House of Dreams

Oh lovely house. What a gift you were to me. You were most certainly meant to be ours, even just for a little while and you were our home, so loved and cherished. Never to be forgotten. I'm just sorry that I couldn't uplift you and take you with us, but you belong right where you are, perfectly at home on our lake, all windows facing to meet her for fun and adventure but walls within that tell stories of families, love and happiness. 

Girls Just Wanna have Fun

I was so lucky to meet so many amazing women in Halifax and be welcomed so wholeheartedly into their lives. There was something about the culture and the combination of personalities that generated the best ideas for having fun. I honestly don't think I've had so much fun or made so many girlfriends since high school. 

Unexpected Treasure

Canada afforded me so many incredible opportunities. Who can forget my lifelong dream to be Anne of Green Gables? Then there I found myself in Halifax, where Anne attends University and not to mention my three wonderful trips to Prince Edward Island it’self. There really was so many details to life there that were dreams come true. I've written about so many of them but there are a few left that I can’t leave unrecorded.

Quill's Blessing Day

It was lovely to have the blessing of our darling little boy in the Halifax Ward, where Levi and I have been so loved and supported through a difficult pregnancy and the weight of Levi's calling as Bishop. Halifax is a very special place. Quill was born here and blessed here, wearing the same outfit Finley wore for his blessing, surrounded by men we love and value. Levi had Rob Johnson, Josh Blakeney, Chad Quist, Mauro Decosta and Al Landingin in the circle with him and Quill was calm and quiet as Levi gave him a beautiful blessing from his Heavenly Father. It's something that I hope he treasures and I want him to know that as a tiny baby he was welcomed and loved by an entire ward. 

All in White for Halloween

 

Canadian holiday traditions are pretty great. I must say that I wouldn't mind if Australia cultivated a bit more of a celebratory spirit. Until such a time, I'm learning all I can from the pro's and plan to do my utmost to get into the spirit of the holidays that come along. I haven't always been a Halloween fan, but in Canada it really does make a lot of sense. The last leaves of fall cling to the tree's and there's a crisp nip in the air, it starts to get dark early which all adds to the ambiance of the holiday.

Baby Mine

Seven weeks today, I love getting to know you, holding you close and singing you off to sleep. You are such a beautiful boy. We are seeing little smiles now and you love being cuddled in close and sung to. Your hair is starting to look very strawberry blonde and you love sucking everything insight especially your hands. Know little baby that you are surrounded by love. 

A Perfect Fall Day

 

When your time in a place is quickly drawing to a close, those would have's, could have's, should have's start to rear up. Nova Scotia really is so packed with beautiful things to see that I would have needed a good few more years to get through all I would have liked to see, but with just over a month to go until we would be leaving her shores a few old favourites and a few must do's became the focus. One of which was Victoria Park in Truro, best admired in fall when the leaves are just so and the air calls for rugging up in your finest.

Knit in Love

You are growing so fast little Quill. Just one month old and only just fitting into the knits I made you. I worked on the little hat and bloomers for you in the last few months of my pregnancy and thought of you and and holding you in my arms all the while. I love seeing them on you. You are such a sweet and gentle baby. You feed and sleep and come along on all the adventures with your aunties, uncle and cousins. They are all here in Canada at just the right time to see you as a newborn babe, fresh from heaven and sent to us. Oh how we love you.

Around Town { Courtney's Visit }

The weather really held strong for Courtney's visit. We had beautiful blue sky, sunny days and even though the chill was starting to creep in, Halifax was still at her most beautiful and we made the most of exploring her. Lighthouses were high on Courtney's list, so we planned to check a few out and I wanted to show her downtown Halifax with it's lovely public gardens and other fun hot spots. Of course there was lots of cuddles with beautiful baby Quill and great chats and catch ups on the lounge. 

Grand Pre' and Pumpkins { Courtney's Visit }

Courtney was the last of my siblings to arrive for some time with us and Nova Scotia. The timing was just right, crossing over with Shannon and his family, so that she could hit some of the big to-do's with them like Lunenburg and the Valley, while I was home recovering with baby. But I saved some special spots I'd been wanting to explore with her just for us and although swimming at the lake was coming to a close she got to experience the very beginnings of fall.

Family + Fun { Shannon and Mireille Visit }

This summer was our busiest yet. Holidays were had, our baby was born and all of my siblings visited. There is nothing more beautiful than Nova Scotia in summer and I was so glad to share it all with Shannon, Mireille, Taylor and Cierra, and then later Courtney joined us all too. I gave birth to Quill on the Tuesday and then the Ryan's arrived on the Saturday! The timing was actually great. I had a few days to recover from the birth and then I had lots of people to cuddle Quill, keep me company and clean my kitchen! (my least favourite household task). The Ryan's are great at seizing the day and as seasoned adventures took off in the directions I suggested and found the fun. I joined them for the shorter trips and some of my fav spots and in between there was lots meals together, making smores by the fire, lake swims and paddle boarding, reconnecting and sharing.

