My Home: Calgary, AB

I have lived in Calgary for going on 13 years.  I moved here right after University and started dating James right away. I don't know living in Calgary without him.  Calgary is most known for the Calgary Stampede, the great outdoor show on earth.

For just over 100 years, the city has been hosting the 10 day event that features a midway, a rodeo, a parade, breakfasts, and many many other activities.  For the 100th anniversary celebration Will and Kate even came out to watch the parade.  Love me some Princess Kate!

For me, the stampede is about how the city of Calgary turns into a bunch of cowboys for the week.  Free breakfasts, lots of cowboys hats, jeans, and boots, beef on a bun and all around a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

My very first stampede was the summer of 2001, when I had moved to the city for a summer job.  I rode the same bus for 8 weeks and not a single person ever chatted, come stampede week the bus was filled with chatty people in cowboy hats.  Like a different bus. That is one of many examples of how our city warms up for those 10 days.

When I first moved here, the stampede was all about the midway. I loved rides.  The zipper was always my favorite.  Let me tell you it is a kick @ss midway.  For years after I stopped going on 'real' rides, i would make James go on the Ferris Wheel.  It is still on of my favorites.

Once Grady was born, we started new traditions that didn't involve actually going to the stampede grounds.  We would kick off the stampede by going to Calaway Park on parade day.  It is a very quiet day at Calaway Park, a summer long midway is open every year!

My favorite tradition is going to a stampede breakfast.  Most of the stampede breakfasts around town are free.  You wait in a gigantic line with many others to eat pancakes and sausage.  The one we go to has pony rides, fire trucks, face painting, and other kid activities.

On our way to the annual breakfast.

When we have company, we bring them to the stampede breakfast to!

Let's talk about my Dad for a moment. My Dad is a guy that watches the rodeo and chuck wagons from his couch back home.  Every year.  I've lived here for 13 years and him and Sheila made their first Stampede trip 2 years ago.  It was so much fun to bring them to the rodeo where my Dad could finally watch it live.  Come back again soon!

With all the Stampede hype, we still have not taken these cowboys to the grounds.  I really had no desire to go while one of the kids was still napping and to be honest, the idea of standing on the cement tarmac while the kids may or may not even go on the rides really doesn't appeal to me.  Will this year be the year we brake down and introduce them to the Stampede?

This guy always does the most stampeding of the family.  His job calls for a lot of 'socializing' so he is invited to many many parties and often sees the rodeo more than once.

Speaking of the rodeo, it is one of the biggest in the world and the best come here to compete.  Truth be told, I have a hard time watching the rodeo.  I tend to side with the animals and think parts of the rodeo are a little cruel.  

I prefer the chuck wagons and the grandstand show any day.  I love watching the singing and all the different talent that the grandstand show has to offer, including nightly fireworks.  There is just something about it... then you venture into the midway after the show and the it is all lit up.  You get some mini donuts, and you go home.   Perfect stampede night!

We love having guests stay with us during the stampede and introducing them to the festivities.

If you've never been, grab your cowboy hat and boots and pretend to be a cowboy for the weekend or the whole week.  You won't regret it!

My all time favourite stampede photo of Grady

Shoes to Shiraz | Two Teens and their Mama | A Lovely Little Wardrobe | 

R Squared  | Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy 

The Mishaps and Mayhem of Solitary Life |  Quilty Joy Joy

 Daily Style Finds | Making The Most of Everyday | Puppies and Pretties | She Thought She Could 

 Foxy's Domestic Side | Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After | Nick and Nik

An InLinkz Link-up

      

What's Up Wednesday

Today I'm liking up with the What's Up Wednesday gals to give you a little glimpse into what we've been up to.

What I'm eating this week.....  That's easy.  Lots and lots of green smoothies using my new Vitamix.  I heart my Vitamix and wish I would have gotten one much sooner.  More to come on my fave recipe soon.

What I'm reminiscing about...  Lately I've been thinking of James and I's wedding day.  As my oldest little sister is about to get married and as our 10 year anniversary approaches I have been reminiscing about our very rainy wedding day and also how young we looked.

What I am loving.... Spin.  I know I've said it before but I'm addicted.  James and I are going on more than 6 months of weekly spin date nights and I hope it continues for 6 more.  

