Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family. Have a safe and cheerful holiday.

Halloween

So it's almost Christmas and I am just getting to my Halloween post. It will be Easter by the time I get any Christmas pictures up.

I am not very imaginative when it comes to dressing up. To tell you the truth, I'm not actually a fan of Halloween. Because of my lack of enthusiasum towards this "holiday", Payton kinda gets the short end of the stick when it comes great ideas for costumes. I just usually ask her what she wants to be and we find a way to pull it off. Thankfully she is about as imaginative as I am. So this year she wanted to be a kitty cat.



I think she makes a pretty cute kitty cat.

In past years, Payton and I have always hooked up with Alex and her parents from down the street and made our way around the block. This year Alex had other plans so we invited Sabina and Andrea to come for dinner and join us on our outing. Payton and Sabina were born 10 days apart and will both be turning 10 this coming March. I have always known that Payton was small for her age be these pictures show very clearly how small she really is.



I can't sign off the Halloween blog without posting the annual trick-or-treat picture of Payton and Andjela from next door. Andjela is two years older than Payton but they are quite the pair. I am sure there will be many more pictures of these two.

Time Flies....

So, I realize it has been way too long since I posted a blog. As soon as summer ended, rather than getting back into a routine, everything went hairy scary and we have been running six ways from center ever since. Lots of things have happened in the last three months. Starting with back to school, Payton was very excited to get back to school. As much of a challenge as school is for Payton, she never wants to miss a day because I truly believe she really loves it there. Here she is on the first day of school.





So after school started, the trips to the trailer were limited to the weekends, and they couldn't come fast enough. And with fall in full swing the fairs were a plenty. Having spent the entire summer in Port Elgin, the talk of the town is Pumpkinfest. And it finally rolled around. Of course it was the coldest Saturday in September but we dressed for the weather and had alot of fun.





Next came Thanksgiving. I have to admit that Thanksgiving is my most very favorite family holiday. Each year the entire family goes on a hike and enjoys each others company and idle chatter. Great family memories are created each year and many family pictures are taken to savor the moment.

This year we went to a trail in the forest that we have been to before. I think everyone enjoyed themselves.






Here is just another couple examples of a very special bond Payton has with her oldest cousin. Amanda and Payton have always been very cute together. I have many pictures of these two peas in a pod....





I'll try not to have such a long time between posts. But there are no guarantees. Blog ya later!

Port Elgin Sunset

So Payton and I have spent the entire summer at the trailer in Port Elgin with the exception of two weeks. I am ashamed to say that during that time, we never once went to see one of these famous Lake Huron sunsets. Well last night we decided to head to the peer and watch the sun go down. Of course we had to treat ourselves to another ice cream to have while we enjoyed the scenery.

Everyone was right, it sure is a sight to see.





We will have to do that again, with Jeff, when he is here so we can get some family pictures with the sunset in the background. I am gonna miss this place come September.

Long live Summer!!!!

Sauble Beach

Yesterday was kind of an overcast and cool day so Payton and I decided to venture into Sauble Beach and see what we could find to do. Our first stop was to find the best beach fries we could find. Boy were they good. Next stop was mini putt.



After a very intense game of putt putt, we relaxed with an ice cream cone from Dairy Queen. I can't even tell you the last time I had a DQ ice cream. It was very tasty.



After our ice cream we headed up to the Sauble Beach Amusement Park. It was kinda cheesy but for $20 it killed an hour or so and we had a good time. Payton started out on the smaller rides and worked her way up to the go-karts with me.







By far the go-karts were the most fun. I drove and Payton sat beside me. I kept looking over at her and she was smiling ear to ear. She said at bedtime that she had a great day. I'm glad. Isn't that what summer is all about?

Check back again soon!

Tubing

This past long weekend, we went out boating with two families that we know from Kitchener. Brad and Kim and their son Chet have a trailer in the same campground we are in. Ian and Christine and thier kids Zoey and Coleton have a cottage not 15 minutes away. Jeff had the jetski and Brad and Ian each had their boats. The day consisted of swimming, tubing, waterskiing and jetskiing. I think fun was had by all. The thing that surprised me the most was that Payton went tubing alone and really enjoyed herself. She really wanted to go but was very aprehensive about going alone. Finally she stood up to her fears and settled into the tube and was ready for her ride.



Tell me she's not having a good time!!!






I think clearly that this is turning out to be the summer of a lifetime. Not only for Payton but for me too.

Sunkissed!!!

I just took the most awesomest picture of Payton ever! Check it out! For sure this one will end up on a layout.

What a summer we are having. She keeps me busy and I hate to admit that she is growing up too fast.