Our New Baby

'Our new baby, our new baby!' The kids meeting their new brother for the first time was such a joy. They had been waiting a long time and now the wait was finally over. That afternoon, just a few hours after I'd given birth, they came into the hospital for a visit, baring celebratory cupcakes for mum and huge smiles in anticipation of meeting their brother. They came into the room so excited and then looked at Quill with the awe and wonder that abounds at the sight of a new baby. 

Welcome to the World Quill

Reflecting on Quill's birth now, a few months later, it feels completely surreal. Did I really do that? Birth is such an intense experience and when it's all through it really does feel like a victory - with the best prize of all. This pregnancy was definitely my hardest. It felt like from day one symptoms, all too familiar to me, set in and the next 9 months became a battle against my body to function in every day life. The only thing I can really say I gained from the experience (aside from my sweet babe) is an empathy for people who live with chronic pain. Some days it's hard to get even the bare minimum done. My family was patient and loving through it all and it was all in the name of a new baby, much wanted and anticipated by all, and loved before he even was. Will I do it again? I don't think so but I'm glad I did for him.

The Sun and her Flowers

Summer this year coincided with the last few months of my pregnancy and despite not feeling great I was really determined to enjoy every moment and opportunity that it presented. As we came to the beginning of September and very close to our baby's arrival, the weekend of his due date in fact, there was two things I wanted to do from my summer bucket list. One was to visit the sunflower farm in the valley and the next was to eat pasta and bread and butter pudding from our favourite little restaurant set on the banks of Williamstown river. So we set off on Saturday, our last adventure as a family of four and took the beautiful drive once more to the Valley.

Summer in Nova Scotia

There are all the BIG moments of summer, weekend trips away, visits to other provinces, visitors coming and exploring but there are also so many SMALL moments that put together the story of living summer in Nova Scotia, a whirlwind of fun, beauty and adventure. A time and place that will be in my memory and my heart forever and ever. 

Sweet as Can Bee

If there was any occasion to celebrate in Halifax, the girls here would find a way to celebrate it! So even though I was having my third baby my two beautiful friends Camille and Jen put together a sweet little baby shower to celebrate, complete with sunflowers, treats, games and presents. With little baby's birth just around the corner it was so nice to spend an evening thinking about his arrival and spending time with lots of the women dear to me in Halifax.

On the Road { Tate and Hanna Visit }

I think that the Cumberland Shore is one of the best kept Nova Scotia secrets. Just a few days early we had been on one side of the Bay of Fundy, now we were on the other, winding our way along the shore and stopping at all the treasures along the way. 

So Much to Love { Tate and Hanna Visit }

Any and every direction you travel in Nova Scotia will bring you to amazing and diverse beauties. I love that you can travel just an hour in any direction and find beautiful things to see and do, so unique and quintessentially Nova Scotia. I had spent the previous few years compiling a list and seeking out the very best of Nova Scotia and the Valley is right up there as one of my favourites. 

The Lighthouse & Lunch { Tate & Hanna Visit }

There is so much to see and do in Halifax in the summer and no Halifax visit is complete without Peggy's Cove. It's the most photographed lighthouse in Canada and a beautiful place to explore. It still holds on to it's quaintness as a little east coast fishing village despite the incredible amount of tourists who make their way through it. The kids had lots of fun playing on the rocks even with a few puddle falling incidents. The rocks are so unique and it's a beautiful place to walk around and gaze out on the Atlantic ocean. One of my favourite things at Peggy's Cove are the Lobster rolls which we had for our lunch after wandering through the little town and taking in the beautiful views of fishing life on the coast. 

Hello and Off We Go { Tate & Hanna Visit }

The Ryan family coming to Halifax was the most anticipated event of the summer. The kids could not wait! It had been almost two years since we had last all seen each other and we were beyond excited to come together again. In preparation we made a welcome sign, made beds and made plans. And on the day they arrived we were ready for the fun to begin. 

The Lake of Shining Waters

After leaving Palmyra and travelling back across the boarder to Ontario we found we had half the day and some energy to do some more exploring and drive over to some of the sites that the Anne of Green Gables movie was filmed at. Although the story is set on Prince Edward Island and some of the filming did take place there, much of it was done in Ontario. Lucy Maud herself said after she had made her home in Ontario that it was the only place that came close to the splendors of the island, so I suppose filming there was okay : ) I have always wanted to see the Green Gables house of the movie and the beautiful bridge that many sweet and moving scenes take place on and this was my chance.

At This Very Place

We took a little sojourn during our visit with Jen and Stew to head into upstate New York and spend a few days at the church history sites around Palmyra. This was a trip years in the making. Levi and I use to speak about taking this trip when we were missionaries and throughout our marriage it has been a discussion we have returned to. The idea of seeing where key events in the church's history took place was really exiting to us and provides beautiful context to the events important to our faith. It wasn't until I realised how close Toronto is to upstate New York (3 hours) that it became obvious that this would be an easy trip and one we could combine with seeing our dear friends the Lokers.

