Balloon Glow 2017

Last week the Hot Air Balloons came to town.

Or if you ask Remy "Hot Loons"

I got this photo from Facebook. It was taken here in High River

We were able to see the Balloons fly Wednesday night, Thursday morning, Thursday night and Friday morning! Friday morning the kids get driven to school, Kalia has to be there early as she is in Safety patrol. On our way we saw about 20 balloons in the air, the kids were thrilled. I think Remy realized for the first time there were people in the baskets of the balloons. We drove slowly downtown looking at all the balloons, we got to the school but the kids weren't  finished admiring, so we dropped Kalia off, and contained to chase the balloons.

another photo from Facebook taken in High River

Friday night we headed to the Balloon Glow with Grandma and Grandpa, Dianne and James, Krista and James with Sebastian and Aaron, and Sherilyn, Mckenna, Emerson and Brock!

It was so packed. People everywhere! Justin said they were announcing it on the radio in Calgary and Dianne it was on the radio in Lethbridge too. Lots of people came out to enjoy it.

Justin and Dad took the kids into the Hot Air Balloon display. Remy wasn't going to go in, but luckily they were able to talk her into it.

We found a good spot to watch the balloons blow up and we spent a hour and a bit visiting, standing in line at the food trucks, playing at the park, and watching the balloons blow up!

Thanks for everyone who joined us, it is always a good time with family. ALWAYS.

Snapshots

We had family pictures this week. Lets hope we get a few good ones :)

Walking around the car show

Friends that take pictures of your kids at school events you forget about

Best. Friends.

Mom and I went to Sound of Music this week. It was amazing. One of my top 8 favs for sure!

Women Session and Stake Service Project

Saturday afternoon the girls and I were able to attend a Stake service project and then the Women's General Conference Session. We headed into the chapel for 3:30 pm, and the girls and I got started on cutting bags up and making them into rolls to make into matts for the city homeless. The girls were super helpful. Annaliesse loved it.

The Moxley ladies joined us for some of the service project, dinner and the the broadcast. We all fit on one bench- but we aren't going to do that again :)

The Women General Session was so uplifting. I found Sharon Eubank and Neil F. Marroitt 's talks so inspiring.

“Use your voice and your power to articulate what you know and feel — on social media, in quiet conversations with your friends, when you’re chatting with your grandchildren.  Tell them why you believe, and what it feels like, if you ever doubted, how you got through it, what Jesus Christ means to you. As the Apostle Peter said, ‘Be not afraid … but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.’”
— Sharon Eubank

Comparison is the the thief of joy 
-Joy D Jones

The three sisters by Dieter F Uchdorf. 

So many amazing quotes and stories. I used President Uchdorfs talk in my Sunday lesson the next day, it was even better the second time around :)

It was so great watching it with family! This was Annaliesse's first time and she had such a good time. She did get a little bored near the end, but she did great.

The Moxley tradition is to go out for ice cream after the women session. Krista and Mom started years and years ago, and as the girls turn old enough to attend the session they come for ice cream! 

Here's to 30 more years of Women Session and Ice Cream!

Snapshots

Super Saturday is coming up. I have been asked to teach a class again this year and I am kind of excited about it. After having last year off, it cured me of my growing trepidation for Super Saturday time. 😆 I am teaching this class. A Merry Mail holder. Its gonna be so cute!

I turned the fireplace on this week! It was freezing in the house- turned out the heat was off.... my bad. Remy and I hung out in front of it reading stories, then Barker got in on the action, enjoying my childhood favourite, PJ Funny Bunny.

Friday Justin took the day off work and the kids had the day off school. Justin took Barker into the city for a hour to get a couple things done, the girls cleaned their room and I made a double batch of Candy Cane Chocolate Chip Cookies! Then we met Grandma for lunch and then spending the afternoon shopping for Kalia's 10th Birthday. She asked for a purse and high heels from us, and she went shopping with Grandma for her yearly Birthday outfit. Justin and I also shopped for a few family picture outfits. THEN at the end of the afternoon I finally convinced Annaliesse to get her hair cut. She looks loved!! She looks like a 8 year old almost 9 year old!! Its crazy!

