Well, we are home from our quick trip down south. We got to see lots of family and a few friends. First we went to Cardston and stayed with Swanee where we were coerced into "round-the-piano-sing-a-longs", eating concoctions such as carrot and raisin salad, and playing Scrabble. Lots of Scrabble. And what would a visit to Grandma's be without the ritual of forcing some poor crying baby to ride in her 80 year old baby carriage - pushing it downtown, for all of Cardston to see? Hayley was a willing participant...
The best part was that Swanee just got an old grandma scooter to ride around on. Carly and I drove it to Extra Foods, parked it in a parking spot, and went inside to get some groceries. We got a few funny looks and some comments, but it was worth it.
Next, we headed out to Raymond for the reunion (with a quick detour to Lethbridge to visit Bobbi and Lily!). There were alot of fun things to do at the reunion and it was so fun to see everyone. I think Jared was the only person out of the whole Mendenhall family who wasn't able to make at least an appearance there (he stayed here because I left earlier in the work week in order to come back early for a wedding this weekend). We figured it would make around 78 people if everyone was there. This is just my grandparents and their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. Yep, crazy big family.
This is our attempt to take a picture of all 15 great-grandkids. Notice there are only 12 in the picture. It was a disaster. Almost every kid was crying, and running away.
Poor Hayley can't stand sitting on the grass. She would sit like this, trying to make as little contact with the ground as possible.
There was bowling, fishing, group games, swimming, golfing, campfires, and Uncle Bernie brought the horses out and gave the kids a ride.
Carter is actually still there with my parents. I left him there because we had a wedding to get back to. I drove back Saturday night with Hayley and my brother Joel. When I dropped Joel off at home, in the mailbox was his mission call, along with my other brother Dallin's (they are twins). So, we are anxiously awaiting the rest of the family to come home so they can open them. I will keep you posted on that...
So that little trip kicked off our busiest month. Jared and I are thinking this is going to be our funnest summer yet. I think it's already my best summer, and we're only halfway done!
Family Reunion
Because we have nothing better to do...
Yay! Jared and I (finally) got our new cell phones yesterday. We had so many problems with our order, it took FOREVER, seriously on thing after another. But after a few enraged phone calls, we have our brand new phones and account credits up the wazoo. We got a couples plan, so that means we get unlimited calling between each other. As sad as it is, most of our communication for the past 24 hours has been through phoning, texting, picture messaging, etc. I'm sure the novelty will wear off soon...
This is Jared's phone:
And this is mine:
They have some pretty cool features. Mine has an mp3 player so now I don't even have to buy my iPod like I was planning on.
Tomorrow, we are headed to Swanee's for 2 days, and then to the Mendenhall Reunion in Raymond. So, I won't be posting for a few days, but I'm sure I will have lots of pictures when I get back, what with Carter and Alivia's antics. Can't wait...
Bring On the Aloe Vera
Today, we went to Michelon Lake - again. Its a fun lake with a nice, big, sandy beach. And the best part is that it's free, unlike Allen Beach (which is really nice, but 6 bucks a person).
I'm not gonna put up any pictures because, frankly, I don't think any of us want more pictures of us in our bathing suits on this blog.
After that, we came home for some naps, then went to a local spray park. We got Wendy's on the way for a picnic (yeah, I know, how "homemaker-ish" of me). Then we went down to the pond and fed the ducks some pieces of hamburger buns. Carter found a cup and caught a minnow in it. We didn't even help him. He is so excited to "tell Grandpa that he caught a fish all by himself!".
Everyone comments on how good of a baby Hayley is because she's so content. And she is - MOST of the time. When she was around 6 months old, my mom heard her crying and commented that it was the first time she'd ever heard her cry. My facial expression could best be described as utter confusion. I have sure heard her cry. Loud.
She is almost always such a happy little thing - very content - until something doesn't go her way. And then, watch out! She can sure wail when she wants to.
In fact, she will go from this...
to this...
In seconds flat.
My parents used to say this poem about me when I was little and I think the same is true for Hayley.
There was a little girl,
Who had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good,
She was very, very good,
But when she was bad, she was horrid.
Yep, that describes Hayley pretty well. She is a sweet little, crazy-spaz. And we love her to bits. I can hardly believe she is 10 months old already. I know this is cliche but, my baby is growing up. Sniff.
Capital Ex
Yesterday, we went to Capital Ex. We got to leave Hayley with Grandma and Grandpa (thanks again guys!) and Jared, Carter and I went for the afternoon. There was lots of stuff for kids which Carter liked and The Doodlebops were even there.
