Halloween 2018

Let me start off by saying we are grateful for friends!! Getting home a week before Halloween, and due to the fact that Im not the biggest fan of making costumes. Want a Halloween Quilt?!?! Great let's do it! You want me to make you a skeleton costume?!?! 😩😩

Barker let us know he wanted to be a skeleton forever ago- I put it off, then ended up leaving for 10 days... by the time we got home and ready to address the situation it was 5 days away. So Saturday I called up Sarah and asked if she could vinyl me a skeleton outfit for Barker. She was quick to agree and Thank heavens! We stopped at Winners, picked up a black shirt and pants and dropped it off with Sara- 2 days later we had a awesome skeleton outfit.

Thanks again Sara!

Tannia also saved me- Kalia wasn't sure what she wanted to be, and as I was explaining how unprepared I was to Tannia and she started naming the Halloween costumes they had on hand that we could borrow! I talked to Kalia and she was on board to be..... Wonder Woman! Thank heavens.

Seriously- thank you ladies for helping me out!

Remy knew exactly what she was going to be months ago.

A Scary Black Cat.

And every time she said it she would make claws and hiss 😃😃

Black shirt ✔
Kalia's cat ear headband ✔
eyeliner ✔

A thrilled Black Cat

Annaliesse wanted to be.... FRANKENSTEIN

I was like....... WHAT?!?!

How does one even?!?!

Well- a headband with tinfoil for screws
A suit jacket
Green Face Paint

And it all worked out- another thrilled child with their outfit.

Halloween dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's before heading out! Homemade stew and Baking Powered Biscuits- Grandma's speciality. Arlie and Uncle Mark came trick or treating with us this year! 

I love these 2 group Halloween Photos!!

How cute is Arlie in her Monkey Costume?!?!

What a great evening! Justin once again couldn't get over the scene of the families and kids running all over the blocks. A normal looking Halloween from where I grew up in Cardston.. not so much for Inner city Calgary boy.

Kids cleaned up- so much candy and chips. But we managed to get them showered and in bed by 8:30 pm.

Grade 5 Baking Challenge.

Tuesday night we were in the midst of supper prep AND pick ups and drop offs for piano and volleyball. When Annaliesse remembers that her class is doing a baking competition during their Halloween Class Party!

My first thoughts were "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"

BUT since we had just gotten home from a relaxing vacation and my Mommy voodoo was back on track- we just rolled with it.

I was making a dinner that needed pretty constant attention, so I told Annaliesse she could make something but she had to do it all, cause I was busy and we didn't have time after dinner. So she flipped through my 6 Sisters Cookbook and found Nutty Carmel Bars and got to work. There was a bit of fudging as we didn't have walnuts- so she used peanuts and pecans. We also only had half a bottle of Carmel sauce- so she chopped up some baking Carmel and spread it around- it worked great.

Annaliesse is resilient and strong.

Fearless and bright.

Determined and Focused.

She was so proud of the result- and the fact that she made them all by herself. Once again showing my Mommy heart that our big girls are growing up and ready for more responsibilities. And while she was busy showing me her skills, she was letting Remy help, taste, and be close to her. 

Snapshots

Mark and Lindsay had their baby! She is darling and the kids are so excited to meet her someday! 

Justin and Remy taking selfies on the couch. This baby gives the greatest snuggles.

Before baby arrived we went on a walk at the mall with Lindsay, Arlie and Grandma to try and get things moving. Remy is so good with Arlie- it was a slow morning getting out of the house.

We stopped at Moms and Dads to find them trying to agree about cushion placement... It took all of us to agree on placement 😂😂😂

Pumpkin Carving

For craft group this month we offered THIS Christmas Tree Shelf.

They turned out darling- and a few women liked it as much as I did!! Justin's job Saturday was to make them for us- have I mentioned how much he loves me?

The girls headed over to Grandma's to play with Arile and watch the Christmas light set up and Barker hung out at home with Dad and Mom. 

Late that afternoon we did our Pumpkin Carving for 2018. The girls and I picked them up at Canadian Tire a few days before- like the LAST ones. Lets just say they weren't the roundest, prettiest pumpkin out there.

This year- Kalia, Annaliesse and Barker were determined to carve their own. We said go ahead and go for it. Remy also wanted to carve hers, but Justin wouldn't give her a knife. To which she was annoyed- and constantly asked for one.

Kalia did NOT want to choose a face out of Annaliesse's book. She was all like- I don't like any of those, I'm just gonna do my own. So.... she did. Drew it on, carved it and pronounced she was done. Not sure how many more years we have with her being excited for this family activity.

Annaliesse chose a face, put it on and got started cutting before I have figured what was happening! She did the eyes like a pro- then got frustrated with the mouth. After struggling with it for like 2 minutes she gave up and just carved a giant hole for the mouth. That girl makes me laugh.

