HOME SWEET HOME someday .....

Our house has been taken over these days with carpenters , plumbers , electricians and other contractors we have had coming and going to make our house a real home for us . But reality is its bites some days. No walking around in your jammies , all your private family times are shared , dry wall dust and mud from certain peoples boots not mentioning  any names all over , loud noise all the time saws , hammers , and other tools my dog barking at the coming and going of everyone  ,a constant little breeze in our house as the door is being constantly being opened and closed , blinks of eletriticity being on and off as breakers go out for work to keep on trucking along . I really know in the end it will be all wonderful and all these little moments of this crazy house will make up for it but until then I locked myself in the house this weekend and left my jammies on all day and  all night the in laws can testify to that . Hubby was gone on a  "WORK TRIP " to Minneapolis . Some other day maybe on my 2 cents I will go into further details of "WORK TRIPS "  of my husbands . So it was just me and the girls we could do whatever we please or whatever we do not want to do . I decided it would be a great weekend for baking so I started out with nuts and bolts so two batches later I can check that off THE grand Xmas to do list. I also wanted to try something new so I am in the process of making truffles . Oh I can say that word again TRUFFLES . SO I have started the center portion of white chocolate and semi sweet truffles . I must admit that I am really splurging on making these little guys taste the best by using ghirardelli chocolate that I purchased on a across the border shopping trip (I do not feel one little bit of guilt by saying a do some of my shopping across the border either I will share my 2 cents on that some day too ).I think these little guys are going to be my hips worse enemy this holiday season three words chocolate cream cheese.....

YUMMY do I need to say more . I still have one more coat of chocolate for the outside of these ones . I have decided to donate a box of these to the up and coming Expressway Family Centre Twisted Tree Auction .

Now that I got all the chocolate talk out of the way the rest of our weekend consists of cuddling , reading stories and playing hide and seek one of Addy's new fave things to do she even makes her little people play hide and seek too. We just hung out doing a a whole  lot of nothing but still doing everything together it was so good to do it one day we are now on day two of it  . Although our newest little hockey player had leave the house today to go skating . It will be here 5th time out there today and shes doing great since its her first year on actual skates as we had her use bob skates last year .She really really wants to play hockey so it looks  like someday I will have to become a hockey mom any advice I need to be prepared early people for this .  So I guess I better get back to washing all those baking dishes and count the hours I have left until we are intruded by our contractors again oh Monday why do you have to be here so quick I was enjoying my jammies !

Positive Energy IN

SO just breathe .
As the crazy Holiday season starts to approach very quickly I might add. I have a inner goal of keeping all negative energy away and just think positive . I must admit I am not good a filtering out negative energy and have a difficult time not let it effect me in any way and this year is going to be most difficult as we have Reno's going on too . I am pacing my self and making my LISTS but if everything does not get done this holiday season so be it . PLEASE remind me of this the week before Christmas when I freaking out cause I don't have everyone fave holiday baking done yet . My husband can be the first one to admit when I was pregnant during the holiday season( which was twice ) WHOA it was a little crazy I think I cried because no one had mackintosh toffee any where which meant I would be going out my Aunt Myra's marshmallow treats . But no worries my father in law did track some done that year for me although I was making them on Xmas eve too . I have already purchased the toffee this year . See its all about the little things to do so you do not go crazy !AS I mention I have been pregnant twice during the holiday season so alittle holiday cheer meaning a good stiff one could not help me filter out the bad stuff .
I am going to to stay positive during
-tree decorating
-Christmas baking
-Holiday parties
-Santa pictures
-family gatherings
-Christmas shopping
-parking the car
-snow shovelling
-dressing and undressing kids winter gear
- my husbands hockey watching
-winter driving
-dealing with other crazy holiday people

This year is going to be some what a important Christmas for us .
1. AS it will be a first Christmas on the farm for us
2. We have Dman home this year for Christmas
3. It will be Isabelle's first Christmas out of  the womb (she had a Christmas stocking last year )
so many exciting things to happen .

So here's my  holiday pledge
I am going to try my very best with all  the strength in my body to not freak out ,yell , curse , threat to kill , strangle or hurt anyone or anything and if at any time I really want to do any of the above I will count to up to ten and down to 10 and rethink the decision before I do so and if I feel the need to still do it I will go outside and yell as loudly as I can and rethink again .But as I make this pledge I please ask that everyone really does not try to test me .

