tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46202373952329253932024-03-14T04:28:37.274-06:00Life, As I Know It...The occasionally boring, often exciting life of a twenty-something flight attendant. Stories of my travels,job, daily life, and love.Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.comBlogger463125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-25793596181637247962018-08-14T12:45:00.001-06:002018-08-14T12:45:20.108-06:00Hello, Finley <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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11 short days ago, we welcomed our newest member to the family. Finley Dianna was born on August 3, at 8:26 am. She came into this world screaming, with a head full of dark brown hair. She was our smallest baby, weighing just 6 pounds and 7 ounces. </div>
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Her birthday was a calm, peaceful day. We drove to the hospital at 6 in the morning, equally terrified and excited. Since our first two babies were born via c-section, she was scheduled to arrive the same way at 39 weeks, and 1 day. If you recall my previous pregnancies, you'll know that this was weeks earlier than my other babies, and when the time came I couldn't believe that it was happening so soon. </div>
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We parked and nervously made our way to the labour and delivery ward. We were sent to a room to change, and before we knew it we were ushered into a pre-op room. Soon, it was time to head into the OR. I went in alone, and waited until Ryan was allowed to be by my side. Scheduled c-sections are a very surreal experience. The rest was a blur of tugging and waiting, and then... a tiny, but loud cry. Our sweet baby. Our third perfect daughter. Finley... our grand finale. </div>
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She cuddled into her daddy as the doctors sewed me back together. We were so in love, so instantly. </div>
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We had a few hours to soak up our brand new baby before we welcomed some of her family to meet her. First, and most importantly... her big sisters. My entire pregnancy, Aaralee had been excited about meeting her sister, while Briley seemed oblivious to the huge life change ahead. I was shocked that from the moment they met, it was Briley who was obsessed. She constantly asks to hold her and can't get enough of her tiny toes. Aaralee is a bit more reluctant, and prefers her baby dolls. </div>
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We spent a couple of days in the hospital before finally being set free to go home! We buckled Finley into her carseat, in awe of how tiny she looked.</div>
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And then, we were home. Home to start our lives as a family of 5. I remember the early days with Aaralee. They were filled with anxiety, overthinking and sleep deprivation. This third time around felt like a dream. Having a 3 and 4 year old makes a newborn feel like a breeze. She is so content, so tiny, and she doesn't climb the furniture or talk back yet. </div>
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We are all so in love, and she rarely gets set down because I can't resist the urge to constantly snuggle her and sniff her sweet newborn head. When I do stop holding her, it's typically to pick up my camera so that I can capture these fleeting newborn moments. </div>
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Welcome to our family, my sweet girl. We didn't realize that you were the missing piece of our puzzle until you arrived, and now I can't imagine a world without you. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-22582821700976612802018-07-23T22:35:00.001-06:002018-07-23T22:35:19.926-06:00A Summer of Waiting. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Summer time is hands down my favourite time of year. In our family, July and August are typically jam packed with fun adventures. We try to spend the least amount of time at home, opting to be outside. We camp, we swim, we stay up late, and we go on at least one long road trip each year. By the time that September rolls around, we are suntanned, happy, and ready for the crisp autumn air. </div>
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This year has been a bit different. With a baby due in August and a huge backyard to landscape, this summer has involved a whole lot of time at home. Aside from a short mountain trip for my birthday, we haven't left the city. Ryan has spent every dry day (and some rainy days) outside, slaving away at the seemingly endless job that is our backyard. He goes straight out after work and comes in when it's time to sleep. The kids have had more screen time and fast food than I care to admit and my patience levels have reached a record low. </div>
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It's hard not to feel like we are missing out, and impossible to not feel guilty about our lack of fun. Both of my girls came long past their due dates and neither without medical intervention, so I feel like odds are this one won't make an early appearance. But I know that every pregnancy is different, so I do the responsible thing, and stick close to home, no matter how much I long to flee the city. </div>
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I keep seeing a post on Facebook about how we only get 18 summers with our kids, and how we need to make them count. Meanwhile, I'm turning on another movie and making peanut butter and jam sandwiches for lunch for the fourth day in a row. We spend most of our time in our air conditioned house for the sake of my swollen feet and lack of energy. Am I letting my kids down? Will they be sad when summer ends and we didn't do anything spectacular? Will they remember how grumpy and lazy Mommy was? Am I ruining their childhood? </div>
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No, of course not. </div>
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I hope that when they think back upon this summer, they'll remember cuddling on the couch with their little hands firmly pressed upon my belly, feeling their baby sister move. I hope they'll remember afternoons spent in the pool, and Mommy making giant splashes trying to climb into her inflatable donut. </div>
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I know for a fact that they'll remember eating far more ice cream than they'd normally be allowed, because Mommy's cravings have been out of control. I hope they'll remember playing hopscotch and blowing bubbles on the driveway, because we don't yet have a yard for them to play in. Most of all, I hope that they remember this summer as the summer that they met their baby sister. All of these long, boring days spent cooped up indoors are going to be so very worth it in just a matter of weeks. Aaralee talks about the baby every hour of the day, and Briley asks me every morning if she is still in my tummy. They are going to be such good sisters. This baby is going to be loved so much. </div>
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July has been pretty uneventful, but August will be here before we know it, and so will our brand new family member. Our summer adventure is only just beginning. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-43508710495204791312018-06-18T10:49:00.002-06:002018-06-18T10:49:32.294-06:00Pancakes, Pyjamas, and Preschoolers... Oh My! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On Friday, my sweet Briley turned 3 years old! It seems like just yesterday I was holding her for the very first time, rubbing her bald head and staring in awe at the immense size of her cheeks. Today, she is a crazy blonde ball of energy. I can't imagine a world without the constant joy that she adds to it. She makes us laugh, gives the very best hugs (she calls them unicorn hugs, because unicorns are superior to bears), and is as stubborn as they come. </div>
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I love birthday party planning, but at 32 weeks pregnant I couldn't possibly pull off quite as elaborate of an event as previous years. It would be a quieter party, with less decor and food and time invested. That's what I told myself, but then my inner DIY addict took over. Before I knew it, I was in over my head with projects and baking. </div>
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Every morning Briley climbs into our bed, bright and early. She snuggles for approximately 23 seconds before sitting up and declaring "I want breff-ist". This girl lives for breakfast, it is without a doubt her favourite time of day. It was decided, she would have a pancakes and pyjamas themed brunch party. The pyjamas part might have been more for me, because these days I'll take any excuse to avoid getting dressed. </div>
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We stocked up on cereal, made a huge batch of pancakes, several packs of bacon, and we were ready! It was time for a brunch party!</div>
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No party is complete without mass amounts of food and treats! </div>
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The kids kept busy, colouring and making necklaces out of Fruit Loops.</div>
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The cake was a labour of love. It was my first time ever using fondant, so I fully anticipated that I might have to send Ryan to buy a grocery store cake last minute. Much to my surprise, it worked out! Briley absolutely loved her giant stack of pancakes!</div>
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One thing that really struck me this party was just how fast my girls and their friends are growing up. Our guest list has remained pretty consistent over the years, so it is so fun to see the progression as the kids get older. This year, most of the kids went upstairs to play or did their own thing instead of constantly sticking to their parents. It was so much fun watching them all play together and truly enjoy the birthday party chaos. </div>
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Briley had such a great day and was so spoiled with so many amazing gifts. She is so lucky to have so many amazing friends and family members that love her so much. Thank you for making her special day so perfect! </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-52038282953484045552018-04-14T22:06:00.004-06:002018-04-14T22:06:27.239-06:00A Day in Our Life. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"The days are long, but the years are short." </div>
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This quote often circulates on social media and seems to resonate with parents. The days ARE long. I am a stay at home mom. I spend almost every waking hour catering to my children's needs. Most days, I love it, and other days I struggle to maintain my sanity. Regardless of the outcome, when Briley climbs into my bed at 6:30 am, I know that I'm always in for another long day. </div>
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And then suddenly, a photo pops up from a year ago, or even a few months ago, and I wonder where the time has gone. How do these long days accumulate and turn into months and years so quickly?</div>
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Our long days together are everything. They are their childhood, the memories that they'll carry into adulthood. </div>
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I've always wanted to spend an entire day with my camera, capturing the simple moments that make up our days. The breakfasts, the routine, the chaos. Our life, in this chapter, and a day in it. </div>
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Today, I finally carried out this plan. I missed some moments, like dinner, bath time, temper tantrums, and car rides. I'm also not in any of the photos, which isn't an accurate representation of our days. The photos aren't perfect and beautiful. </div>
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I still love having these moments to look back on. </div>
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These long, stressful days are filled with love, laughter, and the magic childhood.</div>
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This is a Saturday in the life of our family. My favourite kind of day. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-53887485420203062682018-03-08T07:24:00.000-07:002018-03-08T07:25:00.510-07:00break through those glass ceilings. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"Here's to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them."</div>
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Today is International Women's Day. A day that used to pass by with little to no recognition on my part. I've always felt proud to be female, but I never felt the urge to shout it from the rooftops or to fight for change or equality. And then, I became a mother to daughters. </div>
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A few months ago I was talking to Aaralee about what she might be when she grows up. I went through a list of possibilities, until she stopped me mid-sentence with "I can't be a pilot mom, I'm a girl." </div>
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Pardon me?!</div>
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How, at only 4 years old, did my daughter already exclude herself from certain careers based solely on her gender? We had a long discussion about how she could do anything that boys can do, and in that moment I made it my mission to raise empowered, confident girls who will never grow up restricting themselves to certain roles. If they want to be a stay at home mom, that's great. If they want to be an astronaut, a doctor, a pilot or the prime minister... that's okay too. </div>
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Now that I'm pregnant with our third baby, I'm taking the opportunity to show my girls just how incredible women really are. We can travel the world, have careers and play sports. We can do anything that men can do, but we can also grow and birth babies. We are strong, we are capable, and we are amazing. </div>
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We don't know the sex of our baby yet, but I've lost count of how many people have wished us luck to have a baby boy this time, or assumed that that was the very reason we tried for a third. To imply that we'd be anything less than thrilled to have another daughter is crazy. I'd consider myself incredibly fortunate to be given the opportunity to raise 3 girls, and there won't be even a hint of disappointment if that's the case.</div>
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And if it's a boy? That's just fine too. We'll love him, be excited for the new adventure, and most importantly, teach him how to respect and treat women. </div>
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We've come a long way as women, and we still have some obstacles to conquer. I hope that my daughters grow up to be fearless women who stand up for themselves and never hold themselves back or think less of themselves because they are females. I hope that they support and empower other women and know that they can do absolutely anything. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-62855179523226980552018-03-02T09:17:00.001-07:002018-03-02T09:17:48.529-07:00The Monsters who make me crazy... in love. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If I were to say that I've loved every moment since returning home and that I'm so glad to be back... I'd be lying. </div>
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These past 2 weeks have been exhausting, physically and mentally. February always gets to me, and I am so glad to see March. Spring is on the horizon, if you ignore the fact that we are currently under a winter storm warning. </div>
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We might have went on a vacation for 3 glorious weeks, but is it really a vacation if you're at a stay at home mom who is stuck in a van with your family? Don't get me wrong, we had an amazing trip and I wouldn't change a thing. However, after 3 weeks of sunshine, outdoors, and fun, we returned home to cold weather, responsibilities, and being stuck inside together trying to pass the days. I longed for a bit of alone time. For a meal not interrupted with demands for more milk. For a shower not interrupted by "Mom, Briley is on the counter!" For a morning spent cozy under the blankets without hearing the sound of cereal spilling all over the floor. These kids are my entire world, the reason I wake up every day, and the loves of my life... and they are driving me insane. </div>
