catching up

Alrighty, so the end of June was really busy with year end stuff and helping the older 2 prepare for exams...I am very pleased to report that all of the boys are moving on the next grade in the fall and with pretty darn good grades I might add!
We survived all the crazy scheduling that often required me to be in more than one place at almost the exact same time but I managed to catch everything the boys were doing...recorder recitals, mini games day, track and field and class parties!

So far, the first week of summer vacation has gone pretty well...the first few days I thought I'd end up the town drunk if the boys kept up their behavior...seems that we have all adjusted to being home together during the day!

We were lucky enough to have Brian come home a day early last week...that meant 6 whole days and nights of him being home! I can't tell ya what that does for all of us. The boys were sooo excited but...it just made it that much harder yesterday when he had to leave :( Gavin said to me this morning, "Wasn't it so fun having Dad home Mom"...I darn near cried! The good news is, there might be some changes for our family that will have Brian here. Please keep your fingers crossed for us!

We had an absolutely fantastic Canada Day...started out with the whole family getting decked out in red and white and walking uptown to watch the parade...





these are the only ones I can show that just have my family in them or floats that don't give away where I live (ya know for those creepers that might stalk my blog...lol)

Later in the afternoon, we hosted a bbq with 28 people attending...I can't tell you how much fun this was! We provided all the food and non alcoholic beverages and I had some games planned and a prize for every kid...they loved it! I wish I could show you pics but I don't have permission from the guests to post them on the net so I'll have to show you the yummy patriotic desserts I made...



I finally put the maple leaf cookie cutter I bought 3 years ago to good use...



we were able to sit by the fire in our backyard and watch the fireworks...managed to get s couple of snapshots that turned out...




Brian parents were here for a few days, it was nice to see them. They bought themselves a trailer so they stayed at a campground in town and we went to spend some time with them at their site yesterday...all that did was get us all back on the camping band wagon. I've been looking at trailers for hours on the net!

Our patio was not built during the time Brian was home..the bobcat has been delayed till late this week or early next! I want this job done soooo bad...can't wait to show you all when it's done! We did manage to get a few other yard things done but I won't share it till we're done! That way, you'll get the whole picture.

We've been spending quite a bit of time hanging out by the pool and just enjoying not having anything to rush off too...hope you are able to enjoy some down time too!

I should go...my to do list for the day was pretty long...now I can scratch 'update blog" off the list...lol!!

I'm outta here!

True Patriot Love

Happy Canada Day everyone!
We're hosting a bbq with about 30 people today!
The pool is up and ready, all the prizes are bought for the games we'll play, food is outta control and all my decorations are good to go!
We'll be attending the parade this morning and then getting ready to kick back and enjoy some fun and friendship!

I'll blog again soon with how the last part of June was and what we've been up to so far since the kids got out of school! And of course, I'll share some pics from today!!

celebrate good times...come on

we have lot's to celebrate in the month of June!
Brian's birthday is the first, Carsyn's birthday is the 9th



we gave him a Nintendo DS...he was beyond excited! It's a pretty cool device but I think the fact that he got one before any of his brothers made it extra special!!!
Him and three friends will be seeing Kung Fu Panda today for his party!

Then, Father's Day...the boys made Dad an extra large "Sundae on Sunday" (a weekly tradition at our house). It was so big, he couldn't even finish it! It's in the freezer waiting for him the next time he makes it home.



Now, Kindergarden Graduation isn't a regular June event at our house but it is this year. Gavin will be graduating on Friday...isn't he too cute in his cap and gown?



We'll be having company for the big event...my Mom and my Grandma will be arriving on Thursday. A few sets of our neighbors will be attending the ceremony as well. What our guests don't know, is that Gavin was chosen by his teacher to lead the class in the singing of O Canada, with the mic, at the beginning of the ceremony. I am soooo excited for him! My fear is that he'll think he's playing Rock Band and belt it out...lol!! I'm sure however he does, will be great! Watch for pics to come of that.
Then, on the 30th, Zack will celebrate his birthday! Fifteen years old!!! Can't believe it!

See what I mean...June is crazy busy for us and that's without all the year end activities/field trips and studying for finals!

Well, if I am going to take 4 9 year olds to a movie, I should get off the computer and get ready to go!

Over and out!

sheesh...over a week since my last post...that's not good!
I ended up with a cold and a touch of the flu that took me out for most of the last week, plus Brian was home for 4 days so we were busy with house and yard stuff!
Carsyn had 2 days of football last weekend, which was interesting to watch. He's loving it though, so that's good!
Brian celebrated his 41st birthday...we enjoyed a yummy DQ ice cream cake!!!
Carsyn is turning 9 tomorrow and this devilishly handsome young man will be 15 at the end of the month!




It's almost as bad as Christmas as far as spending goes around here for June...don't forget Father's Day falls in there too!!!

I was surprised that Zack let me take these pics actually but he did and they'll be appearing in a layout coming soon! It's harder to get pics of your kids as they get older..at least I am finding that anyway. I'm not around at the school events near as often and heaven forbid you bring out the camera when he's got guys over...lol!!

So, the yard is looking good...flowers are coming along nicely! Love having color in the yard! Our patio should hopefully be built and ready to enjoy for our Canada celebrations we're hosting. A few other details are being taken care of on Bri's next set of days off (if he gets them) and then I'll share some pics.
I'll also be sharing the layouts of the characters we met while on our holiday...mostly Disney but some from Universal Studios as well. I wanted to get them done before the school year ended cause the boys want to take the album for show and share...I think there are only 3 left to do!

I've been subbing at the school...a lot...and I love it!!
The boys are anxiously awaiting for the 27th when, and I quote, "Schools out for summer!!" However, they need to get through their exam schedule first. Zack and Reilly have a pretty intense week+ of tests to write. Gavin will be done on the 20th, after his graduation ceremony. His cap and gown photos came back..next post I'll scan and share that too.

