These Boys

Do you believe in soul mates? People who enter you lives and give you so much...open you up to new things...connect with you in a way you never thought possible.

The friendship and connection between these three boys...it has "soul mate" written all over it.

I thought that when I became a Mom that would be the pinnacle of love I would feel for another person. But I was wrong.

My nephews are so precious to me. I mean, they came from one of my Most Favourite Humans...with anything Amy makes I am 100% a Number 1 Fan.

It continues to blow me away how much I love them...and how much they love each other. This friendship will persist, even when separated by half of the world.

Photos taken in Jasper National Park, Alberta
July 2018

xo

If You Had A Superpower...

I got this paper from Nadine in my Treasured Memories Design Team package, and I was like...!!?!??!?!?!

And then I was inspired to ask my boys the question:

"If you had a SUPERPOWER, what would it be?"

Their answers were funny, and amazing, and not at all surprising.

Lucas: "I would make things explode! Myself too! Don't worry, I would survive!"

(he saw one of the stickers that read "Boom" and looked like a big explosion)

Evan: "Super Speed!"

(He was drinking a delicious pop when I asked, so he didn't have much to say. He did tell me that he would use his power to steal things, so I think he's really more of a Super Villain.)

Jacob: "It would be my awesome farting skills! Flames would shoot out of my butt and then destroy the whole earth! My farts!"

(He was definitely the most animated of the three! He also gave a battle cry and brandished a plastic rake...)

These boys are my whole world...

Photos taken February 28, 2016 in a Subway Restaurant in Sherwood Park.

Words captured May 7, 2016

Just keep swimming

My Dad's company rented out the WEM Waterpark one Sunday morning, and he picked up tickets for his kids, and their kids and we made quite the morning out of it.

It was literally the most "Family Fun" you can have in a bathing suit. This was one day I wasn't totally cursing my new shitty Bat-Camera. I mean, look at all these wet shots! I even got a couple of us going down the water slides!

These are the people I want to grow old with...
-Lisa

Being An Auntie is Fucking Awesome

Back in October I had Jacob over for a playdate. He had been asking and asking for the longest time, and finally we had a day where it was going to work dammit! So we made it work.

 

I think he was a little bit shocked at how messy Auntie's house is compared to his own place, but once he started exploring and playing with Dude's toys he was happy as a clam. At one point we had to turn off all the lights and close the curtains so no one could see what he was doing. And sometimes there were little spats and the boys had to play separately (or on separate floors entirely), but overall it was pretty awesome.

Jacob was happiest "helping" Dude play his games on the computer. And when Grandma came to pick him up, he sure didn't want to leave.

It was a good day buddy...here's to many more!

later loves

A Freaking Big Dinosaur!

The biggest tourist draw within the town of Drumheller has got to be the giant dinosaur at the Visitor Centre. And since we were playing tourist on the Thanksgiving long weekend we ended up there...twice!

Did I mention you can climb up inside it and look out it's mouth?

I love long weekends...

later loves

Pumpkins and Corn Mazes

Here are some photo highlights from our trip to Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm earlier this month. I left my memory card at home, so all these photos were taken by my Mother. (Hi Mom!) It was nice not to be always behind the camera for a change.

I might be a little biased, but I think my nephews are the cutest! And my little sister's pretty fine herself.

Dude was a champ at the pumpkin cannon. He listened to all the pirate's questions of the kids ahead of him and he was ready with his funny answers when it was his turn!

It was a beautiful fall day. The sun was bright, the air was cool, and there were pumpkins everywhere!

later loves

Love, Sweet Love

So I rarely scrapbook in this size. I stopped doing 12x2 layouts regularly about 3 years ago, and I've never looked back. But every once and awhile...I get the urge to step out of my box.

I actually completed this layout for Treasured Memories, but I don't work there anymore...so...I guess I have to find somewhere to put it! HA!

And this next one is just too cute not to share! I have the best nephews (and niece! and "nieces"...but that's a whole other post!). Candace gave me two Batman action figures one night, and I thought Jacob might enjoy playing with them. Well, that was the understatement of the year! The only time he put them down that night was so he could have his hands free to eat dinner.

I love moments like this because I know Jacob is going to continue to be this completely AWESOME person as he gets older. And I get to share in a little of that every time we hang out!

And that is all...I'll have something non-scrapbooking related for y'all tomorrow! I promise!

later loves

all of my layouts are posted on Flickr as well...that's here.

Colour Me Happy

I love colour...like, love it. In my clothes, in my house, and most definitely in my art. Here are some of  my recent colourful layouts!

I will never ever get tired of watching these two play and interact with each other. Even though there is a huge age difference, they are great friends! Also, if I've learned anything since getting it, an iPad brings together people of all ages (wink!)

We made a special frozen yogurt treat at home after our Valentine's dinner (sushi). Dude had a good time adding gummies & butterscotch chips (only 3?!) & sprinkles. And I made sure to get some actual strawberries in there as well!