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The days are long. They are spent dishing out snacks, kissing owies, breaking up fights, and constantly cleaning. It's a thankless job, a job that I chose. I feel terrible for ever complaining, but between sleep deprivation and pregnancy hormones, sometimes a mama just needs some space.</div>
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But then, they go to bed. Their sleepy little bodies cuddle up under the blankets, exhausted from a long day of refusing to nap. We sing bedtime songs, give big bear hugs, and I close their door and breathe a sigh of relief. </div>
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And then I miss them.</div>
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I sneak into their room every night to see them sleeping. They are always clutching their little blankets, snoring baby snores, and I fear that my heart might actually explode from loving them so much. </div>
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These girls, who push me to the brink of losing sanity on a daily basis, are the most amazing little people I've ever known, and I can't believe that they are mine. </div>
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Aaralee, my first born. She will be 4 1/2 on the 10th. She'll insist on a half birthday cake, and I'll likely oblige because I secretly love how birthday obsessed she is. She is already planning her 5th birthday party, which isn't until September. She was crazy about the colour pink for as long as I can remember. We bought her pink clothes and pink bedding, and accepted that she would only eat off of pink plates. Until she watched Frozen, and suddenly changed her mind. Now everything must be blue, and the pink torch has been passed on to her sister. She loves preschool and can't wait for kindergarten. She asks approximately 5,256 questions per day, ranging from "Why do we get boogers?" to the ever-feared "How did our new baby get in your tummy?" </div>
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She is a picky eater, who would prefer to survive on a diet of sugar and carbs. She loves to help cook, even if she'll refuse to eat most meals. She is the self proclaimed queen of the household (Queen Elsa to be exact) and has the attitude to go with it. She can get her sister to do almost anything for her. You'll find her wearing a princess dress 6/7 days a week, and on the other day she'll be crying because they are in the wash. </div>
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She can't wait to be a big sister again. She loves to rub my growing belly, and insists that we name the new baby "Flower" regardless of the gender. She is happiest playing with her friends, and she makes new ones wherever we go. She is petite, clumsy, serious, strong-willed, and no doubt will outsmart her mama one day. She is my firstborn, the one who made me a mommy, and she'll forever be my baby girl. </div>
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Briley, my baby, my wild child. She is fast approaching age 3, and she'll be off to preschool in the fall. I'm not sure how either of those statements are real life. Without fail, she climbs into our bed every morning bright and early. We try to persuade her to go back to sleep, she tells us that she is "super, super hungry" and requests milk and Cheerios. She is always making us laugh, with her goofy ways and her epic dance moves. She gives the best hugs ever, and will randomly tell me that she loves me.</div>
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She would be happy if we'd let her spend all day watching home videos of "Baby Aaralee". She loves her big sister, and loves to push her buttons. She's will eat everything in her vicinity if given a chance, and is asking for a snack every 20 minutes. </div>
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You'll usually find her running, throwing things, or jumping off of the couch. She was the first to land us in the emergency room and will likely give me many grey hairs. She is the master of destruction and mess follows her wherever she goes. She loves our dog and requests that we get a new puppy instead of a new baby. </div>
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She's shy, unless you are lucky to catch her in a silly mood, in which case you'll get her life story. She clings to her blanket 24/7. She is my baby, my big, littlest girl. She has the personality to let everyone know that she is in the room, and being a middle child won't stop her from stealing the spotlight. </div>
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I am so, so, lucky to call myself mommy to these girls, and even luckier that I have been given the opportunity to do it all over. I might never regain my sanity or my energy, but it's a pretty good trade off for a heart as full as mine. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-29270962832963032932018-02-22T09:28:00.000-07:002018-02-22T09:28:07.302-07:00The last few days of New Zealand <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On our last morning in Queenstown, we woke up to dark clouds. Incoming rain, combined with the torture of seasonal allergies meant that it was time to move on to sunnier places.</div>
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We packed the van and hit the road. As with the majority of our trip, we set out with absolutely no plans. We had 3 days to get to Christchurch, but other than that we were free to wander. We stopped at a fruit stand, where I bought some plums and nectarines as Ryan asked the employee for advice on which route to take. We had 2 options, both scenic. Mountains and farmland, or coast and farmland. Being fortunate enough to spend a lot of our time in the mountains back home, we opted for the coast. </div>
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The rest of the day consisted of a lot of driving, but we still snuck in some fun along the way. We stopped at a lookout and watched seals playing on on the rocks as we enjoyed popsicles. </div>
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We stopped at the Morekai Boulders, which were giant circular rocks along a beautiful stretch of beach. </div>
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The highlight of the day for me was definitely Oamaru, where we were lucky enough to spot penguins! There were hundreds of them hanging out on a pier, waiting to swim to the beach for the evening. I’ve always dreamt of seeing penguins, so I was pretty excited.</div>
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The sun was setting and we still had nowhere to sleep, so we carried on our journey towards a campground. Before we arrived, we turned off onto a dark, quiet country road, where we drove into the darkness and turned off the vehicle for a view of the night sky. We could see the Milky Way stretching above us, with thousands of stars twinkling in every direction. We rolled into a campground late, and moved our sleeping kids from car seats to bed. </div>
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The next day we were Christchurch bound! We reached the city around lunch time, and we were starving. </div>
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I found some cute cafes that seemed like good options, and jokingly said we should go to a fancy 5 course restaurant that had won a few awards and had great reviews. My foodie husband strolled in and got us a table. I followed behind with the girls, feeling totally underdressed in my denim shorts and tank top. The food was amazing. We shared our meals with the girls, and Briley the adventurous one loved it all. Aaralee held out for a cheese bun in the van. </div>
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That evening, we went to a Maori performance and traditional Hangi meal. Aaralee loved the performance, as she thought the women were all Moana. Briley was terrified. </div>
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The food was fantastic and the highlight of the evening was when they let the girls feed the deer. Briley squealed with delight and wouldn’t stop giggling. It was probably the highlight of her trip. </div>
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We drove back to the campground for the final evening in our van. The next morning we packed it up in preparation to return, and checked out of our last campground. </div>
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We were freshly showered and the van was clean, so naturally we thought it would be a good idea to go to the beach. What started as a quick stop to see enjoy the views turned into our kids digging in the sand and playing in the water fully clothed. I was torn between cringing at the mess and never wanting it to end. Childhood is not supposed to be clean.</div>
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We stopped for a quick roadside lunch and then drove downtown to check into our hotel. Ryan left us there while he went to return the van. We said our goodbyes to our beloved home on wheels and then ventured upstairs to our luxury accommodation. We had thick, plushy pillows on big beds, unlimited hot showers, and room for all of us to stand up at the same time!</div>
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As soon as Ryan returned, we got our shoes on and went for a walk. Our first stop was to the 185 white chairs that stand as a memorial for the 185 people who lost their lives in the 2011 earthquake. Seeing the chairs all lined up put into perspective just how many people sadly did not survive. Tiny child seats and a baby car seat were somber reminders of the tragedy. </div>
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We carried on, walking through the gorgeous city until we reached a cute little street where we stopped for dinner. We dined on the patio, and every once in awhile a trolley would drive by, clearing Ryan’s chair by a matter of inches. </div>
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On our way back to the hotel we came across a massive, amazing playground. We stayed and played for awhile, migrating to the water play area. I’m not sure if Ryan or the girls had more fun, but everyone was happy and soaking wet. </div>
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We hadn’t planned for water activities, so our dripping wet Briley wore my extra sweater for the walk back. The sun was setting on a beautiful evening and I longed for those warm, late sunsets to come back to Canada.</div>
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In our hotel room, we stayed up late in hope of catching a glimpse of fireworks at a nearby park. Our view was impeded by a large building, but we saw colourful flashes above and to the side and the girls were satisfied. </div>
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We woke up to our alarm clocks the next day, for the first time in weeks. We had an early morning flight to catch, bringing us back to Auckland. It was only an hour long, and before we knew it we were back in Auckland having lunch.</div>
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The girls were sleepy, so we went back to the hotel where they cozied up on the closet floor and proceeded to have the longest nap they’d had the entire trip. I’m now contemplating moving their bedding to the closet at home.</div>
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We finished the day off with dinner at an upscale food court, where we all ordered exactly what we wanted from whichever restaurant we desired.</div>
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On our last full day in New Zealand, we set off for one final adventure. After breakfast we caught to ferry to Waiheke Island. It was a 30 minute journey, just long enough for Briley to fall asleep. Once we reached the island we boarded our hop on/hop off bus and the girls were thrilled to ride on the top deck. </div>
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We grabbed lunch at a beachside village and then got back on the bus. Both girls fell asleep, so we did the entire route, taking in the views while they snored in the seat in front of us. </div>
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We got off again at Oneroa Beach. I sent Ryan and the girls down to the beach while I browsed the shops and bought myself a gelato to eat in peace. </div>
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When I joined them at the beach I was pleasantly surprised at how warm the water was. I’d failed to pack a swimsuit for Briley, so we stripped her down and she was happy to run naked and free, splashing in the waves with Ryan and Aaralee. </div>
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Once everyone was all tired out, I bribed them to take a family photo and then we caught the ferry back to Auckland. </div>
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We stopped at a few souvenir shops along the way, where the girls proudly picked out one toy each. </div>
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After dinner we discovered that Briley had shoplifted a tiny “New Zealand beer” keychain, so we made her bring it back to the store and apologize. Wewalked back to our hotel in the rain. We had our ponchos on, and the round of the rain falling on our heads was soothing. </div>
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When we woke up the next day, it was our final day of vacation. We ordered smoothies on Uber eats and sipped them as we packed up the room and organized our bags for the flight. </div>
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The girls had been asking to go back up the tower, so we made a lunch reservation to eat at the top. It included our ticket up, so we went early to take in the views before sitting down to eat. The food was yummy, the views were stunning. It was the perfect ending to an amazing trip. </div>
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We reluctantly made our way to the airport, with Aaralee grumpily staying several times that she did not want to go home. I couldn’t blame her. At the airport, nostalgia overcame me as we spotted 3 Emirates A380 planes. The crew walked by and I pointed them out to the girls, explaining that once upon a time, their mommy was one of those girls in the red hats. </div>
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2 hours before our flight, we heard an announcement saying that it was the final boarding call for our flight. We were confused as we frantically dashed across the airport, dragging the girls as we ran. Turns out, it was a mistake.... a mistake that caused us great stress and more cardio than I had signed up for. </div>
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Eventually it was time to board for real, and we said goodbye to New Zealand as we flew off into the sky. We had dinner and the girls and I were super excited to find New Zealand ice cream for dessert. </div>
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With full bellies, it was time to attempt bed time. We’d made the genius decision to upgrade to a Skycouch, which turned 3 of our seats into a makeshift bed. Ryan sat across the aisle and I cozied up with the girls. I had a hard time sleeping, but I was much more comfortable. More importantly, the girls slept like a dream. The seat next to Ryan was vacant, so when we got crowded I’d pass some of our belongings to him. </div>
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We finally landed in Vancouver, eager to get off of the plane but weary with the knowledge that we were still hours from home. Aaralee immediately expressed her displeasure with the cooler temperatures. </div>
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We had lunch, let the girls play, and eventually it was time to board our flight to Edmonton. </div>
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Finally, we were on the way home. </div>
