2017 a year in review

Wow, what a year!

Sometimes it takes sitting back and looking at your year in pictures to remember how much you did during the year.  This year was a big year, big, HUGE.  Why you ask?  Let me tell you.

January

Look how young Grady looks

In January, Grady's Novice 2 hockey team won Esso Minor Hockey week. This is a huge deal in Novice since they don't play in the playoffs like the older kids.  Grady played in net for the final and the final score was 8-0.  Grady earned the Heart and Hustle award for his shut out and all the Mom's wore the kids red jerseys.  It was such a great moment in his short little hockey career.

February

Hockey, hockey, and more hockey!

Of all the months of the years, based on my pictures, February was the quietest.  Not quiet boring, just quiet, didn't do anything major.  Which through the winter months means we keep busy with hockey games, practices and social events.  The hockey network has added so many friends to my network, it's my favorite part of the sport.

March

March for us always means spring break!  The kids have the last week of March off every year so we head to find some sunshine.  In 2017, we went to Phoenix with Grandma and Grandpa.  We rented a great house with a pool in the backyard. Nothing beats a good book in the sun!

April

In April, Uncle Dave and Auntie Bo got a dog!  Sunday dinner at Nana's just got a bit more exciting!  I love seeing the kids love for Blix - it was right about then that they started asking for a dog of their own.  Keep dreaming boys....

May

First day of school from the new house!

At the end of May we moved into what we think is our forever house.  Looking back I still can't believe that we actually did it.  After looking for 2 years I thought that we were never going to find the one.  But, we did.  We packed up the old house over the course of 6 weeks.  Looking at the photos of it still make me emotional.

And over the course of 2 weeks I had all but 1 box unpacked at the new house.

It seems like a life time ago now but also like it was just yesterday.  I very memorable month in our home that is for sure.

June

June is a big birthday month around these parts.... This guy turned 9 and celebrated with a trampoline party.

Nana turned 70 and we celebrated by splatter paining a big canvas for her wall.

AND little miss Sophia was born making me an aunt once again. 4 nieces, 1 nephew and counting....!

July

The last week in July we headed west for our summer vacation in Kelowna.  It was a fun filled week of swimming, drinking, eating, reading, laughing, and fun!  

August

Grady started at a new school this year in August, 2 weeks before the public kids went back.  It is a charter school focused on technology and outdoors.  We were worried about he would do.  He is our shy kid and he was leaving his BFF behind at the old school.  Well, boy did Grady surprise us.  He loves the school, the bus, and his new friends.  It makes you wonder why you spend so much time fretting when in the end it generally works out.  These kids are more resilient than we give them credit for.

September

Two weeks later Cooper started grade 1 at the same school and his first year of full day school.  He was ready for it!  He is lucky enough to have his 2 besties in his homeroom.  I am constantly told that he is the responsible one and listens so well.  I wish he'd use those skills at home!

Part of the reason that Grady starts school in august is so they can get a camping trip in during the first few weeks.  So... Grady spent his first 2 nights away from home sleeping in a tent with 4 of his new classmates.  Again, we spent so much time worrying about it and he came back happy and full of memories.  

October

Halloween is always an October highlight.  This year the kids dressed as Freddy from Five Nights at Freddies and a scary clown.  Don't worry he switched out his scary masked for a more traditional clown wig for school!

November

In November Cooper turned 7 and celebrated by having a Nerf gun party. There was no doubt that this was 100% boy party and even included James!

December

We enjoyed setting up TWO trees in the new house and finding new places for our decorations.  This year was our away year so just before Christmas we hopped on a plane to visit my side of the family.

2017 treated us so well!  I can't wait to see what 2018 had in store for us!

Happy New Year!

Christmas 2017: The one with the breadmaker

Every other year, we pack up the family and all our suitcases (except for the year we forgot 1...) and hop over a province to spend the holidays with my family. When you share you time amongst 2 families and sleep in a house with 12 people there is never a dull moment.  Throw in -40 temperatures and being forced to spend all the days inside and it makes for a chaotic week! 

We started our holiday with a bang.  We took an early flight to maximize our time and got dropped off directly at my dads for Christmas #1!

We had festive Pinterest holiday drinks courtesy of Aunty Kolby.   Two broken remote control cars courtesy of Grady and Grandpa Lorne, great food courtesy of Sheila, and too large kids jerseys courtesy of Aunty Blaire and Uncle Joel.  The kids contributed all the screaming and mess.   