So as I leave you with this Happy Holiday preparing and keep the positive energy in .
and as twenty 10 coming to a quick wrap  I am preparing my life list to be posted in the New Year and think all my other fellow blogs should join in the fun too . I am going to post my top 100 .

and in all hindsight the holidays are really about FAMILY and being TOGETHER !!
That's really all that is important to me .

Whats for supper ???

The million dollar question most days so still trying to figure out a system that works for me without making me crazy too. I am thinking of starting to do a meal plan as the day to day cooking doesn't always work now that we live on the farm and not have a grocery store or a neighbour right across the street . But may procrastinate a start to this until the new year . But one thing I have been doing is trying new things I have been getting a new recipe either from the world wide web or a cook book one a week so far and trying it out so we have not had any bad disappointments or horrible mishaps as of yet !But had to share this yumminess with you !and everyone is our family enjoyed .

The recipe you can find here http://thepioneerwoman.com although I made it the earth friendly way without the foil package . It was great and if you have not used any of Ree's recipes or have not checked out her blog or bought her cookbook what I still have to do as she has not wronged me yet . I have now tried a few of her recipes a few being fried round steak , her fave meatloaf to name a few . She has not disappointed and I really haven't expected her to either . Quite a few of my try something new has came from her blog .  As I figure out my meal planning system for now and when I think I got it worked out for us I will share what we are doing !

What does your family do ???

Family of 5

We had Dman home for the weekend what a big change for him he has the joys of both city living and country living . So when he was home he was able to use a birthday present we had not much of a chance to use until now. So just a quick little walk out back he did some target shooting .

and what ones does and other MUST do too .

,so walking back from shooting Dayton says I think your garden is bigger then my whole back yard in Calgary . Another added little perk almost unlimited space and the good ole country air .

Another thing we did while we had our little man home was going skating I must admit that skating is not really my thing but so glad the rest of my family can enjoy it together . The next day Dman mentioned his legs were sore !

I have really enjoyed our family of five time with family and friends all able to SHARE !

and at the end of every time Dman leaves I try to make sure to take one last picture until next time and as I called the kids up to take a spot on the bed  our 4th kid was already there . These pictures are never meant to be perfect or coordinated but just really to capture the moment of time together .So until next time DMAN  we love you and  miss you every day and already planning our next little adventures because life really is not about the things we give our children but the moments we give them as they stay with them longer  .

My silly monkey

well J took Addy on a road trip today to pick up Dman ,so I was left with our silly little monkey .So I tried to get a few shots of her today . This is what I got . From one extreme to the next .

Needless to say today was not a good day for pictures. TEETH were kinda making us miserable . But it was nice to spend a day with my babe and hopefully those DAMN teeth come out . UGH.

Snow Day

its a snow day here and we are breaking all breaking all typical midday rules leaving the dishes in the sink and laundry piled high made big bowl of popcorn and cuddled on the couch for movie time with the girls. The big old pile on each other with body parts hanging all over each other and can feel every one's

heart beating on you and ever breath blowing on you kinda cuddling going on .Our movie of choice was Toy Story 3what I think was one of the best kids movies out there this year  .It melted my heart when we seen at the theatre . I must mention that this summer when we took our kids to see it we went with friends of ours . During what Addy would say was the scary part she was holding her friends hand so cute but dad was not sure of holding boys hands this early and it begins ....

