Merry Christmas!

Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas, and a fun, healthy holidays! Here are a few pictures of me and Alix attempting to bake last night.... you must read the recipe, and see what Alix did ;) (she dumped *all* the ingrediants in together!) The hand ornament, Jaden made for me from playschool, and the little angel ornament I got from Aunty Bonita at the Girls Weekend a few years ago. I love those angels, and she brought them all the way from Guademala (sp?) Anyways, hope to see many of you this week!!!

Just to share some pictures

These pictures are from our trip to West Edmonton Mall Monday/Tuesday. We stayed in the African Room, it was very cool! We all brought our swim suits, and enjoyed the hot jacuzzi tub! I included some pictures of the kids at Jaden's Christmas concert today too. Tomorrow is already THURSDAY, yikes! This week is going by fast!!!

Yikes, only a week left!

That is freaky!!! I HAVE TO FINISH MY CHRISTMAS CARDS TODAY!!!! The clock is ticking, and it's going to be a busy week for everyone I'm sure. Tomorrow we are having our house appraised, I'm anxious to hear what it's worth on the market right now. We are seriously going to consider a move in early 2007. Rene is "helper parent" tomorrow at playschool for the first time. Jaden is so excited to have his daddy at school. Rene is sort of thinking it will be fun, but they will be practicing for their concert which is Wednesday. I wish I could be there to see him singing along side of Jaden ;) After school we are heading into the city. Plan to meet up with my uncle Charlie and Kelly, who I haven't seen in *forever* Hope to get some cool pictures of him and I since we are 1st cousins, and very close in age. We are treating ourselves to an early Christmas gift from Rene's dad, and staying at West Ed with the kids. The African room, bunkbeds included...I'm looking forward to the bathing suit, jacuzzi soak...lot's of bubbles, and the kids squeeling.. ha ha ha. Tuesday we'll finish up our Christmas shopping, we have to pick up a few things for other people :) God I love shopping...I don't care if i have my husband and kids with me. Shopping is so damn fun! Retail therapy....perfect way to cure my stress headache ;) We had a good weekend, today we had, this is what he's been calling it: his "Birthday REAL party" since his actual birthday isn't until Christmas day. We went to the bowling alley, and he invited 6 friends to come. I love going there for birthdays, it's affordable, and so cool for the kids. But best of all, the mess stays there :) He got some awesome gifts, and was such a gentlemen, remembering to say thank you for presents, and thank you's to everyone who was able to make it. Nat was also able to come (Dorien's gf...)turned Fiance!!! Yup, saw the diamond to prove it too! She's glowing, and we are so happy for them. I told Jaden that Dorien and Nat would have a wedding and get married. He responded with "Then they can have kids!!" :) How come he knows the order of things at the age of 4 heheheh cool! Aunty Alix came as well, and surprised jaden with a HUGE, (no kidding it's HUUUUUUGE) race car track. He loves it! Mommy and daddy..hmmm well it sure takes up a good half of our basement! lol.... naw, it's aweomse, and he'll really enjoy it :)

What else happened this weekend? Oh! Alix offered to babysit Saturday night, and after much persuading to Rene that we needed some 'couple time' we went to a pub for a few drinks. We decided to try our luck with a 20 in the vlt, and my first spin, I won 140.00!! Saweeeeeeeeet :)

A not so great highlight was going to Canadian Tire for my dad. OMG, I thought I was going to kill someone! I am the first one to TRULY appreciate and say so when I get good customer service, but trust me, I am also equally unappreciative with rude, and inconsiderate customer service reps. After being in that store for 2 hours!!! WAITING for the manager to dispute a *sale* for my dad... anyways, i got the tools from i think it was 299.99 for 89.00, it was worth it. I also got 32.00 Canadian tire dollars out of it lol. But daddy, you OWE me big time still!!! I'm thinking 10.00 in the vlt's when I'm down there for Christmas ;) hehehhe jk.

Anyone watch Survivor tonight? Holy man, it was the most borring finale ever. However I had a good laugh when it was down to the final 4, and the 2 girls had to start fire as a tie breaker. I can't even begin to explain what all happened, but i think it was like 2 hours later, after attempting with flint/metal.... to a box of matches. WHO one girl RAN OUT OF... can you believe that?? Oi, it was funny. Maybe it looks easier then it is?

Okie dokie....it's past midnight, I have to get some shut eye. Have a wonderful week everyone, hope to post once more before leaving for Plamondon on Friday. I can't believe 2007 is around the corner.... it's been a BIG year for me, what might this year to come bring???

