Changes

The sun has been hot, the sky blue, the days full. 

I love summer!

 We've been camping, took a week to vacation in BC, worked on our yard, played with our kids outside, hung out with friends - living life and enjoying it.

I seem to have lost my desire to blog. Time and content have just alluded me so my posts are becoming more spread out. Maybe it's the fact that it's summer or maybe this season of my life is over. I am mulling over some ideas regarding Carla's Rumblings and Ruminations and what to do with it, it's just not what it once was for me. 

I know many of you who faithfully read so you can ignore my next request.  For those of you that I have no idea of I would appreciate this: even if you never comment or contact me again I'm asking you to now, just once. Since I'm not sure what is going to happen with this blog I'd like to either thank you if this is the end, or inform you of whatever change(s) I choose to make.  I won't harass you or put you on any mailing list or sell your info or anything.  This is purely personal.  So either comment on this post with a way to contact you, or email me at carlathechief@hotmail.com.  Please.  Thank you.

I am sad because this has been my personal space for over four years.  I am appreciative that anyone would even bother to read my drivel!  So whatever conclusion I come to will not be made lightly.

Outside

After out usual rainy June July dawned nice and sunny and hot this Canada Day long weekend. Although June had to get in one last shower Saturday night to mess things up for us!  Rain and the mud that accompanies it has been hindering yard work greatly.  The back corner of our lot by the trampoline is a low spot and a mud bog.  It takes weeks to dry and was almost there on Saturday and we were anticipating getting it cleaned up on Monday aaaaaannnnddddd - it rained.

Trevor defied the mud and fixed it up anyway. He put 4x6 pressure treated beams along the fence and then filled the area in with the gravel pile that sat where the pool now sits.




 That 8' pool is Sierra's gift from my parents for her birthday and it even has a little filter pump.  It will be great.  Despite the frigid temperature of the water right after we filled it Sierra jumped in and splashed around with glee for a bit.  Sawyer was forced in a little by me and I'm pretty sure if he could speak better he would have cursed me!

I spend four hours (!) weeding my garden on Saturday and making it look nice.  Then I had a sunburn.  

Yeah, it was complete stupidity on my part and I'm a bit tender but not too bad. 

Before

During

 

After

Then on Monday I weeded the back section of dirt along the fence.  I didn't hoe the dirt to make it look as pretty as the garden or my back would never have forgiven me.  I wore sunscreen and did not further the sunburn.

 

 

I hate weeds and weeding.

 

 I also attacked this old church pew with wood filler.  Doesn't it look pretty?

 I had plans of sanding the excess wood filler off on Monday and painting it this lovely green that Trevor selected.  But since I never get as much done as I plan it still looks like the picture below.  This pew is from our former beloved church in Calgary where Trevor was a youth pastor for five years.  Sadly it got left outside to be beaten by the elements (I did cover it in plastic but that didn't hold in our ferocious winds) but I'm bringer it back to life!  It will go in our lower patio which is this close to being done (Trevor has been diligently plugging away at this particular project) and will almost look as good as a Pintrist pin!  

Pics to follow in five years when we actually complete it.

We also pulled our tent trailer out from its storage spot beside our house and worked on packing it up for a camping trip this weekend.  It was in doing this that I realized it's been a long time since we camped on our own.  We only own three camping plates and no bowls or pots so it's off to the thrift store Tuesday.

We wound our weekend up with my parents and sister and a lovely glass of ice cold (because I forgot it in the freezer for two hours!) of traminer-riesling.

This morning....it is raining.  Off to run errands!

At Long Last

Every since I quit nursing Sawyer (by his decision) I have been trying to abolish a stubborn five pounds that he blessed me with.  I always figured that five pounds wasn't that much and should be somewhat simple if I stuck with exercising and eating mostly healthy.  But other than one or two pounds I just couldn't do it.

 

To say I was frustrated was an understatement.

Seriously - it was ONLY FIVE POUNDS!!! 

It became more about figuring out why it wasn't happening and achieving this one measly goal  than being unhappy with myself.  My body isn't perfect and I enjoy eating so not being model thin is okay with me.  Sure, I wasn't completely happy with the weight I was at but I wasn't overweight.

