HeadQuarters

2012-01-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

Travis and I have spent 17yrs together and never had a Christmas together just us. This year it happened. Family decided to push back our Christmas dinner to boxing day and our little family of 4 had Christmas day to ourselves. It was wonderful, relaxed, and cozy. We enjoyed it so much that we are going to make sure we do it again next year.

Our tree

Opening Stockings

The gifts that Alyssa made us this year. A picture frame, Christmas ornament and little bird house

The box Aly made at school to wrap our gifts in.

Star Wars has taken over our home. Emerson and Daddy trying out the lightsabers.

This picture turned out really cool. We turned off the lights and I made sure my camera flash was off.

2012-01-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

Christmas Eve with the Heads

Have to get a hockey game in before dinner

Neenee and Nolan

Kieran, Emerson, Alyssa and Nolan

Crazy cousins!

Present time

My beautiful Sis in Law Kyla and my ridiculously cute nephew Nolan

Aly had to show off her head stand

2012-01-12T10:30:00.002-07:00

Grandma Karen and Victoria

Alyssa and Victoria

Uncle Chad and Emerson

Present time

Darth Vader and Santa

2012-01-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

This year we made a bunch of super yummy sugar cookies over Christmas. The kids chose which cookies cutters they wanted to use and the favorite was the gingerbread boy/girl. For Christmas we got some Star Wars and ninja cookie cutters, we're super excited to try them out.

2012-01-12T09:56:00.002-07:00

Alyssa pretending to be a kitty

2011-12-14T15:41:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago we started to get a lot of snow. One day there was so much that I insisted that the kids put on their full snow gear. They did nothing but complain, "No, not the snow gear, please no. Why does it have to snow. I don't like snow." Then they got outside and started making snow angels, rolling around and playing and it became "No, please, No, we don't want to go to school please let us stay home to play. We LOVE snow!"

Alyssa and Emerson make such adorable little snow angels.

2011-12-14T15:38:00.003-07:00

Alyssa, Emerson and cousin Harry packing up a couple of shoe boxes. The kids were really excited to pick out what would go inside but none could really understand how there are kids who don't get Christmas presents. We always pick 1 boy and 1 girl and pack it full of crafty stuff and a couple of toys. Next year Alyssa will be old enough to write a letter all by herself to include in our boxes.

2011-12-14T15:35:00.003-07:00

Alyssa's Spark group had a Mexican fiesta night and they made ponchos out of paper bags.

And because she is so cute I had to take some up close.

I love this face! Alyssa is so much fun, she's expressive and full of spice.

2011-12-14T15:13:00.000-07:00

Writing and decorating their letters to Santa.

They love to be crazy, especially when they know they're driving me CRAZY!

Finally a nice picture.

Alyssa got her hair cut a week ago and she was so happy to hear me tell her that she looks older.

2011-12-14T14:12:00.003-07:00

Just this past weekend we set up our Christmas tree. Usually we do it on the first weekend in December but this year since Travis has Dec.9th- Jan. 9th off we wanted to wait he was on holidays.

I had a real wood burning fire place growing up and I miss it. I would love to at least get an electric one for the house but not its not going to happen this year. Its nice to watch the Shaw holiday fireplace channel because at least with the sound you can pretend :)

Because you just can't stand nicely next to the tree for a picture.

Oh we need to do yoga in front of the tree.

Volcano pose- beginning.

Volcano pose- explosion.

2011-12-14T13:55:00.001-07:00

December 10th 2011

Gemini Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse

5:45- 7:20am

Nosehill Park Calgary, AB

Once the sun began to rise and the moon was on its way down it got close to the street lights so you can see the light coming in on either side in this picture.

Later that day I went to my friend Deb's house where she taught a group of us to make our own drums. I have wanted my own drum for many years but always knew that I wanted to make it. This was a wonderful and magickal day.

My drum is 15" and the hide is from elk. It is absolutely beautiful! We punched the holes along the outside of the hide and then wove the lacing in and brought it all up around.

My drum after I had it all laced and bound together. I have a nice thick binding on the back that will be a good hand grip.

My tomtom

All done, just waiting to dry. It has been drying since Saturday and I think that tomorrow I will begin to work with it. So excited!

2011-12-06T10:12:00.001-07:00

Better late then never. Here are the pictures from Halloween.

Alyssa wanted to be a witch again. And since she grows slowly she used last years costume. Emerson was the knight. We got this a while ago for the dress up box and it is just so cute! I mean, tough and manly ;)

Aly casting a spell on the ghosts.

Witchy cackle.

Emerson practicing his moves to slay the dragon.

My insanely adorable niece Victoria who was born in June. Auntie Melissa made her this costume.

Here's Victoria with Nana in the outfit we bought her. Its a little tule skirt with the tights and her onesie says I'm a good witch with a picture of a kitty witch on it.

It was a great halloween, Alyssa's best friend Teagan and her Mom came trick or treating with us. The kids got a ridiculous amount of candy and we just did one side around the block and their bags were overflowing.

