creative inspiration...

procrastination...

this is really not a word that I would say describes me but this past month it would! I had finally had a chance to pick up all of the photos i sent to Costco, oh...over a month ago. All 300 of them sitting beside me screaming for attention, begging to be placed in a scrapbook! It never seems to happen. I have some beautiful pics of my brother and sister in-laws wedding that was in September. I actually found it really hard to choose the special ones to blow up and frame because there were so many to choose from. I try to give myself goals each month. Nothing "earth-moving"but just little goals that make my happy. The last three months its been weight loss...UGG!!! I lost a total of 8lbs. Some would say"that's it? and others would say "that's great". I just say UGG!!! I really don't know why I put myself through this because I always know what the outcome will be. Loss a little gain ALOT! I do really well off the starting line then the motivation weakens coming around to the home stretch. It's not that I don't know what to do to loose weight, heck , it's not some secret formula, it's common sense and will power. Oh...WILLPOWER.. where art thow...willpower???

So this is what I have decided one of my goals for April will be...I will TRY my BEST to eat healthy, not excluding the finer things that bring me great joy(like chocolate) and get active! Simple, right??? Will see.

My second and last goal, is t ride the wave when the "creative" juices are flowing! I blog hop alot and have come across a few goodies that bring me great motivation. No , they are not scrapbook page ideas but to be honest, I get inspired with my layouts when I play with other "crafty"things first.

take a look at my next post with a few new projects I would like to try for April.

ESSO Game Day 2011

The Stirling Blues Novice A team travelled to Toronto for the ESSO Game day. This is a fun filled day where hockey teams get to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs pre-game practice, tour the ACC then head to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Carson was so excited because both of his Papa's were joining him as well as Rene. It was truly a "boys only"day!

They all had a great time and enjoyed some dinner at the Madarine in Pickering before heading back to Stirling.

A great day was had by all!

Today the police community/family lost another member while serving and protecting the streets of Toronto.
Sgt. Ryan Russell of Toronto Police was struck and killed while on duty. This 35 yr old man who had been a police officer for over 11years risked his life to save others. He leaves behind a wife and young son. A good friend of ours in Toronto was very close to Sgt. Russell and our thoughts go out to him, his wife and their co-workers during this difficult time.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

I know, I should be posting pics of the Christmas Festivities at the Aubertin house but I must admit.. I don't know how! Rene is always kind to download them from my camera to the computer. I did write myself a cheat sheet but it is nowhere to be found. So stay tuned for a recap of Christmas 2010.

I LOVE New Years Day. It usually is a day where we do NOTHING!!! These days don't usually occur at the Aubertin house so needless to say, we were truly looking forward to ringing in the New Year! Our day started at 9am...yes, the kids and us actually slept in! Rene made a great breakfast and I made myself a yummy Chai Latte from my new Tossimo that Santa brought me. YUM!!! Carson and I worked on his Crosby puzzle and Shelyn and I did some organizing in her bedroom. Afterwards I grabbed the laptop and started some site/blog hopping. I've been on the hunt for some "gotta have them" end tables, coffee table and decor ideas for the new house. My new model in this house is that if I don't LOVE it, I don't buy it! My old model was, If its on Sale, I can learn to like it! Gone are those days.. bye bye! Don't get me wrong, I still love a good bargain but life is too short to compromise and why not be surrounded by the things you love.

So I found a new store in Toronto. Its called West Elm...LOVE IT! I will have to visit it the next time Im there. In the meantime, I can enjoy they website. I also hopped onto Pottery Barns site and found few gems there as well. The prices may seem high but I must tell you, Rene and I were at a big, chain furniture store the other day and found a coffee table and end table that were very appealing but found out they were going to be around $700.00 for the set and they were not even wood! I DON'T THINK SO!!! What are they thinking?

Take a peek at these great little gems I found at Pottery Barn and WestElm

Pottery Barn $239 Pottery Barn $239

West Elm $229
( #1 choice)



WestELM

West Elm(toronto)...$149.99 SALE

(#2 choice)

Aren't they great!

Very hard to decide which one it will be? I still have to find a coffee table that will go with the side table. I would love a nice bug round table but nothing has caught my eye yet.

