More Pictures from the Past

I wanted to add a few more pictures from the last few months. Enjoy!

This is our Family all together. February 2011

Stephen and I were able to visit his dad almost everyday. I think it helped his dad get a little stronger because he knew we would be coming.

Everyone was so happy to see Hamish after his mission. I was so excited to visit with my mommy...

And my daddy!!!

This is a great picture. If you haven't figured it out it's Derek. He was so great at the hospital and so willing to play for Grandpa, who was so proud of him and said it numerous times. He also entertained some of the other patients and even took song requests. He has a really good ear so if they were able to sing it to him he could somehow play it on the piano. He really brought the place alive with his piano playing and brightened his Grandpa's day,


I just want to say thanks to our family and friends because this trip would have never happened without all your support. We are praying for Grandpa that all will be well for him and Grandma. We love you guys!!!

Back to the Future

It has been a long time since I have posted. We are now in April and I don't know where the time has gone. I feel bad that I have not kept up with my blog but let life get in the way. I will look through our pictures and post the fun ones. It will include Halloween, and Christmas. Hamish has returned from his mission and is working at Radial Point. His plans are to go to school in the very near future. It looks like he will be moving to Calgary or somewhere in Western Canada.
Speaking of out west we and I mean my husband and Hamish and Derek made a trip out to Vancouver Island in February. Grandpa Macpherson was in the hospital and we really wanted to see him and spend time with Grandma. He's still in the hospital and Grandma visits him daily. We really wished that we could be closer especially now when Grandpa isn't feeling that well. We visited and tried to cheer him up everyday. I was also able to visit my dad in Port Alberni. He and Karen have taken on the enormous task of fostering. They have two sweet little girls Shannon and Mariah. When I say little I mean toddler and a baby. I'm in awe of them. What a challenge they have taken on at a time when many would be thinking more about retirement. I just love the girls they are so sweet. Everyone who knows me knows how much I love babies - I just want to squish them both.
Now we are back in Montreal and back to regular life. Life sure is busy and full. But I like it that way cause everything I do I love.

Merry Christmas our tree for 2010

Stockings are a big deal in our Christmas traditions




Whoops! I almost forgot Halloween. William was "Windy Man" and Olivia was Artemis- the Goddess of Hunting. Aren't their costumes great!

A new Haircut

I've decided to share how great I feel since I got my haircut. I think all that long straight hair was just weighing me down. Everyone I see from the gym to church to my girl guides this evening said how they liked my hair. It's amazing how a simple haircut can change your life for the better. Everything seems easier to face when you feel better about yourself. I remember when I was younger (really young) when my mom or grandma would go to the salon to get their hair styled and curled. We don't do that now - go weekly. If I get there every six weeks I'm lucky. I know how important it is to eat healthy and exercise but I'm also realizing how important it is to keep up the beauty care because it really does add to my whole person. So if you are feeling run down maybe depressed try going to the salon with your girlfriends. I have to thank Rozalie at Salon de Coiffure Rozalie for bringing me back to life. I'll be calling you in a few weeks for an appointment for a new do.

Sorry this picture was the best that I could find of my hair. Notice the nice layers and soft curl all natural of course.

Olivia just loves her new outfit designed and made by her Auntie Cheryl. It's perfect for the warm summer days we are having in Montreal. Don't you love Olivia's new hair style. She looks so sweet.
Here is something else that Olivia thinks is sweet Taffy, the little dog up the street that she checks on Tuesday afternoons. The owners are at work and school and they needed someone to let her out of her crate for a little while. Taffy is very energetic and loves to run in her back yard.

LOOK WHAT I MADE!!!

On Saturday Olivia and I went to Fabricville and she picked out some fabric so I could sew her a little skirt. I got the pattern from a blog called "Crap I've made". I started around 3:30 pm today and finished around 6:30 pm. It turned out so cute and Olivia loves it. I'm so proud of myself. I really love sewing and creating things.


So now I've got the bug and I want to sew some more. I want to make something for William now. He says I should make him a hat. I think he wants me to make him a baseball cap. I'm not that good. I'm going to have to come up with something else. If you have any ideas let me know. Have a great day.

Palmyra, New York

Earlier in July we went to the Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra, New York. It is only about five hours from Montreal so we did it in two days. It was a Youth trip but I came along because I teach seminary and we are doing Church History and the Docrtine and Covenants this year. We visited the Smith Homes, Sacred Grove and also the temple grounds during the day friday. Later that evening we went to the hill to wait for the Pageant to start. Here are some pictures from Friday.



The Smith frame home


Barns and other buildings

Into the Grove we go.

Some of my past and present seminary students.

The temperatures were hot and humid that day so it was cooler walking through the Sacred Grove.

Relaxing at the Temple.




The Hill

We found some seats and then Olivia, William and Dad climbed the hill for a different perspective.

They were hot and exhausted but they made it!!!



The pageant characters mingled with the crowd before the sun went down. The show couldn't start until it was dark. The costumes were awesome.


Olivia and William both enjoyed the show.

Chickpea Tacos

Yes you read that right. I have found this great recipe using a can of Chickpeas that makes a delicious taco filling. First I sauteed onions, celery, and red pepper together. The recipe said green but I had a red one that I need to use up.

Then I added some spices and yummy salsa. You can make it as spicy as you like.

Then you add the can of chickpeas.I mashed them with the potato masher just a little.

Then you can go ahead and put your tacos together and enjoy. if you look below you will see that I have typed out the recipe. I hope you will enjoy them as much as we do.



Kevin Nealon's Chickpea Tacos
1 small onion
1 T. olive oil
1 celery stalk chopped
1 green pepper chopped
1 15-19oz canned chickpeas
5-8 T. salsa (I add more)
1/2 tsp. gr. cumin
1/2 tsp. chili pwdr
dash of cayenne
9-10 taco shells
In large saute pan, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, celery, and green pepper until softened. Add chickpeas, salsa, cumin, and chili powder. Stir and cook until warmed. Mash chickpeas slightly with a fork for better texture. Fill shells evenly with mixture from saute pan. If desired top with any of the following chopped tomatoes, shredded soy or rice cheese, low-fat guacamole, shredded lettuce, hot sauce, or salsa. I added veggie cheese and my homemade soycream.