2011-11-12T08:23:00.001-07:00

Pumpkin Carving

Emerson has a terrible gag reflex but fought through it so he could scoop out some of the pumpkin's guts.

After Alyssa did a lot of "Eeeww, Gross!" She went first to show Emerson how you can scoop out the insides.

Our scary pumpkin, the other one had "scary" happy face. Travis does a great job every year carving.

2011-10-19T14:27:00.003-06:00

Alyssa's Spark Enrollement night. The second year girls helped the first year girls walk across the rainbow. Then Alyssa had to say her promise for her leader "I promise to share and be a friend" she spoke very well and clear I could hear her from where I was sitting.

Alyssa's leader sprinkled sparkles on her head and tapped her with a magic wand so she could become a spark.

Her other leader gave her the spark pin that goes on her sash.

After all the girls had become sparks we got to make a fairy craft. Alyssa and I read the instructions carefully.

Alyssa showing off her fairy in progress.

Nana came to watch Alyssa's enrollement too. It was special for us to watch Aly this night because that makes 3 generations of guiding. I'm sure Alyssa will have as much fun and make many friends just like I did during my guiding years.

2011-10-19T13:52:00.002-06:00

The best cookies are the homemade ones- especially when they have to be gluten free.

I struggle with baking because everything is very time consuming so it is a special treat when we bake cookies. I found a great oatmeal cookie mix to speed things up a bit, I substituted the required corn syrup for honey instead. I also had to leave out the raisins, some members of the family are particular about textures with food and cooked raisins do not go over well. M&Ms were an acceptable alternative :)

2011-10-19T13:33:00.002-06:00

A few weeks ago I was feeling like the city was just too much and I needed to get out. The kids and I headed to one of my favorite places, Johnson Lake. Every time I visit I feel calm and peace surrounding me. Alyssa loves that I can show her the exact spot where Daddy and I got married.

This day we went for a hike around the lake. Its an easy 3km. On the trail we passed a group from a tour bus, a few of them stopped to comment on the kids going around the whole lake and how they were such troopers. Aly looked at me and rolled her eyes, I had to try really hard not to laugh at her. I'm glad the kids are big enough they can do these little hikes on their own and Travis and I don't have to pack them anymore.

Many a stop was made to throw things into the lake. We had fun discovering what things would sink and float.

This little brown squirrel was making quite a racket as we passed by and he ran up the branches right in front of us. Emerson and Alyssa were thrilled that he just sat there at eye level so we could watch him for a few minutes.

I showed the kids how to race leaves and sticks like my brothers and I use to do when we were younger. For those of you who have never have you find a leaf or stick then drop it on one side of the bridge and watch to see who's comes out on the other side first. This stream was slow enough that if gave the kids time to move from one side to the other.

Alyssa has always got to get at least one posed picture in.

On the far side of the lake, half way we stopped for more rock throwing.

Gorgeous fall leaves all around us.

The walking stick/staff we found floating in the lake.

It has a real neat collection of bug trails in it.

Alyssa leaving some messages for the faeries. Later on her and Emerson decided to write LOVE in the dirt along the trail so the animals, birds and trees would now they loved them too. How sweet are my kids?!

Showing Emerson how far he has to climb up. He didn't make it but they found something else that made up for it. See pic below.

Taking a rest on a patch of soft squishy moss. The kids had fun seeing all the different kinds of moss and lichen there are. Alyssa was annoyed that I did not know all their names. I think we'll borrow a book from the library the next time before we go out for a hike so we can identify them.

The area where Travis and I got married. Every time I come out here I bring a little gift to leave in the area. Today it was two clear quartz points with some sage, sweetgrass and cedar that I put in the stream by some rocks.

On the far side of the lake this little squirrel came to see us. It would run out look at us and run back and did that four or five times it was so cute and the kids kept giggling at him. Luckily one of my pics turned out.

2011-09-29T21:44:00.000-06:00

There are days when the kids love having their pictures taken and they can really ham it up. Here are a couple of the last few weeks when they were especially hamming it up.

Alyssa's pose for pictures

Emerson will wear anything on his head like a hat. Today it was his pajama bottoms, usually he prefers his underwear.

Both of the kids really want to learn how to whistle loudly.

Practicing her eyeball roll, just like her Mama.

2011-09-29T20:43:00.000-06:00

Family Craft Night!

We pre heated the oven to 200. Using up the broken crayons first we took off all the paper and mixed and matched colours and colour families.

We used the silicone ice cube trays from IKEA. These are Aly's combinations.

Emerson used the whale/fish mould.

We had them in the oven for 10min and they still needed more time, so I put the temp up to 210 and did another 5 min. They came out nicely melted. I put them outside to cool quicker.

The next morning the kids got to wake up and try out their new crayons.

Alyssa's brown and copper combo, she loved how it turned out.

This week begins Aly's sharing time in class, once a week and it is like an oral presentaion not just a show n' tell. Aly practiced what she how she was going to tell the kids in her class about how we made recycled crayons. She reports that her teacher gave her a big thumbs up after her turn :)

Emerson really liked his but we discovered that many of the whale tails broke off when we popped them out. Next time we will use a more solid shape. Also, not all crayons are created equal. The cheaper kind- anything not crayola has different wax that will leave a clear layer so the kids don't get any colour. Had to shave off a few of the crayons that were below our standards.

