Skiing for the first time in 23 years.

As part of the kids home school PE program we were offered the chance to go skiing or snowboarding for very cheap. Micheal had promised to take Jesse and Bailey last winter to learn to snow board but between school and working full time he just never had a chance. This year when the kids heard about it they begged non stop until I promised to take them. I haven't been skiing since I was 16, but I loved it back then so I decided to go for it. Last years New Years resolution was to start living outside my comfort zone and this was a big leap outside. As the day to go came near we found out that Micheal would be home and that he could go with us. This took off a lot of pressure as I was worried about how to keep my eyes on both kids and keep myself upright all at the same time. When we got up on Monday we heard that the temperature was -15 and only getting colder and because of Sunday nights freezing rain the roads where nasty. This is when I felt like rolling over and going back to sleep but then the Mommy gene kicked in. Up we got and after a nerve racking 2 hour drive (normally 45 minutes) we arrived at the hill. We then all got outfitted in rental equipment and went to find our teachers for lessons. By the time I got everyone else in the right class I was lost myself. After watching all 3 kids for about half an hour I got really brave and rode the tow rope to the middle of the bunny slope and willed myself down the hill. After reaching the bottom without falling and my shock wearing off I proceeded to the top of the bunny slope and did it again. After lunch we all rode up the tow rope and down the bunny slope for another 2 hours until Bailey snow boarded right into a picnic table and bruised her knee. She was now done for the day. On our way out of the rentals building I was telling Bailey how proud I was that I had not fallen once all day. Just then my feet came out from under me and I hit the ground with a audience of 15 or so teenage boys. So embarrassing. I guess Uggs look better on Pamela Anderson in Malibu than in the snow in Edmonton. I always wondered where Micheal got his passion for snow boarding and it was a nice reminder that this was once my passion also and may be again. Here is to the next trip in January.

New Glasses

The kids are so excited because we finally found some new frames they liked. These are Bailey's first pair but Jesse has had 5 pairs in 2 years. I never knew boys could be so tough on glasses.

PUMPKINS

I may never understand how pumpkins could be come so important to two grown men over 40. It all began when Shawn annouced that our garden was not complete with out a pumpkin patch. We spent the last day of spring running from green house to green house looking for a few seedlings. After a full day of hunting in the dark back corners and unwanted spindly plant tables we finally found six plants. The next day Mom and Dad came out from BC. Shawn and Dad decided they would plant the pumkin patch while Mom and I went grocery shopping. We returned to two very dirty, tired but proud men. They where like little boys when they dragged us down to look at their patch. During the summer Mom & Dad came out several more times and each time the boys would tour their patch together. They would discuss the progress and marvel at the growth of the larger pumpkins. Then they would come back to us again with gaint smiles and tell us all about their patch. I swear Dad came for a visit sometimes just to make sure I was watering their pumpkins while Shawn was away at work. The final result of all their hard work was the three pumpkins that are seen above and the proud papas' couldn't be more excited.

Winter Is Coming.

I'm waking up every morning to ice on the animals water dishes. Our two new kittens need to come in the house every night. Frost covers the fields like a silver blanket every morning till the sun hits it around noon. The cat is catching ever large amounts of food for her kittens. It started last week with 1 or 2 mice outside the door every morning. This morning it was 10 mice and 1 squirrel. Everyone around here seems to be preparing for a long cold winter. The farmers are feverishly working the last of their fields. The deer, rabbits, grouse and squirrels are also working feverishly to find the last of the harvest. It must be in the air when Shawn was home last he went on a canning spree. The kids and I have been baking and making comfort food continuously. Our incredible zuchinni crop I'm glad to say was not left in the unlocked trucks of town but was made into marmalade and many scrumptious baked goods and put in the freezer. There is something different about people that live in the northern climates. From the first crisp morning we awaken to till the first snow flake we feel a urgent need to gather food and warmth around us just like the animals. It seems to be an animalistic need. We have 3 cords of seasoned split firewood ready for winter and don't even have a fire place it is unexplainable. The new bamboo comforters we bought today where added to the beds and the programmable thermostat was reprogrammed for its winter cycle. I know that we are ready for winter but yet there is still a small voice inside to rush because winter will be here very soon.

BOO HOO!

Today had to be one of my hardest days up to this point. At noon Mike packed up his clothes and left for Fort MacMurray. I know that the whole point of my career as a mother is to get my children to become successful adults who can stand on their own 2 feet, but watching them walk out the door is down right painful. Mike will be staying in a camp in Fort Mac. not too far from Shawn and he has a cell so I can talk to him every night. He is off and running towards his new career as a Boilermaker- rigger. I know he loves it but I barely kept back the tears until he left the driveway. I guess I need to realize this means success in my job. Well one down and 2 more to go, I glad thats another 8 years off.

