Motorin'

Caroline actually got up on her knees today, and crawled a few "knees" to her toy basket! Go Caroline Go!! She will be 8 months on January 2nd!

Caroline may even get her first two teeth just in time for Christmas! Her bottom two teeth are starting to break skin! I will miss this toothless grin!!

Claire's Gingerbread House

Claire finally got to make her "gingerbread" house at school! She had a lot of fun making it, and she shared the whole house with her siblings! Yay Claire, great sharing. We are proud of you.

Ancient OK, maybe Vintage, OK Old Ornaments

These are some of my ornaments I made when I was probably around Claire and Carly's age. I threw them out as they were getting a bit moldy. But, I took a photo to remember them.

Kayla and the 5 Kids

The 6 kids at the park! We are so happy Kayla could come over and play with our kids! They LOVE having her over.

These photos were taken on the weekend by my Sister Amy. I love how she used the feet rattles as mitts! That was a great idea!! And, I love how all bundled up she is! Very cozy indeed!

Gingerbread House with Uncle Tyler, Aunty Amy and Kayla

This house was built by the big kids...Caroline and Catie were napping. We were out shopping (remember the keys in the trunk incident!) I think they did an awesome job!

Christmas Cheer

Our Christmas tree with a cool tree topper that my Dad made for us. Some of our favourite decorations.
Table centrepiece that Cameron made for me at school!

Cameron and his "gingerbread" house he made at school.

Wednesday

Well, it is middle of the week! And, yesterday we went to visit Dad in the hospital. We watched him have his first solid foods. Chicken broth, orange juice and orange jello. His stomach got very full. Yesterday he had many of his tubes removed and was walking around. He even phoned home and left a message for all of the kids. And so did Nonna. The kids loved that. Today, the phone rang in the afternoon. I thought it would be Mom, but it was Dad. He had a creamy soup, chocolate pudding and tea! A great day for him. There is even talk that he may get home this weekend. My fingers are crossed for him! Tomorrow they talk to a nutritionist about his nutrional concerns etc.

We ordered in pizza for dinner, got the kids into their jammies, loaded them into the vehicle and took a drive around. I also had to get food for 2 school Christmas parties!
We drove around the town to look at all of the holiday light displays! Wow, some beautifully decorated homes! The kids LOVED that. Especially Catie! WOW!!!! she said. WOW!!! Her loudest WOW yet. She certainly is developing her words! So cute.

Mom came home tonight, and that was nice. We sat around her kitchen table and had some tea, and some Purdy's chocolates together and talked about Dad and his recovery etc. Things are certainly looking up! Christmas could be really wonderful after all.

I am fighting something. Hoarse voice, stuffy nose. Really worn out. Tired. spent. Whatever. Just reacting to all of the stress of the last couple of weeks. I guess my body has had enough.

Lots to do in the next couple of days. Need to wrap presents for teachers, presents for our kids and family. Do my shopping for some Christmas foods etc. We will wrap everything probably on Saturday. Just glad the shopping part is over. I am looking forward to Christmas eve. Cliff and I make nachos and watch some sort of Christmas Movie. Most likely Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation. I can watch that movie over and over!! So many great laughs. We certainly could use that.

The kids have been kissing me a lot under our Kissing Ball. Too cute. Now, if only I can get Cliff under there. Hmmm. I will work on that.

Our tree is decorated, and most of the decorations are on the top portion of the tree. Still looks lovely.

I feel a bit more of the Christmas spirit tonight.

Tonight, yet ANOTHER storm should be on it's way. More wind. Hopefully the power will stay on again.

Well, it is 11:42 pm. Caroline just woke up. I will feed her, and get her back into her crib for a cozy night's sleep.

Sweet dreams...

glad when this year will be over

I am welcoming in 2007. Surely life will be better then?! It has been a rough couple of weeks. Emotions flying, anger, sadness and realizations.

