Kymberly makes me laugh. She loves to play peek-a-boo. She plays it when you change her diaper, when you put her to bed, with her bib when she is eating, or by herself when she's playing on the floor. Last night I was going through a box of clothes that my sister had given me for the girls, Kymberly was just playing on the floor when I heard her giggling, I looked up and saw that she had her blanket over her face, she was kicking and giggling uncontrollably. It was so cute, I couldn't help but play along. She is just too cute...take a look yourself.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
I have nothing to write...
...I wish I did. I envy those of my fellow bloggers that seem to often have inspirational or thought provoking posts. I've been sitting here wishing that I could come up with something of that sort, because I really feel like writing something. But nothing has come to my mind. So I sit here thinking...wasting time...just sitting...with no real thoughts of any kind...so I guess I'll go to bed. Better luck next time.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Traditions
When I was a kid, one of our summer family traditions was to go camping at Wasa Lake in BC for ten days or so. As a family we loved this area, we would spend countless hours on the beach, creating sand creatures and playing in the water during the day and in the evenings we would go to the amphitheater and watch a presentation about the wildlife or plants or just stuff about the area and then we would sit around the campfire until Mom and Dad made us go to bed. We would spend a day at Fort Steele enjoying the historical street plays and learning about how Fort Steele died because of a decision to send the rail way to Cranbrook instead of through Fort Steele. Now Cranbrook is a live and well and Fort Steele is a tourist attraction that I love. We would often take a day to go to Kimberley and enjoy walking around the Bavarian Village. And often a trip to Fairmont Hotsprings would be included on a cold and rainy (sometimes even snowy) day. We almost always took our bikes and we would ride down to the convenience store and buy candy...and wonder now where I got my money from, because I am sure I sent a lot of money at that convenience store. Sometimes we would have other family join us, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins from the Paxman side of the family. I loved these numerous vacations, I loved the area.
So when we moved back to Lethbridge in 2005, we decided that summer that we were going to start taking real summer vacations and go camping. Our first camping trip was Labour Day weekend, we didn't even have any of our own camping gear so we had to borrow everything from my brother Jace and my sister Chrystal (mom and dad were already camping). Kathryn was 3yrs old and Tansley was 4 months old. We headed up to Kikomen lake, but it was full, and the ranger suggested that we try Norbury lake. So that is where we headed. We loved it. It Looked just like Wasa Lake and was only about 20 minutes away, and just 10 minutes from Fort Steele. We set up camp and enjoyed every moment. We have been back 4 times since and every time we have taken someone else with us. In 2006 we went for the long weekend in August and took my Mother in Law, we had a blast. In 2007 we acquired most of our own camping gear. We made two trips, one on the May long weekend and took Breanne Sheilds (a family friend who was 15yrs at the time), It rained most of the time, but we still had fun. We went again for Labour Day Weekend and took Craig Sellars, a friend from High School, Daniel's Best Man and and adoptive uncle for the girls (he likes to spoil them at Christmas), that trip may have been my favorite, the weather was perfect and we had so much fun with Craig. This year we again took Breanne with us, and we enjoyed perfect weather.
It looks like we have started our own summer family tradition. And although we only spend 4 days camping, we tend to pack in a lot of fun. There will come a day when we will go for longer stretches of time. Many people think I am crazy as it is, taking three little girls camping. But they love it and look forward to it. I love it, Daniel loves it. It's just great fun all around. And although camping presents some interesting adventures, like Tansley peeing all over the floor of the outhouse because she waited to long or Kathryn pooping on the floor of that same outhouse a day later because she's holding the door shut so that Tansley won't come in because she wants her privacy (that particular out house ended up being cleaner than any other in the park), it also presents some advantages, like Kymberly started sleeping through the night while we were away camping....that is the best side effect ever!