Barker as it turns out is NOT ready to carve his own pumpkin. He was so excited to start and didn't want any help from me or Justin. So Justin was helping Remy and I was busy cleaning- Barker goes "Whoops"

He accidentally cut the 2 eyes into 1 large eye. We assured him it was fine, it could be a cyclops.. So he started working on the nose.

"Whoops"

He cut out a long piece in the middle that joined with the eyes.

Justin tried for like 20 minutes to save the face he had started- but it wasn't meant to be. Barker stopped caring and just left! So Justin just carved a quick face for him and called it good.

Remy LOVED her witch. She really wanted a knife though. She sat on the counter and "helped" with all her suggestions- just like her mom. 😂😂😂

She really really wanted her witch to have eyebrows. Like she was obsessed with saying eyebrows, and the fact that no-one can go with out eyebrows. It was rather funny to hear Justin arguing with her about witches eyebrows! Oh Remy. Stay 5 forever please.

Once the kids were going, I sat down and quickly filled the screw holes in my tree Justin made! Man I am excited to get that thing up!

We did a hot dog roast with the kids and invited mom and dad and my siblings to come over for dinner that night. Barker was busy outside getting ready for the fire while Justin was finishing the carving for him.

Every year there is something unique to remember about the pumpkin carving!!

Such a good time hanging in the back yard- Justin burning some Garden castoffs and a broken tree shelf. We love having family fire pit nights- I could sit in front of a fire for hours!! Hoping to pass that love onto our kids.

A easy dinner of hot dogs, salads and chips for the win! Visiting and fire pit time- YES PLEASE.

Food- Pancakes, 3 Potatoes and baby Carrots

Let me tell you something. Wednesday I made Pork Stir Fry for dinner. All sorts of veggies- carrots, celery, bok choy, onion, zucchini, and broccoli, served on a bed of rice. Half of the family LOVED it. Half of the family did not. 

Barker, Mommy and Annaliesse LOVED it.

Daddy, Kalia and Remy did not.

That was surprising part. Barker ate it like there was no food tomorrow- he didn't pick out any thing- just shovelled it in like a maniac. Been asking every day since if I will make it again for him! 

Thursday, we were running behind and so I gave the kids a choice for dinner- leftovers or pancakes. It was a resounding, pancakes- Kalia begged me to let her make them. She did pretty good, it was just hard to let her do it- as we were in a super rush.

YEARS ago, when Kalia was a newborn and I was struggling to breast feed, we got to know a woman in our ward who was also always in the nursing lounge. She had just had her 6th baby. She was lovely to chat with while I struggled in this ward where everyone one seemed to know how to adult and mother, and I was just pretending! At least thats how I felt for a while.

 Anyways....I remember a conversation with her and her husband after church one day, vividly. They were chatting about which child was making dinner that night. I was floored- their children were cooking dinner- for the family?!?! Back then I couldn't believe that the parents made their children, even the 5 year old, take a turn every week cooking. I was floored. Kim (the husband)went on as we were chatting said something about having to eat super late when the kids were trying to figure out the timing of cooking things.

I think they were and are great parents teaching their children such important life skills. Could I do that?

No.

Could I do better at teaching my children how to cook meals?

YES.

Kalia can now make tomato soup, Kraft dinner and pancakes. Although she needs more practice on each of those things.

Justin was working just as hard, getting back on track after our trip. He mowed the lawn one more time and cleared the garden out. He pulled up all the carrots and had Barker and Remy help him- oh they took this assignment VERY seriously.

Next thing I know they were washing all the carrots in our VERY dirty sink. Then rewashing them. Then a third time to get all the dirt off. Barker then got a little paring, knife and the cutting board and cut all the tops off- while Remy washed them for the forth time. They then separated them into 4 little bowls... I kid you not there was water and dirt EVERYWHERE.

They were so proud of themselves, I just went with it.

While the 2 littles were busy turning my dirty sink into a muddy dirty sink, Justin called me out to show me my potato crop. I had planted 2 potato hills- and got 3 very small potatoes.

Do you remember what I said to my mom when she asked me what I was growing this year?

I said "weeds"

Should have stuck with weeds.

Welcome home!

The kids each missed us in their own way.

Kalias biggest worry about us being home- Parent Teacher Interviews were the next day.

I managed to book the interviews from Guatemala and Kalia was thrilled. We met with her teachers Tuesday evening- after volleyball and before Piano Lessons. 

Her teachers told me exactly what I thought they would- Kalia is a great student. She works on her projects when directed. Gets her work done in a timely fashion and stays out of the drama of what is preteen girls (this was a bit surprising).

She showed me her lockers and was thrilled to have a few minutes alone with me with out the other kids. Kalia you are a good kid- thank you.

Remy showed me she missed me by not leaving my side- which I was totally ok with! We snuggled ALLLL DAY and Momma loved every single second of it. I needed to make dinner and distracted her with a Christmas wish book and some stickers to mark her favs 😂😂

Annaliesse showed us she missed us by asking questions nonstop. What did you do? Where did you go? What did you bring me? Can we make this? Can we do that? on and on and on. Needing to fill I the gaps of our last few days and let us know ALLL the things she did while I was gone.

