Dear 2015,
You were fun!
You were everything that I want life to be about; time together, time for me, time to grow...
We settled in to our role as a family of four.
We lived out the little moments and celebrated the milestones.
We played, explored, adventured, laughed and made memories.
We cherished every minute with loved ones who came to visit and enjoyed our stay with family & friends during our time at home, in NL, during the Spring. (FaceTime made up for the distance in between.)
As we transition in to new roles and a New Year, here's a look back at some highlights & happenings from those 365 pages out of our storybook.
You were fun!
You were everything that I want life to be about; time together, time for me, time to grow...
We settled in to our role as a family of four.
We lived out the little moments and celebrated the milestones.
We played, explored, adventured, laughed and made memories.
We cherished every minute with loved ones who came to visit and enjoyed our stay with family & friends during our time at home, in NL, during the Spring. (FaceTime made up for the distance in between.)
As we transition in to new roles and a New Year, here's a look back at some highlights & happenings from those 365 pages out of our storybook.
January
The New Year started off with a farewell to Aunt Melissa who had spent the majority of December with us for Christmas.
After months of family visiting since Autumn's September arrival, I was officially on my own with two under two! It was a time to slow down and settle in. Which worked out well for winter days when it was too cold to be outside.
We took advantage of warmer weather when we could and enjoyed our first skate on the Lake and many snow day adventures.
I also started my #50fridaysof2015 photo project to document the girls' growth over the year.
After months of family visiting since Autumn's September arrival, I was officially on my own with two under two! It was a time to slow down and settle in. Which worked out well for winter days when it was too cold to be outside.
We took advantage of warmer weather when we could and enjoyed our first skate on the Lake and many snow day adventures.
I also started my #50fridaysof2015 photo project to document the girls' growth over the year.
February
Valentine's Day is one of my favourite holidays!
We spent the month celebrating in festive style, making cards for family & hosting a love day kids party! (Read the post about it, here.)
I enjoyed a fun night out with some mama friends :)
And we continued the family fun in the snow with park walks and sliding.
We spent the month celebrating in festive style, making cards for family & hosting a love day kids party! (Read the post about it, here.)
I enjoyed a fun night out with some mama friends :)
And we continued the family fun in the snow with park walks and sliding.
March
Spring came early in March and we were loving it!! Scooter rides, sidewalk chalk & seeking out Calgary's best playgrounds kept us busy.
Poppa came to town for business and spent a weekend with us, which you can read about here.
St. Patrick's day was about green paint instead of green beer ;)
We celebrated my birthday with brunch at Wurst and a box full of birthday cake timbits :)
Matthew's buddies were in town and gave us company for another weekend this month.
Poppa came to town for business and spent a weekend with us, which you can read about here.
St. Patrick's day was about green paint instead of green beer ;)
We celebrated my birthday with brunch at Wurst and a box full of birthday cake timbits :)
Matthew's buddies were in town and gave us company for another weekend this month.
April
April kicked off with playoff season! Go Habs Go!
I went to my first Hot Mama Fitness class... & was hooked! ;)
Matthew and I had our first date night with a REAL (non family) babysitter!! We went for supper and saw the Book of Mormon show at the Jubilee Centre. It was too good!
We celebrated Autumn's first Easter with family dinners, egg hunts & baskets of goodies.
The sun kept shining and we continued to explore new parks and playgrounds.
Halle turned 2! We hosted a Teddy Bear's Picnic birthday party and spent her special day at the zoo.
We had more themed fun at our baby group friend's birthday parties, too!
I went to my first Hot Mama Fitness class... & was hooked! ;)
Matthew and I had our first date night with a REAL (non family) babysitter!! We went for supper and saw the Book of Mormon show at the Jubilee Centre. It was too good!
We celebrated Autumn's first Easter with family dinners, egg hunts & baskets of goodies.
The sun kept shining and we continued to explore new parks and playgrounds.
Halle turned 2! We hosted a Teddy Bear's Picnic birthday party and spent her special day at the zoo.
We had more themed fun at our baby group friend's birthday parties, too!
May
We travelled home to Newfoundland for Autumn's first visit to the rock! It was a time to catch up with family and friends.
We took full advantage of the babysitters and enjoyed date nights and evenings out with old friends.