We love Norbury Lake, it is generally less crowded and not as big as Wasa, but it is still close enough that we can enjoy the beach at Wasa Lake. This trip we didn't make it to Fort Steele, it isn't completely up and running until July 1st. Kathryn was some what dissappointed about that, but we told her that we would be coming again later in the summer and we would go then. Instead we went to the underground mining railway in Kimberley. That was kinda cool, you rode on an mining rail train and it took you underground to see what the old Sullivan mine would have looked like. Underground you stopped and a miner that had worked at that mine for 36 years gave you a tour and told you all about what goes on, and then you get back on the train and head out of the mountain and up to the Kimberley Ski resort and see some amazing sites. It was worth it's money. We enjoyed the day in Kimberley although the girls were disappointed that the singing clock was not working, well, we were told it was still working on the hour, but somebody had crazy glued a quarter in the money slot and you couldn't make it sing on demand.
I love going to the mountains. I love camping in out big huge tent. I love cooking out side. I love the smell of the food cooking mingled with the smell of the trees. I love the cool nights, and cozy sleeping bags and blankets. I love early morning walks with my girls. I love sleeping in and not having to be anywhere in particular. I love the fresh air in the morning and sitting by the fire at night. I love watching my kids play in the dirt and collect pine cones and rocks. I love to watch Kathryn take pictures, I'm sure she'll be a photographer when she grows up, at least make it a hobby like her Grandpa Forsyth. I love watching Tansley be brave and ride on the train, even though she is terrified of trains. I love remembering the things I did as a kid. But most of all I love that I am helping to create those kind of memories for my own kids, that I'm helping to create in them a love for camping like my own. I want my kids to look back at their own childhood and remember our summer family tradition and that we always had fun when we went to Norbury Lake.
So when we moved back to Lethbridge in 2005, we decided that summer that we were going to start taking real summer vacations and go camping. Our first camping trip was Labour Day weekend, we didn't even have any of our own camping gear so we had to borrow everything from my brother Jace and my sister Chrystal (mom and dad were already camping). Kathryn was 3yrs old and Tansley was 4 months old. We headed up to Kikomen lake, but it was full, and the ranger suggested that we try Norbury lake. So that is where we headed. We loved it. It Looked just like Wasa Lake and was only about 20 minutes away, and just 10 minutes from Fort Steele. We set up camp and enjoyed every moment. We have been back 4 times since and every time we have taken someone else with us. In 2006 we went for the long weekend in August and took my Mother in Law, we had a blast. In 2007 we acquired most of our own camping gear. We made two trips, one on the May long weekend and took Breanne Sheilds (a family friend who was 15yrs at the time), It rained most of the time, but we still had fun. We went again for Labour Day Weekend and took Craig Sellars, a friend from High School, Daniel's Best Man and and adoptive uncle for the girls (he likes to spoil them at Christmas), that trip may have been my favorite, the weather was perfect and we had so much fun with Craig. This year we again took Breanne with us, and we enjoyed perfect weather.
We love Norbury Lake, it is generally less crowded and not as big as Wasa, but it is still close enough that we can enjoy the beach at Wasa Lake. This trip we didn't make it to Fort Steele, it isn't completely up and running until July 1st. Kathryn was some what dissappointed about that, but we told her that we would be coming again later in the summer and we would go then. Instead we went to the underground mining railway in Kimberley. That was kinda cool, you rode on an mining rail train and it took you underground to see what the old Sullivan mine would have looked like. Underground you stopped and a miner that had worked at that mine for 36 years gave you a tour and told you all about what goes on, and then you get back on the train and head out of the mountain and up to the Kimberley Ski resort and see some amazing sites. It was worth it's money. We enjoyed the day in Kimberley although the girls were disappointed that the singing clock was not working, well, we were told it was still working on the hour, but somebody had crazy glued a quarter in the money slot and you couldn't make it sing on demand.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Oh So Much Fun!!
