Life with the Peters

Mark's airplane

2011-07-29T08:34:00.000-07:00

Father's Day with Dad

2011-07-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

Time is a precious thing. Ray and I took the first flight out we could get to go see my dad. Things were not looking good and we need to get there asap. There was times Dad just slept and yet throughout the week we took the time to enjoy any time he was awake to talk, cry together, and some how he had bursts of energy to play games.

This was Dad talking on the phone with his sister.

This moment was memorable...Dad had a burst of energy and said he needed to show me something important downstairs. I said, tell me what it is and I'll get it, but he refused and said he needed to show me. We carefully went downstairs and he showed me something in the office but right way he asked "where's Ray". Ray had stayed upstairs so I called for him and low and behold, Dad had wanted to play pool. He was like a boy in a toy shop getting away with something. It was so fun to see him light up with joy as he played with Ray. As soon as he heard Carolyn's footsteps he got silly and joked that he was going to get in trouble. Carolyn didn't mind when she found out it was more that he needed to know his own strength - it's one thing to go down the stairs and a whole different thing to go up. It was a memory we will cherish.

While we were there Dad watched a lot of golf...the greens were not so harsh on his eyes then watching something like hockey. It was the Stanley cup games though, so there was some hockey that we watched as he had 2 BC fans with him.

Cherished moments with his sister Alma who came all the way from Texas. They spent time talking and Alma took good care of the pets while she visited there too.

Moments awake were cherished and appreciated. Times talking and remembering.

Just being there with Carolyn. Talking and supporting her. Time to sit and talk and help that seem so hard from far way. And let her know how much we appreciate all she is doing for our Dad.

Thursday morning Dad woke up and remembered that it was Thursday - his bible study morning. Although he wouldn't be going it was great to see his alertness and knowing people were praying for him.

Alma anointed him with oil as we prayed over him. A moment of tears and powerful prayer. Dad also turned and prayed with Ray. A shared heart for India and a testimony to see two men have a heart for God, family and missions.

Another surprising moment was when Dad was feeling good enough to drive to the store with us and drive the cart around to pick up some food. Since he wasn't eating much it was good to see him picking out somethings he wanted and getting out of the house for a bit. A change of scenery for anyone can make a big difference.

Melissa, Marianne and Don arrived to visit also. It had been along time since the group of us were together so it was great to get out for breakfast and recap. My Blondie moments were the brunt of a few jokes but otherwise it was great to catch up.

We took some time to as girls to get out and have our toe nails done. Time spent with Mikeala was meaningful and great to all be sisters together.

Don had the "privilege" to carve the cow heart for Carolyn - a job she wasn't sure what to do with. A gift from a local for Nana and the cats. The funny thing was watching how Nala got so excited with the smells and waited - I don't think I would say patiently but excitedly for anything to drop or be given to her. The cats on the other hand were less enthusisaic about it all. Animals lovers and pet owners will appreciate all the time and work and love these pets receive.

We enjoyed the treat of being served by our own family at the icecream parlor. That was the best dark chocoate icecream I have ever had. Thanks for the treat.

All in all, the moments with family was amazing. Time spent with Dad was more than words can express. We went thinking the worst and left with cherished moments that will hold us through this time. Time to talk face to face and say goodbye, read letters writen to eachother, pray together, remember the past and bless eachother with the love of quality time.

I love you Dad!

Fun at the Fat Cat Festival

2011-07-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

The Fat Cat festival is full of so much to see and do. This is the second time the school has taken these kids to go, and each year they love it. Performances to watch and workshops to participate in. The class signed up for two performances and one drumming workshop. It was a great day to be a parent volunteer and watch these kids explore. There were booths for daycamps and tanks to climb into and time to ask the soldiers questions. There were craft stations and science experiments to try. Bounce houses and facepainting, clowns and a fairy godmother.
What a great day!

Twins

2011-07-06T10:15:00.000-07:00

When the boys showed up this morning, I just had to take a picture of Kaden and Mark. Two cousins dressed as twins...was it planned or not neither will tell.

Every Wednesday morning through the school year the four cousins and I walk to school together. This 7 minute walk from our house to the school can take anywhere from 7Min's to 20Min's depending on the day.
Some times it involves races, or picking up of rocks. We stop some mornings and watch the garbage truck go by (this started so they would stay back and to be safe- but now it's a habit to stop and wave).
To the yield sign and stop for everyone to catch up, then it's down the dirt and over the bike jumps (it's a pile of dirt that is so much fun), through the field and there we are. Often the big kids are in the lead but during their last habitat project they have been in such debates and discussions that Simon and Kyla lead the way.
It's often better to leave early and avoid starting something at home to arrive to school on time. You never know what might transpire during a 7 minute walk.

baseball

2011-06-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

This year Mark is a Red Robin tadpole. Baseball has brought a new time schedual to our lives working around practices and games, as well as tournaments.

This year the kids are each getting a chance to try being a new position - back catcher. The coaches have been this position up until this year. The fun part of watching your kid in a sport is seeing how each year they improve their skills as well as watching them being a part of a team.

Mark's favorite position is now back catcher - a toss up between that one and first base.

Luckily this year Mark has a few friends on his team. Lucky for him, as wells as for us watching as we have that many more people to visit with while watching.

We had a great day a few Saturdays ago where we went to watch Kaden's soccer game, have a picnic lunch followed by everyone staying and watching Mark's baseball game.

At one point I sat there and took in all the familiar faces and knew that we are blessed with family and friends who support and encourage each of us and our kids.

You know that old saying; it takes a village to raise a kid - so often I think of that when dealing with problems in raising kids but, you sure feel supported and loved when family and friends surround you in life's simple events while you are raising your kids too!

Piano

2011-05-16T22:44:00.000-07:00

Easter

2011-05-16T22:09:00.000-07:00

The Easter bunnies came for a final time to Gramma and Grandpa's garden.

Precious moments of watching the children hunt
Easter is a time of reflection of how our Saviour died and rose again. It is also a time of cherished moments for family staged in a season of new growth and rebirth.

Easter in Vancouver

2011-05-16T21:42:00.000-07:00

Uncle Ernie's "friend", found Easter morning...protecting her young under the deck chairs

Trip to Lynn Canyon

"The trees of the earth will clap their hands" ...

They are intricate in their root systems and reaching high above us...stop and take it all in.

Over coming another fear of heights moments. I crossed the suspension bridge - I stopped for no more then 5 seconds to capture the picture - just to prove that I did it.

These second cousins have been fun to watch together this weekend.

Early Anniversary

2011-05-09T07:56:00.001-07:00

10 is a big number. It's the beginning of double digits. I remember turning 10, it was a big thing as a kid. I"m scared Mark will be there too soon....and yet, thinking of the last 10 years of marriage, it is a Joy. A true celebration. Which is why we decided to celebrate early.

Thankyou Ray....I LOVE YOU and look forward to the next 10 years

Ray and I enjoyed a weekend away, close to home and yet peaceful and quiet.

Sparking Hills is a Wellness centre were we felt pampered and relaxed. Great spas, beautiful room and Crysals everywhere the eye could see....BEAUTIFUL!

2011-05-09T07:41:00.000-07:00

This spring we have felt like days have dragged on and others have flown by.

Mark celebrated his 8th birthday with "JUST BOYS". It's a first for him and he wanted to do a real BOY thing...laser tag. What fun. Playing with guns is not something I normally allow but under the circumstances we allowed it and they all had a blast...hahaha

This is where I'm at today...you?

2011-04-05T23:21:00.000-07:00

Take some time to become still in God's presence. Slow your breathing through the following exercise Inhale: Breathe in the peace of Christ Exhale: Breathe out anxiety of the day. Inhale: Breathe in the gentleness of Christ. Exhale: Breathe out mental clutter and distraction. Inhale: Breathe in freedom in Christ. Exhale: Breathe out that which binds you. Inhale: Breathe in the joy of Christ. Exhale: Breathe out discouragement. Inhale: Breathe in the love of Christ. Exhale: Breathe out selfishness and personal agendas. Continue until you feel at rest before God

Spring???

2011-03-13T17:44:00.000-07:00

Well, it's time change day. I saw the first points of my tulips and hyacinths in the garden. The neighbour of our duplex raked the front yard and Ray raked the back yard. All the fall leaves are cleaned up and we're ready for the brown grass to turn green...that might take awhile but we're waiting.

We went for a walk and knocked on Karl and Lisa's door to invite them to the park...only to find them already at the park. This new park is a great discovery. It is perfect distance...not to close so it feels like a bit of a walk, yet not too far that the kids are exhausted by the time we arrive. It is right off the green way and from what we can gather - will have washrooms when the building is finished.
We met friends and family and all agree this is a great new destination for bike rides.

So Spring...whenever you would like to arrive, we're ready for you !!

change...

2011-02-22T08:45:00.000-08:00

There are times when change is just something that needs to happen. There often isn't anything that you can pin point as a moment when all of a sudden that need appears inside us, but there it is. That's what happened to me.
If it hits both of us we usually re-arrange furniture or move but since neither of those things are happening any time soon...

One moment I looked at the picture in the living room and from that moment on I have wanted to change it. I had no idea what exactly I was hoping for - just a change.

That's where friends come in. I have a friend whom I have joked as my personal shopper (she picked out a few outfits for me while shopping that I love but probably wouldn't have bought without her input) and a sister-in-law who just has the eye for design. I mentioned I have been looking and thinking of what I wanted instead of the picture. Instantly they had ideas. My budget had some input too though...
Therefore my dream for change actually came true...just in time for my Mom's visit.
Thanks ladies, I love it!!

Before...

after...

2011-02-21T15:09:00.000-08:00

Christmas moments to remember...

2011-02-21T14:51:00.000-08:00

Cousins preform the Nativity story...

Someone stole the camera and these moments were captured too...

gifts from India...

Moments with Grandpa...

gifts for family...

Family moments...

Moments with cousins and Gramma

Virtual Christmas with family

moments with friends...

Chocolate House

2011-02-21T14:45:00.000-08:00

Gingerbread is so last season....just kidding. I love Gingerbread but I love Chocolate even more....

Thanks to the two builders here...we have a straight, soild formed house.

Decorated by Kyla and Mark, chocolate melted by Mom.

Snowmobiling

2011-02-21T14:33:00.000-08:00

Another thing we tried this winter was letting the kids have a go at snowmobiling...yes they were in a controlled environment...for any Grammas and Grandpa's reading this out there....