2011-09-29T11:57:00.000-06:00

My Niece Victoria Lucy Spragg (my Brother Nick and Sis in Law Kim's little girl) was born June 28th

Alyssa LOVES her!

Emerson says she is very cute! and can't remember her name but calls her strawberry because of her shirt

He did well holding her

The cousins together- Emerson, Alyssa, Victoria and Harry

Victoria loved Aly too. She smiled and cooed and it was adorable! Finally Alyssa has another girl around.

2011-09-29T11:32:00.000-06:00

Visiting with friends last weekend, the little boys are getting so huge!

Austin snagged himself a can of beer

Austin Crooks 10 months old

Alyssa and Emerson took turns pushing Matthew around on the little car.

Matthew d'Abadie 1yr.

Maui Day 2 Morning Beach Time

2011-07-02T11:40:00.000-06:00

Because of the time change of 7hrs or so Alyssa and Emerson were awake at 3am! We spent some time playing in our hotel room, watching some cartoons and having breakfast. Around 6am we couldn't put it off any longer we needed to get to the beach! Kannapali beach is magnificent, really truly the most soft beautiful beach we have ever been on. The undertow can be pretty strong and there is a quick drop off not too far out but the kids were aware and listened really well.

Cute little footprints in the sand.

We met up with Harry and Uncle Peter who were out for a walk. The kids had fun playing in and running away from the waves together.

One of my favorite pictures from Maui. (that's saying something considering there around 1600)

My heart just melts when I see this face and it expresses exactly what we felt like in Maui.

Emerson loved playing in the sand, running, digging and rolling down the sand banks. He is a little tentative of the water still but still had fun in it. I think he prefers the pool because it was easier for him to move around in.

Click on this pic to bring it up larger. He is covered in sand and couldn't be happier :)

Grandpa Jack, Travis and Uncle Peter

Trying a hand at building sandcastles but the tide was coming in and took it out pretty quickly. Travis spent so much of his childhood on beaches in the sand and he loves being able to share that with the kids.

April 28th Maui Day 1

2011-07-01T21:51:00.000-06:00

Our trip to Maui began when we left Calgary on Thursday April 28th at 7am, it was snowing. On our flight with us was Nana April, Grandpa Jack, Auntie Becca, Uncle Peter and Harry.

The kids did really well on the very long 7hr plane ride. They played with new toys, coloured and listened to music on the ipod shuffle. Aly and Emer especially love listening to the Robert Munsch stories we had on there.

Complimentary Mai Tai before we touched down. I think all of the adults were very much appreciative of some alcohol after the flight.

I loved watching the clouds. They are so beautiful.

Our first glimpse of Maui.

Our plane.

Alyssa and Emerson had to run and jump as much as possible after being cooped up in the plane for so long. They did laps while Travis picked up our rental car.

The road to Kannipali

Out for the count. Between the plane ride, time change, and heat they were both done.

The view from our room.

I missed their first time on the beach in Maui because I had a migrane, I was having a nap in the cool dark hotel room. I caught up to Travis and the kids when they were trying out the pool. It was perfect, it had a nice shallow area for the kids that was blocked off from the rest of the space.

Our first Maui sunset. Heavenly.

2011-05-27T20:11:00.000-06:00

Alyssa's 5th Birthday May 21st 2011

Instead of having a big party Aly opted to have her two BFFs go horsebackriding with Auntie Becca and Nana. The horses are boarded out near Cremona so we all drove out together.

Sassy all dressed up for the birthday girl.

Olivia, Teagan and Alyssa

Auntie and Aly

Auntie, Aly and Sassy going over the bridge

Nana with Olivia on Diamond

Alyssa got a scooter for her birthday from Nana, Grandpa and Auntie. She rode it quite a bit for the first few days. Then the rain set in and everyday she asks if its time to go skootering yet.

2011-05-21T09:26:00.000-06:00

Neenee's annual Easter hunt

Sack races for the Daddies

Mmmm fresh strawberries

Kieran the Strawberry monster

Alyssa ran up and down this huge hill about 5 times

Emerson not really wanting his picture taken, so it begins.

Race to fill up buckets with sand

Smiley Nolan the Easter Bunny

Emerson loving the swings and how high he can fly on them

2011-05-21T08:29:00.000-06:00

I have a lot of pictures to catch up on. April and May were very busy months for us so over the next couple of weeks I will try and post every couple of days.

Ready and chomping at the bit to begin the hunt.

The Easter Bunny is getting trickier with the hiding spots for easter eggs. The kids got a good haul of chocolate eggs. Their favorites are the mini eggs and the sweedish berry bunnies.

2011-03-25T08:14:00.000-06:00

A couple of weekends ago we went out to the Cross Iron Mills mall to get Alyssa's ears pierced. She had wavered on and off, unsure of how much it would hurt etc. Then last month we saw a little girl around the same age getting her ears done. I took Aly to speak with her about how much it hurt and if she liked her earrings. She told Alyssa that yes it hurt but only for a little bit, that sold Alyssa.

