Anna September 2015

I'm going to be spending the next year doing a lot of photo shoots with Anna for her Senior year album.  Some of the next ones will be more her.  Flannel and Doc Martens.  As a Mom, I think I'm pretty lucky to have kids that will let me do photo shoots like these.  I had found this vintage dress on a Halloween rack at Goodwill for only a couple of dollars.  

I found it quite amusing that we have almost the same hair style.  See Anna, you are such a 90's girl.

I do have more pics of her toppling over because she has heels on.  They are only a prop.  She can't walk in them.

I'm in no way a professional photographer.  I do this for my own enjoyment and to document my children's lives.  I'm learning all the time.  We do these photo shoots because we end up laughing 90% of the time, and we love to laugh!   

Autumn time in Canada

 It's absolutely gorgeous in Calgary right now.  The air is crisp and cool.  We've had some rain so it's fresh.  Our two dogs, Elliot and Milo need to be walked a couple of times a day now.  They don't have the dozens of acres to run when ever  they want.  Now they have a little postage sized backyard.  Poor things.  I know they long to run and chase things.  Unfortunately we are having to socialize them to other dogs and cars.  Both of them are doing much better.

 Olivia's school is within walking distance.  It's down a hill.  I hate climbing back up that hill. Boy do  I really need to get into shape.  The dogs are helping me with that.  Off in the distance is the Olympic park for the Calgary Olympics.  I don't remember what year it was for.  

 I handed Ella my camera while I cleaned up dog poo.  Story of my life.  Always cleaning up someones!  I'm dying over my face though!

 This is what makes walking the dogs hard.  These HUGE jackrabbits are everywhere!  No joke, everywhere!  They are bigger than most dogs.  They scare me.

 

I'm definitely settling into living in a neighborhood.  Taking walks helps me.  I don't know how I'll feel about taking walks in -40 weather!  The weather has been perfect for me.  Of course this is my favorite time of year.  We were lucky to move into a community with a lot of kids around.  This has helped my kids acclimate.  It's only been a few months, but I think we've settled pretty nicely.  Oh, there are days when I get homesick for Logan, my friends and Washington.  That's normal. But overall I think our family is pretty lucky to be here!

Amber

We were lucky to have out dear friend Amber come and stay with us for a few days.  We have known this amazing family for a lot of years and they have stuck by us through some really hard times.  My kids have grown up in New Mexico being part of their family.  We spent Holidays with them, birthdays, graduations.  I have watched Amber grow up into an independent woman.

She would help out with my kids and give me a break. Soren fell in love with her and would always tell her that he was going to marry her when he grows up.  When Amber went away for college, Soren asked her to wait for him.  

 It was so cute to watch the kids with her.  They talked her ear off!  Amber spent so much time playing games, making the famous Porter deviled eggs and visiting.  I kept teasing her that she was probably wishing she didn't come.  

 I'm sure glad she did.  Although she probably froze.  She had left a heat wave in New York City to come to Calgary where it snowed! 

 I will always treasure this photo.

 My kids couldn't get their feet off the ground and then there's the leprechaun Amber.

 Ella!  Oh my gosh, look at Anna's arms.  I don't think she even tried to jump.  

We ended up walking through the rain trying to find the Market Craft Beer restaurant.  Found it and it was the best!

 One of the nights while she was here, we all walked over to my neighbors house to play board games.  It was snowing when we left our house.  The kids made this snowman while we were playing.  Love the hot dog nose!

We sure do miss the Porters.  They have been such an strength and example for us.  Miss the laughs and the hugs.  Thanks Amber for the visit!  Anna's looking forward to coming to see you!