Saturday morning Justin helped me make Carmel Popcorn! It is so much easier and faster with 2 people working. 1 popping the corn while 1 starts the Carmel! Works great. We also cleaned the house and van! Getting things done ✔

♡ ♡ Happy 10th Birthday Kalia ♡ ♡

♡ ♡ Happy Birthday Kalia! ♡ ♡

Kalia turned 10 today! First kid in double digits, I really didn't realize how fast this day would arrive. Kalia your 7th Birthday pictures popped up on Facebook today, it seemed like that was just the other day! Please stop growing. But we know thats unrealistic. 

So grow up. 

But.....
Can we still hold hands sometimes when we walk.
Hug me goodbye before school.
Let me still read Harry Potter out loud to you.
Check to see if your hair is rinsed.
Please whisper in my ear when your nervous about something.
Most of all, just a little longer, believe that my hugs, words and love can make anything better.

Here are 10 things we love about you.

1. You have the best smile.
2. You are such a good big sister!
3. You have a fun imagination
4. Your sass. 
5. You. Are. Brave
6. Helpful. We can always count on you
7. There is no one better to play wrestle with
8. You are talented
9. You are smart.
10. You are beautiful inside and out.

Starting Piano

Kalia, Annaliesse and Barker started Piano Lesson yesterday!

Barker has be SOOO excited to start this year. He may be a BOYS BOY but I really really hope he enjoys this. I mean, I understand its most likely NOT going to happen, but being musically talented doesn't mean you have to be a nerd (talking about boys here). Hence I am going to surround Barker with talented pianists as much as I can!

Kalia is excited to start again, although we will see how long that stays.

Annaliesse is Annaliesse. Happy, immature and off in her own land.

 Mommy loves Piano Lessons day. Grandma does to, for the most part. This just works for us, not sure how much longer Grandma will be able to teach Kalia, but for now this works for us. 

3 things. Maps. Butter Chicken. Pillowcases.

1. Kalia is in Grade 5 this year. The year they learn about Canadian Geography, her teacher Mrs. Andrews sent out a parent email letting us know about the upcoming test. Grandma printed off some blank copies of the Canadian Map for Kalia to practice on Monday Night. Watching her work on her map while I was making dinner brought a flooding of memories back. 

Im not sure why this memory is so clear, but it is. I was in Grade 5, Mrs. Beaven's class and we were having a quiz, the third one, on provinces and capital cities of Canada. The terms of the quiz, name all the provinces, capitals and SPELL them RIGHT. As you all know, from either reading the blog, or knowing me personally, I am the worst speller. In Grade 5, it was down right atrocious. I was one of only 5 or so kids who still had not gotten 100% and the beautiful red and white pencil with CANADA on it. I remember looking at a friend and thinking "How on earth can she remember how to spell EVERYTHING??" See I knew the provinces and cities, but the spelling, there was no way. I will never forget the light of the projector lighting Mrs. Beaven's face from underneath and knowing I would NEVER be a good enough speller for that pencil. It was the first time I realized I wasn't as smart as the other kids in spelling.

A part of me can't believe that Kalia is that age now. I don't have many clear memories of Grade 5, but the ones I do have are clear as day. Kalia your growing up and I am so glad you can spell better them me :)

2. On another note: Butter chicken was on the menu tonight. I made this years ago, forgot all about it, and when it was on sale today at Costco I figure to give it a try. Everyone liked it. Shocking. Heather put this in the regular rotation!

3. For FHE tonight I gave the kids the Halloween Pillowcases I made last December. I wanted to do it FOR last Halloween but with Justin and I going away for our big 10 year anniversary I couldn't find the time. PLUS the fabric was kinda pricy! So when I was in fabric land the end of November and saw the amazing Halloween fabric on sale, I jumped at the chance! PLUS who doesn't want a Halloween Pillowcase?!?!?! So I made them beginning of December and put them away for 10 months. I thought if we gave them to the kids now they could get a month and a half use out of them 😀

Annaliesse wasn't impressed, she didn't like the one I made for her, so Kalia kindly switched with her, and THEN Annaliesse whined about having to use a pillowcase. Annaliesse doesn't use a pillowcase, regardless of how much she gets told to. Barker and Remy were excited. Remy is mostly pink, I knew she would only see that and NOT the skulls.  Kalia was, well, Kalia. Kind enough to change with Annaliesse, OR changed because she thinks I'm lame and all my ideas are lame.

