Thanksgiving Dinner

We made it back from target shooting at around 3pm so I was able to get the Turkey in the oven and on schedule for a normal dinner time! I had prepped most of my veggies when I was making breakfast (along with fresh buns) so there was no need to panic about anything.

Serving up Turkey dinner

Did I forget to mention that I made my famous 4 layer pumpkin cake? It had to be done... it was soooo good!

This Thanksgiving I had a lot to be thankful for... I am thankful for my new husband, my new family, my new home and a great life with everyone that fills it. When I think back about my most memorable Thanksgivings... I always remember the year when we were kids that we were too poor to have a turkey and had mushroom soup for thanksgiving dinner. I also remember a very special trip to Orillia when I was living in Windsor Ontario to visit Grandma, Aunt Ruth, Aunt Evelyn and the rest of the Ontario family. I had to take a 9 hour bus ride to see them all but I got to spend that special weekend seeing family homes, graveyards, trying real maple for the first time. I will never forget it and will never forget how good that home cooked meal tasted after living on my own for a while. I think this thanksgiving will also go down on my list of most memorable... we really had a wonderful time! 

Thanksgiving Target Shooting

We decided to take Lorissa and Doug out target shooting before Thanksgiving dinner. We ended up being out for 3 hours! Doug was unsure that Lorissa would enjoy this but she loved it!

Setting out targets. We stopped and got some thanksgiving colored balloons along the way at Jeanie's favorite dollar store in Peachland.

Brian teaching firearm safety

A cow we all thought might have been a bear... that was so funny

Learning about the rifle

Lorissa's first shots through the Sprite can with the 22

Doug taking a turn!

This is an air pistol... no one worry!!! It wasn't nearly as exciting as the rifle and shotgun!

Lorissa was a natural with the shotgun... I can't even shoot that thing! I'm impressed!

Thanksgiving Weekend with Doug & Lorissa

Brian and I were excited to have Doug and Lorissa come out for Thanksgiving weekend! Saturday to Monday... our longest stay for guests yet! Brian cleaned out the office so we could get the air mattress set up so Lorissa could have some privacy also.

I made up a big breakfast Sunday morning as the plan was to have an early dinner (Turkey!)

Everyone enjoyed their breakfast... Everyone is a fan of my non Buttermilk, Buttermilk pancakes! (I use vinegar and 1% milk!)

Pancakes, Bacon, Sausage, Eggs and OJ!

A quick but fun visit as always...

I got in another visit with the girls over at Julie's place before going for Coffee with Nadia and then dinner at Mom and Elliott's and then heading on my way home again!

Cali is learning all her colors and did such a great job of her books!

Dad and Jeanie popped over... they took a 2nd look at the wedding album that I brought out to show everyone this weekend. I am leaving it with Mom so it can get passed around.

Sophie and Cali with their new hot dog cutters from Jeanie.

Aldor Acres Pumpkin Fun Run

Nadia and I did the Aldor Acres Pumpkin Fun Run/Walk 6km in Fort Langley. This is the 3rd time we have done this race (didn't go last year unfortunately)... I am not in the same shape I was before as I am not totally trained up like I used to be! Time to get going on that again! It was a beautiful morning and a challenging but great course as always. Felt great to be back out there again!

Oh yea... I think my time was 53 min... so really only 7 min worse than my previous times! Not bad!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

I got up bright and early to drive out to Abbotsford for Mom's Birthday party and Pumpkin Fun run on Sunday with Nadia. I got the truck all packed up with Cupcakes, Cookies and Jam (oh my!) and made my way out just in time for the Spa party put together for Mom.

The Kids and Mom with their Cupcakes (I stole your picture Julie!!)

The spa party was great as always... 3rd time we have seen them this year, what a treat... hope to see them again (I love getting my Toe Nails done with French Polish...) It was a fun birthday party and nice to see everyone!

The kids with their Halloween Cookies... yes, I did load them all up with sugar! That is what Aunties do!

Cookies and Cupcakes!

It wouldn't be the Halloween time of year unless I made my Halloween Cookies for the kids... I wasn't going to do it and then I figured I had a bit of a tradition going so I better keep it up! I didn't do as many as I normally do and I changed them a little... still lots of fun... plus, I needed to make Mom's birthday cupcakes!!

Chocolate Cupcakes with chocolate mouse inside, a multi colored butter cream rose with butterfly gummy decorations... sounds good right? 

Candy Corn Cookies! No, I didn't make the Ghosts holding the candy corn... leave that to Wilton to make super cute embellishments!

As Brian says... those are Holly Pumpkins... I like my pumpkin face styles! haha... simple but cute!

The Curse of the Okanagan Fruit

Who doesn't love Okanagan fruit? We all do... its amazing! I have only recently learned since living here that if you aren't just passing through town and grabbing some fruit on your way, its a lot of work!!  When we first bought our house I wanted to get more fruit trees for the back yard after realizing we had an apple tree. Now... no way! That one apple tree produces so much fruit I don't know what to do with it all! And our super nice and very generous neighbors have given us more fruit than I would ever know what to do with (as some you know since I have filled your freezers with it too!) We have received....

• Apricots
• Logan Berries
• Grapes a few times
• Italian plums several times
• Zucinni
• Peaches a few times
• Walnuts (grossest thing ever to harvest... ugh worms)

I think I am going to have to learn how to can... I don't see any way around it! I made jam for the first time out of the last batch of fruit we received.... peach (shown above) and grape jelly... then of course I saved it to give away to the family! I feel like such a country kitchen homemaker...

Cozy Couch

How can you tell when some puppy has been digging?

See it?

See it yet?

That's a lot of dirt on a little nose!

Training with Kona

Kona and I have been training for my upcoming run with Nadia in a few weeks. I am definitley not where I used to be with running... haven't had the time to train but am trying to get back into it again. The waterfront in Peachland is the perfect place for a peaceful run in the mornings with Kona!

Kona's Videos

I have taken a few videos of Kona chasing a laser pointer that Mom gave us... not only does she love chasing the laser, she loves watching herself chasing the laser too! Silly puppy!

Cali's First Bus Ride to School

I got up bright and early over at Dad's so I could rush off to see Cali take her first School Bus ride by herself to school!

All ready for school with her back pack!

Walking with Mommy to the Bus stop

Here she goes!

And she made it to school! Julie, Sophie and I watched from a distance!

She made it to her line up outside her class just fine.... better than that other unhappy child! haha

Good job Cali!

Then we got to take Sophie to her first hour of Pre-School alone! Oh boy did she scream and cry! After the hour was up, we went to the Cactus club for some lunch!

We decided to share appies for lunch as there didn't seem to be anything 'normal' on the menu to order!

Back at the house we got to play with some play-doh! Sophie showed me how to make a roll with your hands... pretty impressive!