What we've been up to.... Soccer. Lots and lots of soccer.  Three times a week we head to the field and James coaches and I watch the other kids.  The weather has been volatile from super rainy to warm and sunny.  

What I'm dreading..... my first spray tan tonight.  I'm excited for the result but dreading the process. You see it isn't a booth, it is a person spraying it on you so you have to stand there in your bikini (or less!) while she applies it.  Awkward.....

What I'm working on....  My yearly family Shutterfly book.  Did you know that every month I organize my digital photos and insert 6 pages into an ongoing shutterfly project?  AT the end of the year I print the book.  It is too overwhelming for me to do it all at once, so an hour or two each month is what works for me.

What I'm excited about.... My sister's Las Vegas Stagette.  Need I say more?

What I'm watching/reading.... I am reading a Sophie Kinsella book, I've Got Your Number'  that is only OK.  What I'm watching? The Bachelorette, my guilty pleasure.  Actually, I don't feel guilty about it at all. I LOVE me some trash reality TV.  And if you read the spoilers on Reality Steve, you know it is going to be an intense season!

What I'm listening to.... The tune I can't seem to get out of my head these days is Shut up and Dance with Me by Walk the Moon.  Love.  Also been caught singing and dancing to Megan Trainor's Dear Future Husband.

What I'm wearing.... while you read this I am wearing a leopard print skit and black top, topped off with black booties.  While I typed this I was wearing lulus and an angry bird Tshirt.

What I'm doing this weekend...  Going to VEGAS.  Shopping, drinking, eating, relaxing, visiting, and lots and lots of laughing!

What I'm looking forward to next month is... The month of June is so exciting I don't know where to begin! Celebrating Grady's 7th birthday is top of my list!  I love celebrating the kids birthdays and seeing their excitement as they have fun with their friends.  Additionally, I 'll be going back home for Blaire's wedding shower and will be hosting my friend Sara and her 2 kiddos.  It's gonna be a good month!!

What else is new....  My office is moving next week so I have to find a new gym.  It was very intimidating. After almost 20 years of exercising 4-7 times a week this is my first full fledged gym.  For 15 years I only exercised at home.  Then after kids I started going to the gym in our building.  When we move, we no longer have access to the subsidized gym and I have to venture into a real gym.  With lots of people.  I'm nervous!

The Blueberry Elephants - Cooper

Along with Grady's soccer, we head to the soccer fields on Saturday morning so Cooper can practice his soccer skills.  James and Coach John are his coaches and have been since the the very beginning of his soccer career.  Lucky guy!

Cooper is very lucky to have Noah and a few of his preschool pals on his team.  Since Grady is playing twice a year this season and Cooper and I go and watch all of them, needless to say, he is happy to be the player and not the spectator on Saturday mornings!

Sadly, 2 out of 4 of his Saturday soccers have been cancelled due to bad weather.  Like really bad, wet and cold weather.  Yuck!

The younger kids are so cute to watch and still chase the ball in a big clump.  Then there are a few that aren't interested at all and cry or just hang out on the field.

All in all the season is off to a good start if you don't consider we've missed 50% of our games.  Thankfully the weather seems to have taken a turn for the better.  Fingers crossed we have game 3 tomorrow!!

Run for Woman

My Mom was here this weekend specifically for us to run in the Shoppers Run for Woman.  This was Grady's first year participating in the Kids 1Km and I couldn't be prouder.  It is pretty clear how Grady felt about it.

It all started last year when Mom and I ran and James and the kids came to send us off at the the starting line.  Grady was so pumped for us and immediately said that was something he wanted to do.  So this year when we registered I didn't hesitate and registering Grady as well.

Since Mom and I were both running the 5km right after the kids, we decided that James would run with G.  You can see James in the photo as the only guy wearing a hat.  Grady is wearing the white shirt in front of him.  

You can't really tell in the photo, but Grady is holding James hand and pulling him along.  You see on the way there he declared he was going to win the race.  Slow down cowboy, it is not a race, it is a run, a fun run where we are just happy to finish....

Despite not finishing first he was thrilled to get his very first running medal.

