The week before the move

This is a quick glimpse into our life, the week before we moved...well and to be honest, a few days after as well.


The week before we moved into our home was a bit hectic. We had a camping trip planned, a 3rd Birthday, a ton of packing (remember how last minute everything was?) Anyway, that didn't stop us from enjoying the simple things in life:

I wonder if Paige enjoyed her ice cream?

Anyway, besides packing and going crazy with the uncertainty of the whole deal - we had a very important day to celebrate. The day before we moved, my sweet Hailey babe turned 3! She has been looking forward to this day her whole life...well at least it felt like it. Why?? Because of this:

My sweet little girl got her ears pierced!!! I may have made the mistake of telling her that she was going to get earrings for her Birthday...just a few months too early though. Let's just say, the anticipation was killing us all! But the day finally came, she picked out the prettiest (and I'll just add, the most expensive) earrings, she didn't cry once, and she may just be the reason why all the employees at Merle Norman are suddenly wanting babies now. Honestly, the entire store was there watching and couldn't get enough of her sweetness...in fact, two of the ladies told me as we were leaving that they would have babies right then if they could have one as cute as her. Talk about making my day!

Hailey was so happy to finally have her earrings (she may have also been a bit stunned that it hurt so much...but she's tough).

Anyway, later that day, Ben and I took the girls to the Stampede. Hailey had been looking forward to the Stampede since last year when Ben took her. So of course I bought the girls matching shirts, and off we went.

This picture should make her Grandpa proud:)

Paige came along too...I don't think she got to experience the stampede quite like Hailey - although she did eat almost an entire foot long hot dog. To some, that is what the Stampede is all about. She's not complaining.

Then the next day - moving day we decided to open Hailey's Birthday presents (after a crazy morning of babysitting for Kyla as her parents went to have their baby, getting locked out of their house, missing the appointment with our realtor and so on). It was a crazy day, but we figured that although the earrings were all Hailey was looking forward to, she might feel a bit ripped off once she realized how much they hurt - and really how boring they are. So we bought her a few things to open. We planned to open them the day before, but we stayed too late at the Stampede. But really, who wouldn't want their Birthday to extend over a few days?

This child - let me tell ya, she is the perfect kid to give presents to. Every present is the best thing in the world!! But in this case, can you guess what she was smiling about?

This beautiful princess dress...with clip-on earrings of course.

Ok...to carry on with the Birthday theme, we decided to have a real Birthday party for the girl the next week. It was totally last minute and really small. My house felt like a bit of a zoo, but I thought I should still do something for Hailey and her cousins and one or two friends. So we had a little Safari themed party.

The best part of the day? My mom showing up in her Safari gear - even though she didn't know it was a Safari party!!

I love this little girl!

Anyway, my cousin Emily came out for the party and brought her two boys. Hailey and Roel hit it off big time when we were in Mexico last year, and it was so fun to see them pick right up where they left off!

This picture is a bit blurry - but you just can't deny the pure happiness on their faces. LOVE IT!

And finally - My cousins littlest guy Thijs. This kid stole my heart when I first met him in Mexico. He was just 8 weeks old and the cutest thing ever. He has these eyes...oh those eyes. They just look at you and plead with you to love him. And of course you do....because really, he's so cute! If you ever meet him in person, you'll get what I mean - when he gives you the look, you just melt!

So that's it for now. I have more picture to post...more stories to share...and maybe a little making fun of myself. But I'll have to do that another time.

We're getting there

We're in our new home....and I am so grateful! We're not totally settled, but we're getting there.


