A Princess and 4 Boys

December 22, 2011

2011-12-22T20:30:00.001-08:00

Today is December 22, and yes I am behind and no I am not backdating. I am sick. I have a head cold. I can easily deliver babies naturally and combat cancer with grace but when it comes to a cold...I am a bear. I am whiny, grumpy, needy and just plain miserable. To top it off though, I am a self described martyr and can't just lay and be sick. I still need to wear the many hats I wear and continue on like I am in my A game. Owen put on three ball caps the other day and I thought the picture was reflective of my feelings today.

Something happened to me this week that never happens...I filled gas before it went up in price. I got gas at 89.9 and the next morning it was up to 102.9. Booya!

Friday can't come soon enough. I need some days off. I am making a plan of attack for our crafting and occupying since I will have the boys for Monday and Tuesday.

I want wine but have no taste buds so here is to hoping they are better prior to Christmas because Boris volunteered to be the designated driver. Woot woot!

Ok so I have taken 3 nighttime Tylenol cold capsules so I am going to try and pass out now. Night.

Despicable Me - THEY ARE NOT PYJAMAS!

2011-12-20T06:48:00.001-08:00

This is Owen's absolute favorite part of Despicable Me. He quotes it all the time. It is so cute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk6i-WuWlJc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

December 17, 2011

2011-12-18T20:08:00.000-08:00

The great work cookie exchange happened today. We had a great brunch. It is not often that I spend time away from my family but I was glad I went. I made my family favorite "chocolate chip stuffed with Oreo cookie" and in return I got: almond chocolate cookies, sugar cookies, pecan tarts, chocolate lava cookies, shortbread, fruit bread, sesame cookies and Nanaimo bars.

I want to preface the next part of my rant by stating that I adore Owen. What don't adore is his toddler behavior. I thought that since this was the third toddler phase that Boris and I went through it would be easier but it seems to be harder. Maybe we are more set in our ways now...I am not sure.

Lately the struggles are getting to me. I keep trying to remember that the frustrations, the missed naps, the not-eating, and even the full-on screaming tantrums will pass and sooner rather than later I will be saying to Boris "I miss my little Owen".

Why does Jon and Owen fight all the time? Jon gets angry if Owen takes it toys or wants to be like him and copy him. Owen's whine is so shrill that I usually end up yelling at Jon to give into whatever Owen wants.

So there is all that but as I am laying here typing this, I hear him in his room quoting the whole Despicable Me movie and I smile. Toddler years are so worth the pain

December 16, 2011

2011-12-18T19:40:00.001-08:00

Today I took Owen to Prairie Gardens for their winter festival. We had a blast. We went on a train ride driven by Ol' Saint Nick himself. We did decorated snowflakes, made a reindeer craft out of candy canes, made a bird feeder and had a bite to eat. The weather was so nice out that I thought it would have been packed but there was hardly anyone there. They had a fire-pit going where you could roast marshmallows too.

I will post pictures later this week.

December 15, 2011

2011-12-18T19:26:00.001-08:00

Jon's daycare had this fundraising event tonight called Parent's Night Out. For a few dollars Jon and Owen stay into the evening and watch movies and eat pizza. Owen was so excited to go to Jon's big boy daycare. He actually ran to the door when we dropped him off and he didn't play strange at all which is not like him at all. We used this opportunity to do some Christmas shopping.

We are planning our trip this summer and one of the things I am most excited about is to see the first Starbucks in Seattle. I love my Starbucks.

December 14, 2011

2011-12-18T19:12:00.001-08:00

Boris is really ill today. He was off work yesterday and today. That flu is knocking people right out. I can't believe I haven't caught it yet.

I keep forgetting to blog but when I remember, I will blog the missed days.

Goodnight online.I can't believe Jon is 9 years old today!!!! Time has flown by so quickly. He is 9 going on

December 13, 2011

2011-12-13T22:51:00.001-08:00

Well there is good news and bad news...good news is that Owen is better. It took him 3/4 of a week to get back to his normal unique self. The bad news is that Boris is now sick. I hope he gets better and it doesn't hit him as hard as it hit baby O. I am going to sleep on the couch tonight. 50% because I want to give Boris the whole bed to get better and 50% because I don't want to get sick. Jon and I caught up on our Glee. We had two weeks worth to watch. I love that show. It is such a feel good series. Until tomorrow online world

December 12, 2011

2011-12-12T22:33:00.001-08:00

Watched Fear Factor tonight. Forgot how much I loved that show. The gross stunt is always my favorite.Owen actually ate chicken legs (I mean dinosaur leg) and perogies. I was so excited. If you know me, you know how much I love my Starbucks. My heart smiles that all three boys like Starbucks and Jon even knows the sizes. Hearing him say "venti vanilla cream with no foam" makes my heart swell. For the record, I love me a dirty chai with milk and not water. Sometimes I mix it up with a Pumpkin Spice Latte.I am lying in bed and I am wondering if I remembered to set the van heater to defrost so I can use the auto starter but I can't remember. Oh well, if not then I will just use my expensive window scraper, my Rickis" card. It works better than my actual brush.Goodnight online world, until tomorrow.

December 11, 2011

2011-12-11T19:23:00.001-08:00

Spent the day doing laundry and cleaning the house. Will have the Christmas cards that I made go in the mail tomorrow. Very proud that I am mostly on top of things this Christmas. Jon and Boris went to go see The Muppets Movie today. They loved it. Owen is still not 100%. He is not sick anymore but very lethargic and no energy due to the many days without food. He has been watching Special Agent OSO. Gotta admit that OSO is kind of dumb!I can't believe how quickly December is going by. Looking forward to having Braden for Christmas eve this year. We have never had him on the eve before. Boris and I need to get our practice butts in gear for the NYE Canasta tournament in Calgary. Goldschlager, here I come!!!!

Saturday December 10, 2011

2011-12-11T13:28:00.001-08:00

Ok so I am not off to the best start, I am posting on Saturday for Friday but I am promising to get better.Our Christmas party was last night and I had a great time. Jon and Owen has a sleepover so Boris and I had the night to ourselves so needless to say we didn't stay too long.

Here is a picture that Jon took of us prior to us leaving. I was going for a retro pin up girl style and after youtubing some hairstyles with victory rolls that I wanted, I found one that I loved and was so easy to follow. I was quite proud of the end result.

Because it was my Christmas party, I pulled rank and Boris was the designated driver. I had a few "pops" as you can see from the following picture.