After Alyssa got her ears pierced we had french fries from New York fries and a Jugo Juice. Its a special treat because they're practically the only things they can have when we go out to the mall. Following that we took a walk around and stopped in at Chapters to read some stories. We found out on Saturday mornings they have crafts and face painting. Alyssa got fairy swirls and Emerson got a batman mask, there were many tears shed when we had to wash it off at bedtime.

2011-03-18T18:22:00.000-06:00

Emerson went down the slide head first, even though he knows he's not suppose to. Puppy decided that since he was right there she should keep dropping the ball right in front of him until he would throw it for her.

Alyssa rolled her eyes at me since I was taking pictures. Click on the pictures and all you can see is the whites of her eyes, the kid looks possessed!

Enjoying the change in weather and spending some time outside playing in the backyard.

2011-02-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

Nana took the kids and I to the Hitmen game on Saturday night. It was the first time the kids have been to a real game at the Saddledome and they were so excited.

To celebrate the Chinese New Year there was dragon dancers at intermission.

Emerson sat still almost the entire game, which hardly ever happens on a regular basis. It goes to show just how much he loves hockey.

The kids cheered for the Hitmen and entertained the surrounding fans.

At the second intermission there was a bunch of young kids showing off their skills.

Alyssa and Nana enjoying the game.

The Hitmen lost in over time but it didn't damper the experience for the kids at all. They had a blast watching the game and getting to stay up way past their bedtime.

Fireworks after the game. It was quite loud for the kids but they still liked them.

2011-02-09T22:23:00.002-07:00

Harry, Alyssa and Emerson. Having cousins close in age is lots of fun!

2011-02-09T21:54:00.001-07:00

The last weekend of January I escaped the city to enjoy some time in the mountains with two wonderful friends. Danielle, Kim and I had a fantastic visit. Its incredible what a day away with Soul Sisters can do for you.

2011-01-25T16:40:00.000-07:00

These pictures I took along the drive from Lake Louise to Banff. They're all taken from inside the van.

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE the mountains?! If there was a way for us to live out here I would make the move in a heartbeat. I feel relaxed and energized at the same time. Our mountains are so magical, I hope to be spending much more time out here this year.

2011-01-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

Sunday Travis and I took the kids out to Lake Louise to see the ice sculptures that they do. We have been wanting to go for years but the weather has always been way too cold to bring young kids out.

I love the drive out into the mountains.

The kids were really patient while we waited 1 1/2hrs in line to take the shuttle up to the Lake since it was so busy they were not allowing anyone to drive up and park in the main lot. While waiting we checked out the little critter area where they had balloon animals, face painting and crafts. The kids and I only had time to get balloon animals before Travis came running in to tell us it was time to get on the bus.

Alyssa's pony she named Crystal.

Emerson's Dinosaur he named T-Rex

The ice sculptures were amazing! Sadly we got there too late, to see the demonstrations and do the people's choice voting. We all had a good time walking around to see all the different ones.

Its hard to see but its Harry Potter on the left and Fluffy, the 3 headed dog from The Socerer's Stone book.

The detail on these sculptures was just incredible!

I thought this fairy was beautiful... and then I went around to see the front of her... she looks like she belongs in a Lord of the Rings Adult movie, if you know what I mean.

Sorry for the closeup of the most un realistic headlights I've ever seen but I had to get a picture of that ball of ice with the rose carved inside. Seriously awesome!

This one was my very favorite. The Goddess of Nature it was called.

The lake with the frozen castle. We were going to go skating but once we saw the line up just to take the shuttle I did not want to have to carry all of our gear around too. The kids would have lasted 5 min on the ice and we probably wouldn't have been able to walk to see all the sculptures.

Trav and Emerson on the way back down the mountain. Aly didn't want to get her picture taken, she was tired and completely uncooperative. After we got all bundled into the van we headed to Banff for dinner at Magpie and Stump. Yummy gluten free Mexican food, good way to end the day.

2011-01-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

Emerson loves monster trucks! He plays with them everyday for hours at a time. Travis took some cardboard boxes and made Emers a few ramps and jumps for his trucks.

Aly likes to be the mechanic and fix the trucks when they've broken something.

When they're done Alyssa lines them up for Emerson so he can drive them again. Travis and I really enjoying watching the kids play and make up games together.

2011-01-24T08:36:00.000-07:00

Emerson's 3rd Birthday Party

The first weekend of January we celebrated Emerson turning 3! Uncle Peter let us use his home so we could go skating across the street at the community rink and then come in to play and party. It was a chilly day to skate but all the kids went out and braved the wind for a bit of ice time.

Emerson, Alyssa, Olivia, Kieran, Danika, Bryce, Griffin, Rowan, Harry, Carter, Nate, Nolan, Dawson and the parents, Aunts, Uncles and Granparents. It was a full house and Uncle Peter's table was perfect for all the big kids to sit at together.

Emerson enjoyed his chocolate cupcake with blue icing.

