the long weekend

We had a fun holiday Monday. It was really nice here, I just love when it's so nice out. Derek and I have been sitting out on the balcony the last few nights because it was still so warm out and it stays light so long. Anyway, tried to go have a fire and roast hot dogs with Brooke and Brett, but all the parks were full! So we went to Brett's house and had a BBQ in the backyard, even better, because now we don't have smelly clothes. And how perfect that there was a park just across the street. Once again Alli was loving the swings. It must be the way the wind blows through all that hair of hers! Even though it was such a nice day, I didn't get a chance to use my mother's day present. My new golf clubs were in the trunk all day, and instead of heading to the driving range after the BBQ, Alli got to have a nap. The rest of the week calls for rain...soon I'll be out again...soon. Enjoy the pictures.

Derek is working late so I get to watch American Idol (he hates the show) Go Katharine! I love her voice and I don't want that dancing 40 year old fool to win. I also have to slip this in, GO Oilers! This city is out of control. The oilers just won again tonight. Sure I've been a fan of the team, but mostly because of Derek, but now, I'm watching the games when i'm home all alone. I'm on the edge of my seat right into it. I've been hearing horns honking and cheering all night, just like all the other game nights. I'm kinda glad we don't live on Whyte Ave anymore because it's a crazy mad house there after the games. Hope everyone had a great long weekend as well!

as if we are moms

By now it's pretty much set in that I'm a mom, but it's always crazy when I get together with my friends from high school and we are having a laugh at the old days as one of us in nursing or changing a diaper. So happy mother's day to us!

Here's a few of the little photo shoot on the weekend. It was so fun to hang out with Brittany and Jacklyn...and our kids! Jacklyn lives in Oregon, and Brittany in Lethbridge so we don't get together too often. Britt's girl Lucy is 14 months old and is the cutest little petite ever. Jacklyn's tank Luke is 9 months and is a solid smiley boy as you can tell. He was happy for the pictures because he had a cookie to entertain him. Lucy was unstoppable, she was running all around Jack's parents huge backyard and loving the dog. She wouldn't sit for the pictures, but that's the fun of it. I love that we all had babies within a few months of each other. The 3 of us did everything together for so many years, so why not the babies! (I promise we didn't plan it) Of course I had to add some pictures of the girls. I know I take way too many pictures, and then I just can't decide which to post. I'm all about quality AND quantity. However, in not good quantity form, I didn't take any of us actually with our babies. I guess I really am still a rookie.








We spent mother's day with Derek's mom and family while in Raymond. It was great. My parents are in Europe having a wonderful vacation, so we missed her. But I love everything you do for us mom! If I get out and use my mother's day present this week, which I would love to because of the beautiful weather, and if Derek will take a picture of me using them, there will be another post soon. I'm kind of excited about my present, no one could ever would have guessed what he got me, not even you mom.

happy graduation!

Just wanted to do a quick post tonight. We went down to Raymond on the weekend for Derek's sister Brett's graduation. It was great weather and she looked beautiful. I was one of many snapping pictures of the graduate so here's a few. I took more pictures of our fun weekend so I'll post again soon. Congratulations Brett!































ps I have to brag about my sis in law Brett. We got to watch her play a rugby game (no injuries the day before grad thank goodness). This is the first year Raymond has had a rugby team, so Brett's first time ever playing. I guess they haven't lost too many games and have a good shot at provincials. She is an animal out there. I'm pretty sure there are quite a few girls on opposing teams who are afraid of her. They've been known to go down on their own or just throw the ball away when she's coming. Brett tackles as good as Derek does on the football field, but she has no equipment, so that's tough.

race day

Today I got up and ran a race. I guess I'm kinda proud of myself. For the past 6 weeks I have been pretty faithful in going to the gym and running 10 to 18 miles a week (on 3 different days). I heard about this fun little 8 km run, so I thought I'd do it. It gave me some motivation to get in shape. I haven't run a race since last July 1st, and I was 5 months pregnant for that one and it was just 5 km. The last time I ran over 8 km was when I was running cross country for the college before I was married! I hate to say it, espspeically to any Baldry marathon runners and my sis Brooke who is training for one, but this was a big deal for me. I was happy with my time 38 min and 41 seconds if anyone cares. It was good and I'm glad I did it, but I'm not sure I see that half marathon this summer in my future. So, of course you know me, here's some pictures from the day.


