My Month in Numbers: July 2018

For me, July means quarter ends at work, 5 day weeks, auditors and busy days.  Thankfully, that is only for the first 3 weeks.  The last week of July we spend back in SK visiting all the family, eating all the food, and drinking all the drinks!  This is summer!

7: the number of sleeps we spent in SK
2: in Saskatoon with my brother and his kids
1: at Christoper lake with my Dad and and his crew
4: in Prince Albert at my Mom's and all the cousins

5: the number of quiet kids 10 and under you can cram onto Uncle James couch with electronic devices

3: times the kids went in the pool in my brothers back yard
1: night swim where Uncle James yelled because the kids were screaming.  In their defense it was before 10pm.  In Uncle's defense, they were getting pretty darn loud.

3: The number of parks we visited in Saskatoon
1: The number of kids we lost track of before we got off their street.  Who put Kolby and I in charge?
2: kids were on scooters, 4 on bikes
2: Aunts were on foot.  Not sure how we could keep up.  Good thing we had Madi, my oldest niece, with us on her bike.  Otherwise we would have had to jog.....

10: of us headed to Martensiville Pool on a very windy Sunday afternoon.  Apparently it is usually busy but not this day.  We were half the people at the pool!

2: people didn't even go in the water.  Myself included. Why are kids so immune to the cold? So glad I no longer have to actually get in the pool.  Unless it's my Dad's which is heated to a comfortable 87 degrees.

1: kid said this was his favorite part of the trip.  I can't remember which one.

1: kid said more than once he wants to move to SK but only if all his friends come. I think it's safe to say they had a great time.

19: degrees the day we went to the lake.  At least the wind died down.
1: The number of pants that I packed.  Poor planning.
2: pairs of pants gifted to me by my Mom for my birthday.  Not sure why I am not in pants in the photo below



1: giant fire
2: holes in my Dad's pants from ashes.  I promptly changed out of my new pants and put on my PJ pants.
18: logs thrown in and poked around by 2 pyros in the group (Dad, Kolby)
2: Marshmallow roasted by Grady and only 1 consumed.
0: minutes spent at the fire by Cooper.  He wasn't into it.



3: Parks toured in Prince Albert.
1: Park we visited more than once
5: days into our visit the sun came out and we hit up a the new spray park.  It still wasn't the warm and the kids didn't last long.  But we got a great picture of the boy cousins.  3 out of 7!



4: pedis before pool day!
1: selfie pro
1: set of blue-ish toes,  2 sets of pink, and 1 set of coral.  You can guess which color was mine.



1: hot tub the whole visit other than the warm one at the lake.    Grady lives for hot tubs and spent most of his time in this rather than the pool even though we finally got a hot day!  Weirdo.

1: successful family vacation.
24: friends and family visited

Vacation season around here is not over quite yet!  Looking forward to heading west soon!

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?

July in numbers.

I just got back from a fantastic summer vacation in SK visiting my friends and family.  I feel so fortunate to have seen so many people and to have done so many things.  I stayed somewhere different every night except 2 consecutive nights at my Moms at the end.  That should tell you how much we crammed in.  So here you have our first summer vacation of 2016 in numbers.

48:  the approximate number of times this kid jumped in the pool or lake.  Usually it was a belly flop as you see in the photo below.  He claims it didn't hurt but every time I watched him I cringed.

2:  The number of convertible car rides we took.  The kids loved it.  James and I had the pleasure of taking the convertible on our date night get away while we left the kids with Grandma.  They were all smiles!

7:  The number of zip lines my hubby and I did on our date night.  It was my first time and while I was a little nervous on the first one the rest were a breeze.  I even went upside down on the last one.  I highly recommend trying it if you've never been.  I hope to take the kids one year soon as you only have to be 50 pounds to go.  The question is whether they would step of the edge or not.  Cooper for sure would, I'm a little unsure about Grady.

