Getting ready for Valentines Day February 2,2011

As I we were getting ready for Valentines this year Sam & I attempted to make some crayon hearts.

We spent an afternoon shaving up crayon and making a big mess on the kitchen floor. We worked together and sprinkled the shaving all around the wax paper. Then I gave a quick iron to melt the wax. I drew out some heart shapes with a sharpie and Sam got the work. He sat at the table cutting all the hearts himself and boy was he proud. A day later we punched holes in the tops and strung some ribbon through so we could hang them in the front window for the light to shine through them.

We were pleased as punch!

Saturday Soccer January 22,2011

Saturday soccer has resumed. We thought we might miss a game while were away but due to weather it was cancelled. So we pick up right were we left off.

Well this particular Saturday we were down a coach so our coach's wife Julie stepped up to the plate and did a very fine job! Sam had a particularly great day.

More Saturday soccer pics

Adventure to see some buddies January 11-18,2011

We were able to schedule a visit with some good friends out east. All the stars aligned and we took the first flight out.

Sam was as excited as we were to see our friends as we had not seen each other in quite some time. We furiously gathered up our winter gear and gathered a few neccesities and we were off. Of coarse Bronwynne stayed with Grandma & Papa with walks from Chris (we have used him for a few years and he is a blessing).

We got in fairly late to Montreal so it all worked well with a sleep schedule for Sam, he was ready for bed after a day of travel.

The next morning brought the kids all gleeful to see each other and hours of play in our jammies! We ate glorious food and caught up with our dear friends. The next few days brought some adventure like outdoor skating and tubing, tons of fun had by all! The girls had ski lessons planned at a local hill so Sam & Darren also strapped on some skis and headed out to the bunny hill. Sam was pleased as punch with himself. I was overjoyed that he enjoyed himself and that we got to see both of the girls come down the hill by themselves. The remaining days found us sledding down the slope out their back door, playing, watching movies and heading to the museum of civilization. We had been before but it is such a wonderful experience that we headed back. All the kids had a great time as their is a special area just for them.

And as soon as we knew it our time was up and we had to return home. Until next time dear friends!

More PICTURES

Dad J's Bday January 9,2011

We had the honour of attending at dinner for Dad J at the Oly's home. A delicious dinner was prepared for all of us to recognize how important family and a get together can be.

We dined on tasty chicken, roasted potatoes a variety of veg and a fresh green salad. Followed of coarse by a lusciously rich desert accompanied by all of singing"Happy Birthday". Dad was showered by a variety of gifts from clothes, useful household items and ipad accessories.

Happy New Year January 6,2011

Happy New Year!

We rang in the new year with our friends it was a lovely evening and I appreciate The Fields opening their home to us.

Darren had to head to work the following day so we came home head to bed then pack him up the following morning it was a five day pairing. The only good part about the pairing was he was overnighting at YVR so Sam & I headed down and met him for dinner and brought some fresh blueberry muffins for him to share with the crew.

I don't know if you check my flickr account but I am embarking on another 365 challenge, I hope you will stop by and comment every once and while. I hope to continue to hone my photography skills.

All the best to you and your families for 2011.

Merry Christmas December 25,2010

Merry Christmas to you and yours! Hoping the year held new experiences, laughter and and sense of adventure for the up and coming year!

We had a lovely Christmas eve dinner here at our home with Grandma, Papa & Auntie Karen. We had so much food that we didn't even make it to desert! Sam had a snooze while he was waiting for dinner to cook, we played cards. When Auntie Karen arrived we presented our feast! And it as rather tasty if I don't say so myself! After a bit of relaxing we opened a few gifts. Sam was blessed to receive remote control helicopter(this is one item that he has been pining for). It has been a much sought after item for the last 24 hours as you could well imagine!

Christmas morning got off to a leisurely start which was lovely. Sam came to ask in the morning if he had come? So after a quick brush of the teeth we headed downstairs we went to check it out! And yes indeed Santa had paid us a visit. Sam enjoyed his stocking while a quota of caffeine was sought out and after that we discovered that Santa had been kind and left Woody, Buzz and Bullseye for Sam, he is one lucky kid! And assortment of other lovely goodies we unwrapped and savoured.

