We are back!

So back from Disneyland...kind of sad I know. Although, I am happy to be back home. All in all the trip (meaning car ride) was fairly sucessful, only a few minor melt downs, mostly of course, when we broke the news that we were on our way home this time (did not go over very well with Tasia as you can imagine. I firmly believe that Tasia would rather live there than here! I mean really, where does a princess belong? Living in Sleeping Beauty's gorgeous castle, or back in our plain old house...hmm not much to debate.) Anyway, it's about 1:00 in the morning here, and my brain is not functioning as it should...so here are some pics!

Pincher Creek...

So we are in Pincher Creek, and I must admit, as much as I love my family, and I do love my family here, they are fabulous, I'm just a tad bored. I know, how can that possibly be in Pincher Creek? That's crazy talk. Alas, it is true, Pincher Creek is not exactly the hub of excitement...At least we will have many adorable subjects to take pictures of (boy it's a good thing all my family here has cute children of their own!) so that will be fun. We have actually got our first session for tonight (a brand new baby girl!...and of course a cute little boy!)
Now the wedding pictures I'm very excited for, well the prebridal ones anyway. Shara is coming out tomorrow to do that...and of course my little Tasia, the flower girl, will get to come out and have some done too (poor thing, the camera is practically attached to her, but that is what she gets when both Grandma and Mommy take pictures), with such pretty subjects they can only turn out cute...right? Now as for the actual wedding ones, I am slightly more nervous, that's only like a girls most special day right? Hey no pressure or anything.

Hmmm...time to update!

Well, I guess it`s been long enough without an update, sorry about that, we have actually been very busy with our photography...gosh, there is so much to learn, we practically have enough books to cover the entire photography section in a library!!! I had no idea (but if you get the urge check out our photography blog it is athousandwordsphotography1.blogspot.com) but it`s been really great just being able to do it. So what`s new...well it`s Wade`s 29th birthday tomorrow...he is practically ancient. Just Kidding, but don`t tell him he`s almost 30 because that doesn`t go over so well, but it`s still funny...trust me.
I also just finished up packing for our Alberta trip...yes, I enjoyed every second of it. Ahhh the sound of the zip from the zip lock bag...music! (I`m glad many of you have come to see the many benefits if the zip lock bag for travel, now not only am I a little crazy, but I have now managed to convince others to join me. No worries, I`m sure we will have much more fun on this side of sanity, I have enjoyed a good amount of time over here, and I like it!) Even better though was packing for me. Fun...ha right! I love when you have to try on your outfits ahead of time to make sure they fit properly, because heaven forbid you should end up with a bunch of outfits that accentuate that last 5 pounds you need to lose, that always looks so attractive! But, on the brighter side, it`s fun to `pre-trip`shop...little Miss Kelly Ann is coming with us to Pincher, so of course she had to make a few trips to the mall. I love that place and I firmly believe that it loves me too. Is it bad when your favorite stores employees know who you are, so well in fact, that when you don`t show up with your kids they ask you where they are? I didn`t think so either, I was just checking. Anyway, even more than our company, I think Kelly is looking forward to the Zoo (can you believe she has never seen a real Zebra?) Anyway, it should be an interesting car ride, can you imagine, one van, 5 girls, 10 suitcases...oh yes, believe me, that`s packing light. However, being the very resourceful women that we are, we WILL make it all fit...I mean really, every shoe packed is vital and cannot be left behind! My poor girls, they have no hope, I`m creating shopping monsters. Oh well, at least they will be seasoned shopping monsters.

Finally...a beach day!!!

So I mean really, it is seriously about time, just when it seems like summer was just a beautiful day dream and not really a reality the sun finally decides to make an appearance! YEAH!!! So as you can imagine we made for a day at the beach...and lucky for Tasia she had her cousin Kiera to play with! And boy did they have fun...sadly though the water was a bit chilly and they only made it as deep as their little tummy's. And well Lexi...she made it as deep as her tip toes and made it abundently clear that it was not to her liking, she will only have her water at room temperature thank you very much (princess much?) I do beleieve her favorite part was the sand! Oh the sand in between her toes and fingers, pure delight!...and I don't believe Kylie even made it in the water (smart choice Shjannon!). But never the less, the sun was shining and a beach day it was! Oh man, I love summer! I bet ya'll just wished you lived on the coast huh? Oh please, you know you do!

10 weeks till Disneyland!

