February you were short and sweet

Oh love month how fast you sweep through our lives. A little month in review again.

• the first two weeks I was still in NB with my parents and the little lady. Lots of walks. Lots of family. Lots of eating. A bit of shopping. Lots of movies: La La Land, Hidden Figures, Passengers, Arrival, Lion, Edge of Seventeen, Sing, and I am sure a few more that have been forgotten. AND I finished a few more pages in my colouring book...something I hadn't done since the last visit! A wonderful visit for both of us
• had a few little troubles when we got back as the adjustment to jet lag was a bit hard on both of us. I feared that I may have had the early toddlerhood drama come upon me and I wasn't ready for the tantrums just yet. Let's just say Valentines Day was a little nerve wracking. The best present given to me was a child taken by her father to the library so I could sit in peace with a glass of wine. Plus the flowers were nice too (wink wink)
• after a week, she settled into a routine and the parents did too. A few dog walks that have become a little slower due to the growing independence of little miss. She only takes to the sled or the stroller for a short period of time and insists on walking the rest. Slightly time consuming but cute when the puddles entice her to play. The other day she walked probably close to a 1.5 km to 2 km as her mom dragged the sleigh behind. As we got to the car she took a look (knowing she hates the car seat more than anything right now) and climbed promptly in the sled and looked at me in a pleadingly to take her on another walk. 
• Just as I write the above I think of other fun little ditties that she does. Like this am she watched as I made her her cereal and shook her head repeatedly when I was about to poor the milk. So she had her cheerios milkless and would repeatedly dip her banana in the dry cereal to get the cereal to stick. Innovative and hilarious (at least to her parents).
• I have been working quite a bit of weekends this month (mainly to make up for the ones I took off when I was on vacay). But we did manage to sneak away as a family on family day no less. A walk in the morning and winter fest (or slush fest in the afternoon). We missed a bit of the events in the afternoon due to nap schedule but we did have some most excellent food truck food (mini doughnuts and poutine). 
• Dad and daughter have been having a blast cruising the city with trips to the swim pool, sea life cavern, library and even shovelling a bit of snow. Plus lots of dancing around the house. Wheels on the bus is hugely popular. And a few rap songs mixed in.
• And I have seen some of my favourite people (Casey and Jeaninne) which is always fun. Casey even babysat for me one afternoon so I could attend a work function. I heart my friends with all I have. 

in the news

• The academy awards just came and left. Huge controversy as the best picture was named La la Land but it was a mix up in the envelopes and it was Moonlight instead. Never saw the actual show as I was working but it sounded embarrassing. 
• Garth Brooks came and went. Played 9-10 shows. I'm not a particular fan of his but was pretty impressed with all that I heard he did in Edmonton. Plus a friend of mine saw Trisha Yearwood in Zara. That was cool for her!

i have been enjoying

• supernatural. 
• working out again. 
• wine and baileys (not together..ha)
• reading the last pittacus lorre book
• getting a bit more engaged in work as i have joined a committee 

that's about it of the month of February. Bring on March. Although I may be a little absent from social media as I decided that is what I am going to try to give up for lent. Facebook, instagram and snapchat! wish me luck!

love

a date with gam and a date with dad

what does a gam do with a little girl?

• she reads her plenty of stories
• she feeds her goldfish crackers and fruit for snack and kd for lunch
• she takes her to see two big puffy white dogs who seem to love the little girl and follow her around the house
• she walks with her outside in the stroller
• she listens to music...raffi and muppets

what does a daughter do with her dad?

• they go skiing
• they have hot drinks with his brother, her uncle
• they have lunch overlooking the ski hill basking in the sunlight
• they soak in the cool air as they briskly make themselves down the mountains
• they enjoy the new brunswick getaway

sounds like both parties had a great time

love

Let's go to the east!

