Dresses

This is the first of many summers where I will not be pregnant or breastfeeding. I really like wearing dresses, and seeing this photo of Shawna, made my think I need to wear a dress! 

I did buy a beautiful "goal" dress in a size six, and it is currently sitting in my closest staring at me. I have put on a good 8 pounds by not running, and keeping up the same eating habits of when I was training. 

Where is a great place to buy dresses? I am going to wear dresses all summer!!  I have no restrictions now! My body is my own! The only thing is I need a below the knee to sort of hide my ugly man vein legs!

Any ideas for what would look good on me? I need some help!  And shoes, what does one wear with dresses these days? Oh, and I need reasonable!! 

Cathy xo

Five down, and only one to go!

Oh, over the past weekend, Caroline wore the last of her diapers. So, thank you to Aunty and Uncle for changing the last of them. I haven't changed a Caroline diaper since Friday of last week. On Monday morning, Cliff put on a size six (with two left in the bag), and Caroline told us she wanted to wear underwear. So, off went the diaper. She went to her drawer, and helped herself!

In one day Caroline fully toilet trained! Number five is done, and now just waiting on my 18th month old Coco. I am thinking trying to get it done BEFORE two. I sat Courtney on the toilet today, and she liked it. She wanted toilet paper LOL. She knows...so I am going to start talking to her about this. 

So far, I have spent the last almost 10 years (minus a few months changing diapers) I changed my first diaper on August 3rd, 1999. Maybe by August 2009 we could be done? *fingers crossed*

Happy Days!! High fives Caroline!

We are going to enjoy a cheaper grocery bill this next shop! And trade a full size six bag for a size four.

Late afternoon Day One and Day Two | Penticton, B.C. Canada | C+C Weekend Getaway

Just to let you know, the photos go from bottom to top. Sorry about that! The rest of our mini get-away to Penticton, B.C. 

(P.S. you can click on the photos to enlarge their size)

Me standing in front of the big peach aka big huge concession stand in Penticton at the beach. And this was my *ahem* hiking outfit later in Naramata!

Perspective on just how huge this thing is! You can see it for miles away!! I just think it was so cool. You can see the car off in the distance. Behind there, were the AMAZING homes that were facing the lake front. BEAUTIFUL.

Of course, we had to hit up the Starbucks. I think there were atleast three in Penticton, that we counted anyways. This one had just opened, and was within walking distance to our hotel. Everything is happier in Penticton. They even drizzle the caramel on as a happy face :D (This was Cliff's drink)

Flowers that were growing in abundance on the mountain sides. These were near the big P E N T I C T O N sign, at the bottom of the hill.

OK, you see that white stuff on the side of the mountain. That is the edge of the big N. I wanted to sit on the top of it. But I got too scared. It was steep and I was in a skirt, wearing flip flops and had my good camera. I chose no. Well actually FEAR chose no. 

This is looking down. You can see just how large the N is!! HUGE!

Looking towards the city of Penticton. 

This rock caught my attention, as did the beautiful blue sky and white clouds!

These fruit crates were all over Naramata. So beautiful in red, contrasting the brilliant blue sky. 

A sign in an orchard. We THINK an apple orchard. I am so not a fruit grower. But I love how it grows, and how it tastes. 

Backtracking a bit to Saturday afternoon. We also found the big PEACH on the beach of the City of Penticton. It is actually a peach-shaped concession stand. We thought it was really unique and cool. It certainly could not be missed. We also saw this. But I didn't take any photos. 

We then decided to get out of the city, because there was a Children's Festival going on. So we decided to go to Naramata. It was our absolute favourite part of Pentiction. I believe there are about 22 wineries there. So beautiful to see! And a beautiful drive, and up so high, able to look down on the lake. Gorgeous. A feast for the eyes and the senses that is for sure. 

