NEW ADDICTIONS

These are the things I am TOTALLY obsessed with right now. The chips I will eat until my tongue hurts from the vinegar. And everyday I eat more my mouth puts up a fight but I knock it out. I think I eat WAY to much of these. The lady and the Winks store knows me by name.

So I hadn't bought cheese whiz since before Trentan was born. It's been a while. But a few of the kids I babysit have mentioned how much they like it so I bought some two weeks ago. Yowza this stuff is tasty!! Maybe my salt and vinegar damaged palette is playing tricks on me because I don't remember liking it so much. But I do now. Weird.

Oh Edo Japan. How I adore thee. I could spend every dollar I make at this restaurant and not regret it. IT IS SO GOOD!!!! I can't even breath when I know I am going to be getting some.
LOVE IT

So I have decided that I drink WAY too much Pepsi and have stop cold turkey and replaced it with flavored vitamin water. A healthy choice no? I sleep a lot better I've noticed already. I can only imagine how the inside of my body must be feeling.

One thing that will never change. Still love me some ice.

LAST HURRAH

Right after school started, we got a week of wonderful weather (of course), so I had no choice but to let the kids stay home from school and take them to the beach one last time before the warm weather was gone for good. Got to take in as much vitamin D as we can!!! So we packed up, invited some friends to come along and off we went. And we had a wonderful day playing in the sun, sand, having a big water fight, lounging around and enjoying our friends company.
Crazy story. While goofing off with kids in the lake, my wedding ring went flying off my finger and landed in the lake. I immediately yelled, "EVERYBODY STOP!" and we all dropped to our knees and began feeling around with our hands. Every few seconds someone would say ," I found it!!" and we would all look up to see them holding a rock or a stick. I was starting to feel nauseous and light headed. How was I going to talk myself out of this? I was starting to work out in my mind how I was going to TRY and explain to Nathan where my ring was when I heard the words again, "I found it!". I almost didn't bother to look up.....but I did. And there was a 10 year old holding up my ring!!! I proceeded to tackle her in gratitude and then went and immediately but my ring somewhere safe. As soon as I got back, the water fight resumed and I dove under water to swim away from the parade of kids chasing me. (Why do they always want to chase ME?)
And when I came up, I realized my sunglasses had been on my head and now THEY were lost in the lake. I didn't even bother looking for them. I just got out of the water.

The rest of September went flying by before I could even buy a new pair of sunglasses. We are all healthy and happy and busy. We are excited for Thanksgiving and for the chance to visit with family.

WARD BBQ

Last Monday (holiday Monday) was our ward BBQ. It was super fun this year. I especially liked the games that were planned for the little kids. Face painting and fishing, and trying to get ping pong balls in plastic cups and searching for candy in a big pile of wood chips. So fabulous. There was also a football game that took place which was really fun too. It was so nice that everyone let the younger kids join in and get touchdowns and what not. It was fun for me to watch Nathan play. He is a goof. A really good time had by all.

YUM

Nothing beats licking the bowl or the beaters after making brownies. Just ask these three hooligans. I could barely keep their hands out of the bowl while pouring the batter in the pan. So ridiculous.

JUST GUESSING

I think perhaps maybe, just maybe , the kids are a little excited to have a "big brother" they can climb all over. Just a guess though. Not sure where I would get the idea. In any case, we are so happy to share our home with Jonathan. So far, so good.

PET PEEVE

There's nothing that irritates me more than spending my hard earned money on a lame movie. Well, on Friday night, that's EXACTLY what happened. Nate and I took the boys (the girls were in Edmonton with Grandma and Grandpa Piepgrass) to a movie called "The Smurfs". Oh. My. Gosh. Terrible, terrible, terrible. Lamest of lame. Stupidest of stupid. Of course the boys loved it. Nathan and I..... did not. Which is too bad cause I used to love watching the smurfs on T.V. when I was little. Anyways, I was just so irritated the rest of the night. Had to get a blizzard from Dairy Queen to put a smile back on my face. Always a gamble those kid movies. It was nice to spend some time with the boys though. Love them to bits. They are just getting so big.


Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for taking the girls. They had a really great time!!!

BIG LIPS

Alysha was sent an assignment for school in the mail this week. She was given a cardboard doll to make to look like her. After working on it for two days (with a LOT of help from Merynn, and a tiny bit from Hannah and me) This is what she came up with.
Not bad right? The lips are a little big but hey, every girl wants big lips right?

