Summer Vacation

Hope everyone is loving the crazy heat wave that we are experiencing (I am for sure!)

We are officially on vacation and I am loving every second of it.

We are heading to a cottage tomorrow for a week and then we will be spending the entire August long weekend (Civic holiday) with my family away at a camp.  So far the weather is looking fantastic (knock on wood) and nothing makes me happier than my family, sunshine and time away from the every day routine.

I'll be back in August, hopefully with loads of pictures, fun stories and more to blog about.

Until then, enjoy the sunshine!

The Things He Says...

Last night at supper we had little potatoes.  Cole fought tooth and nail about not wanting to eat them and I finally convinced him to try one.  He popped it in his mouth and after chewing and swallowing it, I heard something that just about made me choke on my own food.

At the table, in front of myself and my in laws, Cole said...

"Oh Jesus that's hot."

I wasn't sure how to respond, thankfully my father-in-law said "oh no buddy, we say gee-whiz that's hot".

Cole said gee-whiz once and then decided he liked Oh Jesus better.

I tried "my goodness that's hot", again, no luck.

Thankfully his mind wandered on to something else shortly after.  My mother-in-law and I started wondering where he could have picked that up.  I say a lot of things that shouldn't be repeated by my 3 year old, but that isn't one of those things. 

Ryan came home from work shortly after and put our wonder at ease...apparently he has been known to say this...lovely.

FYI, the potatoes weren't hot in the least.

Please don't comment on how taking the Lord's name in vain is terrible, this is not a common occurrence in our house.

Facing The Truth

I'm 28 years old young and I am having some skin issues.  Growing up breakouts were few and far between.  Don't get me wrong, I definitely had pimples on picture day or when there would be a dance, but for the most part my skin was pretty good. 

Besides being sick as a dog when I was pregnant with Cole, the only other negative part of pregnancy was the acne.  My face and back were covered and it was beyond frustrating, but I assumed it wouldn't last.

The morning sickness passed, I've shed majority of the weight and I've come to terms with the fact that my hips will never go back to 'normal', but the acne is lingering.  While it's not horrible, it's frequent and always in the same spot...my chin.

I eat fairly healthy and drink a lot of water (3-4 litres a day).

I use St. Ives Apricot Scrub and Clean & Clear Foaming Cleanser (I know...lame)

 

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Since the interwebz is sooooooooo amazing and chalked full of smart ladies like yourselves, I am turning to you for advice.

Do you have any face products that you would recommend?  I'm talking morning to night...cleansers, scrubs, lotions, etc.  Anything that will help with the breakouts, blackheads (ewwww, I know) and my aging skin.

Wow...I feel old and pathetic.

Advice needed and while you are at it, please send help.

Oh Chelsea...

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I just finished reading Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me, a book full of stories written by those who are closest to Chelsea.

This book was H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S. plain and simple, it did not disappoint.  I honestly laughed out loud several times and I was wishing it wouldn't end.  It made me want to be friends with Chelsea Handler and be one of the poor buggers that she is constantly tormenting.  Her endless shenanigans range from lies to tricks to peeing on someone, yet these people are still friends with her.

 I definitely recommend reading this book for a good laugh, it is beyond entertaining.

Dreaming of Dresses

I have a trip to New York with my sister-in-law booked for fall and although these dresses are a little too 'summerish', I can't help but want to add them all to my wardrobe for our trip.

Silk-Blend Button Front Dress

Floral and Scroll Print Dress

One-Should Rose Ruffle Dress

Classic Woven Dress

Paisley Summer Dress

Tropical Surplice Dress

Delicate Florals Dress

Tropical Tube Dress

{all dresses from Forever 21}

A girl can dream right?!

Conversation with Cole

This morning as I buckled Cole up in to his car seat we had the following conversation...

Cole "Mommy when will you have a baby in your belly"

Me "I don't know, why Cole?"

Cole "I'd like a baby sister...or a puppy"

after a few seconds...

Cole "Mommy, you could go to the store and get a baby, put it in your mouth so it will go to your belly and then you'd have a baby in your belly, right?!"

I ♥ this kid!!

What We've Been Up To...

Is it just me or is summer flying by at warp speed?

It's already mid-July which means that we are smack dab in the middle of summer and that is clear seeing as every weekend is jam packed with things to do, places to go and people to see.  We have 2 more free weekends between now and September and I'm hoping they stay that way.

Already this summer we have:

played in a ball tournament and golf tournament

 gone fishing

 

played ball

  had some amazing times with friends

celebrated Canada Day

as well as:

gone to a stag for a wedding we will be going to in August

spent a weekend at the lake

watched soap box derby races

and had so much fun with all of the family and friends

There is still so much more to come, including:

a weeks vacation that is fast approaching (with loads of relaxation time at the lake)

a family weekend away with my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews

3 caterings (my Dad and I cater together)

4 birthdays

1 wedding

1 concert (Capital Hoedown with Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Billy Currington...yes please!)

and all the fun that pops up in between

What have you been up to?

Anything exciting coming up?

Target Tuesday

It's Tuesday and Tara is hosting

 I am in serious need of new shorts, skirts and fun summery dresses and here are a few that caught my eye... 

Merona Bermuda Short Fit

 Mossimo Women's Drapy Pleated Shorts

Converse One Star Women's Isla Shorts

Vintage Inspired Chiffon Strapless Dress

Mossimo Strapless Dress with Pockets

What are you loving from Target?  Head on over to Tara's and join the fun!