(If you've never heard of the Doodlebops, you really should tune into CBC sometime on a weekday morning. Occasionally, I like to watch it and get a good chuckle over how gay they are. Seriously, who would sign up to do something like that? A life full of jazz hands, scissor kicks and high fives? Actually, when you put it like that... )
Carter got to ride a pony named Chicklet, learn how to be a farmer (including milking a fake cow and driving a tractor), and see some cool dinosaur exhibits. And all for only a small fortune.
The best part of the whole thing for me was this show called The Peking Acrobats. It was a bunch of gymnasts doing crazy stunts like this:
The stuff they could do was amazing. Totally entertaining and it helped that it was in an air-conditioned theatre on a +32 degree day.
Pizza, Swimming, and Eating Dirt
Today I got the chance to see some friends from high school that I haven't seen in awhile. Lindsay, Sarah, Jenn and I all brought the kids to Lindsay's house for a play date. We set up the pool, brought out some toys, ordered pizza and let all 5 tow-headed kids run wild. Another friend from high school Megan even stopped by for a few minutes on her way to work. It was great to get together and have a chance to catch up, as well as say goodbye to Sarah. She is headed back to the UK to go home until her next visit back to Canada (60-something days?). We, of course, took tons of pictures but mine didn't turn out the best.
the gals: Sarah, Me, Lindsay, Jenn
Carter and Markus were having so much fun counting down and then jumping off these piles of cement blocks. Seriously, why do we buy toys?
Playing a Little Catch-Up
I was recently chastised for my lack of blogging this past while. I'd say we've been busy, but the truth is I have been taking it easy in anticipation of our CRAZY August coming up. We have done a few fun things, though.
Last Friday, we went to A Taste of Edmonton. It's a bunch of booths set up downtown, and each of the booths have a different kinds of food from different countries. Carter swam (fully clothed) in the fountains with all the other half-naked children and had a blast. On Saturday, we drove to the airport and watched the Grand Prix race. Although, it's kind of hard to see the race when you don't buy the $150 tickets and just watch from behind the fence.
Jared's parents are here right now visiting for a few days. They came Monday evening and it was Dad's birthday. We went out to dinner with them and Gary and Alli at Swiss Chalet. Then, we came back here and had birthday cupcakes. Yesterday consisted of lots of shopping at West Ed, Walmart, and some computer stores, BBQ'ing, and some treats from DQ. Today, the 'rents went to Lacombe to look at (yet another) tractor store and visit Mom's sister.
Next week, the kids and I are leaving with my brother Joel for Cardston to visit 'ol Swanee. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Swanee, it's my Grandma Cahoon. But she won't let us call her the forbidden G-word, so Swanee it is. Then, we will meet up with the family at the Mendenhall Reunion in Raymond, stay there for 2 days, and quickly drive back up here for Trena and Andy's wedding. The second weekend in August, we will be camping with the Jarmans at Little Bow. The next weekend, we leave for our Whidden Reunion in Merritt, BC. Then, off to Victoria for our family vacation, which I have been busy planning. We are excited to take the kids on their first trip to the coast and we have lots of fun activities planned. We get back on the 26th and I'm sure we will need another vacation, just to recover from the first one.
So needless to say, we have a busy month coming up.
Here are a few pictures of Hayley. She got another tooth this past week and since it broke through, she has been a very content little thing. Carter emptied out the toy box and put her in - she loved it.
I'm sure more pictures will be coming soon, because we are going to Capital Ex this weekend! Hopefully this time, I won't forget to bring my camera.
One of These Things is Not Like the Others
People are always commenting on how similar my children look. In fact, when my friend Lily saw Hayley for the first time, she called her "Carter with a bow". Even though people tell me this all the time, I don't think I really realize how similar they look until I see pictures like these:
And for that matter, my husband fits right in with their "look":
So that leaves me. The odd one out. I recently got blonde highlights and I still don't look like I fit in. It reminds me of that song from Sesame Street... One of these things is not like the other...
But even if they look nothing like me (sniff), they're still dang cute...
But I may be biased.
34 Degrees and Still Going Strong.
This past weekend, we went camping at Miquelon Lake. It's about 45 minutes southeast of us. It was so HOT! The kids did great, though and we had the lake to cool us off. The beach had the softest sand and warm water. I almost forgot where I was...until the duck poop floated over. Oh yeah, a pothole lake. But still a great camping trip overall. Hayley slept in the car the whole night - best sleep she's ever gotten. We should have done that last time. We covered the top of the car with blankets so it was nice and dark in there and backed it up right next to our tent. Slept like a baby. Or however that phrase implies that babies should sleep. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.
