11 years - and still counting.

Happy Anniversary to us. It was a memorable one... 08/08/08. It was nice of the world to begin the olympics that day in our honor. We actually chose to skip this celebration... just like we did last year. Is that bad or what. We took the girls to a movie and decided we would mark the day in October - a month that's usually boring. I gave Darren a card and he said - "Oh, we were doing cards?" I love it when I'm NOT the thoughtless one. Also, happy anniversary to Jessica and Ryan and Laurie and Dan. My two friends who also got married in August but I didn't get to go to their weddings because of my own. Good timing girls.

The grass is always greener....

Before :


After



Darren and I devoted and entire Sat. to sod. And I mean and entire Saturday. It was hard work, we were sooo sore but very happy to at least make a dent in all the landscaping that needs to be done. We worked 10 hours and went through 11 pallets of the green stuff. Sometimes I really miss the city.

July rundown

The kids had a great time in Idaho playing. Grandpa and Grandma Byram were great hosts and even made a lake for the kids to play in one day. It covered the entire South lawn and provided hours of fun.



Cala with Grandpa Jesse at Palasades Lake in Idaho.




The Canadians weren't quite sure what fireworks entailed - so Grandpa, Grandma, Kristen and Scott put on a show.



After 10 days apart -I rented a car and drove 4 hours and 15 minutes to Missoula, MT where we met Darren! Yeah, dad.



Then after seriously contemplating heading to Spokane - to visit Jessica, but then realizing she already had company we headed to Tie Lake - where Cala jumped off the dock too many times to count.



Where Chelsea learned to swim with only a life jacket....



And where Connor ate sand.



We also roasted marshmellows. Nice clothes for girls right. I told the girls to go put on some dirty clothes so clean ones didn't smell like the campfire. They put on Connors clothes.... it was scarry how well they actually fit. Connor is 13 months old... come on.

Blast from the past

I'm in between two sisters that I have a crazy connection to.  Sister #1 (darker hair) is Kristi Prior.  I knew her my first year of college, we were roommates.   One weekend,  Kristi's little sister Alison (in the black) - came to visit.  School ended and we all lost touch.  6 years later when I moved to Canada -  I ran into someone who looked familiar.  It was Alison.  Jon Lee, one of Darren's good friends married her and immigrated her to the North as well.  She's reigns supreme on the throne of my "Tier One" friends here.  This weekend, Kristi came to visit with her husband and adorable kids and we all got to catch up over brunch at the Banff Springs.  It was great catching up!  And yes, Kristi looks exactly the same - still beautiful.  And it's been.... wait for it... 16 years.

June in review

Yeah - school is finally out.  June 26th was the last day of school and we celebrated.  We took the girls out for sushi and to Kung Foo Panda.  We had a fun night and the girls were very excited about their date.  They love sushi and spending time with dad.  Both girls did well in school but, we are happy it's finally summer.  School year is painfully long and the summer break is painfully short here.  We go back in only 6 more weeks.




This is the best first grade teacher in Canada.  Ms. Campbell (now a married Mrs. Frye) was Cala's teacher this year and she couldn't have been better.  She was one of those fantastic teachers you hope your children get.  We're crossing our fingers she sticks around for the other two Taylors to hit Grade One. Thanks Mrs. Frye.

The mistro plays on.   The end of the school year also brought the end of the piano lessons.  Cala had a recital and wow - did she ever rock on those ivorys.  She played 4 songs and was only a little bit nervous.  We got there in plenty of time for her to warm up and relax a little.  She was great!  I loved actually attending a recital I didn't have to play in.  








Happy Father's day. Here is a 3 generation family photo. Darren, his dad and our Connor. We had a great Father's day. Darren got lots of attention... probably too much. Both girls said the most fun thing about dad is wrestling with him. They all love a good beating.

family photo

Seriously, this is as good as it gets. For some reason - we all have a hard time looking at the camera - smiling, getting along during picture time, getting the dog out of the way and generally paying attention. Maybe we'll have to spring for a photographer instead of using the timer. But, I have a great camera and I ask myself - why would I pay someone to come take a picture and use the same camera I have. Now I know why. I think we'll have to enlist some help and wait for Connor to turn 10.

One-Year old in the house - and some company too.

You're looking at the greatest friends in the world. Ben and Janell came from Costa Rica and crashed at our house for a week. They are great - long time Canadian friends. We've known them since we moved here and they can't shake us. The kids adore them and we can talk with them for hours... and we did. Ben took Cala to school and listened to her practice the piano... both of which were major weekly highlights for her. Janell organized a fun party and we got to see old friends from our Douglasdale days.


Happy Birthday Connor! The baby is one and his mom can't believe it. Connor had a great time downing sugar for the day. He had a cupcake for lunch at a small party with his cousins. And cake that night. Okay, mostly he just made a mess but I'm sure he's a fan of the white stuff now. Please note the muscles in his upper body... they're slowly replacing the fat rolls.