Well, two weeks ago I got on the scale and I finally saw the goal numbers!!!!

It actually was possible.

I achieved this through a combination of things that I won't bore you with. In short, my days included hard core exercise through the Insanity program (nasty curses were said every time I sweated through a workout), being more aware and conscientious about how many calories I was consuming, and drinking protein smoothies.  I still ate sweets and other junk food (of course! life wouldn't be worth living otherwise!) along with the healthy stuff but I tried to incorporated them into a daily calorie count that wasn't through the roof.  I was/am amazed and how quickly and easily I could/can gorge myself on an obscene number of calories.  Some days I just threw the numbers to the wind and ate what I wanted.  You know what? I thoroughly enjoyed ever bite and did not feel guilty about it!

It took me a good three months with this method but it is a real way to live for me and it worked!

A Handful!

(OK, so I'm almost a week late posting this.  Between time and trying to upload the pictures....yeah.)

6:44A.M. June 9, 2012.

Sierra was so excited,  7AM was "just taking too long" to appear on the clock. (the time she is permitted to wake us up!).

Well, okay.  It is her birthday. And the day began.

Five years ago today I became a mother thanks to her.  Trevor and I took a long time before we were ready for even the idea of having a baby but when we were ready - we were ready!

In the first few weeks after she was born we both commented how we had no idea that we would love being parents so much (and still do).

As all parents say, time has zoomed by.  Trevor said to me the other day that we've had Sierra about a quarter of the total time we get to have her living with us.  As much as my heart pangs a little at how quickly she is growing up I am also enjoying the gradual transitions from baby, to toddler, to little girl.  She is quirky, fun, independent but hates being alone, beautiful and 'girly' but not afraid to be dirty or rough-play with her daddy.  Wearing dirty clothes is only an issue to me, as is not brushing her hair or washing the marker off her face!  She certainly likes to push the boundaries and have her share of fits but being a people-pleaser helps balance that.

 I remember being amazed at how much personality she displayed as a newborn; well that hasn't changed! 

I had as much fun planning and anticipating her birthday as she did!  Her love to celebrate is certainly apparent.  (Yay!  I love to party too.) 

Happy 5th Birthday my Sierra Bear!


Her party with three friends Saturday morning.  They made candy necklaces, played "pin-the-crown-on-the-princess" and had a pinata.  Sierra loved it!

As a family (my parents, sister and brother-in-law, and us. Sawyer hung out with my Oma, him and golf would be a disaster!) we went mini-golfing that afternoon.  We all had a great time and the weather co-operated.

We gave her this dress as one of her gifts and it stayed on all day!

We then went to my parents' for Sierra's birthday supper.  She requested rice and a "Barbie" cake.  Granny was happy to comply stating that Sierra is her only granddaughter after all!

Presents! 
The best part.  She got her first "actual Barbie" (to quote Sierra) and absolutely loves it.

Was she spoiled?  Oh yes!  Did she deserve it?  Oh yes!

Cake Popping

I am not a cake decorator type of person.  If a cake or cupcake gets icing that looks half-way nice I'm happy!  Every once in awhile I try something a little more ambitious and I'm always disappointed with my efforts.  I feel like it looks like child's work!  So I don't do fancy cakes/cupcakes.  Since Sierra's second birthday my mom has purchased a beautiful artistic custom cake from a fancy bakery in town.

As I mentioned in my previous post, this year will be Sierra's first birthday party that includes friends.  There will be three little girls coming and I figured that two cakes would be a too much (since there will also be a "family" party) but you can't have a birthday party without cake....so cake pops "popped" into my mind. (hah I'm so funny!).  We had them for Sawyer's birthday and a friend of ours makes them so I figured they would be perfect for this occasion.  However, it didn't work out for my friend to make them for me this time around. 

I decided to try my hand at them.  At first I was just going to make coloured ones that resembled lolly pops because Sierra's party is somewhat candy themed.  I made the mistake of asking her about it and she staunchly refused that option and requested demanded princess cake pops.  Google is a wonderful thing and I came up with a plan, purchased the supplies and off I went.

