One Simple Goal

This logo is on my favorite shirt.
It's a motto our family will continue to focus on in 2012.

As New Year's Eve approaches, I can't help but to reflect back on the year that was. I think it was good one, if not an easy one. We made a lot of significant changes this year and I think we're better for all of them. It's an on-going challange to simply our lives. Creating better routines and breaking the bad habits we've developed over the years is hard sometimes but it's a battle that I think we're winning.

Our priorities for 2011 were simple: eat better, exercise more, work as a team and get healthier financially. We've done very well at eating better, making smarter use of our money and working together as a team. Though our focus on nutrition slipped in December, we made some significant moves on the financial front and Team Blanchard is working very well together. Overall, I'm really happy with how those three life goals are progressing.

Exercising regularly and together are on-going battles. We haven't done well with them at all. We've relied too much on Scouts and not enough on our family. We've gone for a few family hikes and outtings this year, but not nearly enough. Our school transport routines rely on driving almost all the time and Jonas is old enough now that he's spending more and more time out playing with his friends, leaving Steve and I to putter about on our own. Those two things translate into a need to refocus and reinvent our family exercise opportunities. Hopefully the introduction of snowboarding and the arrival of the winter snows will help us get over the hump.

So our family mission for 2012 is even simpler - to keep simplfying. Reprioritizing and really buckling down are simple goals that are not so easily acheived. We're slowly moving ourselves into a better position for the future and that's really our big life goal. Eat well. Play well. Strengthen the team. Simple!

Cheers!

The Budding Outdoorsman

Jonas has always been the kind of kid who's happiest outdoors, exploring nature. He started camping before he was born and hiking before he could walk. Both are things he now loves as an eight year old.

How did that happen?

We simply let his curiosity, enthusiasm and energy lead us all. We started him young, we never forced him or sucked the fun out of it for him (except when his mind and body butted heads with safety) and we don't let the changing seasons stop us. We do it as a family and we let his passions lead the way. If he wants to carry Steve's rucksack pack full of survival gear, we let him. When four year old Jonas insisted that Teddy come with us on every hike we got him a pack with a special seat belt for Teddy. When he became ready to use a knife and learn to start a campfire, we started to teach him. When he wanted to climb trees, we cheered him on. Make snow angels? No problem! Build a tee-pee? Sure, why not! We're also helping him develop smart outdoor safety habits and learn the basics of wilderness survival along the way. Something that, for now at least, he's got a keen interest in.












These are the reasons why we camp and hike, even in the winter, they're and a big part of the reason he and I joined Scouts together - to encourage his love of the outdoors and to nurture the wild child within him. We are but two of his teachers. He is the leader of us all!

Cheers!

Wordless Wednesday: Christmas Memories

My favorite picture from Christmas this year:



Jonas and Teddy just before bedtime on Christmas Eve as I read "The Night Before Christmas".



Mom and Jonas Monday

Today was my last day off until New Years. Steve had to work so it was just me and Jo. We decided to do one of our favorite things: go for a hike. We had a great day. We hiked for about an hour through the forest to the beach, where the wikkiup from our summer hike was still standing. We started a campfire, had a warm lunch in our shelter from the cold rain, and then hiked back as the rain turned to the first real snowfall of the year.

By the time we got home, Steve was back and the snow was starting to collect on the ground. Jonas was eager to give his new sled a try so, after another warming bowl of turkey soup, he put on his snow pants and coat and headed out the door for some more outdoor fun, while I shot some pictures. He arrived home after the sun had set with a huge, wonderful smile on his face. It was a day neither of us will ever forget!

Blanchard Boxing Day

We are enjoying another wonderful Christmas. We spent Christmas eve at my Dad's with my dad, (step)mom, brother, sister, brother-in-law and niece. We spent Christmas day at our house with my mom and brother. We've had two amazing turkey dinners, been spoiled with gifts and surrounded with love. It's been wonderfu! The only thing missing is Tasha.

Today it's been just the three of us. We've been engaged in all of our indoor toys. Builing, creating, playing, watching, surfing, eating and napping to our hearts content. We haven't been out of our jammies for two days. What a great way to spend a day off!

Tomorrow we're going to venture out of the house to go on some sort of an outdoor adventure, at least that's the plan. We got a bunch of outdoor gear for sledding, snowboarding, hiking and camping, so at least one of those has to go on our extended holiday weekend agenda. Steve has to work tomorrow so I think Jonas and I are going to go for a hike and then to the ski hill to sign-up for snowboarding lessons - an awesome gift from Nana and Uncle Mike. What a great way to kick start a year of spending more time outdoors together in 2012!

Cheers!

Merry Christmas, my friends!

Time for Myself

What a great night! Steve took Jonas Christmas shopping and left me with the house to myself for a few hours. I've had a wicked headache for the past couple of days and didn't feel up to doing much of anything so I parked myself on the couch, found "Love Actually" on Netflicks, made some hot chocolate and wrapped their presents. I had to take a few branches off the tree so they could fit, and that made me feel so blessed.

They came home a couple of hours later, full of smiles, laughter and shopping bags. They promptly told me that it would be a huge favour if I went and had a bath or something. So, that's exactly what I did. I propped my tablet beside the tub and watched another Christmas movie. It felt so decadent.

I haven't felt this spoiled in a long time. I think I could get used to it - at least as a new Christmas tradition!

Cheers!