This boy needs some brothers.

... Or some boy cousins that live this side of the continent.

iPad

I found an iPhone app called instagram that I have been having fun playing with. Today I have a fluish thing so I've had a bit of time on my hands.

I like it.

Family Photos

I have been wanting to get our family photos done again because we never seem to all end up in a photo together. I am so happy with the photographer that we found. I am having a terrible time choosing which ones that I want without spending a fortune. The photo gallery has over 200 pics, here are some of the good ones. Take a peek.

Photos taken by Natalie Bilson She is an amazing photographer, fun-loving and extremely patient!

Here is her link.

Natalie Bilson Footprints Photography

Portugal, voltaremos!

On our trip last year we took Rick Steve's advice to plan to return. As soon as we arrived, we felt an instant connection and love for the country which stems from our time there as missionaries. One regret that we had was that we hadn't planned the trip very well to incorporate Sundays and church attendance. We were only able to go to church once while there. Our ability to pick up the language and communicate during our short stay was a surprise to us and we felt that if we returned shortly (about two years) we would be able to reinforce and practice the language even more.

Upon our return home, I resumed my "hobby" of airmiles collecting and soon enough we had enough miles to go this year!

At first we were hesitant to book because of all of the other expenses associated with the trip, but then with a little creative financial juggling, we decided "why not?". We are booked and we are both ecstatic.

In case you were wondering; voltaremos = we will return/ are returning.

Crafty Stuff Part One

My Birdie and I were inspired by my sister Sharon's crafting and decorating. Birdie said "We should buy a Cricut together and it will be stored at your house." How could I possibly pass that up? A new craft tool in my house that I couldn't possibly justify buying on my own, well duh? I found a used machine on Craigslist, but it was in Kamloops. Whilst pondering on that one, my mum ended up in Kamloops as Paul who she cares for was in the hospital there. By Christmas we had our machine.

I've finally started using it, here are some of the projects:

I found the countdown idea at infarrantlycreative, cute.

Look, they used it. Adam is getting ready to come see us.

This idea was compliments of HowDoesShe.com just the thing I was looking for!

http://www.howdoesshe.com/chore-chart-for-multiple-kids

We added monetary rewards and it worked like a charm, still working on the accountability piece for one of the kids though.

Next I made a sign to go on my photo collage. I had to revise the photo collage later as it didn't look right. I just couldn't find the time to fix it until my aunt gave me some beautiful pictures of my grandparents engagement and wedding at Grandad's burial. With the help of Sharon, those photos made it possible to complete the wall.

All finished, very satisfying. I love it!

The real crafting began when Carey and her family arrived. She wanted to make two countdown signs for her friends and that really got the ball rolling.

Next, a sign for Penelope.

Adam and Penelope were eager to help.

For Penelope and Tannon's signs we used the negative part of the vinyl cutting as a stencil and then dry brushed the letters on. We used up old paint I had in the garage to mix up colours that we wanted. We were very pleased with the effect. Tannon is Missy's new grandson. Great Grandma Kay will deliver the sign to Tennessee next week.

Yay-Yay is the Roesler nickname for Grandma Kay. She is going to hang this in her kitchen.

A final sign for a friend.

This is a test

I just found an iPad app that lets you create blog entries. I was recently asked if I was keeping up the blog and the answer of course was "no". Now I can blog when I am too lazy to get up. I really love my iPad!

Happy Birthday Canada!

For the first time, the ward decided to celebrate Canada Day with a pancake breakfast. I felt a little grumbly when Paul got up at about 6:30 to go and help with the grill. Whose idea was this? It was my first official day of the summer to sleep in! We survived and I even managed to pry the kids out of bed to partiicipate. The mountie in this picture has the last name of Roy. She also has the ancestor Antoine Roy who came to Quebec in the 1600's. Antoine has the distinction of being the first murder victim in Quebec after being caught in bed with the landlord's wife by the landlord himself. She is going to share some of her family research with us.