He didn't win but he was quick to ask who did!!  I couldn't be prouder of him.  Fitness is such an important part of my life and I would really like to pass that passion down to the boys.  After the race to told us that he would like to do another race but next time a longer one.  You got it!

Next up, Mom and I prepped for our run.  All smiles as we took off across the starting line.

Can I just add that I am not only proud of my almost 7 year old son for running the race, but also of my almost 60 year old mom who never ceases to amaze me.  While she is way stronger than I'll ever be, running isn't her favorite.  But you would never know it, she rocked it out there.  She convinced me to enter my first run ever a few years ago, and now we motivate each other to stick with it. 

Truly a great sunny morning with the family supporting a great cause.  Until next year....

A weekend in the mountains

For the long weekend we loaded the van and headed to Banff for 2 nights.  What we didn't expect was that the weather was going to take a turn for the worse and throw rain and snow at us.  

It wasn't one of our best weekends away.

The kids were happy to arrive and check out the hotel as they always do.  Our room had a balcony.

The highlight of our hotel (for the kids at least) was the cave like hot tub.  In our 2 nights there we went in the hot tub 4 separate times.  The kids loved it.

The kids had most been looking forward to the gondola ride, so was I actually.  James and I went on the gondola before we got married years and years ago.  It was super busy.  And cold.

This was taken on the way up, before we put all our winter gear on.

Here we are at the top.  Middle of may, tuques, mitts, and snow.  Yuck.  Because it was so cloudy, the view wasn't all that impressive given the tops of the mountains not visible.

For most of the weekend, the weather was crap.  Then on Sunday afternoon, the sun started to shine and my mood started to improve.

Pros of the weekend:

• I finished my book, House Rules, by Jody Picoult. It is about a boy with Asperger Syndrome who is charged with murder.  Very good book.
• Wine, lots of wine.
• Not cooking or cleaning.  Lots of eating out.
• My favorite chocolate store that has homemade turtles.
• The hotel - the kids loved the hot tub and we ate at the Chilli's in the hotel 4 times including the continental breakfasts (which we all enjoyed).
• And of course family time.

Cons of the weekend:

• The weather - too wet, too cold
• Being cooped up because of said weather

Our weekend did have some great moments, but when you have 2 days of outside stuff planned, the weather can really dampen your spirits, literally.  I love just strolling around in the town, and the kids, not so much.  They do NOT know how to window shop, they wanted to buy something every where we went.  And then there was King Cooper who insisted on riding in the stroller all the time.  We all seemed to be happiest lounging at the hotel, coloring, reading, watching hockey, and playing super heroes.  I'll let you decide who was doing what!

When we go away now we try and get a bed and pull out.  Ideally the bed is in a bedroom like it was this past weekend so the kids will go to bed in the room, James and I do our thing in the living space then we pull out the sofa and swap the kids to it while they are sleeping.  On our second night as we went in to move them, this is how we find them.  

It makes you forget that the day wasn't perfect of that the weather was crummy.  What I didn't capture was just before they assumed this pose, Cooper was pushing Grady away by the face before giving up and rolling over.....

Happy Tuesday!

Summer Vacation Plans

This summer is a particularly busy one because one of my sisters is getting married!!!!  The wedding and shower will be in my home town and in addition the stagette is coming up this month in VEGAS!!  I of course needed to be at all of the wedding events so that means a lot of travel this spring/summer.  

While I was digging up photos for this post, I came across this gem of Blaire and Joel from 2006.  Yes, 2006.   They were 17 and high school sweethearts and apparently we did a photo shoot in my backyard....

I also had to add in this photo of me and my 2 sisters at my wedding.  

We do a group shot at each wedding, sorry (brother) James, I couldn't find any with you in them on my quick search.  The one from my brother's wedding was taken a little later in the night after more than a few drinks so I'm not that sad I couldn't find that one!  I am looking forward to seeing our group shot from Blaire's wedding in July, hopefully a little earlier in the evening!  Can't wait!

A few weeks after the wedding we are heading west to Kelowna, BC.  Next to Hawaii, it is my favorite place to be.  The first time we went there 4 years ago I remember thinking it was the closest thing you can get to Hawaii within driving distance.  The kids will tell you its a long drive, and truthfully it is almost the same as the flight to Hawaii, or maybe even longer.  It is a scenic drive with many many stops. 

