Lights, iPhone photos, cookies!

  Often, our weekends come and we end up having a million things to do for such a short two days. It's when we like to hold off for fun activities so we can do them together, and we like doing our errands like grocery shopping together too. Last weekend was no exception. We decided to head to the city and get as much of our Christmas shopping done as we could. We try to squeeze in as much productivity as we can when we go to the city because, a) It's usually a day trip. we live close, but its still a 40 minute drive and ends up taking up almost an entire day when you factor in food stops etc. b) Our truck is not the cheapest in gas, so it gets pricey fast if we go too often. and c) we don't want to have to run back every time we need/want or forget something. for reasons mentioned in a and b. Because we don't go super often, these days are really fun.

Last Saturday we started with breakfast together (at home) and then grabbed smoothies before we hit the road. We got to the mall around 10am, and didn't leave the city until about 5. Our feet were achy, but almost all of our shopping was done, so that's awesome.

Mackynzie and I got a couple of hours of girl time to shop for Cody while he put up christmas lights for someone.  We got snow man cookies, of course.

We met up with Cody for lunch and the rest of our shopping.

 We hurried home so that we could make it in time for our towns holiday kick off and light display. I'm so glad we went. The lights were bigger than usual years, the turn out was great and the night was warm. We sipped hot cocoa while we waited in line with a very eager Mackynzie to see santa clause. (This took us a bit by surprise. We told her santa would be there, but she's not a stranger kid, and we don't feel right forcing her to sit on some guy's lap. She talked about seeing santa all day long at the mall, which was so fun, because it meant she really 'got' it and was creating the base of her christmas magic. It is really exciting to see her bloom, and also to make our own version of the holidays with her.)

 Awkward photo with santa thanks to Mackynzie and santa suggesting daddy be the one to sit on him:

She talks with her hands. This is her explaining what she'd like for christmas:

Mackynzie wanted to get a photo of mama and daddy:

 The evening ended with an awesome fireworks show, and christmas music ringing through the air. It was the perfect way to kick off the season.

Long Weekend Escape

 For the long weekend, we decided to head off on an impromptu camping trip.

   Mackynzie and I packed and shopped and readied on Friday, and as soon as Cody came home from work that evening, we were off. Three people, two dogs, and a bunch of camping gear surprisingly fit quite cozily in the mustang. We went to the same campground (neighboring sites) that Cody's parents had been camping at since Wednesday, so we were able to send all of the bigger camping gear (blankets, tent, toys, bikes etc) in the trailer and truck with them. It worked out perfectly.

 I have to say that one of my favorite things about Alberta, is that you can drive an hour in any direction and experience a completely different environment. We have the rocky mountains, flat plains, dessert valleys, snowy escapes, and rivers and lakes to explore.

 With only a short hour and a half drive, we entered a new world of forested mountains and beautiful country side, with farm houses tucked against the sides of massive hills. Cows roamed freely through meadowed fields, and we stopped for crossing cows both on the way there and back. We drove there at sun set and the views were just breathtaking.

 We spent our days doing a good mix of lazily playing and exploring around our site, and collecting things from the woods and discovering and climbing by the ankle-deep river. Cody even managed to master the smore (No more unmelted chocolate problems.)

 We had a great time, and my very favorite part was that we were completely cut off. We had no cell service, no technology, nothing. It was just us and togetherness. Exactly as it should be. I always benefit so much from these little get away's. My soul desperately needs them, and sometimes I don't realise it until we have slipped away and I've breathed in the fresh air and admired the silence. Cody and I spent our nights by the fire, talking about everything and anything until the stars were bright and the night turned crisp. We heaped together under piles of blankets and sleeping bags, arms and paws and legs and tails overlapping, sleeping soundly from our day filled with sunshine and walking. We woke with the sun, slept when tired, ate when hungry, and can count on one hand the number of times we looked at the clock.

 I knew I needed this trip. The last camping for us as a family of three. Strengthening the family bond that has been sent through the wash with living with in-laws. I needed to rid myself of the distractions completely, so that when we came home, I would keep it at a minimal. Able to easily notice when a second of boredom had me reaching for my phone, and move to a new task. I was stretched very thin and was feeling that maybe building a nice box house would be better for our last couple months of living here. This trip focused me. Cooled my rising anxiety. Calmed my frazzled brain. Mostly I needed this trip as a mother. I needed to step away from every outside influence, and focus on my instincts and my connection with my daughter. I felt myself slipping from the mother, wife, and parent I want to be -I am- and I hated every bit of it.

