6|30|2010

Cory & his crew working on the new home my sister Christa & her husband designed for their family.

6|29|2010

Our house smells like a burnt marshmallow!

This morning we had a bit of a panic.

While I was having a quick shower, I set the kids up with a show to watch on TV.

When I hopped out of the shower, a hysterical Scarlett greeted me.

I eventually understood what she was trying to tell me...

'THE KITCHEN IS SMOKING!!!'

I flew down to the kitchen (in a towel).

After a couple of seconds I realized the smoke was coming from the microwave.

It was actually BILLOWING out of the microwave!

I turned it off, there was no fire, but just alot of smoke damage.

What had happened was, Ace hadn't been feeling good with a fever,

so Scarlett wanted to warm up his snuggly dog for him to cuddle

(it has a removable bean bag tummy which you warm in the microwave).

It was actually sweet what she was trying to do,

but we never let our kids use the microwave,

so it's unfortunate she took it upon herself and it ended in disaster

(as you can see in the photo).

Poor kid, I think she learned her lesson and she was just

devastated about what happened to the puppy.

We are very fortunate we didn't have a fire!

6|28|2010

Smoothie Obsession

Ever since I came across this simple recipe on a new blog I surf, I have been obsessed with making fruit smoothies. I love how it satisfies my afternoon snack craving and is so healthy...not to mention made with ingredients we always have on hand. I often share one with Scarlett & Cory...but we have yet to get Ace to try one.

6|27|2010

Even though it was windy today, we headed to the beach for our first sandy adventure of the summer...so happy to have my ROCK back home after he tended to a family emergency in Calgary for the past 6 days.

6|26|2010

A playdate with the cousins

Fun Stuff Friday

Just some fun stuff to share with you this Friday!

Lime Ricki has the best 'Mom' swimsuits if you ask me.

Can't wait to purchase one post-pregnancy.

You can get lemon drops by the pound shipped to you from www.candy.com

I have the perfect friend in mind for this item from The Vintage Pearl.

I have been adoring subway art for some time now and came across this tutorial to make your own. Not sure when I'll get around to making one, someday I hope.

Project to keep track of all our summer to-do's, instructions can be found here. Hoping to make one this week and get our summer activities on track.

Tornado Season

Just a few short hours ago, a tornado was spotted just Southeast of Oxbow. About a 5 minute drive from town. Luckily no one was injured, but it did cause some damage at a local farm. It's that time of year again!

(I can't take credit for these photos, pulled them off of Facebook)

6|25|2010

Day One of Summer Holidays for us. We headed to the park this morning for some playtime before it became too hot. Funny how I used to play on this exact same equipment when I was a kid.

6|24|2010

Today was Ace's final day of Kindergarten.

We whipped together this little card & gift for his wonderful teacher.

He had such a great year with and we appreciate everything he has learned from her!

These were unbelievably easy to make. This is one weeks growth of grass seed planted in small terracota pots from Michaels. They are so cute, glad I have a few more to adorn my kitchen window for a while or to give away as last minute gifts.

6|23|2010

Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. ~ Emerson

Took this photo at our neighbors house, Arlie & Larry's, after a short rain.

6|22|2010

Rainbow Jell-O

This was such a fun treat to make for the kids. Took a little patience, but once these cups of rainbow goodness were done, they were so much fun to eat!

We took a few of our treats over to my friend Missy's house this morning. Here's her son Rhett havin' some jello, loved his face!

6|21|2010

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;

they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

~ Proust

6|20|2010

We made breakfast in bed for the Daddy of the house this morning. Only, he made it downstairs before we could bring it up to him. We are so blessed to have him in our lives!

Happy Fathers Day to my Dad & Cory

Any man can be a father

It takes someone special to be a DAD.

6|19|2010

The kiddos & I enjoyed a morning at the Bow Valley Park where the Batting Away Battens Disease fundraiser was going on. They had fun at the kids zone & getting their faces painted.

This evening Cory & I headed to Lobsterfest, a fundraiser to support our local swimming pool. The lobster was delicious and we had a great time with friends!

