Parent's over and B.C.

Hi ya'll...

So mom and dad came over from Holland on July 30th. They were to land at approximately 1:30pm. But before I could make the joyful ride up to Calgary, I had to first make a trip to the dentist. So early that morning, after having literally slept about 1.5hrs, I managed to dress myself and the kids, drop James off at a babysitter and stumble into the dentist's office at 7:15am.(Don't ask how my hair looked). I didn't sleep well the night before because I had visited a friend and she offered me espresso coffee. Well, I couldn't resist and I paid hard for it. And no it was not worth it. Anyways after spending three hours in the dentist chair (I had to get a crown done) I picked up James, left my house in a mess, seeing as the original intention was to clean it up before heading to Calgary, but the dentist took too long, headed up north and within 10 minutes of waiting at the gate, mom and dad came through! So nice to see them again! Fun to show off the kids too! We headed home and so began their visit. We went to BC with Pete and hung out with Richard and Heather and the kids! Great times together! Here are some pictures:

The guys climbed Mount Seam! "It's not for women" is all dad said...hmmmm

Eating a quick lunch before heading into Frank Slide Center.

New family picture! I always love those!

Pete changed his look...

Nicole learning from her Opa

"Mark of the Lion" series

Has everyone read the "Mark of the Lion" series by Francine Rivers?? If not, it's highly recommended. I had to get used to the setting and the grotesque scenes (gladiators etc) but she depicts life very well how it was in that time. (Roman empire 70 A.D.) Now I can't seem to put the book down. I'm on Book III. And I had to pep-talk myself into actually cleaning my house today instead of snatching up my book the moment the kids are content, and reading as long as possible. :)

Family over!

Time has past. What else is new? Sorry for taking so long! Jasper bought me a nice new camera, so you'd think I'd be posting pics as I'm taking them, but there is a slight problem and that is that when I try upload the pics from the camera to my computer it takes forever and it only does like 10 at a time so my patience is wearing thin. Any one know why this is? My camera is a Canon EOS Rebel XT. But I will post the pics that I have uploaded for you all to see.
Richard and Heather came over two weekends ago and stayed from a Saturday to a Wednesday morning. We had so much fun with everyone and it was really relaxing. They brought their quads...James couldn't get enough of them! And we went to Head-Smashed in Buffalo Jump and to Fort Macleod to watch the horses, but the show was cancelled because it was so hot that day. They had their own camper with air! So guess where we hung out?? lol.  Here are some pics:

Full driveway!

The kids amused themselves by colouring...

Aunt Heather and Nicole :)

The guys went fishing and brought back some for us to fry up and eat....it was actually pretty good! But nothing compared to my mushroom turnovers!~

Richard brought his gun along and the groundhogs ran for cover, but alas, they were not able to escape!!!

Here James is holding a dead groundhog...

lol...jokes...it's a stick. You seriously think his mother would let him???

All right, new updates will come...eventually :) 

Vases

Remember those vases I bought? Well here is what I've done with them, just went to the $ store and fiddled around...I am NOT creative at all, seriously. (I am not afflicted with false modesty) so feel free to comment and give me ideas!~

Video of James on electric quad

Here is the vid. I hope the sound works. It's been acting strange lately. The sound works on my camera (cell phone camera) and when I put it on my computer, there was no sound...

James and cars...

James and I went to Canadian Tire the other day to have an oil change done on our car which we were desperately hoping to sell the next day...James found a cool Jeep he wanted to play on and getting him off was nearly impossible, but he eventually listened and found a little electric quad which he liked even more. He didn't, however, make the connection with his foot and the pedal so every so often his foot would happen to step on the pedal and he'd zoom off a couple feet and stop again, while looking very bewildered around. I'll try to post a video. Anyways here are some pics...

James is crazy about anything that has an engine in it. He is constantly saying "brrmmm" and pointing at whatever it is he is noticing (lawnmower, cars, trucks, semis, bikes...). He is a true boy.

We had breakfast outside this morning! Beautiful sunny day! Nicole usually sleeps in the morning and so we have time together.

And manage to sell the Beamer, we did and bought this white Pontiac Montana instead! I love it! Yes, I know, I've joined the "minivan momma" group but I am enjoying it...

it drives very nice and has tinted windows, seats 7 and is fully "loaded", (according to Jasp). Lots more room than the BMW, that's for sure. Only neg. is there is no sunroof and I was spoiled with the panaramic sunroof on the Beamer. Oh well, I will get over it. Here it is:

TAG closing!

Have you all heard the news? TAG is going out of business! All their stores are closing...meaning good old Gagou Tagou is also leaving us. 

Very very sad. I love their clothes and I find the style so refreshing for kids. They have fun, colourful clothes for decent prices...*sigh. Right when I find a good, reliable store (or so I thought) with really cute clothes (even for adults) and neat house accessories, they have to go bankrupt. Irene and I just happened to pop into TAG in Calgary before I dropped her off at the airport this past Monday, and my jaw dropped as we turned the corner and TAG store came into view for, there, on the outside wall was a HUGE banner stating they were closing and everything in the store was 30-70% off!

(WHAT?!?!?! Last December I had gone to this exact store and they had told me they had just opened in October 2012. This did not make sense. There must be some mistake. But once we had talked to the manager, it became crystal clear that yes they were closing for good!)

My heart started pumping blood overtime and I wanted to race as fast as I could into TAG and buy, buy, buy! Yes, it's my uncontrollable, selfish, immature side coming out, I know, I know. I literally wanted to buy everything...when it gets to this point, you know you are out of control and I somewhat regretfully was aware of this and restrained myself and calmly walked into the store, looked casually around and began sifting through some racks close to the kids section. Even though this rack held no interest to me, I had to calm down...then I strolled nonchalantly to the kids section and noticed some personnel taking DOWN kids clothes from off the wall and putting them into a big bin! What? Hallo! What if I wanted to buy all that??? Where were they taking all these cute clothes? "Ok, GO! GO! GO!" my mind was screaming. Wow, I never realized how strong my covetousness was until that moment. Tsk. Tsk. So once again "Calm down, it's JUST clothes," resounded through my mind. "Yes, yes." I agreed. Yet...once out of the view of other customers, I began to pile my cart full. And I mean full. Kids clothes were everywhere. Then I took off to the house accessory section and bought a few cute things that I've been eyeing every time I've gone to TAG, so this time I just gave in and bought two big vases and two green shrubs. (pics below). After nabbing these, Irene and I went to the women's section and found a few nice articles of clothing. I also bought a new spring/fall coat which I desperately needed. I think the last time I bought one was like 5 years ago. At the cashier, I kept piling clothes on the counter and asking for a sub-total. And then adding more and taking some off. :) I ended up not buying about 1/3 of the kids clothes. I decided in the end I didn't need it all and to satisfy my covetous desires is never good so I tried to stay practical and buy the things I really needed. Except of course the vases and shrubs...here are some pictures. And if you also like TAG and Gagou Tagou I recommend you hit the closest TAG store before it's all gone!!!!

Still looking for stuff to put in them, but I'm thinking the next time I'm in Lethbridge to hit the Dollar Store. I'm sure I'll find something cute to put in them! 

Also just wanted to say thanks to Irene for a wonderful gift she gave me (for letting her stay at my house she said)! Totally unnecessary but very kind:

Also here are some more pics of James in the dandelion field (he loves it!)

It's the small things...(what a overstated expression, but true!)

Little Nicole has to make it on to the blog too! :)

Irene and I baked a few things while she was over and we let James lick the batter...:) First time for him...haha

One of my favourite pictures!