Clearly I was very chesty in this dress.I had a great time and it isn't often that Boris and I get to go out together and I had been looking forward to this night for awhile now.

December 9, 2011

2011-12-09T21:04:00.001-08:00

Well if you check into my blog at all you will notice that I haven't blogged since March of last year. I didn't realize how long it has been.I am going to follow a page from a friend of mine Roslyn, and try to post something everyday for the month of December.Owen has been the most sick he has ever been, this week. Wednesday night, he vomited out of nowhere in the kitchen and then went to bed at 6pm. He woke at midnight and proceeded to vomit every 10-15 minutes after until 6am. He was still vomiting most of Thursday and slept the whole day today. He hasn't eaten since Wednesday at noon and it is a great victory when we get him to have 2tbsp of liquid. I hope he is better tomorrow. I miss my unique, energetic boy.It is my Christmas party tomorrow. In typical Chantal fashion, I did not buy a new dress but a new pair of shoes rather. I will post a picture tomorrow. Boris and I never go on dates so I am extremely excited. I may even try to get him to dance (I can hope).Christmas is coming and I am slowly getting excited. One of our traditions is to make cinnamon buns on the eve and cook them in the morning but I have asked Roslyn to give me her recipe because everything she makes is so tasty. Speaking of tasty, I am doing a cookie exchange at work and I need to make 8 dozen cookies. I am going to make my family's fav...my chocolate chip stuffed Oreo cookies. I will make sure I make plenty to leave at home to or the boys will surely attack me before I leave the house.Our Christmas tree reflects our family so much that I have to smile every time I look at it. Every year we buy the kids a ornament each and we try to reflect what they are into that year. The goal is when they move out, they will have ornaments from their whole life thus far. We have their ornaments, Boris' Flames/drums/gene Simmons ornaments and I have my Disney/Starbucks/shoe ornaments. But the best is the fact that we have a Sin Cara mask as our tree topper...only at the Norris house.Anyway, my hubby looks very comfy so I am going to go and cuddle with him while we catch up on this weeks PVRd shows.Till Tomorrow

A Pirate and Picasso

2011-03-13T21:30:00.000-07:00

Ok so I have this friend...let's call her "Feather", and she has a great husband, called "Bo". Anyway, a couple weeks ago Bo, hurt his knee really bad and Feather harped on him quite a bit about going to the doctor and even went as far as telling him that his leg was going to fall off which also prompted there beautiful daughter to stress about her soon to be peg leg dad. Long story short...he is fine and he went to the doctor.

So this week, Feather started getting sick with a head cold and got an ear infection. She ended up having liquid come from her ear and wanted to know any "natural" remedies to cure it. FEATHER!!!!! Practice what you preach and go to the doctor....before you lose your ear and become a descendant of Picasso.

Being a cancer survivor I am very acutely aware of my body and am not afraid to go to the doctor but having said that...it is funny how we let life get in the way of our health. We take all the necessary measures to eat healthy, exercise, drive safely and teach our children how to be good citizens in the world but we don't go to the doctor until it is too late sometimes. Let's change that!

2011-03-09T07:05:00.001-08:00

I love coffee from Starbucks. I mean at my local Starbucks, it is because of me that 2 of them have been able to go onto college. I get valentine's day and christmas cards from the barista's. I know all about their social lives. I go on average 2-3 times a day for my dirty chai or my caramel macchiato.
Well I have given it up for lent. Not just coffee...CAFFEINE!! Chocolate, tea, energy drinks...the works.

It is currently 8:07am and I am already jonesing for some dark, rich, golden liquid.

It is going to be 40 long days for myself and those around me.

What has happened in the last month

2011-03-05T16:27:00.000-08:00

Wow it has been a long time since I have blogged. Sorry about that to my 2 followers. I have been doing treatment again for my darn osteomyelitis. Hoping we got it this time.

A lot has been going down in our household. Valentine's day came and went. Jon and I decided to go with a more healthy route for valentine's day this year and we made valentine hearts for his class made out of watermelon.

Do you know what I love about my husband? How he makes me laugh at least once a day. He decided one day when we were going through our cold snap that he wanted the kids and him to jump in one of our snow hills in their underwear. They smartly refused. The next day Ivan and his son Matt came over for a visit and Matt was not about to let Boris have all the fun so they stripped down and jumped into the snow bank. Crazy kids. Boy did Jon, Ivan and I share a laugh.

the inevitable has happened and Jon needed glasses. He went from Super Emo to excited in 1/2 hour when he came upon the glasses he chose because he thought they looked like Harry Potter/Clark Kent. I personally think he looks adorable.

We leave in under 3 weeks for Cancun with the boys. We all wish Braden was coming but he can't this trip. It should be fun. The resort has dolphins that live there and we are going to go swimming with them. I haven't drank much as of late due to my ongoing treatment off and on for the past 5 months so I have become a super lightweight. Boris has been conditioning me for Mexico. :) An old co-worker went to a Dreams Resort and said she liked it so we looked into them and chose the Dreams Cancun resort. Thank you Kristin.

Today I became the best mom and wife ever. My great friend Heather sent me a great recipe and I know how much my boys (Boris included) love Oreos and Chocolate Chip cookies so making chocolate chip cookies stuffed with Oreos seemed like a no brainer. MMM they loved them so much.

2010-12-17T13:48:00.000-08:00

So updating my blog is long overdue. What has prompted this sudden desire to blog is our roads here in Edmonton.

Yes people it snowed!!! This is Alberta however and we are well aware that every year we get snow in the winter...do we like it? No but we know it is coming therefore...BE PREPARED!!!! No one likes getting a cold but I betcha if I look in your medicine cabinet...there is cough medicine in preparation.

If you have a Honda Civic that you have silly little bald summer tires and if you have our body lowered...DON'T drive the dam thing in our winter. I do not want to be behind you while you continually get stuck. Get a damm winter car butthead.

If you drive properly all year long you do not have to re-learn how to drive in the winter and putting me at risk because you do not know how to drive when snow falls.

You caused me to have my 2 year old to ask me why I said "Stupid Fucking Drivers". Thank you for making me swear in front of my child. Thank you for making me go onto the sidewalk to avoid your erractic driving. Thank you for making me late for picking up my child as you were stuck in between two lanes on a drift because you are a moron. Thank you for causing staff members to be late for work because you delayed the flow of traffic.

Blue and the sky

2010-09-27T19:18:00.000-07:00

The sky was so beautiful tonight that I had to grab a few pictures. It is amazing how something as simple as my family playing outside in this beautiful sunset really puts things into perspective.

