Merry Xmas Shelley and Onyx.

 

Eric and I went to Victoria today to get Eric's stitches out.  He has healed well.  Now we wait for the report and then move onto the next mole.

Mom picked up the boys from school today so we didn't have to rush home.  We did a Costco trip because I wanted poutine.

It was PACKED.  We were undecided about staying.  After scoring a table to eat our $12 lunch (that included two polish sausage hot dogs for the boys lunch tomorrow) we figured we'd give it a try.  The only thing on our list was bananas.  Since it's the cheapest item in the grocery store we sure didn't need to go into Costco for them!  Haha. In the end we didn't even find bananas in there!

We managed to spend $415.  It's always dangerous to go there.

After all the pretty pennies spent on Oscar for his transformation I wasn't planning to shop for Onyx's camping transformations until spring.  However....look what we found!  Jump start, battery cables, compressor and charging unit all in one for $128.  There were lots there if anyone is looking for gift ideas.  Handy for any car.  

We came home to find Finn like this in the dining room.  I made Eric come see and check him for life. He NEVER sleeps anywhere except his couch.  He woke up, sleepily looked at us, accepted some head scratches and went back to sleep. Time to worry.

Every year I buy the kids a tree ornament.  Every year I say I need to get boxes and sort them.  This year we finally did it!  Out of my closet and into the guest room closet.

I decorated yesterday.  We were doing family photos last night and we needed a backdrop.  So, I just got it done.  Another thing off the to do list lest I end up suffering after Friday's procedure.

Re: the family photo.

In my vision, we are dressed in matching green plaids or sweatshirts and taking the Jeeps to the top of a mountain, with a view.  Would be great right?  Well, it's very difficult to find clothing that fits Eric and Lili.  Haha.  His shoulders and her need for child sizes.  So a whole afternoon in a mall with Lili and Fei and we didn't find matching anything.  We didn't want more pajamas.  Add to that the difficulty getting us all in the same spot.  Factoring in work, school, appointments and social obligations.  The need for daylight and a clear day for the view.  It was a pipe dream for sure.  

I gave up the vision.  Purposefully picked out mismatched shirts and hats.  In the past, family photos have been quite chaotic.  Since Kai joined the family I'd say we've gone from chaotic to a bit traumatic.  Getting Kai through is daunting to say the very least.  I said no dogs until we have one of the people.  It's too hard to get people and dogs all looking.  Then while we were setting up the dogs and two of the cats came in and hung out!  Finn weirdly layed in front of us with his little legs crossed like he was posing.  So, we just went for it.

1st picture my mouth is open still barking out commands.  The 2nd, we weren't all looking but the 3rd turned out.  Just like that.  8 people, 4 dogs.  Done.  

We went ahead and took more pictures after that.  Just our family, Mom with Poppy, the five kids.  Gramma and her grandkids. One of each kid individually.  One of just Eric and I.  All calm, no issues.  It was like it was a different family.

I'm excited to post them closer to Christmas.  For now I can post the individual ones.

Eric picked up sleepy boy and put him on me.  We had a cuddle and then I settled him beside me.  He went right back to sleep after I tucked his little blankie over him.  I'm still worried. Hopefully he just wore himself out and he'll be back to normal after a good sleep.  I've definitely overdone it the last few days so sticking to the couch with Finn is in order for tonight.

Congratulations Jia.

 

A new management shirt!

Congratulations Jia!

Finally, a picture showing Esmei's boots.  Lili got it.

She's been super playful lately, racing me, zooming underfoot, hiding in wait to jump out at me.  All of her usual games but with a bit more zip than usual.  Having all the fur off allows for better movement?  Or snow is coming.  

I wanted to clear the boys games, puzzles and legos from the top of this cabinet so I could decorate for Christmas.  There were no spots to cram anything in. So, you know, when I have a long list of things to do, why not tear things apart.  Haha.  More and more I'm guessing Eric and I are both adhd.  Anyways...

Lots to donate, lots to the trash.  Lots of putting things away all over the house.  Lots of decisions on the fly.  I got the whole shelf done and then moved onto the other one.

