Were Back!!!

We had a great time filled with so many memories. Here are a few picks to give you a small taste of our fun. The surprise was a huge success and the kids had no idea. I will post the surprise video soon.

It's Showtime!!!

Malakai is asleep. Ginny is asleep, Keegan is in bed and it is only 8:10 pm. How on earth did I work that one out you ask? Well, you work late, get your hair done, come home later than usual and turn the clocks ahead by one hour when everyone is eating supper.

So far so good. They know nothing. :) Now I head to the tub to try and relax ( like that is going to work) turn off the phone and head to sleep ourselves. After all, 3:30 am comes mighty quickly.

The trip of many "almosts"

The holiday is done and right now is probably not a great time to be blogging. My mind is in a whirl wind of thoughts right now. I had a lot of time to think on this trip. Fortunately and unfortunately I have realized a lot about myself. I am a deep ponderer. Sometimes, most of the time I ponder too much and get way ahead of myself. Right now I wish I were still in that small trailer with my family and no ties to the world. No one expecting anything except for a nice meal and a lot of love. For now though let me humor you with our Trip of many "almosts."

We almost.....
missed out on what was to become a great holiday


We almost thought we missed the ferry because of a great visit with even greater friends



We almost
saw a Sea Otter preying on pet fish

We almost
saw a Sea Lion but soon found out it was actually a bird

We almost
had good weather

We almost
saw a Gray Whale


We almost
lost Malakai to the Ocean (if I had stopped to take an actual picture I am not sure the Ocean would have let him go.)


We almost
saw a beached Sting Ray

We almost
found the bridge to Terabithia


We almost
got out of a parking ticket (if only Blaine would have ran when I told him to.)

We almost
got to go for a boat ride on the Ocean

We almost
got blown over while sleeping in the trailer

We almost
chucked our breakfast on the ferry

We almost
had the most horrifying ferry ride ever

We almost
got to go for a hot tub

We almost
burnt down our campsite (thus causing us to lose our favorite camping chairs with years of memories, including our first mission trip. Rest in Peace dear Canadian chairs.)


We almost
caught the Easter Bunny


We almost
got caught by the in laws :)

And ..... We almost
didn't want to come home

Spring Break

Spring Break begins when school is over on Friday. This is going to be the best spring break that we have had, just for the fact that we are actually going on a holiday. Blaine loves to surprise the kids so they don't know where we are going. We really haven't been that secretive so I am sure they have their ideas. Ginny is sure that we are going to Vancouver, which we are. Keegan and Malakai heard us talking about the "Island" but of course they were straining hard so they think we are going to Ireland which we aren't. Then Blaine said something about a campsite by Nanaimo called French Beach so Ginny is so excited and telling everyone that we are going to French Beach. When they ask where that is she just smiles, shrugs her shoulders and says "I don't know, I think Vancouver." It has been fun that is for sure.

What I hope to get out of this holiday....

Sleep, Rest, Whale spotting, Visiting friends and a whole lot of silliness.

This time we better not get so dirty.

Christmas

I love Christmas! I love any holiday that involves my whole family getting together and having fun. It is noisy, it is chaotic but most of all it is fun and wonderful. I love being a part of a large family, although it is rare that the "whole" family always makes it for one event. There is usually someone always missing. However most of my Nieces and Nephews are into their teens now and since I am the youngest in the bunch it is usually Blaine and I that end up having the most fun with them. In the summer we have giant fires and play kick the can. In the fall we go for long hikes to the trestle near by and throw rocks at the train signs. In the winter we sometimes get the buggies out and rip them around a bit. It is fun being the "fun" ones.

In just 3 more sleeps our house will be filled with laughter, noise and chaos. It is an estimated guess that 25 peoples will crowd in our new little home and join us for the best holiday of the season.

