Technology...ugg!

Unfortunately after I wrote the last post about our summer holidays, I was going to write about our wonderful August long weekend trip to my gramma's farm in High Prairie and all about the fun fishing trip we had taking the girls to Slave Lake and renting a boat. I was going to post pictures of the girls catching their many fish (I think in total we had about 33- we didn't keep any of them). I was going to write about the many adventures they had at the farm with their cousins- quadding around the field, swimming in the river, playing on the tire swing, singing, dancing, and entertaining at the Lodge where grampa is, and staying up late around the campfire. I had wonderful pictures to post and share. Well, I learned a lesson- never put photos on your computer without backing them up somewhere, because it's just a matter of time until it's your turn for the computer to crash!
I was also planning to write about Mckenna's 12th birthday party in August. She had a weiner roast in the backyard with her sisters and friends and then we headed off to the rock climbing wall at the college. I was going to post pictures of Mckenna climbing up to the top of the wall. I had photos of Ainsley being brave and going up the wall, just until she was comfortable. I also had photos of Dakota zooming up to the top and then letting go with her hands as she dangled free in her harness on the way down. Those photos, of course, were on the computer not backed up.
I had also planned on writing about Mckenna's volleyball season with her Jr. High Volleyball team. They went undefeated in their league and won the league in the playoffs! They entered 2 tournaments in the grade 9 division and did amazing! In one of the tourneys, they made it to the semi finals and lost out. I was going to post pictures of her and her team- playing hard and having fun. She loves volleyball with a passion and really enjoys being a setter. She has just started her club volleyball season for March and April. I DO have photos that I will be able to post!
I was also going to write about the awesome Thanksgiving we had at my cousin Christi's place in Athabasca. This was the first time we were able to go, and can't wait to go again. There was lots of relatives there, which means fun for the kids. There was the usual little group of cousins (Mckenna, Ainsley, Sarah, Leirin, Dakota, Karley, and Nolan) and they had a blast. Fantastic food, great company, many laughs! I was going to post pictures of the kids jumping and climbing on the bales. I DID actually print those off before the "crash" so atleast I have those photos. The bales were golden, the sky was a deep, bright blue, and wind was slightly blowing. I got some fabulous photos of all the kids.
I was also going to write about our darling Dakota's 8th birthday. She had some friends over for some Christmas crafts and then we went off swimming. The coolest part about her birthday was that her very good friend Alyssa (and her sister Kyla, who is Ains's good friend) was in town from Fort Nelson, so those girls came and surprised Dakota. When Kota opened the door, she was stunned! Ains and I were excited that we pulled off the surprise- that's what birthdays are all about! I was going to post pictures of Kota and her friends, but I have a strong feeling that they were deleted from the camera BEFORE the christmas photos took over. As I am writing this, I am thinking that I will have to check the camera one more time.
So, for months I had all of these thoughts, stories, and posts floating through my head. I have learned another lesson- don't wait so long to write, and TAKE the time to write, instead of letting everything pile up.
Ugg...technology, but I guess everything happens for a reason, and I learned 2 good lessons!

Our Summer Holiday

For our holiday this year we decided to go back up north to Fort Nelson. We were anxious to go camping at all our old favourite spots. We left as soon as Bill was done work on a Thursday and

headed for Fort St. John- and the Walmart parking lot! We were officially on holidays for 2 weeks- and we all know you can't have a holiday without the traditional night in the Walmart parking lot! (haha) We didn't care- Bill's phone was off and he was away from work! We chose to stay overnight in FSJ because we had to get fishing licences before we continued on up to Siikani River Campground.

We spent the weekend there with some friends and enjoyed hiking to the Siikani Falls, picking wild strawberries, trying to fish in the muddy river, making mud pies and other creations on the river bank, and having mud fights (the girls, of course). The kids had a blast making there own little fires on the shores of the river. It was a wonderful start to our holiday.

Ainsley's Hand

Dakota's Hand

Mckenna's Hand

One of my favourite pictures on our hike.