Later that afternoon we managed to dig ourselves out of wrapping paper and get cleaned up for a family dinner at Huni and Grandpa's house. Everyone was there and an assortment of wonderful food was enjoyed. I even managed to eat a small piece of pumpkin pie! And when you think we were going to sit back and relax that is when the abundance of gifts started to roll in. The kids were showered with many goodies. And by the kids I ment all of us! Hugs and Kisses were also in a abundance!

Thank you for a wonderful Holiday season! We too hope that that you have been surrounded by your family and friends. Merry Christmas!

More pics here, here and here

Turning 5 December 4,2010

This weekend brought a flurry if activity. Friday night we hosted a dinner in honour of Sam's 5th Birthday. As it was a last minute get together I was only thinking I may have couple of family members attend well I was incorrect. Most attended and it was a great feeling for Sam! We made Dijon Chicken,baked potatoes, yams & green salad. With a couple of appies and a very sloppy cake. Very simple basic but good!

Saturday morning brought morning birthday snuggles and a quick pancake in the shape of a 5 or S depending on interpretation. As we were expecting to head to soccer, it was cancelled due to frost. I headed out to a meeting with my friends as we were doing our bake exchange. I excused myself after a while to head back to my birthday boy.

When I returned we got ready and to go to the Capilano Suspension Bridge to see the Christmas lights. We arrived to find out it was opening evening and we were able to enter for free, Sam got a light up Santa and free hot cocoa w/Baileys for the adults. It was truly beautiful, the lights were spectacular. We couldn't have planned a better evening as it was crisp and cool!

We ventured out to find some dinner which lead us to our next adventure as the Lonsdale Quay was hosting a festival of light. So we ate at a fantastic Greek restaurant, and walk around the festival. Sam made a Bug Lantern and a gingerbread cookie. There was live music and a flurry of other activities, a fabulous evening!

So all in all Sam had a terrific 5th Birthday. Thank you for all your well wishes!

MORE PICS HERE & HERE

Gingerbread Latte! November 25,2010

Today brought big snowflakes and big smiles. Getting up for school was a breeze today as the anticipation of running and playing in the snow was so much fun. After I dropped of Sam, I was walking home with my neighbour. She mentioned making a gingerbread syrup for her coffee the other day. I was asking for the recipe when she handed me a jar of gingerbread spice and the recipe for gingerbread syrup.

Well, I shovelled the driveway headed in and made a batch of syrup. DELICIOUS! This is a must!

All that and a bag of chips... November 17,2010

Well I had to get your attention some how. Finally had a moment to do a little update. I can not believe it is the middle of November, where does the time go.

What we have been up to lately hmmmm.

Sam is still enjoying school. I don't find he is as busy as he should be. I feel that preschool offered a more enjoyable and involved curriculum so now I trying to find what our next step will be. This is the time where he should just be gobbling up information and savouring.

On a side note we have been participating in skating at school on Monday's. Sam has been taking pleasure in his accomplishments. As to date we have not done too much skating so this is a new experience for him. Next the parents! LOL!

Anyway, Sam is also still enjoying soccer. Whether it is practice or a game day his enthusiasm is there. He looks forward to running, kicking and hopefully scoring a goal. I hope his drive continues through the colder weather too!

Darren has had a bit of time off here and there, so we have taken the opportunity to do a little painting to freshen up the place. When we moved in a year ago we painted and did flooring in the bedrooms. We thought we would take a bit of time to figure out what kind of light etc was effecting the remaining rooms. As a result we have gone in an unpredictable direction for us. I can honestly say we have gravitated to warmer colours like taupes, greens, reds etc. Well I still can't believe we painted the living room and dinning room BLUE! Yes you heard correctly. It is still growing on us and hey no big deal it is just paint. The rest of the entrance, hallways, family room and kitchen will be a light grey(Irish Mist). The kitchen still needs to be done as do the bathrooms but I haven't pick colours for them yet. I did however select new towels and shower curtain for Sam's bathroom and I am quite pleased if I don't say so myself. Will have to post some pics.

