Will it EVER END?!?!?!?!

You may be thinking from the title that I am speaking about Spring.... I'm not, though that can't come soon enough.

I'm refering to the CONSTANT illness that has plagued our home since the snow fell last year.  It has been a good 6 months of never ending colds mixed in with 3 rounds of the stomach flu!!!  Seriously, WHAT IS GOING ON?  I'm going to step out on a limb and say THIS IS THE WORST WINTER EVER!!!!!

Okay, the excessive drama is over... but really, why are my kids sick all the time?  I know the obvious culprits are the fact that I take them to childcare and group play places for children on a regular basis.  Also, I'm sure the lack of outside time plays a big role, but with the weather so cold and now the snow being higher than their heads, there aren't a lot of outside options.

If I knew I wouldn't loose my mind within a week I would quit working, stay home and never let my kids near other children.  Then they would be healthy.  But that isn't going to happen.

I am really hoping that when spring does finally come and we get outside to play that the illness will be over and maybe we can have 4 months of health before the snow flies again.

How depressing!

Then and Now

We got the girls playing out in the snow for the first time this winter (and yes it is definitely winter here in Lloydminster with a good foot of snow)!  It is with the change of season where I notice the most how much my girls have grown up.  Inevitably Hailey needs a new snowsuit and boots each winter and Quinn remarkably fits into Hailey's old suit that I never would have guessed she would fit!  I went looking back through my pictures to when H was in Q's snowsuit.... oh how time flies!

Who is who?!? ;)

I'm looking forward to a bunch of 'firsts' this winter with taking the girls sledding, skating and all sorts of outdoor fun!  It just wasn't worth it in the previous years to drag the kids out when they were so little, and then I had a little baby last year!

Here are a few more pictures from playing outside...

My baby girl is going to be in nursery in 1 month!!!!!  I can't believe it!  And in 9 days I get to go on a solo trip to Switzerland to see my sister and new nephew!!!!  I'm excited for the trip but 9 days is a long time to be away from my girls.  I will miss my family terribly!

When will winter end?

I've been so blah lately, well probably for the past 3 brutally cold months.  Not going outside really affects my motivation.  It also makes me pasty white ;)

I have so many fun projects I could work on, or the endless 'to do' list that comes with house and family but I just don't want to.  I sit at this computer for too much of each day.... or on the couch watching Hailey play/watch tv.  I need spring... I NEED spring!  And so does Hailey because she is even more of a hermit than I am!

Could someone just tell me how many more days until the sidewalks are clear and the weather above -10?  If I know when the end is coming it will be easier to wait it out ;)

Warmth trumps Looks

Had a wonderful date today... thank you Liz for babysitting :)  We went out to get me some good winter boots.  I have NEVER had a good pair of warm, dry boots.  I figured it was time, especially if I was EVER going to take Hailey out to play in the snow (and she LOVES to be outside - too bad Mommy doesn't).

I found a really cute pair called Chloe's at Mark's....

Love these boots... well the look anyways... they didn't fit 'just right'.

We ordered these in because they didn't have my size but went to check at Factory Sports what they had.  I tried on a few but just wasn't feeling it.

I was determined to get something WARM and DRY.  I am so tired of having cold feet and wet pants in the winter.  So I decided to try these...

My feet were warmer instantly... they had room to tuck in my pants (yes I tuck in my pants whenever I can - dry pants are a MUST - plus I don't need to look hot... I'm already married ;).  They were light and fully waterproof which means lots of snow play without being wet.  I admit these babies will look pretty awesome with my dress on Sunday's but I don't care because I will be WARM and DRY.

So yes, warmth trumps looks!

I would cry if my tear ducts weren't frozen

- 46 with wind chill! MINUS FORTY-SIX! It is like death outside. Our trip to Hawaii can not come soon enough. Today in Hawaii it was 25 degrees. TWENTY FIVE! And my lovely sister Janelle was just so kind as to let me know that it is -1 in Vancouver. Why did I move to Lloydminster?

NOT going outside...

It is soooooo cold. -28 with the windchill and I don't want to go outside. I miss my underground heated parkade. I miss Calgary (only -8 there today). Who ever liked winter anyways. Sigh.... I would be perfectly content with a full winter of -10 but anything less than that is just too cold. So Santa.... that is my wish for Christmas.... see what you can do!

perhaps I should just move to the coast?

It's Here!

We made it to December 2 without any bad weather, but now it has come. I guess I shouldn't complain considering we got a whole extra month of fall. The snow is just a skiff but with -25 wind chills there seems no possibility of melting. Bring it on winter.... this will be the last winter we have to survive without a garage so hopefully it isn't too bad.

We are in the process of purchasing a home... and we feel truly blessed to be able to afford a new build here in Lloydminster. We may just get our dream home (a smaller version at least) the first time round. Nothing is signed yet but we have looked at floor plans and lots available. Monday will be decision day! Wish us luck.... it is a huge decision with lots on the plate, especially considering the current economic state.