We were off again. Myself and babe. New Brunswick bound. This time for a whopping three weeks! And you know what?! It was pretty fantastic! As per usual I was nervous flying. Why oh why would I choose a midnight flight with a baby??!! But guess what. It was only one (slightly) rough day with no jet lag for both of us as we recovered nicely with our lack of sleep one day to our tremendous amount of sleep the next in the right time zone! Yay! Note to self: would totally do that again (although not with Mark, he hates those flights).

Once there mom and dad had all my favourite foodie things: sugar doughnuts and raspberry jam, mussels, lobster rolls (and lobster), tuna burgers, poached apples and pork chops, gumdrop cookies, and butterscotch pie. YUM. And yup, time to start working out for moi!
For the first little bit the babe did a bit of strangeness with everyone. But slowly and surly she warmed up to Grampie and Grammie (or Gam, or Ga as that seemed to be said by babe and Grammie exclaimed, "She knows my name!"). Every morning she would have some grandparent time as I would sneak off to bed. Lots of play and then her outdoor walk with Grampie as he tossed her on his shoulders and paraded down to the woods. Apparently they did lots of chatting throughout.

Then we would all rest for a morning nap and be off to whatever the day brought. That would be visiting relatives, going for ice cream down the street, and visiting relatives. Uncle Ron, Aunt Barb, Aunt Mary, Nan, Cheryl and Keith, Margaret and her partner, Kathryn, Josh and their little man, Ian and Karen and their kids, Rino and Beth, Heidi and Ryan with their little man, Jason and Angela and their three, and let's just say the whole village of Stanley.

No joke about the last statement. On Canada Day everyone that I saw with Grammie would go, "This must be your granddaughter." Yes it looks like I am related to a little mini celebrity. Speaking of Canada Day, Grammie had their own float for the "Quilters" that Grampie drove down. Very exciting. And the parade, although small had heart!! Wheelers, farm animals, fire trucks, with candy, chips and freezies to hand out to all the littles.  And there was the "Village of Stanley" float where they did an honorary mention to both MY Grammie and Grampie for their work on the council. Way for me to think about the generations and the history of this place (i.e. my summers with my grandparents and my little love for that place). Plus I had the added bonus of seeing the fireworks with my husband on FaceTime as my dad was on fire duty and my mom was babysitting.

Another trip involved seeing the camp that my Grampie helped build. I don't think I had been there since I was a little girl. We had sandwiches, did the tour around the place, walk the beach, admire the lake. AND admire the butterflies, sample the wild strawberries and catch a look at the tadpoles. Downside those blackflies were out. Upside, babe seemed to have to reaction to them even as she got bit, poor thing.

here was some downtime away from the little one at times. Mom and I went to bootcamp a couple of times, yoga and of course got to see a bunch of movies on their android box. PLUS my indulgence Orange is the New Black and Game of Thrones, the later that I still haven't stopped thinking about. Gosh I love that show!

AND I had some Dad time too, kayaking the Nashwaak, twice! The first was slightly shallower than the second as I may have had to get out and push my kayak out of the rocks. Nashwaak 1, Tracey 0. But then the second time around I rocked it. Nashwaak 1, Tracey 1. Plus at that time my husband had come so that is always nice.

Plus I got the ultimate tour of the firehall. That's right, fireman's daughter right here. I got to try on the uniform (heavy), go in the truck and look at the whole hall and check out the vehicles. Very cool. Don't think I could do it though, even though Backdraft is still a favourite. That is tough stuff as that uniform is heavy and I wasn't even hauling a hose or anything. YIKES!

AND so I don't go on and on here are a few other things done. I got to go running in the evenings. Running legs are a little rusty but they got activated! We visited Killarney Lake where sand was eaten and baby tossing in the water was had. Hysterical giggles had by all as many spectators couldn't stop laughing as well. BBQ's with family. Dipping in the kiddie pool. Dipping in the river. Visiting a covered bridge, suspension bridge, oh my!

And then Mark came for the last week. Tours of the Woodsman museum, Fall Brook Falls, Region Museum in Fredericton where we saw my Great Grandfather's crutches. Walks on the bridge in Fredericton. Real fish and chips by the lake. Tours of Stanley where we had some ice cream and saw a black bear! Church dinner with real strawberry shortcake and three jelly salads with marshmallows!! Then walk through the Baptist and United church cemetery.

