2 Years!

Two years ago on this day. I said "I do" and made a vow to be honest, loyal and love this man every day for as long as I live.

Today, I love him even more than I did on that day... or even when I first fell in love with him eight years ago.

Since we made our vows we have traveled to Scotland, San Diego, around Vancouver Island, Newport Rhode Island, and made a couple of trips back east to visit family and friends. We also purchased our Boler trailer so we can continue to travel and explore as a family.

We've added a little man to our family, and seeing B be a Dad to 2 makes my heart swell even more than I thought possible.

So, since we've just returned yesterday from 10 days travelling around Vancouver Island in our Boler and have a lot to catch up on, we'll grill some steaks for dinner tonight and crack a bottle of wine to toast to two wonderful years of marriage.

Thank you for loving me the way you do B. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us!

This is 4!

Every year on this day, I marvel at how quickly time has gone. Today, my sweet, kind, loving and funny little girl turns 4! FOUR!! 

2011 - As a newborn - 7 days old! Photo by Nicole Kathlyn Photography

2012 - One year old - photo by Nicole Kathlyn Photography

2013 - 2 years old

2014 - 3 years old

2015 - almost 4 years old! Taken at Nolan's newborn shoot by Art and Soul Photography

Time has gone by in the blink of an eye. I look at my girl now, and there is no trace of baby left in her face! How did this happen? How has she grown up so quickly? Our sweet girl who has a great big imagination and even bigger heart. She has a wonderful sense of adventure, and she definitely has some wanderlust in there, thanks to her parents. Her smile lights up my days and I can't get enough of her giggles and cuddles. How did I get so lucky to get this girl?

She has taken so well to being a big sister and her little brother loves her so much already. How could he not? He is showered with kisses, cuddles, songs, stories and games of peek-a-boo. I know she's having a hard time sharing her Mommy during the day, and I must admit I do long for an afternoon to spend with just her. So today, as usual, her day will start with pancakes and then we will spend the day doing something she would like to do! Today, I will celebrate this wonderful little girl who first made me a Mommy. I love you so much sweet Halle!

Halloween 2013

Well, another Halloween has come and gone and this year was even better than last. Our new neighbourhood is a lot more child friendly than our previous one! We had tons of kids come by, and Halle enjoyed trick or treating with a couple of her little friends. B said by the time they were visiting the last few houses she was running up to the door, knowing she was going to get more treats. At each house she would say "Teet peeze!"... we'll work more on "Trick or Treat" for next year. She came home with a loaded bucket and a big smile on her face, and she scarfed down a bag of chips before bed (her favourite treat). 

As for her costume, this year she had asked to be a bee, so I decided to make her a little costume. I used this tutorial to make her a little dress, and it worked out perfectly. Underneath it she wore a pair of black stretchy pants and long sleeved yellow t-shirt. I ended up putting a black jacket over her for trick or treating and her wings over the jacket. The wings we bought at Jo-Ann and the antenna are from a dress up costume that B's Mom brought for her. It came together great and we all loved it...

{B was still feeling pretty excited after the Sox big win on Wednesday night!}

We both love how she wraps her little arm around our necks for photos. It's totally unprovoked!

It's also hard to believe that this is her THIRD Halloween!

I hope you all had a safe and memorable Halloween this year! We sure did! I know this week was quiet, but I've been working away on some changes in Halle's room and B was away for a week (he got back on Tuesday), so I was solo parenting which kept me busy. Hoping to share Halle's bedroom updates early next week, and possibly even a look at our new dining room table! So excited!

Happy November & Happy Weekend! What do you have planned for this weekend to ring in the new month?

Halle's Bubble & Balloon Party

Yesterday was a gorgeous Sunday here, made even better by the little backyard party we threw in honour of Halle's 2nd Birthday (which is tomorrow). The theme was bubble's and balloons and I'd say it was a big success... here are the details...

I made these Lemon Honey Cupcakes, and some chocolate cupcakes with Chocolate Nutella icing. They were both a hit. 

There was even a birthday cake (also baked by me... I'm feeling pretty proud). I went with a plain vanilla cake and a whipped cream icing. A nice change from the super sweet cupcakes!

I added some other treats to the table for everyone as well...

These grape and watermelon skewers were a HUGE hit, especially with the kids! They were all gone well before the party was over.

What's a bubble and balloon party without Popcorn? I bought the little popcorn containers at HomeSense - 12 for $3.99, and glued the purple "bubbles" over top and then painted them. Popcorn - also a huge hit with the kids!

Jelly Beans and some fun purple polka dot paper straws. Straws - also great with a large group of small children! Even the boys were okay with pink cups when they came with straws!

This drawing station had the kids going nuts. They all ran for it as soon as I brought out the markers, pencil crayons and crayons. Of course, Halle ended up with more marker on herself than on the actual paper. At least a great time was had by all!

Halle enjoyed the "Happy Birthday" singing. Afterwards she even asked for more!

There were LOTS of bubbles to be had, including a fish bubble gun that B bought for her, and a bubble mower that our friends gifted her. Her and all of her little guests were loving them!

To round out this post, I just HAVE to share the fantastic birthday gift that B built for Halle. 

There will be another post coming soon with more about the plans that B used to built this fantastic swing. 

So that was our weekend. It was busy, I forgot to make punch, didn't put out the sweet tea I made and was late putting out the quinoa and potato salad I made, but it looked like everyone had a really awesome time yesterday. We are so lucky to have made so many awesome friends out here, and yesterday was also a fantastic opportunity to meet so many of our new neighbours! Really - AWESOME!

I hope you all had a great weekend too! What did you get up to?

Our Long Weekend

Well, back to the grind today after a glorious long weekend. Everything about it was just right, and it's been a while since I have shared what we've been up to - so I figured it was a good time to pop back in with a weekend recap (get ready for a picture dump post!).

After a lot of overcast and rainy days last week, we woke up on Saturday to beautiful blue skies. We ate breakfast and decided to head out to hit some garage sales. We stopped at one, grabbed some art work and that was it. From there we dropped our area rug off to be cut (more on that tomorrow) and then spent the rest of the day visiting our friends at their campsite at Golden Ears Provincial Park. We're feeling pretty lucky to have an escape like this so close to home!

Our proud Canadian

This was just off of their campsite

Sharing corn on the cob

Gorgeous views while the boys went fishing after dinner

She loved seeing the fish up close before the guys tossed them back

Sunday was just as gorgeous as Saturday. After breakfast on the back deck, we spent the morning and early afternoon working around the house. B did some gardening in the back (with Halle helping) and I spent quite a few hours in the garage painting. We ate a late lunch, showered and headed back to the campsite. The visit started with a little ice cream and then we were off to the beach to cool off.

Of course, yesterday was Canada Day. We were feeling pretty exhausted in the morning after our busy days before, so we started off slow. Another breakfast on the back deck and more puttering around the house, getting a few things done and quite a bit of relaxing (and pool time for Halle), before we headed off to the local festivities...

Visiting the animals at the Petting Zoo - here she was watching the bunnies. She told us she wanted to squeeze them

Watching the Lumber Jack demonstration with Daddy

She loved running around and playing ball with Daddy at the park while we waited for the fireworks

Hot & sweaty (wearing jackets to keep mosquitos off), but enjoying the fireworks. Her face doesn't look like it... but I think she was just surprised by the flash on the camera.

I so love these weekends, just the three of us getting to spend a lot of time together and enjoying the beautiful weather. These types of nearby outdoor activities are part of what kept us on the West Coast. Lots more fun outdoor stuff planned for this summer - including a real camping trip. What did you get up to this weekend?