Iron Man!

Cousins- Emerson, Alyssa, Harry

Happy 3rd Birthday Emerson! I hope your next 3 are as fun and exciting as the first have been.

Love you lots!

2011-01-02T21:38:00.000-07:00

Christmas morning Aly woke up at 5am, thankfully she let us convince her to cuddle up in our bed until Emerson woke up just after 7.

Our little family had a nice, fairly quiet morning opening gifts, playing with new toys and puzzles and having Waffles for breakfast.

Emerson turned to us and said "Look! I'm a red eyed tree frog!" Later he put those on his fingers again and said to me "Did you know Mommy that that tree frogs hands are sticky?!" haha. Too cute!

Uncle Peter hosted Christmas dinner this year. It was nice to have the space for the kids to run around and play. Of course the big boys- Uncle Peter, Uncle Nick and Daddy had fun playing too.

Uncle Nick.

Emerson and Uncle Chad building up a baricade to they could smash it down.

2011-01-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

Christmas Eve with the Heads.

Grandpa Ken, Emerson, Alyssa and Travis

Uncle Dax and Kieran

Playing a little hockey.

Piggieback ride on skates.

Aly and Neenee.

Nolan, Alyssa, Kieran and Emerson

Just look at that smile on Nolan's face. He is such a smilie baby- so cute!

I really didn't get a chance to get many pics of the kids opening presents, they really dug in and went wild.

2011-01-02T20:33:00.000-07:00

Poor Aly just before Christmas she got a cut and a bruise on her face. The cut was from Emerson, he threw a toy at her, and she got the bruise from wrestling with Emerson. Both within a day of eachother, at least my little girl is tough!

Have I mentioned Emerson likes hockey? Here is is watching a game on TV and playing at the same time.

2010-12-17T15:25:00.000-07:00

Posing with Daddy before our night out.

Grandma Karen and Grandpa Bob took us to Stage West to see Rudolph

Getting Grandma's camera.

Concentrating on taking a picture.

Being a ham.

Sam the Snowman and Mrs. Claus

Rudolph- he was pretty silly.

Clarice- she had a beautiful voice.

2010-12-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

Alyssa all dressed up and ready to go to her Christmas concert at preschool. She was thrilled that I made her hair curly by putting it in hot rollers.

The 6 little Angels of the Nativity Play.

I couldn't get everyone into one picture. But there was a little lamb, Mary, Joseph, three stars, 2 shepards, 6 angels, 3 wiseman (and a partridge in a pear tree-haha) One of the teachers read out the story and they came out in their groups as their part was read. Once they were all up there Aly's friend on the left said "What kind of play is this? We don't get to do anything!" Not many people heard her but I was sure laughing.

After their Nativity play they sang "Away in a Manger" "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" "Rudolph" "Jingle Bells" "Ring the Bells" "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

This is "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" and the kids swing their arms. They were all going opposite directions and I am amazed none of the kids got injured. haha.

Alyssa was happy to pose for pictures all dressed up.

Emerson, not so much

2010-12-16T03:37:00.000-07:00

Last week we put up and decorated our Christmas tree. Travis and I re-arranged the living room after much discussion and I think it turned out really well. The kids were really good helping trim the tree, we just had to keep reminding Emerson to put ornaments on different branches. Next up... wrapping some presents to put under the tree. Alyssa and Emerson can hardly wait!

2010-12-11T21:37:00.001-07:00

Alyssa and Emerson pretend to be different animals, mostly horses and kitty cats. Aly had drawn on Emers before and I didn't think she'd do it again... but she did... so I had to get it on camera.

"No more pictures Mommy!"

2010-12-11T21:21:00.001-07:00

Nana April's work had a Christmas party at the zoo this year. We were invited to go along to meet Santa and stay for zoolights.

Aly took this picture of Travis

Santa was so great taking the time to really chat with all the kids.

Building Igloos with Nana and Daddy

Playing snowman bowling

Trying to get a family picture but the kids did not want to cooperate

But they would get a pic with Nana

The music and lights to the Hippopotamus song was great!

A few really neat ice carvings

The weather was perfect, just a little chilly but no wind

2010-12-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

The kids have taken to sitting in the window. Why? I have no idea but it makes for some cute pics in the natural light.

2010-12-02T10:56:00.000-07:00

You can't see it well in the pictures but Alyssa decided to make her brother's hair spikey and took Travis' hair gel. There were gobs of it and I had to put my hands through Emerson's hair 3 times and rinse them under hot water to get rid of the majority of it. These pics I took after that, but there was still so much in it.

2010-12-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

After only 6 times both Alyssa and Emerson are skating on their own! Aly has really got into it and doesn't want any help at all. Emerson likes being able to shoot the puck and skate after it. He's still very slow but I can see him getting more confident by the end of the winter. Travis bought a couple of pucks that are lightweight which is perfect for the kids.

Last Sunday we were at Rosemont community hall. They have 2 outdoor rinks. We were there with the Nicolls and the McGowans. Aly and Emer watched the big boys skate around and slide on the ice in wonder. They can hardly wait until they can go that fast :)

2010-11-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

New housecoats and slippers just in time for the chilly weather that hit us. We're not big fans of socks in our house but the cold temps have made it just a wee bit too cold for bare feet all the time.