And my personal favourite thing to do was sit on the veranda in the screen room at night swinging on the swing. I loved hearing the bullfrogs croak and looking at all the lightening bugs in the night sky. Another fond memory of my childhood as I remember when my cousins would collect them in jars with grass on the bottom (they never stayed lit...i wonder why? wink wink). I would in turn sit with my grampie, aka my buddy, as he would make moose calls out in the distant. AND he was pretty good too.

Then we were on the plane again. And might I say, flying with two is way easier than flying with one! I even caught a movie this time around. And we survived with fewer meltdowns than usual, even with a three hour delay.

I found this visit brought on quite a bit of nostalgia for me as I was bringing my little girl to a place that I would visit from the very city that I am currently in. I will treasure this trip just for that.

love

No place like home...

Well I guess it's not my real home but it is where my parents live so it is my second home ;). 

We did it. We made it to NB and back in one peice. And I have to say. My first trip alone with an infant was a success. Sure there were minor meltdowns (one at the last stretch from Montreal to Fredericton that may have brought me closer to tears than her but my mom swooped in to take the babe once landed...and not give me a hug...running joke). But overall she was a very good traveller. From what I'm told this is the easy part as they get a bit more fidgety before they get better! So I will relish :)

We both a fab time visiting all the Robertson/Sansom realitives. The little one in particular was in true form. Especially with my 90 year old grandmother, smiling and laughing whenever Nan talked. I think Nan got caught under her spell. 

She saw many...just an FYI for her in later years...my Great Aunt Barb and Uncle Ron, Great Aunt Mary. My cousin Heidi, her little man and my Aunt Beth. My Uncle Ian and Aunt Karen and cousins, Uncle Keith, Aunt Cheryl, Marg, her partner, and Kat, Josh and their little one who is a few months older. Yes there were even a few baby babbles between them (and another little man as we saw Amy, Kim and Beth too).  Not to mention plenty of mom and dad's friends. It was a trip full of visits. 

But let's move on as it wasn't just about her! ;). There was quite a bit of snow in Stanley. Not as much as they normally get but more than what I'm used to and more than what I've seen this year in my neck of the woods. So I got to snowshoe with dad in the woods a couple times. 

Saw the twins (oaks that is) again. And his much loved maple trees. It had rained one of the days and froze. Treacherous roads I'm sure but the ice froze on the trees and sparkled in the sun. It was quite pretty. 

And if that isn't enough nature we would see the deer route around their house gathering food and trekking off. One day I think we saw five!! 

Plus the incredible ice jams that occur when you drive on the roads and look onto the river. 

We marketed. Visited the candle in the window. We watched movies every night and watched the little one hype herself up before bed. 

I warmed myself by their wood burning stove and attempted to put a log in and as mom puts it 'almost burned down the house'. That thing is a little intimidating!!

We had clam chowder. Date squares. Every morning I had doughnuts with raspberry jam. And chips and cherry frozen yogurt every evening (Yes I need to lose a few pounds now. Hee hee). 

I would soak in the claw foot tub. Catch up on television or a book. Colour in an adult colouring book. Sigh. It was every so relaxing. 

It was an absolute joy and a much needed break that I didn't know I needed. My parents seemed to have a ball watching their granddaughter. Even caught a few firsts while there. And I don't think that girl ever suffered from any lack of attention as there was a constant open arm always nearby. Something this week I am surely missing as my back has a few extra aches when I'm home alone during the day. 

It was a great visit and I'm looking forward to seeing them again in the summer and it's no doubt the little one is too! :)

Love

Wells Gray

This is what I have learned:
glamping aka glamour camping is awesome
  AND by that I mean camping in a tent trailer, needing no air mattress and having so much more space, in an actual site and making real food on a coleman stove is fantastic!