Love you honey!

Old Friends!

This is the week every year that we would normally be at Evergreen Resort on Red Bay. We have gone there for the last 6 years. Every year the same people book the same week so we have built some great friendships. We have always brought Zoe with us each year and I think she was more excited about going there than we ever were. A week away from her brothers was I think the best part. (I'm sure the candy counter helped too!)

Payton and Zoe became very close with a little girl named Sidney that the talked about many times throughout the year and she was the one they went looking for as soon as they arrived there.

Because we decided not to go this year, Payton and Zoe were very disappointed. We tried to explain to them that being able to see each other every weekend for 5 or 6 months was better than just for one week but I don't think they bought it. So when Sidney's mom Robin contacted us by e-mail to see if we were going, we made arrangements for them to stop here at the campground for an afternoon so the girls could visit.

I commented to Robin how I thought it was so cool that they only see each other for one week a year and when they finally get to see each other again, they just pick up where they left off.


Good friends are hard to find and I hope that this friendship lasts a lifetime. Glad you had a great visit girls.

New Friends

Since we have been coming up to the trailer in the beginning of May, Payton has met alot of new friends. However, the two that she spends the most time with is 4 year old Isabel and her 7 year old sister Andrea. This picture was taken of them a few weekends ago.

The mintue we arrive in the park, Payton is already asking to go see if they are here. With the nice weather arriving in the next day or so, I am sure there will be alot of time spent in the pool with these two.

Summer fun and lasting friends!

Rock Painting

On the long weekend in May, we decided we needed to paint some of the rocks that Payton had collected over the past couple of weekends at the trailer. It was a beautiful day so we sat at the picnic table with Zoe and painted some rocks. The girls had a good time. They were mixing dish soap in with the paint and swishing it around and making it foamy before they put it on the rocks. Not sure how they came up with that idea but it kept them occupied for some time.



Payton and Zoe are good together, they get along quite well. Here is a token picture of the two of them enjoying each others company.



One of the finished rocks for our garden.....



Peace Everyone!

Gymnastics

Payton has been taking Tumble and Bounce at Revolution Gymnastics for the past 8 weeks and really enjoyed it. She was pretty bummed on Tuesday as it was the last class until sessions start up again in September.

On Tuesday, they allowed all the parents to come into the gym so we could all watch up close and take pictures or video of them enjoying their last class. What? An opportunity to take photos of my child doing what she loves? You don't have to tell me that twice. I was there with my media bag which consists of two different cameras and a video camera. I have added a clip here of her practicing all the different types of bounces they learned in their classes.



I am looking forward to the sessions starting again in September because I love to watch her try so hard to master a skill. She trys just as hard to please herself as she does her coach and anyone else she demonstrates her skills to. She is very flexible and loves to be on her hands more than her feet. It is not unusual to see a cartwheel in the middle of the living room as she is on her way to do something.

This is a picture taken at the end of class doing her final "Ta-Da!"



She deserves a gold medal for determination.

Well Done Payton!!!

Update

So it's been over a month since my last post. I haven't really had much to write about. We got our new trailer and took it up to Port Elgin to set it up. We spent the first night there with Payton's head in the toilet all night. It was probably just a bug of some sort. We went up again the following weekend and it was freezing and very windy. It actually snowed! The furnace works really well. We spent alot of time over at Jeff's brothers house with the kids so we didn't go stir crazy in the trailer all weekend. I have my fingers crossed for the long weekend that it is at least nice enough that we can be outside. Based on past history, I am not holding out much hope.

A couple of weeks ago when we had a nice warm day, Payton and I went to Victoria Park and I brought along the camera. I got some really great pictures of her.



The following is a great one of her and her friend Michelle. I call these two TROUBLE!



I will try to remember to take my camera to the trailer this weekend and see what fun I can capture.

Till next time! Adios!

My New Ride!

Check out my new ride! I pick it up on Friday afternoon. I am so excited!

Animal Lover

Payton has been an animal lover since day one. She just loves any animal so much that she can't control herself when she gets near one. She insists on petting every dog she sees, big or small. When she sees one being walked on our street, she runs in the house and gets a milk bone cookie to give to our passing visitor. Whether the owner wants to know or not, they get the complete low down on Payton's dog Dora. What kind of dog she is, how old she is, what she likes to eat and that we call her a rugrat. Then they get the third degree about their furry friend. And she wants to know it all and there's no way they are getting away without giving up all the details. There is actually one lady that switches to the other side of the street if Payton is outside. I think its a bit rude of her but she doesn't get away scott free. If Payton spots her, she will yell her salutations across the street at her. I just laugh. That's what you get. If you don't like it, then walk a different way.

