Take Me Back Tuesday

Shortly before we became a family of four!

Snow Shoeing!

I had to get better for today.  I just had to!  Thankfully my flu was the 24 hour variety and I woke up on Sunday with just enough energy to go on our planned snow-shoe outing with the Jones and Unrau families at Cypress Bowl.  The day was sunny and glorious...and all I could think about was not puking on the trail.  And I didn't.

 I had booked us a guided tour and the guide and rentals were all ready when we arrived.  Bending over to attached my snow shoes was a bit of a struggle but I managed.  Everyone was excited to get going!

 The first part of the tour is directly up hill and quite work out.  It was nice to get that out of the way first. 

 Meet Kori's husband, Grizzly Adams.

 With shoving my camera in and out of my pocket the setting got switched...which explains this over-exposed picture of Keith in snow up to his butt.  There was a base of 3 metres.

 It was truly beautiful.  Crisp and dry.  No rain like last year!

 Our family...sans Liam.  Sorry buddy....not this time!

 My 'almost' sisters!

 After about 90 minutes of exploring we reached this summit.  Below is a lodge from 1926 where we stopped for a break.

 Hot chocolate and cookies went down a treat.  I gave my cookie to Keith.  You KNOW all is not well with this girl when she says no to a cookie.

 The kids were real trooopers and from what I could tell really enjoyed this experience.  Nate did say that he prefers cross-country skiing.  I'm not sure I would...it looks like a lot of work!

 Minus the power lines the view from the parking lot was rather fabulous.

About half way down the mountain we stopped at the viewpoint for a quick look-see.  We do live in a very beautiful corner of the world.

Sick

Last night.

Every hour from 11 pm to 7 am.

This was interspersed with episodes from the other end of the spectrum as well.

Let's just say it was a pretty bad night.

Thank goodness for Keith who is a very helpful and sympathetic nurse.  I could not have got through it alone.

Fresh & Clean

Liam gets a bath every night whether he likes it or not.  He does mostly like it though because he gets to blow bubbles in the tub. 

 He also practices his back float.

 And we like to play with his jungle animals.

And Liam makes up silly things like calling his toots 'bum crack thunder'.  Yep...he's very creative!

There is nothing quite like tucking in a sweet smelling boy into bed. 

On another note, this is day two of no Facebook.  I'm doing alright!  Yesterday there were moments in the day that I had clever things to put onto my status that could not happen.  And I got a friendship request in my inbox today.  AND last night I dreamed that I met Princess Kate Middleton and as I was chatting with her (she was very lovely) I was thinking about how sad I was that I could not share my experience on Facebook!  Crazy, or what?!

Take Me Back Tuesday

Most memorable camping trip ever!  Summer of 2000 and we went up to Lac Le Jeune with Keith's siblings and Andrew.  We were ill-prepared for the freezing nights.  It was miserable.  This was back in the day of free firewood and we just huddled in front of that fire as much as we could as the weather wasn't great in the day either.  To top it all off I was pregnant with Chad and had not told anyone yet.  I was cold, nauseous and down right miserable!  Of course, looking back now I can laugh at the entire situation.

Lent

I had ignored Lent for a few years but felt compelled to participate this year.  Giving up chocolate or desserts isn't super hard for me.  I knew for this sacrifice to count it had to really and truly be a sacrifice...hence I will not be logging onto Facebook for 40 days.

Of course, I'll be fine but I certainly will miss being nosy and finding out all about my 332 friends each day.  I'll miss updating my status to tell the world about my comings and goings.  You may see an increase in my blogging!  I hope to better spend my time doing more constructive things.   Maybe after 40 days I won't even log back on....yeah right!

Growlies

This was Nathan's lunch today.  Juice....times five.

As you can see he's already pretty skinny so he's not on a diet but rather he is taking part in MEI Middle's 30 hour fast.  It's an optional activity but he was very keen to be a part of it.  If they raised a minimum of $50 they could join. He was able to raise much more than that...thanks family! All monies raised go towards the high school missions teams that are sent through out the world during spring break.  My boy already has a heart for missions!  He'll be at school from 6 pm - midnight playing games, participating in worship and then wrapping up the evening at midnight with FOOD! 

He can't wait to get some food in his growling belly!