Blaine and I both have Christmas Eve off and we plan to start a new tradition by lighting a candle for Baby Jesus. Hopefully if all goes well, our candle will stay lit until late in the evening. Everyone will start to arrive at 3pm and when everyone has settled we will pray for each other and for the fun that will begin. Usually we always draw names but after years and years of that, it is expected of who will get you and who you will eventually get. This year we are doing the gift exchange where everyone brings a gift and steals a gift. It will be interesting. After all that it is time to fill our bellies with the best German food... Buns, cheeses, meats and lots of goodies. Mmmmmm! When we are all filled up, we will be heading out the door to either go home or to the Christmas Eve Candlelight service at the church.

It is so neat to see the kids all dressed up sometimes towing along a new Christmas stuffy or wearing a new Christmas hat. They love getting to be big and holding onto that stick of fire. Ginny usually belts the silent night as long as she can showing her pride with every word. Malakai stares at the flame, trying his hardest not to succumb to sleep. Keegan smiles with his big adult teeth and hugs the one closest to him.

After trudging the kids home and tucking them in, they are bound to have troubles sleeping with the excitement of Santa coming.

The next morning they rush for their stockings and beg for us to wake up. Daddy will make us breakfast and then we drive to Grandma and Grandpas for more gift opening and a wonderful, very classy Christmas dinner.

What are your plans for Christmas??

Summer mayhem

I know! I got stuck in the blogger rut. Let me catch you up to speed.





This summer we purchased a new holiday trailer and have been absolutely loving it! We took a couple of weekends out at our parents, and a couple doing the real actual camping. Our most recent trip was to Calaway park where the kids had so much fun. The best way to entertain kids without a huge cost - go buy them a bug zapper tennis racket, then let them have at er with each other. Did I actually write that? JK! Actually, it makes an awesome war with adults though.


Living all the excitement through Malakai's eyes was such a treat. If there was a ride that he was tall enough to go on, he was going on it, even when we said "NO!" The funniest to watch was when he went on the boat. He was all good, screaming with his hands in the air, that is until the boat got really high and then he was clutching on for dear life. When he got off he said "mom that was awesome!" "Really?" I asked. "I though you looked pretty scared." "No" he says "I wasn't scared, I was just freaking out." Keegan on the other hand is not a ride person but I give him all the credit for trying.








In July, Ginny went to her very first summer camp all by herself. We dropped her off on Sunday night and she stayed until Wednesday morning. It made us really aware of just how independent she really is. Every time Blaine would try and help her, she would always say "I got it dad!"

In the first week of August I put on my cowboy hat and jeans and soon became Bayou Betty. It was so fun. I enjoyed singing and teaching the kids how to shine with God's light. Everyone put so much work into getting the set and all the details just right. When it was show time, the cricket sounds were heard, the mist above the "Dock" was seen and the set came to life. I have to admit, after a full week of hopping up and down, singing and shouting "Fear Not" I was ready for a holiday. Hey, that must be how I lost a few pounds. :)




Since we somehow were unable to get a single picture of the two of us on our Wedding day we decided that for this anniversary we would dawn our wedding garb and recreate the wedding pics. We had a great time and came out with some great pics. On our anniversary Blaine got my niece to babysit and surprised me by taking me to the fringe on whyte ave. He then took me out to a very nice Greek restaurant. It was such a nice night and made me feel that much more special to have spent the last 13 years with my best friend and lover.





Well, that about sums up our August at least. Ginny's turning eight tomorrow so give me a few more months and I will post about it. :)

Monologue

I love to act and I love to write, however I am not to sure about Monologues. Too me, I find it weird to be talking to someone who is not really there. Some odd reason though, I got talked into doing one at church for Easter Sunday. I think the whole reason I do not like the idea is because it is new for me and I am terrified. I think Blaine is getting tired of walking into the room and being greeted with my whole speech continuously. I can do this. I know I can!

* Job update - Closing date will be April 19. I am supposed to be attending a meeting (interview) about the position after that date. :) :) :) keep your hands folded, or fingers crossed or what ever it is that you do.

~~~~~~~~ HAPPY EASTER!!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~