Below is a picture of Payton and Maya taken at Aunt Carolyn's house on Easter Sunday. Poor Maya...she just couldn't get away. Cooper was smart and hid the entire time we were there.




We are sure that animals will be a big part of Payton's future. She will either be a groomer, maybe work at a vet or could possibly just own a few hundred of them herself. Either way, they will be loved to bits.

Upside Down...!

I thought I would share a quick picture I took today of Payton in the trampoline. There are days when she literally turns our life upside down. This weekend was a couple of those days back to back. I'm hoping we have a better week than our weekend.

Goodbye Winter....Hello Spring!!!

If you can believe it, 21 days ago we had quite a bit of snow on the ground. We were shovelling and snowblowing for a few days in a row. I must say I wasn't the shutter bug I usually am this past winter so I thought I better grab some photos before I missed out. Payton and Andjela were playing outside in the snow so I took a few.



Check out how big the snow banks were and these pictures are from February 28th.



This past week was a beauty! The warm sun on my face sure felt great. I cant wait until it is an every day event. I find I dont really realize how much I miss the sun until I feel it for the first time. Paytons birthday is on the first day of spring and so far every one has been a nice spring day. This year for her birthday we went with Carolyn and the kids to Splash Lagoon in Erie, PA. We had a really good time. Payton really enjoyed herself. I took some pics of her the morning of her birthday while just the two of us were at the hotel pool. I have taken a picture of her every year the morning of her birthday and I cant believe she is 9 years old. Time has flown by so fast. Its gonna be hard to top this fun birthday. She had a really memorable march break and birthday.



More summery photos to come soon....I hope!

Reunion!

Jeff's brother Tim and his wife Donna moved up to Port Elgin a year and a half ago. They have 4 kids and 1 more on the way. Payton misses them tremendously. They have come to Kitchener for a night and were staying at the Waterloo Inn. So last night we went for a visit. When we got there and were walking into the lobby of the hotel, they were just unloading out of the van at the same time. All the kids ran over to Payton and they were all hugging and jumping up and down with excitement. I heard alot of "I missed you" and "I haven't seen you in so long". The girl behind the registration desk was giggling at all the drama. After all the hellos and a quick visit to their room, all the kids went swimming. They had a blast. It was difficult to get Payton out of there so we made arrangements for them to come and visit at our house the next morning.

Often she will say that she misses Zoe and the boys. Mostly she talks about Roin. He is the youngest right now at 2 years old. Payton has always been a little mother hen (actually we have nicknamed her "smother hen") so when a baby or toddler is around she kicks into high gear. She wants to feed them, carry them, have them sit on her knee, whatever. However with Roin she just can't contain herself.

Actually now that I look at this picture, it doesn't really look like Roin is resisting very much. He is probably just happy to be interacting with someone other than his two older brothers and older sister. He is very cute. We have all nicknamed him "squishy roey". As much as it is chaos with that many kids all at once, I do miss having them around too. Zoe is a brilliant 10 year old that is a delight to be with. Deign is almost 8 and loves soccer, video games and anything that Uncle Jeff likes to do. Quade is almost 5 and just fights for his place in the ranking. He is definately the fiesty one of the group. Brilliant just the same though. Roin is the youngest right now at 2 years old and other than being cute, I haven't really experienced his personality yet. I'm sure he will follow the others and be charming in his own way as well.



From left to right is Deign, Zoe, Payton, Quade and Roin in the front. A good looking group of kids if you ask me. Before they moved I used to think quite often that I was glad Payton had some cousins that were her age and that at one time in their life (high school), they would all be at the same school. With Payton being an only child, I was glad she would have some family to rely on at school. Her and Zoe can be two peas in a pod at times. Zoe has a very good understanding of Payton and her ways and is very patient and tolerant. Jeff has had conversations with her about Payton and Zoe just gets it. Like I said, a brilliant child to say the least.

With us putting our new trailer up in Port Elgin for the season, I am sure alot of time will be spent together this summer and I am sure some great memories will be made and some fantastic pictures to top it off. I am sure there will be some great scrapbook pages created from our summer fun and I hope alot of them contain these 5 kids.

"A cousin is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost!"

Trailer season is coming......

Last spring, my mom and I went for a leisurely stroll through the annual Beechwood Community Garage Sale. I think she bought a few novels to read thru the summer and I bought a trailer. Yup, your eyes have not deceived you, I did type trailer. You know, the kind you tow behind a van or truck and you sleep in it. I think I probably won the prize for spending the most at a garage sale. I was sooooooo excited.

Below is a picture of what it looks like.