(Sorry for such a long post, thx for coming by! Let me know if you peeked at this in my comments area)

I did it!!!!!!

I am now a registered student at NAIT for January 17th, the Taking Control of Your Camera course!!! I am sooooooo excited, and nervous! I hope it all works out well, with Rene's work, and with the kids! I can't wait! I got the papers to confirm it all today. Now I just have to pray for good weather every Wednesday in January and February!!

Feel free to leave comments :)

At the end of every post you can click on comments! Seems like my blog is getting a lot of looks, so I'd like to hear what you think of anything or everything :) You don't need an acct, you can go under annonymous, just write your name at the end of your comments so I know who you are ;) Thx guys!

525 hits to my blog!

Wow, that's so cool! I guess I'm not as boring as I thought I was ;) Thx for taking the time to check it out here, and for the comments that some of you leave here! I appreciate that you care enough to include my little blog in your list of things to do while online ;) Having a busy week, tomorrow is Rene's last day of his shift...yeah!!! It's going to be a fun week ahead of us, but busy. Tomorrow night we are going to St.Mary's for the Christmas Concert. Both Russell and Brooke will be in it! Sunday is Jaden's birthday party at the bowling alley, and Monday Rene will be the 'helper parent' at playschool with Jaden. Jaden is sooo excited. Rene is, but isn't. LOL<>

I have been practicing on manual mode, here are a few pictures! I think I'll get the one of Avery framed.. I like Jaden's expression in this one, it's so 'him' and doesn't he look SO much like Rene? The last one is of Avery's friend, Heidi! She is a rea sweetheart, and has the most gorgeous eyes. Avery is lucky to have a friend who likes to play "dollies" with her. G'night :)

14 More Sleeps!!

We had a nice weekend. The weather was excellent for sledding with the kids. I can't believe how tough they become in the cold snow, but man, Jaden will spend HOURS outside with red, wrists and nose, and not complain at all. Avery is also a trooper out there! I guess it is just me who would rather be inside cuddled up in a quilt, reading a book then outside in the cold. But I appreciate the fresh air, and love seeing the kids giggle nervously as they go down the hill over and over again. Saturday I took them to the mall to see Santa. I asked Alix to come along in case we'd be in line for a long time.. but actually, there was no line. IN fact, there were no tears, or anything! We were in and out of there in 5 minutes. Kinda boring actually....lol. All Avery asked for was Lipstick "Santa, pwease bring me lipstick, I don't have any, and my mommy doesn't share hers" ha ha, and Jaden asked for a new race car track (which is news to me!) and said "Because I have a cool one, but It's lost in our basement somewhere" Sheesh.... I had to laugh. Because things moved along so fast, Alix and I figured we'd go to BP's with the kids. It was fun, and I took a few pictures :) I also took a few pictures of the deer outside her apartment, just laying by the road in the trees, having an afternoon nap. These are 2 different deer.

Yup, and then it will be Christmas...14 more sleeps! This year will be different for us, because Rene has to work. I was torn as what to do this year. I really couldn't imagine being home all day on Christmas eve and all day on Christmas home with the my two kids, while Rene was at work. He could possibly be only working until noon those days, but it's also possible that he'll be working 16hr days. There is no way to know for sure...so with his encouragement, we decided that I'll go to Plamondon a few days before Christmas, and come back to Whitecourt Christmas day (I really don't like the idea of spending Christmas Day/Jaden's birthday driving..) but this was the best we could come up with. We'll be able to spend Christmas night with Rene (hopefully) and then go back to Plamondon Friday morning when Rene goes off shift. No plans for New Years, but I would like to do something :) I can't wait to see the friends and family that I only see a few times a year, Adrienne JP and Easton are going to be in Plamonond for a week, and I can't wait to spend some time with them!! Everyone keeps asking "Are you ready for Christmas?" My answer is sure.... I still have a few gifts to buy and wrap, and some pictures to take. I need to mail off Christmas cards....but it's all coming along. Anyways, wow, if you are still reading this (loooong post huh?) heheheh
Have a good Monday, make it count :)

What are your weekend plans?