Tonight we had a Mother/Daughter Enrichment activity with a Beach Party theme (I am the Enrichment Leader in our ward). Mothers and Daughters of all ages joined in the fun of Hula Hooping and Surfboarding and Hula Dancing and Beachball Volleyball and just hanging out on beach towels. It was so much fun, a riot really. Most likely one of the funnest Enrichment activities I have ever been too. Pictures speak louder than words, so here, you can see for yourself.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Mother's Day Spectacular
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Because Krista doesn't think I read her blog :)
1. Do you like blue cheese? I like blue cheese salad dressing on the right salad.
2. Have you ever smoked? Not a chance
3.
Do you own a gun? Nope, But I used to shoot my dads at gophers and targets when I was a kid, I was a pretty good shot.
4. What flavor Kool Aid is your favorite? The invisible watermelon kiwi, looks like water, tastes like Kool Aid.
5.
Do you get nervous before doctor appointment? Nope, I've known my doctor to long to be nervous.
6.
What do you think of hot dogs? They taste the best cooked over an open fire.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Muppet Christmas Carol, How the Grinch stole Christmas
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Milk, if I am ambitious I'll make a smoothy...doesn't happen often.
9. Can you do push ups? ummm.... the girly kind, kinda
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? I don't have much jewelry, so it would have to be my wedding ring and anniversary set.
11. Favorite hobby? Being creative, whether that is sewing, cross stitching, creating B-day cakes, cooking, crafty thing with my kids, or even working in my gardens and canning delicious foods.
12. Do you have A.D.D.? No. I agree with Krista, that is a weird question.
13. What's your weight? More than I want it to be, by about 30 lbs
14.
Middle name? Kim, simple, plain, normal, nothing to be embarrassed about.
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.
I wonder what time my husband will get home tonight.
I can't wait to open all the little gifts that Kathryn and Tansley have been wrapping for Mother's day all week.
Why can't I lose this stupid baby fat?
16.
Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, Milk, Ginger Ale once in awhile (more often if it is diet)
17. Current worry? Is my baby going to be up all night with a fever again tonight?
18.
Current hate right now? Doing dishes by hand. I WANT A DISHWASHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
19. Favorite place to be? In my new Beautiful yard.
20. How did you bring in the New Year? Playing a stock market game with Daniel's family.
21.
Where would you like to go? Camping anywhere in the mountains. I love summer time, I can't wait to get into it!
22. Name three people who will complete this? Hmmmm, Jaime, Amy and Krista, but she tagged me first.
23.
Do you own slippers? I do, they are cheap comfy ones, not much to them but the do the job.
24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? Burgundy fading into a brightish pink.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don't know, never tried them,
26. Can you whistle? Nope, pretty pathetic I know.
27. Favorite color? Burgundy.
28. Would you be a pirate? ummm...I don't think so, I'd likely be sea sick all the time.
29.
What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't. I just stand there and let the water run over me just let things shut down for a while.
30. Favorite Girl's Name? Kathryn Love, Tansley Kaye, and Kymberly Lenae
31. Favorite boy's name? Hatch
32. What's in your pocket right now? Nothing
33.
Last thing that made you laugh? We were at the Library and Tansley had to go to the bathroom, when she was all done she grabbed a tissue and said "mom I need to take a sneeze wiper". What a great name for a tissue.
34. Best bed sheets as a child? What ever was on my bed, I didn't care.
35.
Worst injury you've ever had? When I was eight years old, on the day that I was baptized, I got my middle finger smashed in the door. I had to go to the hospital and get a big huge bandage put on my finger. It hurt like crazy, and put a bit of a damper on summer fun for a while.
36. Do you love where you live? I love everything about where I live. My house, my yard, Kathryn's school, the little grocery store that delivers, our ward.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? Just 2.
38.
Who is your loudest friend? In University it would have been me, Recently, there is a group of us from my ward that when we get together for girls night out, we are all very loud.
39. How many dogs do you have? None, two cats though.
40.
Does someone have a crush on you? yep, my Sexy Husband
41.
What is your favorite book? Through out grade school it would have been Agatha Christies "Ten Little Indians" (also titled as "And Then There Were None"), oh and of course "The Princess Bride". But more recently I read a book by Diane Nobel called "The Last Story Teller". My favorite books change from time to time these days.
