Pumpkin Patch

I thought it would be fun to take the kids to pick pumpkins, however around Calgary, the only places that let you come and pick pumpkins also have admission to other things. Since we were not interested in all the other stuff, just the pumpkins, then next best thing was a farmer's market.

We went to one on Thanksgiving weekend, the weather was beautiful and the kids loved all the pumpkins.
Jackie picked the first one she saw, Anderson picked them all. They each got to bring home one large pumpkin each that Adam will carve up with them the day before Halloween.

5 Years and Counting

Happy Anniversary Adam!

Today marks five years for us.

In the past 5 years we bought our second house.
We started our family with the greatest dog alive!
You learned how to build a deck.
We learned how to make a baby (twice)!
We had 2 beautiful, wonderful children.
We both changed jobs.
There have been weddings, birthdays, holidays celebrations and even a graduation.
We bought a trailer, or two, or three.
We bought our place in Moyie.
We camped, A LOT!
We introduced our children to camping, swimming, playing, and snuggles.
We have cried together, laughed together and loved each other.

I have enjoyed the past 5 years with you, I look forward to 5 more, 10 more and even 50 more!

Happy Anniversary Babe!




For everyone else, I normally only post one picture of us on our wedding day for our anniversary, but this year, I thought I would share a whole bunch more from that wonderful day.

Project Health

I have been spending a decent amount of time reading different blogs and talking to people about the foods we consume.

Now I am a HUGE fan of everything salty, chocolate I could live without - but salt, if they stopped making potato chips, I am sure I would be sneaking into farms and stealing the cows salt licks.

But as my children are growing, I am starting to think more and more about the example we are setting, and how I want them to treat food.

I have posted pictures before of me baking with the kids, I am a firm believer in getting them involved. Letting them take some ownership in the food we are eating and why not start them in the kitchen early.

How many professional athletes say "I was skating (golfing - whatever) at the age of 3". Well, my kids are going to be able to say - "I was in the kitchen cooking and baking with my Mom as soon as I could stand, well before my second birthday."

So, in an effort to be the example in our house - I am trying to think more about my choices - that does not mean they are all still going to be good, but I am starting.

(Honestly - I am typing this while drinking a can of A&W Root Beer.) Ooops.

Dinner last night - using the crock pot I made pulled pork sandwiches, just the pork, some water and BBQ sauce. Then served it with diced tomato and cucumber - tossed in Greek salad dressing.
(Pork served on whole grain buns.)

Super yummy - and way healthier than opening a box.

WHY?

I know this is a common question children ask their parents (or anyone for that matter), but I am going INSANE with the why's.

Jackie is in the why phase.

I have been told that the reason a child is asking it, is to prolong the conversation, or to get a conversation started.

Okay I get that, but it is killing me.

You see, I hate the phrase "because I said so!" I have never liked it, I do not want to use it with my children, but I find myself using it more and more.

It end the conversation, that is why parents use it, and that is why I am being reduced to using it. Sometimes, really - that is the only reason why.

I hate myself for using it, but I think some days I will throw something if I don't.

My Mom

Today is my wonderful Mother's birthday!

Happy Birthday Mom!!

I thought I would dedicate a post to her on her special day.

My Mom is a mother to 4 children - all 2 years apart - that means she spent approximately a decade changing diapers. Now if that is not an accomplishment in itself - this sure is - no disposable diapers - all cloth.

When I was really young she was a stay at home Mom - how could she not - 4 kids - no one would ever be able to afford the cost of day care.

But she went back to work when the family needed her to.

She was and is never too old to learn a new job.

I have never seen her more excited except to meet her grandchildren.

Recently I saw my Mother do something I never thought I would see - she climbed up a multi level play structure to play with Jackie and Anderson.

Here's to you Mom on your day!

Happy Birthday

Blog Watch

I thought I would start sharing with you some of the blogs I follow regularly.

I am a pretty avid blog reader but I tend to stick to a few different genres.

(one)
FRIENDS, I do a daily check on all my friends and some associates blogs, keep up to date with their daily lives, kids, etc. (Please see the list on the right hand side of this page.)

(two)
FOOD, I will read anyones blog if it is good, but I really like local ones, they also tend to include a few restaurant reviews which I like.

(three)
BOOKS, I love to read and love to hear what other people are saying about different / new books. Give me some good ideas for upcoming reads.

(four)
PARENTING, who can't always use more advice, tips, tricks when dealing with 2 small children.

(five)
RANDOM, there are a few blogs out there that don't fall into any of the above categories, but I still find them interesting.

This is the first blog I want to share with you, some of you might have even heard about it or are following it yourselves.

Fed Up With School Lunch

This is a woman / teacher / Mom, living in the States who decided to eat the cafeteria lunch at her school every day for a year.

She is blogging anonymously for fear of losing her job.

She started in January 2010 (so she is almost done) in March she received a phone call from Jamie Oliver himself.

She has been interviewed for radio, print, Internet and television.

She has tons of guest bloggers who talk about the nutrition breakdown in the States.

Now I find it fascinating - and so completely scary. By the way - this is an elementary school she is working at.

I know things are different in Canada - but not sure just how different?
First - I don't think there are very many elementary schools that have cafeterias? Am I wrong?
Mine didn't.
Do junior highs? What about high schools - I assume most of the city high schools have a cafeteria.

But here is one thing I noticed recently; I had to go and pick up pizza for a staff lunch (I know - Pizza is not good, but I believe most things in moderation are okay), and it was lunch time for a charter school - I think it was both junior high and high school - you should have seen the kids buying pizza, starbucks and a myriad of other junk foods.

Are we any better here?

Reading this blog - I am actually reading the whole thing - started at the beginning and working my way through, is opening my eyes to help educate my children better as they grow up to learn how to make the right choices.

It will make me think twice about putting "fruit" snacks in their lunch every day instead of just occasionally.

Anyway - take a minute to look. She is a fascinating woman trying to get her small voice out there and start making some changes.

Amy & Scott

Some of you might not know, but my lovely sister Amy eloped this summer. They did not tell anyone, but it was completely planned.

The got married on a roof top in San Fransisco!

So to let us all help them celebrate, they had a reception this weekend.

We had a blast - no kids, dressing up, and drinking - who could not love it.

Amy and her new hubby Scott!

Hmmm - who would have guessed - my sister double-fisting it?

People Party Photos

I tried to take as many photos as possible on Saturday night, but of course, wine, food and conversation kept getting in my way.

I will not list everyones names - you know who you are, and to be honest - I don't remember who everyone is and my camera was high jacked at some point in time during the night.

A Beautiful Saturday

This past weekend was nothing less that gorgeous!

We took the kids to the South Glenmore park - it has a great play structure for the kids and they love it.

Then we took a walk down by the Glenmore Reservoir.

I love this photo of Adam and the kids, I wish I could have grabbed someone running past to take a picture that included me, but this was taken with my iPhone - way too complicated to start explaining to a random stranger running past.

Who does not love the sound of leaves under your feet in the fall?

Way too Early

I love Christmas, I love it when stuff starts coming out in the stores, and I know Costco already is selling lots of stuff for Christmas, but that is okay, this however - not okay.

I took this picture in the store on September 30th!


Alright, I will admit part of the problem here is I actually want to buy some, I love egg nog - I love the full fat version and add in some Amaretto... YUMMM!

I am proud to say I did not buy any - I will wait until sometime in November I think.