Curt & Cindy

Michelle & Patrick

Dan & Barb

Michelle & Cory

These old people were home by 10pm...hard to believe, I know. We had a wonderful time!

6|18|2010

Our Kindergarten Graduate!

Tonight was the Kindergarten Celebration at Ace's school. It was a night of great performances & accomplishment for these young students. They have all come a long way in this short year. We were so proud of Ace tonight and loved the show!

6|17|2010

Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

6|16|2010

Gardening with Nana

This morning, Nana came over to help us pot some plants. Scarlett enjoyed being her little helper.

6|15|2010

We have a sick doggy...poor thing.

She had surgery at the vet last week to investigate an on-going ear infection that wasn't clearing up. There was a ball of gunk wedged down in her ear which resulted in a burst eardrum. We brought her home, she did well for a few days and then started having a reaction to the meds. She's not herself, but we're sure she's on the mend. For now, just lots of snuggle and cuddles for our Piper.

6|14|2010

The hilite of Cory's day was picking up his new truck...so happy for him, he deserves it.

Wine Club - Malbec

Even though I don't indulge in wine at wine club while preggo, I'm so lucky to have these girls to get together with every month or so. It's so great to catch up, chit chat and have many great laughs.

The tasters of the evening:

Kendra, Lian, Michelle,

Jocelyn & Trinette

Trinette was our lovely host this evening and she made the most delicious beef roast I have EVER tasted...she's an amazing cook!

Here are the malbec reds that were tasted this evening. Malbec wines are often associated with Argentina as the grape is most popularly grown there. It is best known for it's dense violet color with sometimes hints of dark coffee, blackberries & chocolate flavors. Notes from the tasting:

The Show - 2009 - $12: nice dry red, consistent from start to finish, fruity

Alamos - 2009 - $12: spicy smell, mild dryness, smooth

Los Cowboys - 2008 - $13.40: hints of plum & chocolate, deep inky purple color

Melipal - 2007 - $19: 100% malbec, from 80 year old vinyard

The Gaucho Club - 2007 - $12: great with red meat & heavier cheese (asiago)

Loved the look of this bottle.

Mmmm, roasted sirloin tip medallions with bernaise sauce, cheese topped mashed potatoes & steamed asparagus.

And for dessert, tuxedo chocolate covered strawberries...sooo good!

Thanks again girlfriends for a wonderful evening and thanks to Trinette for being such a gracious host...and it was so cool to be able to tour your house!

6|13|2010

10 more weeks to go...can't wait to meet her!

6|12|2010

Mmmm, first corn on the cob of the season.

Photography on Friday Night

It was a treat to spend Friday evening with this little cutie Brenna. Stay tuned for more pics from her 1-year-old photoshoot on my photography website.

Feeling A Bit More Ready

Took this pic a few weeks ago...as I am currently 29 weeks now!

I knew this pregnancy would fly and with that have been getting

ready for baby, even though Cory thinks we have lots of time.

I am amazed by how far baby products have come in 4 short

years. The advantage to getting rid of most of Ace & Scarlett's

old baby stuff, is getting to shop for new items!

Since Scarlett & I will both be hangin' with this new baby girl

next year (she has one more year before she's off to Kindergarten)

we thought it would be special for her to have her very own spot

to ride on the stroller, a sit or stand option on the back. We decided

on this model and let her pick out the color: Brownie

For the car we picked up this compact infant carseat:

Picked up this cozy moses basket from target:

I knew I had found the nursery theme when a friend

showed me this adorable tulip crib bedding from Target:

Our first gift for baby from my sister Christa's family.

This is our first playpen we've owned, and we love the

owl/hoot theme. Plan on having this remain in our main

floor living room until we use it for travel.

I remember hearing years ago about the Dunstan Baby

Language. My current two were too old by this point

but I have been doing research to be ready as soon as the

new baby arrives. So exciting to actually think with 5

universal sounds newborns make they can express their

basic needs...it's worth a try!