Camping

Shawn never gets unanounced time off. First we heard it was 2 days in the end it turned out to be 2 weeks with a day or two thrown in between just to go in and check on the progress. We decided that instead of bemoaning the fact the buidings wheren't being built properly and on time we would use this as an unexpected mini holiday. We packed up the trailer and boat and headed for a small lake on Tuesday. We spent 3 peaceful days fishing. On friday Justin and Mike came out to join us and 75 other families thought it was a good idea too. It went from a quiet little lake into a boat and trailer parking lot. There were people every where and when the camping spots where full they started parking any where there wasn't a tree or large rock. It was simply crazy. We left Sunday morning to come back home and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Mike's Grad Present

Mike recieved many wonderful graduation gifts from friends and family. He recieved specially made hoodies for his Outreach grad class, cash towards his snowboard trip to St. Moritz, and a new truck. Over the last few months before grad Mike had been struggling with his truck breaking down every couple days. As he works more than an hour away from home one way Shawn decided he needed something more reliable. A week before grad Shawn made a phone call or two and then took Jesse, Bailey and I out to a movie. After the movie he asked if we wanted to go see Mike's Grad present. It was a beautiful 2008 Ford ranger. Shawn paid the down payment and arranged for 0% financing and now Mike needs to do the rest. Now there are no more sleepless nights worrying if his truck will make it home from the snowboarding mountains and no more 5 am calls saying his truck died on the way to work. This was a very special gift from his Dad.

GRADUATION OF OUR STAR

The theme of Mike's graduation was OLD HOLLYWOOD! There was a red carpet. A walk of fame with large stars with the kids names on theme. Professional papparazzi wondering thru taking pictures. There was a large lighted star in the middle of the stage for the grads to walk thru for the grand march. Everyone looked spectacular in their shades and flashy dresses and suits. It truly was a red carpet event.

All night long Ken & Norma Johnson, George & Danielle, Jesse & Bailey, Micheal & every pretty girl in the building, and even Shawn & I danced to the fantastic DJ. He played everything from country to classic rock and some 60's stuff for the old folks.

For 5 days the Perrys, Johnsons, Wiebes, and Sheppards spent our time visiting and hanging out around the camp fire. It truly was a wonderful time.

Mike's Grad

This is my 3rd try to get this posted either blogspot looses it or the computer shuts down because of the heat. I will do this if it kills me.

OKay Okay To all you who keep wondering whats going on.

We have been so incredibly busy that I haven't had one spare moment to blog. As it is it's 1 am now. I promise that I will put some time aside next week to show you everything from Mike's Grad to camping to Our 10th Anniversary and Mike's 18th and my 39th Birthday. Keep an eye out I promise to get it together this week. Love to All.

IT IS FINALLY SPRING !

It's finally the season to be outdoors. My Japenese plum and two crab apples are in bloom. Sitting on the porch even the slightest breeze covers you in pale pink and white petals. It is so lovely. The hay is turning green. The bees from the neighbors hives are buzzing. I just love it here.

I Need Your Opinion!

I had my hair cut and colored today and I'm not sure if I like it. I think the color is fine even though it is quite dark. What do you think about it being straight. I have never had straight hair so it is odd to see it. Let me know!

SORRY THAT I HAVEN'T POSTED ANYTHING IN AGES, BUT HERE IS EVERYTHING THAT YOU MISSED!

March 1st We all went to the Car Show in Edmonton. I had 3 young men with a serious case of the I want's. Shawn's dream was a new Bike, Jesse's was a new Quad and Mike's was the yellow camero and the girl that went with Jesse's race car.

March 22 Mom and Dad came for a visit and an Easter egg Hunt.

March 22 Also Shawn bought himself a well deserved gift. 2008 Ford F350!

Mike's Grad Hoodlums: OOPS! I meant Hoodies. Justin, Mike and Tyler.

The Outreach Grads!

SO YOU ALL WANT TO BE ROCKSTARS! A Saturday afternoon spent in the basement living room that Micheal did such a great job renovating.

APRIL 12th JESSE PLAYED IN A HANDBALL JAMBOREE IN MAYERTHORPE. THEY CAME IN LAST BUT YOU WOULDN'T KNOW THAT WITH THE SMILES ON THERE FACES. EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME.

