maybe....just maybe, my fave cookies yet

Oh my....yes, I do believe that these cookies have taken first place on my favourite cookies list!  Go on now, whip up a batch and let me know what you think.  Yummo!!

Whole-Grain Chocolate Chunk Cookies

1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour

1 cup instant oats

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1/4 cup canola oil

2 tbsp butter (softened)

1/2 cup cane sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup natural peanut butter

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

handful (or more!) of chocolate chips

-preheat oven 375

-combine flour, oats, baking soda, and salt in med bowl

-cream oil, butter, sugars

-add peanut butter, eggs and vanilla

-slowly beat in dry ingredients

-stir in chocolate chips

-form cookies into balls and place on baking sheet

-gently press down to form a disc

-bake for about 9-12 minutes, until slightly golden around the edges

-let cool on racks (if you can!) and then enjoy!!

*This recipe is hugely versatile!  You could easily add nuts, craisins, raisins, or even swap out the peanut butter for almond butter.  The sugar amounts could also be tweaked too.  And....they are super easy and great for little hands to get involved!

welcome fall

Cool temperatures.  Brilliant colours.  Crisp leaves.  Sweaters.  Soups.  Hot drinks.  Is there any reason whatsoever that fall should not be my most favourite season of all?  I think the main reason I love fall so much, is that it's but a prelude to that ever frowned upon white stuff that we all know is looming ever so close.  Most people I know spring clean....but not me!  I nest!  I clean and organize everything at this time of year in preparation for those cold nights and snowy days!  Wierd, I know. 
We kicked off the fall season today, by meeting up with Auntie Ky and Rory at a most loved park...Fish Creek.  A chilly start, but a beautiful (sunny) end.

There was lots of exploring.

Lots of chasing.  Poor Rory.  His little legs could barely keep up with his littlest cousins!

A few rounds of Bree and Jenna's most fave game of all...hide-and-seek.

Which soon led to another game of chase, and this time Rory was hot on their tails!

Such a fantastic way to spend a Wednesday morning!  Thanks Auntie Ky and Rory!

Oh...doesn't this next pic just scream for a few snow flurries!  There's something crisp and wintery about it.  Can you see it?  Stop rolling your eyes at me!  You know how excited I get about the snow!  Sheesh.

Did I mention that I love fall

from across the pond

After looking at these pictures, that are coming in almost daily, I am thinking I just might like to head over the pond and pay a visit to Scotland.  The pics are outstanding, and word has it that Grandpa Snider is working hard to capture that perfect "artsy" (that's the word they are using nowadays) photo.  Judging by what I have seen....I think they are doing quite well!

Grandpa Snider in front of Culzean Castle on the west coast of Scotland.

The boys standing on the famous bridge at hole number 18 at St. Andrews.

Brent standing atop Edinburgh Castle.

Grandpa Snider trying to capture said "artsy" photo!

Old ruins covered in ivy and vines.  The light on this one is gorgeous!

Brent in the "bunker" for which I have been told he got his ball out of on his first try!

Wow.  Lovin' the pics!  Almost feels like I have had a wee visit myself! Hard to believe that there are only a few days left of this trip when it seemed like it took forever for this trip to become a reality.  We are so looking forward to their return on Wednesday, and hopefully Brent will have many more pics and stories up on the blog in the coming days.  Hopefully he isn't too jet lagged.  There is a clan of super excited kidlets eagerly awaiting his arrival!  No doubt Brent will be bombarded by....well, let's just say four kids trying to tell their tales all at once each trying to outspeak the other.

Scotland update

A trip of a lifetime!  No doubt about it.  I am so thankful that technology makes communicating with people halfway around the world so easy.  Almost like they really aren't as far away as they are.  We have been communicating daily with the Snider boys as they golf their way around Scotland on a fabulous 8 day trip.  Thanks to texting, emailing, and Skype we have been able to keep tabs on these boys and share in all of the excitement of this big trip right alongside of them.  Here are just a few of the pics that have already come through.  No doubt Brent will do a post on his trip when he returns, but I wanted to get something up so you all could see what they are up to!

I believe these pics are from the first course that Brent and his dad played today...Royal Troon.  Not far from where they are staying, which I might add is a hop-skip-and-a-jump from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean!  Brent has already been kind enough to collect some ocean glass for the kids to add to there ever growing collection.

And would you look at these pics....I think I am influencing Brent in the world of photography!  He is taking artsy shots now! 

