James and Angela

I was able to drive down to Idaho with James on Sunday for the wedding! We stayed with Angela's grandparents for the first couple of days until my parents, Shawn and Jonathan arrived on Tuesday night. It was so great to meet Angela's family and get to know them a little before the wedding. There was lots to do and get ready before the big day. On Monday, Angela and James got dressed up in their wedding outfits a headed out to have their photos done (it was a little different but wonderful to have that done so the wedding day wasn't so chaotic).
Tuesday we relaxed a little, visiting with friends and family. Wednesday Angela went to the temple for the first time and then we headed back to her grandparents house for a wonderful dinner. A few of us, including the bride and groom, took off to Boondock's for some late night go-carting. As luck would have it, I often had a slower cart and Angela would wait for me on the track. At first I thought, "How nice, she's waiting for me 'cause my cart is so slow". But then she pointed and laughed at me and DROVE AWAY!! What a little punk! I have to admit, if the situation had been reversed, I would have done the same thing.

Thursday was the wedding! T flew up from California, which was awesome! It was a wonderful ceremony--Angela was so beautiful and James could hardly contain his excitement! the reception was held in Angela's grandparent's backyard. Kara and Patti did a phenomenal job decorating. It was such a wonderful experience to be down there--the wedding, the family everything was perfect.

Congratulations James and Angela! I am so excited for the two of you!

Family Fun

This has been a really busy week--starting with a trip to visit my extended family in Drayton Valley. I was coaxed into camping (which I never do) but instead of staying in a tent we were in a huge RV. We had dinner with my aunts and uncle, my grandma, cousins and their kids. Percy and Cindy brought out the quads to give the kids rides--which was so fun.

Here's Percy and Lukas going out for a spin before dinner.

Percy took Christa, Devon and I out again for some puddle stomping for a few hours the next day. There were muscles, I didn't know I had, that hurt so bad the next day. But it was totally worth it and I would go again in a second. We got stuck in the mud more than few times and at one point I got off the quad and sunk down and couldn't get my boot out. We were completely covered in mud--so much fun!
Christa covered in mud! Huge thanks to Sherry, Grandma, Cindy and Percy for planning a great weekend! I haven't had that much fun in a long, long time!

Zoe in Heals!

Zoe and I have the same taste in shoes--she's always walking around in my shoes. She's the cutest little thing! Kailyn and Lukas love spending time with her.

Butterfield Acres

Yesterday we spent the day at Butterfield Arces with Kati, Lilla, Izsak, Heather, Zeke and my Mom. It's a farm so, naturally, it smells like poo. We had a great day--the weather was perfect and the animals were so cute.

Kailyn, Lukas and Lilla

Kailyn & LukasHeather driving a tractor...

A New Love

A few months ago I had a crush and, as with all crushes, it came to a sad end. But today I found a new love (similar to the other but bigger--I know size doesn't matter but...). Here's a preview of my new "sole" mate. I made a permanent commitment today--we'll be together forever!

Confessions of a Blog Stalker

In the last year, since we moved to the other side of the world (London, ON), I've taken up a new hobby. I am a blog stalker. Before you judge me too quickly, understand that I've had a lot of time on my hands and rather than sit and think about my own life, I read about other people's. Most of the blogs I read I have stumbled onto through my friends' blogs (so there is only a few degrees of separtation). Some blogs I read are people I'd seen before but never really got to know. Others are people I've heard of but never met.

A few months ago, I stumbled on a blog through a friend of a friend of a friend and she had taken part in a TV weight loss program. My interest was peaked because I had been trying (unsuccessfully) to loss weight for some time and because she lives in Calgary. I watched the show and was motivated by her drive to succeed and reach her goals. I emailed her a couple of times--nothing big--but when I came out here to Calgary for the summer I sent her another message letting her know I was in the city. For the record (and I'm sure everyone says this) but I've never taken stalking/lurking to this level before. This is a whole new experience for me. She sent me a quick message back but I had so many things going on that I didn't get a chance to call her.