We went up to Big White for the day and enjoyed walking around the village. We saw the snow mobiles and thought it would be something for sure Mark would love but Kyla - not so sure.

When we were considering this inside the shack, I was thinking out loud about what happened when Kyla wanted to go on Daddy's motorcycle...she got the helmet on but freaked out and refused to get on. I was not about to pay for her to go on this snowmobile only to have her do the same. The man offered to allow her to put the helmet on and IF, IF she rode it, he would charge us. I agreed.

They both loved it! LOVED it I should say. Mark was sad he had to share "his" time with her but really, they both had equal amount of time for exactly what we paid for. Mark might have enjoyed venturing off of the track a bit more but Kyla was content and excited to go around and around the track. For the first time, I think it was perfect.

snowboarding

2011-02-21T14:24:00.000-08:00

I picked up this board for Mark to practice "snowboarding" with. He loved it. Amazingly enough he got on the board and had the balance and stability to get down the toboggan hills with ease. He obviously doesn't get his sense of balance and charisma from his mother. I would have fallen a few times before even reaching the bottom - that is if I hadn't jumped off after just starting to move.

Ray took Mark up the mountain to give actual snowboarding a try. He called from the cell phone after taking the lift for a second time...."I did it mom!" "I went so straight and so fast...I love it". I was so proud of him. After talking with Ray I learned that yes he did fall a few times and yes, it was a bit scary watching him go straight down the hill without turning - but he had picked it up quite fast.

Good job Mark. We're proud of you!

skating

2011-02-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

Skating is a fun past time for winter months. This year Mark is doing much better getting going and is working on stopping. Kyla on the other hand, this is her first time on skates. She did AMAZING. Used the bar for a bit and wanted to try without after only going around a few times. She falls and gets up with a big smile on her face - AGAIN...

I love watching both of these kids learn so fast and each year they surprise me.

Christmas

2011-02-21T09:23:00.000-08:00

here are some of my favorite memories of this last Christmas season.

We volunteered as a family to be in the church Living Nativity...

Family Photo shoot

2010-12-03T07:45:00.001-08:00

Photos by Lisa Haywood

India

2010-12-03T07:41:00.000-08:00

Ray's trip to India was life changing, amazing and yet he is still "processing" it all. This is something I didn't not feel I should be blogging about as it was not my trip. Here are just a few pictures of his time there...

Scrabbler

2010-10-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

Scrabble is a game I don't play much. There are a few in my family that love this game. I myself am an increablably awful speller. I get intimidated playing with some but I do enjoy the game enough to play.

Last night, I played Scrabble with my mom and my mother-in-law. I can say the game was close. I knew my mom was playing so I had the Official Scrabble Dictionary ready for this game. Normally Trudy does not play with this book, but she was willing this time to humor us.

For my game, I might not have the correct definition but I can come up with a word. Sometimes I even have the correct spelling - if I"m lucky.

I for some reason was on an "ER" frame of mind. Luckily I found myself having the "ER" letters almost every time I picked up. I played words like "sitter" which you may laugh but I actually had the correct definition without looking it up ! - "one that sits". I played "winger" but I thought it was hockey not soccer - oops...oh yeah and my mom played that word (oops) but we didn't allow "yaada" as in "yaada yaada".
I came up with "QAT" but didn't know the definition...for those of you who are interested it means an evergreen shrub. I even got to play it on a triple word spot.
I'll know the definition next time if Trudy will allow it (it can only be found it the Scrabble dictionary)!

Thanks ladies for a great game!!

ps...When I do my spell check for this blog...QAT does not register as a word nor does YAADA YAADA!!!

A photo shoot

2010-10-24T14:47:00.001-07:00

KVR

2010-10-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

The chance to enjoy a beautiful fall day up a mountain...who would pass this up?

We spontaneously agreed to go up to the KVR...aka...Kettle Valley Railroad. As the 2 Dads and 4 kids took off riding bikes I was able to walk along the path with our respite girl at a much slower pace. I would say it was quiet and but it wasn't but it sure was peaceful.
We took time to look out and enjoy the view, stop at benches, point out the chip monks, birds and squirrels.

At the 10th bridge we finally caught up to the bike riders. If you look closely you can see one running towards me on the bridge.
I walked about 7 1/2 km and the bike riders went further than that.

We passed through 2 tunnels and over 10 bridges.
Great job kido's!

visiting Dad

2010-10-12T20:41:00.001-07:00

I had a great time surprising Dad for his birthday. Thanks to Jessica and Mikaela (and Norm) we pulled it off.

Dad and Carolyn and I went for a walk and toured a small village.

I got to hang out with all of them and meet Phil. I loved just being there. Apart of the everyday things and helping around. I loved seeing my dad's face when we surprised him and I loved just being with him for his birthday!

I got to met his house group and see them bless him.

I was blessed being there as much as I hope I blessed you Dad by coming! Your words to me will never be forgotten. Thanks!

this picture was for the kids...they wanted to say hi to Nala, Teddy and Cloe!

Dad and Carolyn spend much time preparing the healthy drinks. Shoping, preping and then of course Dad has to drink them.

The green one tasted like drinking liquid grass. I tried both green and orange. We're praying they work for you Dad as that's gross to drink every day.

I had fun playing with Dad and the old train. He's getting ready for 3 grandsons to come and play with. What great memories were shared and moments together!

Thanks again girls and Carolyn for helping this surprise happen. And I love you Dad!!

school starts

2010-10-12T20:35:00.000-07:00

Kyla is entering Kindergarden and Mark is entering grade 2.

September long camping

2010-10-12T20:24:00.000-07:00

Camping this September long was so much fun. We had great time with friends in two different sites. We walked and played games. The kids spent most of their time on bikes or the playground.

We also had great fun cooking food. Pancakes with faces...
and we actually made home made peach crisp from scratch and baked in in the trailer oven. This will be hard for us to beat!

The nature was all around us. The deer right in our site was incredibly mesmerizing to watch!

what a great time to get away just before the crazy fall begins!

A garden for Giants

2010-08-17T22:47:00.000-07:00

Our garden is a blessing this year.
A plot of earth that transforms seeds to amazing wonders.
God's creations come alive as each day, week and month passes we watch the transformations.

We planted our garden full of squash last year and flowers with little to maintain.

This year we enjoyed so many strawberries we ate them each day. We have loved our flowers and are quite proud of our rows that are beautifully providing gracious amounts of veggies. Carrots have already been eaten with many more to come, onions, peppers, and cucumbers. Our zucchini, and squash are out of control but our watermelon and cantaloupe did not seem to thrive for some reason.
However...

We noticed one day that Mark's choice seeds (sunflowers) had reached over the chain link fence. The kids were already in their p'j but came out for the picture.

We planted zucchini that seems to be growing for giants. We have eaten zucchini almost every meal and I have made a number of chocolate zucchini loaves.

Ray working hard pulling weeds or just training the vines...

Now wait until you see how huge these sunflowers were when we came home from camping...

more at Shuswap

2010-08-17T21:26:00.001-07:00

much of our time was spent biking, but when we were actually relaxing we spent much time at the playground area. I took the picture of the playground with a quick reaction from Kyla of "Mom I need to take a picture of what you guys are always doing!". I'm really enjoying this girls love of looking at books and she has just pulled up a chair beside looking at books and magazines.

Our children we're lucky to be in the right place at the right time...while Mom and Dad sat enjoying our morning coffee at the local camp store we happen to be pausing on the bench outside the door. Low and behold the chip truck is in the process of being unloaded...Kyla joyfully points out it's her favorite chips on the boxes.

The next thing we know the man asks the kids what their favorite types of chips are and generously gives each of them a bag to enjoy. They were THRILLED! The only negative was that I had just finished telling them while inside the store, they didn't need to buy any chips as we had some still back at the camp site - "but not my favorite mommy"

our kids took in the Jerry Ranger program and learned a lot. It so happened when Ray got back to work the following week, his newly acquired knowledge of Owls came in handy as their company discovered a nest in the attic from an unknown large bird.

We loved and valued the opportunity to see two young fawns roaming around our campsite. What an amazing sight to see these two wondering around alone. We did find out they were born in the park and mom was close nearby but allowing space.

Ray once again aged while camping. Each year he his thrilled to be spending his birthday while camping. This summer has been a disappointing year in the golfing department.. As you can see from this lovely photograph of his impressive only golfing of year as per date.

Mark is starting to notice that I love taking pictures of our food these days...He must of thought he had a bit of an odd mother until we recently watched Grandpa and Gramma's pictures from their holidays and he noticed the pictures Gramma has of their food too! Don't worry Mark, you'll never be asked to fully understand women and the obsession with food.

Once again Mark found something to jump off of and he needed it recorded...

Camping at Shuswap

2010-08-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

Camping is a love for us all in this family. A time to get away from life, from electricity, to relax and enjoy time together. This year, once again, there is a fire ban where we are. The alternative was a propane fireplace. What a great invention. We enjoyed the glow and flickering of the fire yet without the concern or worry of wood and roasted our marshmellows for delicious smores. We have discovered Ray is the pro roaster these days. The marshmellows double in size and take on this beautiful toasted color. They are crispy on the outside and melt the chocolate perfectly...yummy I'm getting a craving for one just reading this....

We have entered the world of canoeing this year. We upgrated once already and are so pleased with our purchase. The kids are greatful for the chance to paddle and love floating over the waves. This week, we took the boat to Copper Island and all around the lake. The kids practiced jumping out into the water and swimming and floating in the lake and how to get back inside as well. Lots of safety tips to learn.

We spent majority of our time bike riding, reading and relaxing at the beach and playing games with eachother. Baseball was a huge HIT...hehehe and we all played. Kyla loved playing with her new pink bat and ball. Actually, she brought so many of her new birthday gifts that she had plenty to do.

A party for Princess Kyla

2010-08-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

Last year Kyla did not have a true girl birthday party and she has not let us forget it all year. This year we decided to make sure there was a girly party for sure. The problem was each time I asked her who was coming she had just as many boys invited as girls. Either way, she had her princess party and had a great time.

A visit with cousins

2010-08-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

We had a great time while my cousin and family came to visit. We had lots of fun visiting, playing, reading, going to the beach and walking / riding bikes to the park and much more.

Due to distance or whatever the reason, we only recently were able to introduce the kids to each other last January. Since that time, our kids have been talking about when they can play with Toby and Alicia again. We were thrilled to find out they were coming out to see us. Days of counting down to when they would arrive.

