Really we missed it

So we took off on this awesome trip to the country side. We got a cabin on a lake up near the Christian Islands. It was beautiful up there, and the cabin was a last minute steal. We couldn't find anything anywhere. ANYWHERE! Amazingly one of the rentals called back saying they didn't rent out one of their large cabins and we could have it for a fraction of the cost. Done! Matt had been heading to work, but quickly turned around, came home and helped pack, and we were off.

Without the camera.

I was so upset, it feels silly now. But really, I felt like I had left a child back home or something. This whole time in Canada I really wanted to get pictures of the kids up in the country side. I love what the photographers here are able to capture in just the every day life around them. Here was my chance, and I left it at home. Thank goodness for a husband who helped me learn to just laugh about it. So it quickly became a joke. A painful joke at times. But a joke. "This would be such an amazing picture if only I had my..." or " wait, let me get a picture of that. Oh...." or "wow, wouldn't that just be the perfect picture, right there..." Ah. O-well. We snapped a few on our phone and called it good. Guess that's all we can do. It really was beautiful though. The moutains, the lake, the cabin. We Kayaked with the kids, and actually had to light the fire place in the cabin during the mornings and evenings (i know, all my southern friends... please don't hate!). It was the perfect weekend, and non of us wanted to go home. But there it was.

Sunday, we were headed back home, and it was BUG'S BIRTHDAY!!! I still can't believe he's 8!!! We usually celebrate the birthday on that day at all costs, but this one really would have stunk, and he actually opted to wait until Monday. Good call kiddo!

And since we didn't manage to get any pictures of the kids on the lake, or the sunsets, or anything of such.. here are some of the kids and, well, water. Close?

gRowInG uP Is hARd tO do

but I think it's the parents who are really the ones who think it's hard. Not the kids. The kids can't seem to wait. I took Ase out for her birthday photo shoot. She was wearing one of her new shirts... which was very fitting of who she is. And I'll just say, she did me proud (both mom and photographer)! I actually had a hard time editing. The mom in me couldn't find anything good enough to represent all of who she is.. and I was getting too nostalgic in the process (which is not me. i'm not a crier). Then there was the photographer side of me trying to squeeze in there. I think the two me's finally figured out how to get along, because before I knew it.. I was done. So here you have them. I know. There are WAY to many, but I'm a proud mom and just couldn't help myself. Besides. It's MY blog, and my kid! *smile*

Cinqo de Ase

I can't believe my baby is 4. And literally, she is my baby. The last of my kiddos is 4 and will be headed to pre-k this fall! It seems like yesterday, well no not yesterday but not that long ago, that I was heading to the hospital to have her. Checked in, an an hour later and 3 pushes, there she was! We didn't know what we were having (we guessed boy), and there had been some health concerns regarding her during my pregnancy. But when she came out.. we had a perfectly healthy little girl. It's only been getting better and better every day since then! So here is some of what I have learned in these 4 short years.

Her happiness just radiates from every pore.
She shares nearly anything she gets, to the point that sometimes she doesn't even get any of it.
She LOVES to snuggle and get hugs and kisses.
And when she snuggles, she is smashed into you. No personal space or boundaries with her!
She's the worst one when it comes to crawling in to bed with us during the night.

Which secretly I love.
She loves all things little.
When she grows up she wants to be a bunny.
Her favorite foods are cheese and ice.
Favorite color is pink.
Her fix for anything is her smile. She thinks it works magic. It kinda does. :)
Will do anything to get her sister to play with her. Even to the point of tears.

Only has one volume. LOUD!
She has this strange fear of packing peanuts, or even just lint. Anything that will blow across the floor with a little breeze... she screams. She's slowly getting better, but it's still hilarious.
On the flip side, she has no fear of heights. NONE!
I can't wait to see what she does as she gets older! Whatever it is, I hope she keeps that happy outlook she has.

Happy happy birthday my girl!!!

Mont to the real

I really don't know what to say about Montreal, other than what I said before. We loved it! The cobblestone streets everywhere, walking to everything, the Montreal Notre Dame, the gelatto (oh how I've missed that stuff!), the street entertainment, the night life, the cafe's lining the street. It's kind of like Paris, but not quite. The kids really didn't want to leave when it was time to go!

























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Too hot for coolness

As soon as I arrived back home (and I mean it. We left that same day), we jumped in the car and drove over to Montreal. LOVED it there! It was the kids favorite place too. I just couldn't resist and had to grab a couple pictures of the kids and try for something a little creative. Sadly it was so sunny and hot, poor Bug, he's wearing my sunglasses. O-well!

a little less obvious

I was lucky enough to next go out to Utah for 3 days. It was a bit of an ordeal getting out there, and back for that matter.. but totally worth it. My brother was leaving for a 2 year service mission for our church (the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints), and I wanted to see him off. Sadly, this is the only picture I got of the entire "mini trip". I was at the airport waiting for my flight, and my parents were still hanging out with me. I pulled out my camera to show my dad how the flash was no longer working, and what do you know. It worked. Naturally it hasn't worked since. Either way, I guess it got me a photo. Kind of. Too bad I didn't get one with my brother in it. That would have been too obvious though. :) So there you have it. My dad holding my camera bag, and my mom my pillow.

I also need to say that during this short trip out we had a family tragedy, if that's what you'd call it. On the way to the family party, my Aunt who is already fragile from battling LAM disease was in a car accident with her family. There was a 4 car pile up, theirs being the 4th. The rest of the family was fine, however she broke her neck. C2 and L5 to be exact. She amazingly isn't paralyzed (although they said less than millimeters off from severing the spinal cord, which would leave her completely paralyzed), and despite two different hospital acquired infections, she might, just might be pulling through this. She has a pin in her neck, and we don't know the extend of her brain damage, although we are all hopeful. I was so grateful to be able to see her in the hospital before coming home, but wish I could be out there holding her hand for more support. She has to be one of the nicest, humblest and strong people God has ever placed on this earth. Sending prayers and as much love as I have your way my dear Aunt. I can't wait to see your smile again next time I come out.

Not all milk is created equal

Just as an odd side note over here. Clear over here. The milk here, it's in a BAG! What? Why? And they actually come in a bigger bag... 3 of them at a time. We go through about one bag for 5 bowls of cereal. So as you can see.. not big bags. And yes, for some reason Ase just wanted to have her picture with the milk. Don't know, don't ask. ;)

Anyway, milk in a bag. Just sayin'. There might be easier ways. That's all!