I'm here to live outloud!

Hello.

Is it me you're looking for?

ok, Sherri, when you put this on facebook today, I giggled and giggled and then realized, Hello, this isn't funny. It's the situation of my blog right now. gone, hidden, disappeared, blah, blah blah.

I almost gave up on blogging, not because I didn't want to blog, but because the lack of technology in our household that prevented me from blogging. Shaw=stone ages for us. Never once could we have internet, tv and phone at the same time for 3 days in a row. So it became frustrating and we came to not rely on anything technology in our house. Yes very silly, why didn't we change right away? Well for a couple of reasons: It is such a pain in my ARSE to move our entire library wall to change back. And finding time in our schedule to accommodate someone being there to even let them in. Next to impossible. Besides throwing in any possible changeover charges. I was willing to give a second chance, third, fourth, apparently hundreds. Well not any more. Our day finally came to change 2 weeks ago and I am beyond happy! Woohoo.

Fingers crossed, we are glitch free...

Hallowe'en was AWESOME! Such a warm warm night, and of course we scored unbelievable amount of candy. too much, way too much. Embarassingly to say I threw out an entire cauldron full from last year. Jim bugged me and said we should hand it out. I asked did he want our house egged? The novelty of candy is there for a few weeks then thank heavens it tapers off.

Of course you know I dressed up, I always do. Whether it is to hand out the candy or if it is walking around with the kids door to door. This year our best buds joined us and we had a BLAST!

Somehow I lost time in the day and was left with less than a handful of minutes to focus on my face, but this is where 12 min. got me and dollar store face crayons. Needless to say, I have realized it is time to break out my cosmetic grade face paints. I used to face paint soooo much in previous years, and have taken many classes on face painting, and if you want to do something right  you need the right tools, or at least ones that are worth more than an buck and don't break every second. lol. Before when we used to have crazy adult parties, and reasons to paint our faces...now with kids I see we are going to have many more reasons to do it. 

So here I am a dead witch and my zombie little red riding hood. I told her not to laugh so that she has a serious scary face, but that is hard for our family. we laugh way too much.

Here's more serious,and the blood she added herself.

Riley a good natured samurai.

Jager...wait for it. Spiderman AGAIN!!!!!!!! seriously let's retire the red/blue spiderman, the black spiderman. We've spidey 3 times now!!!!! but this time it was different because he had muscles!!!!!

Our pumpkins were very plain this year. We went to Winnipeg as a family and that didn't leave us much time to spend the day carving. But I was pretty happy.

hmm, so now that I am back blogging, I am going to try and pick up on sharing with you more. Have to get myself back into the routine...

Today 2 blogs have me on them, I'd love for you to go and check them out.

Basically Bare

Vinatge Street Market

Some fun little things from our Halloween.

Check back a little later. I'm working on blog posts for this month. I've got lot's to show. I've been gone awhile. So if you've given up on me...I'm BACK!!!!!

of course, I have news, you know it!

 

 

White Lotus Photoart ROCKS!

So what does Regina have to offer? 

Parliament Buildings

Science Centre- which totally ROCKS. We always go!

Roughriders

AND.... White Lotus Photoart-Kids. I was very lucky to have met this girl years and years ago and just love her take on things. Her scrapbooking was clean, crisp and a graphic artists dream design. Then her photography and invitation business skyrocketed. I follow her art, her blog, her site and longed for a day that it could work that we hooked up for a photo play date. Well Sunday it worked! woohoo. We met up and had fun. I never dreamt of seeing sneaks so fast, but she had quite a few. So I simply must share.

and yes, stitches and all. This was reality.

Of course, the feet shot. I'm a mom that loves their little parts! It's all in the details!

I love how Ireland stands like a girl waiting for her first kiss.

Now will the real Forrest kids please come forward....

yeppers, they are all ours. we love em to pieces. Rockstar!

I simply do not know how I will wait to see the rest. HUGE HUGE thanks Melissa Chapman for fitting our pipsqueaks in!!!! you are amazing!

