My Favourites

Since being off from work the last week or so I have been able to take some time for myself and enjoy some of my favourite things.

Here are my favourite things...

I have recently gotten into painting my nails.  I never use to paint my nails and since having two little ones I thought it was pointless doing them with the amount of time I wash my hands on a daily basis. I found a dark polish colour I love by OPI called Light my Sapphire.  I never would have chosen a dark polish colour but it's growing on me.

I received a wonderful gift from one of my students families.  They gave me some products from TiberRiver Naturals.  I got two bath bombs and a tub of the shower shaker.  The shower shaker is now my favourite, it's the scent Now this is Christmas.  It's a mixture of apples, cinnamon and nutmeg.  The best way to start my day!

I have been caving into my sweet tooth this week.  Too much for my liking!  I decided to make holiday bark with my students for gifts for their parents.  I just used both white and dark chocolate with crushed up candy cane and Christmas sprinkles.  It got me in the mood for bark and I decided to make a recipe I pinned a long time ago on Pinterest called Chocolate Carmel Pretzel Bark.  Oh my goodness it is delicious!  The blogger warned her readers that they may eat the whole pan in one night.  I also tried a chocolate peanut butter fudge recipe.  Sooo tasty and I'm happy that Abby can have it has a treat.

For Christmas Kyle surprised me with four beautifully made photo books by Mac.  He made one for each year starting in 2012.  I opened the gift on Christmas Eve so of course it made me tear up.  Such a great gift!  He said it was incredibly easy to make and order.  He also said it came in less than 3 days in the mail.  I then decided to order my grandma's and my mom's annual calendar through Mac instead of Costco this time.  I think I will be making more the photo books for 2016.

Smoothies!!! I am a little obsessed with drinking smoothies lately.  We make one every morning for breakfast and we all drink it. Here is what I usually put in my smoothie so it keeps me full all morning.

I start with
-2 cups or so of orange juice
-a good handful of greens either kale or spinach
-2 cups or so of frozen fruit (my fav is mango)
-2 tbsp or so of chia seeds
-1 cup or so of plain greek yogurt
-1 tbsp of fresh grated ginger (I put a big chunk in the freezer and grated it frozen)
-1/2 tbsp or so of maple syrup or honey.

Catch Up!

I have been MIA from here for awhile.  Work has been crazy busy and I'm finally on winter break until January 4th.  Yippee!!  I thought I would write and let you know what is happening with us lately.

We have been busy getting ready for the holidays.  We started our Christmas shopping WAY earlier than last year and am proud to say we are all finished!  What?!?! I know it sounds crazy for the McMurtry's to be done something early and on time for once.

To end November we had the chance to attend the Grey Cup Gala on November 28th with some of Kyle's co-workers.  It was held at in the newly renovated area of the Winnipeg Convention Centre.  It was deported so gorgeous and Kyle and I had a wonderful evening.  I had the chance to meet Gerry D the comedian, he was the MC for the evening and was soo funny.  He had me crying.

On December 5th I decided to get my hair coloured for the first time in 5 years.  I absolutely love it!  I went to see a hairdresser at the Unisex in St. Vital centre.  She did an ombre look with dark on top and some light strikes underneath.  I couldn't be happier, I'll be going back to her from now on.

On the Sunday December 6th I was invited to my good friends house for a cookie party.  I made a double chocolate pecan chip cookie.  There was a nice assortment of cookies to take home and I had a great time catching up with my friends.

We are in the process of finishing our basement.  The framing is all done and taping and sanding are close to completion.  My cousin will be coming sometime next week to start painting for us.  We are meeting with the interior designer from Interior Illusions to go over layout, counter top, cabinets and flooring for the basement on Monday.  I am really excited to have the space complete so we can start to enjoy the extra space for entertaining and it will be extremely helpful to have it all done before we put the pool in this summer.

We finally bought a Christmas tree on December 9th from Ikea.  Kyle went after the girls went to bed and put it up and the next evening all of us decorated together.  The girls loved putting the ornaments on and trimming the tree.

