Resolutions

It's that time of year so I thought I'd make a couple resolutions.

1. Watch the news daily.  One thing I've really noticed being on maternity leave and in the middle of the winter is that there are days where I don't go outside at all and I have no idea what's going on in the world.  I've decided I really need to start watching the news so I'm not so cut off.
2. Organize my day a bit better.  With a little baby at home I've found that it's real easy to not accomplish anything in the day, I need to set and achieve a few daily goals
3. Finish sending out Thank you cards from the baby shower.  Sorry if you haven't got one yet, I started just haven't finished.
4. Become a Photoshop pro.  For some time I've been wanting to increase my skills and I have a great tutorial I just need to make the time to complete it.

Happy New Year!
L

Catie Cat

I hate Halloween. It’s my least favorite of all Holidays.

Every year it’s the same dilemma, what do you wear for a stupid costume. Unless you’re willing to spend a bunch of money or spend a lot of time scrounging for something decent you end up with some crappy costume that you’re forced to wear to a party you’re not really all that interested in.

This year might be just a little bit different. Have you ever seen a cuter little cat? I’m certain I haven’t so here’s another photo to help you enjoy my Catie Cat.
L

Turkey?

Different families bring different traditions so this year at Granny and Grandpa's I had the strangest Thanksgiving dinner I've ever eaten.

Asian (Ichiban) salad, green beans, asparagus, broccoli, funeral potatoes and ham. I could have had the traditional turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing but the other stuff looked so exciting. I was pleased with my choice at the time but now I'm seriously craving some turkey and potatoes.


This year I'm feeling especially thankful for our little Catie Mae and for the amazing family we're surrounded by. Thankful for all the time we can spend playing games together and the baby free shopping trip the girls took this weekend. Thankful for Brad and how willingly he gets up with Catie on the weekend to let me sleep. Grateful for Lethbridge and our lovely home (minus the construction in the basement) and all the friends we've reconnected with down here.

Looking forward to what the near future holds and can't wait to spend more time with family and friends.
L

Tree Frogs, Mosquitoes and a Surprising lack of Spiders

We read books, we took daily naps, we played games and swatted the mosquitoes away. We had the best s'mores you've ever had and we gained lots of weight from all the yummy food. There was a quick (very quick, it was cold) dip in the lake, a trip to the narrows and games played. Courtesy of the little kids play table we counted to 10 countless times and will forever have the La Cucaracha as a soundtrack to this last week. We laughed at Brad, stuck in the wetsuit, I tried to hold a frog and we went on an anniversary canoe ride. We scratched our mosquitoes bites, passed around the after bit stick and were completely ready to come home.

Why does it take so little time to be ready to go back?
L

Easter Weekend

This was a much needed break… the first couple months of the year always seem extra long and this year it was even worse.

The weekend included lots of time with family, some card playing, super yummy food, chocolate, playing catch, nephews, a day of pajamas and candy. It was pretty much perfect.

It also included a few exciting big decisions about the future to be shared at a later date.
L

Valentine's Day

On Friday the day before Valentine's day we had plans to play games with Arvid and Jolayne. I figured it would be a great plan to stop and pick up Crave Cupcakes on the way home from work but Brad gave me these lame excuses about not wanting to stop so I was annoyed. We skipped the cupcakes and just went home.

There were some pretty flowers waiting for me on the kitchen table with a cute note. Then Brad said he needed to put his hoody in the bedroom because he was hot and that I should come with him, suspicious :)

This is what was waiting for me in the bedroom. He'd made me the best card that said the nicest things and there was a box of Cupcakes underneath! No wonder he didn't want to stop.

It was an awesome Valentine's Day and I appreciate how wonderful Brad is.

L

Happy Halloween

A few thoughts on Hallween this year

Brad and I carved a pumpkin this year with Jane and Ken and we're so proud of our efforts. Brad drew these incredible eyes and a cool mouth and he ended up looking intimidating and mean, just what we were going for. As the days pass he looks more and more like a scary old man who forgot to put his dentures in (pictures to come).

Every year at work we do a big fundraising kick for the United Way and today was the kick-off party where costumes were required or a fee of $5 would be charged. Call me a Halloween Scrooge but I don't want to wear a costume! So didn't. I'm kind of stubborn though, "charge me for not dressing up? I don't think so!" I sure showed them by not attending their stupid party.

We are attending a Halloween party tonight, we'll see what that brings, I better not have to wear a costume.

Thanksgiving and the Foods I Skip

My brother James is a chef, and not just a run of the mill chef, he makes these incredible dishes and is fun to watch and is really good at what he does. A couple of years ago he managed to make it home for Thanksgiving with his wife and we ate ourselves silly.