31:  The number of people that attended my SURPRISE pool party.  I have never ever had a surprise party and to say that I was surprised would be an understatement.  I thought we were just going to my Dad's for our regular supper and swim with my brothers family.  When my 3 of my friends and their brood of kids walked in the gate I was stunned.  All I could get out was to ask what they were doing here.  It was not until someone behind me, I think Kolby, said 'Surprise!' that I realized what was going on.   To say I felt loved would be an understatement.  It was SO much fun!

12:  The number of kids in the pool.  The pool hasn't been that filled with kids in years!  There was even a line up for the water slide!

37:  The number of years I turned this year.  First time in a decade that I was at home for my birthday.  It felt really good to celebrate with my family.

1:  The number of nights the kids slept in the tent.  The night we were in Waskesiu, Grandma slept in the basement in the tent.  And of course, that is the morning they slept until after 8:30.  Did I mention that they went to bed about 10pm every night.  One night, Grady asked to go to bed....

3:  The number of hours we spent at Waskesiu before heading to Elkridge.  We walked almost 10,000 steps on the different paths, drank 2 beer, and shared a pizza.  Success!

3:  The number of camp fires that we sat around.  This night time one almost didn't happen, when we suggested just doing it the next day Grady threw himself on the pavement and had a mini tantrum.  Aunty Blaire quickly said that we could have the campfire.  This was our latest night and also the night that Grady asked to go to bed, but not before polishing off 5 smores.  Cooper asked to finish his for breakfast the next day.  He went to bed and we threw it out.

4:  The number of times I got to see this group of pretty ladies.  I am so fortunate to call these gals my friends.

3:  The number of different pools we swam in while away.  Starting with Uncle James' new pool that the kids loved even though it was small, then Deena's, and finally Grandpa Lorne's.   I lost track of how many times the kids went swimming at Dad's, the water is warm, there is a slide, and a diving board.  Any kid's dream backyard.

1:  The number of times I went in the lake.  Blaire promised that she would get her hair wet that day and she didn't disappoint.  We all jumped off the back of the boat into the deep water.  Personally, I like that best, you can't touch all the weeds and mud.  Cooper say this one out but was in the water more times than I can count.

Left to right:  Grady, Grandpa, Me, Kolby
Blaire, Joel

12:  The number of years it had been since I skied.  Since I was already wet I decided to ski back to the cabin.  On the dock, all I said was I am thinking of trying to ski and my Dad had the skis in the boat before I could change my mind.  I got up on the first try and I was proud of myself.  I skied as a kid but not since before James and I were married.  The kids were impressed that I got up first tried.

6:  The number of cousins that we tried to get to look at the camera and smile.  Cooper was our problem child.  The best one we have is the one that he isn't in.....

0:  The number of fish caught on Grady's first time fishing.  Uncle Joel took him out for an hour and they got skunked.  In all honesty, they were supposed to go first thing and that ended up being 9am.  Of course the sleep in the day we are supposed to get up early.

4:  The number of pop the kids each had.  We don't buy pop so this was a huge treat.  Cooper insisted on having his Pepsi in the photo.

64:  The age of my Dad who got up on skis for the first time in several years.  He is the one that motivated me to try.  The kids loved watching, but especially loved when he fell and they had a good laugh.

3:  The number of people that fit on this tube.  Cooper had to be convinced to go on but Grady loved it.  I'm sure he would have stayed on all afternoon if we didn't tell him he'd been on long enough!

2:  The number of people that surfed behind the boat.  I'd never watched anyone do this.  They are so close to the boat.  It was super impressive.  Kolby surfed to, but let's just say there was a lot of laughing from the kids.  Ha!

The clouds in this photo look fake.  It was a beautiful day for boating.

9:  The number of minnows that Blaire and Dad caught.  Plus one leach.  Gross!

2:  The number of afternoons we spent at my Mom's lake trailer.  The kids loved the beach and swimming in the cold water.  I preferred to watch from the beach.  Good thing Grandma and Grandpa liked going in the water.  The kids liked the dunking game a tough more than Grandma did.  Ha!

14:  The number of beer and clams consumed.  There is just something about beer on a super hot day.  Notice my Mom's sitting beside her on the table in the photo above.  I might add that I could drink 2 beer to her 1!