What...what? So maybe I like Disneyland a little bit. Don't judge me. Lets be honest okay, if you don't like Disneyland you are trying to be way to cool, don't you know it's the 'most magical place on earth' (not mention all the great picture places in California!). And if you haven't been to Disneyland well you are missing out. Anyway, so we will be making the long drive in about 10 weeks...perhaps we'll actually get some sun down there, crazy idea I know, does the sun even exist anymore? It pains me not to able to wear all those adorable summer clothes on my girls...
okay let me rephrase that...it pains me not to be able to wear all those adorable summer clothes on my girls without their sweaters. Yes, you heard me correct, I have given up on waiting for that perfect summer day for them to don their gorgeous 'strasburg' attire, instead I have resorted to wearing it any old day and slapping a sweater on them...hardly the same effect I know, but seriously, it's so cute! Ah girls, what fun. Anyway, I was just excited about Disneyland or 'Mickey Mouse Land' as Tasia would say...only 10 weeks (and only one more size till the goal weight and all my Disneyland clothes, babies are not so kind to the figure...it takes way to long and way to much work to get back into shape...and for those of you who didn't have to work at it...I hate you...I hate you passionately.)!!!!

By the way, is case you wondered 'THE HAPPENING' well it's a special king of movie. I know everybody is saying that it sucked, but I disagree, let's just say that it was not what I thought it was, it actually turned out to be fairly funny at moments. Funny you say? It's true, for an 'end of the world' kind of movie, it had Kelly and I giggling away...although I fear that we may have laughed at a few inappropriate moments, but I had a good time. Mark Wahlberg is great. Date night, it's good fun (By the way, I am still the reigning preview guesser...don't listen to Wade he's just jealous). Thanks for babysitting mom. Anyway, I'm off the the barn to take pictures!

Taking pictures...what fun!

So, I am very much enjoying playing with my new camera...and moms beautiful lenses! So much in fact, that we have sort of run out of children to shoot (thank you to Keira, Lindy and Nicole), and well, I might like to add, that it is darn hard to find an adult who is willing. As much as I adore my darling daughters I fear my little Tasia might start to run off screaming next time she spots us pulling out the cameras, well either that or start packing on the pounds due to the 'picture taking smarties'. Any volunteers? I can provide smarties to one and all.

Mooshoo?

So apparently my Mischa is a Mooshoo. Say what? I know, how does one mistake the sex of a cat...well I won't go into details, but lets just say that not until 12 weeks can one be certain. Yes, here I am going along thinking I have this tiny little girly kitty...wrong! My wonderful Auntie Dawn (I really do mean that, I'm not being facetious here) calls to tell us that perhaps she was a bit hasty in determining the sex of our kitty, and maybe just maybe (and by maybe she means the 99.9% certain kind of maybe) that I might have a mooshoo on my hands. Fabulous! So now my pink kitty bowls and everything else girly may be slightly too pink (how can that be I know, but even I can't have everything pink regardless of the fact that it is just a cat, I know no one else could tell but I can). So back to the store (shucks hey?) for new accessories, no manly cat of mine is going to have pink bowls, can you imagine how embarrassed he would be? How do you think fuchsia would work out? No, it's safe to say that Mooshoo has a very striking burgundy set of bowls, and a tan kitty bed. Manly. So everyone, welcome Mooshoo!

Welcome, Mischa!

So um, I come on vacation with two babies, and I end up coming home with two babies, and a very special looking 'pure bred' oriental cat (believe you me, I put that special kindly...as you can see. Oh Auntie bless your heart for thinking she is beautiful). What the heck happened? I'll tell you happened...Auntie Dawn happened! Auntie Dawn conspired with that dirty dog husband of mine (who really really wanted a kitty). I swore up and down, that after Kato, I would never NEVER get another cat. Seriously, for those of you that knew Kato, you know good and well that he can not be replaced...he was what you would call an 'original' my little dog cat (we miss him very much)! So Mischa you have some very big shoes to fill.

Packing...too much, or too little?