So here's the story:


Ben has been looking at houses for some time now. He's been looking more for an investment rental property then for a home for us. However, he came across this little gem that we can now call our own and we just couldn't turn it down. It was the fastest deal I've ever seen happen. The house was a foreclosure...and I know what you're thinking - trashed, dirty, a TON of work, etc. Well let me tell you, this house is in amazing shape! It's only 3 years old, it has nothing - absolutely nothing wrong with it...and it was spotless. Somehow who ever lived here before had the decency to clean this place before they left. Not a speck of dust or a crumb of food could be found in the home. The only problem was the allergy I had to the home (i.e. there used to be a cat or dog in the home). However, with plenty of cleaning I can now safely breathe and live in this house. So anyway, things moved really fast since it was a foreclosure. We put an offer in on June 24th and were in the house by July 15th. Things got a little scary there for a while because of a mix-up with out mortgage broker. But in the end everything worked out! So now we're here, and we're trying to get settled. We have some organizing and setting up to do. We have some more furniture to buy. But all of that will come with time...because right now our main priority is getting our other home ready to rent! So...if you know anyone who is looking to rent a house Okotoks, you know who to call:)


Anyway, here are some pictures of the beauty! If you look at these pictures I need some help with a few decorating tips....



The Outside:

Ok, not my first choice of colours, but it will do. However, the door is a very very blah colour of beige (and not the same as the rest of the house). We need to paint it...but don't know what to do. The obvious choice is the rust colour - but I hate it!! I really do. I don't want to add more rust to the house. I had considered changing all the trim...but it's just not going to happen. The house is only 3 years old...it's in perfect condition. Why change it if we don't have to. So anyway...any tips on the door colour?

The Front Entry:

What should I hang on that oh so boring wall?

The living room:

Can you see the obvious problem here?? That big blob of a rock on the fireplace? That has GOT to go. So I need suggestions on way to re-do the tile. We'll start from scratch...but obviously leave the mantel. Oh and don't worry - that giant TV of my husbands will be GONE!! It hasn't been set up because we haven't yet agreed on where it's going to go. I think the only place for it is in the basement - which will be developed this year. But he thinks it needs to sit in the living room until then. I don't agree. I'll let you know who wins.

The kitchen:

No problems here. Granite, Solid wood cabinetry, giant island, under cabinet lighting...need I go on?? Oh...right, we have installed a beautiful stainless steel microwave above the stove since this pic was taken. She really is a beautiful kitchen.

Powder Room:
As you can tell I'm already planning to paint over that horrible rust colour. I've decided on the 2nd lightest blue on that colour swatch beside the mirror. Do you agree?


The Bonus room:

Besides obviously needing furniture (which happens to be stuck indefinitely in the basement of our old home), and a small tv, I'm ok with this room.

Paige's Room:

I'll hang some pictures...all will be ok.

Hailey's Room:

I can't wait until these two girls share a room - this room is definitely big enough for two beds. I can just imagine it now. By the way - that was definitely not an announcement.

Our room:

Our closet...so unorganized:

Our bathroom:

And that's it. We really love this house. We especially love the back yard - which I forgot to get pictures of. But the girls spend so much time just playing and playing and playing back there. We're really excited to get everything unpacked and it's it place, to hang pictures and to make it our home.

by the way...sometime in the next week or so, I'll have to post some more pictures of the last few weeks (i.e. Hailey's Birthday, my brothers wedding, and two camping trips). Stay tuned.

Sigh

Oh life, honestly. Why so busy?

In the last two and a half weeks we have been to a family reunion where we camped (and visited with friends), we celebrated my dads retirement, we drove to BC to visit/camp with the Allred's, we celebrated a first Birthday, we camped in Montana for a week with my family, Aaaaaand we also may have bought another house (Things are still so much up in the air right now so it's not an official announcement, but hopefully things will work out in the next few days).

What do the next few weeks hold? A third Birthday, another camping trip, a move into a new home (which also includes finding renters for this home?), Stampede (Yeehaw!), aaaaaand my brother Josh's wedding!!! Yippee!

So life...you're busy...you're good...please continue to be good...but PLEASE slow down.

Also, house...please work out...please let things run smoothly...please let us enjoy this.

With that said - here are pictures from the first two events (Family Reunion...and Dad's Retirement):

I don't have a lot of pictures from the Family reunion (oops), just one of Hailey and some of her cousins on the train ride through the campground.

Oh and do you recognize this girl??