Hey, it's the weekend! What are you doing at the computer?? hehheheh..well I'm here because Rene is working this weekend, and it's just me and my kids. Tomorrow is supposed to be a beautiful day (as long as the ice is all melted!!) and I promised Jaden I would take him to the "big hill" to go sledding after Avery's nap. I also want to **FinisH** my Christmas cards, and get those ready to mail out...hopefully everyone will get one before Christmas this year :) Leaving you with a few pictures of my daughter "watching tv"...Have a good weekend!

I miss Vegas!

I was going through the pictures on my computer last night, and came across this one from our trip to Vegas last April. *sigh* It was so awesome...and I would love to go back some day! This was one of my favorite things when we were there. The fountains were simply Stunning!

It isn't a good photograph, technically (with my old camera too) but I still love it!

Thx for stopping in!

Happy Birthday Mom!!

A Special Note From your grandchildren :)

Falling behind...

Wow, I haven't posted since Thursday? Terrible! Here are a few pictures... mom I finally took some of the vases/lanterns I bought on the girls weekend. I am LOVING them....and could get a few more, smaller one's to put over my cabinets on the other side ;) Here are a few recent pictures...

Gotta love this one...it screams "Merry Freakin Christmas!" Avery wasn't in the mood to sit still for pictures, it was way past her bedtime, so we'll have to try again another day!

I took some family pictures for Mike & Angie, and I haven't finished proofing them all, but had to share this one. Korbyn's eyes really stood out to me. My goodness, they all look alike! They were so much fun, thx for letting me do these guys :)

Ah ha!

In order to protect the pictures I take so that somebody else can't take them, and go print them, i will now have a © symbol on all pictures I post on my blog. Here is an example!

Maurice, Louise or Pablo!?

LOL..... these are the boy and girl names Jaden has picked for our next baby...... nope, I'm not pregnant, we just talk about babies a lot in our house. Avery picked the names: Avery Grace and Sebastien! So cute... (in case you are wondering Jaden's names come from The Backyardagains, and Max & Ruby) Just a quick post today, sharing a few pictures... look what I've done to my son!!! But it's too cute not to share it :) He came down the stairs after he dressed himself, and "posed" for a picture! This picture of Alix was taken at Aunty Solange's house Thursday morning when the city was hit with another snowfall, and her window looked like the perfect backdrop!

Good News!

For those of you that know I was waiting for some news today from my Mom, I am happy to say that all results came back clear :) Everything is good, which is great news!! I do hope Mom, that this doesn't stop you from following through on your New Years Resolution ;) I love you!!! xoxoxo

*Update* On Playstation 3

I GOT IT!!! Yup, I did!!! But if you go look on Ebay....it's not looking as good as it did before. So it might be ours to keep, we'll see. Rene likes his other playstation, but he's never catched on to the online thing. Maybe he should!? Just wanted to let you all know! I'll post a picture later...got one of me proudly holding it in my arms! lol.... have a good Monday!

Back from the Girls Weekend....

...and now recovering from power shopping, too much food, blistered feet, and lack of sleep :) But it was fun, and worth it as always. I still can't believe how many stores I went into, and how many I didn't!! ( i missed out on Chapters, Superstore, Mexx, Claire's, Zellers, Toys R Us...) But went to Costco, Kingsway, Bombay, West Ed, St. Albert Centre, Leons...spent too much time at The Children's Place, Old Navy, Gymboree, and Gap :P Jaden and Avery really don't need anymore toys this year, so lot's of jammies, and some clothes...a few books, and 1 big toy each. We got Jaden a game cube, and Avery a wooden craddle, and highchair for her dolls. (It's so cute, tried to find a picture online but couldn't..it is from Costco.) Alix, Mom and I got matching pj's from LaSenza...they are so comfy, and we took a lotta pictures! The roads were really nasty Thursday morning, so I'm glad that at the last minute me and Alix drove into the city on Wednesday night. It was really strange, I ran into Katrina Samoilov in West Edmonton Mall...and I haven't seen her in years, so that was cool...she's doing good, seems happy, and was shopping with her husband. My kids were sick, that sucked because Monique was babysitting and had a hard time with them...they were all over Sebastien, and they weren't listening that well. You know, the way kids are when they aren't feeling well....and there mommy isn't around. She worked hard for every dollar, I'm lucky she was able to come up. Wish we could have had more time to visit, I didn't even get a picture! However, here are a few from the "GIRLS WEEKEND 2006"

2 more sleeps!