This is the view we've enjoyed each summer for the past 3 years.

Barona Beach Resort

Those who know me know when I find something I like, I stick with it, but this year we are changing it up and staying about 5 minutes up the road in a house.   We booked last July because it is that hard to book.  The view is insane but it isn't on the water.  It has a private pool and a basketball court in the backyard.  I think the kids are going to love it!

My final trip of the summer is with my lovely group of lady friends from Saskatoon.  We usually go to Edmonton for the weekend and shop until we drop and top it off with food and wine, but his year they are heading my way and we are going to spend only 1 day (gasp!) shopping and then we are heading to Banff for 2 days where we will enjoy the spa and some fresh mountain air.

I've known these gals for years, like 20 years, and poor Deena has tolerated me for over 30.... yikes!  Here are a few photos that show how long we've actually been friends.

This one is from 1999, the year my brother (the goofy looking guy in the middle) graduated from high school and all my friends were somehow there to celebrate with him.  I still talk to all but one of these gals, now that I look closer, they were all in my wedding party (except one),

This next one was taken in 2004.  I can tell because that was the year we moved into our house and  started to take down all the wallpaper.  I also remember it was stinking hot that day and we had no AC, but we still had wine!

This one is from 2007, the year Willis was born.

We've been doing these annual trips for 10 years now and I don't see them stopping.  We don't always get everyone attending, but we sure try hard.  For example, we picked the date for this years trip on our last trip so everyone can pencil it in.  I will laugh more in that weekend then I do all year.  It is a fact.

So this year is a a busy travel year and I am OK with that. Maybe next year we won't go anywhere.  In the meantime I am so excited for the summer to arrive so I can start having fun!

Where are you going this summer?

Shoes to Shiraz | Two Teens and their Mama | A Lovely Little Wardrobe | 
R Squared  | Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy 

The Mishaps and Mayhem of Solitary Life |  Quilty Joy Joy

 Daily Style Finds | Making The Most of Everyday | Puppies and Pretties | She Thought She Could 

 Foxy's Domestic Side | Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After 

 Curls and Cardigans | Nick and Nik | Sprinkled Just Right | The Blondissima | X-tremely V

An InLinkz Link-up

It's Soccer Time - The Jays!

It's that time of year where all the parents pull out the winter gear to sit in the middle of a cold field and watch their kids play soccer.  For real.  The past few years both boys have played on Saturday morning back to back.  I actually thought that having evening games this year would be warmer.   I was wrong.

Grady is playing 2 nights a week on Tuesday and Thursday where the first night is a practice and the second night is game.  I quite like that structure as watching your children in a 'real' game is a blast.

The first practice we all showed up we were the only team with no jerseys.  That didn't stop the team from playing hard and having fun.

After a few emails and a phone call to a less than pleasant lady, I found that our jerseys had been sitting on some ones steps for the past week waiting to be picked up.  It would have been nice if someone had told us!

This year Grady is playing on Alex's team so Cooper gets to play with Madina while we watch.  They played tag and some kind of odd (and aggressive) pushing game that had to be stopped.  I enjoy the games where Madina is there much better as if she isn't there to play, it is me left to entertain young Cooper!

Even the spectators get thirsty!!!

Don't be fooled by the nice looking weather in the background.  By the time we left that night the chairs were blowing over and we were freezing.  If memory serves me correctly it snowed that night.  Yuck!

This kid didn't let the lack of jersey stop him. He was whipping around those pylons.  I may be biased, but he is an athletic young man!

Always has his tongue out when he is concentrating.

For our first game, we had jerseys, grey skies, and big smiles.  

We started out watching outside, but eventually ended up in the van.  It was that cold.  And cold weather makes for an unhappy Cooper.

The one hour game each week is new for us  since in U6  the team would just play a scrimmage at the end of the hour.  This was a full hour of a real soccer game.  I was surprised at how into the game the boys were.  They ran hard and didn't all follow the ball  around in a pack like they do at younger ages.  They passed and dribbled the ball to the net.  They even played with goalies.

What I have found really interesting this season is the friendships that have developed so quickly.  Yesterday was the 5th time these kids have gotten together but you'd think it would have been way longer.  The kids know each other names and have big smiles on their face as they play.  They are having fun and that's what counts.