They were trilled with the gifts we brought back. The big girls got backpacks, Remy a purse, Barker a few bracelets to add to his growing collection on his arm, and a soccer ball. A few other little things and they were so excited for a silly little recorder.

I got Remy and I aprons- which I have done the last 2 places we have gone and LOVE them. We get good use out of them working in the kitchen :)

Barker showed me he missed us with hugs all throughout the day- being silly to make me laugh and putting his face on my face. He was full of cuddles before school and was to sick to go to school the day I got home. To homesick to leave my side for one more day- we spent the day getting Mommy back to normal, and snuggling on the couch.

We missed you guys too :)

Saturday & Sunday- Guatemala City, and Heading Home

Saturday we left Sharan and Ian and headed to Guatemala City. We had one more morning to explore Antigua before catching the chicken bus to the city. A quick snapshot out side of Sharan's house- the yellow one in the back ground. To get there you go though the guard station- which has 2 or 3 guards depending on the time of day, a gate and a baracde. Then once in the compound you walk for 15 minutes and then come to a few houses behind another locked gate.

On our way to the chicken bus that morning Justin noticed a carpenter shop and took a peek inside. He spent a few minutes chatting- not very successfully as neither one understood each other, but he enjoyed it peeking in. The shop had mostly hand tools- a bit different then Justin's garage of power tools.

We snapped a pic for the kids of the delivery motorbike- there were beer deliveries, pizza delivery, McDonald's delivery and any other type of delivery- all on motorbike. 

Time for one more set of ruins before we had to leave. We headed to the Spanish building- block still owned and operated by Spain

It was like the hotel built in the ruins- some parts were beautiful and renovated for students, tourists and art galleries. Other parts were for picnicking and  relaxing.

The art gallery had some amazing pottery- the lips cup was hilarious.

A tuk tuk twice that day- we didn't have a lot of time, so wanted to get around Antigua quickly and efficiently. They are really not very comfy to ride it- super bumpy and hot. The bouncing around on the cobblestones rattled your bones!

After touring the building, we headed back to the market place for one more look around. We walked and walked and walked and walked. Seeing everything from Flowers, to hats, mens underwear, chicken feet, scarfs, cellphones, veggies, spices and everything else you can think of.

This little girl wanted Justin to take her picture :)

More beautiful fabric!

One thing- I was tall in Antigua. Like TALL. I was taller then most of the women and lots of the men. Walking around in the crowed market, when you can see over everyone is completely different then walking around and not being able to see a thing.

It was rather enjoyable! LOL

Being a Saturday lots of the shops had kids around them- no school. Parents have to make a living and the kids found things to do- these 2 boys were laughing like crazy when we walked passed.

We walked so far into the market there were a few minutes Justin was worried we were lost. All good we found our way out- by walking some more. LOL

A picture of the chicken busses- you can see them lined up to pick up passengers to all the little surrounding towns. It was time to catch the bus to Guatemala- Sharan was nice enough to bring our luggage to the bus for us so we could tour that morning. She helped us find the bus- let the ayudante know where we wanted to stop and have our luggage loaded on top of the bus. We took off from Antigua and barrelled up the hills to the city. Sharan warned us it could take anywhere from a hour and a half to 3 hours. We made the trip in 45 minutes!!

It was crazy how fast we did the hills, pickup up passengers, dropped off passengers and got to business.

After our chicken bus adventure, and Mayra's daughter picking us up from Walmart- where they had guard towers in the parking lot. We headed to the temple. We were lucky enough to take in a session- which is a story in and of itself, but not one for the blog.

Then we spent the night in the temple housing. Which was nice- we had never slept in one before.

Sunday we did church in the chapel right beside the temple. Sharan had sent a email to her friend Alice and Dale, a couple from Utah who work for the Foreign State Department, letting her know we were coming and asked if she could help us find a Uber to our bed and breakfast.

Alice and Dale found us right off the bat and introduced herself to us before church. They both had callings and she told us she would catch us after- then she invited us over for the afternoon before helping us get to our place. It was so nice of her- we were a bit worried about what we're going to do Sunday afternoon- so Alice and Dale were a God send.

The church meetings were great- we didn't understand any of the sacrament meeting but they had English Sunday school so that was a nice change- and a translator for RS.

After church we headed out with Alice and Dale, picked up our Luggage and caught a Uber back to Alice and Dales. We really had a lovely afternoon visiting and eating the dinner Alice made for us. They had so many stories about living and raising their family of NINE abroad!

We left Guatemala City Monday morning 6 am- flew into Huston with a layover before getting home.

Dad picked us up from the Airport 10:30 pm- kids were home sleeping with Grandma. They made this banner for us. It was so hard not to wake them all up and give them snuggles for days!!! 

Let me just say one more time- it was a FANTASTIC trip. 

Rejuvenating, relaxing, site seeing and dental. 

Yes please!