RIP Grandpa

We're home from Regina, and sadly the funeral of my Grandpa Bank. It was a sad time, but I take great comfort in knowing he is finally reunited with Grandma, who I know he missed so much.

Most of the time we're quite content here in Winnipeg and while we miss family and friends and wish we could see them more often, we're grateful for the good friends we've made here, our great jobs and the community around us. However, times like this really make me wish we were living in Regina. Not only so we would be around when we know others need us, but because it makes you think of all of the times you have missed by being so far away.

I wish we could have seen Grandpa more, I wish the girls knew their Great Grandfather better.

We'll miss you Grandpa.

Happy Turkey Day

I tried to post this earlier but Blogger ate my post - this version will be much shorter as I have to get up and go to work in 6 hours!!

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving weekend, unfortunatly we didn't make it to Regina but we had a great visit with Allan's parents. Annika especially became a "grandpa's girl" and even cried when Grandpa left.

This evening we've been watching the election results roll in - I am disappointed in the voter turn out and can't understand why people don't take more of an interest in it. You're talking about your day to day life, your health care, your education, your finances, your FUTURE! Why people can't take fifteen minutes to get out and vote I'll never understand.

The voter turnout is showing as almost 60% for our area, 40% for Canada overall - I sure hope that increases as the last votes roll in. How sad if it's less than 50%. Pathetic really!

Ok - that's all for now - bedtime! I can't stay up and watch CTV all night, or I'll never make it to work tomorrow which is sure to be a long busy day with all of the late press to publish the results!

Christmas Cards

Might seem a little early - but you can never be too prepared! Check out this great contest to win some of the coolest personalized Christmas Cards!

http://yourgoodiesgalore.com/

September - wow!

I can't believe it's already September, this summer has flown by. We had a great summer full of visiting family and friends, trips to the park, Zoo, Tinkertown, and more. One good thing about staying in Winnipeg is we always have an endless list of things to do. Winnipeg is definitly far more family friendly than Regina with amusement parks, waterslides, the zoo and endless children's festivals at the parks.

Today was Madison's first day of Grade 2. I can't believe how fast she is growing up! She is in a grade 1/2 split class this year and has many of her friends from last year in her class - which excites her to no end.

Madison on the first day of Kindergarten





Madison on the first day of Grade 2

Television Without Pity

Have you seen this site? It's got updates on ALL of your favourite shows and reviews of pretty much every episode. Missed something on your favourite show? Want to know what's going to happen next? Take a peek at this site!

What a weekend!

I flew to Regina on Friday evening and flew home again Sunday. Why did I go for such a quick visit you ask?

Amber's Bachelorette Party!! Amber and I have been friends for 22 years - we've grown up together and I couldn't miss this for the world.

We had a FANTASTIC weekend - thanks again Amber :)

Poor M

Spent the evening in the E.R. with Madison last night. She came home from daycare at noon not feeling well. She had a fever of 103.6 so I gave her tylenol and put her to bed. She woke up at four and her temperature was the same so I gave her more tylenol. By 6:00 her temp was up to 104 so I called healthlinks and they advised I bring her in to the ER.

At the ER they were quite concerned as her fever wasn't going down at all with medication and her heart rate was quite fast. They gave her tylenol and motrin, convinced her to eat a little jello and took a urine sample.

We had to hang out until the fever went down, finally they released her at 10:00 as her temp was down to 100. The Tylenol/Motrin combo must have done the trick.

We got home at 10:30, gave her tylenol/motrin again and put her to bed. Her fever broke shortly after and she slept all night. This morning she seems perfectly healthy with no fever at all. I kept her home anyways but she should be fine for tomorrow.

It's hard seeing your baby (even if she's 7!) so sick - this was the first ER trip we've had to make for either of the girls. Lets hope it's the last!

Cute picture!

I want to share a picture my Mom sent this morning, it's the girls' pony Cheerio and my Mom's horse Maggie. They were in the small barn (or whatever it's called - I'm not a farmer :lol: ) and my Mom was trying to get them out as they're not supposed to go in there.

Notice Maggie's tongue. :P

Please watch this - you CAN make a difference!

