Thursday, December 27, 2012

2012



Well we are coming to the end of 2012 and it was a really good year.  Honestly the last bunch of years have all been really good.  I think I have moved past the stage of big monumental things happening, like getting married, buying a house, having kids into just enjoying all those monumental things.  I'm very grateful for this stage as I know things can change quickly, so I will enjoy and cherish all of these wonderful times with family and friends.   Here is the yearly video with some picture highlights.

Jenn

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Different Generations

Tonight in the car we were coming home talking about what we were going to do when we got there.  Lucas asked to watch a Christmas movie, so I suggested Home Alone Two.  I said "I'm taping that".  Lucas asked "what's taping mean"  It made Darryl and I laugh quite a bit.  Darryl explained to him it was the same as recording.  "Ahhh" said Lucas, "I thought it was some kind of sport I'd never heard of". 

Makes me feel old, how quickly technology changes...

Jenn

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

November Round Up

Remember October when I blogged everyday... that was a lot. But we are back to pretty much normal with the blogging once or twice a month. Although I think we will do the Eat at Home Challenge in January so there will be blogging over there. Who's up for January? November is one of my least favorite months, even though one of my most favorite people celebrates a birthday then. But the short days and the cold are not my favorite. Here in Calgary we have had snow for pretty much the whole month already. I even was debating on going to Jodie's wedding next week to get out of this cold.... But anyway here is a round up of some of the things we have been upto:



This is from last weekend when we went to Darryl's Christmas party.  I love Darryl's ganster look in the bottom picture.  It was a pretty fun party.  They had dueling pianos for the evenings entertainment which was lots of fun.  

Here's a great picture of me and my favorite dog.  Gosh I love this girl.  We have sorted out most of her mental health issues with a combination of drugs and not leaving her home alone.  Puppies are cute and wonderful, but it's also great to have a dog who is more settled.  Who loves to walk, but if it's too cold is okay to stay inside too. 


Here's one of my favorite people at her birthday dinner.  Nathan LOVES his grandma.  So he picked her to sit beside him and snuggled up to her multiple times in the night.  For dinner we went to a lovely Italian restaurant that was delicious!

This is another one of the fun things we did this month.  Tammy and I were looking for a concert to go to and a new band who we enjoy, who had the free song of the week a couple of weeks ago on itunes was coming to Calgary, Walk off the Earth.  I had heard of them before they were very famous for a remake of the Goyte song, Someone that I Use to Know, where all 5 members play on the same guitar.  Of course the band was at a bar and the show didn't start till 10pm, which is my bed time.  But I cant let sleep get in the way of good music and fun times.  Walk off the Earth put on a really good and high energy show.  If they ever come to a venue near you, go, you'll enjoy it. 

Till Next Month

Jenn

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Mornings

One of my favorite bloggers Ali, posted blog today about wild and crazy mornings.  Yesterday when I loaded my pictures in I found a whole bunch that Nathan took the other morning when I was doing my mom run, so I thought they deserved a crazy morning post too, as I'm sure most mom's with kids have crazy mornings, but I think it will be good to look back at this one day and remember how crazy things were.  Okay heres my morning routine:

6:30: My alarm goes off (which I'm not complaing about the 6:30, Darryl has already left the house at that time, so really I'm not complaining), I hit snooze
6:38 My alarm goes off again.  At this point I do a quick browse through both my home and work emails.
6:40 Out of bed, shower
6:50 Out of the shower, put in contacts
6:51 Dress, sometimes in something cool, like today, but most days in black scrubs
6:54 Comb hair, put on eyeliner and mascara, deodorant, brush teeth, moisturizer (becuase it's SO dry here)
7:01 Wake up Lucas, carry him downstairs (yes he's 7...... I know)
7:02 Get him breakfast, two packages of oatmeal and turn on a show for him, start the kettle
7:05 Get Nathan, carry him downstairs (it's not so bad, he's only 4), get him breakfast, usually one package of oatmeal
7:07 Make Lucas's lunch, usually heating something up in the microwave and finding some healthy snacks. Make myself some tea.  Make myself a lunch as well. 
7:12 Bring down clothes for Lucas and Nathan and get them both dressed. (Yes I know... don't worry everyone Darryl is much better)
7:18 Make myself a piece of toast
7:20 Make sure the boys have snowpants, mitts and everything necessary for their day. Make sure I have my lunch, ipad etc.
7:23 Get the boys to go pee and brush their teeth
7:24 Alarm goes off (piano riff), panic ensues and we get boots and coats and mitts on.  The dog also jumps around, get everyone buckled into the car
7:32 Lucas gets on the bus
7:36 Take Emma to Karens


