Monday, October 31, 2011

Trick or Treat?

This year, Halloween was quite the party.

We all went to my parents place along with my sister's family and some friends from church. Together our crew numbered 10 kids going door to door and one little one in a wrap- next year Ewan. You'll get your turn.

The costumes were: Giraffe-Levi, Butterfly-Norah, Bumblebee-Matty, Clown-Isaiah, Highway-Gabriel, Cowboy-Nick, Paramedic-Elijah, Butterfly-Caelah, Bunny-Leah, Canada-Connor

I have to say, they all looked pretty cute. And the loot!!! Ill be sure to hide most of it to help the boys forget about it quickly.

Every year my dad carves the pumpkin and this year it was a Phoenix:

Isn't he good?

Thankfully the boys slept in this morning because it was a pretty exhausting day. Lots of fun though.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Some Big Changes

Today is a big day of change. Where to begin???

Well, today was moving day. No, not for us but for my brother and his fiance and their baby. They have come to live with us for a little while to help them save money. And so our place was changed around a bit to make room. Here is what it looks like at the moment:
The upstairs-
these two rooms will be Daniel and Amanda's but for now they are not complete.
Our new location for books- tucked under the island.

Our dining room is now also our sitting room - I kind of like it.

Some of their boxes are stacked on the table back their to keep them from getting ruined.

Our entry way where the couch used to be now stores all of their unpacked items.

Things are everywhere at the moment. As I am typing this post their room currently looks like this:This will actually be the boys room but Daniel and Amanda will begin here until the other rooms are done.
It looked like this only an hour or so before the above picture.

Not so sure if they will be staying tonight or not.

We have acquired two new kittens. Not my desire at all but Dave thought it would be good for the kids and to catch mice. I agree but I found a flea. Yup, not cool. So my mom and I gave the two of them flea baths and they are wearing a flea collar and I vacuum twice a day for now. I don't think they were ever really bad because I only ever saw one. That is enough for me though. Only one is pictured here : Pussy Cat (Matty's name). Frank (Daves choice) is somewhere. Traumatized from his bath very likely.

This chair is another change. I am so in love with it. My sister in law found it and sent it my way so I went and purchased it and i love it.

My last and favourite big change is that Ewan is much happier. He gets to sleep my laying down happily and eventually drifting off to sleep. Today is only day two but I'm loving it.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Puzzles

For Matthews birthday I got all the kids a puzzle as part of their loot bag. I figured it was a nice idea and assumed one day Matty would be able to figure it out.

Well, a few weeks ago he asked to try it and I was really impressed with how successful he was. Its a 40 piece puzzle and he has only ever done wooden board puzzles before.

Matthew had managed to put together several of the pieces that had obvious similarities and then I helped him finish it up.

Yesterday he picked up the puzzle and put the whole thing together with barely any help at all. A few reminders to match colours and to turn a piece or two but otherwise my little man put together a 40 piece puzzle by himself.



Needless to say, I'm very proud of him.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone and it was a wonderful, busy time.

Sunday we went to Dave's families home and had a wonderful time of fellowship and yummy food. The kids played really well together and we chatted happily for the afternoon. I had my camera with me and my kids cutely dressed in hope of taking pictures and didnt end up taking a single one. The day always gets away from me.

Monday was thanksgiving with my family out at my sisters place. I was responsible for the 24 pound turkey that we feared wasnt going to be ready for a very long time but everything ended up being ok.


We ate like kings and once again I forgot to take pictures until everyone was stuffed and sitting down digesting. Not the best pictures but better than nothing.

Not only did we have our adopted family members present but we also had my aunt, uncle and cousin from Georgia/Tennessee there. It was so nice to see them. Made me miss everyone else who wasn't there.


Levi was a pro at finding peoples left behind drinks and made them his own. Who would want to drink from that after that slimy face touched it?
The kids all enjoyed playing with Tika's i-phone. It kept them occupied for at least 40 mins.

At the end of the night we headed home and put kiddos to bed. They played hard and were so ready for bed.

This morning I found out that last night there was also an engagement:
Congrats Daniel and Amanda. I am so excited!!!!

I am so thankful for my family and friends, for food and warmth, salvation and grace. The list could go on forever. I am so glad for that too.

I hope all you Canadians had a wonderful thanksgiving weekend and I look forward to hearing about all the American ones in November.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Bedrooms on the Horizon

I haven't given an update about the house recently because not much was happening. Dave really hurt himself and it took a long time to heal and then he has been blessed with so many jobs that time has not been easy to find.

However, the push is on to get three bedrooms done (the whole other side upstairs).

So far this is what it looks like:

If you are standing in the hall looking in, this is what you see straight ahead. This will soon be a seating area and two bedrooms closer to the back wall.

Looking to the left:

This will eventually be two bedrooms. The left corner room will have a sky light. The right corner is part of one of the rooms I mentioned in the picture above.

This will be closed up and just be a wall that will have some storage in it. There are no closets in any of the rooms so we will need some storage. Where Dave is standing is actually the hallway from where I took the last two pictures.
This is where one bedroom will finish and be open in a sitting area with the hallway. The door Dave is facing has been there to close off the rest of the house from this side and will come down once everything is closed up and clean.

There you have it. Hard to picture it I am sure. Ill try and keep you updated on further changes. I am really hoping this weekend and early next week lots will change. Dave went and picked up insulation and wood yesterday and even a window (we needed two but they didn't have any more.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Vehicles

This year has been something else when it comes to expenses. Not only have we bought a house and done renovations on it but we have also had to purchase two new vehicles. To make room for those new cars, however, it meant getting rid of three.

Thats right! Dave had to get rid of his truck, We needed to get rid of my car (I kind of miss my old golf) and Dave had to get rid of his Tribute. He intended on fixing it up for fun but seeing as how we have a house to build, it was kind of a waste of space and time.

So, he had to bring the car out to the road so people could see it was for sale.

First he tried pulling the car with our mower... it wasnt quite strong enough since the car is quite stiff.


Then he pulled it with his truck and Matty loved "steering".

A few weeks later the car was sold. It is actually still sitting out front because the man has to come by and pick it up and finish paying for it (only gave a deposit) so its still an eye sore but I'm happy knowing it will be gone shortly.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Boys

Its been a while. I really am sorry. Its an adjustment adding a member to the family (especially one with colic) and it is rare I find a spare moment in my day.

Many things have happened (birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, the fair, fun visits) but I just don't have the time to past about them all so I will just leave you all with a few pictures of the boys from just the past few days.
My goofy three year old

My Snotty 1 1/2 year old with his favourite book

My rarely happy almost 2 month old...

SMILING!!! Hes such a chunk!

I find it so hard to believe that they are so young. It feels as though they have always been in our lives.