This and that

2010-09-27T18:51:00.000-07:00

So one of the best things about being a kid is tents in the living room. With our last couch, we could take apart the cushions and create a fort but not with this couch...tent. Owie chilling with his bad self and mommy at Jurassic Forest this weekend. I think I have been there every weekend since it opened. An annual pass is definitely in my future.
This weekend we went to the Edmonton Valley Zoo. Ultimately, it would seem that I pay admission for the petting zoo, train ride, merry go round and ice cream. He always looks for the elephant and she is always gone. This weekend, most of the animals were gone so it was just Owen and I playing Where's Waldo in all the cages. I need to take this poor kid to Calgary.
Jon has started guitar lessons and he is really into it. He practices every night. The guitar is really big and he needs a smaller one but I am waiting to see if this lasts more than one month.

scapbook page

2010-09-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

I call this page "Roslyn"

I am posting this page for Roslyn. I have "scraplifted" my style from her. Previously I was known for stickers and die cuts...that is it. I never would think outside of that. Thanks to Roslyn's idea of doing what feels right and her many supplies that she donated to me, I am able to think outside the box and create what I think is one of my personal favourite pages.

Sciene Experiments

2010-09-19T20:59:00.001-07:00

Science! Jon loves his science projects so quite regularly we are doing science of some sort in our house.

Here is Mel, Jon and Braden being all mad scientists.

2010-09-19T20:13:00.000-07:00

I am feeling so sick right now. I have a head cold and all my muscles are aching and that isn't helping my leg at all. I have another scan scheduled on the 28th and we will go from there.

BUT being sick doesn't stop me from trying to spend as much time creating memories with my boys when we can. I think that is so important as I want them to feel loved and look back and think that they grew up having a great life. Don't get me wrong...they annoy the crap out of me at the best of times and I am not one of those moms who think everyday is a blessing...there are days when I would give anything to be able to just jump in the car and go instead of packing snacks, juice boxes, ensuring that Jon is wearing underwear, finding "dirty" and where did Braden leave his right shoe just to go around the block. :)

This weekend we went with Mel and Quinn to the Jurassic Forest as they have never been before. The boys loved it as much as before. What a great place!

Don't Mel and I look scary???!!!! We are dinosaurs in case you couldn't figure it out.

So cute guys!

Holy cow, look..they are all looking at the camera and they are all smiling! There is a god. I really love my family! I would be just as happy being completely broke as long as I had my family. Everyone is completely different and yet we are so similar. Currently we are all living under the same roof and that can be very challenging especially for my poor Boris. He is doing well in a household of all Marleaus. I know days he feels like he is outnumbered but we all love him tremendously and don't know what I would do without him in my life. I love you Boris.

Last night we had a Scene It Marathon...boy did I miss the Dalby's last night as that used to be our Sunday night thing. The world was topsy turvy as Melody won Disney Scene it and you won't believe it but I won Music Scene it. It was hilarious...I won and I only got one question right...the final question was a Jessica Simpson question. Muahahaha....I thought Boris and Melody were going to blow up with surpise.

My Surprise 35th Birthday Party

2010-09-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

So my wonderful husband worked really hard at planning a great surprise birthday party for me and it was this weekend. I was completely surprised! I was so thankful for people coming to my party. I don't have a huge group of friends but the ones I do have, are very close to my heart even if I don't see them often.

Look at this incredible cake Michelle made!!!!

This and that

2010-08-30T20:57:00.000-07:00

Life is super crazy right now but keeping things in check is absolutely the upmost importance to me. I am the biggest believer in not sweating the small stuff, not looking on the dark side but seeing the bright.
Those of you know who I am talking about and know that I am there for you through anything and I am not going anywhere. I will be forever your cheerleader even when you don't want me to be.

We are getting our pictures done again this year from the incredible Becky from Just for You Photography. I can't wait for October! You will all get pictures this year for Christmas again.

Bedtime Annoyance

2010-08-26T21:42:00.000-07:00

Ever since Heather mentioned 2 beds instead of one "couple" bed, I can't stop thinking about it. I love my husband and I love "sleeping" with him but man I do NOT love his sleeping habits that I have yet to get used to. He listens to Howard Stern in bed and I can not sleep listening to talk radio much less Howard and his yelling, swearing, obnoxious guests/staff and himself. I wait patiently till he goes to sleep so I can turn it off. He has been having a sore back and shoulders lately so he has been tossing and turning causing the bed to become similar to the 80's version of a waterbed. Oh and let's not forget his vulgar body pillow that he MUST sleep with ... It rivals Owen's "dirty" blankie.

Now I am no better as I like to read with the light on and I love to talk in bed so I am sure that we grate on each others nerves with our bed habits.

Let's bring back the Fred and Wilma beds

Balloon Artists

2010-08-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

Most boys ask for swords or balloon dragons...not mine! "Can I have dragonfly wings please?" Man I love Jon.

Disclaimer to the haters

2010-08-23T18:18:00.000-07:00

My blog is usually full of rosy sunshine and love but I suddenly have to cloud my blog with this disclaimer saying that this is in fact MY blog with MY views. You are certainly entitled to your opinions as that is the great thing about free speech but what I put on my blog is my truth, my life and my story. If you don't like it...don't read it. This isn't mandatory school reading...it is my life for my friends and family to read.

...Now back to your regularly scheduled program.

Sunday Night

2010-08-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

There is nothing more fun than family game night and now that Boris is not working those darn Best Buy overnights, he gets to partake in the joy. This weekend we played Spongebob Cranium. It is good that Braden isn't competitive because the other 3 of us are. Needless to say that Boris and I did the dance of joy as we tied for first.

I had so much planned for this weekend in terms of fun outdoor stuff but the weather just really has been very uncooperative this summer. It feels like we haven't had much of a summer at all and with the BC forest fires, it is even worse right now.

So my good friend and second mother to Owen is smack in the middle of Ramadan right now and my heart goes out to her...not because I feel bad that she is fasting: I actually think she is a really strong woman who believes in her faith and hold her in high regard to do this from sunrise to sunset. What I do sigh for her is her lack of being able to have a dirty chai during the day...so in a testament to my love for her...I will drink double my share until she can drink again. I love you Heather.

Promise to Blog Regularly!

2010-08-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

Ok so the summer has come and gone and I have really neglected my blog.

The summer held lots of fun times and we went on an amazing summer holiday with Braden and Jon. Owen stayed home this time.