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The girls were miserable and whiny and I’m pretty sure that none of the other passengers wanted us to get onboard. To be fair, it had been a long day and they were exhausted. Briley fell asleep before we reached the runway and Aaralee gave in during takeoff. </div>
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We landed into cold, snowy Edmonton and Aaralee cried when it was time to go outside. </div>
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None of us are thrilled to be back in the frozen tundra that we call home, but we’ve sure missed the space and our cozy king sized bed, and the girls have loved rediscovering all of the toys that they’d forgotten about. It’s back to reality, but we are so thankful for our journey and the many, many memories made along the way. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-58357233719690093672018-02-14T10:56:00.001-07:002018-02-14T10:56:33.932-07:00Soaring to Milford Sound<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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f you know me or if you’ve followed my blog for a few years, you’ll know that I’ve never been a huge Valentine’s Day fan. Ryan and I don’t celebrate it by going on dates or buying gifts. I’ll acknowledge it for the sake of fun for the kids, but otherwise it’s just an ordinary day in our household. </div>
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This year, however, Valentine’s Day was one for the books.</div>
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We started the day with breakfast at Bespoke Kitchen. We were out of groceries and tired of our morning yogurt ritual, so a hot meal was much appreciated. The food was incredible, and I left full but wanting more just to try all of the options.</div>
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When in New Zealand, a trip to Milford Sound is high on the “must do” list. We desperately wanted to visit, but it is a 4 hour drive from Queenstown and sadly, our vacation days are rapidly depleting. We couldn’t possibly see it all in such a short trip</div>
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Unless... </div>
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Unless we booked a scenic flight. </div>
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Obviously it wouldn’t be cheap, but after much contemplation we decided that we might only be here once, so it was probably worth it. Besides, Briley was free! </div>
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Ryan had called the night before to enquire, but there was no availability for Valentines day, and the forecast called for rain the day following. Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be. As we ate breakfast, Ryan decided to call just to see if there were any cancellations. It was wishful thinking. The skies were clear, the weather was perfect, and it was Valentine’s Day. Much to our luck and surprise, the 12 pm slot for a flight and cruise had opened up! We booked it without hesitation and happily returned to the camper to pack a bag. </div>
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We got picked up by a taxi and we were on our way to the airport! </div>
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We were led to our plane, and hopped in excitedly. Aaralee and I sat beside each other in one row, while Ryan sat behind us with Briley on his lap. And then we were off!</div>
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The views were incredible, and I say that as someone who has experienced many scenic flights around the world. We flew over blue lakes and between the snow capped mountains of the fjordlands. We saw waterfalls cascading from cliffs and waves crashing on the shores of the Tasman Sea. </div>
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The gentle turbulence rocked both girls to sleep. </div>
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We were in awe, and we still had so much left to see. We landed at the Milford Sound airport and transferred by bus to the cruise terminal. </div>
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Once there, we picked up our picnic lunches and boarded our boat. It was immediately beautiful, as we cruised past a roaring waterfall and into the sound towards the sea. </div>
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We spotted seals sunbathing on the rocks and the skipper brought us in for a closer look. </div>
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While the rest of the passengers were taking their photos of the seals, Ryan spotted something far more exciting... dolphins!! </div>
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Aaralee is obsessed with the movie Dolphin Tale. To see dolphins in real life was like a dream come true. We caught a few more glimpses of them before we carried on. </div>
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Briley was still tired, so I set her down on some seats inside and she slept for the remainder of the trip. </div>
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The boat came nice and close to a huge waterfall, and Ryan and a few other crazy individuals stood at the front, getting absolutely soaked. </div>
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Finally, we were back to the terminal and it was time to say goodbye to Milford Sound. Lucky for us, we still had a scenic flight to take us back to Queenstown. </div>
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We took a bit of a different flight path back for more views of the sound and the beautiful mountains. It was pretty turbulent at times, and I was thankful for the timing of our trip. Only weeks ago, a car ride to the grocery store would have made me nauseous. I was able to relax and enjoy the ride, and Aaralee seemed to be a fan of the turbulence too. </div>
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It was perfect, until descent. Poor Briley cried in pain as her ears tried to equalize. I felt terrible as she sobbed, but once we landed she was back to her happy self and told us that she wanted to go on another airplane ride. </div>
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We rode back to our campground, where we dropped off our bags and then set out in search of dinner. We decided on a Thai restaurant. Maybe it was the fact that I was really hungry, or maybe everything tastes better during pregnancy, but we had some of the best curry I’ve ever eaten. </div>
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On our walk back to the campground, we stopped into a store where we found a tiny dolphin necklace, made out of the same seashells that Aaralee is so fond of. She wore it proudly, still beaming from having seen her first dolphins earlier that day. </div>
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We headed back to the camper, where we stopped at the park for a quick play before calling it a night. </div>
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Days with kids are never perfect. Today was no exception. It was chaotic, extra work and there were a few tantrums. But months from now when I look back at Valentine’s Day 2018, I’ll remember the incredible day that we had together as a family. I’ll remember Briley’s chubby cheeks squished together as she wore the headset on the plane, and the look on Aaralee’s face when she saw her first dolphin. I’ll remember Ryan coming inside from the boat deck, his clothes completely soaked and the huge smile on his face. </div>
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When I reminisce about it, I’ll only remember that today was perfect. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-38170383488646771602018-02-13T11:31:00.003-07:002018-02-13T11:31:55.301-07:00The Stunning South <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Bright and early on Sunday morning, we woke up and packed the van to proceed to the ferry terminal. The North Island had treated us well, but it was time to head south! </div>
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We waited patiently for our turn to board the ferry, one of the last vehicles in a long row of other campers. </div>
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Once onboard, we explored the ship and all of its amenities. We grabbed breakfast, walked the outside decks, and then spent the majority of the time in the kids play area. Aaralee had conversations with new little friends without realizing that they didn’t even speak English. </div>
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3 1/2 hours later we arrived in rainy, but beautiful Picton. </div>
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We had no game plan. After fuelling the van we stopped for a brief while on the side of the road, contemplating which direction to head and which sights to see. We couldn’t decide, so we let the weather forecast choose for us. Onwards towards Christchurch it was. </div>
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Our first stop of the day was only 20 minutes past Picton, the Manaka chocolate factory. Being pregnant has hindered my ability to participate in the adrenaline activities that New Zealand is famous for, so I have to improvise with more suitable options. I splurged on a fancy box of chocolate, justifying it by the fact that Valentine’s Day was only a few days away. </div>
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We carried on our journey south, winding down roads lined by wineries. It was stunningly beautiful, but pouring rain. There was so much precipitation that the ventilation fan on our ceiling was leaking. At one construction stop the radio wouldn’t work for the worker holding the sign to know whether he could let us proceed. </div>
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We reached the coast, and it was beautiful. The water was bright blue like the Caribbean and the sand was black. We spotted hundreds of seals playing near the shores and lying on the rocks in the water. We stopped for a delicious lunch at a cute little seaside restaurant. It had apparently just reopened after the 2016 earthquake in Kaikoura. As we continued south, the damage from the earthquake was evident in the boarded up buildings and constant road repairs.</div>
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Shortly after passing through Kaikoura, we spotted a cute little tree by the ocean and turned off of the road to stop for a photo. Upon further inspection, we discovered that it was actually an oceanfront campsite, and it was settled; this is where we’d camp for the night. </div>
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After grabbing some groceries we returned to set up camp. The girls ran around chasing seagulls as I prepared dinner. It started to rain lightly, but we weren’t complaining. The rain brought us an incredible rainbow that spanned from the mountains to the ocean, perfectly framing our van. I pinched myself, but this was real life. How lucky I was to be witnessing such a beautiful scene in the company of those I love most. </div>
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We settled into bed, falling asleep to the sounds of the waves. For the sake of honesty, we spent about 30 minutes convincing our children to stop screaming and threatening to take away ice cream privileges. This is a dream vacation, but it’s still a vacation with a 2 and 4 year old. EVENTUALLY we heard nothing but the sound of the waves crashing. </div>
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When the kids finally fell asleep we opened the van door and stared at the sky, which was lit up with thousands of bright stars. It was all a blur to Ryan without his contact lenses, but I assured him that it was magic. </div>
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I woke up just in time for sunrise over the ocean, and stared at the sky in silence as my family slept. When Aaralee woke up, she excitedly proclaimed “I saw so many stars last night!” </div>
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After a quick breakfast, we carried on our journey. Our first stop was at a small cafe where we sat in a pretty courtyard sipping giant lattes out of bowls, and ordered a second breakfast because we couldn’t resist. The girls played happily with the toys and chases around the resident cafe cat, Ninja. Cafes and restaurants in New Zealand put Canada to shame when it comes to kid friendliness. Most of them have a box of toys, if not a play area. </div>
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Before leaving, we picked out a tiny pair of wool booties. Aaralee proudly handed the money to the cashier and told her that we were buying them for our new baby. </div>
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It was a sunny 30 degree day, so spending some time outside was essential. We made our way to Corsair Bay, where the kids and Ryan swam and played in the blue water. I waded in to my knees, but I’m more of a hot tub type of girl.</div>
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We were all hungry after our time in the sun, so we found some shade on the side of the road and stopped to make sandwiches. I wish that my car at home had a fridge and pull out table for impromptu picnics.</div>
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We headed inland via the inland scenic highway. We passed vineyards and rolling hills filled with sheep and deer. The only deer we’ve seen in New Zealand have been in farm fields. </div>
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We stopped in a small town for dinner and then carried on to Fairlie, where we set up camp for the night in a spot surrounded by trees. The girls ran off some energy at the park, and then we settled in for another night. </div>
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The next day was sunny and beautiful as we continued our journey south. We were Queenstown bound! The drive was beautiful, and we stopped at gorgeous blue Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. </div>
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The rest of the drive felt like we could have been in Kelowna or Vernon, with lakes, orchards and wineries. </div>
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We finally arrived into Queenstown, checked into our jam packed campground and headed out to find dinner. Queenstown was gorgeous! It felt a bet like walking through Banff, only much bigger and warmer. Dinner was amazing, as was the ice cream we ate afterwards. We walked down to the lakefront and enjoyed the views and the breeze. </div>
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Back at the campground, the girls played for what felt like forever at the park. Aaralee ran around with a group of girls from China, who eagerly followed her around giggling and having fun, despite having no idea what she was saying. The innocence of kids is my favourite thing to witness. </div>
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Today is Valentine's Day, and I've promised Aaralee a fun day as a family, so we'll see what adventures we find in Queenstown!</div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-64222020004023322912018-02-10T19:30:00.000-07:002018-02-10T19:30:14.822-07:00The Last of the North Island <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our first morning in Taupo felt like a vacation in Mexico. After breakfast we headed for the pool, where I sipped a latte as the rest of the family swam. </div>
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I eventually joined them and was pleasantly surprised by how warm the water was. It was like a nice warm bath. The pool was amazing. It had a swim up bar, waterfalls and a cave that dropped to a depth of 4 metres.</div>
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We paused for a break to apply sunscreen and have a second breakfast. Nothing is better than a feast by the pool! </div>
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With full bellies, the girls went for a nap on the lounge chairs while Ryan and I enjoyed the pool. This is what vacation dreams are made of. We sipped drinks from the swim up bar and the girls woke up just in time to watch a movie on the big screen above the pool. </div>
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Ryan and Shane had a boy’s day out and enjoyed a riverjet boat ride. In the meantime, Jay and I took the kids to the Huka Honey Hive, where we watched bees, sampled honey and ate ice cream. </div>