 

day hiking is fun but not quite as exhilarating as doing a big km quest in a day.
  HOWEVER one can still see most fantastic things like waterfalls, big beautiful trees and raging waters











kayaking is fun wherever you go and it can still be enjoyable in the rain!







stopping in a town on the way home, like Jasper, has huge perks AND by that you can bulk up on more chocolate and fudge than you would normally never buy and you can take a lovely dip in the hot springs

even if your vacation is a short one you can still have loads of fun with your partner. AND by that I mean playing games, reading, talking, chatting and enjoying each others company







AND it is still nice to come home to our lovely pets!

love

The year so far....

July 1. The year is half way over and my blog shows nothing. But really, quite a bit has happened so far in just over 6 months!

I have been working both the rehab and homecare side of my job and loving the variety of what both has to offer. The learning opportunities have been extensive and I am starting to grapple many new things as I grow in my career. I love it so much that I actually don't mind picking up to a full time position that I often do, or fall just one shift behind of that. It has been really nice to love going to work. And for that I am extremely grateful for!

My parents came to visit in March. We had family pics done, went on dog walks, made meals, went to movies and putzed around. Dad was busy studying to be a fireman and has since passed many tests (and has a uniform to boot!) We also went to Vancouver together for my cousins wedding. A little cool at that time but the ceremony was extremely sweet and touching, with planes flying over head as a tribute to the groom.

That was one of 4 wedding/celebrations we had. Next was onto Calgary to celebrate Mark's cousins nuptials. Exposure to a different cultural celebration was quite fun and educational for myself as I was googling things long into the night after the wedding. Once in Calgary we had to see my Great Aunt Elizabeth and cousins Joanne and Greg. We talked about their upcoming trip to New York where they happen to be right now!

The other two weddings were a little more informal but just as fantastic and fun as we were not present for both couple's nuptials but BOTH decided to continue the celebrations in a local way at a hall. One was my friend Nikki as she got married in Vegas. They hired a food truck, had salads and pop and we all just sat around and gabbed until the late evening.
The other was another of Mark's cousins. They got married in Ottawa that we unfortunately couldn't attend due to Mark's school trip being neck in neck with the dates. But we were fortunate to celebrate here, where there were family competitions set up from bean bag toss, kite flying to crossword puzzles. We had the added bonus of sitting with the bride and groom so we were set for answers! Plus an ice cream truck! Who can go wrong with that!!!!

Mark is finally done work. Lots of hard work this year, plus he got to go on a school trip to New York and Red Deer. Work but still had fun experiences.
Plus on the homefront, lots of dog walks, market time, gardening, spending time with friends, seeing movies, watching Netflix, AND of course we are expecting our first child this October. SO many big changes ahead!

We will see what the summer brings. From all this hot weather the veggie garden is a growing. Mark may go hiking with a friend of ours and I have a less cardio trip planned with a friend of mine.

Until next time!
Love

Ya' mon

Since Christmas has been put away for another year, I finished some January/Post-Christmas baking, and it is 10pm, the house is clean, the pets are sleeping and Mark is out....Let's talk about Jamaica! Our wonderful pre-Christmas vacation with the family.





One of Mark's cousin's was getting married and invited all the Edey crew....and guess what...WE ALL CAME! :) It was lovely. Warm weather, warm rain, rainbows and so much more.

I thought I might have trouble posting about it as quite possibly it would be later in the month....turns out I was right. Luckily I wrote a few notes everyday of the things that I enjoyed. So here it is in a nut shell (in no particular order)

Drinks

Who doesn't love a slushy fun, alcoholic beverage???!! Especially when you are at an all inclusive. AND when they have even more fun names???!! Some of the choices I had were: Bahama mamas, kiss and tells, piña colada and rum punch (Mark enjoyed those for one night only). Bob marleys (the lovely green, red, and yellow drink) and the lovely banana drink called the ambassadors reef...yummy!

Water

We stayed at the Rose Hall Hilton Spa and Resort and were lucky to enjoy not only a lap pool but a lazy river with waterslides. Now my husband may have at times got into little water fight wars with some 7 year olds (and I quote from one little girl, "The smart people spray others with the jets.")...but I digress.





