reclamation

I remember the days when I would scoff at the red necks that would 4-wheel (quad) through our camp sites, today, despite the fact that I brushed my teeth with chemical free toothpaste and ate free range chickens' eggs, I went 4-wheeling and created some new ecosystems (aka destroyed some ecosystems). Cody gave me the choice - go canoeing or 4-wheeling. Last I remember, I chose canoeing, but some how 4-wheeling it was. You know what, it was super fun. Perhaps it's because our kids were safe at home with a babysitter or perhaps it was because I was covered in mud from head to toe, or perhaps it was because Cody and I were together having muddy, life threatening(ish) fun.

I added a layer of Instagram to try to class this up a bit. Did it work?

How was your Sunday?
xoxo aj

californ - i - a

I love California. I love the weather, the service, the way my hair feels and straightens. I also love seeing my Best West friends in the sunny state for red wine, white wine, rose wine, sparkling wine, Chocolate infused with wine and the laughs that come so naturally following, yes, you guessed it, wine.  

Oh ladies, thank you for the lovely time; we made some memories. Thank you too, to my man and the ladies' men who made our time possible.

So back to the memories and for the sake of my own memory I'm going to record just a few here:
1. The steepest and scariest drive way of all time.
2. Scorpions. Correction, scorpion. Correction, dead scorpion.
3. Cute little lizards. Correction, violently murdered lizard.

4. A romantic wine collection, complete with a poetry reciting from our wine tour guide guy/DJ.

5. Running and jumping into a moving vehicle to escape, said, poetry reciting wine tour guide guy/DJ.

6. Driving through San Francisco (known for the craziest, steepest, narrowest roads) with our friend Becky (known for being one of the most nervous drivers in unknown cities). 

7. Champagne, the hair of the dog.

8. Bacon with cayenne.

9. Daiquiri with chilli. 

10. Lunches, brunches, dinners and desserts with my ladies.

What a way to wake up. A view from my room's balcony.

 

Let's get this party started. It's 9:30, too early for wine? 

(R - L: Carolyn, Allison, me, Diane, Becky)

 Enjoying some red pulled right from the barrel.

Cheers!

 

Cheers again!

A beauty shot.

Heading out for lunch, shopping and champagne. 

Before we could head anywhere we had to face the dreaded driveway. This shot does not do the steepness any justice. It was dreadful. 

 

Oh the food. The beautiful food.

 

 On to San Fran. It was clear and it was cold!

A special thank you to my friend Carolyn as she was our official photographer. It has been years since I was in so many photos; I know have some sense as to how my children feel. Thanks again Carolyn can't wait to see all your beautiful shots!

xo AJ

coast to coast

It's 4 am Moncton time which must mean it's midnight in San Fransisco. I've got a bit of a journey ahead but it's worth it. By 2:30 this afternoon (6:30 Moncton time) I'll be meeting four of my West Best Friends for coffee, wine, spa, shopping, food, a lot of talking. Notice I did not say diapers, outfit negotiating, brushing anyone else's teeth or time outs (I hope). Come on cabbie, let's do this, I'm ready.

Kate, Elliott, I love you and I trust that your Papa will take amazing care of you. Cody, thank you for giving me this awesome gift of time and place. I love you so much.

Cheers from Sonoma and San Fran!
Aimee

so this is 30

Yesterday we celebrated Terra Nova's 30th Anniversary and the Grand Opening of the new terminal. It was a great, proud day. Like all celebrations, it was also a time to reflect. Cody and I have been involved in the company for only four years, I can't imagine what it would feel like to have grown it over 30 years. Perhaps that's why there were so many tears. That or the Jorgensens are a bunch of softies.

Let's take a peek...

All shined up for the event. 

The 30th Anniversary truck. 

The formal portion of the event.

The official ribbon cutting - it happened fast.

A shot of the crowd.

 A couple beautiful Jorgensen ladies.

Liam - the poster boy of the day.

Congratulations to you Paul, Janice and Cody. You've done so well and I'm proud and pleased to be an "at arm's length" partner with you.

Now that the event is over, I don't know what I'm going to stay busy with. For a bit there it almost felt like I had a part time job that I actually really enjoyed.
Aimee

better late than never

So Easter, right, I guess that was what a week ago? Nah, just six days. So let's talk Easter. Hey if we don't, if we just skip Easter, one day my kids will look back on this Blog, and I know it will be a hole in their memory, possibly in their hearts ... Easter 2013.

Last Saturday we met friends, the McGilles.  With them we stood in line outside the zoo for an hour - the goal being see some Easter animals and do some Easter egg hunting. Funny thing, I don't recall seeing Easter animals, unless a Llama counts. The Egg hunt was in a little barn, in a small pile of dusty hay. Once a child found a plastic egg, they could trade it in for a goodie bag containing, wait for it  ... chips and a Peppermint Patty. Oh it sounds bad but really the coffee and the company were great. Oh and the sunshine was to die for.

Easter Sunday was an all time hit with the kids. Kate came in our room thrilled that the Easter bunny remembered us and even brought her a couple pieces of chocolate and some little lady make up. She didn't seem to have a clue that a treasure trove of treats await downstairs and Cody insisted we not tell for fifteen more minutes while he drifted in and out of slumber.

Their hunt itself was a thing of beauty. They shared, cooperated, and were just tickled pink. Grumpy Kate and Elliott came out a bit later when their blood sugar reached its saturation point.

We ended our day with some of Cody's friends who had us over for dinner. Their three children are in or nearly in their teens so it was amusing to watch them get reacquainted with little children, their tears, need for band-aids and a kids' table.

My boys in blue.

If you can't make fun of your children, what's the point?

Fun in the sun.

Nolan and Kate happily hunting.

Did someone say snack time?  Our crew didn't even make it out of the barn before diving in and pretty much taking over the East wing.

 A jellybean smile from Lydia.

 

Some of the Easter loot.

 Our mighty hunter.

Kate familiarizing herself with her new "pets".

Bubbles in the sun.

Easter 2013: definitely worth recording.

Oh, it probably doesn't require mentioning but Game of Thrones did start its third Season Sunday evening; 'cause you know, it's not all about the kids.