All I want for Christmas...

Emma lost her two front teeth, and now we have an excuse to sing "All I want for Christmas, is my two front teeth" over and over again. So here is our girl with her lovely gap, and greatfuly her adult teeth are close behind so she will be back biteing apples in no time.

Early Christmas!!

Thank you Linens N Things for going out of business!!

I have been beating and mixing everything by hand for over a year not wanting to waste more money on another crappy mixing machine. Dave and I decided to go check out Linens N Things because we heard they were closing. And low and behold, look what we found!! Merry Christmas to me!

Halloween, Rodeo, and Teeth!

Ok I know I'm a little late getting my Halloween pictures up, but late is better than never! This year I saved my kids from going through the old costumes and making them use their imaginations. I asked them what they wanted to be, and I bought them the costumes. This is a first for us I think! Justin has been a vampire many times, so this time we went all out and I think he looks pretty dang scary! Mckay was a storm trooper from the Clone Wars movie. He didn't like the cheep helmet that came with the costume, so he used his paper route money to buy the cool helmet that talks. Emma, was a cute little witch, and for weeks all Abby wanted was to be a pumpkin, so greatfully we found one. Who knew it would be such a hard costume to find. So here are my cute kids all dressed up.

Today at Justin's school, some of the rodeo guys from the CFR were there. Justin was one of the few lucky kids who were picked to visit with these guys, and this is what he came home with...A signed shirt, a really nice cowboy hat, and about four or five signed pictures, and a bandanna. He felt pretty lucky to get all that! I gota say, we have been very lucky to have Justin in such an awesome school! So after a long hard couple of weeks, we finally have some teeth to show for all the hard work. This little guy really doesn't enjoy teething, and by the looks of things it is going to be a slow process. But he sure looks dang cute with his new pearly whites!

What do you do when your baby turns five?

... Just make her feel like she is the most important girl in the world!

Today was Abbys fifth birthday party! I can't even believe that she isn't my baby anymore. Sometimes I hate how fast they grow up...

Anyway, we had a fun party for the girl, there was cake, friends, games, and of course presents! She had a great day!

This was actually on her birthday, she got a Hanna Montana Guitar with a microphone.

Family Pictures

This was one of those rare events where the whole family was together. So of course we have to try and convince nine over tired, grumpy/hyper children who stayed up way to late the night before for the wedding, to smile for the camera! Well at least no one was crying...
So here they are, all of the grand kids so far! We still have Dyane due in Feb, and who knows what the future brings (Did I mention Steve and Janelle just got married) ;)

Happy Grandparents! Life couldn't get any better than this!
Ok I didn't wear makeup, or do my hair for this... This is why I stick to taking the picture. Here's my family!

The Wedding of The Year!!

On October 27, 2008, My baby brother got married! So we welcome to our family Janelle and Zack! Janelle was the most beautiful bride, and Steve didn't look half bad either ;) And their boys were just adorable!
So I took over 200 pictures and thought I would just share a few. The first picture was actually part of the wedding, just before they exchanged rings!

Justins 12

Ok so I have a bit of catching up to do. It's been a busy month. First we start with my baby turning 12!! I have been wishing that all my kids would stay little forever, but I think it's time for me to except the fact that my kids are getting big!
We had to split Justins celebrations into two days. First (just before we left for Lethbridge) we let him open our present. He got a DS, with the Zelda game. He was pretty happy about that. He wasn't very happy about 30min into the drive when his uncharged batteries died and he had to wait tell we got to Lethbridge to charge his batteries...


Then he had to wait two days untill his actual birthday, and after the wedding, to have his cake and other presents. I'm not sure why I am pointing at the cake... this is the only picture Dave took. So we take what we can get :)

So next Sunday Justin is going to become a Deacon. It will be a great Mommy moment to see my little man passing the Sacrament on Sunday. I might even shed a little tear or two, but I won't let him see that. ;)

Abby's first day of Kindergarten

So it's offical, all my kids are in school. I feel old. Abby was so excited, but she was worried about leaving me. She gave me a big hug this morning, and said "Mom, I don't want to leave you. You will be lonely" cute kid, she's worried about me. I told her I'd be ok and would find something to do while she's gone. So here is my baby on her first day of school!