First step:  Bake a cake from a mix.  Easy enough.  Cake has a funny smell though.  I think it's the PAM spray I used on the pan.

Second step:  Mix icing into crumbled cake.  I have Trevor scrape the entire tub into the bowl and I proceed to mix the cake into a sticky mess.  Funny smell still apparent.  The cake seems to taste okay.

Third step: Form cake balls.  Cake is too sticky.  The balls are not holding their shape.  I put the mixture in the fridge for thirty minutes and the consistency is a bit better.  I just can't get the 'off' smell out of my nose.  I make the balls anyway. They are not holding their shape very well.

Forth step: I finally can't get ignore the smell.  Since I thought it was my PAM spray I wonder if it was the oil used in the cake.  Sure enough.  My oil has gone rancid.  Gross.

Fifth step:  Dump the entire cake into the garbage.

Sixth step:  Go back to step one with a new cake mix!

Insert new step between one and two:  phone the cake pop making expert about the icing/cake ratio.

Repeat steps one through three minus the funny smell and with the balls successfully holding their shape.

I'll spare you the tedium of the next bunch of steps but they included melting chocolate, dipping the balls, rolling the in sprinkles, applying hats, lots of muttering, and finally ending with princess cake pops. 

I'm not sure I'll do this again.

Trevor assisted me.  He cut the sugar cone ice cream cones to make appropriate hat sizes.  He also painted on the faces.

This is probably the best one.

Below is the family.  Don't look too close please!

Goings On

*We had in incredible thunderstorm last night. It pounded the earth with rain for four hours, lit up the sky with lightening, shook the house with thunder (literally!) and tried to blow over some trees.  Oh, and it produced a couple of tornadoes a mere 20km from us.  I was watching the sky pretty intensely for about an hour and had the environment Canada website up and was refreshing it every ten minutes.  I hate tornado weather.  We don't get this close to their likelihood very often thank goodness!

*I am very groggy and feel rather drugged this morning.  More coffee perhaps.

*I am already sick of summer TV - or the lack of it!  

But.....we've been watching America's Got Talent which has been rather entertaining.  Howard Stern is hilarious!  Other than that it's been re-runs of Seinfeld which are quite funny.  I'm ready for hot summer weather where Trevor and I can sit on the deck in the evenings after the kids are in bed and sip wine and chat.  Then TV, or the lack of it won't matter.  I suppose we could always go the library and get books and, you know, read!

*My beautiful Sierra will have made me a mother five years ago this Saturday.  This is the first year I am having a birthday party for her with friends.  There will only be three girls over Saturday morning and I'm not doing anything extravagant.  At first I was a little put off by the whole idea but now I'm totally into it.  Hey - I only have one daughter!  I'm even going to attempt to make princess cake-pops.  Gulp!

  Than a family party will take place late afternoon/evening.

* I've decided that decorating projects in my house are destined to take four months or more from idea to completions.  Our bedroom has been in the works for at least that long and is not really near finished. I still haven't printed and framed family portraits from last fall.  It doesn't help that the nice weather is moving our motivation to work on project to the outdoors and weekends/days to actually accomplish anything are extremely sparse.

*I really need to get to our downstairs computer and start posting pictures for you.

I Don't Know How to Title This So This Is What You Get

Yesterday I was very happy to go to work.  Today I wished I was at work and right now I'm wishing I could go to work tomorrow.  I am at my wits end with my kids!


Last week we suffered through a nasty cold in our household.  There were Kleenex boxes upon Kleenex boxes worth of snot and it sounded like a bunch of seals had taken up residence in our house.  Of course the one who was needed the most also got hit the hardest.  I was climbed on and whined at and cried at and clung to all week.

So we got over that but they still seem extra whiny and clingy and irritating.  I accomplish nothing but I have no idea where the days have gone.  Sawyer refused to nap this afternoon so he's been especially pleasant!  He bawled from supper on until I finally put him out of his misery and to bed.

  Sierra turned on the waterworks at the slightest thing and whined and whined! 

A week and a half ago they were playing nicely together and since the onset of the colds if they can irritate each other and compete for my attention they do.  They fight and screech and whine and cling....