THE SUMMER THAT NEVER WAS

Merynn found a new love this summer .........smoothies!!!!

Just one of the MANY games we had to play inside cause the weather was so bad this summer.

The girls and I were treated (thank you again!!) and got to go see the Broadway musical "Wicked". For sure THE highlight of the summer for me. It was incredible. The girls are still talking about it. (It was fun to see the Whipples there too!)

My brother T.J. and his wife Britt had a pirate themed anniversary party. So fun. The kids really had a blast dressing up as pirates. It was a great day spending time with family. We missed you Rachel!!

Such a cute pirate right?

We had one week of plus 24 degrees Celsius or a little higher and we made sure we took advantage of it. Off to Musreau Lake and the beach. Yeah for the sun!

Trentan calls this his masterpiece. Another activity to do in the rain. I think it has still not been erased yet.

Some more beach pictures. Josh thinks he is tough.

Alysha and her buddy Mikayla out on the yellow floatie.


The kids having a picnic out on the deck after playing in the sprinkler. Don't I have the most adorable kids EVER??????



Another beach picture. I took it far away so that I didn't get kids faces that weren't mine. Not sure if I'm allowed to post them. But that is Alysha and Trentan and Simon.



As mentioned earlier, the weather this summer was not very co-operative. The kids have said that they feel cheated out of a summer holiday. We got a lot of rain, wind and bugs. Gross. But fun times were still had. My neice Brooke came and stayed with us for a week and Josh went to her house to play with Parker and Cammy. Merynn got spoiled for a week staying with Kayla and Kurtis. We didn't venture too far from home. We have had to do some rearranging of bedrooms which resulted in new paint colors. We are rearranging bedrooms cause we will be having a college student come live with us starting on Saturday. His name is Jonathan and we know him from when we lived in Fairview. Should be an adventure.
I am still babysitting 4 kids (besides my own) on a regular basis. School starts next week. Piano starts the week after that. I will be ready for a vacation soon.

BETTER RACHEL??????

HURRAY!!!!

I'mmmmmm baaaaaaack!!! Nathan FINALLY fixed my computer!! My laptop totally got a virus and Nathan had to redo everything on in......but he could only do it in his "spare time". FIVE weeks later I can use it again. Oh how I've missed you laptop.
A month has come and gone since my last post and it was jammed packed. (or at least it felt that way) I took on two more kids to watch during the day. (making the grand total 4) Two sisters. They only come twice or three times a week which is nice. The housework had gone a little downhill and I am fairly tired at the end of those days but it keeps me creative. Josh immersed himself in football and they won the bronze medal on Saturday!! I am so glad he loved it so much. Merynn got an appliance in her mouth and sounds ridiculous when she talks. It's kinda hilarious. Orthodontists are NOT cheap!! Alysha is a social butterfly. The doorbell is always ringing and it's always for her. She turns seven in two days and I can hardly believe it. Trentan has crossed over to the other side and is now Nathan's shadow. He will not have anything to do with me. Seriously. Nate has to get him breakfast, Nate has to help him get dressed, Nate has to kiss his booboos, Nate has to tuck him in........the list goes on. Not sure what I did to provoke the switch :(
I got to see my bro T.J. and his wife Britt. SO glad they got home safe and sound. And they brought me the most AMAZING hand cream from Germany. (and Marin - no rashes!! Germany is much better than Switzerland)
My most wonderful grandmother passed away this month. I had my one day of total break down sobbing and then I was OK. It is such a bittersweet situation to have a family member pass away.
I, of course, thought back to ALL of the memories with Grandma K and I came to a conclusion. I was a terrible grandchild. Actually I was part of a terrible duo. My cousin Sue and I got into so much mischief. And we would do it on purpose. I think we were trying to see if we could ever get grandma to actually get mad at us. Which she never did. Oh she was an amazing lady. Cause we were B-A-D. Only when we were together.....ask me about it one day.
LOVE YOU GRANDMA!!!!
School is out in two days. Hopefully the weather will warm up cause I 'm not a fan of Alberta right now. WARMTH!!! I NEED WARMTH!!!
What else.......Nathan bought himself a nice truck. He also is playing football. His bruises are nasty. I am going to take a picture of them and post them cause they are ridiculous. All the way up his arm. Can't wait for his next home game.
I learned how to text! Yay me! (thanks for the lesson Marin)
I think tomorrow I will just put up some pictures of a few things that went on in June.

