Hello dear friends.  I seem to be having trouble making regular posts!  Sorry about that.  I think of it often.   If only there was a little me that could take my thoughts for the day and plug them into the computer for me!!   We have been busy welcoming in the cooler Fall weather, Harry started hockey, I started working, harvesting and processing fruit from the yard and continuing with renovations.  Kevin and I have been challenging each other to find frugal and fun ways to renovate and/or improve the house.  Will keep you posted on how that is going!! I thought I would include some pictures of what has been happening in our world lately......a little titbit for now if you will.

Quiet moments checking out their favorite books

Reading with Nana (Sam is tired here - can you tell!?)

Our new pocket doors for the office and into the hall.  Kevin put them in for under $50 and I LOVE them.  I am able to lock the dogs out of the kitchen and living area now and it is making a huge difference.  When I am at work the house stays clean, well at least until the kids get home that is!

My lovely little helpers cleaning the glass

Kev and I all 80's upped for Derek's surprise 40th party.  It was really fun and Bianca I thought of you and all the daggy 80's music we love.  Good times.  (Hay, we never did have that 'bad taste' party - will have to put that on the list next time we are home!!!)

Where I spent a good part of the weekend, pulling nails and staples from the walls and floors. 

The stunning view from our deck.  I love Fall.  I love the colours and the cool air.  I love the crisp, clean days.  I hope the weather is treating you all as kindly as it is here right now and I do hope that the rain stops soon in Brisvegas!  (Who would have thought a year ago that I would be saying that!!  From drought to flooding - it is Australia after all!!!)

The boys mountain adventure

Much to my dismay (and the boys utter delight), Kevin took the boys camping on the mountain behind our house.  I was only dismayed due to the large bears and coyote's that live on this mountain and the thought of my 3 precious men being in a tent for the evening.  Call me overprotective if you will.  Must be something to do with the Aussie in me!!!  I wish I had taken a picture of them as they set off on their manly adventure.  They were loaded up with packs and big smiles, the dogs barking excitedly beside them. 

So they survived and had a fantastic time.  We spoke before they went to sleep that night and again in the morning to calm my nerves.  Kevin said there was only one moment when he wished he hadn't gone.  Both Harry and Sam needed to poo when they got up to their camp spot and guess what the one thing is that Kevin forgot to pack?  Yup, the old toilet paper was left behind.  Thank goodness for stinky old socks left in the bottom of the tent or Kevin might have cried!!!!  And what was I doing on my solo evening?  I had my feet up, watched some movies, had a bath and went to bed ALL BY MYSELF!!!!!!  It was lovely.  I should suggest they go again next summer!!

Bears.....

How big do you think this bear was?  Maybe this big.....................

Nah....this is just a little fella looking for an apple.  I guess our bear scarer (the tins hanging in the tree) didn't scare him away!

He wasn't even concerned that we were watching.  He just ate his apple and went on his way.  We have been seeing bears almost every day and every night for the past few weeks.  One even tried to climb up on the deck the other night!  We were throwing things and yelling to try to deter him but he just slowly sauntered off after, having a few swipes at Buddy!  Yikes did it ever scare me!!!  Oh country living, eh?

The many faces of my beautiful boys..........

We have spent a lot of this summer exploring our yard and its surrounds.  It is so nice learning to fall in love with our new home.  The boys are able to spread their wings, just a little bit and still be close enough to walk to school.  I love it!

Happy Meal

You know those nights when the kids are complaining because we are having salad AGAIN.  Then they don't eat the salad and you sit through the whole mean listening to whining?  It's exhausting and I can't say I like it one little bit.  So last Sunday night after a long weekend all I wanted was BBQ meat and a salad, but do I want it bad enough to sit through the boys complaining?  So I tried something.....my version of a 'Happy Meal'.....Monster Salads

Guess what?  There was no complaining, just silence and their plates were empty in minutes.  It was brilliant!!  So this Sunday after another full weekend we tried again.  I honestly didn't think it would work again, that perhaps last Sunday was one of those one hit wonders.  So I thought I had better step things up and make a bigger, better monster salad.  Throw in some home made ice tea, eat outside on the deck and happy, happy days!

So now the only time I have little monsters at the table is the other 6 nights a week!  I have to admit, they are cute monsters though. 

Vacation!

Our 10 day vacation adventure with Kevin's parents David and Gail, as well as our 14 year old nephew Daniel was amazing.  The following photos are courtesy of Dave and Daniel - thanks guys!  I unbelievable managed to leave our camera at home.  Our vacation started with a party in Vernon with family friends.  We then travelled up to Sushwap Lake to visit Gail's cousin Melrose and Bill.  They  were exceptional hosts.  We had fantastic meals, great hospitality and a memorable day on the lake.

Next we went up to Revelstoke for a couple of nights and then to New Denver for 3 nights.  We relaxed, we explored, we ate, we hiked, we biked and we swam.  Sam took off his training wheels (again) with much gusto and Harry made it up the Galena Trail without complaining once!  Kevin celebrated his birthday reminiscing about all the birthdays he celebrated on holidays as a young kid.  I got some knitting done and a few books read and generally enjoyed the suns rays on my skin.  We had great company and great times.  Happy days.

Things I am loving.....

1. I love art time. I never thought I would say that but it is becoming more enjoyable each time.

2.  I love this cake recipe. It is moist, delicious and disappears in minutes of being made. There is only 1 cup of flour and lots of carrot and pineapple......mmmmmm. (If anyone would like the receipe please feel free to email me.)  

3.  Summer parades....

4.  Tacky but fun games nights with the girls...

5.  Practing ball in the yard with two very eager ball players...

                                   

6.  Lazy Summer 'nights' down at the river .....

                                     

                                                                 

What are you loving right now?