Is w#@%&! over yet?

Yes, winter is a bad word.  It is technically spring right now and it is freezing outside.  Okay, it's not too bad, like -40 degrees we had a few weeks ago, but it is too cold for what it should be!  And if it snows one more time...even one little snow flake, I'm going to lose it.  I am pretty much going to guarantee losing it, cause it will snow again for sure, this is Alberta.

I took this picture on March 1st.  That is not with the wind chill, what made it more like -45 degrees.  EW!

I took this picture on March 3rd.  It was - 30 something.

Okay, no more complaining.  One of my co workers took this picture the day of the Olympic women's hockey gold medal game.  There was a bunch of us watching OT in the lobby.  My boss is super awesome and let me watch the game instead of working.  Can you spot me?  I am the one with my eyes glued on the TV.  I watched soooo much TV during the Olympics.  I loved every minute of it.  I would record everything during the night and watch it the next day when I could.  I can't wait for the next time!

Look at these nerds...

And these nerds...

And this nerd...spelling her name with pretzles.  She thought it was so cool and that I had to take a pic of it.  It is so cool, it is on my blog.

And then there is Hannah and her wonderful drawing skills.  She did a portrait of me while we were waiting for Taylor at karate.  Don't I look so beautiful?

When I take Taylor to piano lessons, sometimes Hannah and I just wait in the car and read.  I told her to bring a book, and she grabbed the Book of Mormon.  So cute.  This is her trying to read it on her own.

And finally, Barb and I coordinated a skype date for Taylor and Whitney.  It was so cute to hear them giggle and laugh with each other.  After a while Barb and I were talking and trying to tell the girls to be quiet so we could hear each other.

Now, my girls have the next week off for spring break!  And I took work off too.  Phew.  I will be spending most of the week sewing.  Yes, I said sewing.  Joe and I were called as tribe leaders for Moroni's Quest for our stake in August.  We need to have a flag and our costumes ready for the next fireside.

And then the next week I get to spend time with all my awesome friends in Glenwood!  I can't wait!  They don't know this yet, but I am not letting anyone leave....we will be there together...forever...

New Post!

I know I said that I would try to do more blog posts, like twice a month.  But what I really meant was once every two months....   Okay, I just need to get back into the habit of it!

For Christmas, we spent some time at the Strongs.  We always have so much fun while we are there.  And this time everyone was there.  We had fun playing outside, tobogganing behind the quads, playing games, eating, playing with cousins, and eating more.  I ate so much food, good thing I don't own a scale and always wear stretchy pants!

 Here is Brittany trying to eat and watch all three babies at the same time.  And I just came over and took a picture, didn't even help.  Haha!  I did after, I promise.

 This next picture, we had about 5 toy guns that shot plastic darts.  We chased each other around the house for about an hour.  So much fun!  I was the Sheriff.

 This game called "pong" was played every night by the boys for hours.  And I mean until 3 or 4 in the morning.  It's where you deflect ping pong balls of objects into a cup.  I played a few times, it was pretty fun!

Since the boys were up all night, I saw a lot of this going on...  Yep, he is fast asleep as he sets up a board game.

 Niki and I had fun trying to take selfies on my Canon camera.  Turned out nice I think...

 On Christmas morning, the kids were very excited to open their presents.  Look at all those stockings!

 I loved seeing their faces as they ran into the room.  There were a million presents under the tree!

 And then I opened this...

 Maren got me a headless doll for Christmas.  And the head of the doll was hiding somewhere in my house...
I actually found it a week ago with my Sunday shoes.  It is still there, I am too afraid to touch it!

Christmas Day family picture

And one with all the grandkids!

We also went to Waterton one day to go tobogganing.  It was really fun, and WINDY!!!

Now that the Valentines candy is all out, it means that this is also out...

How many bags will I eat this year?  Last year, I think it was 7.  I didn't eat them all on my own, but I ate most of them.

