so close yet so far

This is the story of the immoveable couch.

Nikki offered us an old couch that she wasn't using and was just sitting in her sister's garage. Of course we accepted because we accept all couches, loveseats, and arm chairs we can get our hands on. This couch in particular is intended for our basement that I spent an afternoon clearing out so that we can pimp that space. I figure if you're going to have plenty of space, you might as well make the most of it.

Darren was kind enough to lend his services and truck so the two of us went over to pick up the couch. To my pleasant surprise a matching armchair was thrown in. Back at the house, the armchair made it in the side door and downstairs easily - obviously. And then we tried to bring the couch in. Tried being the key word. Dang old house with narrow stairwells, sharp corners, and sloped ceiling. Darren and I tried in vain for 45 minutes, pushing, pulling, lifting, kicking, and sheer forcing it. To no avail. We got it repeatedly wedged very tightly on every side and just inches away from in. It was immoveable. So frustrating. We were SO close, so many times and it looked like we should be able to just tweek it and drop it down the stairs. Such was not the case. And I had to run away to meet with my new boss... I felt bad leaving Darren there alone... but I couldn't stand up my new employer - that's just a bad idea. When I came back 45 min later, Trevor and Jason had come to help Darren get the couch back out - because we had successfully gotten it stuck neither in nor out. So it was now successfully back outside... unfortunately. Trevor thought we could get it downstairs fairly simply; he just had to go through the same thought process and experience that Darren and I already had. He soon realized the couch was simply just that much too big. Disappointing. So it's now in our study. We'll see what becomes of the immoveable couch. It may never move from this spot.

too little too late

We have been really excited to crack open this coconut.
Bethany especially.

There was a lot of great coconut milk inside... excellent.

Sadly though... it was rotten.
Bethany may have taken a bite out of it to discover that fact.
Poor girl. It smelled awful.

Sad day.

the Cooking Corner... make that the Uncooked Corner

It's the inaugural use of my Vitamix! Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the greatest present I have ever received! I love my parents. This blender can do it all: grind grains, make smoothies, soup, ice cream, and knead bread dough! Last summer I stood and listened to and watched the Vitamix guy at the stampede for like 30 minutes straight. I sampled soup, ice cream, and smoothie all in that 30 minutes. Seriously so great. My mother knows how much I love this machine. So she bought one for me for my birthday/graduation present. I have never been so surprised or thrilled by a present in my life.

So the other day we busted it out and made the first smoothie...

Just look how delicious this is going to be. And the wonder of the vitamix is you can put vegetables in your smoothies and ice and not even tell they're there because you can put so much whole fruit in too!

Let's do this.


So delicious.


We now make smoothies daily.

Just can't stop the beat.

So the whole eat, sleep, party, repeat mantra of my life hasn't stopped. I'm back in Edmonton and the good times just keep rolling.

Maybe it's because I'm just that kinda girl.
Maybe it's because I'm not in school and I don't have a job.
Maybe it's because it's Frost Week.

First: I love dancing.


Second: I love friends who rearrange schedules so they can come be my friend.


Third: I love onesies. And I love skating. Put them together and I love watching.


Fourth: I love flying.


Fifth: I love being random. and I love making people laugh - which this did.


Sixth: I love being tall enough to ride the rides. Love.


Seventh: I love being a third wheel.















Eighth: I love rides.


Ninth: I love starting a trend.




Tenth: I love candids. (Willie). I also love my roommates.


In short. I love life.

Traditional Tea Party

(Hey roomies, we need to find a place like this in Edmonton because it was so cute and too fantastic!)

We had a tea party last year to break in Lynnae's new china.
We had a tea party this year at the Jasmine Room because we loved last year's tea party so much, but Lynnae's china is still boxed up from the move so she recommended this place.
It is officially an annual tradition.
Thank you Lynnae.
I love traditions.

The Jasmine Room has literally hundreds of teas and they mix them all themselves. And the charm of the place... oh it's so great.
Just the four of us gals sitting around, sipping tea, telling stories about our lives and catching up.
So fun.
Next year let's dress up?!

Is anyone else's family this cool?

So my brother invited us all over on boxing day to have lunch and play games.
The game of choice - Rockband.
Has my family ever played rockband before? No.
Did they all get right into it? Yes.
Was it the most amusing thing my parents have done in a long time? Absolutely.

Dad rocked the vocals.
Michelle killed the drums.
Mom attempted the guitar.


On Easy.

I personally have improved upon my drum skills - Michelle and I together destroy medium difficulty! I can't decide whether I'm left or right handed for the guitar. Whatevs.

I love my family.
Rock on!

Can't keep me away

Yep. Back to Waterton. This is expedition #2 in the period of 6 days. Someone once said that they think the main thing that makes Waterton so great is the people you're with. I may agree with that to an extent. But only because I love people who love Waterton, thus we have wonderful times loving Waterton together.





But for me there is so much more to love about Waterton than simply the people I spend time with while I'm there.
It's a breath of fresh air.
It's an escape from the rest of the world.
It's a glimpse of God's masterpiece.
It's a place of endless adventures and yet it's a place where sitting around doing nothing is just as enjoyable.
It's my backyard. My childhood. My memories.
It's where I've been happiest.

So about those endless adventures...
On Monday's agenda:

1) Escaping the crazy wind downtown by heading up Cameron road and snowshoeing in to the lake.

Perhaps not the brightest thing for Cody and I to attempt on sprained ankles, but Cody was in a lot more pain than I was... we all kinda felt bad dragging him up - but let's be serious, we didn't have to drag, Cody was all in. The plan worked brilliantly, no wind, and the lake was gorgeous.


2) At the lake there was plenty of tackling...


dog-piling...

snowshoe racing...










and of course - plenty of picture taking!

The Crew.

The Girls.

Melissa bent Josh's ski pole during amid one of the many tackle piles.

(And ridiculous antics from scott. Perfect timing though, I'm not even mad... I am impressed.)

Three cliques of one.













In memory of our institute crew... I'll miss us.


I am SO short! Oh Dan, my friendly giant friend.

The Guys.












3) We all headed back to Leishman's cabin for some wonderful dinner, compliments of Mamma Leish (and some laughing at other ridiculous antics and outfits).

Dan is always so stylish...

And then we realized him and Bonnie matched...

They had a moment.

4) The night ended with a nice hot tub and swim at the lodge (while a little cuddlefest went down at the cabin... but that's not my story to tell).

And that's the end of another glorious day in Wateron.