HALLOWEEN!

Today was fun! In the morning we dressed up both girlies in their beautiful princess costumes, and unfortunately I didn't get a picture of them! After church we had Danika's good friend Jolie come to our house and we got ready for a Halloween party out at our friends place at Camp Imadene. Danika got dressed up in her Pocahontas costume (I was lent a matching one!) and Adessa was a little moo cow again. When we got out to Camp Imadene the gym was all set up... it was amazing! There was a full carnival and the kids went wild, Danika was at the point of throwing a ball, or a dart just so she could grab a candy! I also found myself spending a lot of time "lost" in a maze of cardboard boxes. The younger girls were scared to go in by themselves so I went in with them and found myself crawling on all fours for what felt like forever! But it was sooo fun, there were slides inside and secret passageways, and I was having as much fun as the kids! I was talked into going on their swingas well, which is always scary when you have to pull the rope to let yourself go!

The Burdges were such GREAT hosts... there was a tractor/hayride around the camp, hot chocolate, a full pot luck meal and wonderful company! After eating we went around Mesachie lake for some trick-or-treating and finished up just as it was starting to drizzle! What a fun day!

Best Buddies

Morning Walks

Since getting our new pup I have started a new routine... one I am hoping lasts!
Every morning I wake up and take Meeko for a walk. It is good for both of us. Gives both of us excercise and me a chance to clear my mind and just have alone time before the day begins. This morning I decided to bring my camera and try and capture some of the beauty we live around and the view of our walk. I am not sure how long our adventure on the island will last, but we are so blessed to live in such a beautiful place and I don't want to take for granted living where we do!!

Swimming Lessons

This fall Danika has gone through her second set of swimming lessons in the salamander category. The first time she did okay, however she has a fear of putting her head under water or getting water in her eyes, period. So she sadly didn't pass that first set. This second time around I was blown away by her progress during the swim lessons. I also realized that she is more prone to learning from others than her mommy and daddy. Steve and I have tried numerous times to teach her things and she usually gets frustrated with us or angry quite quickly. However watching her with her swim teacher, jumping into the pool with her head fully emerged and coming out with a nervous, but still visible smile on her face was such a shock to me! She improved this time around immensely, however sadly she did not pass, but only on one account... not being able to do the front float for 3 seconds!

On Friday Steve was able to come and watch Danika's final lesson, and every 2 minutes or so, (to much dismay of her swim teacher!) Danika would look up at Steve and give him a big thumbs up.

Halloween Birthday Party Bash!

Last night it was one of Danika's "bestest friends" birthday party/ Halloween party. Danika was dressed up as Pocahontas and Adessa was a little moo cow. They both looked soo cute! Here are some pictures of the fun night! Tammy went all out with her decorations, the food and the games... it was an endless night of candy and fun!!!

Refreshing

Today was nice. I woke up early for my daily walk with Meeko and set out on a new path with him. I have been taking the same path since we got him and decided to switch things up a bit today, so we went down to the ocean.. um hello, we live 2 blocks from the ocean and this is the first time I took him down there?! I know.. quite shocking to me too!
Anyways I got down to the Crofton Seawalk and just stood there taking it all in. It was so peaceful, the water was like glass, the sun coming up, with the most beautiful pink sky, and it was just perfect.... or would have been, if I didn't have little meeko doing his own thing! But then I guess I wouldn't have been out at all!
After the walk, we had a nice family breakfast and then I got a call from a good friend, saying she was kidless and wanted to meet up for lunch. How wonderful! I was able to leave the girls with Steve, go to Duncan and try out a perfect little restaurant literally nestled in the heart of downtown Duncan. And my oh my did we ever eat! The food was delicious and the company was perfect! It was so nice to go out with no children, to be able to focus on my own meal and carry on a full conversation!
Then this evening I came home and the girls and I picked out a movie for our movie night! We watched Tinker bell 3, ate icecream and cuddled.
Today was one of those days that was just plain old refreshing!

Glorious Day!

Today was the most perfect fall day. The sun was shining and warm, so we decided to pack up the family and do a little exploring. Steve is still very weak and will be for the next while, but he is going stir crazy at home and I figured the fresh air would do him some good! :) So we drove out to Bright Angel Park. It was perfect. After going over the suspension bridge we headed down to the river and let Meeko and the girls go crazy. It was so peaceful and glorious... the perfect way to spend an afternoon!

Simple Things

This box provided a good hour of entertainment for these two little monkeys!!!

This past Thanksgiving weekend was a quiet one around here and we were debating about even cooking up a turkey, but very last minute we decided to go ahead with it. We bought the turkey and all the fixings and then were thinking we should have someone over to share it with.

That evening we went for a walk up to the park behind our home and ran into a man from our church and his 2 boys. During our conversation we understood that they hadn't done anything for thanksgiving! So Steve and I went home and both just knew we had to invite them over! It was a family from church we have been meaning to connect with for awhile and it was almost like God provided the perfect setting! So the next morning I woke up and cooked ALL Day!!! My goodness, a turkey dinner is A LOT of work, this was the first turkey dinner I cooked by myself and let me tell you that we sure were missing our moms!!! The dinner turned out nice and the company was wonderful! All and all we had a wonderful thanksgiving! It was quiet, but very nice and we have so very much to be thankful for!

911

Today Adessa called 911. I had taken Danika into town for her swim lessons and left Adessa with Steve for her nap time. Adessa had just woken up from her nap and somehow got ahold of the phone, dialed 911111111111 over and over again and Steve didn't know it had worked, so he hung up. A minute later they called back, he explained what happened and within a few minutes there was a knock at the door and a cop was standing there!!! My goodness, Adessa is definitely going to be our little trouble maker... its a good thing she is sooo cute!

Unexpected Blessing

Food and presents dropped off by the generous members of our church!

Relaxation gift basket sent to us by the MacNaughton Family

Beautiful flowers sent to us in the hospital by the Fitzpatrick family

The ulcer and hospital stay were unexpected, however the positive out of this is that Steve has a written doctors note saying he needs the next 6-8 weeks off of work to rest and regain his blood. He will be going in every 2 weeks to get a blood test and see where his blood count is at. Its crazy isn't it? Steve has been so exhausted and burned out all summer with no chance for a rest, and we were wondering when this rest was going to come, and then this all occurs. God sure works in mysterious ways!!!