2010-11-28T10:54:00.001-07:00

Alyssa's baby. haha. Travis wrapped up Emerson so that Aly could have a baby to hold. She's told me that she would like a baby sister- most often on a day when her and Emerson aren't getting along. They have a lot of fun together most of the time playing pretending to be babys, animals etc.

2010-11-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

Winter has arrived in full force. To make up for the lack of snow in October and the beginning of November Mother Nature has dumped a whole pile on us! Both the kids were really excited to see the snow and begged to go out and play. I told Emerson he had to wait until it got light out and he said it is light out, I explained that the backyard's motion sensor light did not count as light since I meant daylight. He still disagreed with me but knew that he wasn't going to get his way for a couple of hours.

It takes all most as long to get Aly and Emers into all their gear as it does for them to play, get cold and want to come in. Alyssa showed Emers to make snow angels and hide Achilles' toys in the snow for her to sniff out.

2010-11-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

Alyssa and Emerson have started skating! We've been out 5 times so far and they are doing so well! Aly can skate on her own a tiny bit and Emers has good balance but gets too excited and wants to go fast. haha.

Travis and I take them to the Oval or Cardel but prefer the Oval since they have the red push bars for the kids to skate with. Emerson is obsessed with hockey so he insists on wearing his jersey every time we skate :)

2010-11-23T22:42:00.000-07:00

Kids say the funniest things. You really never know what is going to come out of their mouths and most of the time it catches you off guard. Travis has a great sense of humour, you don't see it until you get passed his reserved front but after you'll get lots of laughs with him. Alyssa has inherited his wit, and I am so glad! It keeps us laughing a lot around here.

The other day we were driving Travis to work. We passed Queens Park Cemetary- you may remember that on another occasion it started a very heavy and intense conversation about death, dying, aging, afterlife etc. Really that 4yr old has a lot of serious questions. This particular day though Alyssa sees the Cemetary and says "Hey! that's where you go to die!" I explain that when you pass away you are buried in the cemetary. "What do they just cut you up into pieces and put you in a hole?" Alyssa says. "No" I say "After you die you can chose between getting buried in a really pretty box called a coffin or you can be cremated and your ashes are put in a fancy jar called an urn" Alyssa replies "Oh, well you certainly wouldn't fit in a jam jar!"
Travis and I got a good laugh.

Since Aly felt like she was on a roll she made faces and said silly stuff to Emerson beside her in the back so the two of them were in hysterics. Once we all stop giggling Alyssa says "Laughing is funny and tickles your heart" Serious cuteness.

2010-11-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

An afternoon at the park.

2010-11-05T18:40:00.001-06:00

An afternoon at Edworthy Park

After school we headed down to meet up with Joanna, Matthew and Karen. We stopped off at Avatara pizza and got some gluten free pizza to have a picnic at the park.

The kids just wanted a cheese pizza but I got the Picasso. Chicken, sundried tomatoes, red and green peppers, pine nuts, feta cheese, artichokes- Mmmm!

It was a beautiful day but definately didn't feel like the 17- 20 the forecasters were saying.

Matthew d'Abadie.

If your parents find you missing its because I stole you to cuddle with, or maybe eat you. Because you are just that cute!

Thinking about smiling.

Alyssa was tickling him with a long piece of grass.

There is no trace of baby left in that adorable face.

Click on this photo to enlarge it, Aly's face is awesome!

Finally some great fall leaf pictures.

Alyssa was throwing up leaves and spinning :)

This is one of the reasons fall is my favorite season.

Making a nest of leaves for Emerson to sleep on.

Cutest d'Abadie ever!

In case you're wondering why there aren't many pictures of Alyssa its because she didn't want pictures taken today. The only ones she said it was ok to get of her was in the leaves. The one I did catch of her when she was running by she demanded I delete and wanted to see me do it. I luckily distracted her and she forgot about it. Good grief, I am in SO much trouble, between her and Emerson I may have to get heavily medicated when they enter the teen years.

2010-10-31T23:13:00.000-06:00

A combination of pictures from Alyssa's preschool Halloween party and today's trick or treating.

2010-10-31T22:52:00.000-06:00

Halloween decorations went up right after Thanksgiving. I LOVE Halloween and the kids are really getting into it too. Alyssa requested that Halloween be spookier this year.

In the kitchen I took down my scrapbooking pages and filled the frames with Halloween paper. Above the frames says Be Afraid of things that go bump in the night. There are spider webs everywhere and the picture frames on the piano change when you pass them from people into scary skeletons.

We put these up in the living room and Alyssa said "Oh Mommy our very own bat cave! Thank-you!" This made me laugh and there's a bit of a story there. When house hunting Travis and I made notes on the houses we saw and even nic-named a few so we could keep them all straight. When we viewed this house the previous owner was a huge batman fan. There were batman items everywhere so we named this house the Bat Cave. haha.

