Hockey and Recipes

I've ignored our family blog for quite some time now.

Tonight I decided to sit down and play a little catch up.

Shouldn't be hard since so much time has past...Right?

What my camera revealed is that aside from baking...

Much of what I do is hockey with my kids.

So, you can catch up with all of the culinary

creations on our food blog

http://www.jarrettsbonappetit.blogspot.com/

And here are some pictures from the

exhibition game the boys played in

at the World Cup last month.

It was a fantastic opportunity for the boys -

they played in front of a couple of

thousand people and had a chance to show off...

all in the name of fun!

You can also watch them in action by clicking on the link below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=720IX1X0OYw

So-D (Luke) getting ready!

Fryin' (Ryan) squeezing his noggin into his helmet...

The whole lot of them


Fryin' and So-D


Oh...and this one's not mine, but I sure like him!

New chapter for Luke and Ryan

As I am sure most of you know...we spend quite a bit of time ice skating at the Olympic Oval. The kids love it - and I NEVER break a sweat there!

Together Luke and Ryan decided they wanted to learn to play hockey.

Tonight was their first practice.

They loved it and can't wait to go back for the next practice.

The Canadian in me is beyond happy.

How friggan cute are they?

...Break.

It's been pretty obvious that I've taken a break from family blogging. I mean, really...how many funny (to me) pictures can be posted? Althought, I have been blogging on a different blog. ALL ABOUT YUMMY FOOD! If you haven't, take a look at it. www.jarrettsbonappetit.blogspot.com - it's been so much fun!

With that said, I am going to start blogging again. It has been a great summer and the kids are about to go back to school - 2nd and 4 th grades! OMG!

Reunited...and it feels so right.

This....

+

This...

=

Reunited!

Ah...it feels so right!

Aren't they a lovely couple?

Here's to one week of F-U-N

Bound for Heaven

Have you ever known someone that you knew without a doubt would go straight to heaven - no worries? I've personally known one. He was my Uncle. And as I sit here and think about his incredible life I worry about the ones who are left behind.

My Uncle Terry was one of the most genuine, compassionate, honest, giving, reliable, trustworthy and caring people I've ever known. He and his wife of 40 years had 4 daughters and to each of them he was an incredible father. He and his wife had a marriage to be envied. They were truly each other's best friend and soul mate.

After building a jewelry business from the ground up he worked day and night to take care of his family. Within months of retiring he and my Aunt went on a mission to Argentina. A few months after they got home he was diagnosed with Burkitts Lymphoma. He fought so hard to beat it and we thought that he had until July. At that time he was delivered the news that the cancer was back and that his days were numbered. I never once heard him feel sorry for himself. Never once did he complain about this terrible situation he was in. He never gave up and I believe he fought until the very end.

He passed away tonight with his wife and girls around him. He will be missed so much.

My heart breaks for everyone who is left behind. My Aunt has lost the love of her life and my cousins have lost their wonderful father. My grandparents are now experiencing every parents worst fear - having to bury their child and my Dad has lost his only brother - the Dos.

I am at a loss for how I can help. Which words are the right ones? Where do you start?

I miss you Uncle Terry. You led by example and impacted so many lives. I know you are in a wonderful place and you will truly be missed.

Two little words.

I'm sorry. Those two words don't escape my hubby's lips very often...but when they do - Wow.

New Blog

We decided a while ago to get rid of our vinyl web site - it was too expensive and neither Rashelle or I are computer savvy enough to change anything on it....

But I can blog!

So, if you are bored with nothing else to do, check out our new business blog.

www.mysignlanguagevinyl.blogspot.com

Fear Factor

Let me start by saying...when it comes to my kids, I have a strict philosophy:

IF I SAY IT, I MUST FOLLOW THROUGH WITH

WHAT I SAID.

