Cruising with Friends

This week we have the opportunity to cruise with friends and we are so looking forward to it! We woke early and caught an Uber from our hotel to port. As we were boarding today we learned that all of our stops have been cancelled due to tropical storm Nicole, which means that we are spending an entire week literally at sea. We are super grateful to my parents for once again being willing to hold down the fort back home.

We had rooms near the front of the ship with these little round windows.

 

We spent some time near the pool while we waited on the ship to be ready to leave port.

In the evening, when we were finally sailing, we were blessed to catch the most gorgeous sunset! We sat and admired the skyline as the sun dipped into the ocean.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Today we fly from Edmonton to Florida to go on a cruise with some dear friends! We are looking forward to the experience! 

Saturday Happenings

Today we...

caught a bit of Camilla's volleyball tournament.

Played outside.

Drove to Edmonton and stopped for a quick date at Mucho!

And stayed the night at friends as we are flying out together for a cruise tomorrow!

 

Some Favorite Things

Today was filled with bread baking, candle light, and hockey watching! 

Hello November

Today we woke to snow gently swirling to the ground, the dog snoring in the corner, and some kids sniffling. Lily's little raspy sick voice is pretty stinkin' cute. I am loving the quiet and stillness that the snowfall brings. We are all ready to slow down and tuck in for Winter. We still have hockey and soon basketball will begin, but I do enjoy quiet mornings sipping hot coco or tea while I snuggle the two tiny children left in my care after the big kids run out for school!

I'm hoping the in floor heating gets up and running today in the addition as our dormitory is feeling rather chilly lately with no other method of heating. 

Things are slowly coming together next door with the renovation. We now have this new set of stairs in, so we don't have to jump over the big hole that was there anymore when we want to go peek inside.

"I trust that there is no mundane moment too small for God's glory to shine through it."

~Emily Jensen

Trick or Treat

Halloween looked a little bit different for us this year as it was the first time we weren't all together for pumpkin carving, and the first time the older kids were off doing their own things. My mamma heart breaks a little bit when I think of the many times in the future that we won't be able to be all together for things. But the traditions continued on, starting with pumpkin carving and finishing with some trick or treating.

At every house we came to, Ollie would ask, "Is this the doorbell?" I also chuckled at how Sawyer said trick or treat like an old man at each house and then he'd run back telling me "yep, I said Thank-you, don't worry." When the littles were cold and had had enough, we met up with Joe and his friend across town, and then found Camilla and her group at another place. When we were all back together, we headed home to do the candy check and tuck into bed.

Hope everyone had a spooktacular Halloween!

 

Family Pictures

Today my sister was able to snap some family photos for us. She always does such a good job dealing with our mass group and keeping spirits high (even when kids are grumpy and uncooperative). It was looking like one of the last snow-free days, so we spontaneously decided to head to a friends property and they graciously let us use their old barn as the backdrop (since there was no pretty leaves left).  They turned out so great! My sister is magic!

 

 

Trunk or Treat

Today we made our traditional Halloween cookies! We had some cousins out to help us decorate too! In the early afternoon we went to the church for a Trunk or Treat. The children all dressed in their costumes and went around to the trunks of peoples cars to collect candy. They always enjoy this as it's a smaller space and lots of familiar faces! Everyone had a lot of fun. After we got home, we decorated cookies together.

 

 

New Sunglasses

I am thoroughly enjoying watching these big boys grow up and develop their own sense of style. 

Joe has been looking pretty cool these days!