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That evening Ryan, the girls and I went on a lake cruise. We ate pizza as we cruised through Lake Taupo. Aaralee especially loved the Maori rock carvings, as she thought that they were from the movie Moana. Briley slept for 80% of the journey, rocked to sleep by the gentle waves. </div>
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When we got back to the campground we headed for the pool for one last time. The girls were living the dream as we ordered milkshakes from the swim up bar and stayed up far past bed time. The sunset was breathtaking, the girls were happy, and all in life was wonderful. </div>
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We woke up the next morning to the sound of pouring rain, our cue to hit the road in search of sunshine. The forecast didn’t look promising for anywhere in the vicinity, but it was worth a shot. We headed west after a breakfast at McDonald’s. I’m not normally enthusiastic about McDonald’s breakfast, but this one had an actual DC3 plane that had been converted into seating. We had our breakfast in an airplane and it tasted far better than any plane breakfast I’ve had. </div>
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After breakfast it was back to the highway, where we sadly parted ways with Jay, Shane, and Texas. They are now making their way back towards Auckland as we carry on towards the South Island.</div>
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Disclaimer: The rest of up day involved no plans, a complete lack of knowing where we’d sleep, and no final destination decided. It might be a stressful read for you if your an organized, planning type of person. </div>
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We drove west, originally planning to stop after about 3 hours of driving. We stopped along the way at various viewpoints, and drove up a volcano just for fun. </div>
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We eventually made it to our original planned stop, Foxton. We stopped for a pizza picnic and then proceeded down the coast to check out some of the nearby campgrounds. We were spoiled by a bright rainbow and a spectacular sunset as we carried on. The girls fell asleep as soon as we reached the motorway, so we changed our plans and decided to carry on towards Wellington. </div>
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It was dark as we approached the suburbs and set out in search of a place to call home for the evening. Our options were limited, but with a bit of help from Google and a bit more driving we finally found a campground. We pulled into a spot, moved the girls from their car seats to their bed, and finally settled in for the night around 11 pm. Around 11:30, we were woken by the sound of banging on our van and a family claiming we’d stole their spot. As per the front office sign, any empty site was free for the taking, so we’d thought nothing of it. We reluctantly moved to what appeared to be the only other spot available in the campground. Ryan and I were tired and grumpy but the girls were super excited about the 30 seconds that we drove while they were still in their bunks. </div>
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We packed up early the next day and drove to find a place to have breakfast. We tried to route to a spot with a playground, but our GPS failed us. The joke was on it, though, because we instead found ourselves at the top of a hill with stunning views. We parked the van, and had a roadside picnic. </div>
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After breakfast we drove to downtown Wellington, where we came across a park right along the waterfront. The girls played at the playground while I strolled the underground market. </div>
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We came across a spot where they were renting out power wheels cars for kids to drive, so we let the girls cruise around as we tried to prevent them from running into things/people. We walked to a boardwalk over the water to see if we could see any fish, and just as we peered over, a stingray swam below us! </div>
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Our next adventure of the day brought us to a quiet beach with yet another playground. The girls have been in their glory here, with so many parks to explore in such warm weather. After a bit of playing we went to the beach to search for shells. They were everywhere that we looked, and Aaralee was thrilled. If it were up to her, she’d bring them all home and save them forever. </div>
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It started to rain, so we got back into the van and took the scenic route back to the city. We made it to Oriental Bay, where we stopped for a coffee while the girls played at another park. Whoever built a cafe beside a playground is my hero. They played in the water play area, mixing water with sand and getting mud everywhere. At home I might try to keep them clean, but this is their vacation too, so muddy kids it was. </div>
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We’d actually planned ahead for once and booked a campground earlier that day, so we headed there to check in and freshen up before dinner.</div>
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Thanks to my former career, I’m fortunate enough to have friends from every corner of the globe. One of my batch mates from my days at Emirates calls Wellington home, so we met him for a delicious dinner. It was great to reunite after 7 years, and the girls loved him! We chatted about Dubai, New Zealand, and Canada before parting ways until we meet again somewhere in the world.</div>
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It was time to go back to the campsite to bathe my dirty children and get to bed in preparation for an early morning ferry ride. Today we are off to the South Island! </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-60336009789935661162018-02-07T02:25:00.002-07:002018-02-07T02:25:42.475-07:00From the Coast to Taupo <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our camper van adventure continues! After night one, we met up with Jay and Shane and ventured further down the coast. The views were stunning as we drove past stretches of beaches before eventually stopping at one to spend the afternoon. </div>
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The kids ran wild up and down the beach, building castles and collecting shells. They got sand in every crevice and I had a hard time getting them to leave when it was time to go. By kids, I obviously am also referring to my husband, who sat with a bucket and dug holes, having the most fun of everyone. The only downfall was the fact that I got stung by a bee, but the scenery made up for it.</div>
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We headed back into town for dinner and then decided to spend the night at a fancy campground on the beach. It had a pool with water slides, trampolines, playgrounds, and most importantly, hot showers! </div>
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We settled in for the night, relaxing outside after the kids were tucked in. At home, the girls fight bedtime on a nightly basis. Here in New Zealand, they are worn out from long days playing in the sun and they go to bed immediately. We were so worried about them sharing a bed, but knock on wood, sleep has been better here than it ever is at home. </div>
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After a lazy morning at the pool and after numerous snacks, we were back on the road and bound for Rotorua. </div>
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It was a beautiful drive along tree lined winding roads as we passed by lakes and orchards. It reminded me of a more tropical Okanagan. </div>
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We found a cute little campground with thermal pools and enjoyed an evening swim before bedtime. </div>
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The next day was a day of adventure for the grownups. We headed to a place to go zorbing... AKA rolling down steep hills inside of giant inflatable balls. I stayed back with the kids while Ryan, Jay and Shane zoomed down. </div>
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Once they’d had their fun, we headed for lunch and then ate ice cream in the park. </div>
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Finding freedom campsites had proved to be more of a challenge in Rotorua, so it was another night of “glamping”. Our campground for the night had an inflatable jumping pillow, hot and cold pools, trampolines and a great playground. It was small enough that the girls could run around without constantly needing us. They were particularly excited about the kid sized picnic table. We feasted on a home cooked meal and then headed to bed, tired from a long day of fun. </div>
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Today was another day on the road! Before we left Rotorua, we stopped at the Redwoods forest to walk on suspension bridges high up in the trees. It was beautiful, and the fresh forest air was wonderful. Aaralee loved running down all of the rickety bridges, and Briley hated every second of it. </div>
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We stopped at a geothermal park for a picnic lunch and then made our way towards Taupo. </div>
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Our campground for the night was by far the fanciest thus far. We are gearing up for some free camping nights soon, so we’ll enjoy the amenities when we can. The girls will be so disappointed this summer when our campgrounds don’t have trampolines, playgrounds, or swimming pools with swim up bars. After checking out our new home we ventured to Huka Falls to take in the views before continuing into town for dinner by the lake. Lake Taupo is gorgeous and I can’t wait to explore more tomorrow. </div>
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We are now over a week into our trip and it’s going by too fast. The girls have had their share of meltdowns and tantrums, but overall everyone is having a great time and we don’t want to go home any time soon. The girls particularily enjoy eating breakfast outside, something that we won't be able to do in Canada for several months.</div>
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Oh, and in case you missed it... we shared some pretty big news this week! Life just wasn't quite chaotic enough, so we are adding a bit of extra fun this August. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-74241644261454572682018-02-04T00:48:00.004-07:002018-02-04T00:48:55.686-07:00New Zealand Adventures!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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6 years ago today, Ryan and I secretly got legally married in our blue jeans. To celebrate, we headed for burgers and Starbucks and then headed to the tiny town of Penhold to spend the remainder of the evening singing karaoke. We’ve always done things just a bit differently. </div>
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Our family vacations are no different. Instead of packing our bags and jetting off to an all inclusive resort in Mexico (which is also one of my favourite places in the world), we packed for 3 weeks of life in a camper van, on the other side of the world. </div>
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Let’s rewind a few days for a better recap of our trip thus far. </div>
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It was Tuesday afternoon and we were officially on holidays! All that stood between us and fun were 15.5 hours of flights... With a 2 and 4 year old... Overnight. </div>
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I tried to stay optimistic but I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t terrified for the journey. In this case, it was all about the destination. </div>
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We flew from Edmonton to Vancouver and Aaralee asked why it took so long approximately 68 times. Boy, was she in for a shock on the next sector.</div>
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After months of anticipation, we finally boarded our flight from Vancouver to Auckland. Long haul flying used to be ordinary life for me, but as a passenger it’s much less pleasant. </div>
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The girls watched Paw Patrol a few times while we waited for dinner. Once we were served our typical airplane platters of disappointment, it was time to attempt bed time. I got the girls into their pajamas and tucked them into their seats as comfortably as I could. It worked! Briley immediately fell asleep and Aaralee followed suit shortly after. Life was good! Ryan dozed off and I tried to do the same, but every time I’d get remotely comfortable, Briley would wake up and need to readjust. I slept maybe 2 hours of the flight, but our kids were sleeping or well behaved for 90% of it. I was exhausted, but my kids were quiet, so I was satisfied.</div>
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We finally landed in Auckland, on a rainy afternoon. The remnants of a cyclone were passing through the city and people hid from the weather indoors. Not us. We basked in the humidity and 23 degree weather. We bought rain ponchos and sipped perfect lattes, while the kids ran through grass squealing with joy. It was summer, and we had no complaints. </div>
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To fight jet lag, we tried to stay awake as long as possible on day one, but around 8 pm we were all done and called it a night. We crawled into our cozy beds in our fancy hotel room and slept until 6 the next day. </div>
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By day 2 we felt far more energetic. The sun was shining! My cousin Jay and her husband Shane had flown in from Australia to join us on the adventure. They have a new baby and I was so excited to meet him! </div>
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We all met for breakfast, before they headed to pick up their camper. We had opted for one more day in Auckland to ensure that we were over our jet lag prior to hitting the road. </div>
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We spent the day exploring the city. We walked to the water to look at the boats. We went to the top of the Skytower and checked out the views that spanned for miles. Briley loves the glass floors, Aaralee was a bit more hesitant.</div>
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After one last night of sleeping in a cozy hotel room, we were off to pick up our camper van. It was pouring rain and we loaded into our new home. I was nervous about how the kids would sleep and about Ryan driving on the other side of the road. We set off for the coast, chasing the clear skies. It was a gorgeous journey through rolling hills and fields of sheep. </div>
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We eventually made it to Tauranga, and headed straight for the beach. It wasn’t swimming weather and the waves were massive, but the girls were in their glory. Briley played in the sand while Aaralee gathered more seashells than she was capable of carrying. </div>
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We trekked a bit up Mount Maunganui to enjoy the incredible views of the beach from above. I was so proud of our girls. For 3 days they’d trekked along like little champs, walking as far as their little feet could take them. </div>
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We left the beach and set out in search of dinner. We settled upon fish and chips at a busy restaurant in fisherman’s wharf. </div>
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After grabbing a few groceries, it was time to find a place to sleep for the night. Jay and Shane were in a campground, but New Zealand allows “freedom camping” in certain areas so long as you have a self contained vehicle. We drove to one park, but all of the spots were taken and we were concerned that perhaps finding a place to sleep would be a bigger challenge than anticipated. We decided to check one more spot, and to our surprise we found a spot to park. It was right beside the water and would do just fine. </div>
