Year of Color - Chestnut

This week the challenge color was chestnut. When I think of chestnut, I think of the piano that has sat in the living room of every home we've ever lived in. It belongs to my Mom and though she never took lessons, she has taught herself to play. I remember being told as a child not to bang on the piano and now I tell my kids not to bang on the piano. Whenever my Mom starts to play, the kids will run from wherever they are to her side and "help" her play.

Year of Color - Back in Black

Yes, I am aware that I am a week behind in the Year of Color Challenge--but--actually, I really have no reason...I'm just lazy. Here is my black picture. They are the newest addition to my ever growing shoe collection. I love black! I think it's an amazing (non) color. It can express so many different emotions: sad, sexy or secret agent sneaky (Amber and Christa love the all black look when they use their binoculars and play PI). When people wear black, they either want to blend in and become invisible or stand out and be sophisticated sexy. They call it the little black dress for a reason. These shoes aren't meant for an evening out as much as they are for everyday...could wear them with jeans and look good...shoes.

Mom's Birthday

This is the next edition of the "I am so Loved" Collection. This features stories, letters and pictures from the life of Margaret (Peggy) Elinor Watson-St. Arnaud-Condron-White. Peggy is celebrating her 65th birthday this year so this is the largest book we've put together. This book pays tribute to Peggy from her family and friends. Thank you to Kati, Kelly and Irene for spending so many hours helping put this together. Happy Birthday Mom!

Jay's Wii

As promised--here are pictures of Jay and his Wii. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures while he was opening the presents and so we made him open them again. He does a great job of looking surprised!

Year of Color--Granny Smith Green

This week, I've been scoping out different ideas for my picture and I noticed the sandbox after Lukas had been playing out there. He's been playing out there a little but on Saturday he got new toys and had to try them out.

A Week in Review

Things have been really busy this week. It kicked off with Easter--my Dad and Jared came up from southern Alberta and then Jen came down from Rocky Mountain House.

Then on Tuesday, Sarah, Christa and I had Craft Tuesday. Christa did our craft and made a wonderful lunch featuring naan bread with grilled asparagus wrapped in chicken. She did an awesome job!

Wednesday kicked off with lunch at Allyson's--we had my favorite tomato sandwiches on cheddar bread. Then I left there to get ready for pamper night at Amber's. I had a great time. Heather came over to do massages and did pedicures...Amber spent 3 hours baking cinnamon bread, rolo cookies, artichoke dip, skor fruit dip and preparing fresh fruits and veggies. I'd say the evening was a total success!

Thursday I packed up Kailyn, Lukas and Zoe for a trip to the Bunnage house. Kati, Lilla and Izsak met us all there. Kelly, Kati and I spent the day relaxing and watching "The Holiday" or at least trying to relax and watch a movie in between chasing kids, making bottles and keeping Izsak from running (crawling) away.

FRIDAY the 13th! This was a fun day! Kati arranged for us to all go out for Jay's surprise birthday dinner. Kelly and I gathered all the presents from Kati's house and raced over to Chili's. We were seated about 5 minutes before Jay and Kati showed up. Jay was shocked to see us--he wasn't expecting anything because his birthday is next week. Heather and Jacob came next, followed by Richard. The present was the best part though. I gave Jay a new game for a Wii--Jay doesn't have a Wii and though they've been trying to get one, they sell out before they can even be stocked. So, Kati (right on cue) says, "Oh, I didn't get him a Wii. Sorry, I thought you knew I wasn't getting it." I follow it up with, "I'm so sorry--I'm really embarrassed. I thought you were getting one. Don't worry, we can take it back." Then Kelly says, "Well, don't even bother opening mine because I thought you were getting Wii." Kelly's gift was the Wii Numchuk. Things are awkward for a minute and then Kati reaches into her purse for her gift to Jay--BUT she actually reaches under the table to grab the carefully placed present. Jay opens it...and...a Wii!! I think Jay summed it up best when he said the family is full of liars and gullible people. This was so fun!! After dinner we had to head back to Jay and Kati's to hook up the new game and try it out. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAY!!

Year of Color--Tickle me Pink

Better late then never, right? This is my "Tickle me Pink" picture. In case it's not completely obvious to everyone...these are my favorite pajamas. Why I love them:

1. They are pink
2. They are flannel
3. They have Care Bears on them
4. They proclaim my love of hot chocolate

My favorite thing is to crawl in my bed with a book or to watch tv in my pajamas.

Jen & Tayva

Jen and Tayva saying good-bye after a LONG sleepless night...it was great to have Jen come and stay for a few days over Easter. Lukas totally loves Tayva and follows her around everywhere.

Boys will be Boys

Bob & Colin sightseeing--hopefully we'll be able to get some more pictures soon!!

Weekend of Fun!!

A very EGG-citing weekend!

Kailyn's masterpiece--she loved trying new colors and experimenting with designs.

Lukas painting an egg--he was very creative and his favorite color to do was BLUE.

Our friends, Matt & Holly (mostly Holly, I suspect) brought over some egg decorating kits for the kids. We had so much fun decorating all the eggs.

I have had a absolutely wonderful weekend. While Bob has been sightseeing and having fun with his long-time friend, Colin; I was able to spend the weekend with my "old" friend, Jen. We've been friends for 17 years--back to the elementary days--and it was wonderful to spend some time with her.

Safe and Sound

Bob and Colin made it in to Zurich very very early this morning. They've been sight seeing and touring through the States. They stopped to see the Mall of America and spent some time exploring Chicago. I imagine they will rest a little today and hang out before Colin's flight home. Hopefully they'll send some pictures for the blog soon.

Big thanks and hugs go out to Aunt Ann and Uncle Bob for taking my Sweetie in for...a while...a long while. We really appreciate all your help.

Takin' A Friend Along for the Ride!

Bob has successfully recruited a friend to make the rest of the trip out to London. Colin and Bob have been friends for a long time and they are just as crazy now as they were when this photo was snapped 13 years ago. I just glad that Bob will have someone with him when he gets lost or misses a exit. I'm ecstatic that Bob and Colin have fun re-living the old "glory days" and hopefully creating new "glory days". Thanks for roadtrippin' with Bob, Colin and enduring the flight back home. It means the world to me!!

Blue Prints Take Form

Here is the castle Kailyn made for school. I am proud to say she did this all on her own. I asked her what the black and red pieces were and she said that they were old stones and that, "In reality, the stones weren't perfect squares".

Check back to the blue prints--she did a really good job!