So tonight I made what must have been the yuckiest dinner

imaginable to Luke...Potato Cheese Soup:

I gave him a small bowl and after 30 mins. of listening to him whine I told him that he would be sitting there until he ate his soup. He made all of the usual declarations about not being hungry, then moved on to how gross the soup was, his belly hurt, this was the WORST day of his life, he was never going to eat again...and that he would just sit there until bed time.

Humph.

So I told him that I would save it until breakfast and that he would not eat again

until the soup was gone.

Surely that would make him eat!

Tears ensued.

More whining.

Threatening to leave home and find another home...ect.

This went on for 90 mins.

Note to self: Do not forget your philosophy.

Stick to your guns.

((But I am going INSANE listening to him!))

***

And will I really save it until morning???

***

He is proving to be a formidable foe.

***

I've never had a stand off like this before!

***

The other two would have just choked it down by now!

So, I offered to help.

I brought in a big glass of H20 and spoon fed him like a baby.

He gagged...and threw up a little...and then said,

"Mom, maybe we should do this over the toilet."

I win.

I did win, right?

If you've got 10 hours to spare...

Let me first start by saying that I've waited for 4 long years to

be able to spend 10 hours tending to my bounty.

Last year should have been my first year with grapes,
but when the hail storm hit - my grapes were done in.

So...when you get a whole bunch of these:

Start picking them off the vines...

Add water and stir...

Then strain and smash...

(this is when being angry with your husband comes in handy)

Then strain some more...

Ask for some very "cute" help...

cause by this point you are ready to throw in the towel...

And VOILA! You've got grape juice!

Apparently you can strain again and get a clearer juice...but I don't have

48 more hours to devote to this project! In the end it tastes great!

Was it worth it? Yeah.

Excerpt from a Prayer

Each night they say their prayers, together.

Each night this is a part of it...

"...and please bless the soldiers and the missionaries...oh yeah, and the Lamanites."

-Luke and Ryan Terrill

Really? The Lamanites?

Name me one Lamanite that has influenced their young lives - don't go getting all biblical

on me - I mean recently.

Treasures

3 loads into the weekly grind of LAUNDRY...

And this is my reward!

All of the "special" things Luke and Ryan have placed lovingly

in their pockets.

At least I can sleep tonight knowing that they actually

carry the hand sanitizer!

Sometimes I am a fun Mom!

Here is the scene...

During the rain storm they complained about getting wet...

They HAD to be dorks...

They ate, drank and were merry...
AND, they told me I was the BEST mom ever!

This afternoon the kids decided to build a fort in their swingset. I was feeling "fun" and thought it would be awesome to run an extention cord out there and set up the DVD player so they could watch a movie. They were extatic! They endured the rain storm, ate some popcorn, drank some Chai, watched their movie - and later "kicked their fort up a notch" by installing an umbrella and lots more blankets.

Now they have decided to "sleep" out there tonight.

My kids have NEVER slept outside...so yeah. (Neither hubby or I are campers) We will see how long they last!

I did enhance their beverages with Benadryl to make the odds of them staying out there all night a little in my favor! We will see!

Here are some pictures as their fun progressed through the day and night!

***Update - they all made it until 6:00 am when I had them come in because the wind was really picking up!

Country Folk?

*Are we country folk? No, but we sure had an amazing time at the fair last week!

*I was never part of 4-H growing up, but it was suggested to me that maybe Jaina would enjoy joining a "bunny club" to learn about rabbits and meet other kids who have the same interests.

*So, for the last year Jaina has been part of a 4-H Rabbit Club.

The crowning moment comes when you enter your rabbit(s) in the fair.

There you and your rabbits are judged on lots and lots of things.

*Jaina entered Oreo...where he was quickly "disqualified" for his markings.

*You might think this would be the worst thing that could happen, but it really didn't matter!

*The judge was so great with the kids. He brought Jaina around the judging table and told her why Oreo's markings were not in line with the standard for the Dutch breed-aside from that he was a great representation of a Dutch rabbit. He showed her the problem...then went on to tell her how he could tell that she was taking great care of him - shiny coat, trimmed nails, good teeth, perfect weight - and that he could tell that Oreo was a well loved rabbit.