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We stuck the kids in the top bunk and pulled out of bed below. The girls were chatting and being silly and I was worried that they’d never sleep, but as soon as the lights were out, so were they. Night one in the camper: success! </div>
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We woke up to the sounds of birds singing and the cool sea breeze. It was the latest that the girls had slept since arriving. </div>
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Maybe I’m being overly optimistic, but I have a feeling that the next couple of weeks are going to be some of the best memories our family will make together. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-86737558858167005132017-12-31T13:37:00.000-07:002017-12-31T13:37:04.480-07:002017, you were good. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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New Year's Eve, again? </div>
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These days just seem to come quicker and quicker each year. I've been on a long hiatus from this blog, but the final day of 2017 seems like a good time to reflect upon the past 12 months. </div>
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What a year it was! As per usual, we crammed a whole bunch of fun into these months. We went on new adventures, we met new friends, we grew older. </div>
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We started 2017 on the beach in Mexico... how I wish that were the case this year as well. It was the best trip we've been on as a family of 4. </div>
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Also in January, we moved into our brand new home! We were so happy to have so much space and to finally feel as though we weren't drowning in toys. We still have way too much stuff, but that's a mission for 2018. Later in the year, some of our best friends became our neighbours, so I think we'll stay here forever. </div>
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In February, I reluctanly left my kids for an adults only trip with Ryan. We spent 2 weeks overeating, exploring, and sleeping in in Paris and Iceland. It was incredible, despite how much I missed my girls. </div>
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We spent almost a week in the mountains celebrating our anniversary and Easter. We chased bunnies in Canmore, and enjoyed an all expenses paid trip to Jasper, thanks to a contest that I'd won.</div>
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In May, we went on a road trip to Victoria with some of my extended family. It was a week of sunshine, hiking, and dreaming of living closer to the ocean. I swore I'd never drive that far with the kids again... at least until August. </div>
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In June, Briley turned 2, I turned 31, and Niko turned 5! Briley's birthday was of course the highlight, and we had a blast at her Two-tti Frutti celebration.</div>
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July was spent outside, as it should be. We camped, had picnics, attended Ryan's family reunion, went to the fair, and spent our afternoons at the spray park. Aaralee mastered riding a scooter, and refused to try her bike. </div>
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August was a whirlwind. My mom, the girls and I were back on the road, this time Vancouver bound. I ran my very first half marathon! It felt amazing to accomplish a goal I'd worked towards for so many months. We spent a few more days in the Okanagan and then ventured home, where the month was finished off with more camping, fun days at the U-Pick farm, and above all else, being outdoors. </div>
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My big girl Aaralee turned 4 in September! We had her dream party... princess, pink, unicorn themed. Just 2 days later, she began her second year of preschool. We made the most of the warm autumn evenings, and got back into a life of routine. </div>
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October brought beautiful weather and a sudden flurry of fall photo sessions. I don't know what happened, but all of a sudden my little hobby job turned into an actual business, and I was constantly busy. It took of a bit of adjusting to life as a stay at home mom with a job, but we made it work and still managed to have some fun along the way.</div>
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We snuck in another mountain trip in November, and finished off the month with our annual trip to the tree farm.</div>
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December has been all Christmas, all of the time. We had parties, baked cookies, took photos, decorated the house from top to bottom, and watched Aaralee sing at her Christmas concert. It was a wonderful month, filled with family and cozy days indoors. </div>
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I look forward to seeing what is to come in 2018. We have so many exciting plans in the upcoming months, and I can't wait to take another journey around the sun with this crazy, awesome family of mine. Happy New Year, everyone!</div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-1527751386979178382017-09-10T21:43:00.001-06:002017-09-10T21:43:17.406-06:00a birthday fit for a princess. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today my beautiful daughter turned 4 years old. My amazing Aaralee, the girl who made me a mommy. I can't imagine my world without her in it. She is so smart, absolutely beautiful, hilarious, and even more stubborn than me... if that's possible. </div>
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The past year with her has been a whirlwind of adventure, fun, learning, and the daily challenges of threenager life. She tested my patience and made my heart burst with pride. She conquered her first year of preschool and hiked up her first mountain. Last September, she was my shy, quiet, tiny little lady, and today she is my outgoing, chatty, big girl. </div>
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In this house, we celebrate birthdays in a big way. Parties are centered around whatever the girls currently love most. This meant that Aaralee's fourth birthday party would have 3 main components: Pink, princesses, and unicorns. With plenty of input from the guest of honour, we created her dream birthday party. </div>
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We invited all of her best girl friends, and together they coloured pictures of castles, princess and unicorns. They decorated their paper and their arms with stickers, while wearing crowns and tiaras.</div>
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As per usual, the kitchen was filled with treats and baked goods, including my homemade macarons and Grandma's famous cookies. The crockpot was full of Aaralee's favourite meal... mac and cheese!</div>
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Aaralee had a specific vision for her cake, and I was happy to make it a reality. It was pink, and coated in chocolate, "so so many sprinkles", marshmallows, a unicorn, and pink candles. </div>
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We managed to wrangle a few toddlers to play an amusing game of "pin the horn on the unicorn". </div>
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The highlight of the day was without a doubt the smashing of the unicorn pinata. What was once a colorful donkey pinata from Walmart had become a beautiful unicorn after a few tedious hours of my life. I watched my masterpiece get shattered into pieces by determined a few determined 2 to 4 year olds.</div>
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The aftermath of the pinata was an endless sugar high felt by both young and old party guests. </div>
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Aaralee assured me that she had had the best birthday party ever, and it made me so happy to see the pure joy on her face for the whole entire day.</div>
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She was sad to say goodbye to her party guests and asked why they couldn't stay all day. We sent them off with a bit more sugar for the road, much to the appreciation of the parents, I can imagine.</div>
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The party continued into today, her real birthday. My 4 year old woke up, ate some pancakes, put on a princess dress and got cozy on the couch to watch Frozen.</div>
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For weeks she had been asking to go to Chuck E Cheese's so today we granted that wish and spent a few hours running wild, eating pizza, playing games, and riding rides. She was in Heaven, running around in a Belle dress and fairy wings. </div>
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We went home, let Briley take a nap while we watched Frozen yet again. When little sister woke up, we headed to the swimming pool for an evening of splashing. By the time we dragged the girls out of the pool, everyone was exhausted and ready for dinner. It was Aaralee's choice, so naturally, we ended up at McDonald's. </div>
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We came home to watch a bit more Frozen (making the most of our 24 hour rental) and finally managed to put our "not tired" girls to bed. It was a super fun, super busy weekend for the most special 4 year old girl I know. </div>
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Happy birthday, my sweet princess. I can't wait for the adventures that this year will bring us. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-10864202484133530452017-09-01T13:26:00.000-06:002017-09-01T13:26:15.982-06:00a summer to remember. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Summer 2017 is winding down, as much as I hate to admit it. The first few leaves have fallen, the weather is undeniably cooler, and you can't go out in public without being bombarded with pumpkin spice everything. I love fall, really, I do... I'm just not ready for it. I'm never ready for it. I wish that summer would last forever, or at least longer than 2 months. </div>
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Though I'm sad to see my favourite season go, I take comfort in the fact that we truly made the most out of this summer. We made so many memories and went on so many adventures. Aaralee is almost 4, and I know that years from now, she'll remember bits and pieces of this summer. Hopefully she'll want to bring her own kids on the same adventures, just like I did in this summer of sweet nostalgia. </div>
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It was a summer of birthdays. Briley's birthday, my birthday, Niko's birthday, and in just a week, it will be Aaralee's birthday! </div>
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It was a summer of Canada. Canada 150 made us all extra patriotic, and I am forever grateful to call Canada home... even with its lack of eternal summer.</div>
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It was a summer of roadtrips. </div>
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Our first trip in early July took the girls and I to Calgary for a quick little getaway with my mom. </div>
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The first day, we drank ridiculous milkshakes at Regrub. </div>
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The next day we explored Banff National park. </div>
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The final day, we took the girls to Calaway Park and they had the time of their lives riding every ride that they were tall enough to go on. Aaralee even braved the log ride, though she vows to never do it again. </div>
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Our next road trip took us 6 hours south, to Ryan's family reunion. It was a huge event, for a huge family. On the way home, we detoured to Waterton Lakes National Park, a first for me! </div>
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Our next roadtrip took us to Mt Kidd for a weekend of camping with some of our best friends. The weather was perfect, as was the company. The girls had a blast and asked to go camping "every day!" </div>
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We took a break from road trips for a couple of weeks to save up the time and energy required for the longest journey yet. My mom, the girls and I drove all the way to Vancouver and spent a week touring the coast and the Okanagan. </div>
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I ran my first half marathon in Vancouver, after a summer full of training.</div>
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We went on the Sea to Sky gondola, wandered Granville Island, and dipped our toes in the ocean.</div>
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We played at the beach, built sand castles, and discovered Aaralee's love of the water. </div>
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We went wine tasting and ran through vineyards and orchards.</div>
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And finally, we made a stop at one of my childhood memories... the Enchanted Forest. Things that I find dull as an adult are suddenly magical again once I rediscover them with my children. </div>
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Our final road trip of the summer brought us to Lake Louise, where we camped with Ryan's parents. It was a beautiful weekend, and on our hike to Larch Valley my amazing daughter's hiked a large portion of the uphill trail all by themselves. </div>
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Though a great deal of our summer was spent away from home, we still managed to have fun when we were in town. </div>
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We splashed at spray parks. </div>
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We played at normal parks.</div>
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We went to K-Days for an extra dose of midway food. </div>
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We spent time with our best friends. </div>
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We bought a zoo membership so that we could see the animals on a regular basis.</div>
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We took our first trip to the ER when Briley dove headfirst into a fireplace. It wasn't our favourite memory, but a memory nonetheless.</div>
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We had lunch dates and playdates, spent mornings strolling the farmer's market and taking long walks along the river. All in all, it was a summer to remember. Though the days are dwindling, I'm not going to say goodbye to summer just yet. </div>
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We still have sunny days to enjoy, evenings to spend at the park, and one big birthday to celebrate. I'm holding onto summer as long as most of the leaves are still hanging onto the trees. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-38395872222335549172017-08-18T14:35:00.003-06:002017-08-18T14:35:29.012-06:00More than just a mom. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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3 years and 11 months ago, I met my first beautiful daughter. From that day forward, every waking hour would be dedicated to catering to her, and 21 months later, her younger sister. I'm not complaining. Being a mom is more fulfilling than anything I've ever experienced, but there isn't much room for "me time". </div>
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Occasionally, we'd get a babysitter. Ryan and I would go out for dinner, and it would be great... but he was never as excited about a kid free meal as I was. He goes for lunch with his coworkers on a regular basis. He spends 8 hours a day in an office surrounded by grownups who have real conversations that are never interrupted by demands for more milk. </div>
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Again, I am not complaining. My husband works very hard to support out family. I chose to be a stay at home mom and I am grateful for the opportunity to spend my days with my daughters. But, like any mom who spends all day, every day with small children, I longed for some time to myself. I felt like my entire identity was "Aaralee and Briley's mom". While that was a dream come true in itself, I missed my busy, adventurous, and somewhat interesting former self. I wanted to be more than "just a mom", but I felt too guilty to ever say it out loud. </div>
