:: For Grammie ::

Consider this an addition to my last post......I was gently informed by someone that they might like to see some pictures of something other than a pin :)Took these at Transfer Beach today.....our friends brought along their toy shopping cart and Denay was buzzing all over the place. It won't be too much longer before this girl starts walking.

Love you Grammie and Grampie!

{ It's My First Time }

Yesterday I finally ticked something of my life "to-do" list......I donated blood for the first time.

No, I didn't get a fancy schmancy pin like this but they did make me wear a sticker that said the same thing.

I've wanted to give blood for the longest time; simply because there is a need, it's free to donate and I know if I needed blood, I'd be confident getting mine. I don't eat 100% organic or run 10 miles everyday but I think I'm pretty healthy. I got treated really well and met some really nice people. It took a little longer than I was hoping but I will be back!

Why, you ask, did it take me so long to do it? CBS policy used to be that if you'd had a tattoo or piercing in the last year you weren't allowed to donate. For the past five years I've either been tattooed, pierced or pregnant and I've been having an urge for a new piercing so I promised myself I would donate before I did.

I would encourage all my loyal readers to call 1-888-2DONATE or visit the CBS website www.bloodservices.ca and book an appointment for a clinic near you.

It's rewarding and worth it!

All it takes is a little time, that's it.....and you can save up to three lives with one donation.

:: That's my bid for good deeds for the day......hope you all have plans to get out and soak up the beautiful (almost) summer we're having ::

{ It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year }

I'm just gonna come right out and say it.....I hate winter. I don't mind snow, but let's face it, out here on the West Coast our winters see more rain than snow. The only thing that gets me through wet, sunless winters is knowing days like our past weekend are coming along with spring.

:: This picture is unrelated to the theme of the post but I had a Creative Memories party last Thursday and my friend Natalie ended up bring her daughter Abigail and we sent both girls upstairs for bathtime with Trevor. I have the most amazing husband who sent Natalie away without her baby (even though Abigail was not very happy) so she could enjoy the party......I took this after he brought them both washed and dressed back downstairs ::

:: Last Tuesday our mom's group at church had a year wrap up party and I snapped this diddy of our little Peek-a-boo in the swing ::
:: On Saturday Trevor and I and some friends met at Transfer Beach in Ladysmith for the day then enjoyed a BBQ at our place after. Then Sunday Trevor and three friends went fishing with my dad while the wives took the babies back to Transfer Beach then went to Pizza Hut for dinner. Four moms and five kids under two was an interesting dinner but it was such a great day ::

It never ceases to amaze me the difference the weather makes on my outlook and mood. I feel like I've got some zest back in my step and air in my lungs. It's an added blessing to have so many good girlfriend who are also SAHM's so there's always someone wanting to do something.

I'm definitely going to be making the most of every sunny day we get!

:: Old New News ::

A comment on a Facebook picture from my SIL reminded me that I'd yet to blog about our newest baby items......way back in April (terrible, I know) I had an epiphany - we needed a new stroller.

Not that there was anything wrong with ours but for our lifestyle, I just didn't think that the plastic wheels on our Graco would cut it. So I hopped onto Craigslist and found a used Bob Revolution just outside Vancouver. And as luck would have it, we were going across the water for Easter that weekend. Long story short I got this exact stroller, with car seat adapter, cup holder and warm snuggli for $400.....brand new with taxes all that would run you over $650. As the local Bob retail store owner would put it, I'm a "Bob-Snob" now. I l-o-v-e it. And the best part it when we have another I can trade it in for what I paid towards a double! Yay.

Then a few weeks ago we started noticing Denay trying so hard to sit up in her infant carrier and was not comfortable in there anymore.....so we started looking for a convertible car seat and checking Consumer Reports. We really liked the Safety First Alpha Omega Elite and just our luck I was browsing through the Toys-R-Us online flyer to discover that that very seat was on sale for $50 off. Ahhh. I was really hoping to get the pink/brown one (since it would take Denay until she doesn't need a seat anymore and I like pink things) but they didn't stock them so we got the last black/charcoal that actually matches our Jeep interior really well.
Denay is much happier sitting up and being able to look out the window and we are so pleased with our purchase.

:: I've been sitting here for 10 minutes trying to think of something else interesting to blog about or witty to say but, well, it's 10:00pm and I got nothin'.

Happy Weekend Friends.

{ Tofino Road Trip }

Well ya'll, we're back and I'm still busy trying to wash the campfire smell out of, well, everything.

The weather forecast was less than favourable but it only rained during the night and for less than an hour one morning.......it was far from warm but we were grateful for dry!