We went on a road trip to Las Vegas, Coronado Bay, San Diego, Los Angeles, Anaheim. We had so much fun.

A few weekends ago we went to Jurassic Forest. This place was very neat. All three kids loved it. It is set up so that you can walk around on these nicely built walkways careful not to disturb the forest that they have the dinosaurs built in. They are motion sensored and my favourite part was when Owen would patiently wait for the dinosaur to move. His pose made me giggle each time.

I can't believe that there is only 2 weeks left in the summer break before school starts. Braden and Jon both start grade 3. I can't believe that these boys are growing so fast.

We also spent a day at the beach. It is Alberta Beach and not as great as Allan Beach but a Beach is a Beach in my opinion.

Speaking of beach. We have decided that this spring break we are going to go to either Cancun or Jamaica with Jon and Owen. We would love Braden to come but he is not allowed. Too bad, he was dissapointed when he found out that he is not allowed to come. The hotel we are looking at in Jamaica is a Breezes hotel and has quite the waterpark he would love.

What I am most excited about is New Years Eve in Jasper at the Jasper Park Lodge with my whole family...all three boys for 2 cuddly nights.

Ok so all that being said...I PROMISE TO UPDATE REGULARLY NOW!

So Far Behind

2010-06-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

I went to empty my card from my camera to get it ready for our trip this week and noticed just how far behind on blogging I really am. That may explain why I have 5 readers only.

I have been really stressed at work for the past few months with someone being off on short term disability. You don't realize just how much that effects the entire company. Anyway, I have been really looking forward to our road trip with the older boys to Disneyland/Legoland/Universal Studios/Las Vegas and a few ball games thrown in there. I decided at the last minute to take this week off to decompress and to get my head in the game. My bosses were fantastic and didn't even bat an eye in letting me go for 3 straight weeks...they even gave me a little gift of appreciation. I can honestly say that I love where I am working and I enjoy going to work each and every day.

Today is Father's day and poor Boris had to work but as an homage to him, I am posting one of his best bbq ribs he has ever done.

Owen is definitely becoming a comedian...I mean how many other kids do you know who have their own plunger (clean and purchased just for him to play with so he would leave the bathroom one alone). He is like a mini Carrot Top.

Do you know what is flippin impossible?????? Making 3 boys look good at the same time for a picture.

I give up!!

Ok so to give those of you who don't know my brother in law a little insight...everything is fixable and he can fix it...even when it is not broken. Just ask my sister who looks like she has been paintballing. How did she get all her bruises?? Well Benny has discovered how to "modify" nerf guns INCLUDING one for 3 year old Quinn. I can tell you first hand that those suckers hurt. They come flying at you with the force of a paintball gun and they have the speed to go far distances.

How much do you love Jon's sunglasses?

Owen is starting to want to sit on the toilet because all the other dayhome kids do. I am not one to complain. I don't like pull ups because I feel like it is too much of a diaper and Jonathan never wore them and he trained quickly so I have ordered these incredible training pants. Please go to their website. I can't wait for them to arrive. The website is called Kidalog.

I also ordered a book that I can't wait for. I ordered Faith Club on the suggestion of my good friend Heather. It looks so interesting and I hope that it comes this week so I can read it while lounging at the pool while the boys swim.

Well I don't know if I will update again before our big road trip but if not...I will be back in a few weeks with tonnes of pictures to post.

JASMAN the Mortal Enemy

2010-05-27T15:49:00.000-07:00

You know that fine line between love and hate...well I think my son is there. You see there is this girl at school that he is presently sitting by who is his MORTAL ENEMY. Her name is Jasmine but he calls her Jasman!!

One night recently, he drew this picture of her and his baby brother is holding the "niff" (knife) to ensure she doesn't come down from the UFO beam and when asked why he wasn't in the picture...I swear to you, his answer was, "cause I don't want to get my hands dirty". Are you kidding me, mob Jon????

So Jasmine apparently, breathes too loud, writes with her pencil to hard, doesn't put the caps back on her markers properly, rips paper out of her journal (EGAD) and swings her ponytail to the point of impailing my poor son. :) I am starting to save for their wedding. :)

Here is the drawing. I love it and if you will notice "JASMAN" is very small to depict she is far away. I love that he knows about depth.

Accessories for my camera

2010-05-10T21:16:00.003-07:00

OMG I love these camera straps and I absolutely need to have one.

Check them out at My Funky Camera.

Shirts

2010-05-10T20:51:00.000-07:00

Dear all 5 of my readers:

Please support one of my greatest friends and buy these awesome shirts. I can not wait for the prozac latte shirt. You know I am buying that one.

While on the subject of shirts...

You should go to this site, I have bought 2 and I am just waiting for the delivery. Can not wait. I will be wearing my Drop Love not Bombs shirt with such pride of being a Canadian and living in a safe nation. I will post pictures of me sporting my new shirt and sweater when they come.

In no real order but pictures on my camera I love

2010-05-10T19:58:00.000-07:00

Owen's first pony ride. He was very serious looking but kept saying, "Fun".
Jon loves riding horses and ponies but his allergies always get the best of him. Look how happy he looks even knowing that afterwards he will be sniffing up a storm and his eyes will burn. I love that kid.

Owen's first tumble. The dude did not even try to break his fall. He tripped on his feet and landed on his head and I witnessed his little noggin bounce. I ran and instantly picked him up only to hear Boris exclaim that he was bleeding from both his head and nose. Needless to say that my hoody will now need to be washed. He is ok but has a nice little mark on his forehead.

I love this picture of Jon hiding from Aunty Mel and they chase each other through the zoo.

I love my lil men.

Owen loved this goat so much as well as his buddy that he pet his eye.

I love that my boys are such loving children. It is also so sweet seeing Owen becoming into his own little man.

Jon has gotten so good at reading. Time is flying by so fast that I can not believe he is reading chapter books, loving them and comprehending them.

A couple weeks ago, after an extremely stressful time at work with everyone being away and auditors there, Boris took me to a wonderful dinner at The Melting Pot

If you have not been then you have to go. It is a fantastic fondue restaurant. We had a cheese fondue, main course fondue and a fantastic chocolate fondue too.

It snowed last week and Owen my little sweetheart wanted to go outside so badly but I packed all his winter clothes thinking winter was gone. I threw on his Boris hat and just had to take a picture of him wearing his daddys ECW hat.

