Day 164 {Katy's 4}

Her real birthday. :) Breakfast in bed which she loved. :)

Normal day, with a couple more presents.
I gave her the doll I was given from Dora (A-M's friend in BC) and she was thrilled. The doll's name has been changed from Diana to Sally. :) I think the doll doesn't mind to much. Of course the name Sally brings back certain "Road to Avonlea" images which aren't as cute as the doll.:)

After a lovely supper, we headed to volleyball at the chapel, where Katy was blessed with more gifts from friends and family. :)

A special day.

Family's Visit Part 2

For two whole days, we enjoyed the family around. :) Poor dad and mom were the ones that finally succumbed to some sickness, but they just kept on going.

The family took us out to dinner to Kings Buffet -such a special treat for us all.

My dessert - isn't that simply wonderful?

Finishing up the meal.

Later, it was off to Medina to sing at their church. Since James wasn't able to come til later, and I was trying to help set up sound, the kids got to watch a lil movie while we got ready.

My strong dad playing his guitar.

My parents introducing each other. :) Always enjoy how they demonstrate love for each other on stage.

Anne-Marie and her mandolin.

Gorgeous Charissa -

Took a quick family picture - missing Tim though. (he managed the farm back in Alberta)

And another one of us girls. :) I know - you can never have too many of those right?

Me and my daddy. I've been given such amazing parents. Imperfect, but so real.

A-M, Mom and a lady from Medina - Hilda gave a whole bunch of strawberries that she had just picked to us all - such a special treat! We enjoyed some later on- as a topping on ice-cream.

The next day was Katy's pre-birthday. :) We celebrated it with the family here. :)

Such a princess.

Sitting down to a gourmet meal made by Anne-Marie.

I'm just in this one - that's the only difference. :)

Blowing out her 4 candles on her ice-cream cake from Grandpa and Grandma - such a special treat.

A family picture.

With her "Minnie Ears" from Uncle Tim. so cute!

Her dress-up Cheerleaders dress from G&G. :) Perfect for soccer or volleyball nights when she can cheer us on.

We went for a walk on our last evening together.

I love this shot.

My three favorite men.

So wonderful to spend this time with them all.

Then the next morning - they left.

I cried a lot for a bit, but then carried on.

Such good times we had.

And now, we carry on with what we've all been called to do.

 

Two with Presents

At last, I got Erik's 2-year old "present" picture. :)

The tool building workset was a gift from some friends in our church that were finished with it. Perfect for this kid!

 

Twwooo!!

How old is Erik?

Twwooooo!!! 

His latest and greatest:

Counting to 10

Singing some of the Alphabet song

Copying everything Katy does

Loves "Dora" (Laura)

Almost can put his shoes on alone

Dutifully puts garbage away for me

Speaking in sentences.

(and almost everything above is because he is a second born. He learns from Katelyn!)

Erik's birthday was on a Sunday, so it was more of a busy day.

After church we went to Brad and Diane's for lunch with most of the family.

Blowing out his candles.

 And the lucky boy got presents! He got a sweater and tractor from Oma and Opa. (that was super awesome!) and some great shoes from Deanna and Ben, and a baseball glove and candy from Rob.

Talking to Grandpa and Grandma on the phone - after they sang happy birthday to him. 

Thrilled with his train card from the Fisher Family! 

Opening his cool hot wheels cars from Auntie Anne-Marie, to go along with the car mat she gave him at Christmas.  He also got a Home Depot workshop play set - from a family in our church who didn't need it anymore. That was one blessed boy!

And now he's two. :)

Three's for Grownup Little Girls

This little girl is all big now.

She's three. :)

We had come home at midnight the day before/on her birthday, and with the home renovations starting, her actual day was pretty low key.

But, Steph and her girls came to the Windmill for lunch and park time which was special. 

 Playing with her new toys from the girls!

 Love this shot of Katie - it was hot...sooo hot. And they were done in from playing.

But we looked cheerful for one last shot. :)

Then it was home for a nap, then a spaghetti supper (her favorite!) and off to see the new home and what was accomplished. We had Cake with strawberries, and I thought for sure, I had taken some pictures, but one of my card's is missing...so we'll have to see what happened to it.

Updated: at least we found one other picture. (excuse the watermark.) :)

 

Auntie Deanna and Uncle Ben and Uncle William came by for some cake, which was nice. Then after some work on the house, we all went home to bed. :)

Erik's 1st Birthday!!

Our little man turned one yesterday. 

January 13th, 2012.

It really doesn't seem like it was a year ago, when our purple baby boy was born, unattended, at 2:40 in the morning. It seems funny (now!) that I was so worried about him not crying (or breathing) right after his birth....(we were praying hard-hoping that he was alright) and, now he has spent a lot of his first year crying. :) I guess I am thankful for tears. :)

 We did a cupcake smash for his birthday cake. It was pretty sweet.

At first, he just looked at it, grunting, wondering if he could touch/eat it. We gave the go ahead and he dove right in. 

He especially loved the icing.

The chocolate remains. James (he came home for his late breakfast) helped clean up the birthday boy, while I tidied up the floor.

 Breakfast! He got crepes for special. And loved them.

 Katelyn was pretty excited about Erik's birthday. She couldn't wait for the presents.

 After daddy left for work, the kiddo's had a bath.

That smile is heart-melting. Notice how he just tilts his head a bit... :)

Cuteness.

 Katelyn enjoying the bath and her toys.

 I took a few pictures of my little princess, while I had the living room in a disaster all set up for pictures.

 I tried to get a good one of the kiddos, but Katelyn was all done.

The little man is talking/listening to Auntie Annie on the phone. :)

 And then it was party time. In the afternoon, after cleaning, I put some decorations up, and Mark and Rob came over for a Spaghetti dinner. We took a break for some presents, and then it was cake time.
(you'll notice in the bottom left, that Erik got some chocolate bars - yes, I think I was happier than he was. :) - And Rob and Mark gave him the cool "Cat" excavator thingy. :) He also got a ball, cool crocheted football (thanks Aleita!) which is perfect for throwing around in the house, a small firetruck from us, and a couple cute outfits from Anne-Marie and Grandma. :) He was blessed!)

 Another cupcake - could life get any better? - a song, and right before he was about to touch the flame, Mark saved his fingers. :)

 The family. :)

 While we finished our ice-cream and cake, Erik just played in one of his "spots" with his new ball.

 Daddy and Erik watching Youtube movies with the Uncles on oil sands, big trucks, excavators and other such guy stuff. :)

 First it was the elder serving the younger...

...and then vice versa. :)

After a quick music pratice with the uncles. (Erik, as always, loved the music) it was bedtime.

A perfect little day for our 1 year old.