hate is such a strong word

Hate is a strong word, but anyone who knows me knows that I use a lot of strong words and that I hate a lot of things. And when it comes to home decor the hate list gets even longer. With that said I don't hate all the things on my list when they appear in your house, just my own. It's like women and weight, they love and accept all their friends no matter their shape but have no forgiveness for themselves.

A few people have asked to see my house so I thought why not blog about it and heck why not start with the things I hate first - get them on the table right away - the glass is not always half full. Then I can move on to the areas I like and even love.

Overall we are really loving the house - it felt like home almost immediately. And we have been slowly working on the things that aren't us but like all things it will take time, and oh yeah, money.

So here goes...

A triple whammy - oak cabinets, the knobs on the cabinets and that light over the sink that matches no other fixture in the kitchen.

Oak lower cabinets and lino that's kind of teal. No it's totally teal.

More oak, this time our fireplace mantle in the family room.

A cloud of florescent light in the kitchen.

A very shiny half functioning fan in the family room. Please note, much to my dismay, this is Kate's favorite object in our house.

Bad fan #2 that was in Kate's room but has been committed to the basement.

A box of bad curtains that blocked out good light and great windows.

I don't know if I can count all the things that I'm not fond of in this our master bath. Am I sounding terribly spoilt? I hope not. I'm just stating the facts as I see them.

These photos do not do the paint colour in our guest room justice. It is the dustiest rose that I have ever seen. I think it goes without saying that our hot pink spread does not bring out the best in the paint.

We also have a huge room over the garage that we refer to as the west wing. It's a great room - really private and sound proof from the rest of the house. The only draw backs are a LOT of teal carpet and another very bad fan.

To end on a positive note we have had a painter in to refinish all the cabinets and the mantle and they look amazing! And the light fixtures are slowly being replaced - hurrah! I'll get to work at taking some nice photos and will get those up soon. Cheers - aj

a first halloween is a happy halloween

We took our little lobster of a daughter back to the PEI water for her first Halloween. Pappa and I also got all decked out for the occasion.

It's ironic that we were dressed to eat our young as just that morning Kate had us up at 3:30am for the day.

A close up of our girl.

We celebrated Halloween with Kate's cousins Daisy and Thomas, her cop of an Uncle and thieving Pirate of an Aunt.

Thomas the Train. It was so funny Carter actually pre-filled his loot bag before leaving home.

Miss Lydia the Skittles loving Daisy.

Why is the moustache reserved for cops? I think the local Bread Man should consider wearing one full time.

Aaar!

One thirsty Lobster searching for water.

Do these ladies look related? Close your mouths girls.

All the girls.

An island arrest reenactment.

Perhaps this was his offense.

My baby.

Kate and Meem sharing a laugh.

Kate with her Great Aunt Darla and Maggie the dog.

It was a busy but great first Halloween visiting with the cousins, Meem, Pap, Aunt Darla, Brenda, the Ramsays, Josh, Susan and Grandma Donna. Kate was an absolute trouper especially given the very early start to her day. She is a social little thing and seemed to love visiting everyone.

I also wanted to share a few pictures of my favorite western trick or treaters:

Our nephew Aidan the deadly Trex with his buddy Batman aka Jack.

Another of the Trex hunting solo - I think he had just eaten Batman.

My girlfriend Becky's oldest daughter Sophie the sweet Ladybug.

Becky's five month old beautiful little Mouse Lauren.

My girlfriend Carolyn's mysterious son Super Jude.

Photos yet to come of Marek Man.

our new SUVs

Sometimes I lose sight of what brought us out east - well Cody used this afternoon to remind Kate and I. What better way to spend a Saturday than at the Kenworth dealership welcoming our three newest members to the Terra Nova family.

In all truth they are quite beautiful.

And so are we.

I think Kate may even be a Kenworth kind of kid. Careful baby, or I have a feeling your Grandpa Paul and Daddy will put you to work.

Strange sign. Is it referring to Janice or maybe me?

All joking aside, welcome to Terra Nova you three beauties. Now get to work.

:)

happy birthday aunty rhonda

Kate and I threw a little party this morning in honor of you and your 34th birthday. As you can see there were banners, blowers, hats and I even drank my morning coffee out of a 'Happy Bithday' mug. Whewf, I'm exhausted from all the merriment.

Can you spot the 34 just below the birthday banner? That's for you Rhonda.

Kate couldn't be happier.

Doesn't Kate look Zen? She isn't. She's teething and miserable.

We've now missed a family birthday, a book club get together, a ladies night at Becky's... I know they are just the firsts of many but I'm using the occasion to feel a little sorry for myself. I miss all you western friends and family so much. We will do our best not to forget any big occasions and hope that you don''t forget about us.

Again, happy birthday Rhonda I hope you have a fun filled day and evening.

xoxoxo Aimee

boo at the zoo

Cody, Kate and I met up with my swimming friend Elaine and her son Ethan (10 mons) for a little trip through the Moncton Zoo today. It was the first day of Boo at the Zoo so all the kids were dressed up in their Halloween costumes looking so darling.

Ooooow. Eeeeeeeh.
One might ask: is this an appropriate decoration at a zoo?

This is our little lobster Kate and her friend Ethan the bat.

This is them eating grass and leaves in the graveyard. Gross.

Cody and a couple buddies he's made in Moncton.

Even the animals were getting into the Halloween spirit. How natural.

We had a great afternoon taking in the crisp fall air. Kate seemed to see a few animals and got quite animated by them. Just like her Daddy her favorite animal looks to be the Pygmy Goat. Oh, you didn't know that about Cody? The Moncton Zoo was pretty nice. It's not huge but I guess that means there are just fewer animals in captivity - which isn't a bad thing.

Happy early Halloween - you'll all have to tune in to see our entire family's costumes in a later blog. cheers!

purple s'mores anyone?

Snow is not yet flying here but winter is definitely in the air. To combat the chill we broke out Kate's new jacket.

Is this child abuse? I hope not because I think she looks darling as a purple marshmallow.

Kate adores crunchy leaves and pulling out the grass - she'll stay outside forever.

We had a little play session at the Y today. Kate was the only immobile child but seemed to enjoy watching the toddlers toddle around.

Can you spot our pink Pumpkin?

Tomorrow we are planning on meeting my swimming friend and her son at a Boo at the Zoo event - weather permitting I may even try out her little costume.

I hope Calgary melts a little and everyone can get out and purchase their boots and mitts.

xoxo - us 3