Camera

2010-05-10T19:32:00.000-07:00

I have become absolutely in love with my camera that I got for my Christmas and I really think that I have gotten better for the most part but there is so much to learn and so much I am sure I am missing.

I want to make sure I capture all the memories of our trip that I started searching for a great blog to follow and I discovered this blog. It is called Momtog Blog.

I discovered it today and they were giving having a giveaway yesterday that I missed but I really think that I may purchase their unmanual because after many you tube videos and professionals talking to me like I know what I am doing just because I have a camera is getting pretty frustrating. All I really use are the automatic settings and I want to get off that but have no idea what P, M etc stand for.

2010-04-30T22:15:00.000-07:00

I watched a movie tonight that has me needing to clear my head. I don't know what drew me to watching it today but something caused me to watch it and I couldn't tear away from it for one moment.

The movie was called The Stoning of Soraya M. It is based on a true story and this movie has me asking so many questions. How can this happen? Why do we let this happen in this day and age? How can I help this not happen? How can a community pull together and stone an innocent women like it is so normal?

Now I know I am a really lucky Canadian which probably makes me really naive but I feel like that should give me all the more reason to do something. Anyway, I am sure I am sounding like a little uncultured person but my blogger readers out there...what can I (we) do to help our fellow women around the world against injustices?

I am packed for 4 days in Banff

2010-04-06T21:01:00.001-07:00

I think I am all packed...Sigh, I am totally not helping the stereotype that women pack too much.

Comments

2010-04-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

I think I fixed my comments!!! I need comments people!

Lil Owen

2010-04-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

Some of the pictures that I love of Owie. He has discovered pockets. How adorable is it seeing a baby using his pockets.

Our favourite thing to do when eating snacks...we take the minibell and each take half and put it on our noses. I love the small things in live with my boys. Games, story time, one on one with all three boys, dancing around the living room being silly with all the boys doing "breakdancing" etc. I hope these are the memories they will always remember because I know I will!

Going against the grain

2010-04-06T19:31:00.001-07:00

Ok so one of the things that my husband always picks on me about is my ability to go with the masses. Point in case...I tend to like most music once it hits mainframe or I love the classics. I am just starting to listen to music that may never make the billboard charts but that is not what this post is about.

Tomorrow I have decided to throw caution to the wind and ignore "them". I am going to wear....WHITE PANTS BEFORE MAY LONG WEEKEND! What a stupid thing!!! No one can give me a real intelligent answer to this reasoning so screw it! I am doing it. I bought a fantastic tunic this weekend that I really want to wear with my favourite white pants. I love the look of them and frankly don't care is Stacey London jumps out of the trees and tells me that I am the worst dresser in the world!!! I feel good and that is all that matters so there! Wow, do I feel like a rebel. Maybe I will do something wild and crazy when I am in Banff this week with my new found sense of danger.

Park and over possessive mommy

2010-03-24T21:56:00.000-07:00

The kids were all couped up and going crazy on Sunday so we threw on our windbreakers and headed to the park. Owen's poor legs couldn't move fast enough for him. It was so cute. He had a blast and Jon met some of our neighbours finally now that winter is supposedly leaving us and they invited him to their game of kick ball. I was so happy that I wanted to take a picture but I didn't want to be that mom....yet!!!

On your mark get set...run!!!

Lego my Star Wars ship

2010-03-24T21:45:00.000-07:00

One of my most cherished things to do with Jonathan apart from our crawling into bed together and watching Smallville is to build legos! This was our latest creation!

I love this one on one time with Jon, I also love the lack of Video Games during these moments!

My crazy baby boy

2010-03-24T21:31:00.000-07:00

So our little Owen isn't so little anymore. He is coming up with words every single day...you can't say or do anything without the risk of him repeating you.

So when we went to Jasper the other weekend, Boris was enthralled with the mini Ketchup and other condiments that JPL provide so he scammed some home. Owen had discovered that he loved the Hellmann's jar and confiscated it from Boris. When Owen went to sleep, I picked up from the upstairs hall where he had dropped it while running to his bath and put it in our room to take down later...ultimately forgetting about it for a few days (it ended up blending in with all my woman crap on my dresser). A few days later, Owen comes into our room and sees it. INSTANT ANGER! "No, no, no! Don't Touch!!! Owen" says Owen to Boris as he grabs the mini mayo and storms out of our room and puts it in his room. Boris says, "Did that really just happen? Did I just get scolded for having my own mayo jar"? Hilarious! Our newest favourite is when he is touching something that he shouldn't be touching and he knows it...he says "Don't Touch" WHILE TOUCHING IT!

We also finally figured out what and why he calls his blanket. We have run the gammet from Daddy, Cookie to anything else inbetween. Boris said to him the other day...Eww your blanket smells Dirty!! BINGO!!!! He calls his blanket dirty! He is Linus from Charlie Brown through and through. It is cute but man can that blanket ever stink fast!

Joan Jett and Norwex

2010-03-24T21:26:00.000-07:00

Ok so I went to Nikki my hair stylist and got my hair cut and coloured last Friday. We went quite dark with my hair and I think I like it but a major catastrophe happened on Sunday night. I went to have a bath and while soaking in the tub, I rested my wet head on the back of the porcelain tub. I didn't think anything of it until I pulled the plug, got out and proceeded to clean the tub...yup!!! Bright Purple stain!!

What did I try to clean it with:

Soap and water

A wiry brush with lemon juice

CLR

Comet

A Magic Eraser

None worked...I pouted to Heather tonight and she ran and brought me her Norwex Cleaning Paste to try...insert a chorus of singing angels playing harps!!! IT WORKED!!!

2010-03-17T20:23:00.000-07:00

Some pictures from Jasper.

This wine was sooo good. It was one of the best Rose wines I have purchased in a long time. Sometimes when you buy a bottle of wine for its name or by its funky bottle, you can get pretty burned but this was so nice and aromatic...I easily drank this whole bottle minus one glass I shared.

New Template

2010-03-16T21:18:00.000-07:00

I know Heather is totally going to think that I copied her!!!! I love her and want to emulate her in may ways but my blog was and is always my personality and I was totally going to do this tonight....so

Anyway, no more stalling...off to work on the recipe book now.

Exercise Day 2

2010-03-16T20:51:00.000-07:00

Did my yoga tonight...I can't stop talking about how much I love it!!!!

So Boris' first day seemed to go well. I am glad. I think he is going to do great things and I think after the initial stress of learning everything, I think he will love it. The bus ride is 1 bus and he gets there in less than 30 minutes. Quite a difference! Funny thing....at 8pm he went to bed. :)

Jon and I want to go see the new Alice and Wonderland movie this week.

