How we kept cool today

I tossed and turned last night, just dreading dealing with the heat today... and the next couple weeks for that matter. I went down to the garage to get the kiddie pool this morning and there is was, looking straight at me... the tarp. I then spent the next 2 hours hammering and maneuvering furniture until this beautiful piece of architecture was created. It works... somewhat. It's only 80 in our house today, better than the 88 yesterday. Yes, my kids were naked in the pool. Who was going to be able to see them through my fortress anyway?

Someone please save me from this California weather!

Sounds weird, right? I mean, this is where people vacation, for goodness sake. But when the sun is blaring and it's anything over 75, our house COOKS. It's currently 88 in our house. Seriously, why don't people have AC here? I don't understand it. Back when Corryn was first born and there was a big heat wave, I called around in the ward to try to find a house with AC that Corryn and I could chill at, and only found one. One person in the whole ward. Someday we'll have AC... But for now I get daily heat headaches and the kids are super cranky.

Okay, venting over. In other good news, since Jon got a promotion, we are finally able to afford something things on our wish list. One of which is our dream double stroller. LOVE IT! I also finally got a new pair of tennis shoes and a couple new clothing items. SO NEEDED considering I haven't had new clothes since before I had children.

I have mastered the art of homemade pizza. Tips: Use bread flour when making the dough, use fresh mozzarella, saute the mushrooms before hand, get a basil plant, and use roma tomatoes. YUM!!!!

Last of all, I wanted to convey my love to my friends. They really make living here worth the ridiculous cost and heat headaches. They have become family. :) :) These are only some of the wonderful women in my life, taken at a baby shower I recently helped throw.

3 Years

 It was a VERY HOT day. Thank goodness my mom had packed lots of water bottles for everyone.

 As we walked out the door, my Dad was the first to rush to hug me. :) :)

 Everyone.

 Bridesmaids! The two on either side of me are my sisters and the rest roommates.

 Jon's family.

 The women of my family.

 Ah, the days when I had time to straighten my hair...

My favorite day of all time! Of course it's tied with the days Ethan and Corryn were born too. :) I love you, Jon!!!!!!

Peggy's Cove

The last time I went to Peggy's Cove, it was the day after Christmas and Jon was on one knee and slipping a ring on my freezing finger. :) I'm so glad I insisted on taking another trip out there, it was as beautiful as I remember. Warning: There is no taming of hair here, it's not even worth attempting. Ethan was in climbing heaven and my aunts were in picture taking heaven. It was eerie and foggy, the air was slightly salty but mostly clean. The cleanest air I've ever breathed.

Upon getting out of the car I informed Jon that he would be proposing to me again to which he groaned and whined. I was insistent and handed my engagement ring to him. A while later Ethan approached me holding my ring saying "Here, Mommy." Jon was on one knee... only for a split second, but on one knee nonetheless. He's such a closet romantic. :)

Ethan's Canadian Birthday

I know, I know, I'm STILL posting about Nova Scotia... but it's just so awesome and I can't wait to go back. There's only one more post after this one... maybe two. :)

Ethan shared his birthday party this year with his cousin and best bud, Cole, who is a year older than him. I was planning on decorating a cake, much like I did last year. But since I was on vacation and lazy, I opted out of the time consuming creation of art and went with Larry the Lobster. HA! I loved it. Corryn loved it too, probably more than Ethan. Jon's sister, Mary got Ethan the best gift imaginable, a GARBAGE TRUCK! Oh my goodness, the kid is obsessed with garbage trucks.

While I was prepping for the party the rest of the family minus me, Jon's mum and the babies, went sailing. They saw some amazing houses, including my dream house on it's own island.

Creatures!

Animals I saw while in Nova Scotia that are not pictured below: beaver, black bear, luna moth, humming birds, loon, porcupines, and slugs.

 Blue Herring.

 This cat LOVES grandpa.

 A GIANT snapping turtle preparing to lay her eggs. About a foot.

 A HUGE toad caught in the act. About 4 inches.

An ENORMOUS dock spider. With legs it was about 5-6 inches.

Happy Birthday ETHAN!

"Ethan, how old are you?"
Ethan: "One, TWO!"

Ethan in his birthday suit!

NEWBORN

ONE YEAR OLD

TWO YEARS OLD

We love you so much! You're incredibly smart. You know your abc's, numbers, shapes, and colors. You love Blues Clues and anything to do with trucks. You still sleep with a bottle and a teddy. Everywhere we go, I'm stopped by people to say just how incredibly handsome you are. I can't wait for the next year! :)

Happy Canada Day!

We got our Canada on at Citadel Hill, an old fort that had never actually seen battle. There were cannons fired and lots of soldiers wearing skirts. :) Grandpa Evans held Corryn the whole time, she was glues to his hip, it was cute. That night we shot $200 worth of fireworks, bought from the nearby native reservation, off the dock and ooo'd and awww'd while the sounds echoed around the lake. The boys also built a small fire on the beach and we roasted marshmallows. Hands down best place to launch fireworks. Oh how I wish I was Canadian... at least my children are... half. :)