I love packing, so many choices to make. Is it odd that I pack my kids clothes in outfits? No, I didn't think so, thank you very much Wade! Okay, so is it a little odd that I pack the outfits in freezer sized zip lock bags? Now hold on here, before you go thinking that I'm a little anal, let me help you to understand. How convenient is it when all you have to do is pull out a 'Monday' bag of clothes or a 'Tuesday' bag of clothes and inside the bag is her socks, her clothes, her matching undies, her hair bows, and her shoes? Yeah, that's precisely what I thought...ingenious! Now if only they made zip lock bags large enough for my outfits....mmm not so much. Anyway, with my well planned out packing strategy, I have managed to fit 3 girls (myself included) into one glorious hot pink suitcase (really what other color would do?) for over 2 weeks worth of clothes...no duplicate outfits I might add, now who's talking? What? I already explained that I had a slight shopping problem...don't judge me. I may be neglecting to add that in that glorious pink suitcase my shoes did not fit...lets be fair, 2 weeks worth of shoes? See, case and point. Okay so I might have a slight love affair with shoes, shoes of every shape, style, color (that's right, I don't judge, I love them all, I have more than enough shoe love to go around, in fact I spread my shoe love all the way to Tasia's shoes).
Now the car ride I am a little antsy about with my little Lexi pants, as cute as she may be, she is slightly demanding and a real goer. I know I can plop Tasia in a car seat slap some Dora, whom Tasia absolutely lives for, or Backyardigans (oh yes, are you singing either of the theme songs? In my sleep I tell you, in my sleep) on her portable DVD player, ah my other favorite invention, and she is good to go. Now Lexi, ahhh my Lexi, she is not so into Dora yet. In fact, she is mostly into I would like to be held, I would like to be talked to, I would like the world to know that I am a princess and my bidding shall be done. Sounds like a fun 12 hours huh?
Anyway, we are off tomorrow and I am very excited to be seeing my family out there. So have fun little Kelly Ann, my little slave driver...I mean running buddy. You'll have to make that lazy boyfriend of yours run (that way you can really hone your running command skills!).

Lexi in Pink...have I mentioned how much I love pink?

Commitment with a capital C!

First of all, I would like to welcome our little Kelly Ann to our running entourage. So far this week we have a run a total of 3 days in a row...3 DAYS IN A ROW! Now that takes some major serious commitment...not to brag or anything, but we are kind of a big deal. I would take some pictures of us in our running spandex get up (which I fondly refer to as my speedy bullet pants) however, the idea of that just doesn't seem that appealing, as hot as we may look (now I am excluding Kelly in this sentence, because she actually does look cute in them!). We have quite the running posse in our matching uniforms. Just kidding, although the thought had crossed my mind, imagine 'TEAM SPEEDY BULLET' across our behind. Nice huh? Mind you, that may look a bit odd considering the fact that we run about as fast as molasses. Oh well, keep on truckin' right?

Crack Down!

Uh-oh, yup, tried on the pre-pregnant summer clothes...let me tell you, that was a hoot! Now I'm not saying that I couldn't get them on, oh no, I am far to determined for that. Pull, yank, jump, you name it I did it to get into those summer capri's, oh yes, I did it! Finally, feeling pretty good about actually getting into them, I promptly went to take a look in my full length mirror because they are so kind (ever so careful not to breathe too heavy...yeah you know what I'm talking about) and low and behold my reflection beheld something that slightly resembled a stuffed sausage, yes I looked that good (mental image right? Super). Okay so maybe not that bad, but nothing to be proud of. So that's it, stepping up the running (groan) and cutting out the chocolate (which I might add, breaks my heart), because as much as I love my chocolate, unfortunately for me, my hips love it more. So you heard me CRACK DOWN! This sucks.

Tasia and Lexi's Talented Grandma.

I just wanted to take a second and share with everyone my mother's latest photo's. I think she has caputered some beautiful moments. She is a very talented lady and I consider my children and myself very lucky (only problem is how to choose which ones with so many wonderful pictures).

The New Throne

Oh my gosh, best invention since 'Baby Einstein'! So okay, feeling a little guilty for spending $60.00 dollars on a little tiny chair when she already has the most marvelous cadillac of all baby chairs (believe me, it's got all the extras...you can even attach your ipod to it so you can play what you want on the speakers. Yes, you heard me correct, your ipod!) However, as basic as it may appear, do not be deceived my friends, the bumbo chair is like her new throne, she doesn't cry in it...it's MAGIC! No really, it really is magic! The absolute best purchase for Lexi so far. From her new throne she can sit up straight and monitor exactly what is going on all around her (so important for a princess I'm sure). I cannot express my love for this new chair, I adore it...if only it came in a better print...simple matter to most I should think, but if you know me, I would prefer that it came with some sort or adornments like flowers, hearts, crowns...diamonds perhaps? Anything would be a little more fashionable, and certainly more fit for a princess...oh well, thanks Heaven's the colour pink!

Ah Ha! Spring has sprung here...Welcome to the coast my friends!

It is a very exciting time for me, I must say. Why you ask? Well let me explain. Spring means beautiful weather, and beautiful weather means bringing out the NEW CLOTHES! That's right, exciting for me...not so exciting for my children (by children I mostly mean Tasia). You see, Tasia is old enough to understand that when mommy starts bringing out the bins it's generally a good idea to run, and more importantly, to run FAST. A feeble attempt for her unfortunately since I am faster and more determined! After about 5 outfits I have to ask myself, now why can't her winter clothes be this cute (a useless question really, considering the fact that I ask myself a fairly similar question when the winter clothes come out). I know, I know, I have a terrible problem. However, I blame it completely on the stores that make those clothes so darn cute, what else am I do? They don't have gymboree-a-holics anonymous...do they?

