Summer Holiday (Part 2)

After dropping off our broken quad in Jaffray Tim and I headed to Montana to spend a few days camping at Dickey Lake and shopping in Kalispell. We camped there last year and loved it.

Tim hanging out at our campsite:

Tim snorkeling:

My baby bump at about 37 weeks:

After spending 3 days there we came back to Jaffray. On Saturday morning us girls and kids drove down to the Farmer's Market, while the guys quadded down (Tim borrowed one of my dad's quads). We had breakfast there and wandered around.

Tim, Dad, and Brendan taking a break:

Tim and Brendan:

And one of the days Tim and I went with Jenn's family to the Bull River Fish Hatchery near Jaffray. The kids always love it there and I wanted to show Tim those giant trout they have. We took a picnic and had a good time.

Tim and I at the fishing pond:

Jenn's family at the fishing pond:

Uncle Tim and Jayda trying to touch one of the turtles:

Just hanging out at the turtle pond:

Everyone feeding the giant fish:

We headed home the next day as I had a doctor appointment and Tim had night shift. Guess that's it for our summer holiday. If you want to see more pictures check out the Camping 2008 (Part 3) Photos on the side of our blog.

A Bit More Camping (Writing on Stone)

We went camping at Writing on Stone again this weekend. Tim's dad was driving up from Vegas so we thought we'd camp close to the US border for him. Tim's sister, Rachel, and her family came out too. We had a good time. The food was super yummy! And Tim even lost a bet that he and I made so he had to do all our dishes that day. However the BUGS were insane. They drove us all bonkers. They were kinda like little fruit flies and they were everywhere -- up your nose, in your eyes, in your mouth, you name it! As usual we spent time down at the river and in the hoodoos. I stuck to strolling through the hoodoos this time though -- no more climbing for me. I don't bend so well at 7.5 months pregnant. For more pictures click on the Camping 2008 (Part 2) Photos (Page 3) link on the left of the blog. And click on any of the pictures below to make them bigger.

Tim and the dogs stopped for a picture with me:

Tim & Dex jumping from hoodoo to hoodoo:

Taking a break (33 weeks pregnant):

Either my belly's getting bigger or my shirts are shrinking -- I think it's the latter (haha):

Family photo at our campsite:

Waterton Lakes National Park

I know you'll be shocked to hear that last weekend we went camping...again. Ya, we love it. This time we met up with my family in Waterton. We had AMAZING weather and tons of fun (minus the mosquitoes).

Our campsite that we shared with Kimmy & Brendan:

Saturday afternoon we went to Red Rock Canyon. Usually we climb into the water and hike all up the canyon. I'm not so agile these days, so I we passed on that. We did the little hike that goes along the top of the canyon (instead of in the water).

Just me looking very pregnant (31 weeks):

Tim taking the dogs down into the canyon:

Then we went by the horseback riding stables (Brendan's aunt runs the place). Jayda and Parker each went for a little ride while the rest of us tried to find some shade.

Me and Mom watching Jayda & Parker ride:

Parker waiting with Uncle Tim for his turn on the horse:

And what's a trip to Waterton if you don't take a picture by Cameron Falls? However I've NEVER seen the falls this big before. It's cuz we had too much rain this June!! There was another little hike to the top of the falls and once again I made it. Luckily we stopped about 101 times on the way up to take pictures and I was able rest.

Tim and I used a picture just like this of us on our wedding invitations (with me a few pounds less though):

We then had to take the dogs down to Waterton Lake and let them swim. It was also a great opportunity for me to ice my swollen ankles in that freezing glacier water. It worked, the swelling went down....some. (It was on the beach of Waterton Lake where Tim asked me to be his wife over 4 years ago.)

The water was so cold it burned (make sense?):

And we rented the bikes. You know THE bikes in Waterton. Those funny looking ones. So much fun. However Tim and Brendan wanted to race all the time and my legs just couldn't keep up to the fast peddling. So I let Tim do most of the work.

Sweet bike eh?

