CornFest '08

Since I've been married to Ryan we have always made it back to Taber for the Cornfest weekend.  This year was no exception, we were drawn back to the small town fun.  We took in many of the festivities and it was for sure a fun weekend.  Coming from a small town I shouldn't be surprised by some of the activities that remain the same year after year.... but corn stuffing come on how funny would that be (unfortunetly I missed watching that).  

If your town has a claim to fame make a big monument of it so no one will miss the corn capital of Canada. Yeah Taber. (I'm pretty sure I can make a little fun of Taber because I come from the smaller town of Raymond)

weeee.... that was fun until she stopped and then she cried.

swimming .....AGAIN  i know

Petting Zoo Sadie wasn't too sure about most of the animals, which really is ok by me I don't see her getting a pet anytime soon or ever for that matter, especially crazy lamas, fat pig, or even a cute little bunny

Posing on the grounds

rough go

Not many words for this picture. I guess I'm "that" mom I leave my kid for 2 seconds & she suddenly decides to cruise across the room and of course finds the diaper cream and proceeds to cover mostly her face & by the looks of it I'm pretty sure she had to taste it too. ugghh so it was to the tub for some serious scrubbing.


I look at this picture and still think shes cute. And of course I hope you get a laugh from this, as even I did.

her next big story was ughh again rough for the both of us. She had an allergic reaction to something really wish I could figure out what it was so I can avoid this for the future. Anyway I was glad we were in Raymond for a few reasons 1. Ryan was out in Toronto for the week, would not be fun alone. 2. Going to the hospital in a small town is WAY better than I'm sure it would be here. 3. She was under pretty good care with Grandpa-Dr. Steed checking up on her all the time.
It all started in the morning with a few spots and she got some Benadryl which she didn't react well too, so by 11:00 that night she had woke up and it was BAD and she was MAD so we took her up and she got a different antihistamine which worked out for a better sleep. Have I ever mentioned this girl does not sleep and she has only gotten worse. I have yet to sleep 5 continous hours of sleep since she was born. Lately she has been on a streak of waking every hour. This antihistamine knocked her out and she only woke up every 2 hours 2:30 and 4:30 and then she is up at 6:30. ok so enough of our ever lacking sleep schedule that we are seriously working on.
She is totally fine now and we are all back home again

This is the only pic I took of our fun times down there. We had so much fun with Grandma showing us such a good time trips to Waterton, Lethbridge, parks, and all the backyard fun. AND Lindsay and her kids are always a good time Sadie liked having other kids most of the time as long as someone was there to fend for her. But even though James & Alli would tease or take a toy from her they always gave her hugs and kisses too.

simple things

We have been loving the busy-ness and fun of the summer. And taking time to enjoy the simple things of life. Being with Sadie (and visiting grandparents) makes it soo easy and fun to really enjoy every simple little thing.

She LOVES the water I know I've said it before, we went swimming for 2 hours & she loved it!

Weeee.. rides on her little push toy (more fun than walking for now anyway)

So serious standing and enjoying a hot summer afternoon. Yes Sadie is looking more and more like Ryan what a cutie!

Bathtime is another higlight in her day she looks like a little frog here

Ahhh camping with Sadie just like too many of our nights lately sleepless. I look way to excited for what was ahead in the night.
The camping was all part of a family reunion at 'the farm' where my mom grew up and I grew up going out to visit all the time. It was so fun to see family that has changed and grown so much its crazy how many of us there were. There are so many fun stories and memories we all have thats what its all about right.


Here are a couple of shots from the weekend. My mom was so lucky to grow up on a farm like this she LOVES being there. I can't blame there are so many beautiful things around, and its total freedom with wide open space to explore. It's a unique farm that has some really neat things about it not just your typical fields of grain and herds of cows. It has the river, breathtaking views of the mountains, rolling hills to hike around in and I love that they named hills and certain landmarks. I'm so glad that my mom has shared her love for the farm and outdoors with me. I don't know if she means to but just by watching and listening to her she reminds me of the simple beautiful things in life she is so good at embracing little things and sharing them. Life seems so care free and perfect while I'm out there, until I remember they actually did have some farm chores to do.

Our morning hike to the 'point'
I think it is always great to be reminded of where I come from and who I am. And going home to visit brings back a lot of memories of growing up. I love that my mom is a farm girl and I am a small town girl because sometimes I worry about raising Sadie in the big city. So I love returning to my childhood memories and sharing them with Ryan and Sadie. I love the traditions I have and passing them on in hopes that Sadie will share some of my favorite places and things from my childhood. The farm is just one of many.

our last stop was the river, where we cooled off and made a dam. We used to spend hours here when I was a kid.

I stayed at my parents for a few extra days & hardly took any pics I was totally enjoying the break my parents were giving as they played with Sadie they are trying to make her grow up and teaching her to crawl and walk, I guess it's time. Anyway here is an action shot of Alli at the spray park this girl loved it till she was blue in the lips and shivering.

Ok that was some simple but not short, thats what you get when I have a Friday night to myself, a little wordy and some reminicing I guess.

just the 2 of us

Thats life these days me & Sadie, Sadie & me. Ryan had to go to Vancouver for the weekend leaving us 2 behind. He has only been gone the weekend but it sure seems like a long one to me. Our days aren't too crazy lately they consist of Sadie & I doing everything together

Sleeping

BUSTED... not really Ryan got up for work and this is how he found us... FINALLY sleeping



Going to the zoo with mom, lindsay her kids, rhonda & her kids. oh what fun it was. these kids have the greatest grandma she was so excited and happy to be with all the kids... and according to Lindsay was still singing on the drive home... ONLY a grandma

Sadie still managed to get a nap in at the zoo. I love that she can fall asleep like that.