7:50 Drop Nathan off at Lesleys, off to work.  Here are some shots of from Nathan, playing with my iphone.

How's your morning routine?

Jenn 

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

My Best Friend... In the 80s

I have mentioned a couple of times that one of my best friends in highschool, Jodie, moved to Alberta last year, for a boy.  Her and that boy got engaged 10 months ago and last weekend was her stagette.  It was an 80's party which included dinner, bowling and karaoke, many of my favorite things.  One of the things that really struck me was the small community and how they have really taken Jodie in as one of their own.  When we went around the table and talked about how we all know Jodie, I was one of the only out of towners and they all knew Jodie from hockey, whther they played on her team or they reffererred with her or their husband plays hockey with her husband, there was a huge group of ladies there and they all were so happy to celebrate with her.  Makes me happy to see her so happy, and so what seems like her element.  


My 80's outfit

Jodie rocking her 80s look



Did I mention it was glow in the dark bowling!

Not sure if this was one of the country songs sung at karoke (there was a lot of them.  Sometimes I can't believe I live in Alberta)

Best friends..... in the 80's

Jenn

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween 2012



As you can see it was cold here, look at all the snow!  Even had to shovel today.  Orginally I was a witch, but it wasn't warm enough so I had to go as a skiier instead.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Jenn

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Happy Halloween

So I failed this challenge, darn it. I was so sure I wouldn't, but it is really hard to do this everyday. One good thing it has taught me is that I should do it more. I should record more stories. Not just for family and friends, but for myself, so I don't forget. I have a posted percollating in my head about why I failed and balance and working too much. But I'm headed off to bed, so I can have an awesome day tomorrow in Lucas's class and have fun trick or treating tomorrow. Happy Halloween everyone! Have a great and spooky day!


Jenn

Saturday, October 27, 2012

It's that time of the year again

Snow came very quickly and severe this October.  It's not totally unusual to have snow here in October, but to have it stay and to have enough for a tobaggan run is unusual.  Even Nakiska opened this weekend.   Luckily the boys (and the dog) were very excited for the snow. 

Jenn

Friday, October 26, 2012

A Great Friday

Today Lucas had a PD Day.  It was such a treat.  Reminded me of summer vacation and makes me look forward to Christmas vacation.

We were able to get up when we wanted (8:30) and had waffles for breakfast and we played some board games. Then the boys had a couple of hours to play, while I ran on the treadmill, cleaned the kitchen and organized some clothes. Then we headed off to gymnastics.  There the boys had a GREAT time, acting like monkeys, running around and generally burning off a lot of energy.

Then we came home and had a great Mexican dinner. It was burritos and guacamole with lime margaritas (and real tequila!) Now I'm watching the Ed Sheeran concert very loudly while Lucas sings along, even though he really doesn't know the words. =)

Such a great PD Day

As you can see I'm running out of things to blog about..... any requests??  5 more days to go.

