Thursday, July 1, 2010

Crossing the Cyberspace Border

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Well we have a new home in Calgary so we thought it was time to upgrade TexasGrilliots too. This will officially be the last post on this blog, but not to worry our new place will be just as fun. So pack your bags and delete this off of your blogroll, come on over to our new home...

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Visions of Apple Blossoms...

Although it is no longer blooming, upon our arrival to Calgary the apple blossom tree in the back yard was in full bloom, thankfully I snapped a couple shots of it before it wilted away...
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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

British Columbia

Spending 5 days in the car would be more than enough for any kid to ban long distance car rides for a life time but somehow we talked them into another few hours to our weekend destination across the Continental Divide to Panoram, BC

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We saw Rockies upon Rockies!

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everywhere we looked the view was more spactular than the last

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The rivers along the highway were crystal clear and blue

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The boys had a great time exploring, throwing and collecting river rocks and taking the time to smell the flowers!

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Big or small everything was amazing

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Pollen Jock!

And the scarriest view of all, NEVER go near a momma bear and her baby!

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I safely shot this from the car driving about 30 miles an hour!

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Yes my cycling friends there are hazards of cycling in the mountains, thankfully this bear was more interested in what he was eating than the guy on his bike. Who's ready to come cycle with me?
*And just a little photography note, all of these were shot with my new 24-70L 2.8 lens. Harry bought this for me before we left the states and I never seem to take it off my camera, it is the perfect "walk around" lens

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Banff Trip 1

First weekend here in Calgary, no moving van from Texas; we went to Banff. It is about a beautiful hours drive away from here.
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You may reconize this from a previous post from Harry's month long trip before we all came up. But I had to take the famous picture too!

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Near the river through the mountains, beautiful. Logan thinks so too

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Very accomidating mountain climbing

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Then we thought it would be fun to ride this thing...all the way to the top instead of walking. (Harry thinks he will go back and walk it himself. The boys and I will stay at the bottom and drink hot chocolate or something)

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Going up...

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still going up

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At the top finally. I found someone with a big Nikon camera and figured she could handle a real camera...Canon!!

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We did not move here for the cheap prices of ANYTHING or the long lines at the grocery stores or the 30 degree rainy weather in JUNE but perhaps to see this...

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Yes it is pretty amazing...
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It has been two weeks since we moved to Calgary. I do miss my friends and family terribly though. I am homesick. If you read my blog, leave a comment, send an e-mail, shoot a fax, write a letter send a text!

We are off to Panorama, British Columbia this weekend for our first "Holiday!"

Monday, June 14, 2010

Waiting to Nest...

Nesting is something that I feel I do best. Maybe it is the mother in me that has that need to create the perfect environment to raise, love and live with my family. It need not be extravagant, less is more. Certainly not expensive, some of my favorite things have come from re-sale shops or I have made them. Coming home to a place that feels...well "homey" surrounded with all my favorite people and things is so comforting. We arrived at our new place in Calgary knowing it is temporary. Very little is coming from Texas with us, but there are a few of my favorite things to make our new place feel like home while we are here. Our shipment from Texas is still not here, in fact no one seems to know where it is. Knowing that our clothes, the boys much loved toys and a few of my "not so expensive or extravagant but much loved things" are in limbo is very frustrating. I know when everything does show up it will feel like Christmas morning. I miss my coffee pot...so.very.much. We are doing laundry everyday, if you notice in the past posts we don't seem to have much variety in our wardrobe. This house is nice but it doesn't feel like home yet. It will be so wonderful to get settled, have more clothes, toys, silverware and real coffee again. I took these photos the other morning, Jonah waiting on his high chair (on the moving van) decided he really did not need it. He helped himself to the table and ate is breakfast, like a big boy. Stuff or no stuff I know I truly have what is most important right here with me.
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Sunday, June 13, 2010

Evening in the Parks

Friday night we headed to Nose Hill Park, a very large hill right next to our place here in Calgary. It is great for hiking and mountain biking...and photography!

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We tried to find the highest peak to get the best views of the city, this was my favorite view...

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This reminded me of Horton Hears a Who!