My 2 cents

SO I have been a more frequent user of my own BLOG . YAY!!! I guess that means I have been adjusting to my so called  farm life which I indeed am loving !!!I have been finding it great to keep this all up to date and current and realizing I don't need a picture with every post but it does indeed make it more interesting . SO sometimes I like to have a good rant about things from time to time  so why not on my blog were no one can back talk to me .LOL . Back talking is something new that is happening in our house with my 2 almost 3 year old but she says she 6 . AND ways here's my 2 cents for this week . While reading this please keep in mind this is coming from a NON cell phone user . YES its true there are people out there that don't have cell phones are maybe just me . My poor kids whats the chance they will ever get one if there mother doesn't have one . I must make a point of saying I had tried having a cell phone on two different occasion but it wasn't for me.
The joys of not having a cell phone
1. when you leave the house you leave and no one can find you .Yes ladies its really wonderful (unless you    tell them where you are going and your friend has a cell phone ).
2. you walk around the world with your face forward looking at people and all the places you are going . Not down at your cell phone because you are missing the latest face book status
3. It one less think to forget on the way out of the house
4. Its nice to leave gossip at coffee time and not let it follow you around everywhere you go too
5.  It is really nice to actually talk to a a real human being with a heart every once in while too .
6. Its really nice to sleep all night long without a text message , email to disrupt my night of sleep( could someone tell my husband you don not need to go to bed with your cell phone )
Now to all the people who have a cell phone this is what the real world looks like . There are so many of you that are in my life that is this person . Not picking no anyone particular but you all as I look at all of you as I feel a outsider which I am totally fine with . This is what it looks like . You all only have one hand available as the other one is holding a cell phone . You all walk around with your heads hanging down typing , reading a text message , tweet ,face book status ,game, and whatever else you can do on it  I am sure you can live with out it at that very moment . And if you aren't looking at it you are talking on it which even makes you look worse with your head cocked to the side chatting.What do they say about men that masturbate with the same hand all the time it starts to hang in that direction . HEY no one said this was going to be a family friendly program . It is very rude to be sitting in a meeting , function , out for supper ,play date , coffee or any sort of social setting with people jumping at a beep to check what so and so is doing right now or to text someone else while you are suppose to be enjoying my company or conversation . Also think about this everything I just said and think you are also leaving that impression on your child . They need your attention too. And if you were actually having a conversation with a real human being would you not think its rude if someone interrupted you . THINK about the next time your cell phone beeps , sings or dances . Can they dance yet ??They can do everything else.
So my challenge to all my blog friends that have a cell phone its actually a DARE . Only use your cell phone for  emergency and I know someone is going to Say well I need it for work . Well you don't work 24/7 365 do you . So  turn it off after 6:00pm and don't use it on weekends .
So I am going to leave you with this UNTIL my next 2 cents.
Once upon a time there was no cell phones .........

Keeping busy .....

Addy and I were outside I was getting ready to take a friends family pictures( which I hope to get the OK to post a few here too) and I got this one of you playing with your Dora doll. I love how you keep yourself so busy with anything . But today it was Dora .

10 Months

Here at 10 months you
: have 5 teeth with 6,7 and 8 almost there but not really
: like to eat everything strange but true you love salmon and don't like bananas
: climb stairs ,have stood on your own ,walk with someone helping you along ,but walk along furniture
: so far it appears you are going to have straight hair
: don't listen to NO at all
: nod your head no , wave good bye and give your sister high fives
: chew and bite everything and even tried biting the doctor on our last visit
: hate wearing a bib
Obvious to the picture below you are a drooling machine !!!!!!!!!!!!

I love

online shopping . I do not even have to leave my home to order almost anything nowadays . I have finally ordered my bedding which has been so deserved as we have been using Jeremy's old bedding form when he was with his EX . YUCK !!! I know . But I had to find exactly what I wanted so I am pretty sure this is it .

SO after searching many online outlets I finally decided on this one and out of 25 reviews it has 5 stars so that was good by me. I really am all about reviews but I read them for what they are worth too as many people just like to blame complain about everything !!

So check out http://www.anthropologie.com/

they ship to Canada too .

I also bought my girls winter jackets today as well .American Eagle has a kids line and you can find it here www.ae.com//77kids

 that also ships to Canada !

Sesame Street LIVE

 

In our house we had two cute Sesame Street characters here. Addy Loved being big bird and Izzy was just not sure about Elmo . But we managed to get around to Tilston for  a few stops then our old neighbourhood in Gainsborough and headed back to Pierson . Not many stops there and Addy was yelling on the top of her lungs I DON'T LIKE TRICK OR TREATING . I JUST DON'T LIKE IT . I am sure I won't hear those words out of her mouth again . The girls managed to get a laundry basket full of treats which we allowed them to have a few that evening .

Bootsie

If you would of ever told that I would have cats . I totally would deny it that it could ever be true . But here I am with two cats and eleven kittens . But Addy has one that is wrapped around her finger plus its the only one that she can catch . So heres Boostie !the only cat that has a name . But was orginial called BOOTS from the show Dora but it is now Bootsie .Addy loves Bootsie .I must admitt when I have need help or a threat to get you to clean up your toys or finish your supper I have said I will give Bootsie away and dad says thinks Bootsie will someday be in the house ,but I wouldn't quite go that far yet .

9 Months

You are 9 months .

Alittle love for ME.

