Dressed in black

One afternoon last October, I told the girls I wanted to do a photo-shoot with them wearing black clothing.  It was just a quick few photo's.  I had fun playing around with the editing

 

Heather

At the beginning of December, my best friend Heather came to visit for a few days.  Hannah and Baby Amelia came also.  They were coming back from the UK and made a pit stop in Calgary for a visit.  It was so cold while they were here, we could barely do anything.  On top of that my family got sick with the stomach bug and we had to keep them away from the baby.  Not a lot of fun for our visitors.  I was able to take them to my favorite restaurant , The Coup.  More than anything, I loved to be able to just sit and visit with Heather.  I miss our weekly tea chats!

 It's been forever since we had a baby in the house.  She was a doll!

Sunset

 A beautiful sunset over Calgary in November.

Big Hill Springs

Going to be doing some catch up.  We like to take hikes up at Big Hill Springs Provincial Park.

It's become one of my favorite places to go. It's nice because it's not to far from our place.  We can pack a lunch and go. These pics are from a hike in November that we did. 

 

 

LaRae

I have gone through these pictures of my Mother over and over again.  It's amazing to see pictures that you never knew existed.  I'm putting some of the pictures on the blog to share with the rest of the family and friends who would love to see them.  It brings a lot of comfort and laughter to see them.

If I get any info wrong, please let me know.  I would love to have some of the stories behind the pictures and dates.  Dad has told me a lot, but it was a long time ago!

I believe Mom was 17 here.  Just got engaged to Dad.

Mom with her parents and two sisters. 

 

Dad told me this is one of the reasons he fell in love with Mom.  "She could make a mean apple pie", he said. 

 

 This was on their wedding day.  The photo is quite damaged.  We do have some good ones.

The home were my Dad grew up in Hollywood, Ca.

 

 I can't believe how young she looks in this picture with her first born son, Kevin.

 My Mothers parents, Hap and Waldine Sorensen.

Dad's Mother, Ella Fowler.

 La Rae, Arda and Waldine.

 This pic of Mom is one of my favorites. 

 Dad told me these last two were taken in Alamo, Nevada at the Hot Springs. 

 

I hope seeing these have brought you as much joy as it has me. 

 

Back with my kids

While we lived in Washington, we made life long friends with some amazing kids.  I love them all like my own.  I literally just wanted to hold them when I saw them after all this time.  Holy cow, I couldn't believe how much they all have grown.  Not just physically but emotionally too.  Mariah and Jake put on a lovely dinner for us and had a bunch of our "family" there.  It was such a gorgeous night, gorgeous setting and gorgeous people. 

Oh Alex.......you are one of those people, who make whoever you are with smile!  I wish everyone could have your heart.

 

They wanted couples pictures together.  I couldn't stop laughing.

The cow wasn't very amused.

I wanted to have some nice family pics of us while we were all together.  I finally just took what I could get.  This is definitely the true us.

Hayley and Logan.

The little thing with my girls is one of the most creative minds.  I'm always in awe of how real she is.  She is so open.  It was so adorable, she drove on the freeway by herself for the first time to come and see us.  

Not all of my extra kids were there that night.  But I can say that my heart was so happy to be with everyone.  We are so lucky to have all of them in our lives.  All of them each different, but all of them with open loving hearts.  It's going to be so exciting to see what each of them do with there lives.  

The two Olivia's.

The cutest pictures ever.  I don't know what to even say about this boy.  OK, man.  I love him so much.  I can't wait to see what he ends up doing.  Such an amazing artist.  I credit my kids with making such kind friends.  They find these kids who are so open and understanding.  Whiling to accecpt everyone.  I find the way Zach shows his love so touching.  

My boy.  

I could really squeeze this lady really hard.  Love her!

Thank you Washington family for all that you did for us.  Ya'll welcomed us into your homes and hearts.