conversations with Oliver

a couple of weeks ago we got a rooster names Stripes.

Oliver "are we farmers now"

Me " well, we only have 1 dog and 1 rooster. So not really "

Oliver "just pretend farmers?"

Me "yes, is that ok?"

Oliver "sure, but we should think about becoming real farmers"

fall days- #1000thanks

we have been having the most perfect fall days lately, 

sunshine and good times frolicking in our little forest with these two! 

my little lady has grown up so much in the past month it's bananas. 

She held out on us for a while, not really saying much other than a few sporadic words

but now that the flood gate is open she surprises us with new words daily. 

Not one to be left behind, she wants to do everything that Oliver is doing!

Thankful for these 2 munchkins 

and our ghill life they get to roam and explore together. 

#1000thanks

little reminders

It was another whirl wind morning of trying to get everyone ready, 

 out the door and on time. I was in auto pilot mode, completely oblivious

when Oliver said "Mommy look there are three deer!"

And there were. Two doe's and a fawn. Gorgeous. 

ghill life lately

oh July came and went a little too quickly for my liking. 

But I did manage to take a week off to be with my kiddos and we had a great time

visiting with friends and exploring Storeybook Gardens!

We were all quite exhausted after our fun filled week but loved every minute of it.
Hooray for Holidays!

sum-sum summertime!

about a month or so ago we bought this super sweet relic, 

hoping to take our littles on the road for some camping adventures this summer! 

I was planning on some interior improvements like a fresh coat of paint but after a mighty good cleaning this weekend, I think a new back splash and curtains will suffice. 

1973 here we come!

may life

a look at our month in pictures.... 

hoping June is just as good!

reflections on 2012 part II

because I couldn't stop at just one. 

More 2012 ghill life moments....

Happy New Year Everyone!

reflections on 2012

as 2012 comes to a close, I can't help but really reflect on this epic year. 

On my resolutions for the coming year. 

On how I will  mother my babes, on how I will be a better wife to my husband

and on how I will be more present for my friends. 

I say will and not want because you can want to do anything but will is more affirmative. More action.

2012 proved to be challenging, trying to find a balance between mothering, being a wife, working and everything else. It will always be a bit of a tight rope I suppose, a constant juggle. But when we know better we do better and that's really the best you can hope for. 

A look back at 2012 and some of my favourite ghill life moments...

Here's to a healthy, happy and wonderful 2013!  

a very un-merry and then merry again christmas

Well after a whirlwind couple of days, 

with back to back family Christmas dinners.... it hit. 

The flu took a hold of Guy and left Oliver fevered for 2 days now. 

Thankfully Guy felt much better this morning and Oliver's only symptom has been a slight temperature. But it made him ahem a tad miserable this morning and definitely less enthusiastic about the presents Santa brought than he would have been otherwise. Not to mention the horrible night we had of very little sleep as he and Georgie traded off waking me up every hour. 

Oliver didn't want to ride his new wheely bug, didn't want to look at his stocking and really wanted no part of anything except some cheerios and juice. Once he got a little something in his belly though he started to come around. But I annoyed him with my camera and he promptly told me "no taking pictures". Georgie on the other hand was having the time of her life despite practically being up until 4 am. She was just loving the new shape sorter and sensory balls to no end. 

As the day progressed so did the mood, Oliver livened up 

(of course the day was still sprinkled with 2 year emotions) and we watched Christmas movies and played with our new puzzles and toys. 

My best present was a pack of Norwex travel sized enviro cloths that have provided us with a great way to keep things disinfected around here, I leave a damp one on the coffee table and we periodically wipe our hands and everything else we have touched with it. Hopefully it will help keep these nasty germs from spreading to Georgie and I! Please let it be so,

 a teething baby with the flu while being sick with the flu.... I can't even let my mind go there.

Photo dump from our weekend and from this morning.

And so our Christmas 2012 was filled with merriment and then some not so merry moments. 

Our first Christmas as a family of four and our best present is getting to spend the rest of the week together without any hustle bustle and hopefully without any illness!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours. 

walk to remember

The weather is beyond fabulous today!

at nearly 16 degrees it's the ultimate fall day,

sun shining, soft breeze. Gorgeous.

We happily geared up and headed out into the bush after brunch to enjoy the sites.

It's just what we needed, it seems like things have been so busy lately we haven't had the time to enjoy what we are working so hard for! Our family and to be able to raise the littles in this scenic place, where deer show up in our backyard and there are trees as far as the eye can see.

Actually the other day I was thinking to myself how it would be much easier to live back in town.

That I was sick of this house, I was sick of the maintenance and all.

Then a couple of days later as I was pulling into the lane way after work, 6 deer scampered off into the woods from right behind our house, I felt like such an idiot.

How on earth could I want to leave this!

And then today watching Oliver mimic everything little thing Guy did was hilarious.

Guy was moving large branches out of the trail so Oliver was right behind him scooping up twigs and putting them to the side. I was beaming, how blessed we are to be able to raise our children HERE.
What wasn't so hilarious is when he threw our parenting back in our face...

with a booming 2 1/2 year old voice "Come here... NOW!"

We chose to over look it and ignore the comments until he talked nicely.   
Talk about a reality check. He's really been playing with different tones lately when he talks to us.
Totally imitating how we speak and sometimes it's a real slap in the face! eeks.

But oh how I love this little sauce pot. And this place.
So thankful for the walk and the reminder.
This is our ghill life!



a ghill halloween

goblins, ghosts,witches....

 a cow, a chicken/big bird hybrid and a random black cat.

Halloween was interesting.

On the 30th this random black cat started "hanging" around our house.

It stayed for about 3 days (probably because of all the ham and fish Guy was feeding it)

but it was very crafty and almost got in our house a few times so we had to find it a new home.

Not before it made friends with Chaza though. ha this cat be crazy!

The rest of our Halloween went something like this...

Oliver's lack of enthusiasm over the costume made the easy decision to pass on trick or treating this year. So I snapped a few quick photos in front of the toasty wood stove instead of braving the wind, rain and grossness that was outside. Maybe next year will be a little more successful. Maybe.



ghill life lately

Before we get ready for our turkey celebrations this weekend,

here's a look at what's been going on in ghill lately.

1/. It's pumpkin time

2/. little waves from my little chick

3/. bubble beardo

4/. park adventures

5/. georgie girl's a real hoot

6/. snacks

7/. hello friends

8/. adorable feet

Happy Thanksgiving weekend (Canada)!

 There is so much that I am thankful for and we are looking forward to spending some time

with our nearest and dearest this weekend as we gear up for not one but two big feasts. 



ghill life lately

Life has been a whirl wind. the end.

Busy with kids, busy with work.

Definitely not a lot of sleep around these parts ....for anyone.

Oliver's still doing his between 4-5 am wake up call, pretty much everyday.

Georgie's has her good nights and bad ones too

(like a typical 5 month old baby will do).

Guy's gearing up for a trip across the pond this week and will be gone for about 5 days,

which means I'm gearing up for some solo parenting

and no one to pawn the 4 am morning early-not-even-birds-are-awake shift off to!

But even with all the hustle bustle we manage to slide in some fun too.

1/. Uninvited but much appreciated dinner guests in our backyard

2/. hoodie and jammies all day kind of day

3/. Tool Time

4/. fall fair fun with Captain serious on the bumper cars 

5/. knitted sweater and hat for a cool day

6/. 6am traffic jam

7/. Tiny Dancer

8/. precious baby girl

9/. Me next!  poor Chazy, she sure doesn't get as much attention as she did 2 1/2 years ago!