After the weekend, we then headed on up to Fort Nelson. We spent a couple days there, visitng with some friends, but mostly letting the girls spend time with their little buddies. Mckenna hooked up with Abigail and they were inseperable, and Ainsley and Dakota were with Kyla and Alyssa. Ainsley also got to see Paulina and Dakota got to see her two friends named Paige.

We then headed off to Muncho Lake, and as always, enjoyed the drive seeing the mountains and all the animals.

Our friends Melissa and Brad and their two kids met us for a relaxing 5 days. It only rained once which kept us in the trailer, but we really couldn't complain...we were in the mountains! Brad and Bill fished one night until the we

e hours and got all kinds of fish. The fishing really got good around 1:00 am. They kept three and we cooked them up a day later- they were pretty tasty.

We went up to the Liard Hot Springs for a swim. The girls enjoyed seeing their log again and had fun slipping off of it into the water. This time we also went up to the upper pool and the girls had fun swimming there as well. Most of the time it is closed because of bear sightings, but it was open, and we weren't sure when we would be back again, so we let them have a dip.

One day, we hiked up a wash, hoping to see some sheep hanging out on the mountain side, but the only thing we saw was the beautiful scenery. The girls hiked like troopers in their rubber boots and had fun. We filled an empty water bottle with some fresh, clean, cold mountain spring water. It tasted pretty good. I think the bottle of Muncho Water is still in my fridge. It was quite windy, but we really enjoyed exploring the area and checking out the rocks. I think our round trip was 5kms. Before we left, when we were telling the girls what the plan was, Dakota says, "What's with all these hikes?" We said, "Now that y

ou guys are old enough, it's kinda fun to check out na

ture and see some interesting things." I think the answer satisfied her.

One day the adults convinced the girls to go for a swim in the lake...freezing! They were brave and actually lasted longer than we thought they would! The worst part for them was putting their heads under the water, but I think they all eventually did. Brave girls!

We drove to the lodge one day for ice and decided to keep driving to our favourite sheep spot. There weren't any on the road, but we did see some on the mountain side. We were able to pull over and actually watch them for a bit and eventually one came down right in front of our truck. The girls really enjoy seeing them and checking out their weird yellow eyes.

It was so wonderful to go to Muncho again to relax and enjoy the mountains with good company.

Moose Jaw, or Bust!

Bill's Great Aunt and Uncle (Bill and Evelyn Gilmour) were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on their farm in Moose Jaw, so we decided to attend the festivities.

It was a long drive, but we were very glad that we made the trip. It meant so much to Bill's Auntie Evelyn that so many of us came from her side of the family. It was wonderful to see and meet so many other Wolstenholmes. The kids thought it was neat that there were other kids and adults with Wolstenholme as their last name.

We enjoyed visiting with everyone and exploring Moose Jaw and area. We took Avery and London with us, as Geo and Jenn had to go to the States with Taylor. They were worried that it would be a lot of work for us, but with 3 girls fighting over them, and Bran and Cole and Gord and Pen helping too, it was a breeze. We were able to get some cute pictures of all the grandkids!

(I can not seem to figure out how to move the pictures past each other! Grr! Technology...anyway, the pictures are not where I wanted them, but they are here, nonetheless!)

Soccer, Soccer

All three girls played outdoor soccer this season, instead of swimming. That was quite an adjustment for me, but just as busy! As well as rec league soccer, Ainsley and Dakota played Wolves soccer, so there were lots of practices and a few tournaments too. In July, Mckenna was asked to play with the Wolves team in her age group. She was able to play with them until we left on holidays.

In early July, Ainsley and Mckenna both had a tournament in Red Deer. Bill had to work, so the girls and I were off. We stayed with Shan and Kel, and had a wonderful visit with them and their girls. It was nice to spend some time with them; that hasn't happened for a long time. I really appreciate them opening their home to 4 girls (Ainsley's friend Jenna came with us for the weekend), 1 tired mom, and the smelly soccer gear! Gord and Pen came up early Saturday morning, watched the games, and left Sunday afternoon. They were a huge help with taking either Ains and Jenna, or Mckenna to games. I appreciated their help, and the girls were excited that they were there to watch them.

Ainsley and Mckenna played hard and Mckenna's team fought hard and won the bronze!

