Family Bowling Day

Today we went bowling, and it was fun. Lots and lots of fun. I haven't been bowling in a long time, so I was a little rusty - it also didn't help that I couldn't bend over at all. It was way more fun to watch the little ones enjoy it anyway though. They were actually pretty good too, and by the end of the hour I think they were knocking out more pins than me, even without the bumpers. It was impressive.

Fall is Here!

Now that it's the first official day of fall, I thought I'd share and take a look back on our last summer hoopla - although it was not the last nice summer day we had. We've been very blessed this September.
I got less than a little sun on me this summer, and it was very disappointing. My in-laws live near a lake, and every time I wanted to go it would get cloudy and gross. But I decided that this labour day needed to be a day of rest on the beach, for everyone. So I planted the bug in everyone's ear a week before, and we all gathered together at the beach for the whole day. It was a great day - just simple outdoor fun with one of my families. Throughout the day Eric and Ben left and came back, the girls went off with their friends, Jordan went on a date with his wife, and Mom and Dad went swimming. The majority of the afternoon was Eric and I playing with Verona and Max (no complaints here) so they are pretty much the only pictures I have - not that that's far from the norm anyway.

 I thought I was the picture-taker, but apparently I should just leave my camera to these two to play with. I would never have gotten either of these shots out of them myself, they had to take them of each other.

 These are the shots I get of Max generally:

 Verona is the ham.

 I think she probably even knew that her temper tantrum would result in a cute little photo.

 Did I mention that when Eric and Ben came back from running their errands, they looked like this:

Who's who? I love these guys! (and all the other ones too).
Goodbye summer! Hello my favourite season of them all!

With the Kids

My in-laws are away for a week on vacation. My mother-in-law usually takes care of my niece and nephew during the days, so it was on me to take over for a few days while she's away.
Day One was on Friday last week, and it was exhausting. I started the day at their house helping out there, and found it tough to try to work with the kids under Breanne's feet. The kids were very attached to their mom at home, so I brought them back here to my place for the afternoon to leave Breanne to rest. They were very tired and cranky. Max was everywhere, and Verona was full of attitude I recognize from when I was young. When they left in the evening, I was exhausted. I just started crying all over the place telling Eric about it.
Day Two was so much better. A total turn around. I got more rest the night before, and that helped a ton I'm sure. I was able to be so much more patient with them, even when the attitude came back for a long visit in the afternoon. Max took a nap that day and so that gave Verona and I some time to spend together and to understand each other a little more and enjoy each other's company. It turned out to be a really good day with them, and I had a lot of fun.
Day Three we spent the day with Eric's aunt's family (from Saturday's waterpark adventures). She has four kids, and Verona and Max love spending time with her youngest two. They played all afternoon and I got to spend the time with Jordena, which was really nice. I really enjoyed chatting with her and getting to know her and her family a little more. The day went by so fast, and the kids were super cooperative when it was time to eat and time to leave. It made my life really easy and fun yesterday, so I'm super grateful for Jordena for opening her house to us.
These are the pictures I manages to snap in the process of running around with these wild little ones.

 Pinterest Project #1: Homemade Play Dough

 Pinterest Project #2: Fun Hot Dog Noodles

Wild Rapids, Sylvan Lake

Today Eric's Aunt Jordena asked me to come along with her family to the Wild Rapids water park to help out with the kids. Eric was invited too, but unfortunately he had to work. I just watched my niece and nephew all day yesterday and I'm on duty again Monday and Tuesday next week, so I thought that it would be tough to be with them all day at the park, it was tons of fun though. I really enjoyed playing with the girls in the pool and on the slides.

We were all exhausted and sunkissed by the evening, but I think everyone really enjoyed themselves. Thank you Allen and Nini for inviting me along, it was a great day!

***

I got home late that night and my wonderful husband prepared a fun little fondue backyard date for us before bed. 