Our Legoland passes came today!!!! SOOOOO EXCITED about our Summer trip!! Two weeks with the boys is going to be so incredible.

I went to Spago for lunch today with Suz and Kat. I love that restaurant so much.

Oh this weekend I was in Jasper for a work retreat for UofA Family Medicine Students and Boris came with me. We had just a great time and got in great walks all around JPL. It is such a beautiful resort and I really got to play with my camera. I worry that Boris is going to give me an ultimatum and that I must choose from him and my camera. A few times, I got so into my photo taking. We were strolling downtown Jasper and in a $1 store Boris found a Bowmeester Jersey...how bizarre in a dollar store. I am going to try and put up some Jasper Pictures tomorrow but for now I must get back to my mom's birthday present. I am working on a recipe book for her.

I decided that I was going to ready a book that didn't make me think much to have a quick fast read....I chose Bunny Tales. It is a book written by a former playboy bunny.

Good Grief this book is not something that I would normally read and I can't wait to read my next choice... Hope and Despair:My struggle to free my husband Mahar Arar.

Post just for Darcy

2010-03-15T20:08:00.000-07:00

Dearest Darcy,

This post is for you!!!

OK so after 2 weeks of slacking off (I have 100 excuses and they are all reality to me but enough is enough) I have to get back on the wagon!

I started all over! I couldn't in good conscience just pick up where I left off so I started my Biggest Loser Last Chance workout again. Week one, day one. I seem ok. My heart rate is pounding but I made it through and while I am feeling like it was a hard workout...I didn't vomit and I wore proper bolder holders.

I love my yoga and try to do it as often as I can. It has helped me in so many ways. I find that when provoked, I am able to just let it slide and when I know I am right...I can walk away knowing that without pushing. It has helped my self esteem, it is helping me tone, it is helping me recognize when my body is stressed and how to correct it...and there is so much more that I can't even begin to express it.

Our pedometer challenge at work has also made me realize the activity that I do in a day without realizing it. I had a goal of 10, 000 a day...well last week I hit it on Monday and I challenge myself everyday to make at least that! I have been pretty successful thus far.

My whole mind and body taking care of me 2010 pledge is helping me in leaps and bounds and it is opening my eyes to a whole new world. I don't even second guess now or complain when eating healthy...I yearn to eat something healthy. For the most part now...I crave fruit or peas or carrots. I love my water now (I still need to add lemon or ginger). Point in case...I bought a bag of York peppermint minis for my trip to Jasper this weekend and there is still half a bag...before that bag would have been gone before we left the city border. Moderation, Moderation, Moderation.

I have energy to make it through the day and into the night.

I don't know if I will do my biggest loser workout every night but I definitely vow to do some sort of physical activity every night.

So to close Darcy...thank you for pushing me! I need that as sometimes it gets easy to sit back and say that I will do it tomorrow. Cheerleaders are a good thing to have. I always consider myself a cheerleader to others so it is really nice to have one in my corner, pushing me to where I want to be...where ever that is!!!

I am no longer going to step on the scale...it breaks my heart when the numbers don't change. I may measure my biceps, thighs and waist because those are the areas that I would love to see change but I worry that I will obsess about the numbers like I did with the scale. My mind, body and soul should speak for the numbers...still would be nice to buy a size 7 one day. By the way...why is that size the magic number??????

Things I am happy about:
1. I love my books. They help me escape everyday life.
2. I am so thankful for my boys! They light up my day everyday and take me for who I am. They believe every word I say and make me feel like I am the person I strive to be.
3. I am so grateful to have discovered my job. I look forward to going to work everyday.
4. Coffee, as much as I know it is not good for me...I LOVE YOU CAFFEINE in every form.
5. I love that I put on a medium sweater and it fit WELL. I can't remember buying a medium in forever!

I promise Darcy, Heather, Roslyn and whoever else reads my blog and complained that it hasn't been updated in forever that I will make a better effort to keep you in the loop to my quest to be the best Chantal that I can be!

The past week

2010-02-28T17:19:00.000-08:00

Ok so unlike what Heather keeps trying to elude to, I am still doing the daily workout challenge and I am still doing my meal challenge. I have just run out of time...and I found a new book.

Books can absolutely suck all my life away into the present world of the book and all else around me vanishes.

What is this book that I was reading? Still Alice is a book about a women who has early - onset Alzheimer's and the impact of her family. Roslyn lent it to me and I read it this weekend front to back.

Second book I read this week was The Tipping Point. Fabulous read about how thinks like how one person can create a fashion, how one person sick can create an epidemic. Really interesting; if you have time...read.

The next bok I am reading is...

I will let you know how it is.

So Workout challenge:

Still doing the Biggest Loser Last Chance Workout....this is kicking my ass but also I am doing my yoga everyday and I have to be honest in that I totally feel a change in my muscles. I am not shedding the weight that I want but as Roslyn continually tells me "every pound I lose is a pound lost forever" instead of the diets when it comes and goes regularly. STILL THOUGH, I want to lose them FASTER!!!!!

So Food Challenge:
I did great every night except for Friday because Friday has always been "No Cook Fridays" in my household and I didn't plan on changing that for this challenge.
I didn't get to take pictures everyday as I originally wanted to because Owen has decided that very second I walk into the kitchen...I MUST carry him!!! When did clingy child appear?

Other updates...Jon has a blog...yup it is EPIC... http://www.thefunsilymonkey.blogspot.com/ Go check it out and please comment on it as he checks everyday for people commenting.

This is going to be a great week. I am going to a spa night at Heather's!! I am sooo excited for a grown up girl night...and a cake from the amazing Michelle. Also, we are having a scrapbooking day at work on Saturday. It is going to be so much fun. I think I am going to work on my honeymoon pictures. I am so far behind.

I have started working on my mom's birthday present and I think she will love this so much.

Day 2

2010-02-23T20:09:00.001-08:00

Ok so tonight was day 2 and the Last Chance Workout focus on arms and lower body. OUCH!!!

First and foremost: clothing attire...I wore shorts (which I never do because I hate my legs, which is why I am working out) and a tank top. Much better from yesterday but I still sweat like a little piggie wiggie.

I could feel my legs burning and my arms burning all at the same time. Trying to remember to breathe was almost impossible. I didn't think I would be able to make it through but I did and I feel pretty good...don't smell good but feel pretty good.