Unfortunately there have been some side effects from that one year.

The dinner was especially great. James had improved on Grandpa's stuffing so it was even better than usual. I'm sure there was pecan pie and all sorts of vegetables and the usual turkey and potatoes. I definitely did not stop at pleasantly full.

I don't know who decided it was a good idea but that weekend also included Ribs. These weren't just any ribs though, they were fall off the bone, juicy, yummy ribs, and probably the best I've ever had.

These two meals were eaten very close together.

All would have been fine had I not been hit with the worst case of the flu I've ever had.

To this day I can no longer eat ribs or stuffing.
L

Pajamas, the Official Uniform of Thanksgiving 2008

It's possible I did something this year that I've never done before. Something that I think you'll all be proud of.

I was lucky enough to have two Thanksgiving dinners, one with my family and one with Brad's and they were both so different and so yummy!

Here's the amazing part, at both of those large turkey dinners I ate a very normal amount and came away feeling pleasantly satisfied, not ridiculously stuffed. I even remembered to save extra room for all the desserts at the Hudson's. I think it's a great accomplishment.

Things I’m thankful for this year

1. Possibly the best part of the Thanksgiving season is that my favorite pie finally makes an appearance. I'm not sure who decided that it should only show up this time of year but every year the Pecan pie makes an appearance and I end up wanting more.
2. The opportunity to vote
3. Family
4. Friends
5. On-line Ticket to Ride

I hope your Thanksgiving was full of family and friends and sleeping in.
L

Pictures as Promised

Here's a slideshow of our time at the lake.



Wishing I was there right now.
L

Missing the Lake

This whole working thing is not so fun after a week off

Right Now I'd rather be:

• Reading a book – I started and finished 5 while we were there
• Swimming in the lake – the water is freezing but the heat outside makes it bearable
• Eating something yummy – we stuck to two meals a day with snacks in between
• Playing Carcassonne – all 5 expansions at once was highly successful

I'm already looking forward to next year
Pictures to follow
L

Going, Going, Gone

This is it for a whole week. Tomorrow morning Brad and I are off the Shushwap for an awesome week at the cabin (the internet free cabin), we're super excited about.

The apartment is clean, the food is prepared, all that's left to do is pack. We plan on sleeping in, reading, playing games, eating yummy foods and lots of swimming. Sounds like a perfect weekend to me.

As a final post I leave you with these thoughts

Things I'll Never Say
Crave Cupcake? No thanks, I'll pass

Oh look, a spider, let's let it wander around for a while

A marathon, that's a great idea, I'm in!

I had a huge dinner last night and I'm still full today

Let's go to a Sum 41 concert

I think I'll ask to speak in Church

Can we please watch National Treasure, or the Mummy

We have to play softball again? But I hate softball

I hate the lake and especially swimming


I hope you have a great week!
L

Nearly a Week Late

Brad and I headed down to the big Magrath Celebrations last weekend and I was excited to show him what I grew up with. It's always a big event and lots of people come back to town for it so there are familiar faces around.

The day starts with a parade at 11:00 (best start time ever) and then there's beef on a bun for dinner. We skipped it as we were still on South Beach. There's also a program in the park and then in the evening there are fireworks. They close the weekend with a massive bonfire and an outdoor dance that is largely attended by high school students.

I think Brad was most impressed with the fireworks. You sit at one end of the football field and they set them off at the other so you're super close. As a result each firework is huge and louder than you've ever heard before. It makes for a unique experience.

Click on the slideshow for pictures and more info about the weekend.

L

Kimberley 2008

Okay, I know it's been quiet here for a while but I've been preoccupied.

I'm sure you've been dying for more details about Kimberley; here are a few photos to start. pictures.



We sure had an awesome weekend. Spent our time eating and sleeping, playing Wii, Carcassonne and sitting in the hot tub. We purchased lots of clodhoppers from the bulk section (they're so good on ice cream) swam in the pool and played a little catch.

We also went to the local movie theatre / bowling alley and watched Get Smart. Us and the other 10 people there had a great time. We especially enjoyed the full service reclining chairs, though Byron and Rosie thought they were falling when they first sat.

It was a great weekend that hopefully we can repeat again next year.
L

Welcome

I'm not sure I've ever felt as welcome at a different ward.

Today in Cranbrook there were multiple people that told us they appreciated our voices, and were we please moving into the ward.