APRIL 23 BELIEVE IT OR NOT WE HAD NO SNOW THEN IT SNOWED FOR 5 DAYS STRAIGHT AND WE HAD MORE SNOW THAN WE HAD ALL WINTER. POOR BAILEY WAS SO EXCITED TO HAVE SPRING HERE THAT SHE PLANTED HER BEANS. WE NOW HAVE BEANS BLOOMING AND GROWING IN POTS IN THE WINDOW. CHECK OUT THE SIZE OF SOME OF THEM.

WE ARE CURRENTLY STARTING A NEW PROGRAM IN OUR HOUSE. FIRST THE KIDS LEARNED ABOUT RECYCLING AT SCHOOL AND WE STARTED RECYCLING. NOW WE ARE STARTING TO EAT ONLY LOCALLY GROWN FOOD. IT IS CALLED THE 100 MILE DIET. THE THINGS WE LEARN FROM OUR KIDS. THIS WEEK WE ARE PROUD TO SAY THAT WE MADE $7.75 IN RECYCLED BOTTLES AT THE DEPOT AND WHEN WE TOOK THE RECYCLING AND GARBAGE TO THE TRANSFER STATION WE HAD TWICE AS MUCH RECYCLING AS WE HAD HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE. OUR NEXT GOAL IS PLANTING THE GARDEN TO HELP WITH THE 100 MILE DIET AND TO REDUCE OUR PACKAGING CONSUMPTION SO THAT NOT SO MUCH NEEDS TO BE RECYCLED. EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS. TO THINK IT ALL STARTED WITH A WORKSHEET ABOUT WHERE OUR GARBAGE GOES.

Guess What I Learned To Do

I guess as a grandchild of a ukrainian immigrant I should have learned this much sooner. Well I finally learned how to make PYSANKY: Easter Eggs. It is much harder that it looks. Have you ever tried to draw a straight line on a curved egg. Eggs are also not flat they have a bumpy texture; you don't notice when your cracking them but you do when you are trying to use a pencil. Well now I only have 2 more things on my list of things I want to learn this year and they are to knit socks and mitts.

IT'S OFFICAL!

OUR SON THE NEVER ENDING TEXTER HAS PASSED HIS ENGLISH AND SOCIAL STUDIES PROVINCIAL EXAMS. NOT ONLY PASSED BUT HE RECIEVED A 77% ON HIS ENGLISH AND 67% IN SOCIAL STUDIES. CONGRATULATIONS MICHEAL! WHEN MANY SAID YOU NEVER COULD DO IT WE NEVER HAD A MOMENTS DOUBT. WAY TO GO DARLIN.

Happy 8th Birthday Bailey!

Bailey turned 8 on February 10th. We had her party on the 17th because her Grandma Ruth was out from Victoria then and her Daddy was home. She had a chinese theme birthday. With much careful planning and many trips to the dollar store it turned out perfect. We had a few kids from school come early in the day and then later in the day we had chinese dinner with the Spaans. We had a great time and she recieved many great presents. She requested some weird things from family though. A flashlight, a bathingsuit, and small screw driver set might seem odd requests but she had a reason behind everything as she explained while opening her gifts. Our little princess is growing up so fast.

Well I finally got some painting done.

When we first moved into this house 5 years ago we were in a hurry because we had been living in a 13 foot trailer with no amenities for 3 months. We moved in only hours after the other people had moved out. The house needed to be painted badly but we said we would get to it. Not so much. Two years in Shawn got tired of the bedroom and painted it on a few days he had off before our new bed came. Now 3 years later I ended up hiring Micheal to paint the rest while he looked for his new job. He ended up job hunting in the morning and then painting until the wee hours of the morning. I have to say at first I wasn't sure he would take the job serious but he did a really proffessional job. Now we only have the kitchen and basement to do. I guess I better start liking painting our teach Bailey to paint.

-40

Well as I write this at 1 am, it has now reached -40 outside my kitchen window. Even my brave little cat refuses to go out to pee. She refuses to leave her cat carrier in the warm kitchen. The dog chickened out at about -25. If you think this is startling and horrible my terrific husband is in Fort McMurray right now living in our 19 foot travel trailer. As you can see from the pictures there is not much insulation outside and inside he has only a propane furnace and a small electric heater. I know that if it is -40 here it is at least 5 to 10 degrees colder there. Last week I went for a little visit and at -15 I found it unbareable with all the plumbing and fridge frozen solid. I think that he is an exceptional man to make these sacrifices for his family. We all love you honey. Keep warm.