Here are some various soccer pictures from the season!

Mckenna Goes to Camp!

At the end of Grade 6, Mckenna got to go with the rest of the Grade 6's to Crimson Lake ( down by Rocky Mountain House) for a 3 day campout. I was fortunate enough to go along as the third teacher! It took Mckenna some time to get used to the fact that I was going, but in the end she was OK with it.

When they were at Crimson Lake, they got to stay in cabins and participated in a variety of activities. (oh how that sounds like a teacher who just finished report cards!) Mckenna had a blast canoeing and swimming in the lake. She got to work with her own horse and go for a short trail ride- due to the thunder showers. She was mostly looking forward to the Archery and Rock Climbing activities, but those were rained out. She had many laughs with her friends, and they enjoyed hanging out together during their down time. It was so wonderful to be there and watch her constantly smiling!

The biggest smile I saw was when she came back from horseback riding. You can see in the photos that when she was first assigned to the horse, she was nervous and unsure. She was brave, and should be so proud of herself for getting on the horse and riding!

I am so thankful that I got to be a part of such a wonderful experience with Kenna!

Ainsley Turns 9

Ainzer when she was two and a half and below at her 9th birthday party with her friend Jenna.

Hard to believe that Ains is already nine years old!

It just seems like a blink ago that we were telling her big sister the wonderful news that there was a baby in my tummy. I remember having a lot of nausea during the first few months, but no vomiting. Brushing my teeth was the worst! After that subsided, then I was exhausted! After teaching all day I would come home, put a 45 minute Franklin video on, put Mckenna in the crook of my knees on the couch, and crash out. When the video was over and I had woken up, I would then make supper- Bill ate a lot of hot dogs, pasta, and take out during all of the pregnancies and never complained.

I remember feeling Ainsley's little bottom right at the top of my huge belly just a few days before she was born. I would pat it and hope that today was the day...

I remember my dad taking me to the clinic for a check up and saying good-bye to Mckenna, as she was jumping up and down on the couch, knowing that things would be different the next time I saw her...

I remember the doctor saying that I needed to go to the hospital and they needed to give me the "strep meds" right away before the labour decided to move along more quickly. I remember waiting to check in at the hospital at the front desk, while the receptionist was having a conversation about her bedding plants with another woman. Meanwhile, I'm having contractions and trying not to let anyone around me know it. When she asked what I needed, I said I was having a baby. Then she asked when, and I said RIGHT NOW. She was all flustered and quickly got the paperwork done and sent me on my way.

I remember singing Row Row Row Your Boat in my head every time I was contracting.

I remember the terrible pain I was feeling as the doctor told me that the baby was upside down (face up, instead of face down) and I was just going to have to push on through. Huge ouch!!

I remember the overwelming feeling of joy when they placed her in my arms at 9:10 at night. She was here, she was Ainsley and we just needed a middle name. I was sitting in the wheelchair getting ready to be pushed to our room and I looked up at Bill and almost at the exact same time we said "Jade, Ainsley Jade." And that is who she became.

She has always had her own personality- strong willed, but soft, quiet, but taking everything in. As she has grown into a young girl it has been amazing to watch her find a love for reading anything and everything. She has the talent and patience for sketching and drawing and loves to share her creations. She loves Science and learning facts about anything possible. She loves writing stories, and hopes to publish one someday. She enjoys soccer and swimming. She has a goofy side to her that loves to entertain others and make them laugh- she loves to talk in quirky voices. Her giggly laugh always brings a smile to my face. She has a temper that tends to flare up when her sisters are in her space or are using her things.

She is loving and kind and above all, she is our Ainsley, and we love her so very much!

Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

It Happened!

My baby is growing up...the tooth fairy has finally come to take one of Dakota's teeth away. On March 2nd she could feel "2 cords" at school and just yanked it out. She came to my classroom at recess to show me the hole. I was happy for her, but sad for me. That was the first "first tooth" that I had not been there for, or assisted in some way. Bottom, front right tooth. Gone. Nothing left but the hole and the cute little air that is heard when she talks. She could be exaggerating...Dakota?...we're not sure. :)