Gorgeous aren't they?!  Thanks Brent!
Yes, we miss the boys terribly, but at the same time are so very happy that they can pull off a trip of this magnitude.  They have quite a few more days of golf ahead of them, and a day of sight-seeing in Edinburgh on Saturday.  Oh how I wish I could check out those Scottish castles!  I love castles! 
Hopefully I'll get some more pics up of there adventures as they become available.   Once again, thank goodness for technology!

the master's

Not only does September mark the start of another school year, it also marks the return of the Master's Tournament at Spruce Meadows.  One of our favourite events to attend every year.  This year....it was HOT!  My goodness was it ever.  I have never been to The Master's when it has been this warm.  Nonetheless, we made our trip worth while.  The kids spent most of the time riding ponies (still a favourite!) in the cool shade of a small cluster of trees.  It wasn't busy, so they got to have a couple of rides.  Everyone except Bree.  She wanted nothing to do with it, and her snack was more important.  She watched from the sidelines as the other three had a go.

Like Maelle, Jenna still holds up to being my animal lover.  She would have ridden all afternoon if we'd let her.

Despite the hot temperatures, the kids did manage to find their new dream home.  Ahem.  What isn't shown in this picture, are the two circular decks off to the right and another off to the left, complete with kid sized cedar Adirondack chairs.  This "house" even had working lights, and a carved staircase for two steps on the inside.  It makes our little playhouse look a little shabby don't you think?

We also managed to enjoy a little dutch olle bollen in the shade.  My little indulgence once a year!

And to round things out, the fireworks show from the comfort of our own home.  A nice treat for Aidan and Maelle who we got up to watch the celebrations.  Although we didn't see much of the jumping...good luck trying to find a shady spot to watch...we did manage to catch the Prairie Dogs, and despite sitting in the sun, everyone loved it.  Especially Bree and Jenna who would clap along with everyone else when the dogs finished their obstacle course. 

Looks like our heat wave is coming to a close this week and to be perfectly honest I am so glad.  I am so ready for cooler weather, woolly socks, and homemade soup.  Fall is my favourite time of the year afterall!

a day of firsts

Who would have thought that this morning would have almost the same energy level as Christmas Day?  Who would have thought that these two would nearly skip all the way to school?  I certainly did not.  Today my friends, was back to school.  It was the start of new routines, earlier bedtimes, and seeing and catching up with old friends....and in many cases meeting new ones too.
Aidan started grade two today.  Gasp!  I know.  We all gathered this morning bright and early in the gym, and eagerly awaited for the news Aidan has been anxious about all summer.  Who was in his class?  And most importantly....who was his teacher?  He gathered with his little clan from last year and sat down and waited.  Waited as each grade two teacher approached the podium, and called out their class list for the year.  It was pins and needles people!  As the much sought after teacher got closer, and kids started disappearing, it was down to the wire.  The kids sat arms nearly linked, hoping, just hoping for that special teacher to call their names.  And then it happened.  One teacher left, four very close friends full of smiles, and some new friends eager to begin grade two.  There names were called, they jumped up and giggled, hugged each other and there were many fist-pumps and "yes'!'" being shouted as they made their way to their new classroom.  It was like these kids won the lottery.  They are all in the same class, with last year's amazing teacher!  Woohoo!    I believe that one of the mom's, who is also a very good friend, heard Aidan say "I wished upon that shooting star for this!"  It's going to be a good year!

It was also a big day for this little lady, who has also been eagerly awaiting her moment, her biggest day yet.  Maelle's first day of kindergarten, and at her big brother's school, which is now her's as well.  That's right, it was also Maelle's first day of kindergarten.  Another gasp...this one a big one!

Maelle had a short day today, as the teacher's transitioned these once pre-schoolers into the big leagues.  Tomorrow is the first full day.  Maelle walked proudly to her new school this morning, not just tagging along to pick up Aidan, but to actually attend.  She was so excited.  When I picked her up, she was grinning wide eyed and bursting with excitement and enthusiasm about her class.  She was only there for one hour.  I can only imagine what tomorrow will bring!

So aside from all of the excitement that was running through the house today with my two oldest starting there first day of school, I must admit that the motherly lump-in-the-throat  made an appearance on more than one occasion today.  They are growing up.  I witnessed a very social little girl make her way into her big school today, smiling at her new teacher, and her soon to be friends.  I witnessed a not so little boy reunite with friends from last year, and pick up right where they left off.  Excited about school. Excited about being with each other. And most importantly excited about that favourite teacher.  It was a good day.  And boy, is it going to be a good year.