So it was a resolution of mine to write more blog posts in 2014 and here it is at the end of January and still nothing from the desk of Narda has been published. Alas, here is my first attempt at a blog post and a retrospective look at what's been happening in our little family over the last few months. Infact, SO much has happened I think it's now water under the bridge; Bud started Junior Kindergarten (Kindy equivalent of Australia), he turned 4 (FOUR!!! I still can't believe it), Ev has learnt to crawl (actually, that was so long ago, he's now on the verge of walking), we had our first Halloween here in Canada, the first snowfall happened in late October, such an incredible day! J and I were watching the weather like hawks and my excitement had me awake SO early in the morning, I sat quietly in our library and watched out the window as the snowflakes fell. A moment in my life surely not to forget. We had a lovely 2 week holiday to California, both Bud and I have learnt to ski, his skills far surpassing mine already, damn kids are just so clever. J and I celebrated 5 years of marriage. Go us! There was a mere 70 degree difference in temperature from our wedding day (+38) to our 5 year wedding anniversary (-33), J's parents visited and his sister too for Christmas. We had our first "White Christmas" (it wasn't really very white after all) with the extended McCarthy family. I felt somewhere in amongst all the snow, the cold, the un-Australian-ness of it all incredibly homesick. I pined for my Mum, Dad, brother and his family and wished with all my heart and clicks of my shoes I could be spending Christmas with them. Our life is an incredible one but the nature of expat living is (sometimes) HARD. Sometimes little moments of homesickness and deep sadness catch you when you least expect it and things happening at home make you feel as though you should be there. We have, in between all that, been ice-skating, snow-man making, ski-dooing, snow-shoeing, hot-tubbing our way through Winter and so far loving this VERY new adventure. We made ourselves a resolution to slow things down a little in 2014 and so far, that's down the toilet. HA! I took over 25,000 photos in 2013 if that's any indication of the year we had. Hectic was an understatement but if I could sum it up simply, it was the best year yet. So here's to some time to refresh and rejuvenate in early 2014 and then give life another red-hot go because as J and I always say
sleep is for the dead.
I've put together a little collaboration of pictures of the last few months. Some lovely little snippets of our life. Those boys are continually rocking our world and keeping us awake more than should ever be allowed. One day I know I'll sleep through the night, one fine day.
Our firstborns first day of school.
This place and it's unsurpassed beauty.
Buddy turned 4. What a magic day.
We soaked in the last of the "warm" weather for the while and J's parents came to visit. The boys adore their Nanny and Poppy and they are so wonderful to have around. We miss them dearly when they're not here.
The fall came and so the changing of the leaves. Canada continues to amaze me with it's natural beauty. It will have a piece of my heart forever.
We celebrated our first Canadian Thanksgiving with friends. Any day where you consume your weight in food is a good day by me.
The first snow day! Kids LOVE the snow. I mean, really LOVE the snow. Canadian kids are so lucky with all the fun things the snow brings and we are lucky to be a part of it.
Buddy giving ice-skating a go. He's a much better skier than he is ice-skater (I haven't taken any pics of our skiing adventures, my SLR is a bit awkward to take to the hill.)
HALLOWEEN! The Toy Story Family.
Christmas Day. Our first "White Christmas", actually pretty brown and slushy. Well, whiter than any Christmas previous but no new, fresh snow and the Chinooks (warm winds from the mountains) had melted a lot of it.
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| Decorating the tree! Our first live Christmas tree, we cut down from our own back yard. |
These two continue to become even better of the best friends. They love each other with their whole selves and it's truly beautiful to witness.
This guy getting around the house.
Eating some snow!
Buddy and I trying to walk in knee deep snow.
More fun in the beautiful snow.
High tea at the Jasper Park Lodge. A very indulgent afternoon.
A great weekend in Edmonton, enjoying the shops, restaurants and other things in the city. Here are the boys in the indoor waterpark. It was -33 that day but a lovely +28 inside here.
A beautiful day on Pyramid Lake for the Winterstruk festival. Couldn't have been more perfect weather.
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| Eating frozen maple syrup toffees. Probably the most delicious thing ever. |
So that's our family's wrap up in a very compacted little nutshell! I will blog our California trip in a separate post. I hope everyone's Christmas and New Year was a lovely one spent in the company of those you love. I have a feeling 2014 is going to be pretty spectacular.