This time of year is so busy, and we are so not in the holiday mode. We do have our tree up, and we put up some decorations and bought 6 new ones for the tree. They are lovely. Too bad the kids won't leave them alone. How many days until boxing day?

As for shopping. We went on a mega shopping trip (thanks to Amy, Tyler and Kayla!!!! for giving us that WONDERFUL gift of time!!) we got everything bought for everybody. That felt good. And, it wasn't as bad as we thought. But, when poor old Cliff dropped the keys into my sister's car and we were locked out...that wasn't so funny. We had to call a tow truck to break into Amy's car. Thankfully we were able to get them out. Hopefully Uncle Gil has fixed the broken door opener?! Any word on that. I must call my Sis and ask her. We brought her some flowers to make it all better. Hopefully they worked. Poor Cliff has had a lot on his mind.

As for my FIL, he is still in hospital, with a few less tubes and I hear he is moving out of the ICU today to his own room! Very encouraging. His spirits were high today and tonight, thanks to my parents we are able to go and visit him again. It will be nice to see him and laugh with him again. He is going to phone our house and leave a message for all of the kids today. I know the kids are really reacting to everything that is going on around here. Poor kids. It has been so hard on them. I know they will LOVE his message today. I am excited for them all.

Sorry for the lack of blogging. It has just been extremely busy and tiring around here.

Friday

Well, today we all woke up in a great mood. No power went out, the wind went away and the sun was shining! It is amazing how nice it can be with "normal" weather. Cameron got to make his gingerbread house at school, and Cameron and Claire got to participate in the "Crazy Hair" day at school. Unfortunately I couldn't get a photo of the hair do's because they took them out! The morning was rushed as we all "slept in" until 7:00 which meant a rushed, busy morning for the 6 of us. I did get a photo of Cameron's house though. I will post at a later date. He did a great job.


I got a chance to visit my FIL aka as Cliff's Dad at the hospital last night. My loving parents came over so that Cliff and I could get down there to see him. I drove my MIL aka Mom to the hospital. I was glad I could give her a rest and some support and drive her in the rush hour traffic.

Dad looked good, for somebody who just had major surgery. He is still in the ICU, and is being fed through a stomach tube. He had MANY tubes in him. He still managed to hold a conversation and he seemed to be in good spirits. He was just very tired. Today, Mom (aka MIL) went to the hospital to spend the day with him between sleeps and care etc. I know she was going to take a photo of the kids there for him, and a new pair of slippers. Today, he will start walking in the hospital. Soon, he will be moved out of the ICU, and into a regular bed. He will be there until the 23rd or 24th of December. Then, he will be home. Without any tubes except for one port for feeding just in case he cannot gain some of the weight he lost back. I am just happy the surgery went well, and he looks good.

As for our weekend. Maybe this weekend we can get the tree decorated, and do some shopping. We need to catch up from this busy week. I know I feel really tired. Not much sleep in the last week or two. I am looking forward to my run on Sunday morning. I haven't been running as per my normal routine. I hope that I can get back to where I was. I NEEEEEEED to run. Or I just feel all agitated inside.

I am still thinking about my Oma, and my Dad, my Aunty and all of us relatives who are missing Opa. I really miss him. I know he lived a long full life in his 90 years, but still...it is hard to believe he is gone. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you who are mourning the loss of any kind.

I am thinking that 2007 is going to be a WAY better year. The highlights of 2006 for me were, the birth of Caroline and the birth of Abigail! Two little blessings.

Stormy Weather

AGAIN...we are expected to have winding that will most likely knock our power out for the 6th time. So, if I am not blogging...that is why! Hopefully the wind will leave our area by tomorrow night sometime!

Going to go stock up on candles and emergency supplies...

