Happy 60th Birthday Mom!

This past Friday, my mom turned the BIG 6-0!! So on Sunday, Ken and I opened our home for a celebration like no other. There was snacks, chili, cake, family and gifts.

The entire crew all chipped in for a family ring to congratulate our mother in a special way. She LOVED it and said, “I ALWAYS wanted one!” We were so happy we could make this birthday a memorable one for you mom! And like I promised, I kept it small with no big surprises! ;)

Nicole and Kelly were the one’s dropping the enormous news of their upcoming wedding!! Kelly popped the question, and Nicole said YES!!! Congrats to the both of you, and happy birthday to my soon to be brother-in-law!!

All in all, a GREAT celebration!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Ash!!

That’s right folks! Our little baby boy had now entered the years of a toddler!! And what better way to celebrate it than with a bang?

Unfortunately on Ashton’s actual birthday, Friday October 29th, Ken and I were scheduled to work. But who better to spend the day with than Jenn all his daycare friends! Jenn threw a Halloween party on the Friday at daycare. There were treats, crafts and dancing!! Ash got to wear a birthday crown and all the kids at daycare gave Ash their crafts along with a handmade birthday card to wish him a Happy Birthday!!! Jenn was the lucky gal that got to experience Ashton’s first sugar high after a pumpkin spice muffin with orange colored icing, yum! Apparently he took his sweet time savoring it for 45 minutes!! Thank you Jenn for making his day a special one!

On Halloween afternoon, Ken and I organized a costume party for the birthday boy. There was one rule and one rule only. Wear a costume, or we’ll have one waiting for you! Everyone was a good sport and joined in the fun. Even Suki!!  It was hilarious to see what people came up with.  Remember, you are only as old as you feel...

We had planned to have Ash dressed in a dragon costume, but he was dedicated to his New York Yankees baseball player outfit. This made mommy proud!

There was quite the spread of food for everyone to enjoy, but what is a birthday without cake?  Ash got right in there with both hands, and gobbled up as much cake as he could before he opened his presents.

Ashton would like to thank everyone for being so generous and for making him feel so loved on his special day!  And also a big thank you to Declan for helping Ashton unwrap his presents, great job buddy!!

Happy Halloween!!

Drum Jam!!

The Malczewski clan has begun a new groove!  With daddy keeping the beat and mommy on the shaker, Ash brings it all together with his drum solo and vocals.  Never mind Gene Simmons's guitar licking talent, Ashton has taken it to a whole other level of rockstar glam.  He's turned a regular Corpell gallon water bottle into a music makin' madness machine!  Enjoy!

Baubee Lake

The Malczewski clan has hit the road again! Where to you ask? Off to Aunty Dani and Uncle Schmick’s little piece of paradise! This time, we had Suki in tow. She’d never let us live it down if we went to a cabin without her!

We headed out on a sunny Saturday afternoon along with Aunty Dani. Uncle Schmick was already cozied up, fire roaring, in the cabin found just over the Ontario boarder on Baubee Lake. This getaway like no other boasts a gorgeous view of the lake, whether you are sitting in the varanda or on the dock at the water’s edge.

Suki had a taste of heaven while taking a dip in the lake anytime we weren’t watching her, obsessing over her ball and drinking in all the glorious smells around her. “Sniff, sniff, sniff. Mmmm, wild flowers! Oooo, mud! Weird, a 2 seated biffy?! Uh-oh, I think a bear is close by… better disguise my pee and cover it up!”

Ashton quite enjoyed himself as well! Unfortunately it was on the chillier side that weekend so we only went outside for short bursts of time. But we sure had a great time playing with all his toys, exploring the rustic cabin, and bundling up for the delicious home cooked meals in the varanda. On a side note, THANK YOU AUNTY DANI FOR THE MIND BLOWING, MOUTH WATERING, VISUALLY TANTALIZING MEALS!!!!!

Aunty Dani has become quite the outdoors woman! She was digging biffy holes, hiking the various trails and chopping wood for the wood burning stove, and keeping us toasty inside by manning the fire (with the help of Uncle Schmick of course).

At night, we enjoyed some adult time eating home-made salsa, listening to the wildlife outside, giggling and getting silly over a few beers and Irish coffee, all under the dim and calming candle light.

Ashton was so pooped by the end of the weekend's festivities, that he passes right out on the car ride home.

It was an amazing weekend, spent with fantastic loveable people. Thank you my friends for opening your Utopia to our family! We appreciated it soooo much!!  We love you!!!

Family Day in the Park

In the attempt to spend some good, fun, family time together, Ken and I started “Family Day”. We vowed to put aside a day each week to enjoy each other and spend time AWAY from the house. There will be no house cleaning, no house renovations, no talk of house renovations, just appreciating the blessings we have in one another.

Our very first official Family Day, we decided to go to Assinaboine Park. As some of you may know, Ash has developed a love for trains, so we keep enhancing the experience each time. His first taste of choo-choo fever was his little battery operated toys that could, second time was on an electric train ride at the Stonewall Quarry Days. This occasion we stepped it up and brought him on a one of a kind steam train. Next up? Maybe we’ll take a ride on the Prairie Dog Central!

After our railway adventure, we headed to the Winnipeg Zoo. There we saw animals of all kinds. Kangaroos, reindeer, zebras, storks, lions, tigers, vultures, owls, peacocks, and many more!!!  By the end of thetour, Ashton pooped right out and fell fast asleep in his comfy stroller.

So we decided to call it a day and head home to spend some time with our loveable little gal, Suki. She was more than happy to see us and was overjoyed to spend some time in her very own yard under the warm and shining sun. We ended the day on a good note with tickles, and giggles and growling.

To all the families out there, take my word for it and set aside a special day to enjoy what life has handed you. I can’t thank the lord enough for giving me all these wonderful gifts…