Family Day Weekend And A Horse
Couple of weeks back my husband and I took a road trip out to see my son Dorian, and his fiancé Brie, in Whitecourt Ab. It’s a bit of a drive that’s for sure. Six hours and 48 mins to be exact.
Luckily (dripping sarcasm) I had just fallen down a flight of stairs the night before, sober I might add, and caused some major damage to myself. One of those injuries included a dislocated and badly bruised tail bone. So that six hours and 48 mins sitting on my assaulted ass, felt more like 60 hours and 48 mins.
Brie’s family was throwing them a surprise engagement party and they were so sweet to include us in the lies and deception. Shall we call us the decoys?
Plans well laid ..
Most of Brie’s family lives right there in Whitecourt. Which is pretty amazing that my son inherited this big beautiful family way out there in Alberta. He is surrounded by people that love him. What more can a mom wish for?
They live on a beautiful acreage just outside of town. It’s surrounded by forest and they even have a neighbours horse hanging in the backyard. Like come on.
The Bait
As you can see this horse became my muse for the weekend.
Should I be worried about this tongue thing?
Grand daughter Drew feeding Lightening the Horse an Apple
I should add that my son has also inherited 3 pretty awesome grown children, and one adorable granddaughter.
That’s right. He is grandpa Dorian. As his mom this is both bizarre and beautiful, all at the same time. This little spitfire has stolen his heart, and our hearts as well.
Fun fact this granddaughter and I share the same birthday.
The morning of this planned surprise was allegedly our leaving day. But our plan was that we wanted to go for a walk with Dorian and Brie before we left. You know, stretch legs, get some air, before the long drive.
This would give Brie’s family and friends time to swoop in, decorate, and lay out some brunch.
However dorian god bless him, decided to make us one last breakfast before we left. . Now time is of the essence and it was our only job, to have them leave the house when instructed.
It’s 10:10 am we are supposed to have them gone about 10 minutes ago.
Dorian is just cracking eggs. Oh boy. I believe I have fucked this day up and it’s not even noon.
Internally I’m panicking, hot flashes and twitchy agitation ensues. I’m putting the pressure on about having to leave and setting these anxiously rigid time lines, without being conspicuous of course..
Toast is still in the toaster.
Brie is very intuitive. She is going to know something is up, that, or, she will decide that her newly inherited mother in law is indeed a ridiculous, uncompromising psycho.
I text my contact for this mission, Brie’s oldest daughter Ally. I let her know we are behind schedule by at least half hour. I’ll text when the eagle flys. .
Finally dirty dishes left where they are, and pans still on the stove, we leave the house, I’m in a subdued panic.
Ally is sent the all clear. The eagle has left the nest.
Our walk although beautiful, ends up almost an hour long instead of the half hour scheduled. Well shit, I’m sure the whole entire family has decided Brad and I are incapable of following simple instructions.
We finally get back to the acreage, behind schedule is an understatement, and Brie’s spidey senses were tingling the whole time.
Better late then never?
Despite the morning panic and delayed start time, these two love birds were greeted with balloons, a champagne brunch, a plethora of family and friends, and a couple of afternoon card games. It was a perfect family day. Celebrating two amazing people, their love, and the joining of families.
It’s truly about the who, and not the what.
Hug your people, and hold them close. I hope your family day was as unscripted and full as ours.
Chilled mimosa cheers
xo td
One Christmas Night In The Kitchen
Documenting a night over Christmas, in the kitchen.
As with most homes my kitchen is the heart of most of the action. This was one of many evenings spent here, but the only one that I decided to pull out my camera. For shame, I know.
The evening like many others, was well spent, laughing, cooking, eating, clearly some drinking, and playing games. Christmas tunes playing on Spotify..
Confession- I’m relentless with the Christmas music, when the opportunity of repetitive indulgence becomes available.
It is not very often that every one is able to get together under the same roof, at the same time. And at the time of these photos not all family had arrived. Lucky for mom, she’d had enough of the shenanigans and wandered off to bed earlier in the evening.
I am so very grateful that this holiday season was one of those rare occurrences where our Reesor side of the clan gathering, was not missing a single soul.
In the series below and ones to follow are in no particular order, my dad Dennis, my youngest son Daxon, his girlfriend Shylo, husband Brad, sister Tonya. Niece and nephew Jayce & Jaryn, and last but not least, Dany the elf.
Till next year.