We lucked out with weather and spent time at the lake and spotting ice bergs from the beach.
Autumn was christened at my family church on Mother's Day.
...And perhaps one of my favourite things - we ate so much good food! Kelly's fish & chips, Big Bite pizza, Nan's jigs dinner, homecooked favs & family fish cakes. Ok, I need to stop typing before my tummy starts growling and I'm sobbing from homesickness...
The catching up with friends continued back here in Calgary when some of my gal pals from our Fort Mac days came to town for a weekend! It was great to chat over dinner, a backyard fire and brunch... And they got meet my sweet girlies for the first time :)
We took full advantage of the babysitters and enjoyed date nights and evenings out with old friends.
We lucked out with weather and spent time at the lake and spotting ice bergs from the beach.
Autumn was christened at my family church on Mother's Day.
...And perhaps one of my favourite things - we ate so much good food! Kelly's fish & chips, Big Bite pizza, Nan's jigs dinner, homecooked favs & family fish cakes. Ok, I need to stop typing before my tummy starts growling and I'm sobbing from homesickness...
The catching up with friends continued back here in Calgary when some of my gal pals from our Fort Mac days came to town for a weekend! It was great to chat over dinner, a backyard fire and brunch... And they got meet my sweet girlies for the first time :)
June
The month began with our first softball tourney of the year!
My first tournament ever, actually... I never played ball growing up, and I'm terrible, but it was all for a good laugh! We camped out for the weekend, lucked out with great weather, and had a blast with our friends and team Could Be Worse!
Our camping adventure led us to check out RV's back in Calgary...
In the end we opted out of a camper and traded in our truck for a new, bigger one!
Ate sno cones at the Spruce Meadows National :)
We kicked off summer with play dates at the lake!
& enjoyed our first Stampede pancake breakfast there.
We explored new trails like the beautiful Elbow Falls.
I saw Ed Sheeran in concert!!! And had a fun night out to dinner with some lady friends xo
Ate the most delicious food at Greek Fest!
We became frequent visitors at the zoo. Including a meet up with Miss Tina who came to town for a visit :)
Splashed at new water parks around the city.
At the end of the month, we road tripped to Saskatoon for our friend's bridal shower & stag party! A heat wave hit while we were there, so the kiddies kept cool in the pool, and everyone else with a few (too many) drinks ;)
My first tournament ever, actually... I never played ball growing up, and I'm terrible, but it was all for a good laugh! We camped out for the weekend, lucked out with great weather, and had a blast with our friends and team Could Be Worse!
Our camping adventure led us to check out RV's back in Calgary...
In the end we opted out of a camper and traded in our truck for a new, bigger one!
Ate sno cones at the Spruce Meadows National :)
We kicked off summer with play dates at the lake!
& enjoyed our first Stampede pancake breakfast there.
We explored new trails like the beautiful Elbow Falls.
I saw Ed Sheeran in concert!!! And had a fun night out to dinner with some lady friends xo
Ate the most delicious food at Greek Fest!
We became frequent visitors at the zoo. Including a meet up with Miss Tina who came to town for a visit :)
Splashed at new water parks around the city.
At the end of the month, we road tripped to Saskatoon for our friend's bridal shower & stag party! A heat wave hit while we were there, so the kiddies kept cool in the pool, and everyone else with a few (too many) drinks ;)
July
On Canada Day, the girls & I took the train downtown to meet up with some friends at Princes Island Park.
Hot days were spent outside with summery drinks & BBQed dinner.
We went to our first Market Collective event & treated ourselves to yummy Family Freezed pops :)
We went to two more Stampede pancake breakfasts & I enjoyed a night out with some Hot Mama friends!
The month ended with our second softball tournament in the season. The boys bought a 70's camper, whom they named "Connie." She served her purpose of a party bus for the weekend. We had another fun camping trip, despite forgetting mine & the girls suitcase of clothes at home & being rained out one night... Our cute cheerleaders made up for it ;)
Hot days were spent outside with summery drinks & BBQed dinner.
We went to our first Market Collective event & treated ourselves to yummy Family Freezed pops :)
We went to two more Stampede pancake breakfasts & I enjoyed a night out with some Hot Mama friends!