Merry Christmas! warning LONG post!!!!

I meant to get here in time for the post but hey us forrest's were having way too much fun enjoying life and loving visiting with family.

so for all of you cool bloggers out there.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays. 

well definitely nice!

or hopefully we will try to.

We started our celebrating at my parent's house Christmas Eve. What a wonderful day for it!!! It was lot's of fun having our cousins, aunts, uncle and siblings all there with their families. Great food, of course, my mom CAN cook! Holy yummy! The kids were so excited. 

And to keep with TRUE Forrest sitcom happenings, Ireland gave herself a haircut JUST a few days before Christmas. and SHE LOVES IT! I have yet to fix it based on not knowing what on earth to do , but we've decided to give her a little bit of a punk do. It's the best that will be able to happen. 

she wakes up looking like this...

but mommy makes her sit nice and still for a do... (cause I think she is oh so cute!)

but little stylist much prefers this look...

yep, I haven't taken actual pics of "the do" persay, these are from Christmas. but i will when I fix it. But c'est la vie.

Christmas brought fun fun presents to the kids. They are on cloud 9. We like our winter sports so the new Zipfy freestyle mini luge's ROCKED!

  they make pink so we didn't get Ireland one till we can find it.

But at the farm they don't have any hills so we do it redneck style... behind the quad. Seriously, adventure = good times. In my case, I fell off 3 times and got covered in snow, but oh these little things are fun. We wondered if Ireland would try and it turned out she was the best, and likes speed. shocking.  (not) Jim is her father.

Of course the boys get brave and do no hands. 

then even ireland joins in on doing a little bumping. 

It also brought snowboards. Only Riley tried his behind the quad. Just like waterskiing. :)  well maybe Riley might disagree. He did say it hurt when he fell. Well of course it did, he has 0% body fat! here he is getting ready...

 going good so far...

then Jim tried it. HE does waterski good. So snowboarding behind a quad seemed a good idea.

He wasn't too bad, the only thing that stopped him was one of the little kids started to run between him & the quad so needless to say he didn't want any trips to the emerg.  Thank heavens!

The kids were spoiled with a bzillion new games for the wii, ds and of course some fun new movies. Those will keep the kids busy FOREVER! I also asked the family if they would consider getting puzzles for the kids since we are trying to enhance their memory and problem solving skills, so they received LOT's of FANTASTIC ones. I am really excited. 

Ireland of course became a mommy again, a few times over! lol. For a 2yr old she LOVES her dolls. This year I hope she decides to dress them. All her barbies and dolls are naked. no surprise, it is our house afterall. But her gramma made her some yummy little outfits, so hopefully she uses them!

My favourite thing to watch is the games of ping pong, everyone gets involved. Dad & Shane already stripped down one layer of clothes. fun to watch!!!! although I think my bro's left handedness is definitely an asset.

then when the adults needed breaks, the kids played.

Ireland is also really really competitive. Have no idea where she gets that from???

then of course, a fun family get together isn't fabulous until you hold a cute cute baby. Isn't she yummy?

We ended the evening at mom & dad's  watching new movies and roasting hotdogs and marshmallows by the fire. It rocked!

The next day we did it all over again at Jim's brothers house. Except silly me, I worried about charging the kids ds's for the road trip in, and so I only took a couple photos before the camera died. but my favourite is when Jim decided that the small pints were getting a little rumbunkish so he proposed new games... situp and push up competitions, and arm wrestling. It was adorable.

Now that is amusement. the push ups looked like the kids were doing the worm.

 

Well I hope you enjoyed a little recap of our Christmas activities. Boxing Day was the most fabulous lazy day ever. We didn't get home till after 2 am, so we ALL slept in till late, almost noon. Jim woke up and made us brunch. He is the best breakfast cook ever! LOVE LOVE a man that can cook! yummo. Then we spent the day playing the new wii games and playing board games. The Michael Jackson wii game is awesome! gave us lot's and lot's of laughs. But playing yahtzee with the kids was the best. Ireland won, fair and square!