Happy Canada Day

We're going to Assiniboine Park today to join in the Canada Day festivities. Face painting, bouncers, tattoos, face painting, cake and more! The best part of all is that the Zoo is free all day.

We'll go back tonight for Fireworks, or we may go check out the Fireworks at the Forks.

A few links if you're looking for something to do today in Winnipeg ..

Canad Inns Canada Day at Assiniboine Park

Canada Day at the Forks

Have fun and Happy Birthday Canada!

Cartown

Cartown is a summer program run in Winnipeg. It is designed to teach children about driving safety. The kids learn the rules of the road and drive motorized cars around a make believe town. The town has arrows on the roads, working stop lights, stop signs, a railway track, a carwash, drive in, Mc Donalds, bank with ATM and more. So much fun! At the end of the day you get a license to take home.





Here are some pictures of our fun at Cartown!

A great way to spend a summer evening!!

We went to Marble Slab Creamery on Wednesday night. It's a new ice cream shop that opened on Kenaston by Costco.

One word - DELICOUS!!

You select the flavour of ice cream or frozen yogurt and they mix it (on a marble slab .. ;)) with the mix ins you choose. The possibilities are endless!!

Allan and I shared a Strawberry Shortcake with sweet cream ice cream, cake and fresh strawberries mixed in - topped with real whipped cream.

Annika had blueberry ice cream with bubble gum mixed in. (Not my top choice but she loved it!)

Madison had sweet cream ice cream with york peppermint patties mixed - another very good choice.

I Buy Canadian

Apples'n'Oranges is having a great contest where you can win FABULOUS prizes by listing why you choose to buy Canadian. (See the information by clicking on the button on the right!)

I do not sew, I do not knit,
I only craft a little bit.

I do not scrap, I cannot stamp,
But a computer can sit in my lap!

Online I can find all these things,
From diapers and clothes to slings with rings!

My fellow canucks I can adore,
As I shop at home from shore to shore.

Winterpeg and the need for fleece,
A shady cover to escape the heat!

Mosquito nets at prarie ball games,
An aqua sling in Vancouver rain.

All of my needs they do know,
Fellow canucks your online shops I do go!

Just say no!

Starbucks has it's lovers, Starbucks has it's haters - and Starbucks has people like me who don't like the prices, don't particularly *love* the drinks but don't know any better to go anywhere else.

That is until they discover Second Cup! WHY have I never realized how wonderful this place is??

First, and most important - it's CANADIAN!

Secondly, and the one you'll remember - it's freaking delicious! The drinks are wonderful, the servings are larger (and you can actually pronounce them without looking and sounding like a babbling idiot) and the prices are lower.

I've been introduced to the iced non fat butter pecan latte, which is to die for. I may cheat on my new lover and try another drink - but for now I am savouring it's sweetness.

They also have *fabulous* pastries that are locally made at the bakeries near the store. So far I've had the lemon poppy seed twist and the spinach longhorm (which is basically spinach dip in a puff pastry - faint.)

Run - don't walk to your nearest Second Cup and you'll never look back again!

This is what I was waiting for!

It was 27C this afternoon - absolutely beautiful weather. I *love* the warm summer heat, even if it turns me red as a lobster.

Unfortunatly I spent most of this beautiful summer day shivering at my desk - the a/c was way too high.

Bring on the weekend!

Happy Birthday

Today is Allan's 30th and Madison's 7th Birthdays! We are celebrating by going out to Mongo's Grill for dinner. Madison got to choose the restaurant (Allan chose KFC last night) and this is what she picked, as I knew she would - it's by far her favourite.

I cannot belive Madison is already 7 years old and finishing first grade. She has grown into such a beautiful, caring, fun girl. I am so proud to be her Mom.

Allan is a wonderful, caring, loving husband and father. He is so dedicated to his family and it shows every day. I am so proud to call him my husband!

What a lucky lady I am!

Madison's Birthday Party

We had a jam packed day yesterday - thank goodness Allan's feeling better!

After the soccer tournament was Madison's 7th Birthday Party. We went to Tiber River Naturals. They make their own products (lotions, scrubs, soaps, etc.) and sell them in the front of the store, then in the back they do manicures and pedicures. We got use of the back from 4-6pm and Madison and five friends all got manicures, nail art and made lipgloss.