Our weekend in Spruce Grove/ Stony Plain was lots of fun. But too short. It was really awesome to see family members who we hadn't seen for a while. I am so glad that Cammy is almost healed from his collar bone injury. He was even playing kickball. That kid is CRAZY!! I just love him. Parker and Brooke are good kids too. Love them lots. My little niece Becca is growing up so quickly. I love that she is a shy, mommas girl. She most absolutely runs the show in her house!! She sure is a sweetie!! Don't you think?

I have been feeling a little uncreative lately. I need to find a project that I can start and finish to make myself feel productive. Any ideas?

JOSH IS IN LOVE!!!

It's true. Josh is in love......with football. Oh my goodness. The kid can't get enough of it. Finally a sport that he is REALLY excited about. Of course it makes me a little nervous watching my "baby" get pushed and shoved around, but he loves every second of it. Yesterday when I picked him up after his practice his was covered in dirt and grass, had scuff marks all over his face and the biggest grin!!! Which is a big deal for my Josh. He is not one to show too much emotion.

We are leaving Friday a.m. to go to Spruce Grove for the weekend. We will get to see my bro. T.J. and his wife who have been in France since October (?) AND we will get to see my sis. Sarah and her baby who will be ONE!!!! And of course, Linds and her fam. and momzy and dad. To bad you live in Hawaii Rachel.......you're gonna miss a great party!! Looking forward to it.

SO CUTE

This is what I found when I got out the shower this afternoon!!! We have both not been feeling well and he has been sorta following me around today. Because I have dragging my feet, I didn't shower until after lunch. So, apparently he thought he would wait for me to get out of the shower and fell asleep in the hallway. Poor little guy. Gotta love him.

DOUBLE DIGITS

On Sunday, my Joshua turned 10. 10!! How is he 10 already? I can't possibly have a ten year old!?
Where did my little boy go? He is getting so tall and responsible. I had a little melt down Sunday night and crawled into bed with him for a little while. Cheesy I know, but I couldn't help it. Plus he snuggled up to me which but a big smile on my face.
LOVE YOU LOTS MY PEEKER BEAR!!!!
Thanks to all who phoned him on his birthday. He was very pleased that so many remembered it was his big day.



Yesterday was my year end piano recital. I decided to end a month early this year so that I could spend some time with my own kids. Everyone at the recital did a great job. They always do. There was lots of support for the kids and Nathan even came this year!! GREAT JOB PIANO KIDS!!!! And a special thanks to Hannah for teaching my Josh, Merynn, and Alysha piano. They love it!! And you!! I am excited to have some free time to hang out with my kids after school. Josh has registered for football and it will be fun to be able to go and watch him. He walks around the house with his football helmet on all the time. (He's sort of a dork.)

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

AT OUR HOUSE

1. Alysha lost her first tooth yesterday. Yay!!

2. Merynn also lost a tooth yesterday. (talk about breaking the tooth fairy's bank!)

3. I was called to be the Sunbeams teacher a few weeks ago, I just forgot to mention it. It is a very challenging class when they all show up, but they are such cuties!!

4. The recent weather has totally changed my mood. For the better. I love that there is NO snow in the backyard, I love that the kids are outside A LOT (which makes inside the house nice and quiet) and I LOVE blue skies and sunshine. Knock on wood.

5. Nathan painted the basement over the weekend. He did a good job.

6. Trying to teach Trentman how to ride a two - wheeler. Not being very successful. Patience Tricia. Patience

SATURDAY MORNING BUST

I have to admit I look forward to Saturday mornings. A lot. A lot, a lot. Why? Sleep my friends. I get to sleep in. The kids sleep in , then when they wake up, they go downstairs and watch t.v. and I sleep some more. I LOVE sleep. I was especially looking forward to this Saturday morning's sleep fest because I have a had a rather exhausting week. Man. Sleeping in was not in the cards this week. Instead, it's only 9:00 in the morning and I have been up on and off since 3:30 in the a.m. I have already put 3 loads of puke/pee infested blankets through the wash. Of course Trentan would pee the bed (which he has done maybe 6 times in his whole 4 years)the same morning that two other kids are puking. (One of them not even my own child.) And of course Nate would get a little stuffy and snore so loudly that the people in China are awakened from their slumber by the noise. And of course Trentan and Alysha would wake up at 6:30a.m. (due to the bed wetting) and wake all the other children. And OF COURSE the wind is blowing so hard that it is affecting the t.v. so none of the kid channels work. And of course it is snowing. Again. And of course, the other adult in the house is still sleeping, snoring away.