A few days later, I went to see my bff, Al. She had told me that some people from her neighbourhood had stopped by and asked her to join them in a late night walk. It didn't take long for me (with the help of my CSI detective skills) to realize that the person I had been blog stalking was one of the people that had invited Al for the walk. So we put on our shoes and walked the two blocks over to her house and I introduced myself. We had a great chat that evening and I've invited myself to go on the evening walks as well.

A few days later, I met up with a girl I've known for a while and we were swapping blog stalking stories. Her experience was pretty funny too.

I realize the first step in recovery is admitting you have a problem...I stalk blogs...so now what?

Fun the "White" Way

Kailyn, Lukas and I headed down to Cardston to spend the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa White. They took us into Glacier National Park to the mountains for the day and out for lunch and pie! I was able to snap a few pictures along the way:

Lukas eating snow! Yep, that's right. Not only did we have to stop so the kids could touch the snow, but I turn around and there's Lukas with a fist full! I can see how it could have been refreshing on that warm day!

Ode to the Bradleys

These are my wonderful friends, the Bradleys. I met them a couple of weeks after Kailyn was born when we were living in Edgemont. Alexis is only a few months younger than Kailyn. Jaxon is a year older than Lukas and Rylee is just turned 3. We've been through a lot together over the years...spent a lot of late nights drinking diet Pepsi and trying to beat Jeremy at cards.

When Jaxon was born, Bob and I had just left to go camping for the weekend (yeah--I think that may have been the last camping trip I was on) and when we got back we heard that Allyson had been in the hospital in labour. So we shower, of course, and head directly for Rockyview Hospital. When we arrived at the information desk they told us that only really close family and friends we allowed to visit. I adamantly proclaimed that we were really close friends (which we were). The information woman then smugly replied, "Well, she was released 2 days ago." with a look that said, "Yeah, some friends you are!"

Anyway, it was Jeremy and Allyson that sponsored my last trip out here in March--which was a fantastic trip for me. Things had been kind of intense for me and it was great to step out of that world for a bit.

The other day I was trying to figure out my summer plans and was a little disappointed that I wouldn't be able to drive out to see my friend, Starr, in Saskatchewan. I asked Jeremy if I could borrow one of his vehicles for that week. Then he called me on Wednesday and said I was welcome to come and pick up his Sunfire anytime. I tried to remind him that I only needed a car for that week in August but he insisted that he wasn't using it anyway. I now have my own set of wheels!!

It has been great to spend time with them--even though Allyson kicks my butt every time we play cards together. I think life is difficult, a lot of the time. It is a tender mercy to have such good friends. Thanks for all you do for us!

Baby Zeke Day!

Kailyn went down to visit with my Dad in Hill Spring so yesterday Lukas, Zoe and I went to meet up with Heather and Baby Zeke! He is so adorable! Zoe absolutely loved him and kept trying to pick him up. We were able to fit a booster seat, forward facing baby seat and a rear facing baby seat in the back of the car. We took the kids out for lunch and chatted for the afternoon.

Heather and Zeke (with his eyes open!)

Zeke looking so tired after having some lunch--it takes so much effort to eat...Zoe covered in stickers that she got with her kid's meal.

After a fun afternoon, I was off to see some old friends from Rockyview Ward. It was great to see Judy, Pia, Theresa, Treena and Sarah (and Matt, of course, who decided to join us for girls night). I had a wonderful time catching up with these great friends. Thanks guys!

Hanging Out with Uncle James

Here's the kids chill-laxin' with James. I can't remember what cartoon they were watching but he came home early from work and decided to spend some quality time with the kids. If you look closely, you can see him with his phone talking to his fiance, Angela, who's in Idaho. Their wedding is in August and we can't wait!

