Tag Archive | Mall of America

Much Anticipated Yearly Aunty Karyn Visit!

Seriously, VERY anticipated, we love having Karyn on her once a year pilgrimage to visit our family. This year she drove down which always makes her arrival more of a surprise.

This year she chose to come down in August. Her timing was pretty perfect. The right week to see Trinity and Emanuel test for belt levels in Karate, to see Echo’s dance recital (solo act version), see off Ken and the boys before their first 5K run AND celebrate an early birthday for Echo. Yup, we kept her busy!20180810_123550

We had all sorts of fun. Karyn is one of the very few who has now met our Momo in person. They got along swimmingly.IMG_20180804_214050_258

Then in a last minute plan we went out to meet the Schwartz family at a splash park. We sent the twins and dads out to play Pokemon. It was a little on the cool side, but fun was had.IMG_20180805_220306_162

Bedtime stories were read with Aunty of course.IMG_20180805_220228_325

And Karyn and I ducked off to check out a larger quilting and yarn shop and then on the way home stop at a series of outlets where we enjoyed Five Guys.IMG_20180807_215711_361

We took our favourite walk to the Catholic Church.IMG_20180807_215853_035

And took her to our favourite beach. That was just Karyn and my supervision on that one. We managed it!20180808_103243

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Then over to the Schwartz family’s for dinner and Mystro time.IMG_20180808_231459_425

Karyn and I snuck off a second time for a marathon shop at Mall of America. Ken has still not accepted the flowered Dr. Martins I bought at an absolute steal. Never could afford a pair as a teenager.20180807_125043

Friday was our early birthday fun. A trip to the zoo no less. Birthday girls’ choice. Karyn is working on becoming an amazing photographer.20180810_102653

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Then a nice long dinner adults only after the dance recital. And the week was over.20180810_163036

Hugs at dawn on Saturday and a tearful good bye and the visit was over in the blink of an eye! She came bearing snacks and gifts from her previous travels but the best part was just the time we got with her. Never enough, but so very precious and well loved. Can’t wait until next year!!!20180811_073005

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And here is the overflow of awesome!20180808_103234

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This entry was posted on 21/12/2018, in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

Super Quick Look at September… Sort of

Back to the reflection on the rest of 2017 and September. First off, September was my month of HONEST PHOTOS. So if you search out those two words you will find weekly posts sharing that little experiment. No filters, no cropping.

This is a picture heavy month so I may split it up into two posts, plus there was the Renaissance Festival, which I will share separately. Good grief, I just made more work for myself!

Let’s see… YMCA was visited… often, as usual. This was the tail end of our summer stuff, plus a continuation of things like my work outs and the karate classes.20170911_183653

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Zander

Zander

Neko-chan won our hearts even more, this time with OUTINGS! Yup, we chinchilla proofed our bathroom as best we could and try to let her out once a week at least. She seems to approve, though getting her into the cat carrier is a trick at the best of times.IMAG1340

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20170928_220745We spent lots of time outside, with the loss of our summer walks to the YMCA we took as many as possible to the front lawn of the nearby Catholic church. They have Poke stops there as well as a lovely yard to sit in.IMG_20170908_105635_184

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20170920_122535We started our new school year relatively quietly, really with the year round schooling and the kids really enjoying ongoing pursuits (like the nursery rhymes) there isn’t a huge need to “start fresh” in the fall. But we did do pictures and such.IMG_20170905_110728_195

Zander

Zander

Gavin

Gavin

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We even had a lovely special lunch.IMG_20170905_130005_142

There were a few new supplies and of course full time in the classroom once more.20170905_090744

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Sunday School started up again, I am now a substitute teacher for the little dudes.20170910_103708

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The siding was replaced on the house.20170916_133532

And on the inside we put shelving into the schoolroom that can be adjusted.20170917_145403

Dinner out with the godson was a family affair this time.IMG_20170916_200508_124

20170923_194727But we also got in some fancy dress date nights.IMG_20170915_183456_148

We finally got to meet our new niece Maevowyn. You will remember her baby shower from my post way back when. Just Ken and I went to visit since Shandai and Ravyn have a smaller apartment and we have a larger family. I am one proud aunty. You can see a photo post HERE. But first a teaser. 20170904_162619

And visited an amazing yarn exhibit.20170922_190858

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I got in some crafting myself.20170924_220901

Echo got her school shots going.20170914_150022

And I got an awesome mug.20170916_120600

Fall fun.20170920_123644

A busy, people and activity filled month. Be sure to check out the overflow and the baby post and and and. Love to everyone who made it to the end of this monster post!

May, Yup Still Behind!

But, I may just catch up before Christmas??? Who knows! So sit back and enjoy the peek back!IMG_20170531_232050_888

Anyway, May. Well… Mother’s Day which means Mother’s Day photos. Of course since the weather was decent we drove down to the end of our road and took photos on the path. You can check out the photos HERE since this post is HUGE already!IMG_20170514_205447_969

Ken bought me the most adorable Totoro socks. We went to church. It was a lovely day.orca-image-1494789507636.jpg_1494789508273

May also found us at Mall of America at what I felt was one of the happiest places on earth… TIM HORTONS! There are multiple locations in state now, and I have visited more than a few!!IMG_20170524_192319_471

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All out of Legos!

All out of Legos!

May was also Sean’s yearly visit. He drove down this year. We had a lot of fun with him.IMG_20170518_235019_750

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Emanuel and Trinity got their white belts in karate. More on that HERE.IMG_20170518_204437_812

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20170518_204051Of course we continued swimming lessons and visited ClubY. With myself keeping suitably busy as well.IMG_20170507_193055_547

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New stationary machines!

New stationary machines!

Zander and Gavin had track.FB_IMG_1493669694918

I even got my hands on some back in production Clearly Canadian!!!orca-image-1495926787264.jpg_1495926787629

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For lack of a bonfire we got creative making s’mores.IMG_20170528_230059_179

20170528_194332Ken and I tried our hand at some minor landscaping.IMG_20170527_144311_734

We even tried some backyard gardening.IMG_20170522_213156_516

My best gardener with her Gypsy dog toy pal

My best gardener with her Gypsy dog toy pal

dead heading in pj's

dead heading in pj’s

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Berry bushes!

Berry bushes!

And we bought a can crusher which was fun for the kids for about… a week.20170528_192911

We had company… and went visiting.

Cousin Robbie

Cousin Robbie

Schwartz family

Schwartz family

Snoopy!

Snoopy!

Crochet…orca-image-1495332562532.jpg_1495332562843

With Gavin

With Gavin

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School…

Reading in the best vantage points

Reading in the best vantage points

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IMG_20170517_170113_405Eating out…20170528_131458

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It was a busy month looking back! I forget how busy when the days pass by.

A sweet apology

A sweet apology

sparklers!

sparklers!

Emanuel perfected his bicycle riding.

Emanuel perfected his bicycle riding.

Quiet moment!

Quiet moment!

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Toad!

Toad!

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This entry was posted on 03/11/2017, in Uncategorized. 1 Comment