scarlett's ears pierced

We took little Scarlett to get her ears pierced on Halloween while we were in Utah. It was SO sad. I felt like I was abusing her. But after ten long minutes she looks like a little angel with pretty little diamond earrings! She was totally fine after and they have been great ever since. Just look at that little face. I could eat her for dinner.

we made it

We made it to Canada! We were without phone, tv or internet until about a week ago and still have not gone to get our cell phones yet. So if you have texted or called me that is the reason I never responded!!! I had to turn my cell phone off the second I got to the border because of the astronomical international charges.

I got a bit teary when we crossed the border. I felt incredibly patriotic. Like it was the fourth of July. Then I also cried when I had been here for two days. I was just so overwhelmed and 'homeland' sick. But now I'm ok. :)

The weather has been great (I hear). No snow yet and the temperature has been in the high forties or low fifties every day. It gets crazy windy here though which I did not know.

It is definitely a different country. Most of the foods in the grocery store are made by unfamiliar brands and it is crazy expensive. A gallon of milk is almost $5. Also everything at Michael's is so expensive. Little nick knacks I used to buy in the US of A are way more at the Michael's here.

In general I really like it though! The people are really friendly and Clayton's family that lives here has been wonderful. I feel like I just had a baby with all the food we have been getting and the dinners we have been invited to.

While Mallory was here (she drove up with me!) we started compiling a list of things where either Canada or USA got a point...... Here are our results so far......

Points for Canada:

1. Recycling - Canada is HUGE on this. Every house comes with a massive recycling bin that is bigger than the trash cans. You even get paid actual money (like a beneficial amount) to recycle here if you take it to the recycling depot (which are close by).
2. Loonies and Toonies - One and two dollar coins. They don't have one dollar bills. It makes the quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies so insignificant. I asked for change for my five dollar bill the other day and got four coins back. I thought I was being scammed.
3. Paying for Shopping Carts - You have to put a coin in to get a shopping cart out and then when you return it you get your coin back. Genius.
4. Kid 'Car Carts' - they are high up where the kid usually sits so the kid can't get out as opposed to in the states where the car cart is in the front so the kid can get out every other second and run all over the grocery store.
5. Colorful Money - It is very pretty and easy to recognize. Each denomination is a different color (blue, purple, red, etc.)

Points for The United States of America:

1. Butter That Comes In Quarters - I did not know how awesome this was until I lost it. In Canada the butter only comes in a solid block. Very sucky for baking.
2. Better Electronics/Communications - That may not be the correct description. Apparently the cell phones, DVR's, tv channels, etc. are a bit behind here and WAY more expensive. The iPhone is just coming out here and there are not nearly as many HDTV channels. The tv/phone/internet guy was telling me there is some regulatory board that controls the tv/phone/internet and it is very stringent on things. Not sure if that all makes sense.
3. Cheaper Groceries All Around - I could go massive grocery shopping for $200 in the USA. Here i get like five bags worth for $200. Thats not very much food.

That's all I can think of now but I'll continue with this topic when I think of more things. Anyway, I miss you all! Canada is treating me good but I miss m homies and my family a TON.

nine months later

Remember this picture......
Nine months later in the same chair. Big girls!!

triathlon pictures

Go here and enter in number 2795 for some cool professional photos of Clay's race.

clay's triathlon

Scarlett and Monet.