Kailyn's Birthday

Kailyn had her 8th birthday yesterday! Sarah, Christa, Liam, Kylie and Zoe came over and we all went to the mall to meet my Mom. The kids made Build-a-Bears and Christa took Kailyn shopping for some new clothes. Then we met up with our friends Alexis, Jaxon and Rylee and went to see Wall-E. Grandma Fraser made Kailyn a Rolo ice cream cake. I think it was a great day for everyone!Christa did Kailyn's hair for her--Christa said how much she LOVES doing her hair and how she can't wait for Zoe to grow some too. Kailyn didn't have any hair until she was 3 so I had to wait for a long time for these beautiful locks!

Here's Lukas' big head and Jaxon, Kailyn, Rylee and Lexi. We've been friends with the Bradley's since before Alexis was born--so she's Kailyn's "oldest" friend. Kailyn has really missed her this last year and it was wonderful to see them together!

Man of Many Hats...

Lukas has been a little preoccupied with hats lately. Here's a few snaps of his new obsession. This is James' cowboy hat and Lukas found it fit better when he wore it sideways.

Grandma White brought Lukas and Reece matching Flames hats when she came to visit us. Lukas wanted Chu-chu to try on his Flames hat, too!

CALGARY

We planned to come out to Calgary for most of the summer but with so much going on out here (like my brother's wedding) I decided to head out early with the kids. So Friday night we flew in and it's been non-stop already (which I love)! Not only are my parents and all my siblings (my sisters are the best!!) here but so are my in-laws (who I adore--especially my sisters-in-law, they feel more like real sisters but I keep the "in-law" part to remind them that by law they are STUCK with ME!!)

Here's some quick pics of us at Calaway Park with my niece, Lilla and nephew, Izsak. Big thanks to Kati for taking us and to my Mom for watching the littlest kids so we could enjoy some rides too!

Kailyn, Lukas and Lilla

Lilla, Izsak, Kailyn and Lukas getting a little restless waiting for a ride on the train. This was the best shot I could get of the four of them.

Last year, this was "Baby Izsak" but since we've gone, he's turned 2! He's such a cute little guy and so smart! He was saying his alphabet and reading the letters off the top of his cookie at the park! Brains and looks--this boy has it all!

Grandma and Kailyn sharing a seat on the train ride--this was the only ride Grandma would go on and it took a lot of convincing to get her to go on with us. She definitely made this a fun trip for all of us! Thanks Mom!

Kailyn the "Thrill-seeker". The last time we took the kids to Calaway Park, Kailyn desperately wanted to go on the roller coaster. She was so disappointed that she wasn't tall enough but what added turned injury to insult was that her slightly younger, much taller cousin, Tia was tall enough. So Kailyn watched her ride. This time Kailyn was tall enough and could hardly wait to go on. I tried to talk her out of it--not that I was scared or anything--I was only concerned for her. While I was screaming, 'cause that's what you do on a roller coaster, she was LAUGHING! Here's her glory pictures:

A Perfect Day for Lukas

Lukas had his 5th birthday yesterday! Every year is so exciting because he shares his day with Canada which means there are always fireworks!! Lukas was very specific about what he wanted his birthday to be like:

He wanted a turtle webkinz (which was VERY difficult to find)...

He wanted everyone to go into a room with the lights off and when he walks in, everyone is supposed to say SURPRISE! (but not too loud--'cause if it's too loud it could scare him.)

He wanted rainbow cupcakes with pink icing and blue and green sprinkles.

He wanted all his candles in one cupcake.

He wanted to go and see the fireworks! What a way to end a birthday! 25 minutes of non-stop fireworks! He might not have been exhausted when the day was over but I was!

We don't get much time to recover from this party before Kailyn's birthday in 2 weeks! What we're thinking! We definitely should have spaced them further apart!

Here's Bob goofing around in the pool--I was laughing so hard I had to take 3 pictures because my hands shaking so badly!