Jenn

Thursday, October 25, 2012

A Conversation with Nathan


My favorite food is: Macaroni and Cheese
My favorite sport is: Soccer
The coolest person on the earth is: My family
When I grow up I'm going to be: Police Officer
My favorite color is: red and orange
My favorite song is: The Robot Song (Interglatic Beastie Boys)
My favorite season is: Winter
If I could go anywhere in the world I'd go: Mexico
When I was little I use to: love cars
My favorite school subject is: Doing crafts
My best friend is: Matt
My favorite snack is:  Pineapple and Cheese
My favorite movie is: Bolt
I'm really good at: Coloring
My favorite thing about summer is: Going outside
My favorite thing about winter is: Tobagganing
I love the book: Splat the Cat
A food I don't like is:  Peppers
If I had one wish it would be: To get my own little skateboard
My favorite thing to do with Lucas is: Play
My favorite thing to do with Dad is: Zoom hot wheels cars down hot wheels ramps
My favorite thing to do with Mom is: Play Puzzles

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

A Conversation with Lucas

My favorite food is: Candy
My favorite sport is: Soccer
The coolest person on the earth is: My family
When I grow up I'm going to be: Police Officer
My favorite color is: orange and blue
My favorite song is: LMFAO and Jack Johnson
My favorite season is: Summer
If I could go anywhere in the world I'd go: Paris
When I was little I use to: love cars
My favorite school subject is: Math and Gym
My best friend is: Henry, Elliot, Shaun and Matt
My favorite snack is:  Chips and Salsa
My favorite movie is: Madagascar 3
I'm really good at: Soccer
My favorite thing about summer is: Going outside
My favorite thing about winter is: Having hot chocolate
I love the book: Harry Potter Series
A food I don't like is:  Cauliflower
If I had one wish it would be: My house would never burn down
My favorite thing to do with Nathan is: Play
My favorite thing to do with Dad is: Play video games and lego
My favorite thing to do with Mom is: Swim

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

New Music Tuesday

Here's the latest of my greatest



Jenn

Monday, October 22, 2012

Davids Tea

One thing that I haven't blogged about, that is hands down my favorite "thing" of the last year and a half is Davids Tea. It is a loose leaf tea company. I had seen many of the beautiful teal bags while shopping in Southcentre, but didn't check them out till I did my year with no pop. I started drinking lots of tea is that year. Mom and Dad have always had tea around, so I've always enjoyed it even as a kid. This foray into tea has been abundant and delicious.


Now I've tried 108 of the 209 teas they have. I loved iced tea in the summer and hot tea in the winter. I wait excitedly to see what their new tea of the months are or their collections. For the first year I would buy every new tea they put out. But in the past while I've had to be more picky. Partly because I need to have space and partly because of the cost.

Davids tea is great because

  1. It's a Canadian company, love to support local greatness.
  2. The customer service is INCREDIBLE. And everywhere. We went to one in NYC and the service was still so good. I'm amazed that they are able to be SO consistent with the excellent customer service. I've never had a bad experience and I go alot. The ladies at Southcentre even know myself and the boys.
  3. The teas are delicious, which I guess is the most important, and they have so many varieties. Black or Mate or Oolong in the morning. Green tea in the afternoon and herbal or rooibos in the evening. 
  4. They have great products.  My favorites are the steeper for ice tea and Asian style tea mug.  I also really like there tea bag and my travel mug. 
  5. Tea makes for a great gift.  Most everyone enjoys tea and for about a year I gave it to everyone I knew. =)

Davids Tea in Penticton


Davids Tea in Toronto (one of the many)




 David's Tea in Whistler





Davids Tea in NYC

Can you tell it's my favorite!

Jenn

Sunday, October 21, 2012

The Third Child

Actually it's the first child.... although she may feel demoted as each of those kids arrived.





So Emma, she is doing well.  The last really crazy thing she did was this.  And last year at Christmas I thought I would take her off her meds.  Afterwards we came home to this

The garage door being ripped apart was also crazy.  There was certainly some frustration and uncertainty about what to do.  We took her back the the doggie psychologist who recommend some different drugs, which we tried but then we came home to more door damage.


We've resigned ourselves to the fact that Emma is so crazy she can't be by herself.  It's been good for the last 8 months as my mom has been able to take care of her on the days I work, and this fall she has been able to hang out with Auntie Karen (who works from home) on the days I work.