Last Friday December 11th we went to Kyle's Christmas work party together.  It is held every year at the Squash Club on Donald.  It's a beautiful venue with delicious food.  It was the first year I was able to drink without being pregnant or breast feeding.  We took a cab to the dinner so we wouldn't have to worry about how many drinks we had.  I tried a glass of this nice white wine called Arrogant Frog, it was so wonderful!  We both had the steak and it was perfectly done.  They also had karaoke after dinner which wasn't my cup of tea.  I would rather much dance to normal music by the DJ.  I was able to dance to several songs, Kyle enjoyed kayaking with his colleagues.

Saturday December 12th we had a busy day with Claire's Christmas concert at 2:30.  I teared up when she was first on stage with her class singing O'Canada to start.  They sang 5 songs and then the 4-5 years old sang five songs as well.  It was so well done.  Santa came at the end to hand out presents to all the kids.

We then headed to our friends place for our annual kids Christmas party.  It's so great seeing all the kids together and she how much they have changed from the following year.  We exchanged books among the families and enjoyed a delicious dinner together.

The Sunday morning we took the girls to St. Vital Mall for photos with Santa and to get the last of our Christmas shopping complete.  My dad met up with us for coffee later at the Starbucks at Chapters.  The Santa photos turned out just as expected, Abby screaming and Claire in her glory smiling away with Santa beside her.  The photo is priceless.

This past Wednesday my school had their annual Holiday potluck and Christmas carolling.  Every family brings a dish to share, we eat dinner and then go out into the neighbourhood carolling.  I made sure Kyle brought the girls with him to the event.  The other teachers and my students were happy to see my family there.  The amount of food at the event was unreal, it could feed an army.  We brought a fruit plater.  The girls loved the food and playing with all the little kids in the gym.  We then took them outside for carolling to about 4 houses before they started to get tired and cold.  We will be doing that again next year.

Then Thursday night was busy.  Claire had swimming at the Rady Centre.  I picked up Abby from daycare and met Kyle at the pool with Claire.  She goes in the water by 5 pm.  We were able to re sign her up for the winter course starting in January in Salamder.  She has passed Sea Otter.  She's been doing really well.  We no longer have to go in the water with her, she has an instructor with only 3 other little ones.  It's perfect!  We also signed Abby up for a class at the same time on Thursday's at 6 so they are both in the water at the same time.


After swimming I went to my Christmas work party at our music teachers house close to our school.  We had a potluck and I made the one pot dish with pasta.  It turned out so good and I would make it again for sure.  A Pinterest Success!  We had dinner and then did a bottle gift exchange game.  I brought a bottle of white wine and came home with a red wine.  It was a great evening and I have really enjoyed my time at my new school.  The staff is lots of fun and is so welcoming and warm.

The girls went for haircuts this morning to the same place Kyle and I go too.  They did so well.  This was Abby's first haircut and she didn't even cry, well maybe it's because there was a sucker in her mouth?!?  Claire kinda of made a funny face when first getting in the chair but then warmed up right away.

Labour Day Weekend

Well despite the forecast for rainy and stormy weather for the long weekend we were able to have a blast!  We started off the weekend by heading to my best friend Angela's house for a play date.  My last play date before I return to work officially Tuesday morning.  AHHHH!  It's not that bad, really!  It's more sad than anything to know my summer holidays with my girls is over.  Angela was a wonderful host and we enjoyed watching the little kiddies play together.  They sure loved hanging out in Greyson's bed with all of his toys.  Angela made me a delicious Pumpkin Spice Latte, oh yummy!!  It was so nice to get caught up on both our trips and hang out.  

 

We decided to meet Kyle at Carbone Pizza on Taylor for lunch.  Kyle's birthday was Sunday so we know we were going to be celebrating all weekend long.  A Friday lunch seemed like a good way to start off the celebrations.  We arrived home just before 1:30 to see a huge storm roll in and boy did it pour.  Lots of loud thunder and flashes of lightning.  Abby slept through it all. 