Don't worry I stepped it up and beat that girl in front of me :)













I ran the first few kms with Brooke's old roomate Janae, then I guess she decided to try, so she left me.











Alli was a good fan cheering me on.













Derek had to work, so once again, thank you to Susie for babysitting and taking pictures.

daddys girl

I realized, or Susie informed me, that there are no pictures of Derek on the blog. I really don't know how this happened. I love taking pictures of the 2 of them. I have so many of them, especially when Alli was brand new and I wasn't quite camera ready if you know what I mean. When Derek gets home everyday Alli whips her head around no matter where we our in the place, and looks for who came in the door. If its dad, she gets a huge smile on her face. When other people come in she has to stare at them for a while before she lets out her smile. Alli loves to play with her dad. I hate to admit it, but she does not roll over yet. Almost everyday since she was born we put Alli on her tummy and every time she hates it. Lately she has been lasting a bit longer before she starts to scream. Derek loves to get down on the floor with her and roll over and see if she will try and copy him.(she doesn't) Last week it was helping her push around on her tummy with her feet. This week, he puts her up on all fours to see if she can hold herself up, only a few seconds on a good day. Of course, his favorite, and Alli's too, is when he holds her up on her feet in the air. Every time she gets that huge smile when he puts her up there.













Since Derek had the day off, and it was so nice out, we took a few pictures while we were out. Also, Derek has been threatening to shave his head for a week or two, so I thought I'd get some pictures before the curls disappear for a while

farewell

After 4 years of school my sister Brooke is moving to Grande Prairie. Why to Grande Prairie you may ask. No, it is not her life long dream to move up even further north to an even colder place, it's for an internship. It's only for 3 months and then maybe she will be back here, and maybe not. I can't believe it's been 4 years. Brooke moved up here right after Derek and I got married and to tell you the truth, I thought Derek would be finished his school right about now as well. But it is not so. He's got one degree he just finished, hooray! But not too much life has to offer with a phys. ed. degree, so it is on to an after degree in education this fall (we hope). Derek has applied to a couple of schools here in Edmonton and one in B.C. I'm secretly hoping he only gets into BC so we can move there. Of course, U of A would be great and very convenient even though I am sick of them. (I don't know who "them" is, but I'm sick of them) I'd be just as happy if he went to U of A as long as he doesn't play football, I'm about spent with that. So back to the post here, best of luck to Brooke moving away. At least she gets to move in with cousin Sarah and her husband and kids. Here's a couple pictures we took the other night. The 3 girls have been together in Edmonton for 4 years, and now we're getting split apart. (probably just temporary, but I didn't take any other pictures this week.) I thought maybe we could have a girls night out but I guess that would mean one of her last nights here not being able to hang out with Brett (her boyfriend). So we got together and had Chinese food.
Oh yeah, how could I forget! Brooke got her new car. She was just a bit excited if you didn't notice. My parents picked it up in Calgary and brought it up. They had to leave the next morning, but they got to play with Alli for a bit and be here to pick up the chinese bill.

happy spring

I was going to do a happy easter post last week, but the weather didn't permit me to take the easter pictures. So I finally got out on Wednesday and took a few. It's been fun to get outside everyday. Alli loves it even though I have a suspicion she might have allergies. It was just me by myself taking the pictures, so I'm not in love with pictures, but she looks pretty cute as usual. Hope you can't see too much of the runny nose or red eyes from scratching. Gotta love photoshop.