BACK WHERE IT BEGAN

I feel like we have done full circle with our adventure here in Canada. We are back at the lodge. Back where it all began. (See some of our story here, here,  here & here)
We will spend a few weeks here with Dave's family before flying home. This place is beautiful. Remote (I'm talking a 12km driveway remote). But beautiful. I find it hard to do nothing, so this pace of life is different for me. But I have to remind myself that a forced holiday after all the crazy packing and moving, is actually a gift.
My children are loving having a huge backyard here after life in a 4th floor apartment. Fishing, riding bikes and getting dirty is what it's all about to them. To see Levi's grin each night as he goes to sleep, really does make the remoteness worth it!
We are planning to head into town this weekend, quite the event in these parts! (hello Laura Ingalls! : )
I hope you have a great weekend!
xo

PACKING UP & MOVING HOME

Excuse the dodgy low-lit phone photo. In the blur that has been the last week, this is the best it gets around here!
Our packing & moving guys came, packed our life into brown boxes & bubble wrap, and our possessions are now sailing the seas to greet us in Australia.
For some reason this feels like a bigger move than when we moved over to Canada initially. I feel wiped! We're off to spend some time with family in BC before we fly home. I'll keep you posted when I can...the countdown is definitely on!

P.S. This was my kids 'table' once all our stuff was packed. Thank you for the butchers paper moving guys! : )

SICK + TIRED

Oh man, I have had so many "I really should blog today" thoughts over the past few weeks. But to be honest, the motivation has just not been there. You see...I'm pregnant with baby number three! (yay!) So I've been literally sick & tired for the past 12 weeks. How quickly you forget what the early months of morning sickness is like! (which is a good thing, or I'm sure there would not have been another babe on the radar!).

I've just really retreated into family life of late. Making the most of this waning summer. Not really interested or motivated creatively. Even my regular blog reading went out the window, just wasn't into seeing anything that involved that creative side of my brain! (very weird for me!)

But, the fog is lifting and I notice I am thinking more creatively, sketching and writing ideas down again. It's good to feel 'normal'. 

I thought I'd catch you up in photos on the last few weeks of life at our place, heading back to school & making the most of summer and preparing to move back to Brisbane!

Are your kids on Spring holidays back in Oz? What have you got planned?

SUMMER TIME & THE LIVING IS EASY

When I first moved here, I wondered to Dave why people even bothered buying summer clothes since the summer was literally only a couple of months long. However, after living through six months of winter and snow, I now understand why! People embrace summer like I have never seen before (and I come from sunny Queensland!). But, I think that's probably why. When you don't have something, you are more grateful when what you have been wishing for, actually comes along. (true of life in general wouldn't you say?!)

Summer here in Edmonton is full on. Life is a-buzz with activity, people making 'summer plans', going camping, staying up late enjoying the long days (it doesn't get completely dark till 11pm in the height of summer). I love it and I have gotten so caught up in no school schedules...in fact, aside from my regular night owl freelancing, I am not running on any schedule at all. Very unlike me! : )

I've been getting truly into the summer spirit which has meant less computer time (thank you to you lovely peeps who still pop in hoping I have updated something inspiring!), today is the day for a massive update. Of the personal variety though, I hope you'll indulge me...more pretty creativity to come soon!

We enjoyed the Taste of Edmonton (twice!) - great tunes, great food, great vibe!
We spent three days camping at Long Lake, Alberta. Yes, there was a bear warning out which makes for interesting walks to the toilets at night!
We went raspberry picking just last week. I'm hoping to head back while the berries are well and truly ripe for the picking!

GRADUATING PRESCHOOL

Levi had a preschool graduation over the weekend. So funny and cute. I'm not use to that, but it feels good that whatever the future may bring, if he doesn't finish high school, at least he has a graduation under his belt! : )

It was a "Oh the places you'll go" themed thing. His amazing teachers painted a huge mural based on the Dr. Seuss book and had 3D truffle trees up on the stage, and I helped make their little 'hot air balloon' treat baskets. The event was followed by cake and ice cream & the all important jumping castle. Such a fun morning.

Now it's Summer time on this side of the world! Hello Holidays! : )
Everyone 'makes summer plans' here. You appreciate the short summers after such a long winter and everyone seems to make the most of it, going on road trips, camping & holidays. I'm all up for that! Have you got plans?