Sunday  morning, day two, and also our final day I actually got up around 7 a.m. (anxious to get a move on and get back home to see my kids!) and got ready while Cliff slept in until 8:30. I had most of the bags packed up, and Cliff showered and we gathered our bags, and checked out. We decided that we would hit the drive thru at Tim Hortons for a BELT, a coffee and a two cookies. We got that, drove to the beach and ate at the beach. Our BELT's were only BE's LOL. They left of the LT part. We enjoyed it anyways. It was another gorgeous day. We finished up, looked at the beautiful waterfront homes (reminded us of the beautiful Vancouver homes) and started our journey towards Oliver, B.C. aka as Canada's Wine Country or the Golden Mile. We drove around, we headed up around through the residential, the main road. We drove up to Cliff's favourite golf course there. Cliff told me he golfed there a couple of times with his Dad. So, some nice memories for him. I am glad he has those.

We then decided, to head to Osoyoos. Desert wine country. Yes I said desert. Sage brush and everything! A very awesome hot climate. Osoyoos is our VERY favourite spot in the Okanagan. MANY childhood memories of Haynes Point Provincial campground. A very unique campground that juts out into the middle of the lake. A beautiful warm lake.  And of course a couple of family trips there in the last 11 years. So, we parked on Main Street. Looked at the real estate. Had a few dreams of just staying there. We then drove to the motel we will be staying at in August with our kids. Looks good! We cannot wait! Then, we grabbed some fast food and drove home. I took lots of photos of fruit stand signs. I just love them. And we had a couple of stops for gas, and also snacks a long the way. A quick stop in Manning Park for a rest stop, and home. 

A great weekend away. We are thankful to my Sister Amy, and Tyler and K for helping us have a belated anniversary away together. 

P.S. I have a couple more photos, but I will blog them hopefully tomorrow!

Cathy xo

Day One | Penticton, B.C. Canada | C+C Weekend Getaway

Cliff and I smelled these flowers, and they brought us back to our childhood. 

That is always a nice feeling. Fond memories.

And the LILACS. There were lilacs EVERYWHERE. Huge gigantic trees of them. Every colour. The smells were amazing. And so beautiful.

We could have stayed here, in our very own lakeside private cottage on the private beach for $200 a night. Beautiful huh! Next time maybe. This was directly across from the historic hotel. 

Cliff took this of me on the historic steps of the hotel. 

The ride, and my hubby rocking out to some tunes. Behind the car is the 1912 historic Kaleden Hotel. 

The only photo of us together. Too bad it is a blurry oh well. 

We hit the road, after dinner on Friday night. We hit the Dairy Queen in Hope, B.C. and then drove the rest of the night until we reached the Ramada hotel in Penticton. It was about 10:20 p.m. when we got there. We got our hotel room, and soaked the night away with a bottle of local wine and some chocolates. And then to bed.

We arose on Saturday after a big sleep in of 8:00 a.m. wake up call, and a continental breakfast "in bed" delivered at 8:30 a.m. but we ate it on the deck. The morning was absolutely beautiful. So hot and sunny. By 9:30 a.m. we were showered and ready to hit the sights of Penticton. We drove all around, sunroof open. Local radio station playing. It didn't take us long to drive through, as it is not a very big town. We saw the Penticton river channel where you can float down the channel in inner tubes and floaties in the hot summer sun! We though that would be fun to do when the kids get a bit older! IT is a man made channel. So we decided to drive to Kaleden. It was 15 minutes outside of Penticton. A little bedroom town, not very populated, one small elementary school. And lots of hills. We were glad we had a small car, and not the 12 passenger van! Much easier to get around. The photos above were taken here. I sat on the same steps as those girls in the pdf. Pretty neat story behind the hotel. 

We also hit up Tickleberry's, which was another 15 minute drive past Kaleden. It was darn good. I had cherry cheese cake, and mint chocolate chip. Cliff had three other different scoops. DELISH. We drove around, we found some second hand windows at a garage sale. We got two heritage windows for $15. They are for the playhouse here at home.

