Halloween 2017

Today is the day we have been waiting for all month!

We started off this morning at The Halloween Hoopla~ for ages 2-5! 

Remy and Ray had a great time, playing in the bouncy house, crafting, icing cookies and generally just running around having a blast. It was a nice way to spend Halloween morning!

Remy and I ran a couple errands after the morning playing and arrived home with just enough time to eat and sit down for a minute. Remy was eating her lunch and I sat down on the couch, checking emails~ only to notice Barkers teacher latest email. Grade Ones were going to carve pumpkins Monday, and then it got cancelled and then back on again! Luckily I read the email 1/2 hour before it was going to start and we headed back out the door to spend some time with Bobby's class!

The kids got home from school and Justin walked in shortly there after. We got ready for Halloween and in the process the house got messier and messier. Dinner was at Grandma and Grandpas and we finished getting ready, according to Kalia: Grandma had green face paint and we didn't. Grandpa's excellent chilli for dinner and Aunt Laura came over for the festivities. Uncle Mark and Aunt Lindsay were going to come out with Arlie but do to a Bomb scare on the C train traffic was a mess. They couldn't even get out of their residential area. Hopefully next year Arlie, you get to trick or treat with cousins!

This year Kalia went as a Witch Hunter and Annaliesse was The Witch! Barker decided he needed to be a Killer Clown and Remy a Unicorn. Kalia insisted on camo makeup while Annaliesse and Remy LOVED Mommy's Lipsence. The kids left Grandma's and did a couple blocks. Remy was done after a few blocks, walking up and down all the steps, she was done in 30 minutes. Which was totally fine with Mommy!! I walked with everyone till Remy was done and then her and I headed back to Grandmas. Justin and the kids kept going for another 40 minutes while Remy helped Grandma hand out candy.

 We headed home, so the kids could do our little block, and its a school night! Our Neighbour, Rob, said he had 1 kid come trick or treating before our 4-which is why we go over to Grandmas as a family and don't worry about our block!  Remy put her costume on and did our block with the other kids. Home and eating candy by 7:45. 3 kids showered and in bed by 8:30, I was really worried about school the next day but the kids were GREAT getting off to school!

Harry Halloween Party

Saturday evening Justin and I were invited to a Harry Halloween Party for couples.

We were both excited so we asked Emma if she would be willing to do our makeup for the event. She agreed and we met at Sherilyns house late afternoon to get all done up.

Justin went as a Dementor! 

Emma did such a good job!!

Thanks Emma!! Justin found out about Emma's coloured contacts and he HAD to have some with his costume. James and Justin headed to London Drugs to get some while Emma make me a Death Eater Mask! Krista helped Justin get the contacts in~~~ It made him WAAY scarier!

Barker was NOT impressed to be left out of the scary making. He finally convinced Elizabeth to give him some scratches. To then which the other kids insisted on some too. Thanks Elizabeth!

Pretty scary eh!

Sherilyns MIL stopped by with a black cape for me to use as a Death Eater costume as well! Thanks again Nancy. We were dressed and ready for the party, with just enough time to get home, put the kids to bed and head out the door. It was a super fun night- sometimes adults want to dress up and play games too!! LOL

2017 Primary Presentation

Today was the High River Primary Presentation.

A few things to remember about this years.

Kalia was a narrater this year. She had lots of lines, she used paper for her narrated lines and memorized her class line. She also sang in 2 little groups with a few other girls. Kalia only has 1 more Primary Presentation, which makes me really sad. Sad that she is growing but most of all sad that I can't remember each and every one. She also wore her new Christmas dress, she actually LIKES it. I said it would be fine cause she was up in front of everyone and had multiple speaking turns.

Annaliesse. She memorized her lines but instead read her part on the pulpit. She also sang in the 2 little groups Kalia sang in. She sang loud and strong and not always in tune. Annaliesse your growing up, but having a hard time wanting to! 

Barker you said your part AMAZING!! You said "I can be like Jesus by being Valiant like Moroni"

Barker also sang amazing. He knew most of the words to all the songs and HAPPILY sang along. You smiled and your eyes twinkled the whole time. You were sat beside your teacher, to help keep you still, at times it looked your head would twirl right off your shoulders! You were also super excited to sit on a soft chair that fold up and down :)

Remy. Your first Primary Presentation. You said "I can Choose the Right by Helping Others" What you said was "Choose da whight HOPing udders" It was darling. You also yelled into the mic and made the entire congregation jump and almost grab their ears! You knew most of the choruses of the songs, and all the words to The Wise Man song. You sat right against the front of the stage and grinned the whole time. Your little arms were moving the entire time, in songs, sitting down, or doing actions. 