My tall branches with spider webs and a few black birds.

Travis made the wands from sticks that we picked up in the mountains. He carved them down and stained them with a few coats.

The kids are fasinated by the trails in the wood left by the bugs.

2010-10-31T22:19:00.000-06:00

Pumpkin Carving!

Travis found 4 gorgeous pumpkins for our front step this year.

Inspecting the pumpkin's insides.

Everyone got to choose a design to be on one of the pumpkins. Like always they turned out awesome. Travis is the best pumpkin carver!

2010-10-31T09:06:00.002-06:00

Thanksgiving long weekend Uncle Al and Auntie Gina were in town. On friday afternoon we met up with them and Joanna and Matthew at the zoo.

This was so cool! This python is HUGE and I have never seen it move before. Today it was moving all up along the glass, the kids loved it.

Reminded me of Harry Potter :)

You hardly catch the hippos out of the water and walking around. Emerson and Alyssa liked being able to see them like this. When they're in the water they're usually on the edge and not that easy to see.

Uncle Al holding Baby Matthew d'Abadie. He's only 3 weeks old here.

Auntie Gina, Uncle Al, Matthew, Emerson and Alyssa in the butterfly garden. There wasn't very many in there today.

Tiger came over to say hi!

Aly and Emer rolling down the hill.

Mountain Lion out and enjoying the late afternoon sun. We don't see this one very often either. It was a great day to see some animals that we don't usually get a chance to.

Feeding the ducks.

Big Grey Owl winking at us. Pretty cool shot. We spent over 4hrs at the zoo and didn't leave until closing time. It was a great afternoon and it was made even better by getting to visit with Al, Gina and Joanna.

2010-10-31T08:32:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago Alyssa and Emerson were goofing around before bed. Aly went to run out of the bathroom and ran straight into the door. She didn't cry much so it wasn't until I went to wash her face a couple minutes later that I saw this huge goose egg! I yelled for Travis to grab some ice and we kept an eye on her for the evening to make sure she didn't have a concussion. It healed really fast, it was back to normal before the week was up.

2010-10-26T16:41:00.003-06:00

A very chilly but fun time at the Calgary Corn Maze just east of Calgary. We went with Uncle Dax, Auntie Kyla, Kieran, Nolan and Neenee. Petting and feeding the goats, a walk through the kid's maze, a ride on the tetter totter a couple of slides and then a walk through the big maze.

We'll do this again next year, maybe earlier in the season though. I think this would be a lot of fun to do with adult teams using flashlights at night :)

2010-10-26T16:38:00.000-06:00

A gorgeous day in the mountains. Travis and I took the kids and Achilles out to Banff on the 10th for a couple of little hikes. First we went to the Hoodoos, we walked along the paved trail and then headed further along a hiking and biking trail for a couple of km.

Hoodoos.

Alyssa posing. I'm not sure why she chose this but she looks like she's going to start bustin' out some break dancing moves.

Here I am!

Love this pic! We picked up some perfect kid sized walking sticks.

One of my favorite pictures from the day. I'll be printing this in a 5 x7 or an 8 x 10. Being out here in the mountains rejuvenates my soul.

After around the Hoodoos we went to Johnson Lake.

Aly floated leaves down the stream.

This place is sacred to me. Halfway up on the right hand side is where Travis and I were married 7yrs ago. Every time I come here I feel that same beautiful and powerful energy. I smile when i'm here or when I look at a picture of this lovely spot.

Smiley man Emerson. His eyes are so cool! A green and grey colour with little flecks of brown. Does it get classified as Hazel? I'm not sure, not enough brown I think. Click on the picture to see it larger.

You can not be beside water and not want to throw some rocks in. We could have stayed here for hours.

A pretty little waterfall further down the trail.

Opposite view from the bridge looking down towards where Travis and I were married.

A perfect day with the family. After our hikes we headed into Banff for dinner at the Magpie and Stump- such good gluten free Mexican inspired food. Then a little walk around town and back home.

2010-10-02T23:40:00.001-06:00

Last Saturday was Princess and Prince day at the Calgary Zoo. It was an important day because of the endangerment to frogs, all Princes and Princesses were asked to come and learn about frogs and raise awareness for them.

Alyssa was more than happy to be able to get all dressed up as a Princess to hang out at the zoo but Emerson wouldn't budge. He had to be a dragon. This is his Halloween costume that we picked up last month but he LOVES it and who better than to protect a Princess than a pet Dragon :)

Nana April and I took them down and we had a great morning together.

Aly loved meeting the Stampede Queen and Princesses

Miss Teen Southern Alberta. Aly loved her dress.

We took turns blowing bubbles.

Chasing bubbles.

Catching bubbles.

Playing kiss the frog.

Watching a jousting match

That turned into a sword fight after the Knights had knocked one another from their horse.

And of course learning all about frogs.

We ran into the Mak family and Aly and Olivia are such good buddies. They even were matching in their purple dresses.

Running along together to get icecream. It was free to all the Princesses.

Alyssa being a complete ham.

Olivia hearing the Allosaurus roaring from Dinosaur park.