Days 5&6: Rain, Rain Go Away

Hello Eric, 
The last couple of days have been spent mostly in the house. I wish the rain would go away where you are too so that you could go to work, but I'm glad you got some time to relax and have fun with your brothers tonight. I'm very excited to see your family.
On Wednesday Luke left for his very first Young Men's Camp. Dad went up with him for one night as well. You should have seen him preparing to go. He was so nervous and cautious with his packing. He did not want to forget a single thing on the list. He checked the forcast, just about every hour. When dad came home today he told us that Luke is having a blast! He's found a couple of older guys who are very patient and kind to him, and have a lot of fun with him. Dad told us that last night he came out to the fire wearing the onsie he made himself at Christmas time. He felt a little embarrassed and kind of asked them to excuse his pjs, then the other boys (a set of brothers about 14 and 17) went and changed into their matching ones. I'm really glad that he's having a good time and I hope he brings home good memories.
Dad also told us that he picked up two hitch hikers on the way home. I think it nearly gave mom a heart attack, but it was to keep him from falling asleep at the wheel, so I guess it was a blessing they needed a ride.
At home, we've been doing very girly things. We had a girly movie last night. It was called Restless, and was actually quite cute. A little sad, but cute. The rest of the time we've spent sewing. I'm almost finished that first shirt; Mom just has to help me with the sleeves and neckline. The second shirt is all cut out and ready to go as well. The dress, Mom had to just do for me. I pinned it and cut it out and got it ready, and she sat this morning and sewed it for me while I worked on my shirts. It looks very cute, and I'm excited to wear it to the temple on Saturday. She also made me one of her leather travel bags. I wanted one for nail polishes, so I dug through her scraps to find some gorgeous colours. I found a fun pink already cut out and ready to go, and a couple of pinks for the nail polish bottles. Then I brought her my nail polish and she drew a pattern for it. I told her not to bother lining it, and it was done in about ten minutes. She is just incredible sometimes. I hope to be as talented as she is when I grow up. I have some very fun things to bring home and show you. I'm not going to let you see any pictures of my projects, until you see them in real life. I'm just so proud of the things I've learned and accomplished and glad that I have someone to share it with. (That's you by the way, so I hope you get very excited for it when I see you on Saturday night!)
The biggest news of the day: Grandma got here today! Nan came yesterday and it was nice to spend a day chatting with her and mom and Victoria. We had some good and interesting chats about perspective and opinions and things. It was neat to have the three generations (and two different ages from the youngest generation).  Nan came in on a plane though and we new she was coming. Then we new she would spend a day with us and then go to Don and Jodi's. What we didn't know is that Grandma was to show up today. She drove out here and was scheduled to show up tomorrow morning. The rain got her here early though, because it kept her from stopping to look at nice things on the way.
The rain has brought all kinds of good and bad and fun and silly things to us in the last couple days. The next two days are supposed to bring sunshine and hot temperatures to us though so that will bring lovely things to me before I come home to you.
I'm really missing you today love. Rachel lent me a copy of Regina Spektor's newest CD to listen to. Most of it is kind of goofy, like all her other stuff, but one song, called How, reminds me a lot of us when we were dating (and the not dating, and then dating, and then not etc.) I'm glad we ended up together though, and I love our story and the way all the things worked out. I've been listening to the song a few times though and it makes me just want to be home with you and sharing things with you and having you beside me at night. I'm just ready to be with you again, and glad that I will be soon enough. I love you Eric!
Have a good movie with Ben tonight, and I will talk with you tomorrow.

#5 Point Pleasant Park

Point Pleasant Park is somewhere we went a couple of times with friends, the summer Eric was living here before. The boys all loved it because it was in the city and there was lots of space to run and hike and play frisbee and throw a ball. The girls loved it because there are really cool old pieces of buildings and forts, and lots of good photo opportunities. This morning we went out with dad and the kids to take advantage of both of those things.
We called it The Pinsent-Persson (featuring a Pilling) Picnic at Point Pleasant Park. Today was supposed to be the warmest and sunniest of the week, but when we woke up it didn't seem that way. The clouds were looming. When we got to the park, it turned up a little, and got very very hot. We explored the waterfront, ate some sandwiches, and then ended with a four-on-four game of ultimate frisbee.

#5 Point Pleasant Park - Check!