From this great family shot you would never know how eager the kids were to rip into the gifts or how many times they asked if it was time yet!

Straight from Christmas #1 we headed to GGs for a visit and to check out her light display.  The kids were in awe, and honestly, so was I.  Even though we were here only 2 years ago I don’t remember her light display being so impressive.  It is so obvious how proud GG is of her light display and I hope she knew how much the kids (and adults!) loved it. Her house even made a brief appearance on the news for being one of the most decorated in the city!

Since my brother and his clan were leaving early on Christmas morning we declared the 24th Christmas at my Moms.  Not to mention that growing up we always opened our presents after Santa came to visit and we all had an opportunity to sit on his knee. Even the adults.  

One of my fondest memories of Christmas' past is that Santa always came, in the flesh.  Our family was one of few that had a real life Santa arrive in the house to help distribute the gifts.  Every year we would take a group shot.  Such good memories.  My mom has worked hard each year that we are home to carry on this tradition. I hope my kids remember these visits as vividly as I do.

The face on Cooper's face is priceless.  He was the very first gift pulled from Santa's bag.

Some like Kiptyn and Tessa were a little more unsure.

And others like Uncle James and Grandpa John did not get gifts at all.  They must be on the naughty list.

What a great group shot we got except for the one that looks like a zombie in the front #everyfamilyhasone.

Next lets talk about the bread maker.   James (brother) and I were each gifted a bread maker from Dad and Sheila.   I was thrilled!  We had talked about it over Thanksgiving and how easy it was to make bread in the bread maker.  If Kolby could do it, I certainly could to!  To sweeten the deal, Sheila had taped 2 recipes to the box, one for bread and one for buns.  From this moment on, we made a loaf a day.

Since my brother got one as well, Chantelle and I were on a mission to get a good loaf.  I followed the recipe exactly as it was written and loaf #1 turned out like bannock.  It was think, heavy, salty, and uneditable.  Apparently we used the rapid setting and that was wrong.

Loaf #2 we followed the same recipe and used the regular setting and it was better.   Grady even told us it was the best bread he ever had. But I still wasn't convinced that the bread had risen high enough.

Moving on to loaf #3, we had run out of whole wheat flour (that was likely expired) so we tried the white sandwich bread that we found in the manual.  This was the best loaf yet but still a little dense.  I had snap chatted it to my loaf experts and Grandma Lois suggested less flour and my BFF told me to use warm water.

Loaf #4 and we were finally happy with how it turned out.  Lighter, fluffier, bigger, and tastier.  Four times a charm?

Then I had to leave the bread maker at my Mom's since it was not fitting in my carry on bag.  Let's hope these tips help me remember how to make the perfect bread!

Other highlights, you ask?  Well let me tell you....

I took all 5 kids outside in -40 weather.  Wait did I mention how effing cold it was?  It was colder than the North Pole, for real.  The kids did surprisingly well ad I shoveled to keep warm.  When you have 12 people staying in one house you need to get outside, even in the frigid weather.

We almost didn't have turkey.  I volunteered to cook it but in the end my Mom prepared the turkey and insisted we carve the turkey on the table like they do in the movies.  When the chef asks, you obey!

I am so fortunate to have friends willing to drive over an hour to see you in frigid temperatures.  I only see these gals a few times a year but those moments are so precious.  Even the ones where Dee gives me the biggest bear hug and tries to kiss me. 

When it is too cold to go outside, you go to the movies.  My expectations of Jumanji were low but surprisingly, I really enjoyed this movie as did the whole family.  If you have video playing boys, this movie is for you!

Christmas is about family. It's about friends.  It's about making memories.  We did all that and more.  So many memories made, so many laughs had. Isn't that what Christmas is about?

Merry Christmas!

Wonder

Last night, after finally finishing the book, Grady and I headed to see the movie Wonder, just him and I.

When we started reading it about 3 weeks ago, Cooper wasn't that into it.  I think he just wanted old enought to get it.  Right then and there Grady and I made it our thing and at the end of the book we would go to dinner and a movie just him and I.  And that's exactly what we did.

We dined at A&W at the mall since it was no longer at our closest theater at a normal time.  Who takes a kid to see a movie at 3:45pm or 9:40pm??  I thought it would be terrible heading to Chinook Mall a mere 5 days before Christmas, but it actually wasn't so bad.  Not to mention that it is decorated beautifully.