I have been enjoying my bday present from Darren & Sam. I was gifted a Le Creuset pot. And boy I am in LOVE! That baby makes everything even better. So if you have any recipes to share I would to try them.

Could you "LIKE" Us? November 9,2010

Hello All,

I am long overdue on a blog post but thought I would pop in and ask if you could do me a favour? I entered a contest on a blog Modern Bird Studios. If you win they will transform your photo into art. Yipee!

The contest is running on Facebook. You need to go the actual link and "LIKE" my photo. Row 16 at the end of the row(Darren is throwing Sam in the air and Bronwynne is jumping too)

Thanks in advance

Lisa

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies October 30,2010

This recipe came from my girlfriend Jill and these cookies are delicious! When I tasted them at her house I knew I required the recipe. On a side note Jill had made them with canned pumpkin and I had cooked some pumpkin myself. They were equally tasty!

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (from Jill Field)

1 cup pumpkin

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup oil

1 egg

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda dissolved in 1 tsp of milk

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped nuts optional

1 tsp vanilla

Combine pumpkin, sugar, oil and egg. Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add to pumpkin mixture along with dissolved soda mix. Stir in chocolate chips, nuts and vanilla. Drop by teaspoon on a cookie sheet.

Bake 375°

Bake for 10 minutes

Makes about 5 dozen

Birthday's etc. October 31,2010

I had my annual bday. I think I am at the stage where I don't mind celebrating my bday but there is no requirement to mention how wise I have become. My day was great! The sun was shining, Darren was home. We took Sam to school and continued to walk to Starbucks for a morning cup, YIPEE! We people watched, then headed back home. After picking up Sam from school. I was gifted my beautiful card and my new love affair a Le Creuset pot! Double YIPEE! In addition I had cards to open from afar. Emails from many friends and family wishing me well on my day.

Our evening concluded with a dinner at Mom & Dad S's and boy was it delicious. I was secretly plotting out what I will be cooking in my new Le Creuset pot. I knew Mom wouldn't mind! LOL!

Yesterday we managed to get together with another set of friends to carve some pumpkins. I can safely say the adults had more fun but we try!

What are you thankful for? October 11,2010

As this time of year rolls around we ponder what we are thankful for. It is not that we are not grateful or appreciative of our lives during the rest of the year , but now is a time to ponder.

What I am grateful for well the list is long but here are a few

-for being healthy and alive

-for a man/husband that love me for me

-a son that wouldn't be he except for miracles!

-for the challenges that are a part of my daily life that make me a better person

-for the family and friends that surround me and make my life so much richer and they enhance every moment

-for the roof over my head

-the wonderful and tasty food in my fridge and cupboards

-for the chocolate lab that wags her tail and just is!

The question is always much bigger but the answers can be so simple. What are you grateful or thankful for?

When you contemplate these thoughts they can branch out to possibilities of enhancing your world, adding to your list!

Enjoy!

20 Year Grad Reunion

Well as you can tell I have been away from my regular posting. My time has been consumed with back to school activties and reliving my school days. I was honoured to participate in my 20 year grad reunion planning. I have enjoyed the memories and getting to know school mates that I did not have a chance to know in school. I am exhausted and will post some pictures to my flickr in the next few days. We were very fortunate to have a grad from 91' come and capture some moments for us. Claire has a photo business and took the evening to come out and take some photos of our grads.

Grad 90 Reunion

So for the last few months I have been a part planning our 20 year grad reunion. I have been fortunate to reconnect with some classmates that I actually didn't know very well but now have been enjoying their company reliving a blast from the past.

Well if you were the grad class of NDSS 1990 we would love to see you at our reunion to reconnect, hear all about your adventures, life changing moments and hey just what you have been up to!

If you can believe it or not the size or our grad class was around 714 students! Imagine sitting through the commencements! God love our parents hey!

If you are wondering how to get a hold of us try NDSS1990@gmail.com, or facebook link

Remainder of Summer 2010

The remainder of the summer has crept up on us. One minute we were planning our Oregon trip, the we were actually on the trip and it was over. Enjoy the moments!

