J 'n K O'Connell and family

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! Monster Spectacular!!

2009-04-26T14:07:00.004-06:00

Tristan has a blue monster truck (shown in his hand) that he plays with all the time. When I was buying the tickets, I was showing Trist the pictures on the web page for the advertisement. We were looking at the pictures of the trucks. All of a sudden, he says, "Hey!" He took off into another room and came back with his blue monster truck. He goes, "That's my monster truck!" I looked at the picture and his truck and sure enough, it was. So at the show, he and James got the VIP ticket to go down and meet the drivers and see the trucks up close. This is the driver of "his" truck, Bounty Hunter.

Jurassic Attack
What I didn't know when I bought the tickets, was that because they roped off the first 4 rows, they were in the first row. It worked out good, by accident, that they had great seats. I love it when that happens!

Rock Star, flipped over. The one that Tristan tells me the story about all the time.

Tristan protecting his ears.

Well, actually, it was Saturday. James and Tristan went to the Monster Truck Show. Boy! Did they ever have fun. Tristan came home and right away was telling me how the monster truck flipped over. He hasn't stopped telling me that story. (It's another Jared losing his pants on the snowmobile type story). I bought the tickets as a surprise for when James came home from Fort Mac. I thought it would be a nice father/son activity. Especially because Tristan loves monster trucks right now. For those who know who Hard Hat Harry is. He has been watching his shows over and over.

The Eagles have landed!!!

2009-03-23T15:15:00.002-06:00

On March 13th James, mom, dad, Terry Halcro and I went to the Eagles concert in Saskatoon. We sat on the floor in row 10, right about centre to the stage. Boy!! They sure put on a great show. I have seen them once before in Edmonton, but being able to watch my favorite band with my favorite people is the time I will treasure forever.

I know, these are crummy pictures. They are just the small ones from our phone.

Tag! Your it!

2009-01-23T02:16:00.003-07:00

Well, I have been hit again...thanks Therese! This one is where I am supposed to write 6 (un)interesting things about myself.

1. I cannot stand it when someone grabs my big toe or pulls my hair. When it happens, instant anger occurs. I would rather give birth, lol. Well, not really.

2. I used to dream that I would play hockey for Team Canada! If only I had learned how to skate!

3. lol. I also used to have this recurring dream that I saved everyone at our former school, Wild Rose School, from terrorists. Kind of like the movie "Toy Soldiers". I guess I always wanted to be a hero, lol.

4. Theresa had mentioned that she likes an AC/DC song. I am right there with her on that one. I really like AC/DC as well. If only they would change the words and meaning of the songs. But then again, I really like Air Supply as well.

5. I love a little bit of syrup on my eggs, hashbrowns, sausage and bacon. Just the lite syrup though.

6. I love to learn about a HUGE variety of things. The only thing is that I really struggle with the "learning" part of it. I have a really hard time with comprehending what is being taught.

Aidan hits the Big #1!!

2009-01-22T02:46:00.005-07:00

Cake time!

Wow! Another year has passed by. It has been a challenging year for me. But one of the best years of my life. I love my wonderful husband, and the two little angels we truly have for children. We have moved to a beautiful new home in a community that we, so far, have come to love. Our ward is also a really good one. One of the reasons it has been the best year for me, is because of our children Tristan and Aidan. Particularly, I would like to celebrate Aidan right now. It was her 1st birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIDAN!! We had our friends the Smith Family, and the Kinder Family come over. We all had fun! Aidan is our determined little girl who loves her family, especially Tristan. The two of them laugh and play all the time. She loves animals, and we think her favorite is kitty cats. She loves to hold and pat her dolls. Aidan always keeps herself busy, and sure lets you know when something is holding her back. We love you Aidan and are so greatful that you are a member of our family.

Having supper

Opening presents

Waving goodbye

Thanks for coming and for the gifts everyone! We had alot of fun.

Christmas!!

2009-01-21T17:42:00.004-07:00

On Christmas eve, Grandpa O'C read the nativity story while we acted it out with a nativity set that we have. Tristan put out some cookies and milk and set out the stockings.