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Sure, I'd have some time alone. I'd go to the grocery store solo to pick up diapers. I'd walk to the mailbox when Ryan came home from work. Sometimes, Ryan would take the girls to Costco and I'd have the entire house to myself. </div>
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Still, I longed for something more. I wanted to do something for myself. I needed adventure, challenge, and an outlet for my creativity. So this year, I vowed to do more for myself. I'd still put my kids first, but I needed to be happy too. </div>
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It all started with signing up for a half marathon. Up until last year, I hated running. It was exhausting, boring, and one form of exercise I'd never understand. That was, until I tried running alone. With nothing but the sound of my feet hitting the pavement, I felt free. I was all alone, if only for half an hour. I ran a few 5k races last year, and discovered my competitive nature. I never thought I'd run any further, until I managed to snag a spot for the incredible Seawheeze half marathon. Running a half marathon was one of those bucket list items that I just expected to never check off. But for the past 4 months, I've dedicated many mornings and every weekend to training for a distance that seemed impossible. Some days I felt like giving up, but most days I loved it. I'd wake up before Ryan left for work and start my days with a bit of alone time. I felt so much better on run days... I had more energy and more patience. It was quite possible that running was making me a better mother. On the days that Aaralee was awake when I left, she'd see me getting dressed and tell me to "have a good run!" Last weekend I traveled to Vancouver for the race, and ran 21.1 kilometres in 1 hour, 59 minutes. Me, the girl who hated running. I just ran a half marathon. I hope that I've inspired my girls to set big goals and to work hard to achieve them. </div>
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This summer I've also put more effort into doing things that I enjoy doing with friends. I've had pedicures, shopping trips, dinner dates and crafting nights with some of my best friends. Meanwhile, my girls get some much appreciated time with their daddy. Why is it that once we have kids, we stop doing the things that we used to love? I love being a mom and wife, but my goodness, I've missed being a friend. </div>
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Last but not least, this year I've focused more on taking photos and less on comparing myself to all of my incredibly talented photographer friends... including my husband. We all start somewhere, and I was letting my lack of confidence stop me from learning to be better. I vowed to learn to shoot in full manual mode, finally figure out how to edit photos, and to take candid photos of my kids on a regular basis. As soon as I stopped caring so much about what everyone else thought, I got better. I enjoyed taking photos again. Strangers even started asking me to photograph their families. I have a long way to go, with so many amazing photographers to inspire and motivate me I only want to keep learning. Living with 2 of the cutest models is certainly helpful. </div>
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I'm no longer Krysta, the flight attendant, world traveler, or even blogger. It has taken some time to embrace the end of that era, but I'm finally there. These days I'm Krysta, the runner, photographer, and most importantly, Krysta the mommy, friend, and wife. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-1292385296678439132017-06-19T00:05:00.001-06:002017-06-19T00:08:12.373-06:00Briley's Two-tti Frutti Party!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I've been on blogging hiatus for quite some time... you guys, life is so darn busy! I keep meaning to write and then get distracted, and by the time I have time I can't even remember what I was going to write about. I feel like now is a good time to come back. </div>
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I couldn't NOT write a post about my sweet little girl turning 2! Yes... you read that right. Briley, my sweet little baby who was just born is already a two year old! </div>
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Her actual birthday was on Thursday, and it was a day full of fun and excitement. We started the day with a special cake made of pancakes. The pink sprinkles were the highlight of the morning for both her and Aaralee. </div>
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Next on the agenda was a trip to our favourite indoor playground, where we met up with some friends for a couple hours of fun and snacks. By the time that we were ready to go, Briley had snuggled up on the floor with her blanket, exhausted from going down the slide approximately 300 times. </div>
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Daddy came home from work at lunch to spend the rest of the day with the birthday girl. She requested to go on the swings, so it was off to the park. We stopped and picked up Happy Meals, and it was the picnic of her dreams. </div>
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Next up was a trip to the mall. West Edmonton Mall has so many fun (and free!) things for kids to do. We played with trains at Chapters, ran up and down bridges and ramps, tested out the trampoline display, and spent awhile colouring and dancing in the Disney store. We also met up with Briley's birthday twin, Auntie Jacque! </div>
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Dinner was consumed on our dusty driveway, because the girls love picnics. We ate mac and cheese at a makeshift table (an empty diaper box) and it was hilariously unclassy, but the girls loved it and that is all that counts. </div>
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Saturday was the day of the big party! I always try to plan parties based around the girl's interests, but Briley is 2 and she is primarily interested in whatever her big sister likes. She does, however, LOVE fruit. Watermelon in particular, but she's never met a fruit that she didn't like. It was an easy decision: We'd have a Two-tti Frutti birthday party! </div>
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We bought a produce department's worth of fruit and set to decoration for the big event. We had treats galore, and plenty of fresh fruit for our guests to enjoy. </div>
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The birthday girl wore her watermelon tutu. Within minutes she was sticky and covered in watermelon juice, overjoyed at the abundance of her favourite foods. </div>
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The cake was a collabrative effort. What I love about my husband is the fact that I can say "I bought green melting chocolate and I need you to make it into a pineapple top...." and without hesitation he creates a masterpiece. I baked and decorated the rest of the cake, and the guests and birthday girl all seemed to approve! 4 layers of cake, and only 2 slices were leftover!</div>
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Briley was spoilt with so many thoughtful gifts that she absolutely loves. She insisted on trying everything out as soon as she opened it... including every single article of clothing. By the end she was wearing several layers, including shirts worn as shorts. </div>
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As the party died down, our guests left with MORE sugar and our birthday girl was extra sleepy after her big, busy day. </div>
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We finished off the sangria and meatballs, and patted ourselves on the back for surviving yet another toddler birthday party. </div>
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I can't believe that my sweet, smart, hilarious little lady is already 2 years old. She lights up each and every single day with her big smile and cheeky sense of humour. I can't imagine this family without our blonde baby girl. Happy birthday, my baby. I love you more than you'll ever know. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-83254192495975664912017-03-02T15:47:00.003-07:002017-03-02T15:47:25.344-07:00Magical Iceland... Part 1!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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From the moment that we landed in Iceland, I knew that it was going to be an interesting vacation. It would be the type of trip more deserving of daily chronicles of our adventures as opposed to a quick summary of the week once we'd arrived home. Prior to this trip, I knew little about the island. I knew that it was expensive, sparsely populated, and that in 2010 a volcanic eruption here cancelled my glamorous European layovers and left me stranded in Dubai. We might not have gotten off on the right foot, Iceland and I, but this trip has been full of pleasant surprises.</div>
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Without further adieu, the adventures of Ryan and Krysta in Iceland. Some of the photos may not match the descriptions, but I'm on vacation and too lazy to upload and edit them all until we are home.</div>
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<b>Day 1:</b></div>
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Leaving Paris was bittersweet. I was sad to say goodbye to the city that had stolen my heart, but excited for the adventures ahead. We had one last Parisian breakfast, packed our suitcases and caught an Uber to Orly airport. We arrived to discover that our flight was delayed... rookie move, we forgot to check the status prior to leaving the hotel. As it turned out, Iceland had experienced a record breaking snowfall the night prior, and all flights were understandably late to depart Reykjavik. We spent 3 extra hours in the airport, stuffing ourselves with the last few bites of glorious pastries and perfect espresso. When it was finally time to board, we crammed onto buses to take us to the remote stand where the aircraft was parked. I felt a tinge of nostalgia as we watched a Boeing 777 taxi to the runway. International airports always make me long for just a few cabin crew days. </div>
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We finally boarded the aircraft and the flight over was quick and easy. It is remarkably easy to fly without an infant on your lap. As we began our descent, you could see the beautiful coastline and mountains. A thick layer of snow blanketed the entire island.</div>
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Upon collecting our baggage, we circled the arrivals area a few times, cluelessly trying to find our rental car company. We eventually discovered that we needed to take a shuttle bus, and made our way out into the cold. Though it was about 10 degrees warmer than back home, it felt extra cold after a week of mild weather in Paris. </div>
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Once we had our car we hit the road, bound for our first ever Air BnB accommodation. We didn't expect much of the room, and it is probably good that we kept our expectations low. We arrived to find a basic room in a basement suite with a mattress and box spring on the floor. A photo of sheep stared at us from the wall, a random pair of glasses were left on the nightstand, and we couldn't find the washroom for the first 20 minutes. But alas, it was a place to sleep.</div>
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We set out in search of dinner after a long day of airports and flying. As we drove down the street we were stopped by what looked like a construction crew, but the man who came to our window informed us that we'd have to wait a moment as they were filming a movie. We watched as a car drove down the street, and an actor got hit by what I'm assuming was a food truck. The empty street filled with people as actors and extras suddenly came running from out of nowhere. A few seconds later we were sent on our way. </div>
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We found the restaurant area of the city and trekked through the snow looking for a restaurant. The temperature hovered around freezing and all of the snow was a slushy wet mess. I was thankful for my boots, and Ryan was wishing that he'd packed some.</div>
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We dined at Laundromat Cafe. Upstairs was a busy restaurant and bar area, downstairs was a laundromat and a kids play area. Iceland is strange and wonderful. I had the meatballs, not quite ready to brave traditional Icelandic cuisine. We spent a small fortune, but the food was good! It may be grocery stores and drive thrus from here on out. </div>
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Back at our room we tried to quietly get ready for bed without waking the other guests... no easy feat with squeaky doors and small spaces. We managed to get a decent sleep in preparation for the next day and the adventures that it would bring.</div>
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<b>Day 2:</b></div>
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Our true tourist experience began on day 2, as we ventured to the popular Golden Circle. It is a loop of attractions not too far from Reykjavik, perfect for a day trip. We were off to a slow start, as we found ourselves at a standstill on the road behind a long line of cars. We stayed there for awhile as powerful wind gusts threw snow at our car. Apparently a few vehicles ahead were stuck in the deep snow. </div>
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The police arrived and we were eventually on our way to our first stop... Þingvellir National Park. We walked between the continental drift, took many photos of the gorgeous snowy views, and hiked up an icy hill to a waterfall. </div>
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Next on the Golden Circle was Geysir, which is just what it sounds like... a geyser. It erupts every 5 or so minutes, surrounded by eager, selfie-taking tourists. I loved seeing everyone stand in anticipation. Every time it would so much as bubble, all of the photographers would quickly lift their cameras just in case. We watched it erupt about 5 or 6 times before I finally convinced Ryan that we should continue on. </div>
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Next on the itinerary was Gulfoss, a large waterfall. We weren't completely mesmerized by it, but the strong winds and ice pellets hitting our face probably played a role. It was pretty, but we spend our summers in the Canadian Rockies so waterfalls have to try pretty hard to impress us these days. I'm sure that we'd feel different had we visited in summer. </div>
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Last but certainly not least on our circle tour was the Kerið crater. We arrived just as the sun was setting, which I'm sure made it even more spectacular than it would have already been. The trail was steep and icy, but totally worth the effort. We watched the sun set from the crater rim as the mountains surrounding us turned gorgeous shades of pink and orange. When we finally got back to the car, I could no longer feel my toes, but I was totally okay with it. Iceland had officially won me over and it was only our first day of exploring. </div>
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Our day wasn't over yet. Hungry from a day of eating nothing but skyr yogurt, we stopped at Ikea for a meal that wouldn't drain our bank account. Once we were full we headed to the car to return to our room, but a glimpse of the aurora and we quickly set out in search of dark country roads in hopes of a beautiful northern lights show. The aurora did not disappoint, and we spent a good deal of time taking photos as it surrounded us no matter which direction we looked. </div>
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It was tough to call it a night, but it had been a long day and we were exhausted, so it was back to our basement suite. When we arrived, we found ourselves with 2 new house guests. We fell asleep to the sounds of them partying and playing music, and we were thankful that it was our last evening there. </div>
