Winter

We are definitely in the full swing of winter, especially because right now it is -28 degrees, but I thought that I would do a catch-up post of what we've been doing since mid-November.



Drew and I were invited to a Super-Hero Murder Mystery Party.  Drew was Mr. Fabulous, and I was Anamalia.  My toga was a fleece night-gown that I found at the Thrift Store, I thought it was pretty awesome.  Drew won the prize for best male costume, and everyone thought that he should wear his pleather pants more ofen.  After the party we went to ToysRUs for their midnight madness sale, we got some pretty strange looks.
 

Phoenix turned 4!!  Phoenix could not decide what type of cupcakes he wanted, so in the end I made rainbow bit, with an orange stripe and orange icing with, you guessed it, orange sprinkles.  He really wanted a party this year, so we invited Karen and Martin over, had pizza and decorated with orange balloons.  The helium ballons were mutant balloons, the stayed floating for weeks, one even lasted until Christmas. 

Phoenix wanted to have a game at his party, so we played pin the moustache on the Phoenix. 

We went to the NAIT Children's Christmas Party again this year.  One thing that we've really liked about NAIT is how well they treat their employees.  At this party they have lunch, cookie decorating, crafts, a carnival (with prizes), tattoos, face painting, balloon animals, swimming, a train ride, astro-jumps, Santa is there, and each child recieves a gift.  We had a lot of fun this year. 

November and December felt like they flew by.  I was really busy doing decorations for our Relief Society and Ward Christmas Party, making two quilts, Christmas Shopping, baking, and wrapping presents.  We escaped from all the snow up here, and spent Christmas down south again.  It was nice to spend some time with our families. 

We strayed from tradition this year and we had our Christmas dinner at the Lodge.  It was different, but it was still nice to spend some time together

While we were down South, we ditched the kids with their grandparents and went to Kalispell with Keith and Mandy.  The boys went Snowboarding at Big Mountain, and Mandy and I went shopping, so it was a good fit for all of us.  It was nice to spend some time with Keith and Mandy shopping, eating good food, going to the movie, and sleeping-in, all kid-free. 

One of the places we went to eat was at Nickle Charlies.  My dad always goes there for breakfast, and it had really good reveiws, so we decided to give it a go.  The food was so good, and it had a really nice atmosphere.  Attached to the ceiling were a bunch of vintage pedal-cars that were so cool. 

After we got back, we celebrated Karen's Birthday.  My parents and my Aunt and Uncle had to come to Edmonton for my cousin's wife's funeral, so we mixed celebrating in with our other obligations.  We went to Red Robin for dinner, and then everyone came back to our house for some purple cake. 

 

 

On January 19 Drew and I went to Calgary to attend his brother Chris' CA graduation.  I am so proud of Chris.  It truly is a miracle how he competely turned his life around and accomplished something great.  I admit that when they were giving him his certificate I shed a few tears, because I was so proud and happy. 

 

As you know, I had a tough couple of weeks.  My sister Jo had been sick for a few years, and she kept getting worse and worse.  Sadly on January 19, she lost her battle.  It has been really hard.  Jo and I were really close growing up, and I'm not sure if it really has completely sunk in that she is gone.  I know that she is in a better place.  I know that she is no longer in pain, and that she is like her old self again.  But, it still hurts.  When we got the news we were in Calgary, so we went home, and the kids and I headed to Cardston the next morning.  It was a very long and sad and stressful week.  I never thought that I would have to write my sisters obituary, or pick out her casket, or decide on her casket flowers, or plan her funeral, or write and give her biography at her funeral.  I think that everything was beautiful.  Her flowers were bright and vibrant and cheerful like she was, and the funeral program was perfect, and I think it was exactly what she wanted.  It was amazing to me to witness the outpouring of love and support that my family and I received.  It was nice to have my Aunt give me a hug the second I walked into my parents house, and they were busy with visitors.  It was nice to have best friends at the funeral  It was nice to have my sisters to lean on for support when I saw Jo for the last time.  It was nice to have my uncle give me a hug because I needed one.  It was nice to have my cousin hold my hand when I couldn't walk away from Jo's casket in the cemetay.  It was nice to have my husband hold me and ask me how I was doing.  It was nice to have my Dad help me through my meltdown.  I love Jo dearly, and I will think about her and miss her everyday.  One afternoon we needed a break, so we went out to my Uncle's farm and went sledding and quadding.  It was a perfect afternoon. 

 

Taylor liked to lay down on the sled while my Mom pulled her around.  I think at one point she even fell asleep. 

 

My Dad bought another quad, so guess who drove it the most?