Food Drive

This year was the 11th annual Food Drive.... weird it is also our 11th Anniversary!

This weekend, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Dau Saints does a Food Drive. Calgary, High River and surrounding areas, we delivers bags to every house. Saturday everyone works together gathering filled bags from door steps and donating it to the local Food Banks.

Justin and I were reminiscing as we gathered bags Saturday. We remembered the days leading up to our marriage, my Parents and Justin's Mom were concerned they were missing the Food Drive. At the time I was like "Really Dad?! Really??" Justin and I were both annoyed that our parents were even mentioning a FOOD DRIVE on our Wedding weekend.

NOW after participating since 2011 the food drive has become a big part of our families Fall season.
Our kids look forward to delivering bags to our routes, they are so excited to pick up bags, and sit in the back of the truck. They love seeing how much food was donated and spending the morning with family.

This year was chilly! We managed to do 6 routes for our ward this year, Grandpa, Justin, Laura, Kalia and I did the majority of the bag delivery. Mom's foot is still not 100% so she took the younger 3 to swimming lessons and the rest of us delivered. We did leave the 4 culd'de'sacks by our house for the littles, and they loved it.

Pick up Saturday was even colder. Every year I stress out about the truck moving and kids running around. I spend the entire morning counting kids and making sure kids are sitting and watching everyone around the truck.

We found out High River donated 4.3 tons of food this weekend. Good Job Folks!

After spending the morning teaching our kids about service we took them to the Okotoks skatepark. Remy tried our her new two wheeled scooter, Kalia was loving my scooter and Justin showed off his tail whip skills to the delight of every little boy there.

Justin and I went out for anniversary that night. 11 years married. Crazy!! Justin surprised me and gave the go ahead for something I have been asking for, for a VERY long time. Happy Anniversary Just!!

Snapshots

Family Scooter Ride to Grandmas house for Sunday dinner.

Remy helped Mommy all week getting ready for a new season of High River Children's Choir. Picking music, printing flyers, stopping at schools, phonecalls and running all over doing paper work.

A Library stop with Ray Ray and Lauren

And playing with her new singing scooter while Daddy cut wood for craft night.

Thursday

Raining sent Justin home early Thursday. Remy and I were happy to have him! My list of things to get done before craft night was crazy. I was grateful for his help. 

I have a friend in craft group, Jennifer DeWolf, she is great. She quilts just like me and last year learned how to use the long arm at Heritage Quilts, she loves doing it and told me if I ever had quilts that needed done she would gladly do them! So I was busy trying to get 3 quilt backings done to take with me. I am going to pay for the rental and she is going to machine quilt them. 😁😁 I am so excited. 

I am sending her Remy's Fox Quilt, Barkers Skateboard quilt, and our Queen Christmas Quilt! THRILLING!

Luckily with a quick stop at the fabric store I was able to get all three ready to go AND managed to have a lunch date with Justin at our favourite Mexican spot in town!

So Kalia joined Grade 5 Flag Football. They have 3 home games and 2 away games. They had their first game today and she was so excited, even more so cause Justin showed up to watch! They start practicing at 2:40 and game time is at 3:30. Kalia managed to catch the kick off ball! She ran maybe 5 yards or so before she lost her flag. I thought she might be a biggish part of the game after that, buuuut she had a hard time paying attention. Hopefully as the season goes on she will be able to be a bit more involved. It being their first games things were a bit of a gong show, but all the kids had a great time. Spitzee lost to the Okotoks Hawks, but they put in a good effort! 

After Football we headed home for some stew and homemade bread. First stew of the season :) YUM Grandma somehow managed to get Remy to eat a entire bowl! Remy is a terrible supper eater, Grandma you should come over more often!

Then on to craft night. Justin and the kids helped me set up this time, and it was really nice not to have to set up 7 tables by myself! It was a great turn out this time, 20 ladies all getting their craft on. We made Fall/Halloween/Christmas signs. Some of these women were sooo talented, everyones back ground painting was on point. I did the Fall one and Halloween for my self.