Take Me Back Tuesday

2000 ~ The top of Tod Mountain at Sun Peaks.  It was freezing and we were about to ride mountain bikes down to the bottom.  A most terrifying experience.  I do believe I wore out the brakes on my bike!

Showing Love

Only a little effort is needed for a special Valentine's Day.  I got up just a bit earlier to surprise everyone with French Toast for breakfast.  The usual routine is 'fend for yourself' during the week so they were all super happy!  Please try not to be envious of Nate righteous bedhead. 

 I opened up the kitchen cupboard to find a few gifts from Keith...even though we had agreed 'no gifts'! I rarely buy magazines so this gift was really appreciated!

Liam was pretty happy to get breakfast at home.  My mom usually gives him breakfast on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Nate woke him up for me and told me that Liam announced (while still in bed) that it smelled like syrup.  I knew there was no getting him out the door without feeding him first!

And for dessert tonight I made brownies and cut them into hearts.  Served up with some ice cream and strawberries it tasted very fancy!

I do hope someone made you feel extra loved today.

Edible Love

On Guard

Even pirates need their beauty sleep!

Auntie Me!

Barrett Frederick Johnson - 6lb 4oz, born at 9:05pm on 7 Feb 2012

I'm so pleased to have this little fella join our family.  Looking forward to spoiling him silly!

Take Me Back Tuesday

Westport, Washington 2001

We went camping and left baby Chad at home with Nana.

I really love the ocean and hope to do another trip there....maybe next summer!

Treating Me Right!

My birthday was a good one!  It had all the elements needed to feel like it wasn't just another ordinary day.  I received thoughtful gifts, my meals were served to me instead of me serving them to others and mostly I felt loved.  That's about all I consider necessary for a perfect birthday!

I did have to work on my birthday but that was fine with me.  The entire student body was away on various field trips so the school was empty and we could be as goofy as we liked in the office.  Heather took Marci and I out for lunch which is a rare treat.  I love these ladies!  It was a sunny, gorgeous winter day and we stopped at Mill Lake for a quick photo op on our way back to school.

 I came home after work to find Keith making me a birthday cake!  I was very impressed and it sure tasted good too.

 He also made one of my favorite suppers...taco salad.  It was super delicious!

 And to top it off he served up one of my favorite drinks, a tequila sunrise.  The kids all had shirley temples. 

To top it all off, Keith bought me this framed print to hang above our bed.  It's exactly what I had been looking for.  Thanks, Keith for listening to my hint dropping....you are learning well!
I also had a beautiful orchid dropped off for me by my brother, a quilted table runner made for me by my mom and some silly cards from the kids.
Tonight, Keith will take me out for supper and then it'll be done!

Cresting 'That' Hill!

It's finally happened.  I am starting to feel my age.  Oh, I know you people who are 'older' will likely scoff at this.  But truly...it's starting to show.  The wrinkles are still at bay but the greys are sprouting and multiplying like bunnies.  The make up under my eyes cannot be scrubbed off....oh, that's not mascara, those arepermanent dark circles!  I look in the mirror and always look 'tired'.  I need my sleep much more that I ever did.  I feel really rotten if I don't eat properly.  Yet, I am thankful that my health is quite good, my brain is still sharp-ish and I have energy to get through the day!  Yes...nothing to complain about at all.  These were mere observations.  Am I ready to start coasting down the hill?  Let's chat again next February but for now I am going to enjoy this LAST year of my thirties.  Hello 39!

I'd guess 1979 in my bedroom with my beautiful wall paper!  Just a little peek at what I looked like about 33 years ago.  Sheesh, how can this be?!

Do You Think It's Gross?!

Okay, okay,  so I have a guilty pleasure.  It's cheez whiz.  I like it.  I really like it.

I only will buy one small jar per year and it lasts me a very long time.  But boy oh boy is it good! Please spare me the lecture about how it's plastic cheese and not a real food.  I know this.  I mean, look at the name of the product: 'cheez'.  That is a dead give away!

What is your guilty pleasure, food-wise?  Is there something you enjoy that a lot of people think is nasty?

Early Celebrations





Just happy to have another year....let's not add them up, shall we?!





 

My parents arrived home from two weeks of sun and sand in Mexico. Liam loves his new 'spinner'!