The month ended with our second softball tournament in the season. The boys bought a 70's camper, whom they named "Connie." She served her purpose of a party bus for the weekend. We had another fun camping trip, despite forgetting mine & the girls suitcase of clothes at home & being rained out one night... Our cute cheerleaders made up for it ;)
August
Beach dayz were in full swing during August! We even got to enjoy one with Poppa while he was in town for another business trip.
While he was here we also ate yummy baked goods from Corbeaux & went to Marda Gras festival... for the food trucks ;)
We went to an "urban beach" event in Kensington (a trendy, downtown neighbourhood, that became a manmade beach for a day!)
We soaked up every last minute of summer with park playdates.
A favorite was our first visit to the newly opened St. Patrick's Island Park :)
Market Collective's 7th birthday event was another fun event that had us exploring the city centre
While he was here we also ate yummy baked goods from Corbeaux & went to Marda Gras festival... for the food trucks ;)
We went to an "urban beach" event in Kensington (a trendy, downtown neighbourhood, that became a manmade beach for a day!)
We soaked up every last minute of summer with park playdates.
A favorite was our first visit to the newly opened St. Patrick's Island Park :)
Market Collective's 7th birthday event was another fun event that had us exploring the city centre
September
September was full of of my favourite things - sunshine, Fall fun, family & birthdays!
Twas the season for trips to Cobb's Corn Maze and Calgary's Corn Maze & Fun Farm.
We went to the Willow Park Fall Fair and enjoyed face painting, photo booths & food trucks.
I hosted a fun end of Summer pot luck for my Hot Mama Fit friends :)
Our friend Lisa took the most adorable photos of the girls in celebration of Autumn's 1st birthday! Click here to see them.
Nanny & Poppy came to spend Matthew & Autumn's birthdays!
We celebrated Autumn's with her first cupcake from Crave :) & we hosted a Fish Fry with friends for Daddy's!
Grandparents in town also meant lots of date nights for us!
Twas the season for trips to Cobb's Corn Maze and Calgary's Corn Maze & Fun Farm.
We went to the Willow Park Fall Fair and enjoyed face painting, photo booths & food trucks.
I hosted a fun end of Summer pot luck for my Hot Mama Fit friends :)
Our friend Lisa took the most adorable photos of the girls in celebration of Autumn's 1st birthday! Click here to see them.
Nanny & Poppy came to spend Matthew & Autumn's birthdays!
We celebrated Autumn's with her first cupcake from Crave :) & we hosted a Fish Fry with friends for Daddy's!
Grandparents in town also meant lots of date nights for us!
October
October may have topped the charts for all around greatness :D
The date nights continued with an overnight quading & camping adventure! Where we literally experienced all four seasons in 24 hours. It was so much fun to get lost in the woods together for some quality time.
Luckily the snow fall we woke up to didn't stick around and the weather stayed warm for the rest of the Carroll's visit. We took Nanny downtown for lunch in Inglewood and a stroll along the beautiful River Walk.
Playground trips around the city were still in full swing :)
Kicked off hockey season in style ;)
I ran my first 5K at CIBC Run for the Cure with my friend Nona.
Celebrated the soon to arrive baby brother for Hailey at Melissa's baby shower.
Spent my first weekend away from mommy life at Hot Mama's Yoga Surf Retreat in Tofino! It was AH-MAZING! Me time, gal pals, wine, yoga, fitness, tacofino ;) It was my first time visiting the island, which was breath taking! And my first time surfing & SUP. Lots of firsts and it filled my soul with just what I needed.
Returned to two Thanksgiving dinners with friends... and some cute princesses.
Halloween was way more fun this year! Halle wore her costume every day for a month straight after all of the festivities. Which included parties and potlucks! Plus a date night out for my Top Gun co-pilot and I... which started at the Habs vs Flames game - big night and the perfect end to a fantastic month!
The date nights continued with an overnight quading & camping adventure! Where we literally experienced all four seasons in 24 hours. It was so much fun to get lost in the woods together for some quality time.
Luckily the snow fall we woke up to didn't stick around and the weather stayed warm for the rest of the Carroll's visit. We took Nanny downtown for lunch in Inglewood and a stroll along the beautiful River Walk.
Playground trips around the city were still in full swing :)
Kicked off hockey season in style ;)
I ran my first 5K at CIBC Run for the Cure with my friend Nona.
