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!

Loving the story I'm living now

My blog popped into my head today and I knew I hadn't done a post in a long time, but I had no idea how long it had been. To say the last 6 months was crazy for us would be an understatement. 

Within days of my last post back in May we decided to list our house to sell it, we moved, boys had a busy baseball season, we camped a bunch, we worked a ton, we paddle boarded and swam the summer away, then came the fall with way more sports than we expected and a last minute decision to quit my job and move into something new.

It has been absolutely insanely busy and at times overwhelming, but also so filled with love and memories that I wouldn't change for the world.

She's a Daddy's girl just like I was

I remember dancing with my Daddy like this when I was a little girl, and every day I'm grateful to have married a man that makes the time to dance with his little girl.

I truly feel bad for my kids whenever they are being tickled by their dad. They all know that I will NOT step in to help them because I learned very early on that if I do, then I'm the next one to get tickled and I want nothing to do with that! I feel bad for them but that might just be the ONLY sacrifice that this Mama will not make for her kids! :) 

Spending quality time with my middle

My Jordie boy is such a middle child, in every sense of the word. He is my quietest guy, he demands by far the least amount of attention, he is the most obedient one, he complains the least, he is the easiest going of the bunch (just like his daddy), and he just loves me through all the chaos of our life. 

He cherishes alone time with me whenever he gets the chance and his favorite thing to do together is play games. Our favorite up to this past week was the card game Kings Corners, but other ones he likes are checkers, Battleship and Uno. Last weekend we taught him how to play Ticket To Ride and he is hooked! Earlier this week we got KJ to bed early and James was still at baseball so we sat down to play a round and he absolutely kicked my butt. I really enjoyed this quiet time with him to just chat and to watch him carry out the strategy that he had learned the first time we'd played it on Saturday. This kid is a smart cookie and a very quick learner. So much like his daddy in so many ways! 

Pretty darn proud of himself! 

I love you so much Jordie boy and I hope you want to continue to play games with me for many many more years to come! 

The girl doesn't understand personal space

Kennedy definitely takes after her Mama and she still LOVES to "snuddle" with anyone and everyone. She loves to sit right next to you and if she can be touching you without you noticing she will definitely go for it. She loves to sit next to Daddy and have him rub her feet and legs (definitely takes after me there).

Jim and I looked over from our crib game to see these two on the couch. She thinks nothing of putting her feet on anyone who happens to be close to her and this time Jordie was the victim! He didn't even seem to notice until he saw me taking the photo.

Maybe the last time he wanted her to snuggle with him?!?! I joke, up until about 6 months ago he adored her and always wanted her around, nowadays though he's not quite so in love with her as he used to be. He now thinks she's just an annoying little sister :) 

Living her best life here. Tablet, Daddy snuggles and a raw wiener for a snack (and on the couch which she is not usually allowed to do!)

I've become a pro at working from home with a toddler strapped to my side. Some days she's great and plays all morning while I work, and other times she definitely wants to be my assistant. Here she was just really NEEDING a snuddle! Who can say no to that?!

Sitting beside me wasn't enough so she crawled right onto my lap. Luckily I'm a great multitasker and can easily still type with her around me.

Are you almost done work now Mama?

"Jordie, I will rub your back while you play your game"

Couch snuggles with Mama

And also with Daddy

Cute little moment caught last weekend. Jordie ran up and told one of us to come down and see them. This chair holds so many special memories as it was in the nursery and I rocked all three of them in it. 

I loved seeing them all snuggled up in it! 

Big hugs for Jamesy before school one morning.

We only had 15 minutes together but we made the most of it

Last week was crazy for both Jim and I with work, baseball, strata, PAC, etc. We got to Friday night and I hadn't seen him since Wednesday night (and only then for just a few minutes). I think the total time I'd spent with him all week was maybe 3 hours! 

Friday night I was working till 8:45 at the Complex and Jim was heading back to Texada on the 9:15 ferry to work OT on Saturday morning. I left work and he left home and we met at the ferry parking lot and walked together hand in hand down to the terminal chatting about the kids and just enjoying some quiet minutes together. Of course I made him snap a picture with me with the pretty sunset behind us. He only gave me just a little bit of a hard time about it! 😉 He is a very good sport with me and my picture taking. 

Our time together wasn't long but I did get the hugs and kisses I was needing and I was glad that we snuck in the short time that we did. Over this past year we have cherished our alone time together and have worked hard at making it a priority. We both know how much we benefit from it and how much our marriage has been strengthened because of it too. 

Looking forward to summer time fun in the sun!

I've wanted to buy a paddleboard for the past 2 summers but other things always just come up! Two years ago it was a new generator for the trailer and last year it was kayaks for the kids. I've tried paddleboarding a few times at my aunt and uncle's cabin and while we were camping a few friends let us try their boards out too!

This year I begged Jim to get me one as an early Mother's Day gift. We've both been working so hard lately so we decided to splurge and buy an awesome brand of board that converts to a kayak as well with an attachable seat and paddle extensions. We got one with a high weight limit (but not too heavy to carry inflated) so that I can easily be on it with any of the kids. We also wanted one that would be great for James to use as he is definitely close to being too big for the kids kayaks!

I am SO excited for the nice weather to come back so we can get this out on the water! I look forward to lots of fun times this summer. 

I was pretty darn excited when it was free shipping and got here from Florida in just 9 days! 

Watch for pictures of the maiden voyage! All of us can't wait to get on it!