Let's not forget to mention the bears in Waterton. I don't think I've EVER been to Waterton when I haven't seen a bear. This time was no exception. There was this hill in our campground that the guys (along with Jayda and Parker) would climb up there and look for bears. Brendan spotted a ton of them throughout the weekend. I lost count after he said 8.

I finally made it to the top of the hill to look for bears too. Jayda came and sat with me.

Tim just hanging out:

I took way more pictures so check out our photo album Camping 2008 (Part 2).

26 Weeks Pregnant!

We're still adding to our baby supplies collection. We're getting closer to being ready for August. I bought a little pink sleeper and a little blue sleeper and we'll see which one gets returned to Wal-Mart. And my mom went to the States a couple of weekends ago and picked me up a Bumbo Seat. They're $20 cheaper there than here in Canada. We tried it out on my niece Danyca.

I had my regular doctor's appointment last week. The baby is measuring bang on. Not too big, not too small. Which is nice cuz last month I was measuring almost 2 weeks ahead. But now we're back on schedule. And I got the results from our ultrasound -- the baby's doing great! I also had to do my Gestational Diabetes test. You know, the glucose one. Everyone told me such horror stories about drinking the orange stuff. Thank goodness for my sister Jenn and my friend Tara who BOTH told me it's nothing to sweat about. Just two glasses of orange pop. I found it easy and I'm glad. The nurse said most pregnant woman have a really hard time getting the drink down and keeping it down. Orange pop is not my favorite, but it was easy for me to drink at least. Anywho, here's a baby bump picture at 26 weeks:

Not a whole lot bigger than my 22 weeks pic, but the baby is getting so much stronger. He/she can easily kick the TV remote off of my tummy now. And yes I know all my tummy pics have been headless. It's cuz Tim's never around when I'm taking these and I can't back up far enough from the mirror to get my face and tummy in the same shot.

Camping Trip – Fort Steele, BC

Last Friday we headed out on our first camping trip of the year. We were going to Fort Steele, BC to meet up with my parents and sisters (and their families). It’s about a 4 hour drive and we didn’t leave our house till after 7:00 pm. Too many things to get worked out on the first time camping for the year (remember last year). And it was the first time out with our new trailer. But we were so excited. We got the trailer packed and the quad loaded and headed on our way.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s off camping we go...

The drive took us forever as we had a lot of weight for our truck to haul (with the trailer and the quad). So we drove slowly and stopped a few times to check out how the trailer and such were doing. Tim had never been to Fort Steele before but at about 11:00 pm we saw the sign that said only 6 km more to the campsite. We were at the top of this huge hill that overlooks Fort Steele and we just had to get to the bottom of it. No sooner had I said to Tim that we were almost there when heard “it”! Yep, we had a flat…no we had a blowout!

Not much left of that tire, eh?

Remember last year when we went camping and got a flat? Why the heck does this keep happening to us?

I called my Dad and told him we were sitting at the top of the hill with a tire blowout on our trailer. Dad, Brendan, and Kimmy came to help us. At least this time (unlike last year) we now have a jack in our truck – two of them actually. Kimmy and I went back to the campfire and Tim, Dad, and Brendan showed up later. So it was midnight when Tim was trying to set up our trailer in the campsite. Lovely!

On Saturday the weather was kinda crappy. It was chilly and rainy. Tim, Dad, and Brendan went for a quad ride while us girls took the kids into Fort Steele and hung around the campsite. When Tim got home from the quad ride he noticed he had oil sprayed all over him. So if the new tire we had to buy that morning wasn’t pricey enough for this camping trip, now Tim’s quad has decided to spit oil everywhere. Tim and Brendan took the quad apart but couldn’t find where the oil came from. Perfect! Now our quad is down and out just like when we were camping at Pole Haven last year. But what’s camping without a flat tire and a quad problem right?

Here’s the quad all pulled apart:

However Saturday evening was great. We did a huge BBQ for Britnee’s 19th Birthday and for Mother’s Day. It was yummy! And then the girls all went to the live play Aida that was put on by the local high school. It was so good. Amazing actually! Jenn bought us tickets for Mother’s Day. How sweet eh? I loved the play.

