Wedding Dress Photos - 4 years old

Another year, and another photo of this gorgeous girl in her Mama's wedding dress. This year was special for a few reasons (1) we took the photos in our new backyard (where the dress was first worn all those years ago) and (2) after months of a new healthier lifestyle for me, I fit back into the dress, so we took some really cute photos of both of us in it and Jenn worked her magic. I say it every year that this year's photo is my favorite, but they just keep getting better every year. 

Look at this beautiful 4 year old girl of ours. I am so honored that she still agrees to put this big heavy dress on, and I hope she'll do it for many more years to come! 

And just for fun...we'll do them all in order to see our girlie grow up.

How much longer will he want to spend quality time with me?

I've always heard that once your kid turns 14 that it's all bets off and they don't want to be anywhere near you. I sure hope that's not true and that this handsome guy continues to want to go for walks with me on rainy days. After school yesterday he asked if he could come with me for my walk and we ended up having a great half hour together. 

Yes he still holds my hand, and yes I have his permission to post this photo too :) 

He's such a sweet boy and sure loves his Mama. He promises me that he will still like me when he's in his teens so I'm going to keep this post and show it to him a few years down the road :) 

Pick your road

This is one of my favorite spots in the Millenium trails near the Complex. This particular fork in the road always makes me very thoughtful about where I am in my life and where I want to be. Probably totally corny to look at something and see something completely differently. Some people just see two paths, I see two opportunities, each with their own landscape and feel to them.

I have spent a lot of time the past 10 months walking alone and thinking about who is in my life and what they bring to me as a person. I have many wonderful people that I am surrounded by. I live a very big life, with lots of moving parts to it. 3 kids and 3 jobs makes me very busy, and very connected. I have connection with my jobs, my kids friends parents, my family, old coworkers, mom friends, work friends and current coworkers, volunteer committees, kids sports, etc. Everywhere I go in our town I see a friendly face (behind the stupid masks of course) of people I know or recognize. It is a peaceful feeling to me to know that me and my family are part of a friendly community. I am proud of the life that Jim and I have grown together over the past 15 years being here. 

Over the years I've certainly made some choices I'm not proud of, but I've also done some extraordinary things that make very incredibly proud of who I am as a person. I'm changing every day and for the most part I love who I have become. I still have things I'd like to change about myself, but I'm working hard to change the things I can, and forgive and accept myself for the things I can't, and don't want to. 

Every time I come to that particular fork in the trail I think about my life and what my choices are for today. It's symbolic and means a lot to where I'm at in my life right now. 

I swore my daughter would never leave the house dressed like this....

 ...but seriously she's just so frigging cute that I couldn't say no. She was so proud of her "matching" stripes" that I didn't have the heart or the energy to fight her on it. Then she finished off the look with a hat with her little pigtails and I just couldn't resist her cuteness and I let her wear the whole crazy ensemble to school. 

*Found this post in my Draft folder from back in the spring and thought it was too cute not to share it*

Halloween 2021

Another year of Halloween is done! I'm not sad to see the day be done for another 364 more days :) 
Anyone who knows me knows I don't love the day (actually I really really dislike it), but I always suck it up and take my kids out because once we get going I always have fun watching them be kids and loving it. I tell myself it's only a few hours of my time and then it's done again. The smiles and laughter and fun is always worth it for me.

This year we had a unicorn fairy, a Sidney Crosby hockey player and a bandit. When we asked James why he wanted to be something similar to what he was last year he replied that because they got trick or treating taken away last year that he wanted to really enjoy the costume :)

I think this might be the last year for these costumes. Jim wasn't nearly as enthusiastic about wearing them as he has been in past years. Maybe it's time for something new! Any suggestions for EASY costumes, let me know!

She was SO excited to get out there this year!

This might be my new favorite random candid photo taken of her in a long time! So natural and smiley.

He refused to wear the helmet but looked so darn cute in his buddy's Crosby jersey!

James has been talking about taking a pillow case trick or treating for years now, and this year his dream came true. Not only did he get to take it, he also got to stay out with his dad and brother long after KJ and I were done!

Very proud of her first pumpkin ever. She designed it and her daddy carved it.

We haven't done pumpkins for years, but the kids loved them this year.

First home we always hit is Dot and Lyle Campbell's house!

Then moving on to Auntie Sheri and Uncle Keith's house.

Yearly photo with Auntie Sheri

Moving onto the neighbourhood up near Deb & Jerry's house!

She was on a mission and didn't want to wait for her boys to catch up.

I LOVE this photo of the three of them!

Whew...Mom is almost done!

And just moments later this little lady was done too! We did about 3 more houses and then we were off to home while the boys finished off a few more blocks and walked their way home.

So excited to dump out her haul!

Showing Nana her treats!

Yeah I'd say she did pretty good!

An hour later and the boys are home with their pillowcases and ready to do the dump and look!

Full size bar right before bed? Sure buddy, it's Halloween and no school tomorrow!

Huge special treat bag from Sheri & Keith and BIG chocolate bar from Michele & Ken!

Spoiled rotten and loving every second of the day! 

Another year is done and I'm ready to get started on Christmas now!