Summer Visit to the Lokers

Living just a short plane ride away from our dear friends the Lokers has been an absolute highlight of moving to Canada. Each year we have either gone to them, or they have come to us and this summer we headed their way for a great catch up and some Ontario must do's too along the way.

Island Treasures

We feel as though Prince Edward Island is a home away from home now. This was our third visit in as many years and with many of our bucket list items having been visited and revisited we had a really special opportunity to just go slow and enjoy some of the hidden gems of island life. 

School's Out for the Summer

Finley's last day of Grade Primary! He did it! What a year for Finley. He really, really enjoyed school at Bedford South. His teacher was Ms Haverstock or Miss H. and he had a lovely classroom and made some really beautiful friends. His best friend was Noah who he played with every day as well as lots of friends both boys and girls who loved to play - Caleigh, Jayden, Haixang.

The Best Worst Night Ever

A big smile comes to my face when I think of this experience because it was so terrible but so wonderful at the same time. Our wonderful stake Relief Society presidency organised an overnight camp for all of the sisters in our stake. I think that these events are so great, they take lots of work and planning and really give an opportunity for people to get to know each other and have a good time. I was excited to attend with Camille and Jen and we drove down together on a Friday night to the campsite near New Ross. It was right on a beautiful lake which we were excited to swim in the next day. The camp was held in mid June and we felt pretty sure that this meant it would be warm right? Its summer, lots of swimming and surely a sheet and blanket would be plenty for a comfortable night sleep – yes? No. Ha. Summer really begins July, what were we thinking?

Spring Splendor

Spring is a foggy, rainy, muddy time in Nova Scotia with the occasional warm, sunny day that gives you hope that summer is not too far away. Those first buds on the trees, the tiny sprouts pushing their way through the dirt bring so much joy and hope. And soon enough those early signs bloom into a technicoloured array that makes you forget the months of white and grey just passed.

Prima Ballerina

Recently Primrose started ballet lessons on a Saturday morning and it's basically the cutest thing I have ever seen. She is the youngest in the class by a little way and is just so sweet and funny following along and then getting distracted, regaining focus and falling over trying to get her legs in the right spot. Watching her, I couldn't help but have a huge smile on my face the whole time. She absolutely loves it. You can see that she really feels like a fairy princess prancing around and having a great time. She often talks about how much she loves 'Baa-lay' and being one of the 'Princess-es-ss'. 

Mermaid for a Day ~ Primrose turns Three

We could not have asked for a more beautiful and lovely day to celebrate our girl turning three. Her birthday fell on the Victoria Day holiday so Levi had the day off and we were able to fulfill Primrose's wish to go as a family to do pool and be mermaids. We started the day with the three of us waking her to the sound of 'Happy Birthday', she was her beautiful sweet self, smiling and happy that her special day had come. She was very concious that she was two and is now three and ready to get into the action. Then it was pancakes and two presents, dollies from mummy and grandma who have been waiting two years til she was the right age to have them. Primrose loved them on sight, she is a dolly girl for sure.

Smile, you're Six

I love birthdays and as the children grow and their excitement for their birthdays grow, I get so much joy out of making a happy day for them from start to finish. We have instilled the 'party every second' year rule from my childhood and this year that mean't Finley had a family birthday, which I think is just as fun!

Easter and Every Good Thing

We had a lovely and low key Easter weekend. I stand by it as my favourite holiday. It's got the meaning and tradition like Christmas but more low key. I never feel any stress or pressure, I just do the bits I want that year and enjoy it. Levi would say that I need to just take that approach for Christmas and he is probably right. Probably less cooking would be a start ...

Winter Wonderland

These pictures have been a few years in the making and thanks to my wonderful and flexible friend Nicole, this winter we were able to capture the pictures I was after. They certainly make living in a cold climate look lovely and glamorous! And it is true that there are moments in winter when you are on your way out on a date for the night, dressed up and rugged up and the lights glisten as the snow falls softly that it really does feel like a winter wonderland. The snow can be amazing fun too, making snowmen with the kids, sledding down our driveway or snow shoeing. The other side to snow though is the freezing, sloppy snow that makes you cold to your bones, the frozen snow you are trying to clear off your driveway or the winters that are just grey for days and hardly any snow falls. I'm glad though that we were able to capture with these pictures the magic of snow and how lucky we have been to experience a different type of life these past three years.

Cattons on Ice

 Living by the lake has been such a cool experience. In summer hardly a single day would pass where we weren't down there swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and playing. The rest of the year it was a beautiful fixture that welcomed us home as we turned onto Lake Drive and filled the windows of our home with it's beauty.