It's interesting because she is SUCH a good dog.  She has a special places in all of our hearts.  She causes us to be better people, be more patient and loving.  She keeps us company and shows her love for us all the time.  She is my running partner and keeps me active.   She is getting older and with the medication she is on, it keeps her calmer and she doesn't require the same amount of activity as she did, but you can see her face light up and her tail wiggle wildly with excitement every time I do take her out.

Jenn

Saturday, October 20, 2012

What I wore: October 20th

On Monday I went wedding dress "picking up" with my friend Jodie. I should really be posting a picture of her looking like a princess in her dress, but I wouldn't want to spoil the special moment for everyone else, so instead, this is what I was wearing: Shirt: Gap (last season) Pants: Also Gap, there a thinner denim though so comfortable in the heat Shoes: Black Flats: Locale
This was my work outfit on Wedneday. I really liked it. Shirt: Gap Outlet, it's a brown tunic Pants: Green ones from Roots Boots: Brown ones from Winners.




Today I did Open House at SAIT, so I'm wearing a sponsered (and free) open house red shirt from SAIT Jeans: Seven for all Mankind Shoes: Red Runners by Merrill.

Really looking at all these pictures, my hair.  It's EXACTLY the same everyday.  I feel bad for Darryl and the kids who get no variety..... I guess that's what it is when you have curly hair.

Jenn

I've got a horseshoe around my neck

Yesterday this email showed up in my inbox!!


You might remember that last week you told us what songs to hear on KooL 101.5 with our Friends with Benefits Music Club and in reply you could win a $100 GC to Chinook Centre?!

Congratulations! Your gift card is ready for pick-up here at the KooL studios in Downtown Calgary!

All our information is listed bellow in my signature.

If you have any questions please do send me an email or give me a call directly and I’ll be more than happy to get back to you.



Yippee!!

Now what to spend it on...


Thursday, October 18, 2012

The Last of the Awesome Things from September

When Mackenzie (our niece) turned 16 years old we made a "deal" with her.  Rather then buy her presents for the next couple of years (because really how much do clothes and makeup mean (although I guess they do mean a lot to a teenager))  Darryl and I thought it would be more fun to make some memories and take her to New York City instead.  So the second last weekend of September, off we went. 

Here are some of our highlights:

Food.  New York City has the BEST food.  And usually it's all quite reasonably priced.  The first night Darryl and I went to a little Italian Restaurant.  Darryl has his favorite, risotto and I had a delicious salmon pasta dish.  We shared a bottle of wine too.  Another night we had a 5 course thai meal in Hell's Kitchen and it was 15.95.  Hell's Kitchen had so many good restaurants, if you ever go to NYC I would recommend that area for the food.

Hotel: We stayed really close to Times Square, which was great for the walking and even though it was right beside a parole office I wasn't worried about our security.  Last time I was in NYC we were on the upper west side and we had to take the train everytime to get places.  It was nice to have the option to walk a lot of places.

Company: It was really fun to spend the 4 days with Lori and Mackenzie.  It's so nice to see them and although I don't mind going to London, it's way more fun to meet up in NYC! They were up for all the walking and sight seeing we did.  It was also fun to have a weekend with my husband who is the best company.

On Thursday we walked up 5th Ave, which has all the really posh stores.  It was there we had "breakfast at Tiffanys", went to the Apple store, walked through Louis Vitton and went to one of the greatest toys store FAO Schwartz.  There we got all kinds of cool candy and danced on the big piano from the movie Big.  After that we walked through Central Park, went to the Central Park Zoo and then went to Wicked in the evening. If you ever get a chance to see Wicked I HIGHLY recommend it.  It is the best broadway show I've ever seen.  It's so good I've seen it three times. 



On Friday we  walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and had pizza in Brooklyn.


I didn't bring the right socks so I got a blister so we took the train home and changed my shoes.