Tristan's gift from Santa was the easel and the goodies to go with it. In his stocking was Kung Fu Panda, in which, he was quite excited about.

Aidan was really enjoying her rocking horse. This particular rocking horse happened to be broken and when we took it back they had no more to replace it with. I know, sad. At least I was. But low and behold, mom found an even better one at Costco. We just have to pick it up in February. I am excited to go get it!

Dad and Mom O'C, and of course Cath were here. It was sure fun having them stay with us for Christmas this year. It would be nice to have them come again soon!!

Aidan loves this Maka Paka (however in the world you spell it). It is an "In the Night Garden" character. She gets so excited when you press his belly to make noise.

Here is daddy reading new Christmas books to the chillen's.

For those going through lack of O'Connell Family withdrawl....Theresa and Amanda!!! lol

2009-01-21T16:35:00.009-07:00

I know! I know! I haven't been at this for a while. Here is a catch up post!

Tristan making his gingerbread house.

James getting his exercise on the treadmill

Tristan loves his moon sand! It sure is messy, but he loves getting his loaders in there. He called me over to see his bull dozer that crashed.

Here is Aidan helping us put away the dishes.

Tristan took some swimming lessons. He was much more excited about the slide than following the instruction. And if he were to follow the instruction he would wait until the instructor turned her head before he would do what was asked. All in all, it was fun!

Ruger, intimidated by Aidan

The boys were fixing the roof on the quanset.

Mom, Tristan and Layton feeding carrots to the horses.

Aidan and Kate at Tracy and Jason's wedding in PA

building the basement

Tristan and Aidan loving the toboggan ride.

Happy No Tree....!!

2008-11-25T17:09:00.003-07:00

You would think that the title of this post is kinda different for this picture.

Well, it's a little weirder. "Happy no tree" has absolutely nothing to do with this tree, any other tree, or no tree. It is Tristan's way of saying happy anniversary! It was James' parents anniversary a couple of days ago. Cathy phoned her parents to wish them a happy anniversary and gave Tristan the phone and told him to say it as well. It came out, "Happy no tree"! It was quite funny.

We are so blessed to have such good parents. They are so very nice and have sacrificed much for others, especially for their family. It is so nice to have parents whom you always feel loved by. Thank you mom and dad for all that you do. And thank you for the love you share for one another. You are wonderful examples to us. We hope you had a wonderful anniversary...or as Tristan puts it, a happy no tree!!

Chain Mail!!

2008-11-14T21:15:00.004-07:00

I have no idea what I am doing. I was reading Theresa's blog, and she had me listed as one of the people tagged to do this. So, here we go...

5 years ago...
1. I was working for the Department of Highways.
2. I was single, but got married at the end of November.
3. I had finished my first year as a Heavy Duty Mechanic.
4. I was living in PA.

Things on my list for today...
1. rearrange our bedroom
2. make some Christmas crafts
3. fold my couple loads of laundry from yesterday
4. take care of our crazy kids

5 snacks I enjoy...
1. ice cream
2. hot chocolate (in the winter)
3. chocolate
4. haystacks
5. ice cream cake

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire...
1. pay off the last of our debt including our home
2. invest in savings
3. help out family members
4. travel
5. the last on this list would be a secret

5 places I have lived...
1. Prince Albert
2. Lethbridge
3. Regina
4. Saskatoon
5. Medicine Hat
6. Edmonton
7. Wetaskiwin
8. Penhold
I was on a roll!!

5 jobs I have had...
1. filing in a doctors office
2. cleaned dr's house and office
3. waitress
4. mechanic
5. labourer and equipment operator

This is where I am supposed to tag people. At this time the only people I would know to tag have been tagged on Theresa's blog. So I am sorry but my little branch of tags stops with me.
Well, I hope you have enjoyed getting to know me a little better. I have enjoyed reading others'!