The kids got along perfectly wonderful. I loved when Michelle asked "Alicia, how is it that you are not fighting with Kyla?" She just looked at her mom with such misunderstanding - "we're playing mom!". I love it!!!

The beach was a hit. Soaking up the sun (even with sunscreen a few of us actually got a bit burnt). We enjoyed riding the waves, building sandcastles and covering the girls in sand.

A man was sitting with his pet parrot on a park bench behind us. "A pirate mom, look...he has a real parrot!". Oh, kids can have such adorable understanding. Pirates and Parrots have got to go together for real right!... The kids had a great time hearing the parrot talk and ask for their food. What a cool experience.

Thanks again Josh and Michelle for making the trip! Thanks Toby and Alicia for being great playmates for the weekend!

Looking forward to the next time we see each other!

camping at Kettle River

2010-08-10T20:56:00.000-07:00

Attack of the Robin

2010-07-21T20:17:00.001-07:00

Recently Ray discovered a nest in our apricot tree. The amazing thing was that the mother robin was very protective. I mean, VERY protective.

There were times the kids were scared to go into the backyard to have themselves be swooped down and attacked at. The babies are quite ugly and yet, what an incredible learning experience for our kids.

Swim Across the Lake

2010-07-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Across the Lake Swim started in 1949. This year they told us with 450 people swimming it has now become the largest open water races in Canada(maybe even N.A.).
For my first time, there were so many unknowns. First of all, I train in a pool 99% of the time. I did get out and swim in a few lakes and tried the training clinics that were offered. I had a few times of uncertainty days before the swim just figuring out details of who was going to canoe with Ray beside me in the water, should I have bought a ticket for the ferry ride?....details, details...

As it turned out, I bought a ticket to be ferried over with many other swimmers. This was my first house boat ride....another check off my life dream list...(or does a 5min ride really count??). As the boardroom boat reached the Old Ferry Docks on the far side, swimmers lined up and began jumping off either side of the boat. The boat left to pick up another load of swimmers as we swam to the beach and began waiting.

The swimmers all gathered and listened to the announcer give tips of were to sight. He said, "this is a 2.1km swim, but many of you will make it more than that if you let the current take you towards the bridge"...sadly he was right for many people.

As the time got closer, Ray and Karl in the canoe found their way to the far side as well. I swam over to met them and we talked about how we were going to keep track of each other. I had borrowed a ribbon from Kyla to tie to my wet suit. In the sea of neoprene there were some people swimming with balloons tied to themselves and others made the boats they were with have the markings needed to find each other.

The swim began in open water rather then on the beach. Two bright orange boys marked the starting line. Heat one (Yellow) was counted down and set off, 2minutes later heat 2 (Orange) set off, and exactly 2mins later they counted down my heat (Blue) and we were off....450 swimmers - approx. 150 in the last heat. At first there was a sea of feet and splashes but as we set off we seemed to find the lake big enough....yet, as I neared the 1/3 of the way mark, I had one person swim underneath me to pass at the exact same moment a women decided to crossover me. The feeling was like no other. To be in open water thinking we all had room to move and all of a sudden you are reminded there are 450 people with you. I came up and looked around only to discover my amazing canoers were following the wrong person. It must have been at the same moment that they realized the person they were following was not me. We found each other and continued in no time. As I swam through the middle section it began getting a bit more wavy. I worked myself through. Just as I felt a big wave coming I heard Ray calling me and he told me a boat had just passed. By this time I could see the finish line for the first time and just kept going. I was O.K.

While I train in the pool I am busy counting and keeping track of the number of laps. In the open water there is nothing to count and not much to see. To keep my mind busy I thought myself through memory verses. I also tried singing in my head. At one point, I even tried my son Mark's tip to say "Pepsi, Cola, Seven, UP" it sort of works for strokes and breathing but after a few times (just to tell him I tried) I was back to reviewing my verses. It was great to keep my mind on something else.

As the finish line came closer into view it was all of me just to get there as fast as I could.

Ray got my attention to leave and go beach the boat and he was just in time to catch me running to the finish line and hand in my time chip.

My goal was to complete the race this year....just make it across

My second goal was to complete it in 45mins....I finished at 41 minutes and 28 seconds.

YEAH FOR ME!!

A huge- HUGE-HUGE thank you to Wally and Trudy for taking our kids for the night. It was amazing to know they were taken care of and didn't have to be up and downtown at such an early hour. If you look closely at this picture you might even find Wally in the crowd. It was great to have them and the kids in the crowd cheering. Also, thanks to Bill and Evelyn for being there as well.

Another huge thank you to Ray and Karl for being there in the lake along with me. I might not have seemed like I needed you there, but just knowing that you were made enough of a difference to me. Hearing you ask if I'm alright in the lake, I knew I could make it. I realized this was my goal, I just didn't realize how much family I needed to actually complete the goal.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ALLOWING MY DREAM TO COME TRUE AND ENCOURAGING ME ALONG THE WAY.

viisit with Dad

2010-07-21T07:23:00.001-07:00

What an amazing time we all had with a visit from my Dad. We spent the weekend at Mable lake. Absolutely amazing view of the sunset. Moments sharing a love we all have of just sitting by the fire being outside. Of course, we could have done without the bugs and the kids crying at night they were so itchy. Thankful Ray came back with some thing to relieve the pain.

We enjoyed ice cream and the canoe. Dad had a "spin-it" game that the kids played over and over again.

A Father's day gift of a life time of memories. It was fun to create, brought tears to my eyes remembering and cherished the moment of re-living each moment in time. I love you Dad!

Daughters

2010-07-21T06:39:00.000-07:00

" I wish I could save you from anxiety and sorrow. But then - how pink and fluffy and monotonous your life would be! So I wish for you courage and clear thinking, hope and a happy heart. Always."
-Pamela Dugdale-

"Daughters do wonderful things.

Not the wonderful things you expected them to do.

Different things.

Astonishing things.

Better than you ever dreamed."

- Marion C. Garretty. b.1917

" I recall a time in my life during which I was in severe emotional pain. One morning I woke up to find my thirteen-year-old daughter sleeping on the floor beside my bed. When I questioned her about this she quietly told me that she wanted to be near me because she knew I was hurting, but she didn't want to risk disturbing my sleep. The memory of this throughtful expression of her love and concern still brings tears of gratitude eighteen years later" - Barbarab Thomas-

A read this last poem and thought about my own daughter...she often is found sleeping close by me but not exactly for the same reason...she says she just wants to be close to me. She's four turning five...does this mean I have years to go before I get a night when she'll stay in her own room??

Thanks Mom, I have really enjoyed the book of poems for Daughters;

As I am the daughter and sometimes, as I am the mother.

visit with mom

2010-07-20T22:59:00.000-07:00

Mom came for a visit and we went camping. It was a great time and beautiful views. Mark tried fishing - perfect father's day weekend thing to do. I practiced swimming in lake and mom read her book and watched Kyla playing on the sand. Scrabble turned out to be only brief...I guess with that many scrabble players camping I expected a few more games.
We came home for a few more days and enjoyed our time together and visited the roses (sort of started a tradition each time she comes here in spring). Thanks for the precious visit,
Love you mom

June bike riding

2010-07-20T22:34:00.000-07:00

moments in time

2010-07-20T22:27:00.000-07:00

Sometimes there are moments you just can't help but want to capture...

camping May long

2010-06-05T09:14:00.000-07:00

May long weekend has become a bit of a tradition. It is one of those camping trips that I love and look forward to, yet each year is so different. This year the numbers grew again and the weather was a bit cooler. Not as many people actually swimming but we managed to have a amazing fun time. We had a canoe this year which also was new.

Camping with 13 families and 30 children there is always some one at the fire. There was also always someone riding circles with their bikes - some of them, from the moment they woke till bed time. There were great times of watching kids run and play, bocce games, or football on the grass. Loads of time spent on the beach digging and pouring water and having fun. There were even times while sitting at the beach people were wrapped in blankets to keep warm.

We all went to the local playground and the kids had a game of 500 with a few of the Dads, there was an partially organized game of soccer with adults and older kids and a small game of soccer with the smaller ones at the same time.

A branch fell off a tree and hit the Reimer's trailer...luckily no damage. The branch became a great place for hiding or playing camouflage

ZIPLINE EXPERIENCE

2010-05-10T20:35:00.001-07:00

The day before Mother's day...this blog is continuing from the previous blog. These are some amazing photo's thanks to Wally (Grandpa Peters). First you climb the ladder, then the rungs of the tree, next you get yourself onto this small platform (note how Mark is holding on...I was holding the rung behind me 'cause I couldn't let go of the tree), next you get off the platform (easier said then done!). The rest is a rush!! Oh, and to get down they throw you a rope to slow down and bring you to the landing pad. There is a ladder (one of the worst parts) and once unclasped.....you get yourself down off the ladder backwards....

Here I go...scared to death just to climb the ladder never mind the tree rungs...
I'm glad Trudy went right after me and so proud of Mark for doing it too!

WHAT A CRAZY MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND EXPERIENCE...ONE I WILL NEVER FORGET!!

A Day at Gardom Lake

2010-05-08T20:55:00.000-07:00

What an incredible day. Gardom Lake is a Bible camp that is connected through our church. A camp that Ray once worked at, Mark attended last year and will again this year and that I have spent many retreats at. It has been our tradition for the last five years to participate in their fundraiser day of Walk, Run, Bike. Ray has done the 70km bike the last few years with his Dad (who beat his time by 2mins this year I head)but this year we decided to split up and Ray and Mark biked the 10km with his brother and cousin Kaden. They actually did 7 or 8 by accident by taking a different turn but it's not about the 10kms it's about the fun ! Kyla biked 5km and walked/ pushed with her. She did great just needs to use less breaks going UP hills!
The kids also had the chance to climb the wall, archery, and try the ropes course. We were so proud of Mark to over come his fear of heights and completed the ropes course with a small zip line....

the most amazing thing was standing up looking at people coming down the large zip line. I turned to my Mother-in-law and said -I'm scared to death but it would be a dream come true, want to try it together? OK, I can't remember exactly what I said first, but the conversation started something like that and somehow we were walking up the hill to the top...even at the top of the hill we were watching each person going down and talking ourselves out of it. Some how the harnesses were being checked and we were looking at each other wondering how we were going to do this. "It's 26 seconds of your life" someone said - it's not the zip line I was worried about, it was climbing the tree and getting off the platform...
Kids were going up no problem including our friends kids and one nephew, something about seeing them go should have made it easier but it didn't somehow...
I started to climb and the ladder alone I would have avoided in any other situation, never mind the rungs in the tree... I held onto the one rung while sitting on the platform not sure how I would let go "can't be a tree hugger up there" I heard someone yell... slowly, and I mean slowly, i moved myself to the edge...only one way down they said...Ryan (camp staff) couldn't/ wouldn't push me off so I managed to find a way...
it was actually fun...it was a 300ft zip line. when I bounced off the tire at the end and I wasn't expecting that but otherwise, it was fun!
The ladder up, getting off the platform and getting down off the ladder at the end when they had thrown me a rope at the landing platform were the most difficult parts of the whole experience.