:: Yes, Denay had just been crying when I took this picture..... ::

:: We left at 10:00 and arrived around 3:00 and Denay did so well....she did have some babysitters in the back seat though ::

:: We hit up Long Beach on Saturday morning ::
:: Some family shots ::
: We jumped over to Chesterman Beach to meet up with the other half of our group for some Bocce Ball.....Denay loved the sand (see lower left hand corner) ::
:: Great story behind this......we brought Pilsbury cinnamon buns for breakfast and were waiting for the oven to heat up and had Denay in her seat and the buns in the pan on the table. We were both outside for just a minute and I came back in to find this......
.....our little monkey had climbed out of her seat, onto the table and right into the pan of unbaked cinnamon buns. And what's the first thing this momma does? Grab her camera and yell for daddy to come look! She wasn't too happy when we took it away though ;)

:: Football on the beach (my team beat Trevor's team, cough) and campfires.....I love camping! ::
:: We went exploring on Sunday and found a great lookout where all I did was take pictures of Denay ::
:: Denay was not pleased when I wouldn't let her have any more of my ice cream cone......there's also a great story behind the patio lights in the bottom right corner. My parents bought a set of these way back when in the States and ever since I can remember they've been strung up when we went camping.......so when we got a trailer of our own, yours truly was scouring Ebay for my very own set and was lucky enough to find some! I got teased that they looked like granny lights but they are very sentimental to me....... ::
:: We also made a stop in Catherdral Grove on our way home.....in the picture of Trevor on the left, the tree he is standing in front of, is 76 meters tall ::
woah- Picture overload......anyways, we had a great time and I think the overall consensus was to make it annual!

Our next camping trip will be this summer for two weeks at Quadra island and I'm counting down the days already.....

Hope everyone had an awesome long weekend.......until next time.

Farewell For Now

What a week.......gracious, who knew getting ready for a holiday would make me need that holiday!

We're packing ourselves up and towing our trailer north and then west for a long weekend of fun (and probably rain) with 25 friends in spectacular Tofino.....rest assured I will return with photos documenting our maiden voyage with our home-on-wheels.

Until then I leave you with a little bit of spring taken by moi on a walk in the sun Tuesday afternoon.......

.....can't you just smell the lilac??

Happy Long Weekend Ya'll!

{ A Double Celebration }

: Happy Mother's Day ::

We not only celebrated that around here today but also Denay's 10 month birthday.

Enjoy some recent pictures of our ever-growing Princess......

I took these Friday night when Opa babysat while Mom went to a card-making party. Next time I'm at my parent's place I'm going to scan in a picture taken of my brother and I on the same mower when we were little.

One of my mom's dogs just had puppies last Thursday and Denay was getting acquainted.

She continues to grow and has a few news 'tricks' if you will........

-when she is standing or on her knees she likes to bounce up and down like she's dancing

-she can say da-da, mum-mum and her newest is nan-nan

-is easily furniture walking and has started free standing but has yet to take a step

-no more new teeth yet

-can climb up and downstairs (with close supervision of course) and has almost figured out that she can't turn around and sit down

-loves to wave at everyone and will mimick you if you pat the counter she will do the same

-loves being read to and playing with her ball

This girl just loves being out and about people and the attention she gets. She will actually stare at people and smile until they see her and smile back.

Trevor took this one this morning on our way to church....me and my girly.
We enjoyed church, came home and played with the baby and are relaxing watching CSI: Miami boxset. I was delighted to open this after getting out of bed this morning......
The newest (New York Times Bestsellers list maker) book from my favourite author Ted Dekker......I'd seen it at Walmart and managed to refrain from buying it since I have lots of other books I can read.

We are gearing up for a four day camping trip to Tofino with about 20 friends and their kids this weekend and a great new book is just the ticket. My hubby's got something else planned tonight after which we are hunkering down again here with two other couples to watch the season finale of The Amazing Race.

Hope you all had a great weekend and all you mom's were appreciated today!

{ Denay's First Dance }

I know I posted this awhile ago but I deleted it from YouTube without knowing it would also be deleted from my blog. I am re-posting it so Denay's "GG" can watch it too!
Denay loves you GG....

{ Happy Monday }

:: I hope you had a fabby weekend ::

We easily managed to keep ourselves busy for sure but had a very relaxing Sunday!

You all are welcome to read and enjoy but this post is especially for Denay's Grammie and Grampy because it's packed full of recent pictures of you know who.

:: Denay is waving all the way across the ocean ::

:: At daddy's football game on Friday night....we cheer and say "Yay!" and Denay throws her hands way in the air ::
:: Sweet sleeping baby....is there anything more precious? ::
:: These were taken yesterday at church. We've been waiting for all our girlies to get big enough to fit into the matching shirts we bought them. From left to right it's Michal (22 months), Denay (almost 10 months), Adaiah (5 months) and Evolette (Michal's sister, almost three months)

It is my prayer that in 20ish years these pictures will show up at our babies weddings and they will all be in each others bridal parties and take pictures of their babies together.

Anyways....life calls. I've still got a little bit of news to post on from as far back as a few weeks but here's hoping the weather will be lovely this week and I'll be spending more time outdoors than in :)

Smooches G&G......Denay (and her mom and dad too) love you!