I need a break.

Painting!

It was a lazy Sunday morning, just my boy and I.  Sawyer and I stayed home from church, I am suffering my second cold in as many months.  When Sawyer came to me with a little container of paint in his hands and "asked" me if he could paint I complied.  His sister is usually rather dominating with activities like that so Sawyer doesn't get to express his own creativity as much or often as I believe he would like.  

He had a great time!  

Yes there was a mess created alongside the artwork, but nothing that I couldn't clean up.  Crayola paints are the best; they wash off of and out of practically everything and anything.  I love them!  If it weren't for the ease of cleanup there would be no painting in this house by kids!

 

 

  

 

Of course a bath was necessary afterwards!

Nearly Half My Life

A friend recently commented how birthdays come every year whether we want them to or not, and no matter what we do.  There is no way to avoid them or prevent them from happening (aside from the obvious reason of course).  Many people celebrate birthdays religiously year after year (like us!) even though the majority of the time little effort was needed to reach said birthday. Wedding anniversaries, on the other hand, do not come about with quite as much "ease".  Achieving yet another year of marriage on one's docket generally requires effort, commitment, and a deliberate choice by two people. This friend noted that anniversaries especially need to celebrated because they do require work to get to.

As I write this Trevor and just marked our fourteenth anniversary.  We are going out this evening to celebrate.  I mentioned our anniversary on my Facebook status and I had 11 comments and 24 "likes"!!!!  I'm not sure I've ever had that good a response to a status.  It is hard to believe that it has already been as long as it has.  I met Trevor when I was 17, I am now 34 so I have known him for nearly half of my life.  To be so lucky!

I truly feel very fortunate and blessed to have such a great husband and friend in Trevor.  I can honestly say we are a team and soul mates.  We get along fantastically well and agree on most things without argument.  He is a really good Dad to our two kids and it shows in how they respond to him.  He is a hard worker and is not afraid to tackle new projects.  He loves to have a good time and we have fun together and with others.  He puts up with me!  He respects me.  He is loyal.  We rarely argue or fight yet we have the freedom and comfort to disagree with each other.
He loves God.

I could go on but then things might turn sappy!  We wouldn't want that.

In short, we are awesome together and we have a pretty darn good marriage.  Sure, we've had our share of challenges and hard times but we've worked through them. God knew what he was doing when he brought us to each other and I hope and pray there are many more years of  "us"!
 

Who's Who?

 Age 4

These photos were taken nearly 30 years apart.

Sawyer looked at the one of me and immediately declared it to be Sierra.

Most of the time I don't see such intense similarity between us but then pictures like this are set side by side and there is no doubt.  I have a mini me!

Fruitless Friday

I've had a gloriously unproductive day and don't feel a bit guilty for it!

I let the kids watch a little more TV this morning than usual while I browsed Pintrist.

We went and had coffee with my dad.

Then it was a bit more TV followed by lunch.

After lunch Sierra allowed me to have a 45 minute nap. 

She and I painted our nails.

I worked out for 45 minutes to offset the nap.

The workout will justify the pizza (store bought) and beer or wine (well, not the kids!) we're having for supper.

There were some cuddles with Sawyer while he fully woke up from his long nap. 

I had a shower, Sawyer is now having a bath. 

This evening...maybe a walk with the kids.  I should really clean up the kitchen and sweep the floor....

But that might ruin the non-productiveness of the day!

A Little Catch Up

I seem to suck at blogging lately so here's basically what we've been up to:

Nothing like a little cross-border retail therapy, missing a spring snowstorm in the process and returning to wonderful summery weather to rejuvenate a person.  That person, of course, being me!

We journeyed down to Great Falls, Montana this past weekend, we being our family and my parents.  We really had no major purpose beyond getting away and checking out the shopping.  It was more about taking the time to actually shop and browse around to see what's out there then buying. (although we managed our share of that!)  All I get for shopping these days are mad dashes through Walmart and Costco with two monkey's to keep in line.   The sales down south weren't super fantastic or anything, which was probably good because then we would have spent even more money!  We did score our usual purchase of Tillamook cheese.  It was on sale $4.99 for the first two and the $5.99 - for A TWO POUND BLOCK!!!!  No way, no how can we get cheese that cheap here.  We might get it for $10 if we're lucky.  Oh, and our cheese sucks in taste by comparison.