*Jaina just beamed. The fact that Oreo was DQ'ed didn't even matter.

Then she was able to show the judges all she knew about rabbits, which won her another ribbon for "Showmanship." She got 3rd place for that.

*In the end Jaina left her time at the fair with a handful of ribbons, her "prize" rabbit (even if it is only in her mind) and some fantastic self-esteem building experiences.

*So, are we country folk? No, but I do think that "country folk" have a great start on helping kids see what is really important in life.

*Thanks to all of the 4-H leaders who made my little girls day brighter!

Jaina made some great friends who love the same things as she does!

Jaina at the judging table

Showmanship judging

More Showmanship stuff

All of the 4-H rabbit kids

Jaina and her "prize" rabbit, Oreo

50 Get to Know You Questions

Okay, here you go...

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:18 am - that's 2 snooze cycles after it went off at 7:00.
2. How do you like your steak? Medium to Medium Well. I am getting more and more daring the older I get.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Ice Age 3 - Dawn Of The Dinosaurs
4. What is your favorite TV show? Dancing with the Stars.
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? I have no idea. I quite like Utah, but would love to find somewhere that never got above 80 degrees, but still had ALL of the seasons. Where is that place?
6. What did you have for breakfast? No breakfast - bad, I know.
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Mexican - the American version, super spicy.
8. What foods do you dislike? Sushi...yuck.
9. Favorite Place to Eat? Anywhere that doesn't involve a "drive-thru."
10. Favorite dressing? Bleu cheese or Cafe Rio's creamy tomatillo
11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? Ford Expedition
12. What are your favorite clothes? Ones that fit.
13. Where would you visit if you had a chance? Greece
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Half full - I leave the Half empty to James!
15. Where would you want to retire? Somewhere around my family.
16. Favorite time of day? After I put my kids to bed at night. I love to snuggle up with my favorite book!
17. Where were you born? Canada
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? James playing softball.
19. Who do you think will not tag you back? Who cares!
20. Person you expect to tag you back first? Who knows
21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? EVERYONE!
22. Bird watcher? No, I don't really like birds.
23. Are you a morning person or a night person? NIGHT...but mornings are ok about 10 minutes into it.
24. Do you have any pets? Five now.
25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? Jaina is going to the fair with Oreo! That is about as exciting as it gets at my house.
26. What did you want to be when you were little? A marine biologist...then someone told me how much schooling the needed.
27. What is your best childhood memory? Playing across the street where I grew up in Canada. It was like a forest and we would play for hours and hours!
28. Are you a cat or dog person? Dog, but I like cats too.
29. Are you married? Yes - 10 years and still going strong!
30. Always wear your seat belt? ALWAYS...that stupid dinging noise would drive me crazy if I didn't. The same a$$hole came up with DVD packaging - just to make me mad!
31. Been in a car accident? Yeah...and James reminds me of them whenever it suits his point.
32. Any pet peeves? People who are late. I hate late people!!!
33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Everything, deluxe, supreme!
34. Favorite Flower? Tulips
35. Favorite ice cream? Something with nuts!
36. Favorite fast food restaurant? I don't have one.
37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? None, but I haven't had to take one recently! 39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? RCWilley
40. Do anything spontaneous lately? Nope, I am not a spontaneous person.
41. Like your job? I have the best job in the world!
42. Broccoli? Sure!
43. What was your favorite vacation? I guess going to Canada, it's really the only place we go.
44. Last person you went out to dinner with? The kids
45. What are you listening to right now? Melissa chatting in my ear!
46. What is your favorite color? Purple, any shade!
47. How many tattoos do you have? None
48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? A few
49. What time did you finish this quiz? 11:30 p.m.
50. Coffee Drinker? When it suits me:)

Good Mom - Bad Mom...my internal struggle.

I just finished up my first week of having ALL 3 of my kids in school - ALL DAY! I have finally joined that "elite" group of Mom's whose kids are gone for 7 hours a day.