The Bishop stopped us and we had a very nice conversation with the Executive Secretary.
There was an older woman and a younger woman that both said hello and welcome... makes me want to come to Cranbrook more often.

Hope you're having a weekend that's as great as mine.
L

Still Great

I don't normally resort to a weekend recap but it seemed appropriate tonight.

1. We start with a really painful massage...
2. And move right on to the terrible haircut. There were all these crazy layers on one side but not the other, I finally took some scissors to it and it's better. Not fixed, as nothing will help the back but better.
3. We end Thursday with some great Tempura and Dynamite rolls with friends.
4. Friday starts out better, homemade pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream.
5. We go to buy Brad a softball glove and find one for $80, the story turns great though because we went to Walmart right after and found the exact same glove for $45! The expensive one was returned.
6. Friends came for dinner (really great hamburgers) and lots of Wii (always a good time).
7. Saturday starts with the discovery that I'm strangely covered in really itchy hives (they've stuck around all day). I can think of no allergies and I haven't switched detergents... thank you Benedryl for keeping the itching at bay.
8. We played catch in the park with the aforementioned new softball glove
9. and had a super yummy lunch of chicken salad and croissants.
10. A trip to Banff for dinner to the Maple Leaf Grille finished off tonight. The risotto was awesome! The chocolate souffle disappointing. Elk is much better than I expected, it was delicious.
11. Tomorrow will include dinner with Brad's extended family at the Grandparents,
12. and on Monday we'll eat dinner and chocolate cake with peanut butter icing at the Wiebe's to celebrate a birthday.

There were some definite low points... the haircut, massage and hives stand out but this has been the greatest long weekend. We've gone to bed early and slept in late every morning. I'm dreading work on Monday but refuse to let it spoil the rest of my weekend.

I hope yours was just as great.
L

Humour in a Box

Getting married changes things. Small things that you don't think about until a specific situation arises. Take for example, New Years Eve.

As a young single adult you can generally expect to go to some IRC dance or some big party thrown by friends of friends, the options are there for you. You'll stay out ridiculously late and if you're me a trip to Denny's will probably be in there somewhere, either early in the morning before bed or very late in the morning after you've woken.

New Years as a married couple is completely different. Now you're not really interested in the IRC stuff and your friends that throw parties want to be in bed before midnight. I was starting to be concerned that we'd end up sitting at home celebrating just the two of us when my sister-in-law Lisa invited us to her house. There were five couples in total and we had a great time. There was ridiculous amounts of food and lots of catching up with each other (I hadn't seen Mark and Kim for a long time).

Eventually we settled onto the couches and played a great game of Things...

Quick run down, A card is drawn that says something like, "Things you shouldn't do at a funeral". Everyone writes down their answer, they get gathered and read and you have to guess who said what. Once you've been guessed you're out for the round. I've played that game a bunch but we've never kept score and it turns out it makes it even better. The big surprise came at the end of the game when we tallied up and... I won! I'm fairly obsessed with the fact that I won.

Anyway, the night included, as any good New Year's party should, a countdown with sparklers followed by really off key singing of Auld Lang Syne. The Guitar Hero was a nice addition too.

I hope everyone had a great New Year's and 2008 has started out on a good note.

Stay tuned for the long awaited, 1st annual, year in review, Highlights of 2007!
L

Catching Up

Okay, so I know it's been a ridiculously long time but I've been gone and then I was lazy.

There are a few blog worthy moments from this Holiday though, we'll start with a photo slideshow.

Brad and I went down to my Sister's house in Spanish Fork, Utah and we had a really fun time. It was so great to see everyone and spend time together. While we were there we drove to Temple Square and looked at all the lights, it was cold but so pretty.



Brad had a good time with the boys; Joey, Riley and Jason.



Despite the fun time we had it was such a ridiculously long drive, I don't think we'll be doing it again any time soon. We were happy to be home, that's for sure.
L

Getting to Know You, Christmas Style

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags. I think gift bags are a cop out, they're no fun to open. Everyone loves to tear paper. I have this problem though, I have a lifetime supply of gift bags from the wedding... everyone gets wedding themed bags this year and every year until I run out :)
   
   
2. Real tree or artificial. I have a little artificial one. I've never had the space for a big one and I've actually never had a real one, I've seen that video of the real one going up in flames though, they're dangerous!
   