Payton and I had a great summer. We camped for almost 4 full weeks, as well as about 4 or 5 weekends. We were at Sherkston Shores, Long Point, Port Elgin (a few times), McGreggor Point, Six Mile Lake, and Happy Hills. It was a sad day when we had to pack it up and take it to the farm for the winter.

I think it was around late October or early November when I started looking every spare minute I had for a different trailer. I really wanted to get into a trailer that was hard sided and had a toilet and sink. One late November day, I dragged my mom and dad out to Harriston to look at one that I had my eye on. Of course when we got there, it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. It would have been too easy for us to go right back home so we decided to tour the countryside and came across a really nice one in Listowel. It was exactly what we needed. Separate bedroom for us and bunks for Payton. A bathroom, lots of storage and counter space and it was 29 feet. I thought for sure, it was going to be too expensive, but it was right in the range that I wanted to spend. I couldn't believe it. I was ready to pay for it right there and then.



There it is!!!! It is bought and paid for. We are picking it up on May 1st when the trailer park in Port Elgin opens for the season. I am so pumped. I think about it all the time and can't wait for the day to come to pick it up. I didn't think I would enjoy camping as much as I have. And now that it will be sitting there for me whenever I want to go there, makes it that much better. No more packing and unpacking every weekend. All we have to do is throw some clothes in a bag and away we go, even at a moments notice.

Can't wait!

Olympics

I must admit, I am completely addicted to watching the Olympics. As someone who isn't particularly interested in watching any kind of sport other than the odd hockey game, I must say, even watching curling has become and exciting event. The coverage that CTV has been doing is incredible. They play the stories behind each athlete and by the time the segment is done, you feel like you have been following their olympic quest from the beginning of time. It is as though you know each athlete personally and you get caught up in all of the emotion of the sport and feel like you are right there in the front row cheering them on with everyone else in the arena, on the hill or at the track.

I must say I am proud to be a Canadian. I always have been but especially in the last two weeks. Go Canada! Keep it going!

Winter...

I realize we have been a bit spoiled this winter with the relatively mild weather and lack of snow, however, that doesn't stop you from craving spring weather. I discovered this is not just an adult thing. The other day Payton mentioned to me when she saw all the new snow, that she thought winter was over and spring was almost here. I realized at that time how much she misses playing outside. I have never seen a child that loves to be outside like she does. She becomes super stir crazy when she can't get outside and ride her bike and take her "babies" around the block in the strollers or wagon. Not only that, but the backyard becomes like a new room in the house. Suddenly all of the strollers and babies make it out the garage or backyard, the marker bucket and papers all end up in the play house for "school". The dog sleeps on the patio chairs in the sun rather than the couch, and the windows are opened up and the fresh air is let in.

The picture below is what we see when we look out the window to the backyard.



Somewhat desolate and depressing. However, just sitting there waiting for spring weather like we are.

Hopefully not too much longer...!

Shutter Island

So tonight I was lucky enough to escape reality and spend the evening with my very best bff and take in a movie. You know, the real kind of movie that is in a real theatre and sells real popcorn, not the microwave kind that tastes like styrofoam. It was Jan's choice for the movie. She chose Shutter Island with Leonardo Di Caprio.

I had seen it advertised as well as seen the trailer, and it did peak my interest. I wasn't sure what to think of it. I am all for a thriller type movie but when I asked Jan about it, she said it was scary. I hadn't seen a "scary" movie at a theatre for a very long time and was nervous it was going to be too scary. Just so you know, I did jump once or twice and Jan laughed at me every time.

It wasn't so much scary as it was strange how they can play with your mind and leave you wondering about alot of stuff when the movie is over. It kinda sticks with you for a bit after. All in all a good movie. I would recommend it to anyone that likes thrillers.

That's it for tonight, I must go to bed after my very eventful evening.

Check back soon!

Welcome!!!

So, I am new at this blogging thing. But I figure it is time for me to keep up with the Jones' and jump on board. I doubt I will post every day because I don't think I can find that much to blog about. Seriously...my life isn't that exciting.

Below is the most recent family photo I have, it even includes Dora the dog.

I have gone through a huge life change in the last couple of months. I am back together with my husband which I had been separated from for two years, I have decided to leave my career of 18 years and start my own bookkeeping business. All of which have been very scary decisions to make.


I have a beautiful daughter, Payton, that can make me laugh until my sides hurt one minute and make me want to scream until my head hurts the next. I am sure she will be the subject of many of my blogs to come. I have been told many times I could write a sitcom with some of the stories I have about things that she says and does.

Stay tuned for more to come, hopefully I can bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart the same way my family does for me.

Tracy