August 12...

Is a great day to add two more Straight babys to the world!! Welcome...

BABY OLIVIA... 7lbs 13 oz, born 5am(ish) Congrats Matt and Jessica

AND... BABY AMELIA.. 8lbs 9 oz born 6:46am, congrats Paul and Annelise

Happy Birthday to Me!

I just gota say... I feel loved! I have had such a wonderful couple of days. It all started on Wednesday when Dave took me out. We started with dinner at the Keg (yummy.. Cesar salad, Prime rib, mashed potatoes...) After that we spent some time at West Ed, where Dave bought me a gift certificate at Ricki's and some flip flops. After wandering the mall for a while he took me to the Varscona Theater, down town. There we watched a play. It was a fun romantic comedy. I was really impressed that he thought of something like that. It was a really great treat! After that we went to BP's for dessert.

The last couple of days consisted of using my Ricki's gift card to buy a really nice Sunday outfit. Going to Indiana Jones with my kids, going out with my girl friends, (another really fun night of diner, shopping, movie). I also got the book "Twilight". I am excited to get into this series. I know I'm a little late getting into this compared to some, but I'll catch up :)

Then this morning I woke up to this...

Yes this is my front yard, where four of my crazy friends had way too much fun! I heard that one of my neighbours just stood outside and watched them do this. The sign on the window says Mel's 30!

After taking these pictures, I came in the house to have a wonderful breakfast of french toast, bacon, eggs, and juice. Dave and Emma made it. Then we got ready for church, where I have the joys of being in the primary! All the kids sang me my favorite primary song instead of the normal "Happy Happy Birthday".

There really is so much more that has happened but I will spare you more of my ramblings. ;) It really has been a great birthday, and thanks everyone for all the love. Here's one last picture of me in my new outfit infront of my crazy house.

Saying good bye...

... to my twenties. I got to tell you, I'm feeling a little sad about this. I've been trying to think of things I can do to try to get me excited. So we are planning this big party for me and a couple friends who are also turning 30 this year. But then we find out there is a ward party planned last minute for that night. Then I try to plan a nice Saturday (the 7th) with Dave, and then I find out this weekend is the father son camp and Dave probably won't be home most of Saturday, (and I'm sure when he does get home he will be exhausted).
So now I'm just going with the flow and what ever happens, happens. So I have been thinking about the last ten years and what I've gone through and I thought I would share some.
-I finished High school with two babys when I was 20
-We moved to New Brunswick and back when I was 21
-We got evicted from a basement suit in Calgary when I was 21 (you know people said we would one day look at that and laugh... I still don't see the funny)
-I had my first baby girl when I was 22
-I worked for 9 months at Ricki's and Lethbridge when I was 23. (Loved that job)
-Dave finished university when I was 25
-We moved to Stony Plain and had our last baby when I was 25
-I became a foster parent when I was 28.
-At 29 I became a Doula.

So just a sneak peak at my 30's...
Teenagers...
Kids wanting to drive my car...
Missions...
High School...
Boys wanting to date my daughters...

OH MY.... Sometimes It would just be better if we didn't grow up :)

New deck

This is our old deck. I don't know how well you can see it, but it was cracked, old and falling apart.


Abby really enjoyed watching the guys working. She spent most of the day like this.

And this is our new deck, well it's more of a patio now. It's nice that it's open to the yard. I look forward to many days sitting on the deck this summer!!

Melanie Needs...

Ok this one is fun Janay! For those of you who don't go on Janays blog this is a fun thing you should try. Type "(your name) needs" in the google search bar, and see what it is you need! Do it... you will like it:)


Melanie needs to add some sparkle and colour back to her wardrobe... Yes I would have to agree with this one...

Melanie needs help in the morning. Wow this is almost like getting my fortune. My very own google palm read :)

Melanie needs a video camera. I tell you this google thing is amazing.

Melanie needs to bite some chumps. Um ok, I think I've played long enough.

Piano Recital

Yesterday was Emma, Mckay and Justin's piano recital. This was there first recital ever. I was so proud of them. They had only been taking lessons since January and they all finished their whole piano books! They did so well and received many complements about their natural talents. I hope that encourages them enough, to practice for all next year!