Mark also went and so did the Simon being the youngest person the camp has ever let go on the zipline alone...I'm proud of you Simon, Kaden, Mark, Trudy, Sam and Cady and of course of myself!!
One more thing checked off my "bucket list"!!

Birthday Month

2010-04-16T12:15:00.000-07:00

In our family of 4 we have 2 birthday months. March is one of them. I celebrated mine with family for dinner and Mark invited 4 friends for supper at a restaurant and cake and a pinata afterwards. It was a blast. Pink Panther was Mark's "theme" for the cake and the pinata was meant to be a bomb like on the shows.
Fun times had by all.

Mark's creation

2010-04-13T22:15:00.000-07:00

Mark has been creating a "roller coaster" and many many vehicles lately. His creation is a combination of Popsicle sticks, dowels pop lids and the special component is from Grandpa and Gramma's piano. Yes, that's right, even his teacher didn't believe him when he brought it into show and tell. They disassembled their piano. A box of the insides were given to Kaden and Mark for Christmas and there is many more where they came from. This has been hours of fun for Mark. I mean HOURS!!! Oh, don't get me wrong, this boy has had to learn the lesson the hard way how to use a hot glue gun (small finger burn once was enough to realize what "be careful" meant). He's is our aspiring architect I think.

2010-04-13T22:08:00.000-07:00

Olympic Fans

Mark's school was lucky enough to have the flame come running right past the school yard. We all came out to cheer and watch. Everyone waved their flags and it was great fun.

We all watched regularly and with much spririt. Even the kids were excited and into it.

One of the local centers had a chart up posting all the medals as they were won. This was great to keep checking while I was working and showed the kids.

Valentines Day Fun

2010-04-13T21:23:00.000-07:00

Ray and I celebrated by going out to the local Actor's Studio. It was a Christmas gift that we waited to enjoy with our choice of productions. The night was ON BROADWAY. It was AMAZING!!!!!

The kids enjoyed a gift that brought a smile to their faces...as they wanted to show you here!

I enjoyed a "love day" party at Kyla's school as well.

Daddy Time

2010-01-21T21:03:00.000-08:00

First time skiing

cuddle time

Grandma Time

2010-01-21T20:59:00.000-08:00

Peters Christmas

2010-01-21T20:27:00.000-08:00

The day of family time started with all the men making breakfast. What an amazing idea. THANK YOU MEN!!!!

When it came time to open gifts from Gramma and Grandpa, all the kids had to lay down and calm down. It was amazing how fast and well it worked.

Dressing up for the Nativity Story...Grandpa and Gramma build and put on a Nativity Story play with the grand kids earlier this December

reading with Auntie Karen

Dad made amazing bird houses from the piano

The boys got piano pieces to build with

Kyla (and Avery) got their very own Cabbage Patch dolls

Visiting time...

Mark and Kaden
Wrestling with uncle Levi

Playing....

Adventures with Cinder

2010-01-21T19:55:00.000-08:00

We welcomed a new member into our family.
Cinder. Born May 29th 2009

This year when we told the kids we were not going to buy them toys, thier first response was "I want a cat" and "I want my cousins to fly here"...needless to say we got the cat...next time we will need a bit more planning to bring cousins here.
Ray grew up with cats and I did not.

It's been so much fun for all of us to have a cat this last month.

Cinder met the Grade one VIP pet a stuffed dog named Marley.

Cinder went to School for Show and Tell.

Cinder went to the vet.

Christmas09

2010-01-21T19:42:00.000-08:00

We tried to keep Christmas low key and told the kids they would only get one or two things from us. They were blessed with Grandparents who spoiled them in their own sort of ways and a lot of books from a cousin book exchange. These are a few of our favorite things...

I really enjoyed being up on stage on Christmas eve at our church. I did the Sign Language for two songs. As long as we use our talents for the Lord we will bless those around us.

Christmas concerts

2009-12-08T20:47:00.001-08:00

Kyla has been apart of two Christmas concerts this year. The first was at Church with our Thursday morning group of kids korner. They were so cute. With two of her closest friends beside her...a girl friend from school in red and Sam hugging her!

The 2ND was a School. There were so many preschoolers. All so cute. Kyla in her new Christmas dress, was proud as punch to sing her two songs and say her poem. She was great at preforming in front of all those people.

1st Christmas

2009-12-08T20:30:00.000-08:00

We have a daughter that seems to think she is a hobbit(Lord of the Rings series)...She has first breakfast and second breakfast...she has 11ees and 1st and 2ND lunch...Some times that is an exaggeration but often that is honestly how our little skinny girl eats. Why am I telling you this...our family has also started a Christmas tradition the last few years and have a 1st Christmas, 2ND Christmas and sometimes a 3rd Christmas. It sounds a bit crazy but we love when family comes to visit early in December. We would much rather family come and celebrate early with them then not at all. That is exactly what happened again this year. Mom came from Wpg early this year and we had our 1st Christmas.

We planned on having Turkey Dinner with Grandma while she was here and invited Gramma and Grandpa to join us.

Grandma and Mark wanted to decorate our table for Turkey Dinner and I didn't have any napkin holders....what would most people do? Go without. What would two greatly creative people do? Make napkin holders just an hour before the guests arrived. They turned out great and even more, Mark was so proud of his first time using the hot glue gun on his own (with supervision!)

Great job both of you...it make the table look great!

Tea Party

2009-12-08T20:23:00.000-08:00

Kyla decided she needed a girl party. A "just because" party. She invited some of her friends and 2ND cousins. Each girl was asked to bring one of their dolls. The girls had real tea at their tea party and the dolls all sat around their own table.
After the party some of the girls dressed up as princesses and played puppets.

What a fun party "JUST BECAUSE". They're girls, what other reason do they need?

Skip-Bo

2009-12-08T20:17:00.000-08:00

I grew up playing this game and honestly it's been years since I played it.

Some girl friends brought the game to the recent women's retreat and I can't even tell you how many times we played...quite a few to say the least...

Our kids both can play which makes games more interesting when adults and kids can both enjoy the same game.

The crazy thing is that there are so many of us girls into this game right now that we've already planned a Skip-Bo tournament in the new year.

Halloween

2009-10-31T15:53:00.000-07:00

Although neither of us were raised to participate in this holiday we both feel pumpkin carving is Innocent enough.
We allow our kids to dress up as long as it's not scary. Actually it was animals only for the first few years or something they want to be when they grow up. More recently allowing a few characters like Batman or Spider man. Mark's answer to the "What do you want to be when you grow up" question, remains to be "A DAD" and he didn't want to dress up like that.

We have taken them to a church carnival idea for the last few years and hit a few houses on our way home. This reminds me of what we did a number of times as kids. We often did not trick or treat as kids but attended a function that we got candy at.
Why fill our kids with candy they don't need?
Why participate in a holiday that endorses evil?

Thanksgiving in Ontario

2009-10-25T18:24:00.000-07:00

NIAGARA FALLS!!

The biggest surprise of all was a great experience of fun at the hotel! Hours of laughing, running stairs and splashing with the kids, and catching moments in the hot tub!

went to see Mikaela at work...thanks Auntie Mikaela

The kids sure loved the animals around...but did the animals love the kids???

Dad took Ray, Mark and I for a walk. These crevasse were amazing!

This cat supposedly doesn't like males but ray got it to come and cuddle by the end of the weekend...a true cat lover!

after thanksgiving dinner, grandpa and mark compared roars!

Only a true server can carry three pies...the competition was on to see which pumpkin pie was better...good think Mikaela's work place won!

This year we wanted to spend time with my Dad and family. We really hadn't spend very much time with Jessica and Mikaela in the last three years so it was definitely time, and time to come to Dad and Carolyn's home instead of them coming our way!

Each week we are on skype with Dad and Carolyn but it doesn't compare to the time spent in person.

playing with Gramma and Grandpa

2009-09-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

Every day life often does not get recorded. We have been to Gramma and Grandpa's house a dozen times a year and the only time the camera comes out is for holidays or birthdays. Ok I am refering to my own camera. Gramma's camera is out a lot more often thank goodness. We love to see those snap shots!!

I just wanted to record a few of the favorite things that happen for my kids at Gramma and Grandpa's house.

Our kids come in, give Gramma and Grandpa a hug and run downstairs. If Grandpa isn't at the door Mark goes off looking for him.

For Mark, Lego is the toy of choice. Ping Pong, Cars and games will come close behind. Mark can spend hours building, especially if Grandpa is playing with him.

For Kyla her choice is the doll house. Hand built by Grandpa years ago it has been played with by all the grandkids. Kyla's next choice would be creating with Gramma. Making cards, drawing and sorting buttons.

Thanks Gramma and Grandpa!

Happy Grandparents Day!!

First day of school

2009-09-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

First day of preschool

I remember all these toys!

"Kyla's only play with Sam's and Sam's only play with Kyla's"...good thing the teacher will change that!!

First day of school

Now do I look like a real Grade one kid?

Look at all my school supplies!

September long part two

2009-09-26T22:27:00.000-07:00

New camping buddies. A beautiful place to explore.

A wet weekend but started off on the beach shore.

The lake wasn't as warm so late in the year.

Paddle boating is exercise when on holidays that's for sure.

Burried in sand the kids all were dirty.

Games were played and kids interacted. A campground full of Burger king attaction. (without the fast food).

A fire band resounded, but the BBQ we surrounded.

(Mark said, Uncle Karl taught us in Aug. that nothing stops smores on a camping trip!)

September long part one

2009-09-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the visit Barb and Gary!!

The front swing

2009-09-26T22:13:00.000-07:00

An excuse for me to use a power tool and climb a ladder.