Friday afternoon Claire and I wrapped all of Kyle's birthday gifts and made him a card.  She loved cutting the wrapping paper and taping the ends for me.  We bought him lots of goodies, some running clothes from Lululemon, boxer shorts, running shorts, a tank top and swim trunks and Claire picked out all the colours.  We also bought him his favourite fudge from Rocky Mountain and a new stainless steel Starbucks drinking cup.  I bought him a new pair of Ray Ban sunglasses, he needed a new pair because the lenses in his old pair were all scratched up.  Friday night after dinner we let him open one gift from the girls and Claire gave him the present with his Lululemon stuff.  He loved it!  We said he could open one gift tomorrow and then the rest Sunday.  Oh you know there are rules to birthday weekends right?!?! LOL!

Saturday morning we headed out to Polo Park to pick up somethings.  I needed to pick up an item from Scholar's Choice and then buy some baby wipes on sale at BabyRus. We stopped at Costco on our way home to get some groceries as well.  Luckily for us Kyle and I were able to send the girls to my parents for a sleepover Saturday night so we could go out just the two of us to celebrate his birthday.  We dropped them off for 11:30 or so and my parents fed them lunch while we headed out to an early movie,  Mission Impossible with Tom Cruise.  I'm not a big fan of his movies but Kyle loves them so because it's his birthday weekend I agreed to see it.  It turned out to be a good movie with lots of action.  

Claire taking photos in the car 

Daddy busy on his phone

We came home briefly to feed Makena, FaceTime with the girls and then take Makena for a walk together.  We haven't done that in a long time, take Makena for a walk just the two of us.  It was relaxing and luckily it wasn't raining so we didn't get soaked. 

After we headed to the Keg for dinner.  We didn't get there until a little after 7 so we had to wait 45 minutes for a table but it wasn't bad because we were able to head to the bar and have a drink while we were waiting.  I love their prime rib with frizzled onions so of course that's what I ordered.  I also had a watermelon mojito.  Very good!!

Sunday was officially Kyle's 33rd birthday.  I baked him chocolate peanut butter cupcakes as per his request Sunday morning while he took Makena for a walk.  We headed over to my parents to pick up the girls and bring them home.  Claire helped me make the icing for the cupcakes.  She suggested we put sprinkles on daddy's cupcakes, her favourite!  After dinner we had my parents, sister and Derrick over for coffee and dessert to celebrate Kyle's birthday.  The cupcakes were delicious!! I loved the chocolate cake recipe I used.  The icing was sooo tasty too.  Once the girls were in bed our friends Jenn and Tyler asked if they could come over for a bon fire.  They brought some wine and beer and marshmallows to roast.  It was a lovely evening for a fire, cool but not too cold and there were no mosquitoes.  

Monday morning we took a walk to the park as a family.  It was a gorgeous day, the sun was out and it was warm.  I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon preparing veggies and lunch stuff for the work week ahead.  We also got a beef and black been enchaliada dish ready for dinner on Tuesday.  

Monday evening we headed over to our friends Mark and Laura's for a BBQ.  We brought a dessert, a peach, nectarine and raspberry crumble with of course vanilla ice cream.  The girls had a great time playing outside on their play structure.  They both ate really well.   I thought it would be a little crazy going out the night before I had to start work but it was a good distraction from thinking about everything.  I always love to meet up with our friends so I'm glad we went.  

Our Weekend!

This weekend was jam packed with fun activities.  Friday night we headed over to the park behind us our neighbourhood association organized a movie night in the park.  They had a blow up screen and were showing Despicable Me.  It started later than they thought because it was lighter out.  We brought our own popcorn and bug spray.  Once the sun went down the mosquitos were a little annoying but I sprayed us good.  The girls were listening to the movie so well.  I took Abby back earlier to get her ready for bed and Claire stayed until the end with Kyle.  Claire is still talking about the movie, she's was so excited.  Since seeing the Minon movie last weekend she enjoyed seeing Minons in Despicable Me.  