It's a funny coincidence that V & I were wearing similar coloured shirts...makes for much easier scrapbooking! HA!

Veronica's birthday party was Toy Story-themed, and there was tasty pizza, and I saw an old pic of BFF and it was totally fun! AND I got to snuggle with a baby...yay!

That's all for now...how do YOU add colour to your life?

later loves

p.s. Shout out to Candace's blog, inspiration for this post's title! Love your face Hun!

p.p.s I realize this is the second scrapbooking-related post in a week and these just aren't proving to be that interesting to my readers...but that's just too bad! Cause I've got loads of these on deck and not much else to talk about lately....so.....

Tradition!

Date: Saturday, January 5th, 2013

Location: Boston Pizza, Mill Woods

Event: Traditional New Year's dinner out

Cast of Characters: Arlene, Heath, Lisa, Russel, Lucas, Amy, Sean, Jacob & Evan

This is a three year old tradition (I think...well, maybe only two...Mom?) and usually involves all of us heading out to the local BPs with our recently received Christmas Gift Cards! We gorge ourselves on appetizers and pizza/salads/sandwiches/burgers/pasta!

Mmmmm.....bacon wrapped steak.....

Yeah...we're the rowdy table.

We play with our super heroes & Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and need Coke - and Diet Coke - refills every 7.35 seconds, and order funny things like noodles with no sauce and pizza with no cheese.

But we bring a cute baby, so that makes up for some of the nonsense!

I can't wait to see what happens next year when this little man can get in on the "Big Boy Action" on the other side of the table! And order off the menu!!

later loves

Light the Lights

Date: Saturday, November 17

Location: Churchill Square & City Hall. Downtown Edmonton.

Event: The grand and ceremonial Christmas tree lighting and fireworks.

Weather: Fricken cold.

The Square was filled with kids, parents, and grandparents. And some random teenagers. And these cool folks on stilts. And lots of people not dressed appropriately for the weather! It was chilly when we got there shortly after 4pm, and the temperature kept dropping throughout the night, until they (finally) got that damn tree lit around 6pm.

Lucas & Jacob joined all the other kids & irresponsible parents on the not-yet-flooded skating rink in front of City Hall. Patches of bumpy ice abounded, which was super fun for slipping on. And falling. Of course. No injuries...until later in the evening! It was busy inside City Hall, as this was the closest place to go to get warm!

Finally! The tree is lit. It is a sad, scrawny tree. But what it lacks in breadth, it makes up for in height...I guess. Followed by some fun fireworks. The boys loved this part. Lots of cheering. Even Evan was watching!

It was actually a nice night, despite the frigid temperatures (which I guess could have been a lot worse).

After all of that, we found out way back down to the LRT (oh man...that was a pain in the ASS!) and headed back to our cars at Century Park with what seemed like at least half of all the rest of the revellers. (The other half took the northbound train...). Then to Mom & Heath's for dinner. Family fun at its finest.

#freezingmyassoffinthenameoffun

later loves

Dude + The Captain

Date: Friday, November 16

Time: After school

Location: Silverberry park

Cast of Characters: Dude, Captain, Auntie-Momma

Purpose: Sledding! And general snow-related shenanigans!

I was a busy lady that week, in terms of being outside and enjoying this lovely winter weather we've been having! That Wednesday Dude & I went to our hill after dinner. And on the Friday I had a stroke of genius at about 2:40pm, and called Amy to see if maybe Jacob would be interested in going sledding with Dude & I after school! So I threw some sleds in the trunk, picked up Dude, and headed out.

Jacob was excited to see us, and we quickly got all suited up to head out. I had to pull the Captain in one of the sleds all the way to the park. He is slow on a good day, but today he was all bundled, so his little legs just weren't having it! Him and Dude chatted on the way there, and Lucas was a great helper in making sure we crossed all the streets safely.

We stopped at the short (short short short) hill right beside the playground, and made it down the hill once before Jacob decided he would much rather play in the playground. So we did...and Dude joined us! We tried a slide or two, put out some "fires" with the big firetruck, spun around, and licked some fabulous icicles. And inspected all the rabbit turds...of which there were plenty!

 Dude got bored in the park before too long, and headed back over to the hill. He got in a bunch of runs before Captain & I headed back over to him. Jacob was more interested in laying in the snow, or digging snow with the sled, or laying on the sled. He kept falling over, then saying "I'm okay" or "help me help me"...kind of completely adorable-like.

Once I got cold enough, and could tell Lucas was slowing down I put Jacob in the sled and we started back for home. He walked part of the way, and picked up some lovely blocks of snow. Dude led the way and made sure we crossed all the streets safely again. I see a "School Patrol" uniform in his future!

I told Jacob that he should call me whenever he wants to go sledding again. And on the car ride home, Lucas suggested we invite Jacob over to our house to play one day.

Those boys sure are good kids....

later loves