We laughed. We cried. We took ugly photos.
Last weekend I met up with Sarah, Kelli Gordon, Cassie Bayly and Barb Butler in Glenwood at the Prince Lodge (Tanya Butler also came out for a few days and Amelia Low joined us when she could). It was everything I needed and more. This is something we have been doing for a number of years now and I find myself looking forward to this reunion every year! We bring our kids and everyone has a great time. Last year was freezing, but this year! This year was beautiful! Okay, that's overstating it. We had one nice day. And we spent it outside.
Even on our less-nice days, it was still tolerable to be outside. This was our first, "hey! It's Spring" feeling, so the kids were all about being outside as much as possible. It was great. We spent one of our afternoons at the park and you'll never guess who spotted this dog and spent half their time watching it. Jane and NOAH!
Aw.
It wasn't really nice enough to be taking off shoes, but she didn't care. Nor did she listen.
Ellie and Shep really hit it off this year and spent hours upon hours outside building a "home together." Haha! They designed various rooms and chairs and tables and even a toilet. Zoe joined them after a while. We had a no-screen policy and what a beautiful thing it was. Look at this creativity!
Also, thank you trampoline. You saved my boys who spent most of their time on this thing.... when other children weren't ruling it. Also ping pong.
This was a mistake. A big one. But a VERY cute one. Mary-Ellen's dog had a brand new litter of puppies! Only two weeks old and how cute they are! Noah was in heaven and immediately named his S'more. He held and held and held that sweet little puppy.
(Hannah's face! Ha!)
Jackson is like me when it comes to dogs. I asked him what he thought about the idea of getting one as a pet and his sensible response made me laugh. "Well, they are cute, but they would be a lot of work." I think he has heard me say that a time or two! I also think of all the kids he actually knows what work is, because as the oldest I am always asking for his help! So. He knows!
Jane. Oh Jane. This little scruffy was loving on this puppy and did not want to let him go. He kissed the dirt off her face and she thought that was the best thing ever!
Jane just wanted her puppy back. "My turn."
Visiting those puppies was definitely a highlight, but so hard on my Mommy-heart. I actually opened it up a little at the idea of possibly maybe one day getting one. And when I told Joe this, he was on it, looking up various breeds and the best type of dog for our family! Haha! Oh boy. What have I done? Not to worry because two days later I exclaimed after coming home that there was not a chance we would be able to get a dog because no body listens to me and helps around the house, so good luck trying to get me on board again!
This girl and those cheeks. Her new thing is resting her cheeks in her hands and it is pretty darn adorable.
Bless that candy store! It made the kids do things like learn a new song on the ukulele! Although, I don't think Ellie needed any incentive.
Jane also loved the candy store. She never did anything to earn it. Just be cute I guess.
Jackson was a good big kid to those littles. MAGIC TRICKS!
I canNOT believe I don't have more pictures from our evenings together after kids went to bed! That was when we could finally just relax and visit and laugh our brains out. Or cry our brains out... depending on what we were talking about. I am grateful I have close friends I can talk to about anything. On this occasion we laughed our brains out. We were playing a "tell me my future" card game. The kind we used to play back in Junior high where each King represents a future possible husband. The funnest part is picking the guy you would never ever want as a future husband. When it was Sarah's turn, I chose Meatloaf for her, Cassie said Nickelback. And then we decided that the best option would be to morph the two together (Sarah's idea! Haha!). If Nickelback and Meatloaf had a baby, this is the husband Sarah would marry. And sure enough she did. Barb suggested I draw a picture of her future husband... this would have been about 2am at this point and I was giggling uncontrollably! Here is Sarah getting ready for the reveal of her new husband on her "wedding night."
Nickelback + Meatlof = Backmeat Nickelloaf.
Yes. Yes we had a good time. The problem is I think I can be a teenager and stay up super late like this four nights in a row! I sure paid the price when I got home, but it is always worth it. On our last night, Cassie made us all lay out to the trampoline. This is one of my favourite things to do, but at this point it was almost 3am! But it was our last night and it was tradition! And all you have to say to me is, "let's do it!" I'm a sucker for just doing it! I'm so glad we did that. We listened to "The Return To Innocence" and just watched the stars. And farted in our sleeping bags to keep us warm. Or maybe that was just me! Tee hee! It was a stinky affair and it didn't last long but it was worth it. One thing I will always be grateful for is that I feel like I can talk to these awesome women about anything. Sometimes I really struggle with being enough and doing it all. I also struggle with if things don't work out for me, then it's called "God's will" and I am supposed to align my will with His. I am learning how to have more faith in this concept. It is a journey. Thank you my friends for your love and input that night. (Amelia Low came out a few nights but was not in any pictures.... because we didn't take any late night pics other than these silly ones of Sarah). I miss you my friends. Until next year!