Saturday Claire and I left Abby and Kyle at home to go shopping.  We needed to go to Polo Park to buy gifts for Kyle, his birthday is coming up next Sunday on Sept 6th.  He is turning 33!! While we were at Polo Park we stopped in at the Lego Store, oh man so fun.  Claire loved building with the lego. We bought some special gifts for Kyle and headed home.  While we were gone Kyle set up Claire's soccer net and trampoline that she got as gifts last year for her birthday and Christmas.  Claire right away went to jump on the trampoline.  When you jump on the trampoline you can hook up a balloon it will blow it up.  How fun is that?!?!  Kyle also asked Claire if she would like to do a camp out Saturday night, of course she said YES!!  So Kyle set up our tent in the backyard and blew up the air mattress. 

Lego galore!

How cool is this?!?!

Soccer net for the girls to practice

Kyle set up the playhouse last weekend for the girls

Tent is ready for camping

When the girls went for a nap and quiet time I headed out to get my hair cut.  It was nice to relax and get my hair did.  I also picked up some products while I was there, my favourite Moroccan Oil.  I loved the dry shampoo Erica gave me but I ran out and needed some more.  I bought one bottle of dry shampoo, a travel size bottle of hairspray and a bottle of their blow dry spray.  

Love this stuff!

Before dinner I took a quick trip to Crampton's Farmers Market on the corner of Bishop and Waverley.  I love all the fresh veggies, fruits and baked goods.  We were having Kyle's dad and brother over for dinner before the Bomber game.  I picked up some fresh Manitoba corn, hamburger buns and a fresh baked strawberry rhubarb pie.  We made burgers, bacon, asian salad and corn on the cob.  The game started at 5 pm so we all ate early and the three of them rode their bikes to the game.  After the game I got the girls ready for bed and we put Abby to bed and then took Claire outside for a bon fire.  We made delicious s'mores.  Claire was pretty tired so Kyle went in the tent with her by 9:30 pm.  I was expecting them to come in sometime in the middle of the night but they stayed out there the whole time.    Claire slept really well and was so excited to tell me all about it Sunday morning. 

Got the goods!

Swimmers in the bathtub

I had promised to make Claire banana chocolate chip pancakes in the morning after her camp out.  I woke up before 6 because I couldn't sleep and made myself a pot of coffee and took my time drinking my coffee while making the pancakes.  Abby slept longer so it was nice to have the kitchen nice and quiet that early in the morning.  I also made a new recipe for pancakes my sister sent me on Pinterest, 3-Ingredient Pancakes.  They just have two eggs, a mashed banana, and cinnamon.  I added vanilla and chocolate chips.  Abby devoured them, much better then the time I made her coconut flour pancakes.  

After breakfast we made the decision to organize and clean out the basement and garage.  I took a quick trip to Walmart to buy lots of Rubbermaid bins in different sizes to but all our stuff in.  We got rid of a lot of stuff we don't use anymore for Diabetes pick up.  We also put Kyle's tools and other seasonal stuff in the shed in a big bin, lifejackets, gardening stuff and sports equipment.  We decided to organize and store all the baby stuff under the stairs incase we decide to have another baby one day, not sure on that one yet.  The reason we wanted to get the basement sorted out because we want to start finishing the basement starting in a couple months.  We hope to have it all complete by this winter to enjoy the extra space for the girls to play and for us to entertain.  Kyle is going to sub contract out for each job.  As much as we appreciated our families help last time we finished our basement at the old house we don't want to bother people to do that again.  I can't wait for the extra space and to have it all finished! 

Before

After

We finished off the weekend by having my sister and parents over for dinner.  We BBQ ed some pork chops, made baby potato with fresh dill, carrots, fried mushrooms and coleslaw.  We also had that strawberry rhubarb pie with vanilla ice cream.  Oh so delicious!! It was the perfect dinner and a perfect way to end the weekend.