As I mention, I got to go to Calgary for a weekend work convention a week and a half ago. I have never gone away on anything like that nor left my kids without my husband being with me.  Clearly I survived because I'm still here!  I enjoyed listened to interesting key-note speakers, playing a wacky rendition of a relay they likened to the Amazing Race (It included a beer chugging portion! Water was an option too.) and hanging out with my employers and co-workers.  I also won a $50 gift card to Starbucks!

Okay, enough about me.
The kids are rapidly growing! Sierra is getting longer everywhere but not wider.  We've hit a frustrating clothes stage, especially with pants/shorts as they all gape at her waist and if they are cinchable then they often bunch horribly.  Poor kid!  She finally weights 35lbs.  5 more to get to booster seat stage, and with her luck by the time she gets there they'll have changed the regulations again! 
I bought her her first pair of heeled shoes.  She clops around them all day.
5-6yr-olds playing soccer is absolutely hilarious!  At one point Sierra and another girl were comparing shoes.
Sierra can ride her bike without training wheels.  It took her two days.  Starting and stopping is still an issue but "the going is good."

  I bought Sawyer size 8 (size 8!!!) shoes this past weekend and noticed his pants that were way too long a few weeks ago are starting to fit.  It's a good thing shorts don't matter because I purchased a huge used clothes lot locally and it would suck if he grew out of those before he could wear them!  Sawyer is starting to talk up a storm.  Unless you can interpret what he's saying it mostly sounds like Chinese but it's not.  Really!
He's developed an obsession with stickers.  I am constantly peeling them off the floor even though most of them stay in the book.
Sawyer is starting to play more and more and Sierra is happy to take him under her wing.
Sawyer has discovered that Nutella is the best thing and eats it daily, along with his sister. 
He has become fiercely independent and does everything by himself: getting in and out of his car seat and high chair, removing various clothing, trying to put on clothing, taking off his diaper (!), and more.

  
The weather is nice.  The war on the weeds had begun as has the motivation to work play outside.  We're off to a park this morning so I can let the kids run while visiting with a friend.

Until next time....

Tummy Trouble

I wrote a long while back about Sierra complaining about stomach pain on a daily basis.  

It was consistently in the morning, "Mommy, my tummy hurts!", but seemed to be okay after she ate.  If if was later in the day it was nearly always preceding a BM.  When it first started she was also expressing distress over every little bump or ache or pain throughout the day.  It was then, too, that she had her frequent urination problem.  We blamed it all on Sierra's way of reacting to Trevor's RA.  Consequently Trevor and I ignored the stomach pain remarks with every thing else going on.

Gradually all the other issues ebbed yet the tummy aches remained.  Then she began saying her "back bum" was hurting her, particularly in the evening before bed.  Huh?

Hmmmm.

I took her to our family doctor who suggested Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) since all the symptoms pointed to that.  (yes including a sore bum, with IBS as the body relaxes in the evening those particular muscles will often contract and cause pain)  She was put on a probiotic drop and I was given a few simple dietary suggestions.  Sierra's symptoms improved a little but as soon as anything 'exciting'  (Christmas/Palm Springs) was coming up her problems worsened again.

We ended up seeing a pediatrician who said that IBS is a common 'catch all' diagnosis but in reality very rare with kids.  After a lengthy, in-depth conversation she suggested that constipation may be the problem.  Not a pleasant topic so all I'll say is that her system seemed to be normal and ago as far as I could tell.  I learned that constipation doesn't always manifest itself in the obvious way.  Stomach X-rays were ordered and Sierra was put on a mild laxative and asked to return in six weeks.

Last Friday was six weeks.

We have noticed an significant improvement in Sierra's tummy aches in that time; she complains far less. 

The doctor said that the X-ray did indeed show a significant amount of stool in her system.

 So it seems that constipation is/was the culprit.  

  Constipation is not a major issue but sure can be if not dealt with.  