15:  The number of minutes this kid wore his water wings.  He is now fully swimming.  He was jumping in the deep end and going down the slide without batting an eye.  So crazy to see how quickly it happened.  This kid is a fish.

7:  The number of days I got to spend with Dee.  That is a new record.  She was here for a weekend earlier in the month and I saw her 5 times this week.  What a lucky girl she I am.

5:  The number of people in the handstand competition.  Cooper couldn't do a handstand so he helped judge.  Kolby was by far the best until we realized she was cheating.  Grady was a drill Sargent and insisted we do them over and over again.  I wasn't the best but I did win a few rounds, or maybe they just said I won because it was my birthday!  Ha!

2:  The number of times I went paddle boarding.  If you are wondering why I am wearing my shirt it is because on day 2 at Dee's pool I got burned.  Bad.  I was trying to save my shoulders from more sun....  This was my first time paddle boarding and I loved it.  It was so relaxing and way easier than I thought.  Except if you ask my Dad who falls every time he turns a corner!

1:  The number of years before we get to do the whole thing over again.  The summer of 2016 vacation to SK is going to be a hard one to beat!

Christmas Highlights 2016

We arrived on December 23rd and my Mom was at the airport to pick us up.  We have an hour and a half from the airport to my home town and the view was breathtaking.  The hoar frost is so beautiful and lasted for several days.  Back home, we only get it for a few days at most a season and with the lack of snow this season, the frosty trees more than made up for it.

My favorite thing about the holidays is spending time with family.  We alternate Christmases, one year we stay home and celebrate with James' side of the family and the other year we travel to spend the holidays with my family.  My brother has 4 kids and love getting to know them all better and see he cousins interact. This year, I especially loved how I've grown on Taiya.  She was my little bestie.

Left to right:  Taiya, Kiptyn, Tessa, Madi.

I also love the time I got to spend with my sisters.  I don't get to see them nearly enough.  I love watching them love on my kids.  

Like every other year, the kids loved the hot tub.  This winter was super cold but it didnt' stop the kids from getting in (and out!) of the hot tub many many times.  

We did a lot of tobogganing.  Three times over 5 days to be precised.  The last day we went was only Grandma, the kids and I and it was by far the coldest.  My eyelashes froze.

Taiya and Tessa had never been sledding and they loved it, getting braver by the second.   The hill is right across the street from my moms house so easy access meant many trips!

Santa visited as he does every year.   The boys hopped right over and popped beside Santa to collect his presents.  James' younger kids were more reserved.  Kippy cried and then all gathered around their mom to protect them. Somehow, a present for me was in Santa's bag so I was the only adult that got to see Santa. Must mean I was a good girl this year.

One of my favorite things this holiday was watching Grady open his gifts.  We was so animated and loved them all.  Santa did well with him.  Cooper on the other hand cried that he didn't get any Pokemon cards (that he didn't ask for and doesn't really like).

Ice skating was a highlight for us all.  We went out to Blaire's Cabin where Grandpa Lorne had already snow blowed the ice to make us a rink.  It was super cold but we geared up 2 separate times to bear the cold for a good 'ol fashioned hockey game.  My favorite part of the day was playing one on one hockey against Kolby.  I was so sure I was going win. It was close, but in the end she scored and my tummy hurt from laughing so hard.

We tried to go carolling at GG's house. We failed miserably.  We brought James blue tooth speaker and played our song and sang loud. We waved when they came to the window and they didn't recognize us, or hear the music. They thought that it was just random people looking at the lights.  GG's lights are pretty spectacular!

One moment i would rather forget is leaving my camera on the plane.  I've never done that, but after a 30 minute wait, this bad boy was back in my hands.

This Christmas will be forever remembered as the one where we spent lots of time outside.  It was cold, but it was Christmas and that is what you do when you have 12 people and 2 dogs staying in one house, you get outside!  As the kids get older, Christmases are more and more fun and we are able to do so many fun things.  Kids really do make Christmas more fun.

Bring it on 2016!  This year will be a hard one to beat!