Many times during this last year I've had people remark at how great my life will be when all of my kids are in school. I haven't really known the best way to answer. The "Good Mom" part has always won out and replied with something like this, "I suppose it will be nice (sniff sniff), but I really love having my kids around and can't imagine what I will do when they are all gone..."

So, now with 1 kid free week under my belt I have let the "Bad Mom" surface with little conversations with myself about how GREAT, FANTASTIC, REJUVENATING, UNBELIEVABLE, FUN, and INSPIRING it is to have everyone in school.

Now is when the "internal struggle" happens. Why do I make myself feel guilty for enjoying some time without my kids? Does it make me a less than great Mom? Am I a better Mom because I spend every minute of everyday with them? Does it mean that I love them less because I don't sit at home and pine away for them while they are in school?

I don't think so.

So - here's to week 2!

Sleepwalking

I was in the shower when Ryan came in the bathroom tonight. They had been in bed for about an hour. This is the exchange we had.

(Ryan crying)
Ryan: My nose is 100 times!
Me: What?
Ryan: My NOSE is 100 TIMES!
Me: Huh???
(Ryan getting agitated now...)
Ryan: My nose is 100 times and then (he hits the wall with his hand) it just FELL!
Me: Your nose is 100 times, and then it just fell??? What is that???
Ryan: My nose hurts!!! (now he is rubbing his nose and smashing it to his face)
Me: Why don't you blow your nose? (It was all I could come up with.)
(Ryan blows his nose, then goes to the bathroom)
Me: What are you going to do now?
Ryan: (loudly, with an angry tone) I just went to the bathroom!
Me: Are you going back to bed?
Ryan: Yes.

I get out of the shower a couple of minutes later to find him fast asleep in MY bed.

Weird.

Where were we? I'll show you!

We took the yearly pilgrimage to Canada - or US North as James like to call it!

Our trip to Ontario is always fun. I am lucky to have both of my grandparents still living, so going home is even more special. Ontario is where I was born and where my Dad still lives in the house I grew up in. We spent lots of time talking and reminiscing. We have a small family, but we are all very close.

My cousin Jodie was able to come from Nova Scotia and spend a week with me! We are the original Senior Beauties (yes, there is a story there.) It is crazy to think that it has been 10 years since we last saw each other - it was as if time stood still. She had never met my kids - and next year I hope to meet her's.

We spent everyday swimming, boating, cooking, laughing and most of all, making new memories.

Here is a look at our vacation!

Ryan took this cool picture while we were flying.

Leave it to Ryan to make a lovely picture of his sister - crazy!

Jaina and I making the best of a LONG flight! But it beats walkin'!

Once we got to my Dad's the kids had to use their imaginations!

Papa's house is not exactly full of toys.

This particular bout with their imaginations included a

rib bone from dinner among other weird things they collected.

This is how milk is dispensed up north...at least in Ontario!

They come in bags - it's always been that way.

Jaina, great Nana and Ryan

Ryan all decked out, ready to take a swim in Lake Ramsey.

It was not exactly HOT, but Jaina didn't care!

Luke having some fun swimming

Luke - he doesn't like to pose for pictures, so I am always excited when I get one!
Getting ready to go fishing with my Dad
A big send off from the kids. I LOVE to fish!
The view from where I sat. We didn't catch anything!
Luke on the tube we pulled behind the boat
Ryan and I swimming

Jaina and Luke on Papa's boat where we spent the afternoon

Our last day was spent at Wonderland. It was a blast!
James and Jaina at Wonderland (Canada's version on Disneyland)


Papa and some of his grandkids
Ryan pooped his pants while waiting for Luke to get off a scary ride. We decided that Ryan had a sympathy poop for his brother. Off we go to see what can be salvaged:(

Jaina and Carli at the hotel the night before we left.

The new Senior Beauties - 2nd generation!

Luke...this pose says it all. We had a great time and now need a real vacation after our vacation!