I am so excited! It's that time of year again.... The Girls Weekend!!! For those who don't know what I'm talking about, EVERY year (since I was 13) I meet up with my aunties, mom and Grandma in Edmonton for 3 days of Shopping! So much fun, I look forward to it every single year. It nearly didn't happen with Rene having a new job, but thanx to Monique who is coming up here to babysit (Thx Monique soooo much!!!!) I can go shop til i drop! (eeks, so long as the snow stops long enough for her to get here!) I haven't updated in a few days, not too much to report. Both Jaden and Avery have colds, and Rene starts his shift on Thursday. I have to go do some online shopping, so have a good night everyone!

{HUGS}

Adriennne

Life's Just not Fair

I did it! I mean I got up at 5:15am, bundled up and went to Walmart and stood in line to buy a Playstation 3. Unfortunately for me, and a few others....it didn't work out. To make a long story short, the Night Manager took it upon himself and gave out 4 tickets for the only 4 Playstation games that they got. For some unknown reason as of now, he gave 2 away at 5pm yesterday!? And then at 1:30am walked outside....and all those waiting, were in their vehicles. Nobody was in line. He waved them around, and it was the first 2 guys who ran up to him that got em. Needless to say that when the head manager came to work in the morning, she told us that it was first come/first serve...so when the one guy told her what happened, she was not happy, but there really wasn't anything she could do. I stayed until opening anyways..."just in case" but we sat and watched as the 4 got bought. I'm 3rd on a waiting list, so if they get the next 4 they expected to get...I'll get one, maybe. If they don't 'lose' the list. I hope this guy who handed them out gets fired...I mean there really should be some organization to ensure that these machines are given out fairly. They advertised for 8:00am today....like we all hate to hear it, Life's not fair. It was interesting....met some neat people, exchanged email addresses, and it's something crazy I did this year. It was also cold...but worth it even if I didn't get one. I was really only buying one to turn around and sell it on ebay (One sold last night for over 6,000.00!!!) But I think even the hardcore gamers were going to do the same, then buy one later in 2007 when they release more.

On to something different, we are going to Plamondon for the weekend. Kinda spur of the moment. The kids have been asking to go see Papa, and he and Rene are off. I never posted this, but a few nights after our van was broken into, Rene went to leave for work to find his rear window on the truck had been smashed. Lovely. I hate that people are doing this....and with Rene working 2 night shifts this week, I haven't slept too much. I hope it stops here. Alix is going to stay at our house while we are gone, so I feel a bit better about leaving town.

Gonna post a few recent pictures of the kids, playing in the snow with our friends, Brooke and Hunter. Also Jaden went on a field trip last week to the Vet Clinic, so some pics of that too..unedited....just wanted to share :) Have a good weekend everybody!

Avery doesn't look too impressed!

Jaden holding up a tape worm they took out of a dog....ucky!

I think he had just as much fun riding on a school bus for the first time, as he did at the Vet Clinic! lol...

Call me Crazy, Stupid, or smart.....?!

Sooooooooooo I heard about the big Playstation 3 release tomorrow. I am not a gamer... nor do I care to become one, BUT... they are releasing 7 at our Walmart. The crazy girl in me is getting up at 5:00am..and if there isn't already a huge line up, I am standing in line until 8am (store opening hours..) and I'm buying one! The lady told me they cost 799.00 but will sell on Ebay for big money. I'm doing it! ha ha, maybe i'll make a few extra Christmas dollars doing it, and to me that makes it fun and worth it. Wish me Luck! Trust me I will bring you the update in the early am :)

New Settings...

I'm not sure why, but I'm getting all kinds of "junk" comments left on my blog, so I had to change my settings. You'll only be able to leave me a comment if you are a registered user with Blogger, sorry....but the "junk" is driving me crazy!!! I'll post again tonight, with some pictures! Hope everyone is having a good Wednesday :)

Uggghhh Feelin' so bummed

I'm having a terrible day... When I got the kids into our vehicle this morning to take Avery to her Boogy Woogy (dance class) i found all the stuff in my van spread all out. My change was gone, and so was my flippin purse................................and cell phone. I am so mad... why would someone do this? Why us? I NEVER leave my purse in the van over night, and I'm always reminding Rene to bring his wallet in, as he does tend to leave it in his truck over night. For some reason, it stayed in the van last night. I thought I was going to go for coffee with Alix, but I wasn't feeling well, and went to bed early. I did my grocery shopping yesterday, and brought it all into the house, minus the case of pop for rene. He went into it at 8:30 last night and obviously forgot to lock the doors. There is no damage to the van, so i'm guessing it wasn't locked. In my purse I had a few hundred dollars in a *secret zipper* saving for cash for my "Girls Weekend" my birth cert, the kids' sin cards, and ab health care, birth cert, credit card, debit cards, cheq's, my fave lipstick :( What a disaster. Anyways.... I don't feel like going on about it, but please, take it from me, take your wallet/purse in the house with you ALL the time. I think it's small town mentality. Time to lock the doors to the vehicle and house each and everytime I go anywheres. THANK GOD I didn't for some reason have my camera in there too... thx for stopping by.

