Girls Snowshoe Adventure- Day 1

 Darcie, me, Ang and Sharon went away for a night this past weekend and took our snowshoes along on the adventure. We have 17 kids between the 4 of us so it was a nice break from being a mom and it also gave the dad's some time to bond with the kids.

This was our accommodations. A hostel which was pretty nice and cheap.

We drove 3 hours to Canmore on Friday, unloaded our stuff and headed out in search of a snowshoe trail.

 Our first trail was called Goat Creek Trail. We weren't sure how far we made it but estimated a total of 10 km. We started at 2pm and had to be back at 5pm in order to meet the darkness setting in.

 Some of the landscape.

 We dressed in layers thankfully because we were dropping layers like crazy. The snow wasn't even deep but you still got quite a workout.

 View on the drive back to town.

 Out for drinks and dinner at "Wood". Lots of smiles and yawns happening.

 Our cozy room. Ang and I chose top bunks. What a bunch of kids.

The lounging room.

Western Night Part 2

So funny thing, the School's Promotion Committee had a Western theme dinner in November too. This was such a fun evening and we got to enjoy the meal without the work. The decor was awesome!

 

 Ken's Mom in the red hat and his Dad next to her in the denim shirt.

 Friends. Sister in law Ang in the middle.

 They made these wanted pictures of all the staff.

 Ken and Tracy had to compete in a horse riding and lasso competition.

 Ken totally hates doing this stuff but he did manage to yell out an un-enthusiastic yeehaw.

 Our handsome nephew Kevin had to use a squirt gun to blow out a lit candle.

 Our pretty niece Tara-Lee with her boyfriend Derek.

 and then there was me who volunteered to help with the auctioning and didn't even know I was volunteering. Duh! It was a lot of fun.

 Photo booth - Pete and Ang

Kevin and Chandre. Awww...

Western Stuff Part 1

The last few years our friends Paul and Tracy and us have offered to host a dinner for 4 guests. We offer it at our school Bazaar on the services which means the price we charge goes to the school. This year we hosted a western theme dinner so we decorated and dressed up and made a delicious meal. I'm not sure how many cowboys eat as good as we ate that night but it sure was fun and so were our guests. They got all dressed up as well.

 

 Our menu.

 Everyone had to choose a real tacky western name to use for the night.

 Tracy and I work well together. She is a queen in the kitchen and I love to decorate.

 The men did their part by bar tending and barbecuing.

 Here comes the country folk!

 Yummy!

So much fun!

Sam turns 7

Sam had a combine birthday again this year with 2 classmates. He has 13 boys in his class and 1 girl. A party at the rink is perfect for their energy, silliness and spirit.

Worm cupcakes!

They loved the candy and chips and even got more candy in a goody bag to take home.

Luke enjoying the festivities.

and Andrew.

and then there is Sam with his gloves off so he can eat all the candies in his pockets while skating.

that night at home Sam opened presents with the family. 

He got some K'nex, a ski helmet, a new hoody and the family got a little keyboard.

Isaac and Emma really liked the keyboard.

The boys right away made a motorized windmill that turns.

November

So we had a Sam the lobster for weird hat day.

Andrew the legohead!

Lukey the monster head.

One of the dressup days at school. 

Andrew has been practicing for goalie. He gets to play goalie next week at hockey and is excited. Hope it goes well.

Emma is starting to get into hockey too and has quite the arm on her already.

One snowy day we went exploring and for a sled ride.

Emma got to go to Chatters for a haircut. She was super cute, super still and I think super scared.

Reading time one evening Luke passed out next to Daddy.