Look at those moves!

I've really enjoyed the sense of community that playing hockey and soccer have ignited for our family.  For example, one of the brothers from Grady's hockey team is on our soccer team.  We run into another hockey team mate at the pool each Monday.  Some of G's soccer teammates go to our school.  I can only imagine over the years how many connections we will make with so many other families in the neighbourhood and foster the ones that have already been created.  I am hopeful that many more friendships blossom for the kids (and the adults!) over the coming years while we huddle around in our scarves and winter jackets watching spring soccer!

Mother's Day 2015

Being a Mom of young kids is often a thankless job.  Who are we kidding, kids are demanding and often thankless.  So on Mother's Day I think most Mom's just want to feel appreciated and loved.  Well at least I do:)

I've learned over the course of my seven Mother's Day that if you are hoping for something, be very specific or just buy it yourself.  This year I asked specifically for a Flames jersey and I came home from work on Friday to find a jersey from my boys.  I proudly wore it on Friday night for the game even though they lost.  Even though that is what I asked for, I was surprised as they were sold out across the city!  Sadly, the flames lost last night after a great season.  Can't wait to see how they do best year.  Go flames!

On Friday morning, Nana and I were treated with being served lemonade that Cooper insisted we share.  He went on to drink much of it himself.  When the food came out, he asked me to get him some.  What a guy!  He was very excited for the Mother's Day tea and surprisingly very shy when he was singing his song.  I just love his little personality!

Cooper drew a picture of me which is proudly displayed in my office, even though he told me he wanted to keep it at home.

Grady couldn't wait to give me his card and plant.  I heard Grady explaining to Cooper that Mother's Day is kind of like your birthday with fewer presents.  I told him that it was really about appreciating your mom and telling her thanks for all he does.  And he added that sometimes you get presents.  Yes buddy, sometimes you get presents.

My favorite parts of his picture is where he says he loves me because I came out of his belly and when he is sad I give him medicine.  Gotta love kids!

Moving right along to yesterday, I started the day with a hot barre class.  I love my Sunday morning barre and I wanted to start Mother's day right.  After all, all I wanted for Mother's Day was a blizzard.  I haven't had one in ages and somehow it always reminds me of home.  We always have blizzards when I am in PA.  It just seems to be our things.  Then my brother has gas all night because he doesn't tolerate ice cream very well.

Well the kids were acting up and James kept threatening no blizzards.   What do you mean no blizzards???  It is Mother's Day and I want ice cream!  Needless to say, we went anyway.  I had birthday cake oreo and it was super yummy.   We followed up ice cream with a trip to the park.   Truthfully, it was boring, but the kids really wanted to go and I got a picture out of the deal.

Grady was super cuddly today.  He is always my cuddly more affectionate kid, along with being the more difficult one, but today he was especially so.  He even told me I could pick his outfit for dinner which is unheard of!  I only got Cooper in his half his outfit and I gave up.  I chose outfits that matched my necklace :)

Notice I am wearing my romper. 

Pictures with my men (big and little) make this momma happy on Mothers day.  My favorite is the photo of Grady and I, courtesy of Cooper.  His smile is so genuine and he insisted that he sit on my knee and give me a huge hug. All the misbehaving of the day was forgotten with that simple request for a hug.

By no means was our day perfect, but it had perfect moments.
We finished the day with a Greek meal with Nana full of Moussaka (all 3 of us got) and some wine.  Perfect ending to the day.

I was talking to a wise friend this weekend as we talked about expectations of Mother's Day what you want vs. what you get and how plans are made.  She said that we should be grateful that we have so many Moms to celebrate.  I loved this piece of advice.  On that note, I want to take a moment to thank my Mom, Marla, Grandma, and Sheila for being great influences in my life and the kind of Mom that I want to be.  I am fortunate to have you all to celebrate.

In addition to that, Happy Mother's day to my friends who have supported me through sleepless nights, tantrums, the terrible 2's and the effing 4's.  Who have provided girls nights out, wine nights, an exercise date, or a phone call.  I couldn't get through this mothering job without you.

So this Mother's Day I am happy that I have so many Moms to celebrate!

Happy Mother's Day!