Oh Christmas Tree/s

We went out last weekend and picked up 2 trees for Christmas. One for my in-laws and one for our family. We got two beautiful trees and ours has a hint of blue (fits with our moods of late)

The photo I took of Cliff with the kids, well the tree on Cameron's right is ours, and the tree on his left is Mom and Dad's. We cannot wait until Dad can be home again to enjoy the tree and the family.

Cameron took the photo of Cliff and I. The youngest kids stayed home with Nonna and Grandpa.

My FIL

For the last two weeks we have been very worried about my dh's father aka my FIL Dad. He was just diagnosed with Esophogus Cancer. Yes, the dreaded C word. He went in today for a rush surgery that went from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm to remove a large portion of his esophogus and then his stomach was resectioned to form a new tube that was made from his stomach. The cancer also had adhered to his lung, and so a section of his lung was removed as well. They are doing a biopsy of that also. So, whilst we were laying dear Opa to rest, my dear FIL was in sugery. Cliff's heart was in two places. With is dear Dad and with my family and our loss so hard to just get through the day.

FIL is OK for tonight, and my MIL finally got to see him, and we went to the hospital from the memorial today and straight to the hospital to be with Mom (MIL) We will go and visit him in the ICU for a few minutes tomorrow evening sometime. Dad will be in the hospital for 2 weeks until Christmas Eve. And then he must rest at home for 3 months. It was major surgery. We are just glad they got the cancer out, and we are thankful he is in recovery. I know he was in a lot of pain tonight.

I cannot believe that so much has happened in the past week. It has been extremely difficult to just maintain "normal." We are totally worn out and exhausted. Our power was out yet AGAIN for almost 24 hours yesterday and the night before. That is 5x's in the last 2 months. Too much eh!

Good Bye Opa

Today we laid our dear Opa to rest. It was a very sad and emotional day. I am so happy that he lived such a long and happy life! To live to 90! Wow.

Murrayville Mom's Mom

Murrayville Mom's Mom: "The Second Sunday of Advent "

If you have been wondering why my blog has been quiet. This is the reason.

I cannot believe you are gone Opa. One week ago you were with us and we all celebrated your 90th. We are so sad. We really miss you.

December 2006

Well, it is hard to believe that 2006 is almost over! This year went so fast. Now, Christmas is weeks away. I have nothing done for Christmast this year.

Usually our tree is up about this time, but not this year. Tree next weekend. We have so many family get togethers that they are eating into OUR family time. I love my family, BUT I love my family too. Yes, I know, the kids love to get together with our families. But still. That is just how I feel this week lol.

I am not going to make cards this year. Usually we do a potato print stamp on blank cards with the kids. This year I am going to buy them.

Usually we do gingerbread cookies and ice them etc. Not this year. I think I will buy a gingerbread house kit for the kids to do. Life is just too darn busy!

We tried to take the kids to the Annual Santa parade last weekend, and we didn't even get the chance to go. Picture this: Van full of kids. 2 are crying, 1 has to go pee. 1 is whining, 1 needs to go pee but didn't go before leaving the house. 2 shaking their heads. So, we had to go home. There was not a bathroom in sight.

We hoped this would be a lesson in listening to your parents...ie. go to the bathroom when we ask. I know the kids were disappointed as were Cliff and I. That was supposed to be one of our family events for Christmas. SO, we went home. Too bad. So disappointing. Oh well, what can we do? I hope NEXT year the kids will remember that. I am sure they will. I am sure they will remind us of the time we DIDN'T go to the parade for the next 40 years!

This week we are trying to go to a nice park around here that is all decorated up for Christmas! This one thankfully is a drive thru type event!

We are busy with the kids getting ready for Christmas programs at school too. Those require special "costumes." This year Cameron is a Dog with his class, and Claire is a Bird with her class. I got their clothing on Sunday night around 10 pm after a full day of celebrating my Opa's 90th birthday. I am looking forward to seeing Cameron and Claire in their class programs!

We also just got report cards, and I am pleased with both kid's reports! Cameron and Claire did well. Carly is not in preschool anymore. She is starting in a new one in Jan '07 that is closer to home.