And then we went to the pub for a late lunch. After lunch we went to Naramata. *Beautiful there, but I still have to work on the photos. We also climbed up to see the big *PENTICTON* on the side of the Munson Mountain. Just scroll down through the images, and you will see the letters sort of Hollywood-ish sign. I have some photos, and I will post them on the next blog. I got scared. I never get scared! It was too high up for me. I will do it on the next blog* Then for dinner, we ended up at the White Spot, a Canadian classic, and really how Cliff and I met each other. (At the Richmond White Spot.) So we usually go there when we can. It brings back great memories of when we met.  I had a chicken burger, a glass of wine. Cliff had some REALLY hot Indian dish, and naan bread. Then, we went back to the hotel, and walked off our dinner, as we were VERY full. A hand in hand walk along the lake shore. And then after that, a walk to Tim Hortons for a donut each. Then the hot tub, and some Pink. And then to bed. 

I will blog about Sunday hopefully this week. Some neat stories, and photos to share.

Back to Life

You see off in the distance, on the mountain. Well that says PENTICTON. We climbed up there.Me not so prepared to hike. I wore my breezy blowy girly skirt, my bright pink flip flops and carried my work camera with me in one hand.  More on this story to come. These are a few off of the camera phone only.

The beach.Lovely.

Ah, a jacuzzi room for two. Two evenings of relaxing with either a bottle of wine or champagne. Awesome.

Driving in my Sister's car...(my Dad's old car) with the sunroof open. Sunshine all around us. Beautiful weekend.

Reconnecting with your spouse of 11 years, and six kids later. 

PRICELESS.

It was a great weekend away, and I will blog more about our two night adventure. It was awesome.

Away

I will be away for two nights. So not much blogging will be going on. 

Going on a much needed two night quick get-away to the OK with my husband. 

Later!

Cathy xo

P.S. A HUGE HUGE TRIPLE huge thank you to my Sister Amy, and Tyler (and K) for coming over here to watch all of our kids for two nights. SO special. xoxoox

P.P.S. Happy Anniversary to April and Nick xoxoxo

Hump Day

Well, it is Wednesday. It seems like I am neglecting my own blog, but really I am not. I am of course concentrating my efforts on all of my other blog. It gets updated a lot more than this one. I wish there was more of me, but there isn't. So...

I hope my Canadian friends and family had a nice long weekend. I was busy with several shoots, and I had the opportunity to be a third shooter at a lovely wedding in Vancouver. So that was a neat-o-12 hour day working. Very eye opening, and really something I am interested in trying again. Weddings are beautiful. 

Anyways. A couple of images from about 1000 I shot at the wedding. To see more, go check out more, be sure to check out my other blog. It links to the main photographer, Jamie Delaine's blog, and also to the second shooter Laura of Dolcepics. AMAZING work there.

Cathy xo

Finish Up Friday from Minter

Caroline

Big sister Claire, and baby sister Courtney

Brother Cameron!

Number Five Catie!

The baby Coco

Our Six on M Day

This is the best of the bunch. 

We found a relatively shady spot, and snapped a photo whilst the going was good!

I was constantly counting our kids. Head count, after head count. 

This is what going to huge park is like with six kids, a husband and a MIL. MIL is in the background :D

Of course there is ALWAYS one that doesn't want to cooperate. Catie didn't want to participate. I still like the photo LOL. Sorry you have no head Cameron. Mom still loves you :D

We took the kids and my MIL to Minter Gardens. I had never been, either had ANY of us really . We had hoped to take Grandpa last year the Sunday after Fathers Day. But he wasn't able to. He was way too sick to enjoy it. So, I decided we needed to go there and make some good memories. And we sure did! We also decided that the park would have been too difficult for Grandpa when he was in his chair. The bumps would have been too painful. And, of course lots of steep gravel pathways.

We listened to music, we danced in the square. We ate. We walked. And we counted heads of course.

I cannot wait to go back in the summer, when the roses are blooming.

More photos to come. Be prepared for photo overload!

Anniversary slash Mothers Day Cards

Love birds :D

Card from Cliff to me.

Carly's card to me.

Claire's card to me for Mother's Day.

Placemat made by Claire for me, and the card from all of the kids.

Odd's n Ends

Four cakes for the Fun night at school a couple of weeks ago now. Each of the kids helped with a cake. Sorry the photo is sideways. Baking with six kids is challenging, so I am happy that they worked out. I hope they tasted good.