We arrived back at the theater with about 20 minutes to spare and a large popcorn in our arms.  For Grady, not me.  Believe it or not, popcorn isn't really my thing, but offer me chocolate and that is an entirely different story.  We were the first one in the theater and Grady thought that was pretty cool.   It did fill up a bit, but I noticed that Grady was the only kid there.

Now let's talk about the story.  It is a doozie.  Most people know that it is about a kid with a facial deformity heading to middle school for the first time.  Auggie is in grade 5, only a year older than Grady and also starting a new school.  Middle school kids are mean.  I remember what it was like to be that age and I think the book is so great for young kids and adults a like.  Without giving away too much, here a few observations.

I still love Julia Roberts.  She rocked my world in Pretty Woman and I loved seeing her in this role as a Mom.  She killed it.

Owen Wilson... equally believable as the funny Dad.  I've not seen him in a more serious role and I really enjoyed the way him and Julia interacted.  Well done, friends, well done.

Jacob Tremblay.  Wow, just wow.  That kid is something else.

The story does an excellent job of describing what it is like to 10 and to be picked on.  There is always a mean kid, but usually there are an equal or more number of great kids.

Auggie's best friend, turned not friends, turned best friends again was so likeable.  I love how they show that kids make mistakes but it doesn't mean that they are bad kids.

One of my takeaways as a parent was that parents can be mean too.  Julian's parents are a perfect example of parenting gone wrong and also explains Julian's mean behavior.  Grady and I talked a lot about this while reading and how parents aren't always right.

There were differences between the book and movie but the movie got it right by including what mattered most.  I thought the movie was excellent.

I, as always, preferred the book over the movie. Grady said he preferred the movie.  I think that just shows how much he enjoyed both.

I loved the book so much that Grady may or may not be getting the kinda sequel Auggie and Me for Christmas.  Thank you Amazon!

This was Grady and I's first, but not last, night out together.  If you haven't already read this book with your preteen it is worth both of your time to read it together.  The few chapters took a long time for us to get through since Grady had so many questions.  He asked me withingthe first few pages if I thought his face was going to be 'normal' at the end.  This was a logical question given that all kids movie and books always have a happy ending.  This is a real life book with a heart warming ending even for kids that may be expecting something different.

5 ginormous stars from me!

Monday Musings

I love going to the mail box in December. Love, love, LOVE.  One random Wednesday I got 7 Christmas Cards.  SEVEN.  My homemade card holder is slowly filling up.  It is the my one and only non Pinterest fail.  I am clearly not a DIYer.

Grady and I finally finished Wonder over the weekend.  Him and I have a date night this week to see the movie. Just him and I.  Both him and I loved the book.  If you haven't read it, you should.

I made my first few recipes in the instant pot and I'm starting to get the hang of it. It is not as easy as people say it is. I was terrified the first time I used it and I was only cooking water.  Yes, you read that right, water.  It is a pre use test for those that are nervous about using the pot for the first time, me to a tee.  Anyhow, the hard boiled eggs are awesome.  The peel comes right off.  I also made my first soup ever. Not sure I'll make it again, but it was edible.  Too healthy, need to try a cheesey one....

We watched Elf in the media room this weekend.  I loved every second of it.  This was the first time that we've used it as a family (less James who was out of town).  James recently bought a box that allows us to watch Netflix on the big screen and Cooper had to show me how to use it. I was clueless.  I love watching Christmas movies in December.  Especially my favorites.  I may be watching The Holiday as I type this...

We've been dog sitting for just over week and I find it interesting how a dog can be such good company.  She follows me around and sleeps.  She is 9 years old and I know this is NOT a true representation of getting a new puppy.  I've really enjoyed having her around, but I'm not sure I'm sold on getting a dog yet.

That’s it for today!  I’m off for a massage and a nail appointment on this last monday off before Christmas. Priorities, you know....

What I Wore Wednesday: Christmas Sweaters

It's been a while since I linked up with the ladies of The Blended Blog for their fashion link up but today I am back at it since we are talking about somethiing I am very passionate about... Christmas Sweaters.

I bought us all matching sweaters from the Sears catalogue in the days where christmas sweaters were harder to find and SEars was still turning a profit.  I thought James was a sport for wearing his, though he has yet to put it on this year.... He says maybe over Christmas.