Well, I should go to bed, I can't wait for this weeks time together. A whole week together, no work. PERFECT!!!!! What can we pack in????

A few of you requested....

to see my Glitz  Design class I taught all year. Thanks Glitz girls, I had a great time with the fabulous palette of colourful designs! :))  This was one was soooo fun. We played with stamping, layering, glimmer misting and creative flowers. I have now retired it so I would love to share it with the rest of you as well. I can't wait to finish them and add titles and journaling. 

I have been a little MIA, trying to create create and more creating. I have been scrapbooking up a storm, working on various albums, lot's of 8x8's for the kids in the cancer ward, albums as Christmas gifts. Throw in a fun party for my wonderful sweetheart who turned 40 on Saturday and well life has been full and busy. I love you forever and ever!!!!! mwah!xoxoxoxoxox

I really am blessed that I get to spend my days laughing. My favourite thing about getting older is the laugh lines I am developing. I love that these are tell tale signs that I have enjoyed my life. It was also neat to see my little bro come over with his family. Life is really moving by so fast. Sarah is already a couple months old. and she is BEAUTIFUL! a little redheaded Angelina Jolie lipped girl. such cute bright eyes. So it was fun to see little momma IReland not leave her side when they came over for Jim's bday. I love that their age difference will be no different than Ireland and Jager. In 2 years look out world. We may have fashion divas on hand. 

What a great pic of their family hey?

Here's a close up of peanut. I love babies flawless complexion. Her wispy hair, teeny nose. I miss the baby days. I was a huge fan of the baby stage.

Today, we are having Riley's birthday party at the bowling alley. He doesn't turn 7 till Saturday, but so many of his little buds are busy so we decided to have it today. Cannot wait. I LOVE kids bdays!

So happy early birthday little Ry guy. I LOVE LOVE LOVE you! I can't believe how fast the last 7 years have gone by. Can the birthday wish be to ask for those years back? I want to relive them and hold and cuddle my little guy over and over.  He is seriously the best kid anyone could ask for. My big helper, if something ever happened to me, he would be that kid that could get all the kids ready for school, with lunches. He is very amazing. I love love love this series of pics with him & Jager. such great bros.

again all photos of my family are by Maki Foto of Saskatoon.  She is amazing, great edits, great eye, fabulous all around. We will be using her talents again! THANKS. Like seriously, I will be having fun scrapping these pics!!!! The photos of Shane & Andrea and baby Sarah are from GlowFoto. Thanks Karen. We had some fun pics with her recently as a whole extended family. I will show you those another time.

Well, my fingers are calloused, I popped a water blister tonight on one finger. I am working like a mad woman creating 8x8's for the kids in the cancer ward. 2 weeks left to complete as many as humanly possible. thanks everyone for ongoing support in these causes.

 

Also, for anyone who is looking for an unique charity to help out these holidays, read below. I am sending a huge package of gift bags, new & gently used after Riley's birthday party tomorrow, I would be happy to send anyone else's stuff with it, just let me know. It is always a great cause to support literacy in young children. good luck Linda, I think your program is fantastic!

 

Since 2004, I have been sponsoring a "Children's Gift Shop". The shop I implemented allows the kids to purchase a Christmas present for their Mom and their Dad for $2.00 a gift (only 2 gifts/child). No Parents Allowed (you can’t peek!), you have to wait outside.

Every year this shop has proven to be a great success in all our hearts; therefore, I am organizing another exciting afternoon for the school-aged children within the community. In order to reach all children, the store will take place on a school afternoon where all students should be (no band, hockey, skating…). I am asking/begging that you donate NEW items suitable for the children to purchase for their parents as a Christmas gift. All year, I spend my time getting gifts together for this store, I separate them (Mom/Dad) and then they are stored in my home. When the children purchase a gift for $2, they are getting a gift of greater value as well as having it wrapped and labeled by your child.