I am thankful it appears to be nothing more.  We will still be watchful and aware of her tummy complaints. Other than a three month follow-up check with our family doctor we are good to go for now!

About How I Get To Go Away For Two Days

I get to go away this weekend.  

No, not a romantic getaway with Trevor.  I'm going to Calgary for an optical convention for work.  We (my co-workers and I) get to stay downtown in the fancy Westin Hotel.  There are various seminars and a pseudo Amazing Race type activity and a banquet Saturday night.  It should be fun.  Although it will be work related it will be a nice break to have to not clean or tidy constantly, have someone else prepare my food and hang out with the good people I am fortunate to work for and with. 

But this is the first time I'm leaving my entire family.  Trevor and I have left he kids but it's never been just me.  It feels kinda weird.  I'm not concerned about it at all, it's just that I've never done it.  Trevor`s an awesome dad and does fabulous on the home front when I`m not around.   My mom and dad are taking the kids for one night so Trevor can get some chores done on a rental house we own and have a bit of a break himself. 

I know it`s only a weekend but I'm still going to miss them because, you see, I rather like them!

Decorating

Some fantastic, original artwork came into my possession a few months ago.  It lay around for a few weeks - I wasn't quite sure what to do with it -  before my mom had the brilliant idea to frame and display it.  I'm in the gradual process of re-decorating a few areas of our house, we've been in it for three years now so time for change!  A few months passed by and then Michael's was kind enough to have frame sale.  I was all over it.  

The best part?

This original artwork was created by none other than my sweet, crafty Sierra!

I know it's not everyone's taste, but then again artwork never is.  The shelves (as you will notice below) still need a little work but I'm quite happy with the overall effect.

                                   "Shoe" art.

 

 

 

"Shoe" art in context.

"Random painting, cutting and gluing" art

In context.

  

The artist!

Anew

I apologize for the obvious lack of content here lately. 

I haven't been in a very good mental place lately.

I feel as if while everyone had winter depression this year I am in a spring time low.  

Odd, I know. 

You see, where I live is really not a very pretty place.  It can be very brown and drab and dull, especially during the winter but I expect that in winter.  Then spring arrives and all of a sudden it should be warm, and sunny and green.  Nope.  More brown and drab and dull - oh and don't forget the wind.  And probably a few more weeks yet until the real green starts to appear.  On the up-side I see that the weeds are flourishing nicely!

One night this last week I lay awake stewing quite hard about all the stuff that needs to get done in my life and just isn't!  The reasons range from lack of motivation, lack of time, lack of finding ways to accomplish such tasks with demanding kids underfoot, and financial constraints.  Oh I stewed up a good stew that night, too bad there was nothing to show for it except bags under my eyes the next morning.

Diet and weight loss.  I'm currently cursing and sweating my way through the Insanity program and the results Just. Aren't. There. People!!!!  I simply like food too much and I know that is the problem.  Back to the "I know I don't look bad and really shouldn't fret yada yada yada"  but seriously!, one of the days some noticeable positive change would be a nice treat!  But I keep doing it because it feels good and it's good for me.  Although this Insanity is by far the craziest workout endeavor I've ever embarked on.  I'll be in great physical shape but might die doing it!

Then.....

The sun appeared.  Not did it show up, it also decided to exude a nice amount of warmth.  In fact, today was rather hot and tomorrow is supposed to be hotter.  The weeds are still the only apparent green growing but there is hope as I see many buds on trees and the new, green grass is trying to over take the brown.

Trevor and I both have had a few days of accomplishment the crazy mundane tasks that nag and annoy.  Like the leaky bathroom tap that has been dripping steadily for a couple of months.  Like buying and deciding between numerous picture frames to finally display pictures!  You know, critical-to-survival things like that.

Trevor told me I looked like I'd lost weight.  I think he was just sucking up becuase the scale says not and so does the measuring tape.  But the words helped me feel a little encouraged none-the-less!


Now all we need is the Canucks to win the next three games and all will be right in the world!
  A million dollars would be nice too.

It's the Most Wonderful (Stressful?) Time of the Year

It is that time of year again. 

The time where approximately every other evening all else in life ceases to exist.  

