Non- Smoking House

We have always had a non-smoking home, but Bailey sets her own rules!

Hee, Hee, we thought she looked pretty funny carrying this thing around like this the whole day until she finally decided to eat it.  Our poor Bailey has horrible summer allergies but remains very loyal to the family (well, at least the adults of the family).

Interior House Project

Before and After

We really have taken a break on the interior of the house this summer while we focus on the back yard, but this is one project actually complete inside.

We removed the oak cabinet, filled in half the wall, tiled the top, and now I have a beautiful flower niche!

I am blessed to have a husband that understands my love of flowers!  Every time he takes a trip that keeps him from home overnight he brings me flowers.  So I make good use of my flower niche!

Our Happy Birthday's for 2010

I watched a "Wife Swap" episode where a very "structured and disciplined" mother celebrated the entire families (four children and parents) birthdays on one day with one cake.  Well, we celebrated separately (most of us), but there is but one blog entry of record!

That said we are covering an expanse of time ranging only two months and one day, start to finish!

Daughter one received her gifts at the exact time of her birth and instead of a party with friends this year a neighbor friend came to play during the day and we had family dinner at Wendy's.

She chose a Cherry Chip cake with Cherry icing.

Next, the twins!

Dad bought the cake and we went to Los Hermanos for dinner.

New month and a fun cake of Chocolate with Blackberry filling and garnish.

The big man chose Chocolate cake with Chocolate Mint chip Icing and Mint creme filling.

The Princess accompanied her family to the opening day of Toy Story 3, followed by Wendy's and cake and ice cream with her family and close relatives.

This beauty is a White cake with Raspberry filling and garnish.

Fun time for all!

 We are grateful for another year full of good health and best wishes from friends and family!

Happy Birthday America!

I have so much to add here about family birthdays, home projects, and travels, but first I had to make sure I acknowledged our great county's Independence Day!

I love the United States of America! I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel a bit outside of the US; to countries both north and south of the US, Europe, and Australia, and I have always felt joy and comfort upon my return.  There is no where else in the world like it. 

I think everyone should find joy in their homeland, the world is a diverse and beautiful place, but America has some unique blessings.  Along with those blessings comes great responsibilities. This land was created with many liberties and freedoms granted those willing to think in a new way.  A land of individual accountability, the opportunity for individuals opinions to be heard, and  the right to follow God as personal conscience directs.  The idea of democracy grew and flourished, even with and because of, many trials and tribulations.  Dreaming led to creating and the possibilities seemed endless. 

All of that still lies in our foundation and my prayer is that the good and honorable backbone of this great county will stand up for what is right and put this great land back on track! I love America and all she was created to be, may God Bless Us All!

Happy 234th Birthday!

Progress in the Backyard

First comes the demolition! We removed the old patio, a cement landing in front of the shed, and some sidewalk.  It is now buried in a very large hole in the middle of our backyard.

Then we moved the shed, a very inventive process that solidified the name of Tuff Shed! We dug a pit for the trampoline, and deconstructed the old garden boxes. 

The fence company came next and installed the remaining sections of fence to completely enclose the backyard.

We (by we, I mean our new best friends with machines) prepared the site for the new, bigger and better patio and then poured it.  We went with a toffee brown color stamped it in a Slate pattern.

You will have to tune back in for a finished product since I haven't taken a nice photo yet.

After the patio we trucked in 27 loads of dirt to create berms around the perimeter that add interest and give our trees that much extra height.

Planting seven foot pine trees is no easy task, but with the help of heavy equipment and good people we have managed to plant 17 so far!

We have a few Ash and Maple trees for variety, with more to come.  The kids just love working together!!Hee, Hee!  It's good for them.

Here is a peek of our progress.  It is so hard to show it all and express in a photo the hours of work that have gone into it already, but I'll get more detailed pictures soon.

We have a garden planted, and have an orchard to be planted, plus about 15 other trees waiting to go in the ground, but it is coming!

Memorial Day 2010

What better way to honor those that sacrificed for us to live in such a beautiful land than to go out and enjoy some of nature's wonders?!

First we pulled off the canyon road for a little picnic.  The sandwich was almost as big as the girl, but she managed!

Then the troops did a little climbing of trees and rocks!  What cute boys!!

Father and daughter enjoying the excitement of a fast moving creek.Of course we couldn't just look at the water, we had to try and cross it for some off-road exploring!

After four of us crossed on our own we watched dad and the youngest slowly scooch along one tiny inch at a time.  One of those moments where you question your parenting skills!  But all's well that ends well, and it did!

When our off-road exploring led us to a steep, rock encrusted incline we decided to turn back and seek out a defined trail.  We found a beautiful one that led us to a hill top overlooking snow covered mountains and deep green forests.  It was well worth the couple hour hike!

What a blessing to enjoy the freedoms we do and the beauties of nature as well!

Response to President Calderon

Turn off my music before playing this video...

Yes, I'm at it again! I agree 110% with this Congressman, what a surprise! It is a great coincidence that I herald from a town in California that is close to his area of representation.

This is a cute little family blog, and will continue to be, but these last two entries are included because my heart is full with frustrations and as an American I have to say or do something to voice my view or I've no room to complain. I believe if enough people share an opinion and make it known, a change can occur. This is my first step...

I know there are many points of view amongst my friends and family and I have no intention of offending any of you, though I may, don't read what you don't want to. I won't be offended .

God Bless America!

American Heart by Jon David

To play this video, first turn off my background music...