42. What is your favorite candy? I am so with Krista on the Twizzlers issue, it is simply not possible to just eat a few. After reading Krista's entry, I remember that Daniel had bought a bag the other day that we had not yet broke into. I fixed that pretty quickly. But as much as I love Twizzlers, I love chocolate more, rich, creamy chocolate.
43.
Favorite Sports Team? I was converted to hockey and thus to the Oilers by a man who would not even pick up the phone to talk to me and have his mom tell me that he was busy when he was watching an Oilers Hockey game. I decided then that I would have to have him teach me about hockey so that this relationship of ours could continue in some normal fashion.....I married him three years later and we went to Three Oilers Hockey games on our honey moon, yes I went willingly and enjoyed every minute of it.
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? Anything that will make my family smile.
I tag, Amy, Jaimi, Heather, Daniel and Denise, and whoever else wants to play along and answer these interesting questions.
Pleasant Surprise
I just went downstairs to read a story to the girls and tuck them into bed, and when I walked into their room, they had picked up all the clothes that had been all over their floor. I hadn't even asked them to do it. There are still a few small toys on the floor, but they did it with out being asked, at least by me, I believe Daddy asked them to tidy up this morning before he left for work. But regardless, I did not have to nag them to get it done and It has completely changed my mood.
Thank you my beautiful children. You brightened my evening.
Nothing
BLAH! that's how I feel for no real reason at all. I was sick for about 3 days this week, and Kymberly was up many times through out the night with a fever, and has been sick all day, and so my house is a disaster. There is a huge pile of dishes in the kitchen, not likely to have anything to eat off of or with for breakfast in the morning.I really want a dishwasher!!! But I used the money I made from cresting jersey's last month to buy us(really my husband) a lawn mower, another necessity that just happened to present it's case as a need a little more strongly this time of year. It is 8:24pm and I should have Kathryn and Tansley in bed, but they are actually playing nicely together so I use that as my excuse to not put them to bed just yet. The truth is I don't feel like doing anything. All I want to do is curl up in my bed and pretend that the day is over and the new week is beginning. I'm not to sure why suddenly I feel so BLAH, I had a fairly good day, we were able to go and visit with the Reese Family (Daniel's mom's side of the family), His cousin's son, who has downs syndrome, graduated from High School this weekend, so we went to celebrate with them, and I really enjoyed visiting with the family I didn't know I had until moving here to Milk River. But despite this pleasant event, I feel BLAH. Maybe it's just because I am so stinking tired because I did not get a good nights sleep last night.
I am also frustrated because I am tired of asking people to do something for me and then having them not follow through on it. It doesn't happen often to me, but that is more to do with the fact that I don't ask many people to do things for me because I hate it when it doesn't get done, and I would have been better off just figuring out how to do it on my own with three kids(one of the sick), no husband(because he's at work), and no van(because it is at work with my husband).Yeah, it might not have been easier, but at least I would have got it done. So, more often than not, I just find a way to do it myself, because then I know it will get done and no need to be disappointed or frustrated.