We wear blue and white.

We sit on the edge of the couch in tense anticipation for three twenty minute intervals.

No phone or emails will be answered.

People come over and join us in out anxiety.

We often have food.

It is hockey playoff time again.

The Vancouver Canucks have once again earned the number one spot in the league.  

Once again they will fight for the ultimate prize - Lord Stanley's Cup.

Once again hockey will reign supreme in level of priority in our household.

But it's all fun!

Moving Up!

Last night Trevor and I purchased a tent trailer!

I am so excited I want to go camping, like, NOW!

The itch to camp might also have something to do with the wonderful 19 degrees Celsius we enjoyed yesterday.  I raked up dead grass instead of camping though, not nearly as much fun but annoyingly necessary.  My dad rented a power rake and came and scratched up our lawn with it.  Since the weather forecast was/is for rain today I had to rake up the remnants yesterday.   Clumps of wet, dead grass would not be very appealing later.  Due to various time issues (i.e. driving nearly two hours to buy a tent trailer.) I only managed to complete 4/5 of the back, but hey - I did what I could.

Back to the tent trailer purchase.

It is only ten years old.  It is in perfect condition and a great step up from a regular tent.  Not that I minded tenting.  Tenting is kind of fun.  We did it for 10 years as a couple then the last 3 with kid(s) and generally had very positive experiences. You see though, camping in the Rocky Mountains - where we camp because we're only a mere 1.5 hours away - means very cold nights and often chilly mornings until 10A.M.  As an adult who can sleep until 8:30 or 9, and when our kids slept in more, the cool mornings were a non-issue but now that our kids rise at 7 (or earlier when camping) it's hard to hang out in a tent and make breakfast for them while waiting for the air to warm up.  Last summer we invaded my parents trailer far earlier than they would have liked, but graciously allowed, in order for us to stay warm and keep the beasts kids subdued.  Then there is the all the gear.  It has to be packed and loaded and unpacked and set up each time we camp.  Now I know a tent trailer won't eliminate this but now we will be able to leave a good portion of the gear in the trailer so going camping will require less packing    Keeping food cool was also a challenge and a pain because our only option was a cooler and ice.  This trailer has a small fridge!!!  And this tent trailer also has a little port-a-potty!  Yay, no more groping for shoes and sweaters in the dark, attempting to keep the ZZZZIIIPPPP of the ten zipper from waking the others, and trekking to the bathroom in the wee shivery morning hours with Sierra.

I grew up with frequent summer camping trips with my parents and sister and I'm super excited at the ability to create the same fun memories with my own family with  little more ease than tenting!

A Little on Sierra

My sweet princess!  

I bought her this skirt last fall and she promised me she would wear it.  I think she did once and then last week she wore it three days in a row!  As for the tiara - she had to memorize The Lord's Prayer for Wee College  (a kids program at our church that she loves!) it was her prize for successfully reciting it.  She also sported the tiara for several days. 

Kite flying on a warm windy afternoon - in our backyard.

My Little.....Dog?

We bought this 'leash' for Sawyer when went to Palm Springs. He loves to run and explore and scoffs riding in his stroller unless he's tired.  He's also very unpredictable with his running and will go anywhere, even the stree.  Hey - he is only 2!

Sawyer and I enjoyed a lovely walk the other day while Sierra was at one of her church activites with Trevor.  Sawyer was enthralled with every little discovery - rocks, storm drains, dirt, cars, and trees to name a few.  It was cute!

Going Green

I'm quite enjoying my green tea these days. If it weren't for the caffeine I'd probably drink it even more!

Chairs!!!

I find chairs - little and large - all over my house and constantly in my way!  Here the chairs are placed so the kids can climb onto the couch arm rests and then jump off of them onto the couch.  This game was quickly halted.

To reach the counter and likely something not permitted to be had!

For Sawyer to climb into his high chair himself.  If I try and put him in he screeches and promptly gets out and goes back in by his own means.

Hmmm,  what can be reached to eat?

To reach the light switches, flicking them on and off repeatedly and drive mom and dad crazy.

Right where we need to stand to prepare food - like healthy apple snacks.