We try to go running about everyday Yeah for my jogging stroller LOVE it! Sadie just has some issues we staying awake and not flopping to the sides ( I know it looks cruel)

Saying goodbye to Ryan (we were trying to get her to wave)

Eating. Sadie is such a good eater & she loves it. Anytime during the day when she gets a little fussy I can give her a snack and she is good to go, I often do the same for myself
Right now she loves doing it herself and her own way which means filling her fist with as much as possible & try to stuff it all in her mouth it takes great concentration

Again food = happy Sadie

Sadie is now 10 months Holy cow

Also when Ryan is gone or when he works late I tend to crave a lot of sweet stuff like ice-cream, milkshakes, chocloate, a whole pan of brownies, more ice-crem treats, sugar candies, so when I start putting on the pounds you know Ryan is working too hard. I even tried to have all this delicious fruit, but in the end sweets won. I go to bed earlier or at least try to, read books, nap a little more. prepare the easiest suppers for me.

Grandpa & Nana Tilleman missed Sadie so came up for a quick visit, its always nice to have some visitors especially ones that adore Sadie.
I feel like I've been a picture slacker according to sadies pics she sleeps and eats a lot. For the record she is not yet crawling which is ok by me. She does a bit of scooting (for food) she is really good at reaching to avoid having to get mobile on the ground.
Her latest trick is clapping I think I got it on video its pretty cute to see her get excited and clap.

NEW YORK

NEW YORK NEW YORK!

I can still hardly believe it's true & really happening to us. We are soo excited, finally I get some of Ryan's work perks. WE are going to New York in the spring for 3 months. I have wanted to go there now even better living the life there for the perfect amount of time. Its gonna be crazy but what an opportunity it is for all of us. Finding out now is good I have months of many late nights solo to plan everything so we or at least I don't miss out on a thing there. Seriously so excited. I can't believe how much there is to see and do there. I don't think I can really fathom a city that size that really never sleeps. So of course I started surfing the net to see all the things to see and do & it is crazy, me & little Sadie in the big city. I can't imagine. I don't know all the details of it yet, but we will have a place in downtown Manhattan. So of course we won't know a single soul out there, so anyone that has the itch to visit US or NEW YORK it will be the perfect chance.

We will for sure be hitting up some Broadway shows, any recommendations?!
Wicked is for sure on my list so far.

One of the many famous landmarks

I can't wait for a walks in central park with Sadie
And you can bet that Ryan will be hitting up just a few baseball games while were there, me too

long days...

This is what happens when your husband has worked to many long days in a row. Might I add the previous day he took a cab from downtown to the wrong station. What made it worse was he called and said he was gonna be home early. alright we we're loving that, & eargely anticipating his arrival then he calls so annoyed and frustrated I could tell a combination of a few things (wrong Ctrain, stinky natives, stampede, traffic police, no cash, no bank machine, no pass or tickets, no luck) so I was out the door on my way to pick him up (crying & tired baby & all). Leaving behind my last batch of cookies, it wasn't till I walked in the door I remembered & so they were just a good 50min over baked.

Since we have had some better days....
at the lake Sadie loves the water, the sand it's great she was quite happy to sit and splash





Visting Ryan downtown at Princess Island Park, again loving the water it was a little chilly but if Ryan would have let her win she would sat right in the water

Loving the swing

And standing tall, she can stand forever she just doesn'tknow what else to do. She is scooting/creeping around on the floor very slowly. I know I need to teach my kid, but I think I like her not mobile for now.

Hello

I've never done the slide show thing, but I was fooling around on the computer & came up with this so of course there is a ton of pictures. Some of the pics aren't as good as they could be and the slide show is not with out flaws but I'm too lazy to fix it now.


The last week has been crazy, busy, and fun & I wouldn't have it any other way. A super condensed run down of the happenings. Went down to Raymond took in the festivities

• the race ( I ran the 5km, hopefully that kick starts my running for the summer
• pancake breakfast - can't believe I have not gone to one in Calgary yet, they are everywhere, & I hear they are actually good -for a pancake breakfast
  
• the parade - never disappoints in my opinion
  
• loved the small town life,
  
• my 10 year reunion - as if I am old enough for that
  
• swimming at the pool and the backyard, so wish I had grandmas sweet set up in my backyard
• fireworks- the perfect view from the backyard, only thing that beats it is when we got up on the roof and watched - and freaked my dad out.
  
• Rhonda had a baby boy, Eli. check her blog for the details and pics!! So fun to have more cousins
  
• went to Ryan's stampede party at the zoo- left Sadie at Moms for the night where I think everyone had a turn babysitting her THANKYOU. I made the quick trip to Calgary, but I knew it was worth it when I saw the candy bar and ice cream bar. The food was delicious.
  
• Peter & Gab's wedding- the day was perfect for them & they were pretty cute & in love. and Lindsay & I were the MC's thanks to Lindsay for do ALL the prep work & sharing a couple of her jokes with me.
  
• celebrated moms b-day - we were all pretty beat but I think we made the most of it, I think the grandkids saved the day. I may be wrong but I don't think it could get much better than having all your grandkids at your house for your b-day! Am I wrong mom?
• trip to Waterton - finally had a hot dog roast & played at the lake
• wakeboarding out at the lake - it was perfect hope we can all go out again

Ok thats all for now, hope you are all enjoying the sun these days.