Carter and Emerson enjoying some icecream.

Emerson takes the tiniest licks. I had to help him so it didn't melt all over him.

Carter and Liv

Carter

Alyssa and Olivia giving Carter a ride. Aly still hamming it up!

Aly's turn.

Time to take the boys for a spin.

Running down the hills, we had to take turns making sure they didn't lose control and run into other people or run over themselves.

LOVE this pic! They are all having so much fun.

Listening to the T-Rex roar!

Alyssa taking a peek at some fossilised dinosaur poop. Ewww!

2010-10-02T22:10:00.000-06:00

Alyssa loves curly hair. Every time we see someone especially a girl around her age with curly hair Aly sighs. Yes, she sighs. "Oh Mommy, isn't her curly hair just beautiful. I just love curly hair. I wish my hair was curly too." One night before bed I was telling her how when I was little I loved and wished I could have curly hair too and my Grandma Mabel would put pin curls in my hair. Alyssa begged me to do it and she was almost perfectly still as I put all her hair in big pin curls after her bath. The next morning it didn't turn out as we had hoped.... she slept on one side of her head most of the night so that side ended up being more flat than the other. She wouldn't let me take a picture because she said it looked too crazy. I think next time we'll try it with soft rags, i'm going to google it and see what other options might work :)

2010-09-14T21:21:00.000-06:00

Sorry no pictures today, just a couple of cute stories about Emerson before I forget them. Both happened earlier today.

After lunch I let the kids have some jellybeans. Emerson always eats his quickly and asks for more which he usually doesn't get. Alyssa eats hers slowly and I'm beginning to think she might do this because she knows her brother eats them fast and she can torment him with the fact she still has some. But today after I tell him he can't eat anymore Alyssa offers to share some of her remaining jellybeans. She hands over a couple to Emerson. He says "Thanks Aly but I want ALL your jellybeans!" Haha. Nice try Emer.

Alyssa back in ballet and her first class was tonight. Emerson came with us since Travis wasn't home from work yet. When class was almost out I said to Emerson "Come on buddy, Aly's class is done in 5 min lets get our shoes on so we're ready to go" all Emer hears is "lets get our shoes on and go" I know this because he bursts into tears. Huge sobbing tears roll down his face, and he wails "We can't go without Alyssa, we have to wait for Aly, Mommy don't leave without my Aly" It was so sweet and I started to tear up and laugh. How nice that he loves his sister so much, and how silly that he thinks I would go without her. I gave him big hugs, promised we were not leaving without her.

2010-09-09T12:38:00.001-06:00

Alyssa's first day of 4yr old preschool. She's goes MWF in the morning. We found out that we've been given the option to switch classes into Miss Teresa and Miss Monika from last year. Aly is thrilled to be with them again! She'll start in their class on Friday.

Alyssa decided that pants are ok for playing outside in but she wants to have more skirts and dresses. She wants to be more fancy. There is a book series we read, i'm sure i've mentioned, called Fancy Nancy. Its about a little girl who likes to make everything fancy from her clothes, accessories and vocabulary. We had to do some back to school shopping since the kids have gone through a growth spurt, Aly got this dress and these sparkly pink light up shoes, a couple skirts and warm tights for the fall weather.

2010-09-09T12:26:00.000-06:00

Auntie Becca took Alyssa and Emerson to pet some of the other horses.

Feeding the rainbow trout in the pond.

There are a lot of big rainbow trout in the pond!

Nana first heard the bat and we got closer to check it out.

2010-09-09T12:09:00.000-06:00

The last ride with Auntie Becca before she moves to Olds College to start her Equine Science program.

2010-09-04T12:06:00.000-06:00

Emerson had a reaction to what we think was a bug bite of some kind. His right ear swole up, was red and so puffy. It didn't bother him at all and he was in good spirits all day. I had him assessed by Healthlink and they figured he didn't need to be seen even though we have no idea what he reacted to. Emer also had a terrible bum rash on the left cheek. Weird. But at least it wasn't serious, it didn't slow him down and it was back to normal by the end of the next day.

2010-09-04T11:58:00.000-06:00

New Hair Cut!

I needed a change for my hair. Its been long for so long and I've become lazy and throw it in a pony tail because its the easy morning go to. Since i'm going to be 30 at the end of October I felt I needed a more grown up and sophisticated look. Its not a wash and go cut but i'm ok with that for right now.

2010-09-04T11:48:00.001-06:00

Travis was competing in the Pan American Championships for karate in Guyana during August. These are some pictures he took of the country and pictures from our friends from the competition.

2010-08-15T08:51:00.002-06:00

Thursday we took a little trip out to BC to Takakkaw Falls. On the way we stopped at the Sprial tunnels to watch the train go through. Emerson was impatient asking every 30sec where the train was, then where it had gone.

1, 2, 3... Weeee!

TakakkawFalls.

Nana, Papa and Auntie.

Of course we had to go down to the river to throw rocks.

The weather started out perfect and then the clouds rolled in and it started to rain. We were lucky to have made it to the falls and back to the vans in time so we didn't get wet.