We ordered a custom cupcake cake and 15 mini cupcakes from The Cupcakery, a new shop in Osbourne Village. The cupcakes were to die for, sooo delicious. The Cupcake cake wasn't that good, too hard. I don't know if they are usually like that due to how big they're made or what - but everyone had a cupcake (or two) after the cake so all was okay!

Overall the party was a huge success!

Soccer Tournament

Madison and Annika's soccer tournament was yesterday morning - it was a lot of fun! Annika played a game, Madison played a game and then we enjoyed the bouncers and a bbq lunch. Rain threatened us the entire time but other than a few drops while we were in line for the BBQ it was fine.

Both girls really enjoyed soccer this year. It was Annika's first and Madison's third season. We'll be back next year without a doubt! The community centre runs the soccer program and they are desperately lacking in volunteers so I put my name in - you can remind me I volunteered for this next spring when I'm pulling my hair out. But, without volunteers - there is no program and one person shouldn't have to do it all.

Sick

Allan is sick again, less than a month ago he was really ill and at the doctor's. (If you know Allan, you know he has to be really sick to go to the doctor or take a day off work and he missed three!)

Well, now he's sick again, in bed, can't get up, fever, vomitting, etc. The doctor gave him a six day course of strong antibiotics and he's supposed to go back if that doesn't work. This was yesterday and he's already feeling better. Lets hope this time it's for good!

We have a very busy weekend filled with birthdays, Father's day, a soccer tournament, Mom and Frank's visit, etc. No time to be sick in this house!

Visiting Granny's Farm

Pictures from Heather and Ashton's Wedding

Home again!

We had a fabulous time in Saskatchewan. Busy, but fabulous!!

We arrived on Thursday and went to Chili's for dinner with Wayne and Joan - we had to wait a long time to get a table and then wait another long wait to get our meals, but they were delicous and even Allan agreed they were worth the wait! So, if you're in Regina (or any other city with a Chili's!) I recommend you go try them out.

On Friday Allan went to Moose Jaw to get his tux and attend the rehearsal. The girls and I stayed back in Regina where we went to Jennifer's to play and Jenn did our hair. (Thanks Jenn!)

On Saturday we were off to Moose Jaw for Heather and Ashton's wedding. The ceremony was beautiful - the weather was just perfect and the reception was a lot of fun, just like we knew it would be! Congratulations again guys, you deserve nothing but the best!

On Sunday we were off to Mom's farm (yes, it is now officially a farm in my books - not an acreage!) They now have chickens, bunnies, horses, dogs, cats - it's a farm! We had a blast - as you'll see in the photos. Can't wait to go back in August.

So it was a jam packed weekend - we didn't get to see everyone we'd have liked, but it was a lot of fun.

On the road again!

We're off for a whirlwind trip to Regina/Moose Jaw/Saskatoon!!

We'll get to Regina sometime late this afternoon, do some last minute shopping for hair things, wrapping paper, etc. and go to Chili's for dinner (since last try was a bust!). Friday Allan's going to be in Moose Jaw for a last minute tux fitting and wedding rehearsal (Allan's cousin Ashton is getting married, Allan's a groomsman) and the girls and I will be at Jennifer's getting our hair done. (Since again, last try was a bust - haha!)

Saturday is the wedding - Sunday we're off to Saskatoon to visit my Mom and her horses, bunnies, chickens - oh my! and we come home early Tuesday morning.

I think I'll need a vacation, from my vacation! But be on the lookout for lots of pics!!

Annika's 4th Birthday

Annika's 4th Birthday party was yesterday at the Manitoba Children's Museum. She had a great time and I was really impressed with the activities and the entire party experience. We got to choose our own theme, we chose to have a treasure hunt, so all of the kids went on a trek through the museum to find pieces of the treasure map, then once all pieces were found we put it together, found the treasure (party horns) and went back to our party room for cake and presents. After that we let everyone explore the museum at their own pace, which worked well because kids could leave as they were ready.

Overall I think it turned out really well - here are the pictures!!