Visiting Dad.

.....and Cleo.  She actually likes me.  Take that back.  She tolerates me.  At least she comes out from hiding and lets me brush and pet her.  That's big!  

A few weeks ago I was able to take a quick trip down to visit my Dad, Sister and her family.  It's emotional to walk into my parents house and not have my Mom screaming hello. As difficult as it is, its very comforting to be there.  She is everywhere in the house still.  I love to visit with my Dad.  This last visit we got to go over family history.  Fun stuff.

The craft room is still the same.  Love it.  I totally take after Mom when in comes to this kind of stuff.  

I walked around the house and snapped a few pics.  I want the kids and one day my grand kids to see what their house was like.   I love these photo's of Mom and Dad.

The view outside my Dads front window.  They change colour by the minute as the sun sets.  Stunning.

Dad, Jana and I went and spent some time up at Moms grave.

Two years she's been gone.  I still have those moments when I go to pick up the phone to tell her something and then catch myself.  Or when I think something is really neat and want her to see it.  I have so much of her in me.  Just so thankful that I still have my Dad.  Thanks for the laughs Jana.  Not the dry heaving.  Didn't like that!  You have amazing kids.  So fun to spend time with them!  

Snow children

I have to say that my two youngest kids have adapted to the cold much better than I thought they would.  They definitely love being outside sledding, skating and playing.

Very cold.

After Christmas the girls wanted to do some photo shoots.  I look online and see all these amazing ideas that I want to do.  Um, it's freaking cold!  I don't want to go outside!  The girls did talk me into going one very cold, sunny day.  I'm glad I did because we laughed a lot!  It was nice to walk around and see the birds and breathe some fresh air.

 At one point Ella hugs a tree and says that she's a tree huger.  Anna kicks the tree and says that she is a tree kicker.  Typical!

The girls singing Taylor Swift.  

Christmas 2015

Don't even get me started on the fact that it's almost the end of January.  Christmas was just here.  I'm still recovering from it!  Logan was able to come and visit for a few days.  We loved having him here with us.  I think it was a shock to his system to be thrown into living with a big noisy family again.  It's interesting how we all adapt to a certain way of living and then it gets thrown of balance again with someone comes and visits.  We all expected things to be normal, but it seems we have all gotten used to living apart.  I wouldn't change a thing.  

It proves how grown up Logan has become.  Part of me still wants Logan to need me, but part of me is also very happy that he can cope on his own.

 This Christmas was also very emotional for me because my little one no longer believes in Santa.  It puts a whole new spin on the season.  

 Troy had surprised me with a new camera before Christmas.  I still hadn't figured out how to use it.  Pretty obvious.  It's always been tradition to have the kids walk into the family room from youngest to oldest.  Think this is the last year this was going to happen too.  I had a whole lot of rolling eyes and grunts.

Even after all the chaos in the house, laughter, playing and arguments, I was the happiest of Moms.  I had my children all around me.  I had my Husband with me.  It didn't get better than that!  I'm a pretty proud Mom. 

Evening ice skating

Been a while since I posted.  Grandparents to the Dunowbunch, I thought you would get a kick out of our lasted Canadian adventure.  

We we lucky to have moved into a neighbourhood with a lot of children.  Our kids love it.  There are always kids to play with.  

Our friends have put in an ice rink in their back yard.  Let's just hope we don't have any broken bones this winter!  Olivia's poor knees were black and blue this morning.
Seriously though, how much fun is this!  Thanks Jeff!

 Anna, Ella and I want to eat this little guy up.

It's been a while since Anna was on ice.  The last time was at Blades back in New Mexico.  We've got to go get us all skates.  Can't wait to see you on the ice Honey!

 There was a lot of laughing, some tears, a ton of bruises and hot chocolate to around.  It's going to be a great winter.