Oh, and while I'm complaining, I might as well complain about the one thing that is really getting to me. I really wanted to lose a good amount of weight by my birthday in July. I have really been trying to work at it. I have drastically changed my eating habits, in a good way, cutting back the carbs and increasing the vegetables. This has been what I call my Nazi diet, because I LOVE carbs! I love fresh veggies to, but come on,home made fresh baked bread with honey vs salad? Sorry, but the bread and honey will win every time. With the change in eating I have also tried to ride my bike or go for a walk or jog when ever I can. However, I have discovered that I hate riding my bike....It is my old bike set up on a trainer in my basement. It is as boring as watching paint dry, I have nothing to really challenge me or motivate me. I need a little computer in front of me telling me how fast I am going and encouraging me to go faster or pedal harder. I try watching TV, Specifically the Price is Right and trying to make myself ride harder in between pricing games, but, it just isn't cutting it. And not only is it boring, but it is incredibly uncomfortable. I simply hate every minute that I spend on it, which isn't a good way to keep yourself doing it. As for the walk or jog, well as you know, Tansley now insists on riding her trike when ever I want to go somewhere. And no matter what I can not convince her to get into the jogging stroller. I once bribed her with chocolate, but what am I teaching her if I always bribe her with chocolate? But then again, she's already addicted to chocolate, so what if I am feeding her addiction, at least I would get my exercise in. What is frustrating is that I really have been trying, and I am just not seeing the results that I would like to see. I take off 3 pounds, and then I put on 2 pounds, I take of 2 pounds and then put on 3 pounds...and the darn cycle just keeps going, and I hate myself for failing once again. And then think that I could just be happy with how I am. But then I see pictures of me from my Bridal shower, and oh how I wish that I could look like that again. And so I keep trying, and keep working at being positive and trying to just find enough desire and energy to keep at it. My husband is fabulous through all of this, he constantly tells me that I am beautiful, gorgeous, sexy and the best looking woman in the room. And because he does, I keep trying, he fills up my desire, and strengthens my energy to keep me going.
OK that is it, I'm done complaining.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
The Perfect Birthday Party for Our 3 Year Old.
Could the weather have been any nicer today? I've been a bit obsessed about the weather for the past week. Last Sunday I did a count of how many people might be coming to Tansley's birthday party today, I needed to know how many hotdogs to buy, and to my slight astonishment I had invited 44 people (and three babies), add the 4 of us (and one baby), a total of 48 people (and 4 babies). I suddenly became concerned about the weather because we had planned to have the party out side in our nice large yard, if it was cold or raining we would have to move it inside, and although my house isn't tiny, it isn't big enough for 48 people (and 4 babies). So I've watched the weather forecast all week, and for most of the week it did not look very hopeful, and then yesterday it started to look up with a forecast of 18 degrees and a chance of showers. This morning before church the forecast was still 18 degrees but partly cloudy! That looked good to me. And sure enough, we got that beautiful weather.
Kathryn and Tansley have been practicing musical chairs all week, because Kathryn told Tansley that it was a birthday game. They would set up a bunch of chairs and set their babies and stuffed animals on them and then turn the music on and circle around the chairs. When the music went off, inevitably one of the stuffed toys was out of the game. So the birthday party could not be complete with out a round of musical chairs. Much fun was had watching 7 children under the age of 6 trying to play musical chairs. Some how, the number of kids playing never diminished even though the number of chairs did. It became more like a game of "How many kids can we fit on a chair". But it was fun, and everyone got a prize.
Six dozen hotdogs, numerous salads, two cakes and a handful of presents later the day came to an end and our wonderful guests started to head back to where ever they had come from. Tansley was truly worn out and completely filthy, a good sign of a perfect birthday I think.
Kathryn and Tansley have been practicing musical chairs all week, because Kathryn told Tansley that it was a birthday game. They would set up a bunch of chairs and set their babies and stuffed animals on them and then turn the music on and circle around the chairs. When the music went off, inevitably one of the stuffed toys was out of the game. So the birthday party could not be complete with out a round of musical chairs. Much fun was had watching 7 children under the age of 6 trying to play musical chairs. Some how, the number of kids playing never diminished even though the number of chairs did. It became more like a game of "How many kids can we fit on a chair". But it was fun, and everyone got a prize.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
The Not So Quick Trip to the Grocery Store.
This morning after breakfast, I planned to make the Birthday cakes for Tansley's Birthday party (I say cakes because we have A LOT of family coming). I started getting things out and putting the cake together only to discover that I didn't have enough cocoa. No problem, we'll just make a quick trip to the grocery store. I get Kymberly out of her bed, I had just laid her down for a nap, but she wasn't sleeping, she was playing and I could hear her. Kathryn declares that she wants to ride her bike, which is fine with me cause then I could put the two other kids in my jogger stroller and we could really make a fast trip to the grocery store, because you know, the yellow stroller is really fast...according to Tansley.
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