   
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually on December 1st but we've been so busy this year it has yet to go up. We're working on it, maybe tonight (but realistically probably not)
   
   
4. When do you take the tree down? When I get around to it, usually far later than it should be up.
   
   
5. Do you like eggnog? Ew, yuck, definitly not!
   
   
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I don't know if this counts cause I think I was 21 but my parents gave me a Kitchen Aid mixer, best gift ever. We have a tradition that gifts from Santa aren't wrapped so I could see it sitting there but I knew Mom had gotten one for Dad so I didn't ever look at it. They had to point out that it had my name on it and I wouldn't believe them for a minute or two. I really love that mixer. My parents have always been really good at giving me this great gift that's exactly what I want but I didn't ever expect to get.
   
   
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. It's tiny and cheap and from the dollar store and I'm hoping Santa will bring me a new one some year.
   
   
8. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad. He has no hobbies and doesn't like to read and has everything he needs... the result is he gets one of three presents, a tie, pajama pants or cologne. What will it be this year? Wait and see.
   
   
9. Easiest person to buy for? My Mom. I can buy her clothes or yummy lotion or something cute for her house or some Christmas music, the list goes on and on, she's usually the first person I buy for.
   
   
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Probably the Ugly Claus series. My brother and I used to give each other tacky gifts. The person who got the tackiest one had to display it. I always lost though and the tradition died the year he gave me something so ugly I never took it home but hid it under the guest bed instead. Some traditions are meant to end though I'll always treasure the memory of the cheap, pink, plastic flamingo light.
    
    
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? I've actually never sent out Christmas cards before. I really want to and last I decided this was the year to do it but then I felt guilty sending out Christmas cards before all the Thank you cards from my wedding went out so maybe next year.
    
    
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I really like White Christmas and a Christmas Story though there's no way Brad will watch that one with me. I talked him into it last year cause he'd never seen it and he was a little horrified at the stupidity of it, he just didn't get it, it's a classic!
    
    
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I'm always sad I'm not one of those super prepared people who has it done by October. I don't know when I start but lets just say I'm still not done. Getting close though.
    
    
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can remember. This year I'm giving my sister a blender we got for our wedding but I'm not sure that really counts. I asked her if she wants it and we got her a different gift. I did wrap the blender but only because it'd be fun to have more presents under the tree. It certainly won't be a surprise.
    
    
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Pecan Pie. Lots and lots of pie. I love all the vegetables though too. I used to love the stuffing but 2 Thanksgivings ago we had this huge Thanksgiving dinner and later that night I was sick like I haven't been sick in years. Sutffing is a little ruined for me but I'm hoping not forever, one day I'll love it again.
    
    
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Definietly clear, I'm not a fan of the coloured ones, especially if they blink.
    
    
17. Favorite Christmas song? I really love O Come All Ye Faithful and O Holy Night, but as per my previous posts regarding Christmas Music it's pretty hard to choose a favorite out of 349 songs. I like them all. I also really like Christmas in Killarny because we listed to it a lot while I was growing up.
    
    
18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home? Since I've been single and living away from home Christmas always includes travel. Normally I drive to Magrath but one year I flew to London and this year we're driving to Spanish Fork, Utah to my sister's house. Should be fun. I do look forward to the time I have a family of my own that's established enough to stay home cause that sounds nice to me.
    
    
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Let's see... On Comet on Cupid on Donnor and Blitzen. Now... I don't remember how it goes after that but there's Vixen and Dasher and Dancer and of course Rudolph but that's about all I've got. That's not bad, I missed Prancer, I can deal with 8 out of 9.
    
    
20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Defintely Christmas Day.
    
    
21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? I"m having a difficult time this year with how busy our schedule is. It's all good things but there's just too many of them, we're having to miss out on stuff we want to do because we just can't fit it in.
    
    
22. What I love most about Christmas? I love Christmas Carols. There's such a feeling about them, they make you peaceful and happy and ready to be super nice to everyone.
    

So there you have it, Getting to Know You, Christmas Style. Feel free to add your own answer in the comments :)
L

Party Pooper

Brad and I have been asked to be in charge of the program for our Ward’s Christmas Party and I’ve been a little surprised by my response. For a few months leading up to the time we were asked I’d been hoping we wouldn’t have to do anything with this party, I didn’t think I had any interest in helping with a family ward Christmas party. Brad was asked one Sunday and I wasn’t happy that we had to do it.

Being in Primary and living in a tiny apartment, I’d forgotten that I like to organize and plan. I’ve really enjoyed putting together this program and I’m excited to see how it turns out. I like giving people the opportunity to share their talents. I miss planning activities and parties.

If you’re looking for something fun to do this Saturday stop by the Crescent Road Chapel and watch a fun, entertaining program, complete with Santa (I hope, I wasn’t in charge of that portion and I haven’t heard). Eat a delicious meal and enjoy the party!
L