You may recognize her as Hailey's little friend Jocelyn from way back when they were little tiny babies (here, here, and here). We used to visit with each other all the time, but then life just got busy and we stopped getting together nearly as much. We'll have to change that because...

...these two just love each other!

We were so happy to see the Otto's there that weekend. It was a fun surprise to have so many friends to camp with!

And finally the whole family at Dads little retirement party a week later. I think I have 10 versions of this picture, this is the best (so no complaining anyone).

It's weird to think that my dad is retired. What is he going to do with his time now? I know he'll just do more church work, but surely that can't take up all his time. I'm sure my mom would like an answer to that question though.

Anyway, I have another two posts dedicated to pictures of everything else we've been up to lately, so please read on below....enjoy.

BC - Yahk

Pictures from BC with the Allred's.

We had so much fun here. Kyla's Grandparents were so loving with my kids and so generous to have us stay for so long (and let us park our RV on their lawn). We had fun quadding, playing in the kiddie pool, sliding on the slip 'n slide, catching butterflies, sitting around the campfire, watching movies, watching trains, eating, riding trikes, and visiting. While were there, Paige officially celebrated her Birthday. So late that night we opened a few gifts with her. I just can NOT believe she's this old already.

Paige on the morning of her B-day.

Just minutes before we packed her into the car to start the Holiday

Opening Presents late at night on her Birthday

The fam on Paige's Birthday - Hailey wearing her new goggles

There is nothing more fun then a little slip 'n slide

Paige - you are silly

These two kiddos were lucky to have K's grandma cart them around. Lucky lucky girls!

Did I tell you? This baby girl is walking!!

This butterfly might have made this child's day!! Fun hey?

We had fun! Thanks to the Allred's for inviting us to stay. See the next post for pictures from Montana with my family.

Montana...Paiger's Birthday

Pictures from Montana - most importantly Paige's 1st Birthday

So most of my family was in Montana with us last week. We all stayed at the same campground (two of our families in our trailers, one in a 'rustic cabin' and my parents in the Bed and Breakfast portion. I enjoyed visiting with the family and the break from real life, Ben enjoyed not working, My girls enjoyed having their cousins around...and Hailey especially loved having uncle Nick to play with.

Actually, I think all the kids did:
Don't you like how we camp? We have power, water, sewer hookups as well as wi-fi. If I can't check my Facebook, it's just not camping. Right??

Now Paige...she just loved her Aunt Sarah. Really, she did. I hope all that cuddling sent some baby cravings Sarah's way:) One day we took our qauds back into the bush and took all the little kids for rides...well the adults happily participated too.

Hailey and Nick - these two were almost inseparable. I think Hailey has a little crush.
Maybe Nick thinks she's kind of cute too...because I sure do.

Paige and her closest girl cousin in age - Tia (and Aunt Tan). I see lots of fun in their future.
Nate taking Mom on a quad ride - looks like mom's having fun:)

Becc taking me for a ride...for a newbie at the quad thing, Becc sure ripped the place up!

One day while the guys were out shooting things (it's true), the rest of us went go carting, bumper boating and played some mini golf.

Page Slept

Hailey and Hondro

Getting ready for some bumper boats with G-ma

Then later we decided we needed to set off some Fireworks.

Matthew didn't need to be convinced.

Neither did Nick or Ben

And then the next day we had a little celebration for Paige to mark her Birthday. And mostly to get the token kid destroying a cake picture.

I Just love this little girl

She just loved her little cake

Hailey was in agreement

They totally devoured it...and then wanted more

So that's it. Now we're into packing mode. We have a lot to do before life calms down for a bit...but all is good.

Paige - One Year

Here's proof that Paige is one year old! We celebrated her Birthday while driving to BC with the Allred's. And then we celebrated again with my Family in Montana while we were all there for a little Holiday. Paige is the sweetest, craziest, funnest, silliest little girl ever. It's NOT at all surprising that she's one of our Favourite Things!

Enjoy...

Paige One Year from Meagan McCance on Vimeo.