An excuse for kids to swing and spin.

An excuse for neighbours to come and play.

Really, there was no excuse, they asked and I built.

Creative kids

2009-09-26T22:02:00.000-07:00

Mark is a very creative kid. He is passionate about making things, building, discovering, creating, drawing. He has a favorite craft book that he refers to often. One that he specifically gave his cousin Tobias and wanted to make sure cousin Kaden had one too. It is full of experiments and craft ideas.
This one was a repeated even at Auntie Karen's. The volcano explosion is for every kid to create. If you notice in this picture, Kyla's is opposite and a different colour...

Kyla is a girl as cute as a button. She set up her tea party for all her dolls and asked for popcorn to share with them. A favorite snack. She sure didn't mind when Curly Whirley and Cowey wanted to share their portions.

Dino's

2009-09-26T21:22:00.000-07:00

An important stop along the way home was a visit to see the Dinosaurs. The one that actually roared was the best part for the kids. We looked at all the exhibits but honestly knew that our kids were abit to young to really focus for too long. In the future it would be good to see the actual RTM but this time round we choose to stop and do the exporation world. I wouldn't give it a great review but if you are intersted in a shorter, more hands on experience it's the way to go with younger (tired from driving) kids.

Simpson's visit

2009-09-26T20:54:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe I am so late in posting this...I've just been so busy and only now getting a chance to make some major updates.

This posting is from our trip home in Aug when we stoped into Eston to visit Ray's sister.

It was great to see their cute home. Their first really "home". The favorite spot for our kids, in the whole house is the 6Th bedroom. A door to the ac tic that is perfect height for Kyla. Cute trim along the top with the periwinkle blue walls. It is located at the top of a long steep stair case and off to the side which was perfect place for kids to run and hide. They opened the door and sat on the carpet discovered inside, and with flashlights in hand, just sat in their glorious hideout. The funniest thing I have ever seen is a baby with a cigar as one of her favorite toys! At least we know she will grow up well rounded in life experiences!!

The gracious host at the kitchen counter. Preparing a supper for the guests who arrived only 4 days after she moved in. Amazingly the house was in great order with most boxes hidden away and books filled the shelves. Even if it wasn't in any order we were not looking. We only came to show how much we love and miss them. To see their town and spend time with them.

Creativity has no limits. Take any two kids and give them a box and watch to see what they come up with. Now take two kids and give them a room filled with empty boxes and watch the fort be built.

The children all gathered around the three little kittens. We came over to meet the little pet to whom Avery would soon acquire only to have our children bagging to take one too. 16 hours of driving is no way to start off a life with a kitten. There's always more at home to acquire. (which we haven't in case anyone is wondering)!!

extended family

2009-09-26T20:46:00.001-07:00

It's not very often you get a chance to all come together as a family, actually come to think of it, it really is a new family and therefore a first chance.
It was nice to take a moment after the wedding to catch us all for a few snap shots.

For those friends of ours reading this and not in my family...
Back row: Don, Mark, Ray, Carolyn, Dad
Middle: Melissa, Marianne, Mom, Melody
Front: Joel, Josh, Tobias, Mark and Kyla

wedding

2009-08-22T09:28:00.000-07:00

The wedding was at Mom's cottage. It recently got some huge upgrades. For example we are all gathered here for a fire pit on this recently made patio where the wedding party will stand for the ceremony. The grass area where guests will sit had a few truck loads of dirt brought in to raise the ground level and all new sod. The inside of the cottage recived a face lift too and it looks GREAT!!

The grandkids sitting watching a few fireworks being set off on the cottage beach.
Bridesmaid Nicole did an INCREADABLE job at the wedding ceremony performing the short reinactment of Princess Bride Movie ceremony.

The dance....

Summer adventures 2009

2009-08-15T11:24:00.000-07:00

Our summer adventure started out in Cannon Hot Springs. We had a great evening of swiming and relaxing in the hot tub. We had only driven a few hours just to get the trip started and knew we had a long 12 hour drive ahead of us in the morning.

Our 2nd night we had a great visit with Uncle Doug and Auntie Grace in Redcliff. The last time we had visited was when Kyla was a baby. Oh how times have changed. Thankgoodness for facebook that we have kept in touch that way. Personal visits are so much more valuable though. The kids loved the hidden playroom off the pantry and talk about what amazing toys they found up there. Mark created and shocked us all with his clay ballet figurine. We had a great time playing at the playground nearby and streched our legs on a walk around the neighbourhood. Thank you for the great time Doug and Grace. We continue to keep Doug in our prayers for health, and lookforward to seeing you again sooner then later this time.

The next day we arrived and were excited to see family and cousins. We barely made it to see mom before she was back to work due to the increadably pot hole infested highway that makes you slow down unless you prefer to watch your tent trailer got bucked off.

The week was not as "scheduled" as most but we did have alot planned for fun and things to do/ to get done before the wedding.

Things like; skateboard park fun for the boys, and a day trip to the Tinker Town with lots and lots of spining rides to make us adults feel dizzy. The kids really had a great time.

and us girls went to a bead store and tried our hands at making beaded neclaces. It was actually not as hard as I had thought. I might even do it again sometime. It took some effort not to drop the beads but once we got going it was pretty fun. We also went for pedicures to make our toe nails all match for the BIG DAY. that was fun too...Kyla still talks about the place where she watches us soak our feet in the blue water...she is such a Girl and can't wait until she can do that!!

more on the wedding in the next blog....

happy 8th anniversary

2009-07-23T22:43:00.001-07:00

We had a great anniversary. Celebrated 8 years.

Ray planned the whole night! I was very impressed!!

Dinner, Shakespere in the Vineyard "Midsummer's Night Dream",

and a late night walk to Tims....

I love you Ray!!

our backyard

2009-07-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

picking apriots

flowers, strawberries

squash, pumpkin, pototato's.

dresses for kyla

2009-07-13T09:40:00.000-07:00

great job grandma on the sewing of this dress. she'll match perfect. she really loves the daisy flowers...she said "look mom they're your favorite flowers"... she'll be perfect. thanks

Marianne, these are dresses that I think she could wear...one purchased one borrowed dress #1 with the coat on...prefer without

dress #1 without the coat on

dress #2 simple with oldschool lace shoulders. It's at MEXX if you want to see it. This is more what I was thinking but replace the white tie around the middle with the red of my dress...

I can bring both and we can decide there what do you think?

mark's wild side

2009-07-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

recently discovered the bmx trax. a true pro the first time on the trax...loved it so much he's been back already to show off to dad and his 2nd cousin that's visiting this week.

spiderman is here

The kids at the lavender Farm

2009-07-08T21:31:00.001-07:00

The Lavender Farm poem

2009-07-08T21:10:00.001-07:00

I had a picture in my head that this related to. It's beauty so hard to describe in words...

A place I met God this last week.

A field of forget-me-nots in my picture, but this lavender was close enough to remember.

I sat, crouched down as she does, only my arms are wrapped around my legs.

It is peaceful all around me, yet out of my peripheral view a war is raging, one we cannot see.

I am little in this huge, huge field.

I wanted to met you in a tree God, but you met me here...

What if I stay sitting? What if I stand?

I sit. I sit in peace. I sit in the quiet. I sit with tiny blue flowers all around me.

Forget-me-not.

The lavender dries hanging in my closet to be enjoyed for days to come...

Book Club

2009-07-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

The Peters book club has met a few times now...

The fact that I am now a reader has been recorded in this blog before. I not saying that 'cause I'm ashamed, more shocked if anything. I really appreciate that family here can have something like reading that brings us together on a different level. The more interesting part of the club, even more interesting than the discussion (at least for me) is the variety of books that are recommended each time.

This time around I have read a few books off the list before I have even got the book of choice. This time it is "Fugitive Pieces" by Anne Michaels.

I just broke the 5,500 pages mark of my reading this year which is hard to believe for me. I love it. I love the stories, I love the quiet time, I love zoning out from life for a time to dream and imagine. Actually, there have been a few books this year that I didn't want to dream as real. I wanted the historical fiction book; "The book of Negroes" to be "not historical" at all. The idea that people might have/could have been that awful made me even feel sick. Also, "The Glass Castle", made me wonder if people really don't have common sense sometimes. Could you actually drive in the back of a U-Haul van without seat belts? Then there was, "tuesdays with Morrie", that I absolutely loved. I love the thought provoking questions, the things that make you think about life and who has impacted you...or who you yourself have impacted...and there was this crazy series I read that I won't mention. I can't believe I read it and yet loved the writing and totally got hooked into what was coming next...crazy books with far fetching ideas...yet the story line can make you not want to put it down...

Amazing how stories come alive.

So to all you readers out there, enjoy your books

Our lists: (Some are repeated as people brought them back to the next meeting again)

List One:

1. The Book of Negroes, by Lawerence Hill

2. What is the What, by Dave Eggers

3. The book of the Dun Cow, by Walter Wangerin Jr.

4. Becoming Human, by Jean Vanier

5. The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger

6. Peace Shall Distroy Many, by Rudy Wiebe

7. Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson

8. A Thousand Splendid Sun, by Khaled Housseni

List Two:

1. The Cellist of Sarajevo, by Steven Galloway

2. Exile, by Richard North Patterson

3. Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides

4. Fugitive Pieces, by Anne Michaels

5. Becoming Human, by Jean Vanier

6. tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Album

7. Little, Big, by John Crowley's

8. What is the What, by Dave Eggers

9. Sword at Sunset, by Rosemary Stutcliff

10. Wicked, by Gregory Maguire

11. The Road, by Cormac McCarthy

12. The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls

13. Son of Laughter, by Fredrick Buechner

father's day

2009-07-05T08:23:00.000-07:00

This year for father's day we went camping again. It was meant to be a family camping trip but only us and Ray's parents camped but his brother joined us for the last night. In the morning we took our immediate family (and Dad) to a different hiking trail than we have done the last 3 father day weekends. It was 395 stairs each way but the view was beautiful. There was many different look out points along the way. The stairs this time seemed to go up a bit then over then up again. For the last few years the hike we have done is 184 total stairs which seem more straight upward. The kids did great.

We went for a bit of a trip off the beaten path to see the some of the old remains of a water system. (as seen below). The pinoneer who built this and lived here was pretty smart for his time.

This is the pinoneers home... after the hike we wandered around

and walked through the garden and the labrinth...sort of felt silly since it's flat, but if you follow the path you will walk a mile.