I feel crazy busy these days. I have to stay up late like an elf to get it all done! And, I bought new dishtowels for the kitchen, and "to save time" I washed those (green and yellow) with my white towels. I now have pale green towels. SO, now I must do ANOTHER load with bleach! Why did I do that...I KNEW that would happen.

This weekend we are going to go get our live tree. For the past 4 years we have gone and cut a tree with the kids at a local Christmas tree farm. Usually we do that around the 1st of December but yes, we were too busy. We also have our Chilliwack Christmas this weekend too.

Next weekend is our family Christmas dinner. So, another busy weekend. Then, isn't it Christmas?! EEEEK.

I know I will get it all done, it is just that I feel like complaining a bit lol. It has definitely been challenging with 5 kids. I am not kidding you. BUSY with a capital B! But, the anticipation of Christmas eve and Santa coming and then the look on the kid's faces on Christmas morning will make everything worth while. When they are all happy Cliff and I are happy too! I am also looking forward to our annual breakfast with the in-laws and then dinner at my parents place! Always so special to all be together as a family.

This year is Caroline's first Christmas which is very special! I also rethinking if we should get a full size tree. Caroline will be under there just like a cat would do! I KNOW I will be forever pulling her out from under there. Are pine needles poisonous?! Maybe we do a table tree?! Nahhh. I have made it through 4 kids and Christmas so certainly I SHOULD be able to get through ONE more!

In any event. As per in the past. The tree and all of the decorations and ANYTHING Christmas will be BOXED up and put away on BOXING DAY...after a lovely Boxing day brunch at my sister Amy and Tyler's house!! By the 27th it will be just like Christmas never happened around here!! lol.

So, when am I going to do my shopping? Thankfully we do not buy a whole lot, I think I can get it all done in 1/2 a day somewhere around the 20th of December! I am also looking forward to getting jammies for the whole family to go to bed in on Christmas Eve.

I am tired just looking back at my post!

brown hair

brown hair

Well, I have been brunette now for just over a week, and you know what?! I have really enjoyed it! I feel a little more sophisticated, but I still have my blonde moments.



I have had lots of positive feedback like:

Wow, you look so great with brown hair! Wow!
You look like you are 18
Your skin looks so much warmer
It is a great colour on you
Wow, what is your real colour? (dirty blonde lol)
Your hair is so shiny and healthy looking

So far, two thumbs up for brown! I feel like I am just me now...I feel like the colour fits with my lifestyle etc. I have begun to get used to seeing my reflection in the mirror now too! For the first couple of days it was very shocking to me!!

If you notice to the top right, I have even changed my PROFILE PHOTO! That is how much I am loving the brown!

90

Happy Birthday Opa!

We had a lovely luncheon at Oma and Opa's house on Sunday, December 3rd, 2006. We all brought stuff and enjoyed spending a few hours with them! There are photos of families here, just the "women" hereminus my sister April and Abigail (she was feeding) and my other sister Amy and her boyfriend Tyler. There are photos of the original family and photos with all of the great grandchildren! And a photo of my original family with the grandkids there too!

Also we got to meet my cousin Riki's new beau Darryl! He was such a nice guy and it was lovely to meet him!

It certainly was a day I will never forget!

We love you Opa!

behind bars

7 Months Today

Caroline, where did the last 7 months go? They have just flown by!

You know how to do so many things already!

Pull yourself across the floor
smile
laugh
eat cereal and veggies
cry
stand up with assistance
make your brother and sisters smile
make us smile
make us laugh
take a bottle so Mom and Dad could have one night out together
sleep and nap so well

We know you are loved! And, when we see those dimples (just like your Daddy's) we just think you are the cutest!

Looking forward to your next months! We cannot believe that in May you will be 1 already! I wonder what kind of party we will throw for you! All I know is that it will be very fun for everybody!