Wedding Pictures Take 2

When Shawn and I got engaged last September 4th Shawn wanted to get married right away, in Sept or October while I wanted to wait until July. We decided to compromise and get married December 30th. 

My one condition was that we would take a second round of wedding photos in the summer and Shawn agreed, probably partly agreeing because he never thought I would hold him to it.

Cue end of August when I called in his promise and despite grumbling and groaning he held up his end and I love him so much for being so fantastic while we spent 3 more hours taking photos.

And I LOVE them... 

For any of you who got married in the winter, I highly suggest getting some bridals in the summer. You get a second opportunity to get all dressed up in your dress and try out another hairstyle (my veil went missing on our wedding day so this was my opportunity to wear it). 

The best part of bridals is that you are completely detached from the stress of the wedding day and you get to relax and enjoy dressing up and getting some pictures where you aren't freezing in -30 C weather. 

But if you do choose to get some pictures taken, trust me, go with Photography by Kels... She is awesome!

Time For A New Hobby...

One day when I was reading random blogs I came across this quote...


"The real growth comes not from doing what you already do well, but from trying what you suck at enough times that you get better." 


It kind of hit me and I loved it. How many times have I  been afraid to do something new, old or in-between because I suck at it? Let's pretend none ;)


But my new goal is to get into sewing. My sewing experience is limited to home ec in high school (I rocked those pajama pants!) and making jean blankets. Not really the most prestigious sewing resume but I am bound and determined to try and get some-what proficient at it. 


My new goal project???


These adorable things...

How freaking adorable is this quiet book? I love it! And the best thing is that there are 10 other adorable books for me to practice and try and make one semi-presentable book! I am thinking they will make excellent presents for all our nieces and nephews.


You can buy the patterns yourselves on Etsy here, or just wait until I get good enough and maybe I can make one for you! Might be a bit though because I have to wait till I get a sewing machine, hopefully for my birthday or christmas or anniversary (three occasions in 30 days, bound to get it for one of them right?)

I Need To Go Shopping...

Rewind four months ago...

Shawn and I were moving back to Lethbridge for the summer with the plan to return to Saskatchewan in September. 

It made sense to leave all our belongings in a storage locker save two small suitcases, one for me and one for him. 

Back to present time...

Rather than return to Saskatchewan, we have now bought a house in Taber (yay) and are planning to stay in So. Ab. for the next foreseeable future. (Let's not mention how guilty I felt quitting my Sask job)

All our belongings are still in Sask. which means we have a v. limited wardrobe evidenced by the last four pictures I have put on facebook that have been take over the course of the summer.

That's not the worst part. I can explain away those pictures. Perhaps I am just feeling more inclined to pictures the days I wore that T-shirt or sweater... Maybe it's just a fluke.

But then I went to my optometrist for my eye check-up, then tried on some glasses. Two days later I went back in to finalize my pick for new glasses and I noticed... 

I was wearing the same shirt both days!

Yep, an intervention needs to be had... I am having it with myself...
I am actually quite good at having a limited wardrobe. I have never been the type to have two closet's full of wardrobes, and I am used to backpacking around with a few pants and shirts. Usually it doesn't bother me but it's slightly different when you are in the same town/place seeing the same people. Think back, when was the last time you saw me? Odds are I was prob. wearing either that t-shirt or that sweater... Maybe both!

It is officially time to expand my very limited wardrobe. Whether it's driving to Saskatchewan or going shopping, I don't care which happens first (wouldn't mind the shopping option tho) but this is getting ridiculous.

p.s. let's hear it for my awesome amazing sister Chelsey that is letting us crash at her place till we move into our new house... Love her... 

A Nice Welcome to Come Home To...

When I came home from my shift tonight at 11:30 pm, I was greeted by this:

Love him....

Distracted Driving Poster Child

If you are from Alberta, you have heard about the new distracted driving law. As of September 1st, it is illegal to do basically anything while driving. Good-bye cell phones, texting, make-up, reading, etc. while driving.

I am sure many people are excited about this. "Good riddance" they'll say, "It is so dangerous! Who would do something as stupid as drive distracted?"

ME

I am the poster child for distracted driving.

This is not something I am proud of, just a fact. Name a stupid thing to do while driving and I have done it. 

"Well", you'll say, "many people talk on their phones, text or eat something in the car."


Perhaps, but have you ever;

-Done your make-up (mascara, eye-liner and all)
-Eaten a bowl of cereal, stir-fry, subway, etc.
-Watched a t.v. show on your laptop
-Read a book
-Slept (that did not end well, I especially don't recommend that one)

Good, neither have I............ ok, maybe that's a lie....... 