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He poses for me now!

After walking around till around 8:30pm with pleanty of daylight left we headed downtown to see what we could find. Another fantastic little park perfect for scooter riding and a little playground time.
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It was bedtime, even though the sun is still up...after 10:00 even the Momma Canadian Geese know it is time for bed...
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Glad I'm not the only one keeping track of three little ones!


Friday, June 11, 2010

Canadian Tooth Fairy Ehh'

Yup we have em' here too! Logan FINALLY lost his first tooth. My sweet boy was heartbroken when Isaac lost his about a month ago. Life was just not fair that his twin lost one but he did not. I assured him that he would. He was so excited last night when it finally came out!

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Thankfully the flying tooth collector had some Canadian money in her wallet equivalent to what Isaac received the first time he lost his, the stash needs to be replenished however...there are several more that will be ready for another visit soon!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Happy Birthday....

To two of my favorite people...

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(I think this was taken in 03')

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18 is a big year

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but no one says you have to act your age. These two are no exception for sure!

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Kayla, I have loved watching you grow up. You are the best gift your Mom ever gave me! We are so proud of you and excited for the road that lies ahead of you. With God leading the way...well kid, I just know you will go far!

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Harry, thank you for taking such great care of your family, for supporting me and my silly habbits and for always knowing what I need...even when I don't. I love you and will always be happier when you come in the door every night after work.

Happy Birthday you two! I hope you both have a wonderful day!!!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Driving Days 4 & 5

Sorry for the delay in posting these last two days of our cross-country adventure...once we arrived in Calgary we literaly hit the ground running. It took a couple days to get internet up and running, furniture bought and all the usual things that go along with moving to a new country :)

Bright and early Wednesday morning...
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**little disclaimer here, yes they are sleeping in their play clothes. I don't want a ton of laundry to do when we get to Canada!**

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out on the open road a bright, cool, crisp Wyoming morning

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Which turned into a bright, cool, crisp Montana afternoon!

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My camera could not do this state justice, we plan on traveling back down to Montana, it is breathtaking. Purple Mountain Majesty...definately

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and speaking of the land I love. I think the talley for number of American Flags from Texas to Canada was somewhere around the 300 marker. IMPRESSIVE! (even more impressive that I counted them huh?) more on talleys to come.



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wait that can't be...Blue Bonnets in Montana? Naa, but they look like them! These lovely blue flowers are considered a weed, just like the good ole dandylions
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We stopped at Little Bighorn National Monument where Lt. Col. George A. Custer fought his last battle against the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians.

Back in the car we continue to head north, I think we saw more windmills here than in Kansas. It is very windy here and with the mountains in the background it was a pretty amazing sight...again my camera not doing justice for me here.
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Wait, do those cows have perms?? Ok, ok, they are alpacas! Yep, Montana the land of alpaca farms. Kinda scary, I think I had a hairstyle in middle school that looked a lot like this.

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So for those of you who will never actually cross the Canadian border by car, this is what it looks like! (Hopefully minus the bugs on the windshield fogging up my photo!)

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We sat in the customs office for two hours waiting for them to let us through. They were very kind to us and even gave the twins some stickers. The same could not be said for the gentleman in front of us who was from South Africa, trying to return to his wife in Canada. He apparently did not do his paperwork right so they threatened to put him in jail for 5 years with a $100,000.00 fine. They don't mess around here.

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Finally through, Harry was a bit nervous I think but everything went well. Two hours past the border...

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We finally made it. We did not get out of the car for a photo opportunity here, they were SO very ready to be out of the car and asking if we were there yet, I seriously doubt I could get them back in the car. (again more bugs, Harry we need to go back to Oklahoma. I think that was the last time you washed the windshield!)

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view from the front seat

And finally we made it, our home...away from home.

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The three boys have not stopped running since we got here. I think all that pent up energy in the car had to wind down sometime.

More to come on our Canadian adventure...stay tuned!

About This Blog

We created this blog to keep in touch with our family and friends who live near and far so they can share in the craziness of our little family, raising five year old twins and our latest addition Jonah!

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