Jared showed Carter how to chew on grass like a farmer, and he did it the whole time...
Hayley, thoroughly enjoying her tin foil dinner...
If you look closely at Jared's right shoulder, you can see his tan lines from where he held Hayley and some of her sunscreen rubbed off on him...
She's bringin chunky back! Ya!
Those skinny babies don't know how to act...
News to me...
Today, I took the kids to a new spray park with my mom and sister Carly. It was a great park - definitely all it was hyped up to be. I took my camera, but got sidetracked and didn't take any pictures (what has gotten into me lately???). But we still had fun and Carter was a hoot, as always.
On the way there, he was informing me that "Grandma is your mom - her name's Dixie, Carly is your little sister - just like I have a sister, Hayley..." and so on. Sharing his wealth o' knowledge...
Then he asked, "What's my mom's name?". To which, I answered, "Me. Julie", and he then goes, "ya, but what's my REAL mom's name?". I tried to tell him I was his mom and he kept wanting to know what his REAL mom's name is.
Didn't we cover this when he was, I dunno, one years old?
Mmm-hmm. Ok sweetie...
Blast from the Past
Today (after a shockingly PLEASANT trip to Ikea) I got to hang out with a couple of friends from high school. My friend Jenn brought her little boy Nikolas to Millenium Place and we let the kids run around in the play place there. Her little boy is so cute and we all had fun together.
Yes, this picture does have quite the "aw factor" but Hayley is really clawing at poor Nikolas' face. What a bully...
Wabamun Lake
This weekend, we went camping at Wabamun Lake. We were only there one night, but we got two sun-filled days of beach fun. The kids were great, aside from one 3 am scream-fest by Little Miss Diva (otherwise known as Hayley). I loved our site, it was so treed and private. I even gave Jared the shock of a lifetime when I suggested we go camping next weekend, too.
Hoo. Rah.
In case you didn't notice, this post is my 50th post. If there are any of you that have been reading my blog, waiting for me to say something brilliant, profound, or thought-provoking -you've come to the wrong place.
Unfortunately only dim-witted banter here, folks...
But on to more exciting things.
Carter did the most hilarious thing while we were in Lethbridge. One morning, I was asking him what he wanted to do that day.
Me: "Hey Carter, let's go for a bike ride today!"
C: "No, I don't want to go for a bike ride..."
Me: "Well then, how does a walk sound?"
C: deeply pondering the question I had just asked "Hmm...maybe it sounds like...'walky-walky-walk...' (while alternating his hands up and down to mimic walking)."
So funny. I didn't mean literally...
I have taken up running lately. I am wanting to get back into shape these days and I have really been enjoying it (I can actually picture my mom reading this right now in disbelief. We always used to ask, 'Who jogs for fun?'). Although, my continued enthusiasm could be contributed to the fact that I am rewarding myself if I keep up with it. 1 1/2 more weeks till I get my iPod (or, more likely, I'll cheap out and get a less expensive mp3 player. iPod just sounds so much cooler...).
The only setback is the past few days, my knees have been killing me especially my left one. It only started a few days ago, but it was bad enough last night that I didn't go running. I don't know if it's from running? Some vitamin deficiency? Or possibly a result of falling down the stairs last week? And yes, I am as klutzy as I sound. I was holding Hayley and so all of my injuries were sustained just trying to save her from getting hurt.
Why is it that when you become a mom, YOU fall down the stairs and get hurt, but YOUR KIDS are the ones crying? It's a messed up world, let me tell ya.
Back to the knee(s). Any suggestions?
Jared's Favorite Day of the Year
The only downside was that my camera was low on batteries and I missed out on so many picture-taking opportunities. These are the only pictures I got of the fun-filled weekend...
Three.
Three pictures.
Anyone who knows me knows how devastated I am right now.
I am hoping Bobbi will send me some pictures that she took, because there are so many cute ones of the kids together.
Hayley found a little doll of Isabelle's while we were there and became instantly attached to it. It's the doll in the pictures above. She carried it around with her everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE. That poor little dolly survived being held through every nap, dropped in the pool, taken on every bike ride, and endured many of Hayley's open-mouthed, baby-food-filled kisses. She even got to bring it home with her and the doll is being snuggled by Hayley in bed right this moment. Hayley even learned how to say "baby" and calls for it every time I get her up from her nap.
We had a great time and glad we got to see everyone we did. Hopefully my camera will smarten up by this weekend. We are going camping at Miquelon Lake on Friday and Saturday. Hayley's first time camping...
I'd better not forget to pack "baby".
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