So, you can see why I was nervous come September 1st. I am perfect bait for tickets. So, that's why when I got in my car September 1st to drive to the bank I was very careful to leave my phone in the purse but I wasn't about to not eat my PB toast... Don't worry. I checked. Simple snacks are allowed. (Thank-goodness, or I would never be able to eat breakfast before morning shifts.) But, then I came across a police line-up out of no-where (sneaky cops set up right after a detour's turn) and I realized my mistake. 

I wasn't wearing my seat-belt... Still illegal to do that I guess as he pulled me over without a second thought and I was left sheepishly on the right side of the road.

This was a real downer to a good day, I was wearing my super cute 18" hair extensions I had bought the day before.
------------------------> sidenote: if you ever need a pick-me-up of any kind, throw some clip-in hair extensions in, they automatically make you feel like you went

from this 

 to this... 

Ok, maybe not that much but I do love wearing them. 

So the cop came up to my window to chastise me for my unsafe driving habit and by the end, he let me off with a warning and I knew why.

I texted Shawn and let him know that although I did get pulled over for not wearing my seatbelt, the good news was that my new hair extensions have now officially paid for themselves as they played a big part in my getting out of the ticket... I know it.

It's only a matter of time till I get pulled over again tho. You can only go cold turkey from distracted driving for so long. 

Devil's Postpile

Apparently, I am not the only litterer out there (don't judge).

While in California, I discovered the devil has a habit of tossing all his old columns out in the middle of the forest.

Lucky for us, because I thought it was pretty nifty when we came up to "The Devil's Postpile".

I am a sucker for photo ops involving just about anything but natural wonders are one of my favorite. 

How freaking amazing/befuddling/gorgeous/astounding is nature?

Who can look at anything in nature and deny there is a God?

Red Meadows Family Reunion

When Shawn first told me we were going to Red Meadows, Cali for a family reunion I was stoked. I have always wanted to go to the Red Wood forest.

Red Meadows = Red Woods
Seems like a logical conclusion right?

Wrong...



Apparently, Red Meadows is a campsite that Shawn's family has gone to for 3 generations, but it is nowhere near the Red Woods.

Not gonna lie, I was supremely disappointed... I already had images in my mind of driving my car through a massive red wood tree.

Shawn and I set out on a 5000 km road-trip caravanning with Rob, Chandra and their three lil boys stopping for the night in Twin Falls, ID... Who knew it was this pretty?

Well, turns out I wasn't all that disappointed once I got to Red Meadows...

The brains behind the whole shindig was this cool cat and his lil lady...

Grandpa Squires and Grandma Thon

Love them

Days were full of hikes, campfires, kids, food, and naps

Shawn proving to me that California trees are bigger than BC ones... 

Still not 100% convinced

Rainbow Falls

It lived up to its name with a legit rainbow shining through

Some complained about the hike coming back...

Gorgeous. Freezing but gorgeous.

Cousin hanging out with cousin... 

Proof Shawn thinks he's more massive than he is...

Exhibit A)

Shawn picked up a lil hiking stick along the way...

Exhibit B)

 Shawn right before his attempt to push down the tree... 

One guess whether he succeeded...

Okay maybe they aren't red woods but they ain't toothpicks..

Notice everyone thisclose to the fire??

Who knew it got so cold at night at California?

 Um, why didn't we get t-shirts?

I totally would have wanted a shirt.

 Love this guy... 

The three Squires siblings...

Shawn's grandfather and his brother are so alike in their mannerisms! 

So neat to see...

The Squires fam

Kyle Shad and James

One of my favourite stories was when everyone woke up, walked outside and saw paw prints all over Shawn's aunt's car... but I've seen paw prints before... The best was when we saw his nose print on the window where he was peering in to check out the car's contents...

Why does everything taste better on a campfire?

Shawn took up whittling

Got blisters

But on gloves to continue whittling

Ended up with a lovely Banana Boat

(he wasn't too happy with us comparing his canoe with a fruit)

Shawn, Kyle and Grandpa went fishing and

Shawn proved that he could go on Survivor and 

provide for the tribe... Woot woot

I still chose the pizza tho

Jenny had the cutest idea to bring everything so the kids could 

make cake pops...

Who knew cake pops and campfires went so well together?

Although this isn't everyone, people were coming and going all week, this is a good chunk of the people at the Squires Family Reunion and even though there was not any massive Red Woods, we had a fantastic time and are so thankful for all the hard work that Grandpa Squires put into this whole event...