I count on all of you and your donations to keep this shopping experience alive and running every year. If you have nothing available, or time is a factor, a cash donation would be appreciated and a gift will be purchased on your behalf. Some items for donation that would be suitable are: boxed stationery, jewellery, perfume, dishcloths, dishtowels, pictures, nail polish, pen and pencil sets, books, ornaments, wallets, bubble bath, playing cards or games, caps, coffee mugs, chocolates, toques, calculators, cologne, manicure/pedicure sets, shaving kit items, etc. Perhaps you are “crafty” and would like to donate some home-made items as well.

I am in need of any gift bags, small boxes, wrapping paper, ribbons, etc. that could hold some of these gifts as well. (please also remember on Christmas day to place these aside, so I can store and have for the 2010 Children‘s Christmas Store)

All proceeds will be presented to the Preeceville School, for distribution within the elementary side of school; this year the money will be applied towards purchasing a reading program. This is a huge pay-it-forward opportunity, you can donate gifts (chance to re-gift in a positive manner), and once the children purchase a present, ALL the money is then donated back. 

A huge thank you to all my volunteers, without you helping me, this dream of mine wanting to help kids enjoy and experience a loving & giving Christmas would not have come to life! Kids, I thank you so much for stopping me in the hallway, on the street at other events, it makes me so happy that you truly enjoy this experience and look forward to it months in advance. I do the best I can and rely heavily on the parents & communities’ participation.

Please contact me at 547-2021 Home - 547-7487 cell if you have any questions, concerns, need me to pick up donations.

A gift that not only works as a present, but as a donation to a reading program – this is an example of a gift that keeps on giving!!!

Yours truly, 

Linda Shewchuk, Founder 
The Children's Christmas Store
www.goodtidings4u.com
547-7487

 

 

Well everyone, have a fabulous day. It is 4:21 am, i am off to bed to get a couple hours sleep, then the last minute running around to do, and then PARTY time. cannot wait. I wonder who is more excited?
 

let's giggle a few more times.

YES, this is definitely why I married this guy. Laughter fills our house all the time, he has a personality that is fantastic. His laugh is contagious. This the tip of why I am in love with him, also why I am so impressed with Maki Fotos. I've been very lucky to have a child that attends school with her little cutie, so she has gotten to know us as a family. Seriously, what other photographer would've ever had us do this?????

1,2,3...sitting on milk boxes, looking as cute as can be.

my handsome men. love them!

 

well today is officially the day that I am going to start addressing Christmas card envelopes. Pictures are ordered. So must get ready. I will not be late this year. (I hope, I strive to be more like my mom. efficient.

Oh and please forgive me if I ask for your address again. I lost all my entries when our last computer died. 

 

 

us crazy forrest's!

Well, this is our Christmas card this year, what do you think of it?????? I would say this is soooo true to us. Well okay, maybe some of you might receive a nice "we are a normal family" photo. but hey, I thought all of you could use a laugh.

 I have to say, (I know I say it every time I get new family photos), but these are the most FAVOURITE family pics to date. they are funny, serious, cute, just in love!!!!!

THANK YOU MAKI!!!! if you love these, do not hesitate, go befriend Maki fotos on facebook, book a session. she fills up soooo fast, you will not regret it. I will show you a few every day this week.

click here to go to Maki's website

To me, these next 2 photos are the epitome of what being a mom is. Hanging with my kids and giggling. Maki captured this with Jag & I and I LOVE it.

Our first baby is growing up so fast. please slow down riley, I don't want to miss out on a moment. 

Our new little scholar. Jager is loving Kindergarten, and his French is beginning to flow. neat.

My favourite part of getting our photos from Maki are her ability to capture without always being posed images. I love this one.

I love this dude!!!!! 10 yrs married and still going strong. I can't believe we've been together almost 13 years. Time is flying.

brothers that just love each other. 

our little princess. she is getting so big.

see you tomorrow!