Tree Hunting

This past weekend we decided to put up our Christmas tree and really wanted to do it special this year so a live tree was in order. Albion Orchards close to us has tree cutting as well as this seasons apples on sale! How could we not go! We grabbed 20 lbs of apples and a stunning tree, a new family tradition has been born.

First we had to check out all the trees, luckily it was
a beautiful day for our adventure

There were sizes and shapes for everyone

After about half an hour we had found our perfect tree,
Owen was an amazing help carrying it back 

Of course with a few stops along the way for a roll
down the hill with Kate

All loaded and time to get some apples

But first some more play time in the orchard park

Up and ready to decorate. It was bigger than we thought,
11 ft. We ended up cutting off 1.5 ft so we could get the
star on top.

It also came with a wee birds nest and a
butterfly chrysalis. Just a squirrel shy of the
Griswolds Family Christmas Tree

Sunday morning, time to get decorating

All done and what a tree. We had so much fun, the kids
did the decorations with Kate passing everything to Owen
up on the ladder and the four of us doing the lights.
I'm almost as excited as the kids this year for Christmas morning

Tumor Update

Back in May I had Gamma Knife treatment to deal with the regrowth of my tumor. Everything went pretty smoothly and September I began to notice some symptoms start up again. By the time Thanksgiving rolled around piercing headaches were starting to become a regular occurance and the right side of my face, including half my tongue, cheek and eye area all began to feel like I had a dental freezing that never went away. Ever.
I contacted my Dr's just before Thanksgiving and they scheduled me in for an MRI on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving with the follow up on Wednesday. My Tumor had grown to almost double in size which was obviously quite concerning for everyone. I was prescribed Steroids to help reduce any swelling that may be occuring and was to have a second MRI in three weeks to see what next.
Well, the past three weeks have been very interesting to say the least. Along with the steroids came two other prescriptions to counterbalance the side effects. I really didn't want to be taking a bunch of different drugs so by tweaking my diet and supplements we were able to manage the side effects quite well. As an added bonus, because I am eating at regular times and have minimised sweet/sugar intake to a very minimal amount I don't have my mid afternoon energy crash, my moods are happier and way more balanced and my overall well being is much more calm and focused.
Yesterday Rob and I went to see the Drs for the follow up of my second MRI and it was good news!!!
This MRI was done with contrast dye and they were able to get a more detailed image of what was going on. We were shown the images and could see that the tumor was dieing, as the cells die they begin to break apart which is causing the great amount of swelling. The steroids did help as all my symptoms had diminished and returned again one I was off them.
Next steps for me, I'm back on the steroids for the next 4 to 6 months to help with swelling and all the symptoms I have been dealing with. I am booked for another MRI in 4 months to check on how thing are going and then hopefully it will show some exciting results!
Until then, I'm going to figure out what to do with my drug induced insomnia. Maybe start some midnight sewing.

Pic Update

Due to the extraordinarily long stretch between posts, I'm going to keep it as quick and simple as possible.

We took the kids to get a haircut and Kate was
more that happy to get a was, cut and dry!!

She walked around like Queen Bee all around the salon

Despite the funny face, Owen also got a great cut. Finally!!

It was a beautiful Fall morning calling out for some
family time so we put the bikes in the truck and had a
ride around Albion Hills. Both kids did amazing

Owen and Rob took off a did a bit of easy trail riding,
a first for Owen and he loved it

Tailgate picnic after the ride

The last Sunday in October, Bolton holds a 10k fun run.
The kids did a 1km run and Rob did the 10k. Everyone got
a medal and toque for their efforts and even tough it rained
we all had an amazing run

They had a free chili lunch for all runners and a lot of
entertainment for the kids

Cheering Daddy at his finish! Yeah!!

We got everyone home, dried off then recostumed for a friends
Halloween party. I didn't see the kids for several hours and I loved it

Both kids have suddenly grown so most of their pants
were too short. I managed to whip together a couple
bottoms one afternoon thankfully

Halloween dinner, Chicken and bug soup
(dyed pasta)

and Lava buns. (simple dinner roll topped with a rice
flour slurry which cracked when baked)
The kids took some convincing that dinner was ok to eat.
they weren't impressed

They had an amazing time trick or treating and were very
happy to pile it all together and share

People in the neighbourhood were getting rid of
their Fall displays and were offering free bales of
hay so I went around town collecting bales
to cover our garden for the winter.
This made me a very happy gardener indeed 

Another fun morning walk to school, looks like
someone had a joke to share

This was last night a 5pm. If you look closely you can see
some very fat flakes of snow falling. This pic is just so
Canadian to me!

This was this morning

The excitement level here is through the roof!!

THREEEEEEEE

Kate celebrated her third birthday on the 14th, WOW

For an entire week it was all about singing happy birthday, reading birthday themed books and playing birthday baker. She was just a wee bit excited!

My parents were visiting the week before so an early birthday
celebration it was. Balloons, party hats and presents

I made up cupcakes in icecream cones, something I
remember from my childhood. Topped with chocolate
and vanilla swirl icing, they were a hit

Kate wanted a rainbow party so sprinkle cake mix
to the rescue.

The following week was time to get some serious cake
baking done

Four of the six layers. I thought I has three pans but
only had two so baking took a lot longer that planned

No idea how I did it, but I managed to pull this
together without Kate noticing

She was so excited to have another birthday party and
another cake!

Leanne, Sean and Maggie joined us which was really fun, I loved
having everyone join us

Kate loved her rainbow cake and I was pretty proud
of what I was able to create

Might of even had a piece for breakfast

Summer Vacation is Already Over!

Wow!! With only one post in July and none in August it was obviously a busy summer here.
School has started and I'm hoping to get back into a regular routine again, being sure to look after myself as well as everyone else!

Owen went on a 2 week camping adventure with my parents so Kate
and I did a few girls day at the splash pad in Albion

 

We went up to Bancroft to pick up Owen and spent
a couple days relaxing and enjoying our time together

Early July and our garden was looking really happy

First picking from the garden. Beets, zucchini
and spring onions

It was time to head back to mu parents so a trip to the
bulk store for some road snacks, so
many choices

Our two sweethearts

Owen made a very impressive boat with Grandpa and
both kids had so much fun playing with it

Our main purpose of this trip was the Bancroft Gemfest
which was amazing. We all had so much fun exploring

Leanne joined us a couple days later so we did some fabric
dyeing. This is cochineal, a small bug found only on a
specific cactus in only two regions in the world

And they create the most incredible red dye 

I was able to get some Christmas presents made with my Indigo dye

 

Mid August and the garden harvest was starting to
look a bit more varied and delicious

It was time for Kate to move up to a bigger bed as Sean and Maggie will
be needing a crib soon, of course this is what I get when I ask
for a smile for the camera!

After dinner hike, whoopie cushion and all

We spent the day at a local provincial park enjoying a picnic,
beach, playground and family canoe adventure. The kids were
amazing during our hour plus of paddling

First day of Grade 2 French! Owen was so excited to start
as he has the same excellent teacher as he had last year! She
is teaching a 2/3 split and he was one of the 6 chosen from
his grade 1 class. Yes, Mom bragging going on here for sure