As extended Peters family members joined us we played at the beach for most of the afternoon. It was a great get together and send off for Uncle Levi and Auntie Shelley, and Avery as they leave this month. We cherish the weekend with everyone together. (I guess we were missing 6 from the total of Kelowna Peters). In total I counted 37 people at the picnic.Aunt Louise got the kids playing a great game of "Duck, Duck, Goose". The fun part of watching was that there were a few that haven't quite learned how to play yet.

moving / renos again

2009-06-04T14:36:00.001-07:00

Some people think we are crazy to start all over again but here we are. Exactly one year after moving into our newly renoed home we signed the papers to put it up for sale(march1st) move day approaching (may7th) we sold and prepared for it all over again. It was not our intention to do this one year later. We had actually aplied for a building permit to make an addition on the back under the deck but we were denied.

Before Pictures:

green stained old carpet going up the stairs...

The kitchen to be taken out...The YELLOW bathroom that will be taken out...YUCK!!

This time we doubled our square footage and now have room to do respite and give the kids a playroom. The plan is to stay here for awhile...unless God has other plans. Can someone keep us accountable??

This time around was a lot harder. We were living in the mess unstead of next door. We were offered rooms at Gramma and Grampas and took them up on it for the first weekend...thinking we could handle it we moved back home (in heinsight we should of stayed longer!).

My Dad came to help again and Dad Peters was here too. We had many hands the first demo day and periodically friends and Ray's brother poped in and helped too. very apprecated!!

This time we also didn't want to kill anyone's body. After Ray being in the hosiptial earlier in that week due to stress we really wanted to take breaks and take our time. The problem is, once you are in reno mode it takes a lot of convincing to get these guys to slow down and take the naps they need and the family time here and there.

Ceilings and walls painted, electrical updated, kitchen torn out & put in, flooring layed upstairs, dishwasher put in, wall paper removed upstairs, light fixtures updated in kitchen/dinning room and hired the carpets to be layed. I'm sure there was more but that was the major stuff...

And the kids love the new playroom...

oh, and I planted the garden.

Thanks for helping everyone!!

The boys' new look!

2009-04-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

The men in my life were off feeling the breeze today! ...Male bonding!

Recently Ray bought a new toy for himself...and a helmet for Mark so he could come too.

He found a very well taken care of 1987 Kawasaki 454.

He came home with the biggest smirk on his face and a gleam in his eye to tell me what he had found.

A friend of ours (Dan) bought a sports bike last year around the same time that Ray sold his old bike...I'm happy for the tent trailer that replaced the old bike but I have known all a long this man loves the idea of owning his own bike and it was only a matter of time for him to get another one. Now they're both working on another friend of theirs to get one too....I think there might be a brother who would love to join if he could...(too bad he had to sell his off a few years ago)

The two guys went off riding the other day and and came back with proper jackets at least. (heard about a great bike sale)...At least I feel better knowing he's protected and being as safe as he can be

Mark has been waiting his turn to ride on the back and now loves it too!!

(neighbours friend Chris's bike is in the background, not Dan's who Ray goes riding with)

Here are my Proud Bike owning men!

Mark turned 6

2009-03-31T14:23:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to printing and downloading some pictures off our camera. Sometimes we get so caught up in the digital world that we forget that we have to do a few more steps. We use to just develop the pictures. Now we have to download them and develop them. I guess there are lots of positives for the digital camera idea but now I've gone on and on about something so minor...

Mark turned 6 this year. I just read some of my old blogs and it seems like a lifetime ago that he just turned 5. This last year has been busy but fun to watch them grow and change.

One of my favorite memories of when I turned 6 was the big balloons that my parents and Dad's cousin (Lloyd Bartel) put up all over the wall. I couldn't help myself I had to put some 6's on the wall too.

Mark entered school this year. He entered the world of star wars, Wii, leapster, computers and so much electronics. He's mimicking his play with what he watches. Over all, 6 just seems like a different age. We have to limit the DIGITAL world that he lives in to ensure his brain is challenged and developing in other areas. I would say to balance the digital world we have our craft time as another huge part of our week ( which I don't want to see him ever loose). I love watching these guys create things...sure it's a big mess but that's all part of the fun in crafts. He best reaction for any of his gifts were between the big box of Pearler Beads and the case of tape!! Oh don't get me wrong he loved all of the gifts but those were the funniest to watch him open!! Yep, you got it, Tape. This kid can go through a roll a tape a week if he could. Any craft he makes, it's not complete until he's got tape on some part of it or completely all over it!! He could be a true Red/Green kind of kid if I didn't know him better!!

Mark's birthday party this year was only 5 friends. keep it simple.

They had a MARIO Wii party. A little tournament. Taking turns playing Mario, choosing tracks and racing. They coloured Mario character pictures and watched each other race. The kids seemed to love it. I loved it, super easy!

Mark also loves models. He got a model car for this birthday and a model airplane. Obviously a bit of help was required from Dad but the boys here sat down to work and built the car. He absolutely loves it. I wasn't sure at first, giving a boy a car and telling him it's too fragile to play with...but he gets it. It sits on his shelf and he just admires it. The airplane on the other hand, has been flown a quite a few times in the park. We had to go to the hobby shop to get a new elastic band for the airplane. You should have seen him...I thought his eyes were going to pop out of his head...he was overwhealmed with excitement...so much to look at, so many options...too bad it's all too much money. I think I know where we'll be shopping this christmas!!

Thanks everyone for celebrating Mark's 6th birthday with him!!!

The Baker

2009-03-24T10:55:00.000-07:00

Our boy is growing up and learning new things. He really loves to help around the kitchen which I love and appreciate. It's been great to see how his father was raised to be a kitchen helper too and regularly puts it to practice and now our son is doing the same...muffins, cookies, waffles, pancakes, or adding ingredients into almost anything we are making.

It was Mark's idea for him to bake his muffins and make a book about it. He takes a muffin and/or yogourt to school for snack almost every day. This way he a apart of the whole process.

He does almost everything. Actually, we've been baking together for years now and I'd say he has a pretty go grasp on the measuring now. I read the recipe and he finds most things. We still need reminders on tsp/ Tbsp. but he's almost got 1/2 and 1/3 and 1/4 and 1 cups all figured out.

One of the messy parts of the job is filling the muffin tins to the correct amount. We've learned not to lick our fingers until the whole process is done and no germs get into our food.

Putting the food into the oven will be an adult job for a while...until you are a lot older! But turning the light and watching the muffins rise is still part of the process.

An adult takes the hot food out of the oven but once cooled, Mark removes the muffins from the tins onto the cooling rack.

The best part of the whole activity is getting to EAT IT!!!!

YUMMY!.

shopping with mom

2009-03-04T15:17:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun shopping with my mom for a "mother of the bride" dress. We didn't choose any of these but it was fun to see her in a gown.
I'm really not one for shopping at all but since this was like being apart of my sister's wedding plans I really got excited about being there as mom tried these dresses on.
Currently I'm reading Confessions of a Shopoholic which is also nothing like me. Maybe that's why I think it's so easy to read, I don't relate at all and find it interesting that people can convince themselves of wasting their precious time and money on the idea of shopping!

Thanks Mom for letting me come along with you and enjoy in the fun!!

one we like the most

other favorite

Happy Valentines

2009-02-14T10:37:00.001-08:00

Love Day. That's what our kids call it.

A day that we celebrate all the people we love. Some are far and some are close at hand. The kids received valentines cards in the mail. They were so excited that they created some more to send back. The problem was that I sprained my ankle this week and have been house bound all week. Thus those valentines weren't mailed in time. They finally got mailed and those cousins will receive them next week. A package arrived this week and the kids painfully have waited until today to open it. Mail has always been an excited thing. There is so many reasons why technology works in our world but are we taken away the simple treasures in life?

Valentines Day. A silly holiday in my mind. Why make day different then the rest just to say I love you. Shouldn't we be saying it all the time? I appreicate that Ray got me my flowers last week. It makes them more of a meaningful surprise. Wouldn't we want to be loved all 365 days in a year not just one?

The kids and I love baking together. Cookies, pies, cakes, cinnamon buns. We just love to bake and I love that they help out. It does make it messier but it's more important that they help out in my mind.

This week we baked heart cookies. They each put in an ingreadant or two. They turn the mixmaster on and off. They rolled the dough. They cut out the hearts. They tasted one each. As I wrote on each of them Mark practiced reading the work "LOVE" like a hundred times! Finally they brought them to their classes to share with their friends.

To ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FAMLY - WE LOVE YOU AND WISH YOU A HAPPY VALENITINES DAY!!

Picture taken by: Mark Peters

She's a girly, girl

2009-02-12T20:06:00.001-08:00

Kyla. She is ALL girl. She loves to dress up and loves to be a princess. Her favorite is Cinderella. It's probably because it's the first Disney princess movie she saw. She's seen moments of other ones but many of them have scary parts. On this day she borrowed our neighbour and friends dress and did the whole Cinderella story as a play for us - 3 year old version. Many parts were mixed up, there was an eagle (which is very apart of the movie) the mean sisters were the ones who turned into pumpkins, she "spelled" everyone and everyone loved each other in the end. Oh it was priceless to see. Lots of spinning around and dancing. I love the imagination that comes with turning 3. She has blossomed so much this year and her creativity and mimicking is so fun to watch.

She's daddy's little girl. One of my favorite parts of going for a walk is seeing this moment.

She'll be a great babysitter someday. She might have been a good big sister but many times a day/ week I'm thankful to be only raising the two. God knows that's all I can handle.

Just give her a 10 years and she'll be watching these cousins of hers.

She loves her new baby cousins. She loves babies and plays with her dolls all the time. Auntie actually gave her a newborn diaper so she could change her (my old) Cabbage patch doll. The one thing we do have to watch is that she can go through an entire box of wipes on that doll if they are not put away. That baby has a lot of poopy diapers!!

my purse

2009-02-12T19:28:00.000-08:00

I don't think of myself as boring or repetitive but somethings in life you just love and you never want to change.

I've never been a girly girl when you think of shopping. I attack it like a chore. I know what I want, go in, and get out. Especially something that I know I need or want. Hence why shopping for others doesn't happen very often. I don't just hang out in mall and enjoy it. I'll do it if I need. Oh, I'll go for walks when I know they won't be busy. Inside walks in the winter are better then do walks at all. The new movie shopaholic would be my nightmare of a life I'm sure.