Things have been pretty busy since New Years.  I have been working part time and I increased my hours starting in January.  So that is my excuse for not blogging sooner!  Am I excused?

Okay...Let's do this

I am really going to try this time to be consistent on my blog posts.  And I don't mean once a year.  My goal is once a week or once every two weeks.  Now that I am away from friends and family..."tear"

Let's start with what has happened the last couple weeks.  Well, most importantly, Zoe came to visit me.

I LOVE this girl sooo much.  She is so adorable I can't even stand it.

Oh, and Maren was there too, I guess.  Haha!  I was so happy to see her.  As soon as she was here if felt like old times, like she had been here all along and we were just hanging out.  It went by way too fast.

My girls had so much fun with Zoe and Maren.  They would ask everyday for a week when they were coming.  Then after they were gone they looked so sad and depressed.

My Mumzy and Daddykins came to visit too.  My girls were in heaven.  We had some family come over too on a Sunday afternoon. It as such a fun party!  I wish it never ended.

My mumzy was the best with Zoe.  She was so nice to let Maren and I go and do stuff together whenever we wanted.  Thanks Mumzy!!!  But let's not forget THIS VIDEO.  The poop, it was everywhere!

If you look closely, you can see that Jenny and Brett were there too.  Hint, Jared is holding them in the family picture.  Oh Jenny, how we missed you.  All I could think about was how soon you would be coming.  So soon.  But first I need to get through this cold depressing long winter.  How will I survive?!

While Maren was here we planned a girls day and we all met up in Red Deer.  It was one of the best days I have had in a long time.  It could only be better if Jenny was there.  I was pretty much laughing all day and night.  I love my friends.  They are the best.  We met at a mall in Red Deer for lunch were Cassie asked an old man to take a picture of us on her phone.  We tried not to laugh when he had no idea how to use it.  I still laugh when I see his huge eye on her screen trying to take the picture.  Haha!  Finally, Maren asked a teenager (nice choice) to take the picture, boom done, in 2 seconds.

We then went to Winners where we chose ugly outfits for each other and tried them on in the change room.  Oh my, I had no idea Winners had such ugly clothes.  Barb's out fit was hilarious, and the outfit she chose for me was...interesting.

Then we went to Tarilyn's house where we exchanged our "favourite things" gifts.  So many good treats!

Next we went out to Earls where we waited for an hour to be seated to eventually sit in the lounge.

Then we went back to Tarilyn's house where we got our pjs on and talked and laughed for the next 4 hours.  My stomach hurt from laughing by the time we went to bed.  The next morning, Cassie made us breakfast, sooo good, and then we went our separate ways.  This was hard for me.  I felt like I was going the wrong way when I left.  And maybe I am crying a little writing this right now.  I miss everyone so much.  And now I am back at home...alone...again.  I have to look forward to the next time I see everyone.  The lodge.  Just concentrate on the lodge.  And Barb, make sure you bring that lovely yellow sweater.

I also have to write about how impressed I am with Taylor and her love of piano.  She has been taking lessons last year and this year.  And this year she has improved so much.  Her teacher said she is so amazed at how well and how quick she is learning.  And her teacher wants her to start on royal conservatory right away.  I am so happy that she loves piano.  I wish I did at her age.  I hope it lasts.  I have taken videos of some duets with her teacher.  Here is one video.  Here is another.  One more Here.  They are only like 30 seconds long.  I couldn't choose so I picked 3 of my favourites!

And then there is Hannah.  Oh dear.  Her school teacher asked me if Hannah was in theatre classes or if I was going to put her in classes.  My little drama queen.  Haha!  This is a portrait she drew of me...

Also, our family is singing in church tomorrow for the Christmas program.  We are singing Stars Were Gleaming.  And Taylor is singing part of the song by herself!  Wha?!!!  I thought she would never but I guess my little girl is growing up and becoming more confident.  Maren took some video of us practising while she was here.  And don't miss Zoe's piano solo at the end!  Here is the video.

I promise to post again in a week or two!