This was intense but I will say that Jonathan was absolutely inspirational. First he asked me why I was working out because I didn't need to. Awwwe.
Then he kept telling me "You are doing great mom, and I am not just saying that to be nice, you really are". Awwe squared.

Dinner Challenge

2010-02-23T19:48:00.000-08:00

I am stealing this from Heather's Blog. Over the next 7 days I am going to make homemade meals and post them with pictures for a few reasons.
1. I am trying to perfect my new camera skills
2. I am working on this whole healthy and new me
3. I love to cook, blog and take pictures...PEFECTION.
4. This one is a new wonderful surprise. Jon wants to take part in this challenge and he helped me cook tonight.

So tonight was Wowie Maui Meatballs from the Eat Shrink and Be Merry cookbook.

The family loved them and it was really fun with Jon.

P.S. Don't ask why he is wearing the helmet...I was kind of afraid to ask.

Day 1 and I hate you Heather

2010-02-22T20:08:00.000-08:00

So my friend/weekday mommy of Owen/and someone I admire has been doing one of the Biggest Loser videos and is having quite the time so to show my support, I decided to do one. I am doing the Biggest Loser Last Chance Workout. It is a 6 week routine.

It starts off saying "It isn't just about losing weight, it is about taking back your life". I AGREE and that is what I am going for so I think..YUP THIS IS GOING TO BE GOOD.

Hang on, I will be right back...I am still throwing up from the 30 minutes of sheer dungeon torture I just did.

Jillian Michael clearly has small tata's because she didn't take us big chested women in consideration when she thought it would be fun to make us do 10, 000 jumping jacks. Seriously, I thought after the first section of them...phew they are over...NOPE!!!! That was just the first of 3 reps. Insert first vomit here. She gives you the false sense of security when she says "5 more seconds" then she pulls out the weights. WOW, I have zero arm strength! How is that possible? I have carried children for the past 7 years.

Ok so the first section is over and I think...thank god I made it then I looked at the DVD machine and noticed that only 5 minutes have elapsed. I am a very emotionally strong woman and I cried a little at this moment in time.

But I will say that I made it through with ZERO leaks...I followed Heather's lead before I started. I am however, dripping in sweat and will rethink my attire tomorrow. Yoga pants and tshirt is NOT the way to go...I may just do it nude with duck tape on my boobs to stop the ridiculous bounce during those jumping jacks.

I am still coughing up a lung and on my second glass of water and wondering how on earth am I going to make it through tomorrows work out. I am longing for Sunday because looking at the program it would seem that I get Sunday off.

By the way, can any other women do 3 sets of push ups???? I could barely do the normal kind, never mind adding back kicks and jumping jack movements.

Apples, Blisters and Monopoly

2010-02-11T22:21:00.000-08:00

So I didn't want to do the same ol' heart sugar cookies or cupcakes for Valentine's day so we opted for Candied Apples. They were a lot easier than I thought but I WILL tell you one thing...300 degree corn syrup/water/sugar burns when it falls and hardens on your finger. Blistered instantly. Jon is in love with the apples and can't wait to bring them to school.

Is it wrong that I play Disney Monopoly with Jon and Braden and love to kick their butt? Shouldn't I, as their role model/mom let them win or at least cushion the blow...nope, I feel the need to wipe the floor with them everytime.

Monster Jam 2010

2010-02-11T21:58:00.001-08:00

I took Braden and Jon to the Monster Jam last Saturday. I ended up getting fabulous seats. We sat front row right on top of the area that they park the trucks. I don't think there could have been a better spot. I was really glad Tyler gave me earplugs for the boys...it was terribly loud.

You know they are having fun when the event makes them jump out of their chairs.

Jon's favourite is Monster Mutt. He did research on "The World Wide Web" and knew everything there was to know about Monster Mutt before we were there. Hilarious.

The boys are already talking about next year...guess it was a success.

Healthy Eating

2010-02-09T22:02:00.000-08:00

So Roslyn and Kristin have been helping me learn to eat more healthy especially at restaurants. I would like to say that I am not a naive person but I knew that the restaurants were not the healthiest but I also didn't think that what I ate was so bad.

So with Kristin's help last week I was able to go to Chilis for lunch and had a grilled chicken sandwich that was under 500 calories and was low in fat and low in sodium. The best part is that I felt full and satisfied after.

The test came on Saturday when we went to Montana's as a family. I think I did good actually. I had a salad with grilled chicken and strawberries/mandarin oranges/pine nuts. It was great. The salad dressing was a little too much so I am glad that the dressing was on the side, I only put half on the salad...sadly, Owie drank the rest...ewwww.

Goodbye Zac and Hello Jacob

2010-01-28T20:25:00.000-08:00

Goodbye Zac Efron hair

and hello Jacob Black hair.

Love the new haircut Jonathan. You look very handsome!

Your child or mine?

2010-01-28T20:15:00.000-08:00

Please don't mistake this for your 7 year old son...it is in fact mine. I know it can be confusing since we haven't seen their faces since they got a DS in their posession but believe me when I tell you that this one is mine because he comes up for air when it is allowance day.

A Friend's new website

2010-01-28T20:09:00.000-08:00

http://www.noahsarkworkshop.com/colleenrossnagel5606

Please check it out. Pretty cool stuff.

Day after surgery

2010-01-23T07:49:00.000-08:00

Ok so it is the day after my surgery and I am at Lasik for my 24 hour appointment. I had no pain at all last night. My eyes were clear than blurry then clear again but I had no discomfort. I had a ridiculous eye drop routine yesterday but I am so satisfied with the results. I keep reading things in awe without my glasses. Best decision ever.

Last night in glasses

2010-01-21T20:35:00.000-08:00

Take a good look at me in glasses as this is the last time you will see it. I go in for laser eye surgery tomorrow to correct my vision. I can't wait. I do not remember a time when I didn't wear glasses. I will keep you posted on how it all goes.

Wish me luck.

Baby isn't such a baby anymore

2010-01-21T20:31:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how big lil' Owie is geting. He refuses to sit in his highchair anymore so I had to go out and buy him a booster seat. Sigh ... he is talking up a storm right now.

