Search & Rescue...

Steve is now officially a Herc pilot!!! He finished his Herculus First Officer's Course on Friday...now he just has to do a quick Search & Rescue Operational Training Flight Course and he'll be HOME with us (and 413 squadron) in no time. This is his new ride...

Congratulations Steve...now get your buns back home! lol!

Taking The Roof Off Winter!

One of the best parts of living in Military communities is the MFRC (Military Family Resource Ctrs). They put on such great family fun activities. During my Mom's visit, the MFRC planned a snowshoeing activity at the golf course on the base. It was a spectacular night weather wise and so much fun all around.

Here's my Mom, Abbey and Michael heading out onto the golf course full of energy!

Here are my little snowshoers! (Although it looks like Michael is doing a little tree climbing on the side! ha!ha!) Snowshoes have come a long way since the wooden ones I remember as a child...check them out!

They even had sleigh rides which the kids LOVED!




Abbey was the first to tire out so my Mom offered to head back to the club house with her for some hot chocolate. Michael and I continued down the 18th hole. As we were heading back in, this is the view we had with the sun setting in the background. Spectacular! Great time all around!

Fun with the Bishop Family!

My friend Andrea has been so kind to us while Steve has been away. Her children and mine get along so well and there's never any shortage of excitement in that household...always a good time! Last weekend we went up for a fun night of snowmobiling and sledding.

Here's the gang playing outside! The weather was amazing!

Here's Emily, Abbey and I getting ready to be towed up the mountain to go sledding. Fun ride for the kids (and adults!)

At the top of the mountain, the Avery Family (who's land we were on and who were all there having fun as well) had started a big bonfire. There was about 20 of us out enjoying the outdoors. It was nice to see the moon shining overhead, white snow all around and the warmth and smell of a beautiful fire. We did a lot of sledding... Michael did a lot of sitting...on the Ski-Doo! He loved it! Scott was so patient in letting him crawl all over it.

Only in the Valley does a city girl like me get to experience all this! LOVE IT!

Family Picture!

Here's a picture taken when Steve came to visit for the long weekend in January. We had such an amazing time together as a family. Steve called Wednesday night saying he was going to fly in Thursday to surprise us. YAY! I didn't tell the kids (just in case) and Steve arrived in Kingston just in time to pick the kids up from school. I would have loved to see their little faces when they saw their Daddy walking through the playground. Priceless I'm sure!

The visit was all about Abbey and Michael (okay... a little of us too!) The long weekend was dedicated to playing, skating, mini-putting, swimming, going down water slides at the hotel, watching a movie and having a BLAST! I couldn't have asked for more!

I can't wait to be a FAMILY full-time again...and to start sharing some responsibilities! ha!ha!

Hearts Everywhere!!!

Because Steve was away for Valentine's I wanted to try and make it extra special for Abbey and Michael because I knew they were missing their Daddy so much. I tried to play extra fun, be extra patient and extra loving. I also went overboard on making EVERYTHING they ate heart shaped.

Here's breakfast...heart shaped pancakes!

Here's lunch...heart shaped sandwich, strawberry, cheese and chocolate. So before you get all "Awww! The kids must have loved it"...the first thing Abbey said when I served her her lunch was "I don't want a strawberry. I only like them in the summer!" Ugh! I wanted to yell "You will eat the damn heart shaped strawberry!" BUT I had vowed to be extra patient today SO I smiled and said "That's okay sweetheart, you may share your heart shaped strawberry with Michael (as I bit my lip)." Michael then gobbled it up 20 seconds faster then it took me to cut it into a heart shape! AHH Serenity now! ha!ha!

Barb bought the kids a muffin set complete with heart shaped muffin tins and bakers hats for Valentines. Michael wasn't into baking that day so Abbey and I started mixing away while he played with his cars and trucks. It was messy and fun...plus the result was fantastic! We think EVERYTHING tastes better when it's heart shaped (except for strawberries!) ha!ha!

Valentine's Day!

Even though it was just the three of us this year for Valentine's day, we certainly felt the love. Steve had a dozen beautiful red roses for moi and a pretty pink one for Abbey delivered to school on Friday! Made me smile all day long amidst the craziness of Valentine-mania!

When I got home, Abbey and Michael were excited to share stories from their Valentine's day party at school and show me all their cards. So fun to experience it through their eyes!

I prepared all the Valentine goodies the night before so that when Abbey and Michael woke up on the 14th it would be the first thing they saw when they came downstairs. (That big bouquet on the kitchen table is from my students!)

We had a ton of fun opening all our surprises from Daddy and both sets of grand-parents. Can you say SPOILED much?!?

Check Michael dancing to his Valentine singing frog...he's got moves! I love how Abbey is just smiling at him. Could I possible love them anymore?!? Not a chance!!!!

After playing outside for way longer then expected, I didn't have time to make the dinner I had planned soooooooo pizza is was! ha!ha! Even without Steve to share this special day with us, we still toasted our wonderful family with our special Valentine's day flutes (filled with chocolate milk). Cheers!

It was a good day overall even with such an important part of our family missing. I felt the love from across all the miles. Happy Valentine's Day! xoxo

An Angel Amoung Us....

Although I didn't see wings... a sure sign that an angel has visited me was the HEART in the snow on my doorstep. My angel brought me more than good fortune and good cheer...she brought me a LAPTOP! YAY!
I have sooooo much to blog about since I've been computer-less for 2 weeks now. Insanity I know! I didn't realize how truly addicted I was to my computer until it was gone.
My angel is my friend Donna who has so graciously lent me her laptop until mine is fixed (10 to 14 days....did I mention that my angel drove to Halifax with me to bring my computer in! What a wonderful friend!!!! ). As soon as I figure out how to get pictures off my camera and onto her desktop I will be a blogging machine. Stay tuned!