OK, this is from Mothers Day. I was served breakfast in bed by my son Cameron. All his own idea. He set his alarm for early in the morning. Cliff said he had his alarm set for 3:30 a.m. and he was going to clean the house for me. This is what I woke up to. You see the paper clip and thread, I was asked to pull the cord...

I pulled the cord, and around popped this note...

Cute huh! He used the label of the thread as the pull tab. 

See the artistry...this was on the corner of my tray. I think he is going to make some woman VERY happy. Cliff has never served me breakfast in bed before! Well, actually he has served me crackers...when I had morning sickness LOL. 

A Carlyflower from my Carly. She said she found it on the side of the road...sweet girl. I love her gifts. She likes to bring me flowers.

Cameron and I went out taking photos on the weekend. His camera was broken, so he used my camera phone. Here I am, photographing the beautiful cherry blossoms. Some of which you can see if you scroll down a post or two to see my end results. We had a great time together. So fun to see his passions developing at nine years of age.

More photos to come from Minter Gardens. I spent the day on Sunday with my MIL, Cliff the kids. In their fancy sundresses. It was great. Afterwards we left the kids with Mom-in-Law and popped over to my parents to give a card and gift to my Mom. We had a tea, and some cookies. Then, some grocery shopping. 

Fabulous day. I need to get the photos off of my card still. 

Oh, and last night I went running. I ran in a DOWN pour. It was the most beautiful run. I hope I am on the mend. 

I am in bed

I am in bed, with my laptop, listening to music. I just had my breakfast brought to me in bed by my nine year old son Cameron. Apparently he had this planned out for quite some time. I took a few photos, and I will attach when I am OUT of bed. I had peanut butter toast, a glass of water. And oh, you should see the flowers. Right from our garden. He is going to make somebody VERY happy one day. 

Wonderful. Happy Mothers Day!

Cathy xo

At Three O' Clock

My Mom has posted a boatload of our wedding photos for all to see :D

click here to view...remember this is eleven years ago people!

Today, is a beautiful as it was on our wedding day. I would have to say that I cannot remember a raining anniversary! 

Happy Anniversary Cliff. I love you.

100,000th Visitor!

Well, it happened on our anniversary! It was somebody from Australia. 

May 9 2009 12:09:37 am 

Cheery Cherry Blossoms

eleven years {tomorrow}

Tomorrow marks number eleven!

We have been very busy over the last eleven years. May 9, 1998. Our wedding day.
Now, tomorrow is our anniversary of course! It has gone by very quickly I would have to say. For the past decade we have been immersed in pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and of course all the different stages of life we have been through. We have seen births, we have seen death. We have seen happy and we have sad. We have seen in sickness, and in health.

Right now, I would say we are in the to love and to cherish. We have so much to be thankful for in our eleven years. Not the easiest of years, but years that we are glad we experienced. Of course, there will be no babies coming into our family. But we look forward to watching the kids grow up.

So much to look forward to. I can only imagine what the next years will look like! I just see so much happy! I guess I see life with rose coloured glasses. Well I try anyways!

Cliff is golfing in a tournament that honours his Dad. It is put on by his Dad's company. And my Mom in Law gets to hand out the trophy to the winner. And I will be shooting boudoir tomorrow. And tomorrow night, out for dinner. We will cheers to the past eleven years, and cheers to the future!

The kids, well they will have a sitter for the night. And, in a couple of weeks from now will be driving away for two nights. A get away. Thank you to my Sister Amy and Uncle Tyler for that gift. The gift of sitting. So many thanks for that. A get away!

We are looking forward to that. Last year, at number ten we didn't really do anything as Cliff's Dad was nearing the end of his life and we didn't really feel much like celebrating. So, this year we celebrate. We need it! BAD!

We planned our wedding right! Mothers Day is on Sunday. It is a weekend of celebrating!

479 | dream wish hope

I am at almost 100,000 visitors to my blog. Only 479 more visitors to go! 

I think that is incredible. Thank you to all of my faithful readers and the blog-stalkers.

Hmmm. Maybe just maybe my 100,000 will get something special from me. And maybe the person who guesses which day and time that will happen...will also receive something.

Cool.