Darryl and I also had our delicious Thai Meal that day.

On Saturday we went to the 9/11 Memorial.  Which had a TON of security.



I think there was more security there then at the airport.  There were metal detectors, you had to show your free ticket about 8 times.  Above is a picture of one of the pools and fountains, which is what they did in memory of the two towers and the people who died in the tradegy.  It is a beautiful tribute, something I recommend.  Just be ready for the security.

Then we headed to Century 21 which is like a bigger and better Winners.  Then we headed to the Shake Shack!  Which is my favorite places for hamburgers and shakes and ice cream.  I highly recommend it when you go to NYC.  After that we went on the Staten Island Ferry, which has absolutely no security.  You don't need a ticket, you just get on, they don't even count how many people get on.  The staten island ferry is one of the great deals of NYC.  Free and you get a great view of the skyline as well as the Statue of Liberty. After that we headed back to the room and went to another Broadway show, Chicago.  Which was also brilliant. 








Sunday we packed up and then walked to the Davids Tea =)

On our walk we also saw Grand Central Station, which is beautiful and saw the apple store there too.



We also walked by 30 Rockefeller Center and went into the NBC store where we got a lot of very cool souvenirs from NBC's we love.  I got to pretend I was on the Voice too.   





If you ever get a chance to go to NYC, I definitely recommend it. The shows and the sights and the food are like no where else!  Okay Mackenzie and Lori, where do we meet up next?

Jenn

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Monthly Newsletter: 86 months

Dear Lucas,

Today you turned 86 months old, which seems crazy old, but I guess that's what happen when you are 7 =).  We say 7 rather then 86 months, cause that sounds like so many months.  I haven't written you a newsletter in a couple of months as it was your birthday fairly recently and I usually write these each year now, but with blogging everyday this is a good way to fill the day (and I like talking to you).

You are at a great age for chats.  You are smart and kind and funny, so talking to you is quite enjoyable.



School has been going really well for you.  You are enjoying and excelling at grade two.  Each night we practice your "mots de semaine" and your reading.  With your mots de semaine, you get progressively better each day so that on Friday when you have your test, you often get perfect.  We are very proud of you and your accomplishements.  Earlier this month I wanted to check in with your teacher to see how you are doing.  Here is the email I sent:

I just wanted to check in and see how Lucas has been doing in class?  We've talked to him at home and he says everything is good and he's really enjoying school, but there were times last year that he said that and he was still having a hard time in class.  Just wanted to make sure he's not getting too upset and able to participate in class.

Thanks and have a great Thanksgiving.
  

And this is the beautiful email I received from her:

Good afternoon Jenn,
I can only say that I have not seen any tears nor teary eyes but I did witness many smiles on his little face. He truly seems to be enjoying his time in grade 2. Positive comments/reinforcements light up his face. If I notice something negative, I'll let you know.
Have a great Thanksgiving too.

She has done a great job of providing a safe learning environment for you and you are doing really well.  I feel lucky that you have such a great teacher this year.  



The other big development for you in the past couple of months is your love and abilites in reading.  You can now read a chapter book in a week.  We have set a new routine where you read your chapter book till 9pm and then it's lights out.  You are very proud of yourself, as we are very proud of you too.   Luckily you can get a new book each week at the library and we are not going broke buying you books.  But I'm so happy you have the same love of reading that your Dad and I have.



Other then that things have been pretty status quo.  You are in swimming lessons again this year, although it is getting more and more challenging, so you didn't enjoy it as much as when it was easy peasy for you.  But your swimming is really improving, you can swim a whole lap of the pool doing the front stroke and the back stroke.  And this week in class you did the best dive of the class.  Even though you are one of the smallest and youngest in the class, I'm glad I keep pushing you to go as I am really seeing improvements to your skills.   



You are losing lots of teeth.  The other day you had enough money from all the tooth fairy visits that you could buy yourself a pokemon card pack.  

I love you and I'm proud of what a great kid you are. 

love mom