The lazy river was loads of fun, managing to get every single family member in there.
Lots of fun moments had there, Mark may have tried to splash his mother....sigh....poor mom. My favourite moment was when Mark's granddad and his auntie Sandra went in. Sandra wearing her glasses, and granddad wearing his hearing aids realized a waterfall was ahead...one covered her eyes, the other his ears...so I covered my mouth to join the trend (hear no, see no, say no....)




The ocean was slightly smaller than most but I enjoyed listening to the waves, feeling the breeze and smelling the salty air. My favourite spot was reading under an umbrella and falling asleep to the waves crashing against the rocks. Lots of beautiful look outs to see the sun rise and set, to walk around at night and day. Plus the swimming was fun too as I LOVE LOVE LOVE warm ocean water!

The hot tubs were fantastic when it rained a little harder than it should on a tropical vacation. It made everything all right as we soaked in the hot water with a drink in hand and the jets pounding into our backs.

Food

Let's just list the food shall we cause it was all delicious. All had at the hotel as well. YUMMY!
We had:
jerk chicken, jerk pork, paella, shrimp soup, mahi mahi with fruit salsa, festival (deep fried delicious dough), pumpkin rice
fresh fruit including mangos, passion fruit, star fruit, papaya, coconuts, and Mark's favourite, sugar cane (probably not a fruit)
Desserts of coconut macaroons, coconut cake, mango cheesecake, banana cream puffs, mango mousse, chocolate cake
Set up for everyone during certain nights was pasta stations, stir fry stations, smoothie stations, appetizer type food and an ice cream station. Can it get better?

Tours

On our second night we took the Rose Hall Manor ghost tour. Throughout the tour there were wandering ghosts haunting the place. They managed to scare me as a few jumped out and I may have grabbed strangers in fright. Others, (Mark's granddad) chatted with the said ghosts telling them that they have "scrubbed all the blood out". The whole house was quite huge with fabric wallpaper and beautiful furniture.

Another tour was one I did with Mark and his cousin Abbey. The adventure tour of zip-lining and tube rides. Done through Chukka tours and I must say some of the best tour guides I have had. Safe but fun and entertaining as I found myself laughing quite a bit.
Our tubing guide was called "Shrek" who everyone seemed to hassle, but who seemed able to give it back quite easily. Apparently it rained at the hotel that day but we had some lovely sun where we were so we jumped in the water, swung on the rope swing and enjoyed the morning.
Zip-lining may have given Mark and I a little bit of a hyperventilating attack. But we had to play it cool for Abbey (haha). Once we got a hang of it, it was super fun. The guides again were fantastic. And Mark had fun hassling them as they sure hassled him!

Entertainment

Reggae music, bar dancing (on the stage, just because we could), BINGO playing, card games, reading books, working out at the gym, some golfing, others enjoying the spa, water aerobics, sailing adventures, steel drums and so much more.

And most importantly...what this whole thing was about: Spending time with Family 

Watching two wonderful people get married, and just prior seeing a rainbow in the horizon (that has to be good luck, doesn't it?!)



Dancing with a little one, playing games with the little one, exploring with the little one, swimming with the little one and lazy river cruising with the little one.
Celebrating an 89 birthday at a fancy restaurant with plenty of family around to sing happy birthday.

Long talks with family whether it was in a hotel room with siblings and parents, at the bar with cousins amongst drinks, chatting over lunch, supper or by the pool. It involved reminiscing about times past sometimes prior to the oldest cousin being born, or when the last cousin was born. Some had hilarity, others seriousness. Regardless what they were, those were my favourite moments because I got a glimpse into all these family members past and how they became the people they are today.





It was a wonderful vacation. I am so glad/fortunate/happy I could be part of it. More weddings should have been in the tropics....:)

love
p.s. pics don't really give a glimpse to all the family members. but I really don't know who would object to their pics online to the world so I did a select few of people, that I think would be okay with it! :)