WARNING. Do not phone or visit me or contact me in any way today. I am off the charts cranky. And you will wish you hadn't.

DEAR CAMMY

Dear Cammy,

So sorry to hear that you broke your collar bone. Who knew Red Rover was such a dangerous game? Did you have rockets in your shoes? Cause you must have been running so super duper, crazy fast!! I guess your mom will have to buy you some football equipment to wear from now on cause you are such a little dare devil.
Sorry you can't do a lot of things for 6 WHOLE WEEKS!! Maybe I will send you something in the mail to make you smile.
You are a brave boy and I love you lots. Save your sling so I can see what it looks like when I come and visit for Becca's birthday.

Love You!!

Auntie Tricia

HAVE I MENTIONED....

Have I mentioned how ridiculously fabulous it is to have a park and basketball hoops right behind my backyard fence?
Well, it is the most wonderful thing EVER!!! The kids are outside all the time. They come in muddy and soaking wet (cause the snow is still melting) but who cares? Not me. They are outside. Did I say already that they are outside? OUTSIDE!!!!

TODAY

Today was a good day and I will tell you why. I sat out on my deck this afternoon, in the SUN, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. watching the kids play in the back yard. I even had to wear sunglasses and no jacket. Could it be happening? Could spring ACTUALLY be coming? Should I dare to be positive?
ohhhhhh man.



P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH!!!

NEW FAVORITE QUOTE

While listening to general conference this past weekend, the following was said:

"If you want to see the view, you have to make the climb."

That really stuck out to me. I need to remember that life isn't just handed to me. I need to work hard at making life the best and the fullest that I can by making good choices, following the Lord and being active spiritually, mentally and physically.


Also, the sun has been shinning for the past few days and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!! The kids didn't even take their snowpants to school today. Woot, woot!!

Happy anniversary to hubby. I love and adore you.

EARLY ANNIVERSARY PRESENT

This Wednesday will be Nathan and my 11th anniversary. Yowzaa. While the kids and I were in Edmonton last week, Nathan decided he would trade one of his trucks for some painting services for me for our anniversary. So, Thursday we bought the paint and by Saturday the kitchen, the front room, and the hallways were painted!! We went from a gross peach color to a calming grayish color. It looks really good. I think. I did pick a feature wall in the kitchen which is more blue than I thought so I'm deciding whether or not I like it. But I am very pleased with the overall outcome.
Thanks Nate for being so thoughtful. And for getting rid of one of your trucks.
LOVE YOU!!

BEEN HAVING FUN

Last Wednesday I inherited another child for a week. My friend Leslie and her hubby were going to New York for the week and Hannah (as in my Hannah) came to stay with us. I didn't really see her the first couple of days cause she was babysitting and doing other responsibilites. (she is so responsible and talented) But on Sunday after church, we (as in Hannah, the kids and me)left to go to Edmonton for a few days.
We stayed at my sister Lindsay's house. ( THANK YOU LINDSAY AND FAMILY) And we had lots of fun. (Well, I did anyways) I took Hannah, Brooke, and Merynn shopping at West Edmonton Mall ALL day Monday. We got some awesome steals on clothes!! Merynn got her ears pierced. Had fun dancing and playing the "nail polish game" with Linds and her fam Monday night. And on Tuesday we went to the World Waterpark. ALL day. ( Thanks so much Dad for coming with us! You are AWESOME!) Also had a great time visiting with Momzy and Linds Tuesday night. (I am sure Hannah found out all kinds of things about me that she didn't need to know) Major waterlogged on Wednesday......Pulled back into the driveway last (Wednesday) night at 7:40.
Hannah and I have all sorts of new inside jokes which make me giggle.
It was fun to have you my Hannah!!

HAWAII PICS 3

Yes, the parrots are REAL!! (thanks Kayla for sending them!!)

That's it Folks!!