the great outdoors – Our Everydays

Posted on July 29, 2017October 25, 2021 by Our Everydays — 2 Comments

CottonTail Corner ; A spontaneous Evening Adventure

Did you know there is a nude beach in Edmonton? Yep, neither did I.

OK, technically, this beach is just outside of Edmonton, but it’s close enough haha. You gotta love this city though! There are so many little hidden spots and adventures, and every time we decide to go explore, we find something new. I love it!

Yesterday, we decided to go to our favorite river beach spot after dinner. We didn’t have much time before the kids’ bedtime, but it’s the summer, the kids were in a great mood, so bedtime can wait. Off to explore!

Near the beach spot we usually go to, there is a trail we had been meaning to hike, but had just never gotten around to it. As we were in an adventurous spirit, we gave it a go. About 10/15 minutes in, we came across the first sign. “Nude Hikers beyond this Point”. Now, if that doesn’t catch your attention, I don’t know what would. We had heard rumors that there was a nude beach around this area, but we’ve been to the spot in the river a lot, and had always seen people clothed, ha. Determined to see where this hike would lead us to, we kept going. Penelope was having a blast running around picking up sticks, Oliver entertained by all the scenery, we walked past a canola field on the way; the hike itself is quite beautiful. There were a few mosquitoes, and since we didn’t come prepared, that was a little annoying, but then where’s the fun in being spontaneous, right? We continued, following little orange tags along the way, so we knew we were going the right way. The next sign, “Clothing Optional On Trail & Beach”. Good. We didn’t bring a swimsuit for Penelope, and we know she’s going to want to go in the water. Another 10 minutes after that, we had arrived.

CottonTail Corner

It was a very private and quiet spot next to the river, and well, when in Rome…

We had a blast! I can’t remember the last time I swam in a river wearing my birthday suit, but if you can, why not? You only live once. It was awesome. Perhaps because of the time of the day, we were the only ones there, and that definitely helped in my comfort with being nude, but honestly, after a while, I didn’t even think of it. An experience that, had we not discovered accidentally, I probably would have never tried, and it’s good to try new things.

A balmy summer night, spontaneous adventures, canola fields, birthday suits, and my little family. A pretty good night.

Happy Weekend! xo

Bubbles and Baby Bums

A lot of our summer days so far, have been spent simply in our backyard. The kids splash and play in their little pool, we sit in the shade of our tree. I enjoy my pergola, we have snacks. Penelope points out the airplanes that fly by, Oliver tries to eat grass, and Una supervises. Very simple, but lovely afternoons.

Yesterday, we had one of those simple, but perfect afternoons. Nothing fancy. We were in our backyard, the kids were in their birthday suits, I bought bubbles from the dollar store (dollar store for the w i n!) and we had fun for hours. The simplicity and frequency of these afternoons would have a tendency to become monotonous, one would think, but they are far from that. It’s in the simplicity of these afternoons that I am able to enjoy them both so much. I notice the daily subtleties in their ever developing personalities, the change and growth in their interactions. I notice the things I would probably miss in an environment that was louder and busier… and we have those days too, of course.

In the act of doing nothing special, the most special memories are created. Isn’t that lovely? The simple afternoons that I spend with my children, in my backyard, the memories I treasure. Memories like the lovely contrast in the color of Oliver’s skin next to mine. The wonderful sound of his laughs as I tickle his belly. The pure expression of happiness Penelope has any time she sees bubbles. The memory of my little babies sitting side by side sharing snacks. Their adorable baby bums. The memories I will treasure forever.

Posted on June 1, 2017June 1, 2017 by Our Everydays — Leave a comment

A lot of firsts for the first of the month

Happy new month! The year is going by so quickly, my little family of four feels like the normal I’ve had my entire life, and my little guy is already half way to a year. It’s moving faster than I can keep up with; so many firsts, so many moments, so many memories. We just got back from a short vacation we took to visit my husband’s family who live two provinces away. It was lovely to travel, I missed it and definitely want to do more of it this summer. We got to spend time with family and friends, time outside exploring. We laughed, we ate lots, we didn’t sleep much (sleep when travelling with young kids is always interesting, right mamas? ha!). We felt loved, and we’re back home with a happy and full heart.