The Primary Presentation is the BEST Sacrament meeting of year. 

Hands Down.

Snapshots

Kalia keep taking these sassy selfies. Im gonna show you how life was with you as a 10 year old.

Kalia also got to attend a Harry Potter Birthday Party and she had a great time!

We made Chocolate Covered Pretzels as a family! Annaliesse wasn't quite done when we were clearly done... so she covered a Apple in Chocolate.

Each kids has things to do everyday after school! Barker: Piano, Home Reading, & Spelling. 85% of the time he just sits down and gets it done! Like today! The other 15% of the time he gives me grey hairs.

Wednesday got a bit easier!

Our Wednesdays just got a bit easier!

6:00 Activity Days- Kalia and Annaliesse
6:00 Remy Swimming Lessons
6:15 Barker Swimming Lessons
6:25 pick up Annaliesse from Activity Days
6:30 Annaliesse Swimming Lessons.
6:30 Get Remy Dressed from Swimming Lessons
6:45 Mom leave for YW
6:45 Barker Done Swimming Lessons
7:00 Annaliesse done Swimming lessons
7:00 pick up Kalia from Activity Days
7:00 Mom Start YW


 Yesterday was the LAST day of Swimming Lessons!

 Remy, Barker and Annaliesse all passed! Thanks again Mom!

More Family Pictures

After our awesome Family Pictures Mom insisted we get the big Family done again. I strongly suggested Cara, who did ours and booked the appointment. She did NOT disappoint! They turned out amazing! They almost look like they were done in studio, and the trees photo shopped in... but that is just her raw talent :) Thanks Cara! They are great.

A Fall Saturday Afternoon

Saturday was so busy, 2 posts seem appropriate. Especially considering the amount of photos I took!

We carved Pumpkins 10 days before Halloween! Super early we know, but Justin is heading to Regina Tuesday morning for the week and next Saturday is already packed! It sure does get easier every year. This year Kalia, Annaliesse and Barker did some of their own carving! Annaliesse did amazing~ slow and steady. Barker turned his eyes and nose into one big hole.... and had some problems with the flames, resulting in his skull head caving in after we were all finished. Live and Learn. Kalia got frustrated with a wrong cut and stormed out of the kitchen. She cooled down after a bit and when Mom AND Dad checked her Pumpkin and deemed it fixable. Remy got her pumpkin carved first, it was very simple for Justin to do 2 hearts and a mouth. She was happy as a clam while the other kids were working for 2 hours, just washing her pumpkin and slowly scrapping more of the insides out.

We soaked all the pumpkins in a 1/2 bleach 1/2 water mixture hoping that will help preserve them for the 10 days. Barker might get a new pumpkin, his caved in right after we put it on the porch, but we shall see. For dinner we planned a Fire pit with Grandma and Grandpa- hot dogs and amores seemed like the right way to end the day. First we needed to stop at the Grocery, and on the way home we stopped at a big pile of logs the town is disposing of. We picked up 2 large ones to cut in half for Fire Pit sitting Stumps. While Justin got the fire up and going, the kids and I winterized our poor neglected garden.

Dad brought the chainsaw over for the big logs we picked up. They were to much for the little chainsaw. Justin is gonna have to pick up a new chain! It was great to have Grandma and Grandpa over for casual dinner. Grandpa on the tramp for a bit, Grandma hearing all about our morning at Rocky View and help with cooking hotdogs. The kids figured out how to roll the big logs while standing on them. So like any sane child, they went and got their helmets on and took turns trying to walk the logs 😅

Have I said how much I love Fall yet??

🍁🍂Happy Fall Ya'll!🍁🍂

A Surgical Saturday Morning

Saturday Morning!

Mom Moxley's brother Gary Selman is a Surgeon at The Rocky View Hospital. Every other year the OR opens its doors for public tours. Mom mentioned it to us a couple weeks ago and asked us if we wanted to go. I said sure, sounds interesting and we headed into Rocky View Saturday morning for 10 am. 

It was fascinating.

The OR had 4 surgical suits open for the public. The fist room was super packed and so we skipped it and headed to the second. Where we watched a Nurse intubate a dummy, and in the other half of the room, a Nurse talked about what tools, instruments and parts are needed for a total Knee Replacement. There was a fake knee with the surgery all set up and everything. Barker and Annaliesse got to try the intubation on the dummy. They thought the little camera that went down the thoat was pretty neat. Justin thought the tools for the surgery was cooler then that. Its a toss up on who was more interested- Justin or the kids!