Swimming and Pay Per View

2010-01-21T19:36:00.001-08:00

So Jon has started swimming classes and they are going great...I have a bit of an issue though because he is a boy and I am a girl so I can not take him into my changing room. It is very stressful to wait out of the room and waiting for him. So the first time, Boris went with him and showed him how to work the locker and where to go. Tuesday, when we went it was just him and I, so I gave him 50 cents and went to meet him at the pool. It was only a few minutes and he happily met me at the swimming pool and handed me his towel and key. PERFECT. Class was over and so he went to the change room and I went to wait in the foyer. 15 minutes later and still no Jonathan. Luckily Susan from work was there with her two children and she sent her son to check on Jonny. He said Jon was fine and they left...another 10 minutes later, Jon came out stating: "DAMM Lockers". HAHAHA, apparently he didn't clue in that when you put the key back in...it doesn't give you your money back. Oh poor Jon...so he got fed up and "had to go take a shower to cool down" hence the long delay. Sigh

Jonathan stayed home sick today and Boris was sleeping upstairs and we told Jon to wake up Boris if he needed anything. Well Jon didn't wake up Boris but proceeded to rent 7 movies off the Shaw on Demand. It clearly tells you to confirm that you want to pay $4.99 for each movie so we made Jon give Boris the money since he watched them. Dumb thing is that we had 4 of the movies that he ordered.

Life is definitely not boring with children in your life.

The Garden Gnome

2010-01-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

I stole this picture from Heather but I had to show Cherie how cute he looks in this sweater. We did good. I LOVE IT!! Heather says he looks like a Garden Gnome. I hadn't thought of that till then. HE TOTALLY DOES!!!
He is getting so old. He doesn't want to sit in his highchair anymore and now wants his booster seat. It is inevitable...I have to cut his hair. SIGH.
I almost wish we could create a machine that lets them grow at the speed that we want them to and we could skip ages that are no fun. :)

Just an average Saturday Night

2010-01-16T21:03:00.000-08:00

Nanna, Boris and I playing Mario. I love my life and family.

Owen and his dayhome eating habits

2010-01-13T21:44:00.000-08:00

Ok so I am sure every parent experiences the "Oh I hope my child was not the weird one at daycare today". I get that feeling everyday at 5:30 when I pick up Owen from Hethr's. If you don't know Owen well...he is on the road to becoming quite the little OCD child. If you come in from outside and snow falls off your boot...it goes in the garbage, if he finds the smallest lint...it goes in the garbage, doors need to be closed, he puts handlotion on his hands everyday with Nanna and insists you smell it. That is not the weird part....this is just some of the few things that Heather has informed me my child has eaten: potting soil
sand
sucked a marker dry

and my new personal favourite...He decided to eat her support beam in the basement. She has his little teeth marks on the beam.
So my dietitan friends out there in internet land...what on earth is my child missing in his diet that requires him to eat these weird objects?

I absolutely adore the fact that Owen is coming into his own personality so well but why on earth does he have to be so bizarre? :)

The Boys and Just for You Photography

2010-01-13T20:23:00.000-08:00

This fall we went to Rundle Park and met Becky http://www.jfyphotography.com from who took these wonderful pictures of my family. She captured everyone just as they are and nothing is canned or fake about these awesome pictures. If you need a photographer for ANYTHING call Becky.

I have been seriously in a daze for over a week about how big all three boys have gotten overnight. Braden talks of Star Wars and Bruce Lee, Jon is watching Glee and saying that I am embarrassing when I kiss him and shout I love him while dropping him off at school and Owen is learning new words everyday. I am forcing myself to enjoy every single moment of these days even the bad or stressful ones because listening to people at work talking about their teenagers or grown children makes me sad as their growth is ineveitable!!!

I cherish the time in the van with Braden listening to Robert Munsch, I cherish the time with Jonathan curled up on the couch watching Vampire Diaries and I cherish the moment when Owen wakes up and realizes that I am in the room to get him and that huge smile comes over his face.

Panties, Poop and other potty items

2010-01-13T00:57:00.000-08:00

Poor Jon is growing up so fast. He informed us recently that briefs were a no go for him because they looked too much like panties. Off to get poor Jon some boxers. I did not know what kind he wanted so I bought both Boxers and Boxer Briefs for him to try on. After going upstairs and trying them on, he exclaims "Boxer briefs it is because with the boxers, his penis slaps against his leg" ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? Anyway, his theory is reconfirmed the next day in gym where he can run so much faster because everything is held in place. Oh I am so out of my relm here in prince land!!!

Sunday night Jon was feeling all lovey to his baby brother Owen and wanted to have a bath with him. Now Jon is all independant and doesn't usually bathe with Owie so lil dude was super excited to have big brother in the tub with him. Well they were laughing and splashing and having the greatest time ever until I heard a schreech!!! MOM COME HERE QUICK. OWEN THAT IS DEEEESSSGUSSSSSTING!!!...yup you guessed it; Owen laughed so hard that he pooped the tub.

Clang Clang Rattle Bing Bang

2010-01-13T00:45:00.000-08:00

Ok so Braden and Jon love love love Robert Munsch. Jon even themed his birthday around him.
I discovered last week that the Alberta Museum is having an exhibit of his on so we decided to check it out this weekend. It was so much fun and there was something for everyone.

Robert Munsch is coming to Edmonton in May to read at the Winspear and I am really excited that I got us all tickets to go see him. We got first row on the terrace balcony.

Calgary Flames and Goldschlager

2010-01-13T00:28:00.000-08:00

New years eve we went to Calgary to spend time with Boris' family.

We made it in time for the Flames game. Everyone was decked out in their Flames jerseys, even me but I am behind the camera.

It was a long day for everyone and we were all pretty tired ... with the exception of lil' miss Halle who was ready to party into the early dawn.
As if I didn't love my mother in law enough before...(she always makes me Pumpkin Pie and you all know my obsession with PP) well now she introduced me to...Goldschlager...at first it is like listerine and then you feel the warmth in your belly and the tingling in your head. Some would say it is the 20% alcohol but I think it is the love that the gold flecks has for me.

Where to Begin

2010-01-12T22:40:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A new year means a new start. I decided to start off with a new blog because as I was looking back...old blog just isn't who I have evolved into over the past couple years. I think I have grown into a fine speciman of a woman and have left the little girl behind...for the most part.

Our January has been very busy at the Norris home.

January came in with quite frigid temperatures. For those of you back home in Ontario reading this; we had a few days where we were the second coldest place on the planet. During the holiday season it warmed up a little to the -20's and the kids were getting stir crazy so I bundled them up and they were sent outside...Uncle Tyler felt sorry for them so he went out to create a snowball fight. Poor dude got the brunt of it. I think rosey cheeks and bundled children are one of the most adorable things about winter.