Friday, July 20, 2012

Summer fun (in pictures)

It`s the middle of summer.  It`s been fairly hot this summer - I am pretty sure almost everyone in Canada or the U.S. will attest to that.  We have had a fairly active summer, and it is really nice now that Ethan is 3, we seem to be able to do so much more.

Here is a brief recap of our summer so far:


Summer in the City in Steinbach (our town).


Ethan's first pony ride

The "must go on "horsie ride"












































 Camping (during a visit to Alberta and Waterton Park)

Ethan was terrified of the Ground Squirrels (yes this was in June, and he`s wearing mittens!)
We had to visit every playground we walked past :)


Requisite picture by the waterfall at Waterton National Park

Our camping spot in Waterton - isn't it peaceful?





Visited with family and friends (during the same visit to Alberta)

Ethan with my mom

At my friend Colleen's place near Lethbridge

Ethan LOVED the trampoline at Colleen's (pictured here with my brother)



We also went to Chuck E Cheese's (there isn't one in Winnipeg, so we go whenever we see one)

The carousel

Noah's ark

In the maze (or mouse puzzle, not sure what it is called)

After our road trip was over, we went to Tinker Town just outside Winnipeg

On the boat

This picture almost looks posed

Driving an Ethan sized car!

On the swings

We have done a lot of other things - including many trips to various parks, splashing in Ethan`s little pool, and going for walks.






Friday, July 6, 2012

Counting My Blessings

I have been getting more and more negative, feeling like everyone else is doing better than we are and it has got to stop.  It is making me grouchy, derailing my weight loss efforts and basically just not nice.

So instead of focusing on the things I don't have, I will count 10 things I am blessed to have:

1. Mike and I are both gainfully employed, and my benefits package at work is pretty nice.

2. Even though we can't afford a mini-van or a big trailer, we were still able to go on a 10 day vacation to Alberta and enjoy ourselves in our little car and little trailer
Camping in Waterton National Park, June 2012
3. We have a roof over our heads, and comforts inside that house too - air conditioning, PVR for our main TV, and a computer and Internet connection

4. We live in a friendly neighbourhood.

5. We are lucky enough to be able to afford to keep two cars.  We can't afford to get new cars, but having two enables me to drive to work and drop Ethan off at daycare when it is less than comfortable outside, instead of walking.

6.  I still have a sense of humour.  People may not always understand my humour, but I still have it!

7.  While I can't afford a smart phone, I do have a basic pay-per-use cell phone that allows me to text (if I have to) and call when it is necessary.

8. I have a great family.

9. I have great friends.

10.  We are lucky to be (mostly) healthy.