In My Head - Country Edition

Here are a few songs that I can't get enough of lately...

Wagon Wheel - Old Crow Medicine Show

Dirt Road Anthem - Jason Aldean

Good Directions - Billy Currington

Pinterest

I did it...I caved and joined Pinterest...I can be found here.

Send some love and inspiration my way ladies. :)

I...

I saw this over at Brunch with Amber and thought it was a great post, especially following the long weekend.

I am...Ashley, a fun-loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.

I want...to win the lottery

I have...so many wonderful things to be thankful for, especially the amazing people in my life

I wish...for a cure for cancer

I hate...olives and bloggers spacing issues

I fear...snakes (especially Raven's snakes...shudder/vomit)

I hear...the t.v. downstairs

I search...Google ALL THE TIME!

I wonder...how people manage to do it all

I regret...being a mean girl in high school

I love...my life

I never...exercise anymore

I ache...from my horrible sunburn

I sign...terribly

I dance...like I sing

I lose...lip gloss like it's nobodys businessI need...nothing more than I haveI always...procrastinate

I am confused...often

I am not always...happy

I cry...when I am really angry or nervous

I sometimes...reminisce about the old days and all the crazy things I used to do

I am not...creative

I usually...stalk blogs more than I post

I should...get more sleep, blog more often, lose weight, exercise, spend more time with the people I care about, read more, laugh more often, kiss more, play cars just a little longer, love harder

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

I am so proud to be Canadian and what better day to celebrate than Canada's birthday.

Today we are off to spend the day celebrating with friends, family, food, sunshine, a parade and fireworks.  What a wonderful way to celebrate such a special day.

I hope everyone has a great long weekend!



{all images via}

I Heart Quotes!

What a week!  It's definitely been a busy one, that's for sure...

Here is a picture of our team for the Heart and Stroke Golf Tournament from the weekend.  It was sooooo much fun and the group of girls couldn't have been any better!  I can't wait for next year.

Grippin' n' Rippin' for Randy

We played in memory of Randy, Erin's Dad. 

(Min, Sheena, myself, Erin & Kristen)

Seeing as Canada Day is this Friday we have a short work week!  Even better, seeing as my bosses are amazing, we work only 1/2 a day Thursday.  I am definitely looking forward to a long weekend full of family, fun and loads of sunshine (hopefully).

Tonight is Cole's last night of kinderball and they will have a game and then a bbq with some awards for the kids.  Here are a couple pictures of his first night.

Cole and his best friend Nathan

Cole and Coach Dan

What are your plans for the long weekend?

Breaking The Ice

I've seen this on a few blogs (Jenn, Aly, Lena and Stacy) today so I'm joining in and linking up for the first time with Jenn over at Perfectly Imperfect, for her Breaking The Ice linky party.

 

1}Tell one thing not many people know about you.

I am allergic to bananas.

 

Weird, I know...and super sad as they have sooooo many health benefits.
 If I eat a banana my throat gets itchy, my face, hands and tongue swell and I feel like I am choking.  The first time it ever happened by face became a tad bit distorted...at a wedding reception...freakshow much?

2}If you HAD to change your first name, what would you change it to?

Like most people, I always wanted to change my name growing up.  I always wanted to be Julia, Jessica or Corey.  Now if I HAD to change my name I would change it to Bronwyn.

3}What are you 3 favorite songs at the moment?

Still loving Rihanna & Will I Am's Photographs

Although I didn't love the movie, this song has definitely been playing on my drive to work in the morning

Garret Hedland, Timing is Everything

I know, I know, old news...but it's just such a great song (and performance)

P!nk - Glitter in the Air

4}List 3 goal on your life's to-do list:

Win the lottery

Do volunteer work on a regular basis

Have more babies

5}What is one of your favorite quotes:

I have two and can't choose just one. :)

6}Fill in the blank: If I had an extra 10 dollars to spend... I would buy _______________?

Starbucks non-fat with whip hot chocolate

(does anybody else LOVE Starbucks at Christmas time?  I absolutely do!  It's always so festive and cozy...I look forward to the Christmas cups...weird I know!)

7}What's your birth date?

October 27, 1982

8}Do you have a hidden talent and if so what is it?

None at all, in fact I am actually talentless.

Unless you count being able to carry a tray full of glasses on your head a talent?

I didn't think so...

9}What do you think of when you hear the word blue?

Turks and Caicos water...beautiful blue...sigh

10}Finish this thought: I need....

a nap or a vacation back to Turks and Caicos...either will do really

{all images via Google Images}

Father's Day Gift Idea

Amanda over at Mom of Two Boys (who is adorable and so sweet by the way!) posted a great DIY Father's Day gift idea and it is A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.

If you haven't yet picked up/made that special gift for the father figure in your life, this will definitely be a hit...heck even if you have, who wouldn't love this.  It is seriously so cute and so sweet, it will melt a grown man's heart.

Thanks Amanda for the idea, hopefully mine will turn out as cute as yours.  I'm going to borrow the hubby's fire boots I think and pair them with Cole's fire rubber boots...or maybe I'll do their camo hunting boots...oh the possibilities!

Happy Father's Day!

Recipe Help

We have some family fun planned for this weekend and I plan on making a macaroni salad with creamy dressing.  So I am coming to you for help...do you make a mean macaroni salad?  If so, dish (no pun intended), the recipe that is...



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