Speaking of shopping...

I purchased a purse 12 years ago at MEC and found it to be the perfect purse for me. I love the number of pockets, the zippers, the snaps. I appreciate the color - BLACK it goes with everything. Ok ok it's not a fancy purse but nor do I dress up fancy more then once a year. It's an every day bag more like it. It suits me perfect.

Now fast forward 12 years and we have a problem. This purse/ bag has been used and abused every day since. It has been left behind many places, washed too many times to count. Full of toys, snacks, pictures, papers, crayons rather then pens. It's been a life savor.

Needless to say it's zippers are tired. It's time to retire.

I went shopping for a new one. I hate shopping.

I went looking in Mexico...never found one I loved.

I came home and realized I just love my purse and wouldn't trade it for anything.

I went on line and bought it again. The exact same one just brand new!!

A holiday in Mexico

2009-01-15T14:57:00.000-08:00

We've been home for a few weeks now. I"m missing the blue sky and the warm weather. Our family vacation to Mexico was much anticipated and very memorable. The kids did great.

Enjoyed the the popular Pelicans. Most of the time they were flying in packs of 20. Most we saw was 22. It was nice to see this one up close on the roof of a hut close along the boardwalk.

We love the pool and ocean view. The swim up bars and all the activities. The kids loved the kids pool with waterslide and also loved swimming up to ask for slushies and Pepsi pop.

The resort from our deck view...

Mark is into drawing lately... he was content sitting and looking out to find things to draw... remember this is our busy monkey child normally...sometimes you look and wonder, where he is on those crazy days. For example...

Kyla's favorite memory is the pool and the Pepsi pop. She got a new Mexico dress and a drum. She was often content to sit on the side of the pool like a typical sun bather...

A hot vacation with children is somthing we have been dreaming of for a while. It was a great get-a-way. Really enjoyed the sunshine and the 30 above temps. Not too hot and not cold like back home.

Playing in the kids pool for many hours....

We stayed at a very family oriented, all inclusive resort. Highly recommended.

Ray and I have both been to Mexico before. For mission trips. To the dirty, slums or major cities. Hard to imagine this beautiful clean place. I can honestly say I don't remember being in a cleaner airport before. Marble floors and all. Travel through the night is the best and worst time to travel with children. It has it's challenges but as that was our only challenges for the week, we can't complain.

Food was pretty good. Lots of selection. Loved the fresh omlets and waffles each morning.

Went on a city bus to the down town to shop...Kyla's first time on a bus ever never mind having to be standing up and jostled around.

Some of our favorite memories were the sea turtles hatching on the public beach.

And our excursions on the catamaran

and the Pirate ship.

While on the pirate ship Kyla and Mel got extremely sea sick with the huge swells while sailing. I got to go on a banana boat with Mark which I have always wanted to try. We got to see a humpback Whale while out on the water...makes you think of how amazing God is...and Ray's highlight was a chance to go snorkeling once we got to the remote beach, and Mark got to seach for burried treasure.

Doesn't this make you want to go? Sure makes us remember that dreams can come ture....

Christmas Day

2008-12-30T21:48:00.000-08:00

Christmas day with the Peters...Brunch was amazing with all of us there. I think there is 15 of us now. I guess one or two wee ones were not at the table yet.

The kids enjoyed the gift exchanges and everyone seems very excited with what their cousin got them. Grandpa and Gramma got something for each of them too which they all love too!!

Mark loves his remote control truck and his Lego garbage truck,

Kyla for example loves her tea set...looks like Uncle Levi is practicing for Avery in a few years!

She also loves her barbie Princess carriage that goes with her Cinderella dolls.

The guys played guitar hero...obviously playing a real guitar gives you the advantage of strumming skills.

And the two wee ones this year are so beautiful and full of cuddles.

Kyla loves holding the babies too...I guess since she'll never be a big sister she'll have to one day she'll grow up to be a good babysitter.

The night ended with Gramma and Mark and a drawing challenge...
Think of something to draw, find your own spot so no one can see and draw it as fast as you can, reveal your artistic talent. We're pretty proud of both of them. Anything from remote control car, a piano, santa, snowman, apartment building, airplane, grandfather clock, and candles to name a few. Some of the details were impressive.

Christmas with Us

2008-12-30T18:05:00.000-08:00

This year we had Christmas on Christmas eve. The struggle with both of us growing up with different traditions is deciding on which one to use with our own immediate family. This year it worked well as the Christmas eve service was early afternoon. We had our family time before heading over to Grandpa and Gramma's house. I'm so glad to share in the traditions that have been passed down and some we keep from my family and some from Ray's.. As long as it works I'm fine with whatever. Some of the best moments that afternoon were... Just US time...

Kyla and her Dream come true Cinderella Barbie doll...

Mark's expression with MarioKart...

Ray's new look with his Ski goggles...

And I re-entered the world of cell phones after 8 years...

There were also many M&M's to last me till next year (thanks Marianne), games to play, Wii fun to be had, transformers to figure out and lego to build. Thanks to Aunties and Uncles and cousins from afar.

Christmas eve ended with Birthday cake for Jesus with the kids, sending them off to bed early so the adults could have some appies.

After the kids were in bed we had a nice bit of adult time! Listing to Dad telling us adults a story and just sitting and talking!!

Gingerbread

2008-12-18T09:14:00.000-08:00

A tradition: an unwritten body of beliefs, facts, handed down from generation to generation; custom, practice of long standing...

It has been a tradition in my family to build a gingerbread house every Christmas season. I don't remember when it started, but I don't remember a year without it. I have fond memories as a child creating the gingerbread. Deciding where the gingerbread people go around the house, baby Jesus in a little cradle inside the house with a gingerbread angel, the candy all over especially the smarties all over the roof. Our house smelling of the gingerbread baking...cooling yet mom having to work quickly to cut out the shapes for the creation. The gingerbread house taking form as the icing quickly draws hard as rock.

My favorite year was the year of the CHOCOLATE house. It didn't smell of gingerbread but it was soooo yummy.

I have tried to continue this tradition within our little family too. One year Mom came for her visit and we created a gingerbread train. It wasn't the same yet close enough to the same. We brought it to our playgroup and all the smiles on the kids faces as we smashed the train and everyone got a piece of candy, hard rock icing and a piece of gingerbread cookie cutout as something.

To keep with tradition, my mom was here again this year for the creation. We allowed the kids to help decorate. One wall broke and we talked about how the kids might be a bit too young to help with the actual creation but maybe better to have them just decorate.

Even Kyla got to use the piping bag to decorate a few of the cookies to go with the house. Each of us had a gingerbread created person. The kids decided where candy would be placed and the house came together.

Mom actually made a sled for each of the kids to take to school this year with a gingerbread person on the side of the sled with their teachers initials on them.

Yesterday we invited a few friends over for the annual SMASHING OF THE GINGERBREAD!!

Everyone gathered around the table. The house is placed in the middle and fists are raised in the air...1, 2, 3 SMASH!!!!

Gingerbread pieces everywhere, candy grabbed, rock hard icing is painfully pulled apart.OH the JOYs of sharing our family Tradition with friends.

Visit with Mom

2008-12-18T08:16:00.000-08:00

Grandma came for a early Christmas. We love and enjoy the short visits. The chance to visit and hang out. It started with going to Living Nativity at our church. We have lived here 4 Christmas' and mom has seen 3 years worth of Living Nativities. I love that thought - that she is so far away most of the year but she is here for special memories.

The kids loved the chance to break open a few Christmas presents early. Some how it makes waiting for the rest a bit easier. Lego was the "theme" for the weekend. Mark loves all the new things he can create. The race car ramp was attempted over and over again and finally he had to be convinced that the race car doesn't actually need a ramp to be fun. The Helicopter was his favorite as he can build it himself over and over again. Kyla entered the world of "big kid" lego and is delighted with the PINK lego! There were a few other things from Grandma that they love as well, but that was the main event.

While Mark was at School, Kyla and Mom and I enjoyed the nice 'warm' winter weather. A walk in the park seemed like Fall. Kyla took her exploring the upper section of the park. Through the paths. Up and around the corner. Following the footsteps of a three year old. Stopping to see bird seeds and berries. Listening to the bird chirping. Although there is green on the trees there is Winter all around.

Reflection

2008-11-15T21:25:00.000-08:00

Ever had a day when so much made you stop and reflect?

Christmas music playing in the stores I shopped in today reminded of Christmas' past. Traditions and hopes and dreams of Christmas' to come.
The real meaning of Christmas and the grace we have been given.
Whether or not our kids understand that yet?
How much we have worked on not being selfish and still struggle with it.
How much I struggle with the materialism in this world and wish we could skip the Worldly Christmas as we had hoped to.
Looking forward to family time, family that is visiting...

Looking at my cousins pictures of his new baby girl on his face book, and sitting in the hospital with my two sister-in-laws reminiscing about our childbirth experiences made me think about how much our children have grown in such a short period of time.
It made me think of all that has happened in only 3 or 5 years.
It makes you wonder why things happen at the timing that it does...
Our little baby girl sleeping in my arms during the service, how much I love her and how much little things can annoy me and yet they wouldn't be the same without them. How much we love them and protect them. Are we raising them up to be Godly children of God?

God knows every day in our lives before one of them even occurs. He knits us together. He knows what we will go through and yet it is up to us to decide how much we will let Him into each and every situation life gives us. People wonder why things happen and yet we appreciate that God gave us free choice. Everything can be given to God for His work to be completed through us.

This whole month I have been struggling with the idea of journaling. Some times I wonder why people do it, and why it has come into so many of my conversations lately. Why can I not get over my fears of it. I think I have burned all of my past journals. Maybe this is like journaling...maybe my scrapbook is like a photo journal...
What good is journaling? Do I feel relief while I write? Does it really help me sort out my thoughts? It makes me think back at all my past journals. What would it be like to read them now?

The smells of yeast rising in my kitchen reminds me of my Nana, and the fact that she would make loaves of fresh bread. That she was the one that taught me how to make it. I am reminded of her, the happy moments and the sad ones. Her marriage and her relationship with God, her friends, her own family and my own mom and dad. Wondering how she is doing and does God speak to people with that late of a stage of Alzheimer's?...I believe He does, until we go to live with Him...and on and on I have thought!
I love that I am carrying on at least one of her skills. I love the fresh buns rising on the counter and remember her counters full of rolls, cinnamon buns, tea rings and more. A full days worth of a labour of love. I love that my husband is right beside me in this labour of love. That he remembers cooking and baking with his mom and wants to share these moments with me. That it is a team effort in this house!

