.

Grandpa Eric took her for a small walk in the woods - teaching her about all the different tree and names of the mountains in the area.

My 3 tired babies!

Mother's Day morning - hanging out together!

My First Mother's Day

Mother's Day celebrations started out Friday evening for us as we headed to Blake and Karen's house to celebrate our Mom and my parents 34th wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful meal and a great time visiting and Blake and Karen gave me flowers for my first Mother's Day.

My Mom

Sunday - we were camping and woke up to rain so we spent the morning in the trailer hanging out as a family. Adam had a beautiful card (made me cry) for me and a gift certificate for a pedicure. It was so nice to spend time together just hanging out as a family.

Then we packed up and headed to Canmore to celebrate with Adam's Mom. I got spoiled with more flowers from Eric. I truly had the most amazing Mother's Day - it was so nice to spend the entire weekend with family, we are so lucky to have everyone so close.

The Family

Play Date

This morning Jackie and I had a play date with Starr, Ace and Scarlett. Starr and I had a great time visiting, Ace and Scarlett had fun with coffee filter hats.

Jacqueline - slept the entire time!

Random Pictures of Cuteness

Our Lazy Dog

We got Brutis just over a year ago and since we were both working, we trained him to be able to stay in his kennel all day while we were at work. This meant however we had a very hyper dog all evening long.

We were a little nervous about how he would behave when I was going to be home with him all day - would he be the same hyper dog, running all over the house, barking at you so you will play his favourite game - Chase the Brutis - or would he calm down since he was now going to be out of his kennel all day?

Well - thankfully we got the latter. In the mornings he is a complete suck - I guess sleeping all night is just not long enough for him since he will sleep all morning long as well. But his favourite way to sleep is buried under a blanket.

Here is a picture I captured yesterday morning - completely covered with only his little face sticking out.

Road Trip

Yesterday Jackie, Brutis and I headed out to Canmore to visit Grandma and Grandpa. We had a great day, lunch, visiting and took advantge of the fantastic spring weather and went for a nice walk along the river.

She slept through the night!!

Well last night we had our first sleep through the night experience! Adam put her to bed at 11:30 and she did not wake up until 6:00. But now that I have blogged this momentous event - she won`t do it again for 2 months...