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<b>Day 3: </b></div>
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On our third day, we drove from Reykavik to Akureyi, in northern Iceland. It was a long day spent mostly in the car, but the views were gorgeous and we made several stops for photos, snacks, and washrooms. We took a brief detour in search of a beach that promised to be home to seals, but it ended up being way further than anticipated, on worn out gravel roads along the side of a cliff. We turned around and accepted defeat. </div>
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We finally arrived in Akureyri and we were so excited to check into our hotel. It was nothing special compared to some of the places we've stayed, but it was amazing after our Air BnB adventure. We had our own bathroom, a cozy bed, and a view of the sea! </div>
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We briefly explored the area, ate an expensive and mediocre diner meal, and then called it an early night. </div>
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<b>Day 4: </b></div>
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I woke up to the smell of food and could barely contain my excitement for the free hotel breakfast. I was even more excited to discover a beautiful spread of pastries, meats, cheese, waffles, and coffee.. glorious coffee! I feasted, trying to eat enough to justify skipping lunch. </div>
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When Ryan was finally able to drag me away from the buffet, we began our day with a drive to Lake Myvatn. Turns out, it was mostly frozen. We did see some gorgeous reflections in the water that were worthy of a photo stop. We walked through the Dimmuborgir lava fields and made the decision to hike to the top of the Hverfjall crater. It was a steep, but quick hike up. We spent a good amount of time at the top admiring the views before finally descending and continuing on with our day.</div>
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It was late afternoon and we didn't know where to head next, so we made the impromptu decision to drive to the village of Husavik. It was a great decision. </div>
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We stumbled upon a picturesque black sand beach, and a long walk along the shore led us to a trail up the side of a cliff, where we discovered the most incredible views just in time for a perfect sunset. We were both in awe, and despite taking dozens of photos, nothing could justify the beauty of seeing it in person. By the time that we got back to the car, 2 hours later, we were absolutely freezing but thrilled with our day. </div>
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We dined at the only restaurant in Husavik that was open. It was expensive, but delicious. We ate lobster soup and shared a seafood pizza and by the time that we were finished eating my toes were finally warm again. We went back to the hotel, climbed into our cozy bed, and fell asleep after another perfect day in Iceland.</div>
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<b>Day 5: </b></div>
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Today was day 5! After another huge hotel breakfast, we hit the road with our destination still unknown. Ryan had his heart set on taking the longer, more scenic route that involved many kilometres of driving through long tunnels. It would add a substantial amount of driving, but we had no timeline. We drove through the tunnels along stunning cliff sides, and it was worth the detour. </div>
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We eventually ended up at a cute hotel at the base of Eyjafjalla, the volcano that erupted in 2010. We opted for the hotel buffet and it was a delicious meal that I ate far too much of. When we asked about drinks, the chef told us that he didn't know how to make cocktails and that the bartender wasn't working this evening. He told Ryan that he was more than welcome to hop behind the bar and make the drinks himself, so he did just that. He served us up some delicious long island iced teas. </div>
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Now we are back in the hotel room, brainstorming about where tomorrow will take us. One thing is for certain, we just keep falling more in love with Iceland and can't wait to see more of it! </div>
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To be continued!</div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-27196278566718506592017-02-26T06:51:00.000-07:002017-02-26T06:51:02.938-07:00A Week in Paris <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Bonjour from Paris Orly airport! We are sitting here waiting for our delayed departure after a glorious week of eating, walking, and being tourists. Perhaps the biggest thing to note is that I am currently sipping a cafe au lait in Europe while my daughters are asleep in Canada. Though I desperately miss my sweet babies, I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to take a vacation with my husband in celebration of 5 years of marriage. It's been a week since I've changed a diaper, had my meals interrupted, or tried to reason with a 1 year old. Gosh, I miss them. </div>
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This was neither mine nor Ryan's first trip to Paris, but it was our first time visiting the city of love together, and it was my first time traveling for a vacation as opposed to work. </div>
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The primary focus of our week was to eat, and eat we did. We ate beautiful macarons at Laduree and Pierre Herme, sipped dozens of lattes in cute cafes, ate crepes beside the Eiffel Tower, strolled the streets with baguettes in hand, devoured our body weight in crossaints, and even had a taste of France's fine dining. </div>
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Each morning began with breakfast... petite dejuener. The typical French breakfast is fresh squeezed orange juice, bread with jam and butter, a fresh crossiant, and coffee. It was always good, and my favourite part of the day. We may now need to purchase a juicer for our kitchen counter. </div>
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On the first day of our trip we learnt the art of baking our own croissants. It's unbelievable how much work goes into each batch, and I'm not confident that we'll be able to successfully replicate the recipe at home. It was fun to learn though, and the fresh from the oven crossaints were amazing. </div>
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A daily trip to the Eiffel Tower was a must. I'll never tire of the gorgeous landmark, particularily at night when the lights twinkle on the hour every hour. </div>
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Our only escape from the city was to act like children at Paris Disneyland. It was my first non-pregnant Disney trip since pre-married life, so I was thrilled to ride the rollercoasters and fast rides. It was a cold and windy day and I felt guilty for being there sans children, but we had a ton of fun and Ryan was excited to finally have someone to ride the rides with. </div>
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One of the other highlights of our trip was lunch at the Montparnesse Tower. On the 56th floor is the Ciel de Paris restaurant, where we enjoyed incredible views of the city and the Eiffel Tower. We sat there until they not so sublty started dropping hints that it was time for us to leave. </div>
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The week went by quickly, and before we knew it, it was time to pack our bags and say bon voyage. We ate 3 more crossaints and bought another box of macarons for good measure. Though more adventures await, it is always sad to leave Paris. I am thankful for a great week with my love, and the fact that my pants are now much tighter than they were a week ago means that our trip was a success. </div>
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Bon voyage, Paris, until we meet again.</div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-59378793062990930452017-01-18T22:30:00.000-07:002017-01-18T22:30:51.557-07:00moving on. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Tonight we go to bed for the very last time in our very first house. As someone who grew up moving from house to house and then spent the first half of my twenties living out of a suitcase, I'm not one to typcially get attached to any of my residences. But this house... it's different. Though I have no doubt that we'll make incredible memories in our brand new home, nothing will ever come close to the ones that we've made here. </div>
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Every little piece of this house has a memory to go with it. </div>
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For instance... the front door. The door that we walked into the first time we saw this house. The door that we walked into as first time home owners, living together for the first time. Walking through OUR front door was a dream come true following a lengthy long distance relationship. </div>
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The island. That beautiful granite counter top. The island where I sat, hand addressing our wedding invitations. The island that I spent many hours at, typing up blog posts and editing photos. The island with the most perfect reflections for photos. </div>
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The mudroom, where I envisioned my future puppy living. The mudroom where he slept when we brought him home, and where he has eaten his kibble ever since.</div>
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The master bedroom. The bedroom where we hid from the world on lazy Sunday mornings. The bedroom where I walked to Ryan clutching a positive pregnancy test. </div>
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The guest room. The guest room that we jam packed with aviation decor, where friends slept when they were visiting from overseas or when they were too tired to drive home. The guest room that became a travel-themed nursery, that became a little girl's beloved bedroom.</div>
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The office. The office that housed all of our important files and Ryan's computer. The office that Ryan was evicted from to make room for our second baby. The office where I cuddled our sweet little sleep-hating baby in the wee hours of the morning. </div>
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The kitchen. The kitchen where I ruined many meals and had a few successes. The kitchen where I learnt to bake and meticulously decorated for my children's birthday parties. </div>
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This house. This house that will always be our very first home, despite the fact that we've outgrown it. This house that we moved into as a young engaged couple, and that we will move out of as a family of 5. (The dog, I'm counting the dog.)</div>
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It makes me happy to think that some time soon someone new will occupy this house and make their very own memories here. Meanwhile, we'll be busy watching our girls learn and grow in our new home. </div>
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Goodbye house. Thank you for the hospitality over the past 5 years! </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-68735180043235767802017-01-17T22:44:00.002-07:002017-01-17T22:45:28.119-07:00Hello, 2017!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Oh my goodness, where does the time go? We are 2 weeks into 2017 and it has been a crazy busy year thus far. So much has happened since my last post, and I have had so little time to fill you all in... so here's a bit of a catch-up.</div>
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Christmas! Christmas came and went and it was wonderful as per usual.</div>
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December with a 3 year old was so much fun. This year, Aaralee made her own gingerbread house, helped bake and decorate cookies for Santa, helped decorate the tree, and melted my heart as she sang in her first ever Christmas concert. Briley of course thoroughly enjoyed the holiday season as well, but is still a bit too young to really grasp anything that's going on. The girls were graciously showered with gifts and treats but the contents didn't excite them half as much as the actual process of gift opening. I wasn't joking when I said they'd be happy to receive empty boxes.</div>
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Ryan and I are pretty excited about our Christmas gift... we'll open it later this week. We bought a new home! We've made so many memories in our current home, but since adding 2 kids we've longed for more space. I can't wait to finally be finished packing and to be moved into our brand new house. </div>
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We rang in 2017 on a beautiful beach in Mexico. It was the best trip that we've been on since having kids. Aaralee had so much fun splashing and playing in the pool and I was blown away at how brave she has gotten since our last trip. Briley loved running around the resort, chasing the coatis and napping on me as we floated around in our donut pool float. After months of Ryan working out of town, it was the perfect week away as a family that we needed. </div>
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Our camera (okay, Ryan's camera that I have adopted as my own) decided to stop working on that trip, which was rather disappointing. Not only because it meant going half of the vacation with only phone photos, but it also meant that I'd be without the camera at home. As of recently I've been trying to take more photos of other people, aside from my children. After a busy December of taking Christmas photos, I felt like I was just getting into the swing of things. Fortunately, I still have my own camera, and though it's less fancy, it still does the trick! I have a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/krystashippeltphotos" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> now, should you feel so inclined to contribute to the "Camera repair" fund. </div>
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That's pretty much all that I've got for updates and I believe that I've now procrastinated packing long enough. I can't wait to show you our new home and tell you all about the adventures we have planned over the next few months! </div>
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Wish me luck, as it appears that I'll be without internet for the first few weeks and I'm not sure that I'm capable of quitting cold turkey. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-43165376056597660192016-11-25T22:46:00.000-07:002016-11-25T22:46:14.642-07:00Oh Christmas Tree. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Since the very first time that Ryan and I brought a Christmas tree home together, we've opted for real trees. They are a lot of work and a huge mess... but in our opinion, they are worth it. Absolutely nothing beats the appearance nor the smell of a real, live tree. For us, getting a tree is an experience in itself and an annual family tradition that I'd be sad to give up. </div>
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Today we set out on our journey to find this year's perfect tree. Last year we discovered an amazing tree farm south of the city called Fir Ever Green. We loved it so much that we had to return. Upon arriving at the cute little log cabin, we were led to fields of row after row of beautiful, perfect trees. Ryan held a saw and I pulled our girls on a sled as we set off in search of a tree to call our own. </div>
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We walked past some modest, reasonably sized trees, but they just weren't right. We wandered and wandered until we spotted it. </div>
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The one. </div>
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Our tree. </div>
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I felt like a bride saying yes to the dress as I giddily danced around it and proclaimed it to be ours. It was wide and full and would without a doubt take up half of our living room. It was perfect. </div>