I had a great gift from amazingly talented friend . I can't say much more about her otherwise that she knows the way to my heart is my family .I got this wrap around canvas of my family . My pictures do it no justice . So if you really want to check it out you will just have to stop in someday . LOVE you Jocelyn Harvey !!! U ROCK !

 Grandma Rosie kept Addy for a sleep over and it was just me and you in the morning after dad left for work I am unsure if we ever had a me and you day . I took these pictures of you and noticed that you just may get strawberry hair like your old papa Herb or auntie Rhonda . It was nice to see you roam and check things out on your own I know you love your sister dearly but it was nice to see you as your own little person then the shadow of your sister for today . You  are quite a free spirt with a very independent attitude .You amaze me how you find a way to keep up with your crazy sister you let nothing slow you down. You are not scared of anything as of yet . Have a great appetite and try everything . Everyone says you look like your sister I think you look alot different then her. LOVE you baby girl

LOVE YOUR MAMA 

Happy Birthday MOM !!!!! Grandma Rosie !!!!

Yes as you can imagine I choice my moms birthday to have moving day on not on purpose but no really choice as my hubby had a few business trips coming up that were making it difficult to schedule a "Good" moving day where we would have help . And yes if you were wandering there were tears oh there were tears .Behind closed doors of course only in front of my husband . SAD , HAPPY so all those crazy tears that you just can't help but they just pour out weather you like it or not you have no control whether they come or not. The ugly cry as Oprah would say . We did celebrate moms birthday with cake . THANKS for all our families help the weeks prior and the day of move . It was also our first night at the house too . The girls first bath was in the kitchen sink . We had the tub full of stuff that still needed to be unpacked . But the girls did not mind one bit.

I know its been a long time since I have posted actually the whole summer and I will back post a few days for everyone soon I hope. But right now I am busy sorting ,packing ,cleaning and pricing for our moving sale we are having this weekend .Thew girls I needed a break so I was admiring these cute little outfits and there new bling for a wedding the girl will be attending with there dad . I looked outside and it was a great day for a little photo shoot .The girls weren't much into SMILES for ole mom but this what we got. I must add that I feel so grateful to have some many very talented women in my life , as my friend Jana made the girls there bling . You can purchase your very own {jewels}by jmd CREATE from her website .
HERE http://www.jmdcreate.com/

Fall

 Fall means so much so much this year as I have my first nephew heading off to Pre K this year !! I stole him for a quick photo shoot just before his 4th birthday . I don't think they turned out so bad either . i am pretty sure teh girls will be chasing him around at recess too .

8 months

VERY SAD TO REPORT NO PICTURE WAS TAKEN .
BOOOOHOOOOO

FAMILY

Family is very very important to me . I love when I have a chance to have our whole family together as most of you know I have a step son that I would give my right arm to have live with us but that's not the case. SO I value the time we get together and anyone who's been to our home knows how much I love photos .I have them plastered every where in our home . Not in this house yet but give me time and I am going to do it up good this time too.I will post once I get our family walls done. I have been so blessed to have a great friend that is so talented too be able to capture my family perfectly . So here's a few from THE Jones Family shoot .
Here's where you can check out her work and book your family shoot too.
www.jocelynharveyphotography.typepad.com/

Super Heroes

I am big sucker to plan a kids party and usually have our kids theme for there next party before there party is actually done . But this year I was stumped I had so many ideas and I lost track of time . But I think the party was a hit by all attended anyhow as Dayton told me I was the best mom ever !!!(melt my heart )I had alot of help from a good friend of mine to pull off all my ideas I had for this party . When we picked up each kid for the party we had a home made cape for them and a custom shirt with there initial on it .

WE had a super hero party . We had made kryptonite (slime ) for a craft and they all made there very own super hero mask . We then played some games I had  drew a few Villains on poster board then hung them from the trees each super hero had one minute (that was timed on a stop watch ) to kill the super hero's with silly string . When all kids each had a try we went and saw how much silly string was on each Villain if they were covered they were dead. I am happy to report the Super Hero's won . Every year we have a kids party in the afternoon then that evening allow our families and neighbours to attend .So I try to do something different instead of cake ,so we don't get cake twice in one day . So I had to give my Super Hero's a energy drink . So they had FLOATS . We had every color and they each got to decide what they wanted .WE had a few other games so if anyone is ever interested on the rest of our super hero games I would share my ideas just email me . I wish our Little Man a Happy 7th Birthday !!!! Love you loads !!!!