Happy Halloween

2008-11-01T00:14:00.003-06:00

My big Shrek and Little Red Riding Hood! We went trick or treating in our Close and down two streets. It took us 2 whole hours. But boy was it fun! The kids were so good. The weather was beautiful. Our neighbourhood was really nice. And of course our two little ones were sooo cute! Halloween has never been a favorite holiday of mine. However, with nights like tonight, Halloween may make some leaps to come close to the top. (Nothing will ever top Christmas though!!!)

Little Red, that we couldn't get to smile.

Enjoying some of the goods!!

Elwood and Betty. Our wonderful neighbours that welcomed us into the neighbourhood right away. They have been so good to us.

We went to our friends, Robin and Sarah Curtis', who are dear to our hearts, after trick or treating. We had a good visit with them while Aidan visited with their cat Purrsy (or Percy, I am not sure). Even their cat was in the Halloween spirit!

Happy Birthday!!

2008-11-01T00:08:00.001-06:00

Happy birthday to my sweetheart!! He loves gummy candies. So, because of this we made dirt cake for him. Love you hun!

Wagon Ride

2008-10-15T22:10:00.000-06:00

Marble Works

2008-10-15T15:41:00.002-06:00

Tristan loved playing with the marble works that Corinne had brought up stairs. He was entertained for hours with this. Corinne, Dan, James and Cath all played with this when they were kids.

Silence...when there isn't supposed to be silence!

2008-09-29T21:29:00.006-06:00

You know when there is silence in a room with children in it, and you are afraid of entering because you know that there is something either broken or permanently marked? Well, I guess it wasn't completely silent because I could hear Aidan giggling and splashing as I was putting her clothes away only 6 regular steps away. But Tristan was quiet. I knew there had to be trouble!! He got into the lotion on the back of the toilet. He sure had fun making faces in the mirror. I am sure glad he made the faces and sang his half hearted rendition of Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes mixed with Sponge Bob Square Pants It made the clean up a little more worth it!

2008-08-12T13:51:00.004-06:00

July, 19th was the day that Aidan officially decided to crawl. She was 6 months and a day. Look out world!

SOLD!

2008-08-12T12:58:00.004-06:00

While we were pulling into the parking lot of the funeral home in Moose Jaw, we received a phone call from Laura Sorenson, our realtor, telling us that our house was sold. Just over a week later, when the conditions came off we got our SOLD sign! For the record, we think Laura is the best realtor...Theresa and Lindsay can vouch for that. Laura helped us buy this house and then helped us sell it a year later. She also helped Theresa find their house.

My Sweethearts

2008-08-08T10:31:00.002-06:00

James taught Tristan how to pick a flower and give it to mom. A few days later he decided to pick one for Aidan as well. What a sweetheart!! (Everyone needs to guard their flower gardens though because he doesn't understand that he can't simply pick any flower he wants to.) The flower Tristan picked for Aidan looks good on her!!

McKay's

2008-08-08T09:46:00.003-06:00

Grandpa and Tristan munching and playing solitaire. A common sight at the farm.

Here they are chatting it up!
Tristan loved the quad. Here with mom...
...and here with dad.
Showing off how cute he is with his new cowboy hat. I love it!

He and Jett playing with the freshly laid gravel. Tristan was in heaven with all those rocks!

2008-07-29T06:45:00.000-06:00

At the end of June we had a Hjelte family reunion at Speers, SK. We had a great time. We stayed in the Gold Eagle Lodge in North Battleford. They had a great pool there and a tasty continental breakfast. At the reunion we enjoyed the weiner dogs that were there. Tristan thought it would be neat to drive his truck down a gopher hole. Then he was shocked to find out that he might not be able to get it back. But thanks to his dad he was able get it and play with it again. Needless to say, he didn't do that again!! We went and saw the crooked trees. We had a great time visiting and getting to know family. It was unfortunate that a week later we were in Moose Jaw to attend Aunt Karen Hjelte's funeral. She passed away in her home on July 1st. I am so glad that we were able to have an enjoyable time with her at the reunion. (Karen is the lady on the left in the second row in the wheel chair).