When we returned home we were a flurry of activity. Darren was back to work very quickly. His August calendar was extremely busy so we have only seen glimpses of him on his one days off in between. We even managed to do his Birthday on another day. We were fortunate to have our friends Jodi & Taylor here for a few days, they were meeting up with Dan to embark on a boating adventure. During one of those evenings we had my niece Sarah stay with us too!

In addition we managed to sneak away for a couple of days to Deception pass with Grandma & Papa. It was a lovely time even managed to a couple rounds of card in too.

We were invited by one of Sam preschool friends Madison to attend the "Walk with the Dinosaurs". What a fantastic evening, we are truly grateful for the the invitation and to be able to attend such a sensational evening.

I persuaded Darren to head out and pick some blackberries, for which I managed enough for on batch of jam. Delicious, I do wonder if I could manage to get him out one more time. HMMMMM.

And a final note would be that I have finished my first 365 project! Yay me! I am now searching on how to tackle an additional 365 photo project.

Oregon Coast with Friends July 31-August 5,2010

Our summer vacation included a week with our good friends. We planned a vacation down the Oregon coast. Our stay took us to Lincoln City, we booked a vacation house that would hold all seventeen of us. Our house was perfect! We all made it down safe and sounds. Our particular drive ended up being a little later in the evening, as Darren's red eye flight was a little bit late in arriving the Saturday morning that we were leaving. It all worked out as Sam & I stayed at Grandma & Papa's house the night before. We managed to get a walk with Bronwynne in the evening and in the morning before we departed. When Darren arrived we shuffled him from work mode to vacation mode. Placed him in the passenger seat and we were off like a herd of turtles. Our drive went rather smoothly I was hoping Darren would have a chance to rest in the car as he had been up most of the previous night flying. We arrived at the house around nine o'clock everyone was glad to see us and helped us get settled. The following days included wonderful food, conversations and a lot of laughter!

For some of you that don't know, most of our group has been together since grade school, we have married and brought our spouses in our tight knit group, we are very fortunate to have each other. Hopefully there will be more trips like this in our future!

TONS More Pictures

Without my right arm. July 23-26,2010

So I finally took my Nikon in to be cleaned and serviced. I had a lens that was in dire need of repair and my camera was filthy. I have to say as dirty as it was it was a tough decision. But our upcoming vacation was helping me make the correct choice. So Sam & I ventured out one day to do a lot of errands, and one of those was driving to Richmond to Nikon. Well I found the location not problems, the lady I spoke to was friendly and helpful. I explain my situation and said I would leave the camera and if they managed to get to it great if not I would pick up later the next week, as I had left this entire process to the last minute. Well this lady was terrific, within a few days she called to say no problems and I could pick my baby up! Yippeeeeee! So as I had been trying to continue with my 365 project my iphone cam in very handy.

Zip Treking @ Whistler July 14-15,2010

Darren surprised me by throwing together a last minute get away just the two of us. He came home from work started sending a few emails. Called Grandma & Papa to see if they would take Sam & Bronny for a night. Everything was falling into place. We dropped everyone off, then set off. Of coarse this was a drive Darren had been waiting to do. The weather was fabulous, the road up to Whistler was perfect. We stopped in Squamish at a little bakery/shop had a lovely lunch. When we arrived in the village walked around. It is truly nice to just spend some one on one time with your lover/friend. I am a very lucky lady!

We headed out for a great evening filled with tasty food live entertainment and a lot of laughter. The next morning, we strolled around had a coffee and breakfast at Starbucks. Our appointment was at around eleven. I was very excited, this had been on my wish list for years. We shuffled to our set group, introduced ourselves then got geared up. Took a van ride up towards the bob sled area. Had some education about the forest and animals. Then all the fun began. We did the eagle tour and it was more than I could have imagined and I would highly suggest it for anyone. The youngest in our group was 8 and the oldest was 80.

So if you have the opportunity to go zip treking. DO!

Evening Bubbles July 13,2010

We had enjoyed dinner on our patio and were just hanging around watching Sam in his play fort and Bronwynne was enjoying running around playing fetch! Then Sam wanted to play with bubbles which was fine. Well then the yummy, dreamy light show up. I reached for my camera and voila!

PICS