We left the campsite Sunday morning. After church in Jaffray we headed back home for work Monday morning. It’s was an expensive weekend. But boy did we have fun!

Blake James - Born (Happy Easter)

Our best friends, Trent & Tara, welcomed a little boy to their family on Easter Day. Blake James was born just before 3:00 in the afternoon on Sunday March 23rd. He was 7lbs 10oz. His mommy did such a GREAT job as her contractions started Friday morning and she didn't deliver Blake until Sunday afternoon. We're so proud of her.

You know, I've been around a lot of babies. It seems like everyone I know has kids now or is pregnant with their first -- even us. However it still feels a little strange when your best friends have their first baby. It's been just the four of us for so long it seems. And now they have a BABY. Tara's a mommy and Trent's a daddy. It's so awesome, but it's still hard for me to really wrap my mind around it. Am I making any sense?

But in a few short month Tim & I will join the parenting band wagon. It's all just a little surreal today though. To think that Tara and I were originally both due in March (last time I was pregnant). I'm so excited for August. Our babies will only be 5 months apart. Just the thought of welcoming our new little one to OUR family makes me tear up. Sheesh, I'm always so weepy these days (still blaming those pregnancy hormones).

CONGRATULATIONS TRENT & TARA! We love the three of you so much!

Uncle Tim with Blake:

Auntie Ashlee with Blake:

Mommy & Daddy with Blake:

**Okay Ashlee, wipe the tears away and get back to work.**

Down But Not Out

So just like her and her, I've been sick. Super duper sick. Not able to function sick. Can't lift my head off the pillow sick. It's been a week and a half and I'm still not over it. But I am out of bed now. I didn't leave my bedroom in an entire week. My husband didn't dare cross into our bedroom as he was so afraid of the virus. He slept in our Winnie the Pooh room that I have set up for my niece, Jayda when she comes for sleepovers. I'm not sure what I had/have. It started off very much like the flu (fever, throwing-up, ear ache), then turned to a cold...sorta (sore throat, head ache, running/stuffed nose), and then has turned into this horrible cough. Plus I liked to add morning sickness on top of all that. And like she said here: Tylenol doesn't help the nose, the congestion, and the cough. Being sick when pregnant blows. I remember that from last summer. I had a fun week. But not as much fun as Tim who was the lucky duck who got to teach my Primary class. He got home from church and I asked him how the kids were. His reply: "They are insane!" Ya, I know.

Wanna know how I got so sick? I picked it up in BC when I went home for this:

Danyca's blessing. Everyone there was so sick...and I brought it back to Alberta with me. However it was worth it. I'm so glad I got to go and see little Danyca be blessed. She's beautiful eh? I bought her that little pearl bracelet. Totally LOVE her! I love going home to see the family. It's so great. I didn't see much of Tim though. When we put him and Brendan (my brother-in-law) in the same town they seem to get lost together -- like at Christmas. Kimmy and I become single when we go home for a visit. Ya, the sickness was totally worth the trip!

New Niece -- Danyca Rose

IT'S A GIRL! And she's finally here. Danyca Rose was born at 12:15pm on January 11th. She was 6lb 8oz and has tons of black hair. Both Mommy (my sister Jenn) and baby are doing well. Danyca looks just like her big sister Jayda.

Only hours old and already she found her thumb.

Look how much hair she has.

Getting dressed after her first bath.

A Year in Review (2007)

I totally stole this from another blog. Loved the idea, so I wanted to do it here too. Here's a summary of our 2007.

