Friday, January 31, 2014

January 31, 2014

Movie night at the kids' school. We watched Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2. Loud, crazy, fun.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

January 30, 2014

B has been working on another of her fantastic stories that has her sisters enthralled.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

January 29, 2014

BB's class made some fun ice sculptures from colored water frozen in different containers. This was her creation.

Monday, January 27, 2014

January 27, 2014

Cruise photos are all printed and organized! I can't wait to get these into an album!

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Saturday, January 25, 2014

January 25, 2014

With a day in Saskatoon, we decided to eat at the Brazilian BBQ! It was crazy good and I loved sampling all of the different types of meat. I also loved the Pineapple with cinnamon and brown sugar. SO good!

Friday, January 24, 2014

January 24, 2014

Visiting Niagra Falls in the winter is amazing - the falls are incredibly gorgeous surrounded by the snow. Being outside in the freezing, bitter cold temperatures, trying to snap photos like this one, is not what I'd call fun. Thankfully we had the visitors center close by to warm up in!

Thursday, January 23, 2014

January 23, 2014

Spent our last few hours in the Florida sun by visiting Ybor city in Tampa. It was filled with interesting things to see and yummy food to be eaten!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

January 22, 2014

We totally loved our waiter, Adson. He was the best at what he did, remembering our favorite appetizers and bringing them out, without being asked. Friendly conversation and great service. We felt we had the best waiter on the ship!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

January 21, 2014

Hello, beautiful Cozumel! We enjoyed different shore excursions today - Diana and I doing a bus tour visiting different interesting spots around the island, while Lyndon and Legrand went snorkeling!

Monday, January 20, 2014

January 20, 2014

Today was Grand Cayman! We took a jeep tour to check out a few different spots around the island, including the Tortuga Run Cake factory, Hell, and Tiki Beach!

Sunday, January 19, 2014

January 19, 2014

Spent today cruising and enjoying our time on the ship. We love the mini golf course, the climbing wall, and the entertainment! It's so fun being here!

Saturday, January 18, 2014

January 18, 2014

The day we have been waiting for for almost a year! Time to board the Brilliance Of The Seas and start our Caribbean cruise! Bring it on!

Friday, January 17, 2014

January 17, 2014

Spent today at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa! It was filled with interesting things to see. We especially enjoyed the Dolphin tour where we sailed out to the bay to watch for wild dolphins. Fun!

Thursday, January 16, 2014

January 16, 2014

We are off! We stayed overnight in Regina yesterday, then were up early this morning to fly to Toronto, and then on to Tampa! Getting excited for our cruise!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

January 15, 2014

working on my Project Life album and found a way to include the obituary of a friend's husband who died suddenly from H1N1. He will be missed!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

January 14, 2014

Love these two girlies! I hope they always have a good relationship.

Monday, January 13, 2014

January 13, 2014

I'm really enjoying my craft/office space. I thought I would miss having my own room, but I really enjoy being in the family room area and being able to work while still being a part of what is going on.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

January 12, 2014

BB is becoming quite the artist! She loves to get creative. I love this optical creation she made!

Saturday, January 11, 2014

January 11, 2014

4 giggling girls + 1 awesome water park = Best Birthday Party for a 12 year old EVER!

Friday, January 10, 2014

January 10, 2014

Homework time! This gal works so hard at her school work and takes pride in getting good grades. She is growing by leaps and bounds in her school work. She even made it onto the Principal's Pals list.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

January 9, 2014

The staff at Canadian Humanitarian! My hubby loves working with these wonderful people and doing amazing work for kids in Africa.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

January 8, 2014

Happy 12th birthday to my beautiful young woman! She has handled moving and starting over in a new school, ward, house right before her birthday like a true pro. She is becoming a lovely young woman and I love having her as my daughter. She makes our home a vibrant, magical place. Happy birthday, sweetheart!

Monday, January 6, 2014

January 6, 2014

JJ had a blast with her new BFF in our new ward, while I had a great visit, getting to know her mom Alanna. New friends make life so much nicer - for kids and grown-ups alike!

Sunday, January 5, 2014

January 5, 2014

We awoke to shocking news that our friend, Ryan Walters, passed away after suffering complications from pneumonia and H1N1. We was our age - a young husband and father of six - which made the entire thing more sobering for us. I am grateful for my knowledge that the separation that death brings, regardless of how heart wrenching and excruciating that separation is, is only temporary. Ryan is now with his Father in Heaven, having completed what he was sent to do. My heart is breaking for his sweet wife and children - having to be separated from their husband and father. I can't imagine the grief. I know that I am more aware of my blessings, more aware of the details of my life, especially my relationships. Life is short, and unpredictable. I commit to being more loving, more forgiving, let go of grudges, hold my loved ones close and treat them with all the love I can muster. It has been one of those wake up calls that life throws at us. Rest in peace, Ryan - you left a legacy of love and a beautiful family.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

January 4, 2014

A typical sight in the morning - the kids gathered in the kitchen, chatting and making breakfast. I'm going to miss this some day.

Friday, January 3, 2014

January 3, 2014

 If it is going to snow, why not have a little fun? And boy, is it ever snowing!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

January 2, 2014

The house is starting to feel like home. We hung some pictures in the craft room/office/homework area. It takes time but I think we are starting to really settle in.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

January 1, 2014

First day of a new year seems like a great time to try out our fireplace for the first time. Cozy and warm is an understatement. I'm so glad we bought a house with a wood burning fireplace!