Celebrated the soon to arrive baby brother for Hailey at Melissa's baby shower.
Spent my first weekend away from mommy life at Hot Mama's Yoga Surf Retreat in Tofino! It was AH-MAZING! Me time, gal pals, wine, yoga, fitness, tacofino ;) It was my first time visiting the island, which was breath taking! And my first time surfing & SUP. Lots of firsts and it filled my soul with just what I needed.
Returned to two Thanksgiving dinners with friends... and some cute princesses.
Halloween was way more fun this year! Halle wore her costume every day for a month straight after all of the festivities. Which included parties and potlucks! Plus a date night out for my Top Gun co-pilot and I... which started at the Habs vs Flames game - big night and the perfect end to a fantastic month!
November
As I looked back at my camera roll for November, it's clear this was a slow down month... In a good way!
We stayed closer to home, enjoyed walks & playground stops, playdates at friends and relaxing together.
We got to meet our newest Howell family cousin & visit with my Aunt during her visit to Calgary.
We stayed closer to home, enjoyed walks & playground stops, playdates at friends and relaxing together.
We got to meet our newest Howell family cousin & visit with my Aunt during her visit to Calgary.
December
Busyness picked up again in December with holiday events like Once Upon A Christmas at Heritage Park.
Our Elf on the Shelf arrived & we named her Pancakes :)
I ran my second 5K at Spruce Meadow's Dashing Through the Glow with the Hot Mama's & my two festive sidekicks in tow.
Nana arrived too, to spend Christmas with us!
We baked treats & decorated gingerbread houses together.
We visited the Horsin Around farm.
During Christmas week, we actually relaxed this year! We went to Baby Jesus' birthday party. We cooked dinner at home and hosted a Boxing Day Brunch Open House.
I enjoyed a day out with my mama before she left which included a delicious lunch at Nash and shopping at Cross Iron Mills.
In between we played in the snow & went sliding as a family :)
We ended the year off with friends at the Brennan's New Years Eve party!
Our Elf on the Shelf arrived & we named her Pancakes :)
I ran my second 5K at Spruce Meadow's Dashing Through the Glow with the Hot Mama's & my two festive sidekicks in tow.
Nana arrived too, to spend Christmas with us!
We baked treats & decorated gingerbread houses together.
We visited the Horsin Around farm.
During Christmas week, we actually relaxed this year! We went to Baby Jesus' birthday party. We cooked dinner at home and hosted a Boxing Day Brunch Open House.
I enjoyed a day out with my mama before she left which included a delicious lunch at Nash and shopping at Cross Iron Mills.
In between we played in the snow & went sliding as a family :)
We ended the year off with friends at the Brennan's New Years Eve party!
As I said, 2015, you were fun!
This was just a glimpse of some of the memories made thanks to the reminders of my iPhone camera roll...
Many valuable moments may have not been captured on camera and instead came from the little things as our children grow and we experience the day to day.
I am so glad that those days were filled with the things I value most - fun, quality time together with loved ones.
I am so thankful to have added to that list of special people this year... We all made some great friends through new groups, get togethers and shared experiences.
2015, you were the year I fell for fitness, at this stage in my life. The happiness I found in doing something for me carried over in to other areas of my life and helped me to become a better all around version of myself :)
Being a better me, helped us to grow as a family.
This recap sure has been a joy to look back and see how far we have come!
I will cherish these documented moments in the years ahead.
So, cheers to you, 2015! And cheers to the 365 ahead!
This was just a glimpse of some of the memories made thanks to the reminders of my iPhone camera roll...
Many valuable moments may have not been captured on camera and instead came from the little things as our children grow and we experience the day to day.
I am so glad that those days were filled with the things I value most - fun, quality time together with loved ones.
I am so thankful to have added to that list of special people this year... We all made some great friends through new groups, get togethers and shared experiences.
2015, you were the year I fell for fitness, at this stage in my life. The happiness I found in doing something for me carried over in to other areas of my life and helped me to become a better all around version of myself :)
Being a better me, helped us to grow as a family.
This recap sure has been a joy to look back and see how far we have come!
I will cherish these documented moments in the years ahead.
So, cheers to you, 2015! And cheers to the 365 ahead!
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