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Ryan got to work with the saw and after some hard work and sweat, it was down on the ground and ready to transfer to the car. </div>
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Speaking of car... </div>
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Ryan's beloved green Subaru has been parked for quite some time now, as he's been taking his newer, more reliable car to work up north. However, we aren't ones to mess with tradition, so he put insurance back on it for the day and we all loaded into the cramped little car because getting a tree with any other car just didn't seem right. It was Briley's second ever ride in Daddy's car, the first being our trip to get a tree last year. </div>
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Ryan hauled the tree through the field, back to the vehicle, and we both rolled it up the hood and onto the roof. Perks of driving a beater car: You can roll a tree onto it with no worries about scratching the paint. It was massive, but we have no shame in our Griswold game. </div>
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Back at the log cabin, Ryan and the owner forced the tree through a baler and then secured it back on the roof of the car. We paid for it and set off on our journey back home. We made a quick detour for some hot chocolate... because what is more Canadian than taking your freshly cut Christmas tree through the Tim Horton's drive thru? </div>
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Back home, we set the tree up and removed the twine to watch the branches fall. Our living room quickly disappeared and pine needles went flying... and we were happy. The first day home with a Christmas tree always makes me feel like a child again.</div>
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Tonight as our girls slept in their rooms, we covered the tree in twinkling lights so that they can come downstairs tomorrow morning to embrace the magic that is the Christmas season. Of course, a tree this big requires more lights than we accounted for, so we'll have to return to the store to purchase some more to fill in the gaps. After that, we'll decorate it as a family and then Briley will undecorate it on a daily basis for the next month. </div>
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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at our house. Please feel free to come visit, smell my tree, and admire its beauty while eating baked goods than I plan to make in the very near future. 'Tis my favourite time of the whole entire year. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-82935312102426531112016-11-16T23:18:00.003-07:002016-11-16T23:19:19.275-07:00Guess Who's Back? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Oh hey, it's me, Krysta... former blogger. </div>
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I'd ramble off a list of excuses as to why I've neglected to post in what feels like forever, but if we're being honest here... I've been lazy. My husband was working out of town for about 80% of the month of October and hasn't been around much this November either. Solo parenting is draining. When I finally get the kids down for bed I barely have the brain capacity to watch endless hours of HGTV, let alone write words that string together well enough to make any sense. That last giant sentence? That's just my end of day rambling. </div>
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It's not easy taking care of the kids on my own, but I'd take this any day over working away and only seeing my girls during nightly 5 minute FaceTime conversations. We are so thankful for how hard Ryan works to provide for our family, even if we really, really miss him some days.</div>
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Here's what we've been up to over the last little while: </div>
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We went to Ontario! It was so much fun to visit my family and to introduce Briley to some people that had never met her... or Ryan, for that matter.</div>
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While we were there we went to Niagara Falls, crossed the border to shop in Buffalo, and visited Toronto. Aaralee mentions the CN Tower on a daily basis since we've been home, and already wants to return. </div>
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Briley learnt to climb. Everything. Stairs, chairs, couches, and shelves. I came out of the washroom one day to find her proudly standing on the kitchen counter. If she can't reach something, she'll push over a toy or books to use as a stool. She's into everything, and throws epic tantrums when things don't go her way. </div>
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Aaralee is in preschool and loving it! I'm so proud of her and how far she has come from the hysterical, scared little girl that I dropped off on day one. She's learning new songs, making friends, and occasionally coming home with artwork that I'll keep forever. </div>
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We celebrated Thanksgiving with my family and it was delicious! I really missed having my husband home for one of my favourite holidays, but still I have so much to be thankful for. Primarily the sweet little turkeys that I spend my days with. </div>
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Halloween was so much fun this year. Aaralee now has a full understanding of trick-or-treating, and she talked about it for weeks in advance. My girls dressed up as Cruella Deville and a dalmation... and it was awesome. It took me 3 days to be able to brush through Aaralee's hair afterwards, but it was more than worth it. We went trick-or-treating with my mom and the girls quickly accumulated mass amounts of candy that I'd consume with guilt in the week that followed. </div>
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Last weekend Ryan was off of work, so we took advantage and headed to Banff. It was supposed to be a blissful weekend getaway, and it was... until Briley came down with a fever and spent half of the weekend miserable and refusing to sleep. On the bright side, we got to ride the gondola several times (thanks, season pass!), visit Lake Louise, and reunite with some of my friends from Dubai! Oh, and we went on a date. A real date, with a babysitter that was not one of our mothers, for the first time ever. We only went across the street and we came back early, but it was still awesome. We had a seafood feast followed by a visit to the chocolate shop, and I didn't even have to share. Babysitters are magical. I can't believe that it's taken me 3 years to make this discovery. </div>
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Other than that, it's been life as usual lately. We go to the gym, occasionally visit with friends, watch a lot of Sesame Street and read the Berenstain Bears way too often. </div>
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As hard as I try to appreciate every single moment, I'll admit that I find myself counting down the hours until bedtime every single day. I'm looking forward to the day in which Ryan comes home for more than a few days at a time. </div>
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Well, I'm mostly looking forward to it. I have grown pretty fond of sleeping at an angle across our king sized bed. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-76922746449729327392016-09-22T14:16:00.001-06:002016-09-22T14:16:46.897-06:00Welcome, Fall. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's official: Autumn has commenced. Just like that, summer 2016 is over and done with. Of course, if you live in Alberta, you're well aware of the fact that summer has already been gone for quite some time. The leaves are falling, the temperatures are dropping, and everything in the vicinity is pumpkin flavoured. </div>
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To celebrate the last day of summer, I took my girls on a spontaneous day trip yesterday. Just east of the city lies Elk Island National Park, a little gem that is beautiful and rarely busy on weekdays. I always want to go on little road-trips but rarely actually go. All of my kid-free friends work during the week, and my parent friends typically prefer to plan ahead. It dawned on me that there is absolutely no reason why I'd need another adult to accompany me. My girls are all the company that I need! </div>
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I'd be lying if I said that we've had a great week. Between a nasty cold and teething, Briley has been a miserable, sad, sleep-refusing baby. As a result, we were all rather exhausted and maybe a tiny bit grumpy. Perhaps a little bit of fresh air was the remedy that we needed. </div>
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I packed a picnic, and away we went! The weather was perfect. It was just cool enough outside that I could dress the girls in adorable fall sweaters and justify accessorizing them with unnecessary (yet adorable) infinity scarves and tiny boots. </div>
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There were a few families and a school group, but for the most part the parking lot was empty and we had plenty of room to roam and explore. Aaralee ran down the paths, crushing every single leaf that stood in her way. We watched the birds and wandered the boardwalk by the water. The girls absolutely loved exploring the teepee, running in and out and around in circles. </div>
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My girls even sat miraculously for approximately 3 seconds... long enough for me to snap a photo of them both, looking at the camera, together. All of you moms of 2 or more can appreciate my sense of accomplishment in that feat.</div>
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The highlight of the day was when we came across a big pile of leaves. Despite her usual aversion to anything messy, Aaralee was happy to throw the leaves in the air and roll around listening to them crunch beneath her back.</div>
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She showered Briley with leaves, which left them both laughing hysterically. </div>
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After such a busy few weeks it was so nice to take a little break with my kids to let them just have fun and be kids. Seeing the world through their eyes is my favourite thing in life. </div>
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After plenty of running around and playing, we had a snack and then packed up the car. There was some serious eye rubbing occurring and I could tell that it was going to be a peaceful car ride home with 2 kids asleep in the backseat. </div>
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We'd had so much fun, and we even spotted a bison on our way out of the park, much to Aaralee's excitement. As predicted, they slept the entire ride home as I sang along to the radio and snacked on cookies. </div>
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Saying goodbye to summer is never an easy task, but days like these make it better. When you have tiny, fun loving little people in your world it doesn't seem to matter what season it is. Every day is an adventure, and I can't wait for all that autumn has to offer. I feel like we have more day trips in our future, as long as the snow holds off for awhile longer. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620237395232925393.post-22482746277767170242016-09-13T23:43:00.002-06:002016-09-13T23:44:30.359-06:00First Day of School! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today was a big day in our household. It was exciting, emotional, and one of the toughest days I've experienced in my parenting journey thus far. Today, my daughter started preschool. It reaffirmed what I already knew... I am the biggest, most clingy, emotional wreck of a mama. </div>
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Last week we went to her orientation day. She met her teacher, played with toys, read some books, and reluctantly greeted her soon-to-be classmates. She loved it, and didn't want to leave when it was time to go. Of course, I was by her side the entire time. I've been by her side for almost every moment of her 3 years on this planet, so the thought of dropping her off with brand new people and leaving the premises weighed heavy on my mind. I wasn't sure that I'd have the strength to go through with it. In my defence, she just turned 3 a few days ago so this was a lot of growing up for me to embrace in such a short amount of time. </div>
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I had to remind myself of my reasons for sending her to pre-school in the first place. The social interaction with kids her age and the new experiences would be great for my busy little girl. A bit of one-on-one time for Briley and I was just an added bonus. </div>
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She had her pink backpack, her running shoes labeled with her name, and her brand new outfit that she picked out herself on a special trip to the mall. She was ready, even if I wasn't. </div>
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We talked about how much fun she'd have, and that Mommy would be back after she was all done playing. We arrived early and I took some photos while we waited for Ryan to show up for moral support. We each held one of her hands, went inside, hung up her backpack and put on her indoor shoes that she'd been waiting 2 weeks to wear. </div>
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I was a nervous wreck as I waited for the classroom door to open, and when it did I led her inside. I turned around to realize that all of the other parents had said goodbye at the door, so I gave her a kiss, told her that Mommy had to go, and bolted for the door. I didn't look back, because my daughter happens to posses the biggest, saddest, puppy dog eyes and one glimpse of them would have me scooping her up and taking her home. As I walked back into the hallway, I heard her start to cry and fought back my own tears. It didn't take long for her to stop crying, and when we peeked in the door on our way back to the car, she was already distracted and playing. </div>
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It was the strangest feeling, getting into my car and driving away without her. Ryan, Briley and I went for lunch so that I could drown my sorrows in pizza and an affogato. After lunch, Ryan returned to work while Briley and I did a bit of retail therapy. Before I knew it, it was almost time to pick Aaralee up! </div>
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While waiting for class to finish, I checked her mail slot to find my first newsletter and her first preschool craft... cue fighting back more tears. I was so relieved that she'd made it through the day all by herself. <br />
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The door opened, and I rushed to greet her. She glanced up, saw me at the door, and then carried on playing. All of my stress and worrying was for nothing, Aaralee loved her first day of school and I am so, so proud of her. She said goodbye to her teacher, we collected her things, and headed home. She had so much to tell me! She'd played, sang, made crafts, and her favourite part of the day was snack time... obviously. </div>
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When we got home, we went for a walk and she quickly fell asleep. School is tiring! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWdHbj6DgVeMhSXxzcDmKZtPgTEh-ALsQxMY41WNSEEas6mmvxycAKM0reE-ZCdB3mGum1cSe9_BRJb4nq0EqsTJt3xn29BRRQ7X_xoc-BIba_4YQWXx8vAWetoyF3HPddIH3qRfHpbc/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWdHbj6DgVeMhSXxzcDmKZtPgTEh-ALsQxMY41WNSEEas6mmvxycAKM0reE-ZCdB3mGum1cSe9_BRJb4nq0EqsTJt3xn29BRRQ7X_xoc-BIba_4YQWXx8vAWetoyF3HPddIH3qRfHpbc/s400/image1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Here's hoping that drop offs get easier from here on out. I can't believe that my sweet, tiny little girl is already in preschool. </div>
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Krystahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09009653001787562338noreply@blogger.com1