Wahlaa!

Of course this ate up the bulk of my day and I didn't get anything from my actual list done ;)

I might tackle the yellow games cabinet next.  Lili says she wants to be here for that one.  Perhaps worried I'll get rid of treasures. The shelves were mostly the boys things.  I didn't have to consult them.  They wouldn't care if I donated it all.  

Bloodfart Backwards

 

I found these two glamor shots on Eric's phone. 

He says he's not looking at any other Jeeps.  So cute.

Drivers meeting.

14 rigs.

Perfect weather for doing stupid shit.

Airing down.

Eric looking quite pleased after the 1st obstacle.  That was very hard.  I bailed.  Did the long walk around.  I half filmed it.  I had a fellow at the top film for me, I couldn't watch.  The videos never show the true angles.  This one is funny.  I will post a link when I figure out how to upload the darn thing to YouTube.  

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AbEatmgKY/

We definitely feel fortunate to get to the hard places.  The beauty is worth the effort.

Overlooking Nanaimo.

Acres and acres of different moss comingling.

The bulk of the day is simple (boring) driving interspersed with obstacles.

The tallest Arbutus trees I've ever seen.  At the top there were round arbutus bushes, also something I've never seen.

Stuck.

Honestly, this seems to be the most exciting to the men folk.

Eric had his snatch block and rope out there so fast and Jay was ready with his winch.  The truck had to be moved sideways off the tree so he could resume forward.

The day is full of stops and starts.

I ended up hiking a good long chunk of this trail.  Just too scary for me.  My hike was gorgeous.

Some pointed out we did the trail backwards.  I have no clue.  There were lots of jokes via radios about it being Fartblood if done backwards.

This is the only picture of me taken.  Haha.  I definitely wasn't excited about the current situation. This is about when I bailed. Oh, and leaping out when you need a stool is hard.  In this moment we were on too big of an angle for my stool so I jumped and hoped for the best.  I didn't crumple or break.  

There are so many things to love about the day and a few not to love.  I don't know that I'm cut out for the advanced trails.  Eric loves it. The next event is night wheeling.  I always said we wouldn't join that but the trail is moderate so we're contemplating it.

We made it to see Wicked part 2.  It just didn't hit the feel good parts that the first one did.

Jia sent me a picture of the boys.  Treat time.

The boys are both still sick.  No one else has it yet.  We have no plans for today.  Jia has to work.  I'm sort of hoping Eric and I can get the xmas stuff out and decorate for the season. While it's quiet.  Or escape for the day.  He's not up yet.

This coming week is full of appointments.  Thursday I'm on clear liquids, Friday is the procedure.  After that I just have zero clue how I'll be feeling.  Preparing for healing time and hoping it won't be necessary.

12 years ago.

 

1st night home with Luk, meeting his big sisters.  

My gosh aroonie he was a cute wee guy. 

Oh no!

 

Our giant toddler is sick again!!

Pray for all of us.

Kai has ZERO CLUE how to take care of his runny nose.  Still unable to blow his nose.  He refuses to even try.  He feebly does a gentle baby blow through his mouth.  Sneezes are always a shock to him.  Like he doesn't recognize in the least that they're coming.  So, we have to wipe his face and he spews with every sneeze and when he coughs it's wet and rattling because he won't ever attempt to bring anything up or out. He also coughs towards us.  He's been asked to cover up or turn the other way a million times but he actually now appears to purposely turn towards people.  

So, I am NOT exaggerating, we have a 170 pound baby here.  Add to that, he is tired and out of sorts.  Sigh.

I live in fear of Kai being sick.  It's quite awful for all of us.

Then I picked up Luk from school today who told me he thought his allergies were acting up.  Uh, no son, it's the end of November, you aren't suffering seasonal allergies.  So they're both sick.

And I am going under for a procedure in a week.  One I've waited five years for.  I can not be sick.

I'm almost tempted to move into the trailer.  I feel too guilty leaving Eric to deal with sick kids when he is on such a roll of getting things done around here.