We need to get ready to head off to a birthday party, so I gotta run!

Till next time....I'll be seeing ya!!

goodness to share...

well...we've had some good times and happenings since my last post, which is why it's been awhile since I've been here.

First of all, Carsyn has started Spring camp for football...he is SO excited!! I am so happy for him...finally he has something that is just his..his "thing" if you will. Last weekend, he got his equipment on Saturday and had his first day of camp on Sunday. He looks so cute in his gear...have a peek (ignore the messy kitchen in the background, I hadn't been home much...lol)
(this is just his practice gear...his actual uniform is really nice)





Sunday, it was drizzling and windy so I didn't get any pictures of him actually doing football drills. Our house is big on football and so this is perfect for him. One of the reasons I was looking forward to it, was because it would be warmer than a hockey rink....well not today that's for sure! Oh well...all part of being a Mom to a bunch of jocks...lol!!!

Next, I got a surprise phone call from my Grandpa the other day. He was 45 minutes away and wanted to stop by for a visit the next day. Now, this is a big deal because over the course of my life, we haven't been that close due to family circumstances. However, over the last few years, we've been making a connection and getting to know each other so I was over the moon that he was stopping in for a visit. I kept the boys home from school that morning, just in case he didn't stay the whole day (good thing cause he left shortly after lunch).
I took some pics of him with the boys, and Grandpas lady friend took some of the 4 boys and me with Grandpa however, I should have used the tripod cause her hands were a bit shaky and the pics are blurry. Shouldn't be too hard to fix with some editing.
My Grandpa is such a goof...he started making funny faces and the boys joined right in...



His visit won't soon be forgotten!

Next, I decided I needed (ok...wanted...lol) a shopping day...for something other than groceries! It's been awhile since I walked around, in and out of stores just cause.
So, while the boys were all in school, I headed off to the big city and had a FABULOUS me day!! Well, I didn't get too much for myself but I shopped in the stores I wanted to without anyone telling me they were bored or it was taking too long...that's a treat if you ask me!
I found some fun stuff for my yard at Rafters...man I love that store. There is more that I would like to get but I'll save that for another day. Here's a pic of the stuff I bought so far...love these stars and fake rocks! The sign is for Grandpa Bud (mom's husband)...he's a self proclaimed grouch so I thought this was perfect for the boys to give him...lol!! The little rock says, "all things grow with love"



and what would a me day be without a trip to the scrapbook store!
I am working really hard to get all the Disney character pages finished by the end of the school year cause the boys want to take the album for show 'n' share and I've been looking for a few specific things and thought I would have some luck at a bigger store in a bigger center than I've been shopping...I was right! Not only did I get most of the things I was looking for...look what else I found...



I am absolutely in love with the male/female symbols right now so I actually think I squealed out loud when I saw these tickets by Jenni Bowlin and then the acrylic stamps by Scenic Route. Now, to find a way to use them!!

I've got more to share but you'll have to wait till next time.
My coffee needs a refill and my scrap supplies are calling...and you absolutely cannot ignore the mojo when it's calling...right girls...lol!!

Have a great weekend all!!

this post contains adult content!

Even as I type this I'm giggling and maybe I shouldn't be but whatever...
So, a little background info: Gavin has this book for school and each week he is to draw a picture in it and at school they write about it. So, last night, he's doing his drawing and I'm asking him what he's drawing...he tells me him and his brothers playing soccer. Cool!
Until I see it and he has included a penis on each and every one of them....OMG!!! I was laughing (again maybe I shouldn't have been). Check it out....



So, I tore it out of the book and he drew another, more appropriate picture for school.
However, I am keeping this one...just not sure I'll frame and hang it like some of his others...lol!!

home from Miami...

Manitoba that is!!

(Now that the trip updates are complete, I can get back to regularly scheduled blogging.)

So, back to my update.
I wanted to post before I left but as you can see, that didn't happen. In fact , most of you probably didn't even know I was gone...lol!
This past long weekend, I hopped on a plane with an online friend and headed off to Winnipeg to meet more online friends. Call me crazy, but it was something I wanted to do soooo badly and it turned out to be amazing!! Some of us came from all over Canada, by plane, by bus and by car to meet live and in person at a crop.
I had such a fabulous weekend...it's almost indescribable actually!
I was nervous excited leading up to the flight but it ended up being for nothing.
A bunch of us met for dinner and drinks at "The Forks" on Friday, attended the crop on Saturday and a few of us had brunch together on Sunday before flying home.
Of course this is the coles notes version but most of you that read my blog were there so you have all the details...lol!!

In other family news, Zack is officially registered for high school!!! Yikes...how did that happen?! He decided he wanted to go for an academic diploma versus a general one so that means a lot of buckling down and hard work for the next 3 years.
Gavin is almost finished Kindergarden...he'll graduate on the 20th of June. Like that won't be a tear jerker of a day!
Carsyn and Reilly are doing well with school...both looking forward to summer though..lol!
Football is getting underway for Carsyn and he's sooo excited about that. Will be fun to watch no doubt.
Brian has been hard at work...long hours and many days in a row before getting a couple at home. He's starting a 7 on 3 off schedule...will be nice to have some sort of schedule and being able to plan ahead a bit.
I've been subbing quite a bit at our elementary school...lovin every minute of that. Hoping (I think) to get on there full time in the fall.

For some reason I thought this post might be longer since I haven't blogged about anything but our trip in quite some time....humph...guess we don't have that much going on even though we seem sooo busy...lol!
Anywoo, hope you're all well and that you enjoyed your May long weekend! Take care.