Introducing a slightly balder Lexi. Drum roll please...

As per usual, in our family, Lexi's hair began to fall out quicker than we could pull it, and she developed a slightly unfortunate hairstyle, often referred to as the cul de sac! Yes that is right, close yours eyes and imagine it...stylish! So out came the shaver and off came the hair...believe me, Daddy was very impressed to say the least...but rest assured, I would do the same to him if he were in that position (yeah that's right, he best watch his back if and when that time comes.!)

The New Adventures of Travelling with a Potty Seat!

Well we did it! My child is a brainiac if I do say so myself. Potty trained, go ahead say it with me, POTTY TRAINED! I can't tell you how relieved I am, lucky me, she was a pretty quick study. I must say though, we had a pretty rough start, I thought she would never make friends with the potty...now she is the potty queen, in fact she is so proud of herself that each trip to the potty is a monumental occasion (and why wouldn't she think so when after every sitting on the potty is followed by a 'pee pee dance' accompanied by a 'pee pee song', and yes, it is a clever 'pee pee song'). However, not only is her time on the potty something amazing, but so is anyone else's time on the potty...I haven't heard so many 'yeah mommy's' or 'yeah grandma's' ever! Applauded for using the washroom...
WOW, aren't kids great?

Happy Valentines!

What can I say? Their Daddy is a lucky man!

So, about a year ago my little princess chipped her front tooth on the side of the bathtub...as heart wrenching as that may have been at the time I managed to come to terms with it (gradually)...I mean they couldn't really cap a 1 year olds tooth right? Or maybe, when they saw how cute she was, they could make an exception? Mmm, not so much. Apparently a chipped front tooth isn't really that bad (at least that's what everybody tells you when it isn't their kid with the goofy tooth in the front). Well anyway, it turns out they were right and it just became part of Tasia, and soon we all thought she looked as cute as ever. However, about 2 weeks ago, at Costco, while I was putting her in the stroller she bonked her chin and ended up aggravating her tooth (unknown to anyone at the time). About a few days after that, she started to get sick and her mouth got all swollen, and I mean swollen. Tasia no longer looked like Tasia, but like a monkey impersonating my beautiful princess...that's really the best impression I can give you. So after a call to the dentist my worst fears were realized....yup, she was about to become the most mature two year old ever to grace this earth, she was going to lose her tooth! So last week, after a trip to the dentist the deed was done. Much to my suprise, after seeing her looking like a monkey, a missing tooth really wasn't as bad as I had anticipated, and as these pictures prove, she looks just as beautiful as ever!

Alexcia, second child? Well nobody told her!

Yes, my second little princess! Second child syndrome, heard of it? Well, she has not. She will not be ignored, for she is baby, hear her roar (believe me when I say this, for it is not a joke). I don't think anyone would believe that a 9 lbs baby could have the lungs and stamina of one 4 times her size, no really, 4 TIMES HER SIZE! Just when I think I can't pull off this hair doo with any less hair...she smiles! What a deal breaker, that dimple just does me in. She is just so beautiful! And Tasia, well Tasia just loves her to bits. I feel I am a very lucky mommy that way (two princesses can live peacefully one household!)

2 years of Supreme Royalty to Tasia Rae!

Well that's it, the Princess is two...and boy does she know it! We just celebrated her second birthday, what a doll, missing tooth and all (yeah I'll get to that!). I'll tell you, two comes with some pretty interesting lessons.

1) No means no when I say it...right...'No' really means flop on the floor right now until I'm totally hysterical and then maybe, just maybe, no will mean yes?

2) Potty Training. Need I say more? What a delightful experience. It seems to her that the potty is some horrible tooshy eating goblin whom is best to avoid at all possible costs, and we all know where that leads...some rather slippery surprises on the wood floors. Super! (Although, I think perhaps she is starting to make friends with the beast. Slow and steady right?)

3) What interesting things come out of a two year olds mouth! How proud can you be at moment when she utters words like please and thank you, maybe sorry, or how about bless you? Then in the next sentence something like GO! or NO! or perhaps something even more colorful that she learned to say at the mall? No need to explain.

However, I have really enjoyed my little treasure. She has me laughing all the time...apart from some pretty common two year old traits, I happen to believe I have the best, most well mannered and adorable two year old in the universe. What can I say, Tasia Rae is perfect.