Renos to our home

2008-06-10T15:56:00.001-06:00

We renovated our bathroom in prepartion to sell our home. We have some before and after pictures here. As you can see we gutted the entire bathroom except for the ceiling. We sure learned alot during the whole process.

Randoms...of different things that are going on right now!!

2008-06-10T14:06:00.000-06:00

A common sight. Tristan is always helping himself to the yogurt (sometimes multiples) out of the fridge. We are always finding the sticky tops that are covered in yogurt all over the floor. A little frustrating when you are trying to sell your house!!

The new sod in the front of our home!! Tristan always grabs his mower that grandma McKay gave him for his first birthday, and mows along with James. The funny thing is, Tristan is afraid of the noise of the mower. So he always has his eye on where the big mower is.

Aidan lounging with dad after church, and lounging in her jumperoo.

Family day at Finning! Theresa, Lindsay and their two kids came with us to James' work place in Red Deer. We toured the HUGE new shop, climbed up on some of the equipment, (James built the truck we are all on. The box was not on it though.), played with sword balloons, played with the excavator simulator, and had some hot dogs to eat.

Tristan is a 2 year old!

2008-05-24T09:14:00.000-06:00

We celebrated Tristan's birthday party as a family. We will have a larger celebration when most of our family is here at the end of May. Tristan really doesn't understand that it is his birthday...or even what birthday is yet. We opened gifts in the afternoon when Cathy and James were both home. We played a little and had some supper. As we were having supper we noticed Tristan was falling asleep. So we quickly decided to get his cake for him so that he could at least have the experience of having his second year birthday cake. It was all set up on the counter beside him. I couldn't even get the two candles lit fast enough before he fell asleep. Both Cathy and James were trying to get him to stay awake. No luck. So we put the cake in front of him and sang happy birthday to him while he slept in his chair. Poor kid. Overall it was fun. Cathy made a pinata for him that we broke the next day. Tristan has sure been a wonderful addition to our family. He is turning into a great older brother. He has so much fun with trucks, tractors and machinery of any size. He loves animals, especially dogs whom he seems to think all are named Ruger. Elephants are referred to as Babar. Most of all he loves his family. It was a bitter/sweet time for us at Christmas time when he was away from us while I was in the hospital. It was obviously hard to be apart from him, especially at Christmas time. At the same time it was nice that he was able to stay with our families and get to know them all better. He sure loves every member of our family. Believe me. He mentions every one's names often. Thanks, by the way, for helping us during Christmas time (and every other time). It's so nice to have support from our family and friends. And happy birthday Tristan.

2008-05-05T09:42:00.000-06:00

The kitchen, entry way and two bathrooms have black tile on them now. The living room will have a brown carpet in it.

2008-05-04T11:01:00.000-06:00

The back without the deck.

The house we are planning on buying

2008-05-04T10:52:00.000-06:00

This is the house we are looking at finishing in Penhold, Alberta. We are planning on listing our house in the beginning of June. Hopefully our house will sell fast and then we can purchase this home and be moved within a month or two. We like Wetaskiwin. It has been good to us. We are simply tired of the commute. We have been working really hard at preparing our home for sale and trying to balance the remainder of our lives with little children, work, church, etc (not doing so well in some areas) that we are getting tired. I will post at a later time some of the renos that we have done.

Tristan's nap

2008-04-28T20:09:00.000-06:00

Both Tristan and Aidan were going to bed between 2 and 3 am every night. We became frustrated with it and decided that Tristan was going to bed a little earlier...no matter what. Last Wednesday (April 23), we decided that while we were at it we were going to wean Tristan off the bottle. We put Tristan to bed without his bottle and let him cry himself to sleep. About an hour later we were able to have our first night's sleep that started before two in a long time. He now goes to bed regularly between 9 and 10 every night, and he hasn't had the bottle since!! Saturday he had missed his nap and during supper he couldn't stay awake any more. As you can see in the video, it was very difficult to wake him up.