Time to retire for the evening. Renes working, Shelyn has her friend over and Carson and I are headed to bed for some snuggles... he's too cute, always crawls into my bed when Rene's on night! gotta Love it!

Happy New Year everyone!

Merry Christmas!

We are so exited about spending our first Christmas in our new home! I was so excited about decorating my mantel this year. I know it sounds funny, but I have always dreamed about having a mantel and hanging stockings from it at Christmas time. Although it took a little tweeking, it looks great!

A few weekends ago,we went to my aunts cottage on Howe Island to cut down our Christmas tree this year. It was a VERY wet adventure

but we found what we thought was "the one" to take home. When we arrived home, we almost could not get the tree in the house...yikes!!! It's a little on the "plump" side! After a bit of a struggle its in and decorated.

The season has been busy with Christmas concerts and Christmas Sharing at the school, house parties with friends and family, my little nephews 1st birthday and Shelyn's 10th birthday! Yes... I said 10! I'm having a hard time swallowing that as well. Where oh where did this 10 year old come from? Shelyn is so excited to be a "tween" on Christmas eve. She is still our sweet little , kind hearted girl who still has a great passion for all things with fur! Shea likes to make almost weekly trips to the Humane Society to walk the dogs, pet the cats and talk with the other creatures. This year for her birthday she asked all of her friends to bring a donation for the Humane Society. Her Friends were very generous and Shelyn was able to donated a large variety of treats , toys and food to the shelter. Shelyn has taken a break from riding this winter and is enjoying her hockey in Stirling. She has become friends with a few girls her age and loving the game.

Carson has been a busy little man with his hockey career this season. Rep hockey takes you to many different towns meeting many different people along the way. We had the pleasure of taking part in a hockey tourney in late November in Haliburton On. What a beautiful area! Carson's team won the C championships.

Carson has got two goals and many assists this season. He is really a hard working little player. He does not let his size hold him back from getting into the corners and struggling for that puck! We are so proud of his determination and love for the sport. Next week we are heading to Hespler ON(near Kitchener ) for a four day tournament. ROLL BLUES ROLL!!!

Rene and I are both well. Although we both love the Christmas season, we are looking forward to January when we can possibly get a weekend away just the two of us for some much needed R&R.

Rene is growing hair.. yes.. hair... for a new assignment at work. He has not had hair on his head for over 15 years. It's kind of funny to roll over and see a man beside me with hair!!LOL

That's all for me!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and the very best in the New Year!

The Aubertins!

WELCOME to our new home!

We are in and loving it! It has been a long journey starting from the day Rene and I bought our first home together 9 years ago. Our first home was to be our 5 year plan home. Meaning , the plan was to sell in 5 years from the date we moved in and build our "forever"home. So it took a few more years but it all happened for a reason and we are THRILLED with the way things fell into place.

Still trying to unpack boxes and I'm realizing there is so much that we actually could live without! My goal is to try and simplify my life as easily as I can and unpacking boxes full of "stuff"that has no meaning is the first place to start.

We can't say enough about our Builder "Duvanco Homes". Sorry if I'm repeating myself but we are truly pleased with the Team at Duvanco and deeply appreciate their assistance along the way. I think I have a crush on them...ha ha !!

The kids are settling into their new surroundings. Carson had a rough few nights from the start but all is well now.

(i will post pictures of the bedrooms and bathrooms but they were a mess at the time I took the others)

We live on a dead end road so the kids are having great fun with their new found freedom of riding their bikes and going for walks independently.

We have met a few neighbors and everyone seems to be very friendly. They most likely have seen too much of us Aubertins in the last few weeks because we do not have any window coverings on yet..tee hee hee!

The wheels are turning already on how to decorate for Christmas. Trying my best to put my creativity to work and decorate the most economical way this year.. will see how that goes.

Thanks for checking in and stop by anytime. The kettle is always on!

enjoy the tour...

front foyer

the painter is coming back to paint the front door a deep brick red.. I can't wait!

front foyer with the kids closet and our closet...love this!!

the view from the top of the stairs...excuse the dirty floor

LOVE...LOVE...LOVE my walk in pantry! The kids do as well, it's a new hiding spot!

on the hunt for new end tables and a coffee table , this one is the wrong color and way too small!