In honor of the first of the month, a few firsts from this trip that I want to remember.

First successful 14 hour road trip with 2 young kids #majorwin, haha!
First time both my babies traveled on a plane.
First time my little Oliver met two new provinces in Canada.
The first trip with Penelope after potty training…and no regressions and very few accidents!
Penelope slept on a floor bed for the first time this trip, and it was also the first time she got out of bed and tried to stall before bed time, ha!
A lot of family meeting my Oliver for the first time, and he was such a flirt and stealing everyone’s hearts with his smile.

I am back home feeling super inspired, full of ideas, and with so many projects I want to complete and explore. It’s a happy, happy time!

Happy New Month! xo

Posted on March 31, 2017May 19, 2017 by Our Everydays — Leave a comment

We’ve Been Walking…

I haven’t written much lately. A little bit is me over thinking about what I want to write about (I have a lot of half written posts, ha!), but mainly it’s because I’ve been outside…

Spring is officially here, and we’re taking full advantage of it. The days are longer and warmer, and it’s feels like I’m out for walks whenever the kids aren’t napping. It’s been lovely, and a glimpse at what a wonderful summer this is going to be, with my little family of four ( and Una).

Penelope’s personality is flourishing. She is c-r-a-z-y, full of energy, but so. much. fun. She’s a comedian like her father, and always finds ways to make us laugh. Sometimes she’s running away from us full speed (and jumping on every puddle), and sometimes she needs both Mommy and Daddy to hold her hands while she’s walking. I, of course, favor the latter. Her shoes are on a constant rotation of drying in the sun, because she doesn’t care what shoes she’s wearing…she’s jumping on puddles!

Oliver, oh my sweet boy. He’s such a pleasure. I’ve said this before, either it’s a second baby thing, or just his personality, but he really is the most patient, content, adaptable and happy baby. I didn’t even know he was teething, for crying out loud, he’s that chill! ha! He is happy either being worn or in the stroller for his walks, but always actively observing. Sometimes he naps during our walks, and those are my favorite moments, just looking down to see my sweet boy sweetly resting on my chest.

The fresh spring air, the wonderful sun, the walks with my family, it really is food for my soul. It motivates me and gives me so much energy to do things. I don’t even know what these things are, but I just want to do things! haha! Even writing this post just came so much more organically and quickly than the posts I’ve been working on for a few weeks (and I will finish those too, haha), but for now, just a few thoughts and some pictures of my family, and what we’ve been doing lately.

Happy Spring xo

Posted on March 1, 2017May 19, 2017 by Our Everydays — 1 Comment

Time through Walks on a Trail

We live 6 houses away from a walking trail. When we bought our house, we didn’t know the trail was there, but it quickly became one of my favorite things about living where we do. The trail is a few kilometers long, and extends to a large open field before the highway.

Over the years, that trail and field have become special to me.

In that trail…

… I’ve held my husband’s hand before it had a wedding band on it. We talked about our dreams and aspirations underneath a sky of northern lights . We said how many kids we wanted and argued about their potential names. We spoke of the places we’d like to travel to, and the renovations we wanted to complete.

… We taught Una how to “heel” as a puppy. We yelled and ran after her when she chased a coyote through the snow.

… I walked through the early stages of my labor with Penelope. I walked with Oliver in my womb, and in my arms as he met snow for the first time.

The trail becomes a metaphor of the passing of time. Each new season, the experience of our walks change, we grow, and we create memories.

This season, I carry Oliver on my chest, I hold my husband’s hand, and we watch Penelope run in front of us with Una. In another season, Oliver will be walking alongside his sister, but in the end… it’s still just us, on a trail, creating memories, one season at a time.

Happy New Month xo