January

Tim started his last year of school

Bought a new car

February

My cousin miraculously survives being in an avalanche

March

Rachel announced she's pregnant

Tim finished school & is now a Journeyman Electrician

Ashlee went to the ER with a kidney stone

Tim turns 27 years old

April

Tim sold his horse Felize

Camping at Fairmont Hot Springs

Tim bought a new Quad

Ashlee bought a new treadmill

Ashlee got her wisdom teeth out

Bought an old holiday trailer

May

Grampa had to go to an assisted living home

Camping at Writing on Stone

Camping at Lewis & Clarke Caverns

Tim fought his first house fire

Jenn announces she's pregnant

June

Camping at Waterton (Belly River)

Bought a new truck

Camping & Quading at Pole Haven

Britnee graduates highschool

July

We're Pregnant

Camping at Writing on Stone

Camping in Montana

Ashlee turns 25 years old

Trent & Tara announce they're pregnant

August

Attended my cousin Kyle's wedding

Grampa passes away

Our 3rd Wedding Anniversary

Attended my cousin Carlene's wedding

September

We lost our baby

Ashlee goes to the ER with fluid on her hip

October

Spent Thanksgiving in Castlegar with Kimmy & Brendan

November

New nephew Dallin was born

December

We're Pregnant Again

Celebrated Christmas in BC

Phew, 2007 has exhausted me! Here's hoping 2008 is AWESOME!

Our Christmas 2007

The Saturday before Christmas Tim & I headed to Jaffray. We were going to BC in search of a White Christmas. Boy did we find it! They had a crazy amount of snow. So awesome!

Every Christmas Eve my family goes carolling to all of my mom’s side of the family. (We have a very large extended family.) All the families wait for us to come. Our crowd is getting pretty big now and we were even missing Kimmy & Brendan as they spent Christmas with Brendan’s family in Alberta. After carolling we ended up at Granny’s house. We took some snacks down there and spent the evening with her. After Granny’s we headed back to Mom & Dad’s and we had to do a little Christmas sing-song. Jayda just loved the mic and Parker thought he was Rod Stewart dragging his mic stand all over the place singing Rudolph. It was so cute.

Christmas morning was pretty slack. There was no getting up early in our house. Kimmy was missing and she was the one that usually got us up super early cuz "Santa came". The best part for sure was going over to my sister’s and watching Jayda & Parker. Priceless. They were so excited about EVERYTHING. Parker got out of bed and told his mommy about all the presents under the tree. She asked him "Who brought all these presents?" And Parker turned to her and said, "Uncle Tim??" Dang that Uncle Tim. He got all of Santa’s credit!

On Boxing Day Kimmy and Brendan came to Jaffray. We were excited to see them. We missed them on Christmas. Tim and Brendan had to keep themselves busy so out in my mom’s front yard they decided to build a snow cave. A gigantic one. Tim and I made one last year at our house, but we don’t get the snow like BC so it took forever for us to shovel enough to make a little snow cave. Tim, Brendan, & Kimmy got tired of shovelling (I just watched them.) and decided to get my dad’s snow blower out. They went around the yard and made this HUGE pile of snow for the cave. And there was still tons of snow left in the yard. Nothing like Alberta! Everyone around stopped by to see what we were making in the front yard. It took a very long time to hollow out but finally it was done. My contribution to it....well Jayda and I made that little snowman by the entrance. Helpful aren’t I?

Tim tried ice fishing for the first time ever. Ya, it didn’t go so well. Nothing! I was bored out of my mind – staring at a bobber in a hole forever...not so fun. Maybe it would have been better if they were actually catching fish.

Then on Saturday Trent & Tara came out to Jaffray to hang out. So much fun! They did some ice fishing (caught nothing again), snowmobiling, sledding, tubing, and had a bonfire. And Tara was my life saver when she showed up with her morning sickness meds which I used a bunch of to "try" and keep my morning sickness at bay. What a sweetie!

Sorry this is such a long post. I should keep our blog more up to date so I don’t have to write novels like these. Oh ya, and ignore the typos cuz this is too long for me to re-read.

Dallin Will - New Nephew

It's A Boy! Tim's sister Rachel had her baby on November 2nd. Dallin Will weighed 8lb 13oz and was born just after 11:00pm. He's adorable.

Dallin - only a few hours old

Uncle Tim & Dallin

Auntie Ashlee & Dallin