Most Important Meal of the Day

I decided ot get a little creative for Breakfast this morning. I made Cherry Blueberry Crisp with ice cream on top. Chelsea took one bite and said. "I think I'll fast for breakfast today."

Up to...

Connor and CC spent a day on a high tech farm, climbing on huge tractors and getting dirty. It was down home serious fun and possibly the best day of Connor's life.

CC sang like an angle for her concert. She was the youngest, a bit nervous and perfectly charming. Do, re, me... Sound of Music here we come.


3 and 2. The number of hours Connor spent playing with this toy the first two days. My Little Sandbox did big things for my day. This is quite possibly the worlds greatest toy. Get one.

Oh ya -he's three and we had a big party at Let's Play. Thanks to Cala and CC, we got to sit and talk while the kids played. Presents, dinner and cake - all a snap and under 2 hours.
He's our baby and lately cracking us all up and driving us crazy. He hates me when Darren is around. Yesterday while we were all going to get in the car, I walked out last and heard Connor say, "Hurry, let's go, mom's not coming." Um... I'm totally going. Then, in the truck I was talking to Darren and from the back seat we hear, "Mom, I want you to stop talking. Just stop." So he's my best friend 5 days a week but on evening and weekends, I'm watching my back.

So LONG farewell....

It's been an emotional 2 weeks. I'm tired. My parents had their "farewell" in Idaho 2 weeks ago and I flew home for it... all by myself. The weekend was unbelievable and defined the reason you grow up in a small town. I saw friends and family and felt complete love from our amazing little Idaho community. I was overwhelmed. Growing up in a small town is almost like growing up in a strange sub-culture and if you never leave it, you never fully understand it's charm. I've been away 20 years and I go back and feel like a teenager. Lives are intertwined and generations weave together. I know that if I really needed a "mom" to come to my rescue in the next two years - at least 5 of my moms friends and my aunts we be here. Elder Brad Foster now of the seventy even surprised them both and spoke at their farewell. He had the best line. "I couldn't resist a chance to get the last word on Debbie." You have to know my mom but those of us who do are still laughing at it. It was love love love and nothing but love. The president of the new temple in the Philippines where they will be serving was also there and my sisters and brother and I met him. I told him I didn't really like him and that my dad was gay. It didn't work. He told me I'd have to do better than that. I was impressed. I also had a 4 hour layover in SLC. What's a kidless girl to do with nothing but time. It's called take a cab to Gateway Mall and make the most of the great exchange rate. I came back to Calgary on a Monday night, did laundry and the 5 of us started the drive to Idaho on Thursday. We stayed in Great Falls Thursday night and drove the rest of the way on Friday. Connor, your dad and I would like to formally apologize to you for forgetting the battery to your DVD player. You should probably get some award for not watching TV at all during a 12 hour car ride. Here are some pics of the farewell trip to say good-bye to Grandpa and Grandma.

I think my mom and CC have the same cheeks. I'm confident CC will look older in 2 years and am positive my mom won't.


My dad. Don't get me started. I do pinch him on the butt every time I hug him good-bye. He even admitted he'll miss me annoying him.


Speaking of annoying. Don't ever take an almost 3 year-old out to dinner at bedtime. Nightmare.



Sleeping update. He's still a pain. Still get's locked in his room and falls asleep in random place on the floor... this time his teady bear was along for the ride.

Bitter Sweet

Big News in our family. My parents are moving to the Philippines. My dad has been asked to be the second councillor in the Cebu, Philippines temple. This temple opens in June. They leave in May. How I'm dealing with this decision:

1 - placed an add on Craigs list for some temporary grandparents
2- every time I think about them leaving - I quickly think of something else
3- on-line shopping
3- thinking how funny it will be to watch princess and my mom in a 3rd world country.
4- secretly hoping they get sick enough to be sent home early but not sick enough to be really sick
5- considering drafting a letter to ask if they can just take my dad
6- making travel plans to the Philippines
7- making travel plans to Rome (half-way point)
8- making travel plans to Hawaii (easier for us, we have kids)
9-on-line shopping
10-researching parasites

I AM glad they are going - but I still don't want them to. Also, I feel better when I think of how Kristen is coping. She's having a hard time even breathing right now.

"SOLD"

Why hasn't Erika blogged much since listing her house

1-Keeping it spotless and staging it takes some serious time
2-Been baking a lot since I know I will be saying good-bye to my awesome kitchen
3-Looking for new house on line eats up all my computer time

And now the new excuse for not blogging... I have to pack. Oh ya, and find a house. And, oh ya, hopefully not get a divorce in the process. Could someone please make a decision for us. Advice welcome.

Chelsea had some: You two better get on the house finding thing. We only have like 6 weeks.

Made you laugh

CC says, while I'm brushing her hair: "Mom, I want to grow out my hair all the way to my leg pits."

CC says one morning when she came to wake me up: "Mom, the reason I bring my blanket in when I come to say hello in the morning is so I don't have to smell your stink. You smell bad in the morning."

Connor says all the time - after everything he does: "Is that funny?"

Connor: "Go away, I'm busy." - as he sits on the counter playing with the water taps.

Connor: "I spilled everywhere." - I hear this a few times a day... usually it's a drop or two... but one day, I'm sure it will be big.

Big News

Here are a few pictures of our house. We designed it and moved in 2 1/2 years ago - one month before Connor was born. And now, in a decision made in 6 days we're selling it. Please don't burst into tears like our oldest daughter did when we told her. We simply want more land. And so, for sale it is. Isn't the view amazing... those are what real mountains look like all you Americans. They cover the horizon from North to South and head west all the way to the ocean.















There are no pictures of the barn because I barely know where it is... I've only been in there a few times... but it's lovely, as barns go.