Category Archives: Family

Weekend in Photos

Posted in Family, Friends, Kara and Kyle, Life, Photos, Travel by

My weekend started on Thursday (well, not technically, but it felt like it with a little work in between!) with a quick brunch with B, her sister and Lilly while they were on their way back up to Fort St. John.

Unfortunately, the restaurant was slow and I had to rush through my meal, but it was great seeing little Lilly again. She’s too freaking cute, even though she spit up all over my work clothes. Thank God I live close to the restaurant so I could change before I left for work!

Love my little niece! <3

Friday was a bit of a write off for work, but I did keep busy in the morning with laundry, vacuuming with Edith (more on her in a post later this week!), and a coffee date with A.

On Saturday Kyle, my mom and I headed back to out hometown for the annual Rodeo and Parade. In a nutshell, Ashcroft’s population doubles during rodeo weekend and it’s absolutely a gong show. My mom’s side of the family all comes down, up and over to my grandparent’s place and we just drink, eat, laugh and have an amazing time. The parade is one of my favourite parts, so I’ll share some photos:

Delicious homemade bannock, a rodeo staple!

I'm afraid of horses, so this huge Clydesdale did not sit well with me!

The Hare Krishna's live just outside of town and they're always so happy and cheerful during the parade!

I didn’t go to the actual rodeo (I haven’t in years!) but my grandparents live right down the road from the grounds so we can here the hooting and hollering from the crowd and announcer.

Sunday I worked at the grocery store, so it was pretty uneventful!

Hope everyone had a great weekend, and tell me, Have you ever been to a rodeo?

The B Word

Posted in Family, Growing Up, Home, Kara and Kyle, Life by

Kyle and I have been really antsy lately trying to save up enough money for a down payment for a house. We’re so close but because I’m not working full-time and Kyle’s work has been on/off. We actually had a really great conversation with his aunt and uncle about buying houses and such the other day and they always have great advice and information for us, more than our own parents.

After Kyle and I left their place, Kyle asked me in how many years I’d like to start having babies. BABIES. He’s been so apprehensive about having kids and to have him ask me really made my day. He asked me because of the fact that our first house would ideally  be the place where we start our family.

Anyway, I’m glad that Kyle has warmed up to the idea of having kids. He didn’t want to for the longest time, mostly because he was afraid of being like his father. Hearing him say the B word really made my day. And the fact that he didn’t sound nervous when I told him I’d like to start having kids in three years was even more assuring.

Did/do you have a “x-year plan” for kids? Did it follow through as planned? And are all guys apprehensive about having kids?

Flashback Friday, Part 2

Posted in Family, Flashback Friday, Life, Memories, Photos by

Last week I flashed back to my memories with my grandparents on my Dad’s side of the family. This week, I’m flashing back to my Mom’s side of the family.

I’m fortunate enough to have amazing memories with both my grandparents and great-grandparents on my Mom’s side of the family. My Nana and Papa (my great-grandparents) lived in Palm Springs, California, so I didn’t get to see them very often. They would come up every summer to “escape” the heat in Palm Springs. (Apparently it gets hotter than the summers here, which is ridiculous) You can see the road on the other side of the river from my grandparents house and my brother and I would wait and watch by the window for them to drive along.

My Papa was the one who got me into playing the piano. He played the organ (and accordion!) and I remember sitting beside him on the bench and “play” along with him. When I got better, I remember my mom getting me to play for him while she placed the phone on the piano so he could hear me. The one time we travelled the Palm Springs to visit (and go to Disneyland), I remember him calling me a mermaid because I was constantly in the pool, splashing everywhere.

This was during my first Christmas.

My Papa passed away when I was in Grade 5 or 6. I didn’t really react much then, but I miss him a lot now. I think that if he were still alive, I’d still love playing the piano.

My Nana was amazing in the kitchen, as any grandparent should be. I remember her collecting apples and apricots from my Grandma’s trees and making the most amazing applesauce and apricot jam. A couple years after my Papa passed away my grandparents moved her up to Kamloops so she would be closer to family. I visited her as often as I could and even fulfilled my promise that when I was old enough, I’d take her to the casino and we could play the slot machines. She always had Canadian Club (a whiskey) right before dinner and would make me check her breath to see if the booze smell was noticeable.

She slowly fell ill and because she didn’t have medical coverage in Canada, my Grandma had to take her to Washington so she could get the help she needed. A couple weeks after her 90th birthday, she told the attending nurse that “Tomorrow’s going to be a good day.” She passed away in her sleep that night. I miss her terribly and wish I could’ve spent more time with her during the last few days in Canada.

I was either 16 or 17 in this photo

My Grandma and Grandpa are both amazing people. From travelling to Calgary, multiple camping trips and family get togethers, they are amazing, devoted Grandparents and have nothing but love for all their kids and grandkids.

During my high school graduation

The concluded my Flashback Friday for this week. Happy weekend everyone :)