Clayton competed in his first ever triathlon last Saturday! It was the Las Vegas Pumpkin Man Triathlon at Lake Mead. Clay and his brother Chad did the Olympic distance which is a 1.5 k swim, 40 k bike ride and 10 k run. Crazy. He completed the course in four hours and one minute. Not too shabby for a first time triathlete! I was so proud of him and hope to be joining him next time....
Ava.
Monet and Ava waiting for Clay to come around the corner after the brutal ALL UPHILL bike ride.
Elly, Siena, Ava and Monet.
Yea!!!!!! Coming into transition from the bike to the run. Zoom in to see the jersey Clay is sporting.... Canadian flag style.
Finishing up the race! Monet ran the last fifty feet or so with daddy.
I was so proud! I actually she a tear.
Tire swing!
Chad, Terel and Clay. Champions with their medals.
Brooks, Chad and Saige. They were so happy for their dad!
After party at Cheesecake Factory.
Scarlett was looking and being so cute even though it was way past her bedtime!!!

moving

On November 1st we will be heading back to Clayton's homeland. We have been thinking about this for a while now and the timing just seems right. We will be very sad to go! We will miss our families SO SO SO much! I am a little scared and nervous but I know it will all work out. We found a cool house to rent in Calgary near Clayton's sister, cousins and friends. It seems to already be snowing there.................... but I will just have to get excited about that. Our house has a big backyard so Monet will have to learn how to make snow angels.

President Obama with Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
In case you were wondering where in Canada....... Calgary is just north of the American border in Alberta, the pink 'territory' in the lower left of the picture.

COOL THINGS ABOUT CANADA:
Canada is VERY beautiful. Banff is just a short drive from where we will be living. Less then an hour I think.
I will get to celebrate Thanksgiving TWICE a year! The Canadian one in October and the US one in November!

SUCKY THINGS ABOUT CANADA:
This is a picture of my backyard.
iPhones don't really work in Canada I hear. Apparently people there have Blackberry's. That REALLY sucks. Maybe the thing I'm most sad about. JK (but not really).

shredded beef tacos

This is not the actual picture of them but close to how they look. My mom made this recipe up several years ago and they have been a family favorite ever since. Seriously one of my all time FAVORITE meals. They are great too because you can make them in fifteen minutes, start to finish.

This La Victoria green taco sauce is a key ingredient. Sooooooo good.
Roast beef in a can...... I know. I was weary about this too.
Mexicorn, really? Yes.

Shredded Beef Tacos

2 cans roast beef with gravy

1 can mexicorn

yellow corn tortillas

shredded crisp iceberg lettuce

diced tomatoes

grated colby jack cheese

guacamole (I use avocados, lemon juice, Lawry's garlic salt, Lawry's seasoned pepper and cottage cheese)

La Victoria green taco sauce (key ingredient, very important!)

Add the entire contents of all three cans into a pan on the stove. I heat mine until it bubbles then turn it down to simmer until I have the rest of the meal ready, about fifteen minutes. I use a fork to break up the beef chunks so it's all shredded.

Warm the tortillas up in a pan on the stove just until they start to brown a little bit.

Make the guacamole, shred the lettuce, grate the cheese and dice the tomatoes.

Put it all together with the green salsa on top! Delicious and so fast and easy!!!!!!!!!

family visit

We had a great time with my sister and Mom last weekend. Mallory had a work holiday so they came for a quick visit. We ate some good food and my Mom hooked Monet up with some cute new clothes, shoes and decorations for her bedroom! Thanks Mom!!!

felt food

Lately I have been totally obsessed with making this felt food for Monet. She loves it. Every time I finish one she yells, "You made that for ME mommy! Thank you!" They are they cutest patterns ever. I buy them from Bugga Bugs on Etsy. They are six dollars per pattern and she just emails them right to you. Then you can print them out all on your own! So clever. They are super easy to follow. I had never made a felt thing before in my life. The doughnuts were my first to make and really were easy. They took a few hours. The strawberries were crazy easy. Now I'm on to the 'Movie Time' pattern set. This is definitely a bit more time consuming. I have made the Dots and now I'm working on the popcorn box. The freaking popcorns are taking ages!!!! Next I want to order 'Groceries'. That egg carton is too cute. Anyway, I'll post a picture of them when I finish. It will be really cute.

poor parenting

I let Monet color with a highlighter and this is what happens. She has never done this before. It was ALL over her . Pretty funny actually. Zoom in for a closer look.