Leprechaun Traps

For St. Patrick's Day at school this year Macie had to make a Leprechaun trap at home and then bring it to school. Macie loves her crafting so this was a great project for us to do together. We had a lot of fun and Macie did all the work herself except when I had to jump in and help with a hot glue gun. The class unfortunately didn't catch a leprechaun but they definitely had fun displaying there traps and eating the "Gold".

Mommy/Daugher Date!!!

Saturday March 17th was Mine and Macie's 4th annual Mommy/Daughter road trip. This year we headed to Lloydminster again to go and see The Lion King Jr at the Vic Juba Theatre. We had a great trip down listening to music and singing at the top of our lungs. We started off buy doing a little bit of shopping at some of my favourite stores and found some wicked cute clothes for a good price. Then had some julius shakes and New York fries for lunch, then headed off to Vic Juba for the play. The kids who performed did such a good job and this was definitely there best performance I have ever seen. Macie loved it and was on the edge of her seat the whole time. When we were there we ran into some wonderful friends from our Lloydminster days. The Onofrychuk's, Stephanie Madson, and Melissa Cross. It was so nice seeing old friends, watching a great play and spending some good quality time with my daughter. The way home was quiet and Macie watched The Lion King on DVD while I reflected on the wonderful time spent with a wonderful girl.

10 years with Devon

Logo went from this

To this around 2009

    This past January 2018, I celebrated 10 years of work with Devon. Technically I started in 2006 as a contractor and didn't get hired on till 2008.

Devon Really is an amazing place to work. The people are good, the culture is good, and efforts that are made to keep workers safe, and the environment up kept, is remarkable. Millions and millions of dollars go into those two things.

    There has been a lot of changes since 2008 in the oil patch. So many, its almost unrecognizable.

Lloydminster, was once a great field with over 70 employees now down to 8. Devon had many many fields across Alberta and BC, now only three remain. Lloyd, Bonny, and Jackfish.

Oil peaked at 150/bbl and went as low as 29/bbl. Its been a rollercoaster of ups and downs. Many people have come and gone, which has made some difficult times. 

    I started in Lloydminster as a heavy oil Operator, moved to gas operator and was super blessed to have an opportunity to join the asset integrity team, and increase in education in 2013. I was moved to Bonnyville in September 2015 and less than a year later  June 2016, I was moved up at Jackfish.

   I have been blessed to work under some great leaders and some great colleagues. Through all the challenges, and changes, its been a wonderful 10 years. I hope that I can make 20.

Incognito

Macie came home from school one day and said that the boys that walk her home were mean to her. SO the next day dad and Wade were on a mission. Spy on the walkers and see how the escorts treat their precious cargo.
While we were parked, i look back a Wade and say, "Put these on and act causal. This is how spy's do it."
Wade was stoked and joined me in the moment.

The mission did not recover any evidence of malpractice from the two guides, so we closed the case.

Mark and Wade out!

Another House for Sale

Thank-you Cold Lake for all the memories, the beautiful lake, provincial park, the beach, the amazing summers, the good schools, the wonderful teachers, the welcoming ward (yes i said Ward),  the lack of wind, and the awesome parent centre.
The cold winters will not be missed, and neither will the pigeons.....
We bought this house in October 2015, when there was only one other family in the cul-de-sac, and now there are 6 families including us, and 3 years later we are listing it and saying good bye.
Together we took a barren lot with only a house and landscaped the yard, built a deck, and a fence, and grew one garden. There was a bit of blood, lots of sweat, and much children whining. Its location was optimal..Macie just hops the fence and walks to school. Our Neighbour are pretty awesome.
Our house kept us warm, dry and safe.  Our back yard hosted a few parties, where we were able to enjoy our tremendous friends that we have made during our stay.

huge back yard

Kalindas Retreat

Forced Children's retreat

Dance Recital Dress

Another year gone by and and another dance recital coming up shortly. Macie loves to dance and getting her costumes is another favourite thing of hers.

looking very grown up

PHOTO BOMB WADE

Kansas Photo Dump

Here are some super cute pictures of our little sweet heart

her new hat and stylish drool bandana

our little messy eater-Focus Fidget!!

Reading at Library

Shopping with Mom

Sunday Best

COLD LAKE SWIMMING LESSSONS

Cold lake sure struggles in the swimming lesson program.
Lets start at the beginning
Macie is a very strong swimmer. She is fearless in the water and is fully capable of serious swimming
She passed level 1 first time no problems
Level 2 has been a total bummer. The coaches are teenaged snowflakes. Macie has taken level 2 twice  this year and has failed both times. First time the coach indicated that she could not complete certain swims that she was able to complete in level 1??? figure that out. The second time the coach was a nice guy but spent more time looking at his notes and speaking french to the one kid in his class than he did with the other students. Macie got like 5 min out 30 minuts swim time. and the coach would barley look at her. There was no stopping and showing, or explaining her mistakes so she could improve.  well when we thought it was test day, Macie worked her tail off and went the distance and completed the forms required, but the substitute did not pass her. it was very weird. When the sub was questioned as to why Macie failed again, she said that the other coach completed the test scores which take into account the whole 6 weeks...BLAAA
Well no more swimming lessons in Cold Lake- Come on Lethbridge....

Wade did well in Salamanders and was abel to pass his second round. He is doing well under water retrieving rings and listening to coach.

They both worked very hard to listen and to pass. Regardless of the outcome we are proud of these kids

Macie Level 2 Exam with Sub

Wade Splish Splash Salamanders

Keeping Active in the Cold Weather

This weekend, we kept ourselves active even though it was cold. Friday night was ice skating at the out door rink under the lights. It has been a few weeks since our last skating outage, so it was time to get the kids out and practicing their skills.

They both did so good. Macie is really getting the hang of it and falling with grace. She is starting to speed up and using her edges to push off.
Wade did not have any push bars to support him, so he had to balance all by himself. He was slower but was able to navigate around the rink very well.  we played around for about 1 1/2 hours.
The kids were funny when they fell, they would leave their mark on the ice. Macie would wipe 2-4 swipes with one hand and Wade was 2 hands with lots of swipes. It got pretty funny to leave so many marks every time we fell.
Macie has a few bone crushing falls, but she got up and kept going.

Leaving their marks after they fell 

Saturday was a huge day, swimming lessons for both Wade and Macie, then Piano lessons for Macie. Then at 3pm we hit the Kinasoo Ski Resort

The second time in a month and the kids did good again. Mom worked her butt off with Wade, as she walked down the bunny hill with Wade in a harness time after time. This was very helpful for Wade to keep him under control.
Macie tore it up on the bunny hill. Dad couldn't keep up with her, she was already down the hill and on the magic carpet by the time dad got his bindings done up.
The last run of the day Macie and Dad took a ride on the chair lift to attempt a longer run. The ride up took along time, and Macie just sat still as we moved higher up the hill. The view was amazing of the lake and sun setting in the west. Macie mentioned that the long ride was good because that means that  her and dad can talk a little bit.  We took the ridge run (8) down, which was a narrow trail with ups and downs. Macie did excellent with no falling. She learned well how to snow plow on the steeper sections.
We may have found our winter family activity.

Wade's Gymnastics

Wade has completed his second year in gymnastics. His teacher, Coach Leslie, thinks Wade is strong and learns fast. Parents can watch the kids as they practice though a TV set up in the weighting room. I enjoyed watching Wade on the trampoline, the bars and the balance beams. He is very strong, and was the first one through the circuits, leaving behind his classmates. Great job Wade on another year of gymnastics, his 3rd year.

Wade showing how boys end their routine. One hand up.