We wondered down the hall toward the third room, and on the way the kids all got to try their hand at stitching, stabling and playing Operation :) Remy's little fingers were so small to stitch but she did try the flesh stapler. Kalia and Annaliesse both stitched. They were both proud of their few stitches they have had. The nurse manning that station said she never counts stitches.  😶

Moving down to the third room they also had the option of getting dressed for surgery! All 4 of our kids did it along with Becket and Mckenna. Barker stayed dressed for less then 5 minutes NOT enjoying the gown at all. Kalia and Annaliesse thought walking into the third room decked out ready for surgery was awesome. Remy is just adorable, we had to tie her gown in a knot so she wouldn't trip on it . The third room was all about Laparoscopic Surgery.  A big machine with a seat for DR to sit in with the camera and tools being operated with little finger holds. The big kids were busy watching that, but Remy and Barker were happy with the little pincher right by the pumpkin and a red pepper. 

After the pumpkin room we did the last room, eye surgery and cost of equipment and then the first room, which was surgery tools and woman surgery. The kids were getting done and we moved through these rooms rather quickly. In the last room Justin could have stayed and touched ALL the instruments... Barker and Beckett saw a plastic bubble full of water (breast implant) on a table and spent a while touching and playing with that. 😅

We spent a hour and a half touring the OR and then we headed over to Sherilyns to let the kids play with cousins for a bit before they left for Basketball and we headed home for Pumpkin Carving :)

Thanks for the fun morning Moxley's!

Snapshots

A few new pictures up from our 2017 family pics

A couple days with a unwell Remy meant lots of snuggles and holding!

Soft German Pretzels for Young Woman on Wednesday. They were soooo yummy. Link
They take a long loooooooong time.  Like 3 hoursish.

German Soft Pretzel Sticks

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 2 cups warm water about 110 degrees
• 5½ teaspoons active dry yeast
• ¼ cup vegetable or canola oil
• 5¾ cups all-purpose flour plus more for kneading
• ¾ cup baking soda
• 1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water
• 1 Tablespoon of butter for buttering parchment

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large bowl of stand mixer, combine the brown sugar and 2 cups of warm water until dissolved. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the vegetable oil and 3 cups of the flour. Knead in the remaining 2¾ cups of flour; the dough will be slightly sticky. Knead until smooth and silky, about 3 minutes. If the dough is very sticky, knead in up to ¼ cup more flour.
2. Transfer the dough to an large, greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature until doubled, about 45 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 450°. Line 3 large baking sheets with parchment paper and butter the paper. Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a floured surface. Knead the dough lightly, flatten it out and cut it into 24 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 7-8 inch stick about ½ inch thick. Transfer the sticks to the prepared baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between them. Let stand uncovered until puffed, about 25 minutes.
4. Heat up 1 cup of hot water on burner. Keep hot until needed. (Or heat in microwave.)
5. In a large, deep skillet, stir the baking soda into 2 quarts of water and bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium. Using 2 slotted spoons, carefully transfer 6 pretzel sticks at a time to the simmering water for a total of 30 seconds. Turning once after 15 seconds. Add about 1 cup of hot water before cooking the second batch of pretzels. Transfer the pretzel sticks to paper towels to drain, then return them to the baking sheets, spacing them evenly. Add another cup of hot water before second batch.
6. Brush the pretzel sticks with the egg wash and sprinkle with salt. Bake until deeply browned, about 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Remy found a new use for her doll bed! 😆😆😆

Emoji by Annaliesse.

I opened a PAGE document this afternoon to make some note and this is what I found for the NEW DOCUMENT button. She must have written this post forever ago. 😂😂

The best part of my birthday was the cake I love my life.🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍬🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍧🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨 🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🦈🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐳🐳🐳🐳🐳🐳🐳🐳🐠🐠🐠🐠🐠🐠🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🐡🐡🐡🐡🐡🐡🐡🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🦐🦐🦐🦐🦐🦐🦐🦐🦐🦐🦐🦐🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🎿🎿🎿🎿🎿⛷🎿🎿🎿🎿I love my life  

School Photos

I post these every year cause I find them hilarious. The kids forces smiles and stiff bodies crack me up!! Plus its so cute looking on the class pictures!!