I am proud to be an American!... Having said this, I realize there is no such thing as perfect, we live in a world of change and diversity, and human nature has innate pitfalls. I am grateful for my right to share my feelings and frustrations , but detest those of my countrymen that use it against the very Constitution providing their freedoms! I respect the original construction of our democracy, but am sick about the way it has been twisted and corrupted to serve the minority! We are a blessed and strong land, able and willing to help others around the world, but if we continue to self destruct, we will be unable to help even ourselves!

What happened to the voice of the people? Why can the polls show a majority support Arizona's call to action and the President proclaim on national television his disappointment? Why didn't the federal government stick to it's two major rolls of securing the borders and defending its people so that Arizona didn't have to do this on their own? Why is the federal government so big? What happened to peoples individual responsibility? When did we become a country of people unable to think for ourselve? Can we not save our own money, choose our own healthy food, live within our means? What happend to consequences? How do we stop the monster and save this beautiful land?...........

Instead of calling for change, I say we have changed too much, go back to the Original!

Backyard Demo

So we have a family of pyromaniacs!

We began the clearing of the acre backyard by cutting down the scrub trees and bushes.  Piled high with clipping from the front yard, including two good sized pine trees that were poorly planted, we set to burning it all the last official burn day for our area.

Glen used his chain saw, the kids hauled, and I added to the pile and played fire fighter by keeping it under control with the water hose.

Of course if I didn't keep a close eye on the crazy man he would keeping adding brush until I feared we would melt our neighbors fence.  Add to the blaze our crazy wind and you have an insane adrenaline high!

After the madness we hired someone to clear the grass and nonburnable junk, then level the land.

Now we have a clean slate!  The fence comes this week, then some concrete work.  My favorite, the orchard and garden area.  That and some additional trees around the perimeter will about cover this years projects!

Fun, fun!  The good times just keep on rolling!  If anyone has the desire to dig some holes, feel free to volunteer here!

Busy Days!

First we spotlight child #3 waiting for a crucial pass to make the play of the game!  January and February are basketball season here and lots of fun!

In February we shared a little love on Valentine's day with a meal together.  No reason the kids can't enjoy a little romantic candlelight, although the candy heart decorations were their favorites!

In March we celebrate one of our favorites holidays, even though it offends half the extended family.  We mean no harm, we just like to wear green and think of the Happy Leprechauns!

There is always the special plate of cookies!  The heart is for my one true love and the rest are shared.  There is a story here but I'll save it for another year...

Child #1 has added Track & Field to his list of athletic challenges and does quite well!  This was his first meet where his parents, siblings, and grandparents braved the frigid temperatures to cheer him on.  He competes in the 800 meter, 1600 meter, 4x400 meter relay, and long jump.

Child #4 has become the ballerina she has been dreaming of since the image first came to her.  She attends a darling class of girls age four to five that giggle and twirl with pure joy.

Does it get any cuter?!

The children continue to grow and change, and we try to keep up!

Furniture: New & Reinvented

The boys beds reinvented! 

They had bunkbeds before but due to the ceiling fan in their new room the modification to two beds was required and a new color was fun.

What Bailey is guarding here so dilligently is our master closet...okay so it doesn't look like much yet, but it will!

Working Hard!

 

First piece....and then,Ta Da!  An amazing closet.  Now to see if we can keep it organized with actual clothes!

 We found this beauty at a consignment shop.  It is called a "NoodleTable" and old or just made to look it, either way I love it!  It looks much better in person, now it just needs some other furniture and accessories to keep it company.

And Today....I finally got my Birthday/Valentine's Day present!

Yay...a real bed, I feel so grown up!  Now I need fun linens, the projects just keep coming!

Well that's a bit of what we have been up to..more to come!

Welcome Back in 2010

Due to life and numerous technological hiccups I have neglected my blog, but I'm back!

I hope everyones holidays were filled with fun times and special quiet moments.

Before the Christmas break we attended school performances for three children including singing, acting, and a combination of both.

We purchased a new 9 ft. Christmas tree for my "Christmas Tree" window

and decorated it for the animals to enjoy.

Of course I can't be left in peace to take my photos too long before the wild ones come looking!

For Christmas this year we headed to the Great White North and/or Santa's homeand/or Winter Wonderland, otherwise know as Canada.  The grandparents have sold their home and will be heading out on a mission so we went to see them off. Of course sledding, indoor wave pools, a pantry full of chocolate, and cousins had something to do with it as well!

Sledding!!!!

Our little cousin sure knows how to have fun both ways!

Our son being the oldest of all the cousins, he spends a lot of time helping out

the younger folks, and he likes it!

Taking a ride with Glen is always an adventure!

We went sledding everyday, drank lots of hot cocoa, played games,

and found a quiet moment here and there.

On December 22nd Glen and I celebrated 14 years of marriage.  We discussed going out to dinner at a local point of interest, The Calgary Tower.  We did just that and had a wonderful dinner while spinning 360 degrees (very slowly) with a clear view of a Calgary.  Then to my surprize my clever husband wisked me away to the beautiful hotel just down the street!  A wonderful anniversary memory!

Before the Christmas rush we had a special visitor.

On Christmas Eve we followed the McBride family traditions of freezing at the Nativity Pagent, reading the story of Our Savior's birth from the bible, and opening a present of new pajamas.  The next moring the youngest children awoke first and we all soon followed.

With the presents all opened and our time almost gone we played more games, called

family members abroad, and enjoyed our new treats.

Summary:

Calgary was cold, but beautiful.  Our drive was long, but smooth. 

The holiday was over in a flash, but enjoyed!