 I spent the weekend talking with my daughter. Snuggling by the fire. Enjoying what I know to be the trickling nursing sessions of self-weaning. Staring at her face. Telling her over and over how much I love her and how proud I am of her and all of the wonderful things that make her herself. I never want her to forget or question those things. I remembered to appreciate every ounce of motherhood; My soul would be missing its largest part without it. My sweet girl will be three in a few short weeks. I want to make sure I embrace and soak up her two's, and be excited for and make memorable her three's.

 I realised just how much the online world has effected my life. It leaves a very bitter taste in my mouth. I made a promise to myself, Cody and Mackynzie (and this baby) that I would interact just long enough to enjoy everything I love about it, then go back to actually living and loving my life rather than being so busy documenting it. One weekend did not fix my poor habits, but it woke me up, and let me taste the free, simple, love-filled life I crave and strive for.

I am thankful.

Since we had no service, our phones got left in the car for most of the trip, and I brought my camera not realizing it was dead. We did manage to grab a few photos though. My favorites are the moments I captured in my head and heart though.

Rodeo Weekend

 This weekend was our annual rodeo and like every year before, we left happy, sun-kissed, and belly's full.

Okay, so maybe I got a little more than sun-kissed... If you follow along on instagram or facebook (I try to link pics to facebook as often as I remember.) then you likely saw my insane burn. I would scare you in person, I kid you not.

We left at 8am to start the day with breakfast and the parade with friends. They gave us way too much candy (seriously! 3 kids under 3 at the beginning of the parade, and they got more loot than halloween!), which Mackynzie had tons of fun collecting, but told us she would give it all to her papa "because Candy rots your teeth.". We couldn't help bun laugh and be proud.

(hiding from the bagpipes) 

We spent eleven hours between the parade and rodeo, but it was so much fun. We ate tons of delicious fair food, and drank our weight in fresh lemonade.

This week starts our family's little holiday week, since Cody has the entire week off! I'll be sharing our fun little adventures throughout the week.

I hope you all had an incredible weekend (long weekend here in Canada) and have a beautiful week!

Letting Out the Breath

 Last weekend we went decently last minute camping. I'm very thankful for that last minute decision, because it was a beautiful weekend. You know how sometimes you don't realize just how much you really did need a break, until you take one?

 Mackynzie and I went out last Thursday, and Cody came after work on Friday. We set up our little home away from home in the trailer and then we just relaxed.

 I didn't have time to edit any photos, so don't mind if my iphone shots are a little rough.

I haven't had beans and wieners since I was a kid. I wonder what Mackynzie's memorable camping food will be...

 It was so great to just pick up and leave. It left me with the time I needed to clear my head and jump back into things (In a more organized fashion.). We played and explored and laughed and slept hard. Cody and I spent our nights beside the fire, talking and joking and just soaking up being in love. No distractions. Just us. 

 The first day we were there, while laying with a napping Mackynzie, I thought: "This is so much nicer. Total simplicity. I kind of want to live here." And although I don't think I'd go live in the trailer, it really made me want to strive for simplicity again. I mean, we already sort of do, but we could do a lot better. I like working and making things from scratch, and reaping the benefits of my own work. 

 It's hard to do that now, while we are living here, but I think I can get a lot of prep work done over the summer. Make things so that our new place really feels like us, and to have a blue print of things to do when we get there. 

It hasn't been just us for a while now, and I don't think we realized how much we missed it. Life is much more relaxed with just us. I am so very thankful for our ability to work together and make a peaceful home. And also to realize that we really have nothing that needs to stress us when we are together. Cody and I seem to just ebb and flow. We fill in spaces for each other, and move together easily. This weekend really helped us remember that, for me at least, because living with other people can cause a lot of added stress. We were by ourselves and it was like a breathing out after not realizing you were holding your breath. 

 Staying with his family has been a blessing, but it's one of those blessings that requires sweat and hard work too. It's taught me a lot about myself, and about our marriage. I also think I will have a very different appreciation for our own house when this is over. It's really taught us though, that no matter what's stressing us out, or making us uncomfortable, we can be calm and steady together, and tune anything else out. We are a force. 

 There will definitely be more trips this summer, more little get away's here and there. 

                               

VIA (this was as far as I could trace it.)

VIA

Spring is Here (?)

 The weather has been so in between here lately. Right now, cold. It's not winter anymore, but it's not spring yet. Why hello limbo... 

  On days that it's warm we head outside to get out of the house. We walk, we play, we collect things like rocks and sticks, and we trudge through snow to reach the swings. 

  We can't wait until we can play in the grass and spend the day biking and exploring. Between flu season and all our sick friends, and them or us not being home, we have been spending a lot of time with it just being us. It's been nice, but we are ready for some more interactions again!

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^There is a park in all that snow...

Spring is officially (technically) here now, so we are eagerly awaiting our warmly predicted Easter.

Happy First day of spring everyone!