Tonight at church we were asked to think about our own funerals...to imagine ourselves watching and being at our own funeral. It is often wondered what people will think of us after we have died. It's a morbid thought, and yet how we live each day is a reflection on ourselves. It's a reflection of how we love and live for our God...

What will my family think of my life? What will I be remembered for? Honestly, I don't want to think of it. I want to live my life for now. I want to lean on Him in all my worst situations. I want to learn from them. I want to be able to look back and see how much I have learned from life and grown. Sure, I will make mistakes along the way. I will look back and reflect, and see that I could have done things differently, but can't.

I want to be a prayer warrior and yet feel far from one. I want to use my gifts for God. I want to be an encourager. I want to be remembered as a friend people can count on. A lover and supporter of my husband. Someone my family could count on in times of need. I know I'm a people pleaser and as much as that has caused me pain, I hope that it has also been a blessing.

Today has been a day of reflection...there is so much to think about...not enough words to describe it all, not sure if journaling is my way of expressing it. So this has been my attempt...

Puzzled??

2008-11-12T09:14:00.000-08:00

Some people are born to be puzzlers. We got into the discussion the other day if someone could be trained to be a good puzzler? Some people have the patience to sit for hours and love to gaze over a thousand or more, small unique pieces of cardboard looking for the exact piece they need. Others, like myself love to puzzle and can sit for a long time but my eyes need to take breaks once in awhile to refocus. Some times I come back and the piece I've been searching for was right in front of me the whole time. After I came back from our church women's retreat, we still had still two days before the week of work began. We took out a puzzle. For the last few years our own children have been too young to trust not to destroy a puzzle. Now that they are old enough to know better, my daycare kids are too young. Needless to say we scattered the 1000 pieces all over the table and started our fun. Our kids played near by and sooner then later Mark had 10 puzzles out himself and worked on the floor beside us putting his own puzzles together. He started with all his 24 piece puzzles as he can whip through them like nothing. Next he did one 48 piece and 3 49 piece puzzles. He spread the completed puzzles on the floor telling Kyla to for a walk through his museum of puzzles. Finally, he started on a 100 piece puzzle and said "I need help with this one". We started our puzzle Sunday afternoon and at about 1am Tuesday I was done for the day and Ray stayed up to put the last few pieces in, it was completed by 1:30am on Tuesday morning. It was a tough puzzle right to the last few pieces he said. The blues in the sky were so realistic. I would say it wasn't our toughest puzzle yet, but it was difficult. I love doing puzzles that are actual photos. So here to starting a puzzle season. Our first Winter (1st year of marriage and prior to children) we completed 8 puzzles, we've had a number of years with only one puzzle a year (at Grandmas house or visiting family in Calgary), we hope to complete at least one or two more this year and bring back our tradition.

Pear season

2008-09-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

Often I look at other people's blogs and think of how unique theirs are. I think majority of my blogs have been on our kids. That is the stage of life we are in and really what consumes majority of our time and energy. I think I need to start taking more pictures of what else happens in our day. Stop and smell the roses sort of idea. It's just so hard when a day consists of dropping kids off or picking up, cleaning the house, going to one playground or another, playing with the kids or making meals. One thing we love about living here is the fruit. We have our own fruit monster - KYLA. She will eat fruit constantly if allowed. Ray's favorite fruit is pears. We love all the others too. I made 18 jars of strawberry jam this year. Froze a bunch for smoothies as well as peaches. I have canned cherries and one pie - Thanks to my sister I love my new cherry pitter. Blueberries we froze as they are great for muffins later on. When it's pear season and then apple season we can and freeze a lot. I canned 18 jars of pears this year. Same as last year. I though 40lbs would have gone further but I think we ate quite a bit of them before I got the chance to can the rest. I have pear crisp too. I guess it's not only pear season, it's now plum season and the beginning of apple season too. I have a bunch of plums that would go great with those pears in a crisp too. I need to make my plum plots and freeze those too. I love all the fruit, enjoy doing the work to save it all and look forward to enjoying it all through the year.

more school pictures

2008-09-23T12:50:00.000-07:00

Mark and his class made flowers with their names on them. He was very proud of his sunflower. This is the calendar in his classroom. He comes home telling us a lot about his school day. Very different then the boy we once knew. He is learning all the names of the kids in his class very quickly and seems to love all the different things they do there.

Lunch today was another creative creation. I realized we've never taken pictures of our many pictures. We were all taught not to play with our food. Something about creative creations before they begin eating seems to follow different rules! Lunch tastes better when a picture is created. It's made lunch prep a bit more fun!

More Pictures from the first week of school

2008-09-11T18:10:00.000-07:00

Mark and Cady (neighbour)

Mark

Mark in the "coat room" with new techer Mrs. Shiskin.

First Day of School

2008-09-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

This week has been the beginnings of our family entering the public school system. What an exciting change and yet overwhelming all at the same time. Here is the typical 1st day of school photo shot. Stand at the door and say cheese! Got to love how easy it is to take a picture of two very excited kids!!

Our kid is old enough for Kindergarten and the other is old enough to go to preschool. Is that not scary in itself? I think we're both ready for him to go to school and learn. I know he is. Mark started asking a month ago when he would start learning to read. He loved the idea that he was already starting by learning his letters and the sounds. It's a four step process I told him; 1. learn your letters. 2. learn the sounds the letters make. 3. put the sounds together. 4 memorize the words that you know. Kyla loves that she is going to school too. Especially that it's Mark's old school. She wanted to go last year already and was thrilled to enter the classroom. Mark loves that he has 3 other friends before he even started school. Two of them are girls and last year he didn't play with Cady at school anyways so it didn't seem such a big deal. Kaden his cousin on the other hand was huge to be in his class. Mark's sad that the teacher won't let him play with his cousin but he's excited to met new friends. Kyla is also excited to have our neighbour and her little boyfriend to go to school with also. I still have a daycare kid that goes to the same preschool as Kyla on a different day. Mommy's favorite day is Friday. I have no daycare kids and both our kids are in school. I have 2 hours. To do whatever I need. I asked Mark how his first day of school was and he said. Great. The best part was that your friend was my gym teacher. The gym teacher is a lady from our church. He's not a kid that comes home all excited to tell me what he did at school. Rather I hear bits and pieces as he remembers them. Like right now. He just interupted me to tell me the teacher had two baby dolls in Square time (I was corrected when I asked about circle time). The baby dolls burped and drank water and slept in the kids arms. They all got a turn holding the dolls. Out of no where...and We're supose to understand what they learn about??? I'm guessing that was apart of the Family topic??? I guess we're in for an interesting year with Both kids!!

This LIttle Piggy...

2008-09-11T16:50:00.000-07:00

Ever tried teaching a kid about money? It's not that easy. Sure you start with the names of the coins and work on the values. Most children learn from the pictures of the coins (at least here in Canada). The problem is that the quarter keeps changing the picture. Great but, harder to teach..."look for the moose" or "sails" or "beaver".

Have you ever gone to the store and had a kid say "I want that!". I think we've found the solution to the problem. I read a book this summer; actually I read a few, the one I'm referring to, talked about Piggy Banks. It teaches you how to budget. Really anyone could use the concept whether you actually go out and buy little piggies is your decision. The kids each got a few different little piggies. This little piggy is for "Super Savor Piggy" this one you fill then put in the bank. This little piggy is for "The Big Prize Piggy" you fill this one for one big toy that the kids get to decide. This little piggy is for "Fun Pig" - spend on anything they want, whenever they want, no questions asked. The final little piggy is for - Kids Helping Kids. It can be for any charity or church. For each bank, as parents we decide the percentage that the kids get to put into. Our kids don't get an allowance so the only change they find is their to put into the piggy of their choice. The kids do have a "Job" as they call it. They recycle the pop and juice boxes we have and take them in for money. I love that our province has this option. It's great and it's a job they understand. The problem is we don't drink a lot of pop or juice boxes so they actually don't get a lot of money. Needless to say they have loved it so far. The best part is now we can go to the store and all I have to say is, "did you bring your money? or do you have enough?"

The swing

2008-09-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

I love our swing. It has been hours of rest and relaxation. The kids love it too. I love the chance to sit and watch the kids play and yet in actual fact I think I am playing more then I am sitting. Try going outside without being asked to play badmonton, bocce, croquet and catch. I love that the kids love to play with us but at some point when I have had my turn with each of the activities (of course with each of the kids too) I will get a chance to sit. The best was when they were playing in the kiddy pool. Since I didn't fit I had a fair excuse to not have to play. Although we discovered that a bucket of water for my feet to cool off was also fun for them. They had somewhere to get buckets of water and fill up my bucket. Each time I rocked on the swing the water would slosh therefor needing to be refilled. I love making everything a game!

Kyla turns 3

2008-08-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

Kyla has really become a princess in this last year. Her 3rd birthday party was a princess party. She wore the dress she got from Grandpa Ernie and choose her own 'my little ponies'. she loved her princess colour wonder book and got princess toys as well. Auntie Lisa also found a beautiful pink princess dress for her. Her girly side has really begun to shine through with 'Barbies', 'my little ponies' and 'littlest pet shop'. We had invited our small group and family but it turned out mostly family. We were so blessed to have Grandma Joan here for the first time for one of kyla's birthdays. Uncle Ernie and Claire also came which was so much fun for kyla. Claire and kyla met the last time we went to vancouver and even though they are a year apart they hit it off like two best friends. It was so fun to have them here for hte weekend. Also funny about that is our lack of bedroom space. We used or tent trailer as our spare room and it worked great. Now we can have guests anytime (spring to fall) and have space for them. I think for next time Grandma comes we'll have to find a way for a tv to be in there for her. Birthday's are so important to me to celebrate the individual life of a person. A card or a phone call is all that really matters and yet growing up I loved having parties too. Why do we put so much pressure on the party itself? I think I have realized lately that since my love language is quality time I love the party celebration, especially with lots of people. Word of affirmation is the middle which means gifts are my bottom rank and therefore harder to give out. What has been interesting is how to learn to love in a different love language. Feeling ok about the gifts even though it's not the reason for the party. Interesting enough Ray's birthday is only 2 days before kyla's and yet his got a bit overlooked this year. That might be the case in our family having 2 birthdays in March and 2 birthdays in August.