Pretty bad when....

You wake up in the morning with a kids song in your head! lol.... I guess that's all part of being a mom. "Eyes, Nose... cheeky, cheeky, Chin!" (Jaden's class sings this before snack time) the songs are just as catchy as any Nelly Furtado songs! hehhe... So a few of you have emailed me asking what the Easter Bunny story is. Here it is: I believe Jaden was 2 at the time...and my mom had this "easter bunny" costume. But honestly, it looked like a really freaky Bunny.. the eyes looked hollow and black. So not the cute fluffy white bunny I would have pictured! When she came hopping into the kitchen...Jaden backed up and was really unsure about it. She put down his basken, and hopped away. That wasn't so bad, we talked to him...and he finally started to smile...but still really aprehensive about it all. Of course we all laughed and thought this was funny...and I thought... let's bring the bunny out again! Well this time, he went hysterical. No kidding....he was definately traumatized. He wouldn't calm down, and when he finally did, kept looking over his shoulder, waiting to be scared again. He wanted to leave my mom and dad's so bad. Not cool. And seriously... my son remembered this all the way to winter with Santa, and again the following Easter. The bunny never came out last time... and I think he's sort of over it now. But he's not one to run up and hug any big costumed ppl! We actually have some video of the Easter Bunny and Jaden, but I'm not sure how to link that to my blog...maybe another day.

Monday is almost over

...and I haven't been to my blog in a almost a week! Rene is on his days off, so we've (or I should say..he's..) been keeping busy. I do believe Rene is going to begin the development of our basement tomorrow...starting with the framing. I have a feeling this will be a looong ongoing project, but Rene does thrive on such things, and it will be very nice to have a basement that we can enjoy! We plan to have a family room, Play room, bathroom, and Jaden's bedroom down here. We'll have a little corner for our treadmill and weights as well. Looking forward to having RUG! I like the look of our laminate floors upstairs, but rug is so warm, and cozy, and hides dirt... which really, as gross as it sounds, I think I prefer it that way?!?! Kids are doing great! Jaden LOVES, LOVES to go sledding....and stays out way longer then I'd ever imagine! For the lil wuss he can be, he sure can handle the cold snow better then Rene or I can!! He still loves Preschool...and today they got a visit from Sparky the Fire dog. I was smart though, I prepped him for 2 days about this visit (in case you don't know him well, he freaks at the sight of any big costume... going back from a traumatic experience a few yrs ago when his granmda and his mom scared him with an Easter Bunny..long story.) His teacher said he did very well...and chose the high five over a hug ;) That's my boy! heheheh when we went trick or treating...he did see a scary costume, and Avery got scared. When we got back to our vehicle he tells her "just do what I do avery... I say "Don't cry Jaden, Don't cry, it's not scary, I'm a big boy" lol.... such a sweetie.

Tonight, after I tucked the kids into bed...and let me tell ya they were tired! We took them sledding *and* swimming tonight... they should sleep well ;) I heard avery laying in her bed talking to her "baby"...she was saying "K, say Alligator... AL LI GA TOOOORE.. nooo, not like that... like this... ALI GATOoOOORE..." Seriously...she was trying to teach her baby to pronounce words... it was too funny :)

I met with a lady today, whom I took family pictures for. She is my first unofficial "customer" She "heard" i took good pictures, and had asked me to take some of her, her hubby and their 2 kids. I didn't know her at all, and decided to go for it. It went well.... and today we went over the pictures together. She was so happy with them (which kinda surprised me i guess) and she ordered TONS! It really made my day. I can't wait to do more of this in the future! Photography is definately my passion.

Well I do believe I've babbled enough...and made up for the entire last week! lol... so I'm leaving you with a picture or 2, we'll see how long they take to load. G'night!

there have been tons of deer in this field (including huge bucks!) for the past week, and this is the best shot I have of it :( All you can see is only lonely deer! I'm going to go try again tomorrow night with a tripod.