Finger Painting!

We picked up some inexpensive canvases at the dollar store and unleashed the kids on them the other day! Avery is in a diaper, but Xander is just nude so the pictures had to be censored a little bit! We hung these paintings very proudly in the living room!

Avery was actually a little more aggressive with the painting than her big brother....go figure!

Xander wanted to take frequent hand washing breaks during this VERY messy process! I can't remember if finger painting or the bath afterwards was more enjoyable for him!

My Brave Boy!

Well...I guess the initiation into boyhood isn't complete without a trip to the emergency room and stitches to show for it! While pushing a rolling chair upstairs, he got too close to the stairs and followed it down the first two.... forehead colliding with the metal underneath. Xander did NOT enjoy getting the stitches done...but immediately afterwards was happily chasing Avery down the hallways while we waited for the x-rays to be taken!

Usually the stitches are covered up to prevent little fingers from picking at them, but I caught a few shots after bath time to share with everyone! We're still smiling!

The close-up!

Bubbles!

We had some fun with bubbles and I thought it worth sharing!

I love this picture of Xander....trying to catch a bubble! So focused!

Avery was a little less sure of the whole bubble experience! It seems her theory was touch but don't look!

Grandma Carol and the kids playing with bubbles in the yard!

Time to cool off!

After the food and presents at Avery's birthday party, we spent a bit of time cooling off at the pool in town! It was, thankfully, a beautiful day so everything could be done outside and the kids had a great time letting loose in the water! That includes you dad!

Avery, excited to go down the slide, but making sure daddy is coming with her!

Both Grandma's watching with smiles on their faces...ready to wrap in towels and provide snacks for anyone who needed to get out and have a break!

Avery made it to the bottom safe and sound...let the fun begin! She loved it and led whoever would take her hands to the stairs to keep on sliding!

Xander and Eli tried many new and creative ways to slide together! Now, evaluating the summer of sliding, I think this became Eli's favorite technique and Xander's was to run from the top and launch himself down on his belly! He got pretty fast by the end of August!

In moments of calm Avery enjoyed watching everyone come down the slide....she was a very vocal cheerleader which gave a few kids a little scare at the bottom...not expecting a little clap and scream from the sidelines!

Dunking Grandpa became a very amusing past-time....for both of them!

Avery's first birthday!

Well...a year has come and gone and our little girl is getting older! Bitter-sweet! We had a great day celebrating with family and friends...even getting lucky enough to catch friends in from BC for a little while (Kristin Bracewell and her two kids) and family driving from Ontario to BC (Giles' cousin Tim, his wife Joan and their five kids)! Our timing couldn't have been better! Here's some pictures for those of you who can't quite remember this day as it was several months ago already!

Ready for the attack....this cupcake is MINE!!!!

"This is great...are you getting all this, dad?!?

"

Just thinking through her plan of attack here! Looking at things from all angles!

She really did play her party princess role very well that day....especially since (if I recall correctly) her morning nap was not happening! I guess she could sense the excitement in the air for her big day!

Avery would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to her happiness that day, if she hasn't already done so! The presents were a huge success and still getting played with and worn to their full extent!

Avery had a big brother and cousin who were quite willing to help out opening presents and checking out the new toys! Thanks guys!

Avery's new car was a particular source of jealousy for these older boys...after all, they needed to get in there and show Avery how to drive it!

Avery held her own though and decided to enjoy the moment in her new car while the moment lasted! Happy birthday Avery!

Been a LONG time...

Hello All!!

Well, I guess you could say I took the summer off blogging! Not really an intentional break, but all of a sudden I look at the calendar and we are into September and its been quite awhile since I've done any up-dating here! Thank you for your patience (most of you anyways...mom) and I'll try to keep up a little better now!

It has been quite a summer though! Grandparents coming to visit from Toronto, Avery turned one, hiking, playing outside (ALOT), gardening for the first time (with a mixed success rate), our first family road trip to Toronto (and I still love my kids after 24 hours in a van with them), a few weddings to shoot to keep us busy on a different level, visits with family and friends, and much more that I just can't think of right now! Its been full...oh, and a growing baby on the way in January!

Life is full and life is good....now I should move on to some pictures I guess, eh?!?