Heritage Park, 2015

While I still LOVE my sweater, sadly the kids have both outgrown theirs and we've passes them along to other families to enjoy.  I would buy them replacements if I thought they would wear them but they don't seem to be very keen so I haven't bought them new one... yet.

Mine is still getting worn quite regularily.  I pulled it out to wear on December 1, the first day, in my mind, you can officially start celebrating Christmas, only to find that it had a stain.  I soaked it with stain removal and washed it.  I was so hopeful when I pulled it out but the stain was still there.  I applied more stain removal and scraped it with my fingers.  When the foam started turning brownish I knew the stain was coming out so I put it in the washer a second time and thankfully the stain was gone.  A good reminder that you should wash your sweater before you put it away for the season!

What I love about this sweater is that the reindeer has glasses just like mine.  That is why I was panicking a little, I didn't think I would ever find another one with the same glasses.

Though, when I was i panic mode I started looking for a new replacement sweater and I was shocked that I couldn't find one I liked.  My style is a 'cute' Christmas sweater and I find lots of them are really out there or not festive enough.  

Finally, I found this sweater at Winners for $25.  Perfect!  I'd say it's pretty darn cute if I do say so myself and I may be wearing it as I type this post....

Left photo courtesy of Cooper

I liked it so much that I waited in line at Winners in a line up of approx. 30 people.  Dare I admit that I also bought gifts for 2 others while I was there and purchased the exact same thing for myself.  I'm talking about you Sheila and Kolby!  Guess you'll have to wait until Christmas to see what we now own the same of!  And this is why Christmas gets so expensive.  One for you... one for me!

Do you have a favorite Christmas sweater? 

Celebrating Pre-Christmas

Like many families, we alternate where we spend Christmas each year.  This year we are spending the holidays with my family so we celebrated a little pre Christmas with James' family on Saturday. It started first thing with an early morning practice for Cooper's hockey team that I was nominated to attend.  I'm sure we were back from practice before the rest of the family (except Grady!) were still in bed.  James included.

At 10am we headed over to Nana's for our traditional Christmas day breakfast of eggs benedict, land of nod cinnamon buns, and fruit salad.  I never have room for fruit since I fill up on the buns every. single. year.

Next up we opened up the presents under the tree Santa.  No tree at Nana's this year since they will be away for Christmas day.  The kids were excited to rip into their presents and i was happy to find an Instant Pot under the tree for me!  I can't wait to start trying new recipes.  If you have any good ones please send them my way.

 

We wanted to play a game that was great for all ages so I asked at Mastermind Toys what they would suggest and as a result I left with the game Speak Out.   It is essentially a game where you put this funny plastic thing in your mouth and then read from a card while your team mates try to guess.

James was the absolute funniest.  I laughed so hard that I cried.  While the adults each took only one turn, the kids wanted to go over and over again.  It was good for a laugh that is for sure!

Next we moved the festivities to our place where the orignal plan was to watch a Chrismans movie but in the end we played a few more games.  This plate game I read about on a blog.  All you need is a few pens and paper plates.

This picture doesn't do the plates justice. Some of them were much better than I expected and others not so much.  There is a point system and based on that Bo and Grady tied, though I may have witnessed of them cheating.... I'm sure you can guess which one!

After the plate game we moved on to Pictionary.  Can I just say letting the kids choose the words can prove to be interesting.  Lots of poop and fart references.  How do you draw a fart?

Just before we ate our Christmas Lasagna, I remembered to snap a group photo using my phone's self timer.  I often forget to take one and I love how this one turned out.

Finally, we ended the the night watching Grady's team beat the other team 3-1 and Grady getting the teams heart and hustle wolves hat.  It was a great game to watch that even merited me ringing the heck out of my cowbell.  Yes, I am that mom....

I am so happy that we were able to host a portion of our pre-Christmas at our house.  I love our decor and was so happy to be able to share it with our family.   I didn't think we'd be able to give up an entire day in the middle of December without feeling stress about all the things I should be doing.  In reality, it was a nice break from the hustle and bustle of Christmas prep.  It was a quiet day playing games, laughing, and eating great tasting foods.  While James would argue it would have been better with a turkey, I was quite happy with our lasagna!

If this day was any indication of how the rest of the month will go it is certainly going to be a great holiday season!