Being One = A Cupcake Smash

She turned one. Crazy little thing. And we did our traditional little cupcake smash for this small person who is so intense, already knows well what sugar is... and likes to get her siblings amused...

So with the help of the kids - who were sooo excited to see this happen (as they knew they had done it too) - Shantel, who was over for the day, and Emily - our amazing helper/cleaner/nanny - and whom I borrowed her camera from, as mine was at Canon for a month... :) - we did it!

It was on her birthday, so she got lots of attention - which she loved!

Yes, it's picture overload - I couldn't curate it down a ton, and since it's all going in a book one day, it's here to be enjoyed by whoever wants to scroll! (mainly Grandma and aunties... :) 

The first touch. 

Taste...

This was what was going on behind the scenes - lots of people to distract her eyes from mine - and others who took phone shots, and held reflectors. :) Perfectly chaotic and fun. 

After a quick washup - thanks to Emily - and outfit change - we did a few more that I loved too.

Sooo big... 

Annual Youth Banquet

Just a few pictures from our annual Camp Fundraising Banquet at our church. Diane cooks an amazing meal, and the youth group serves it all to us. Kinda fun to have something that is a bit extra special to enjoy together. 

Notice the couple in the back. :) 

Diane, Brad and the youth that did the meal - with leaders like Shane, Dallas and Shantel helping too!

Rachel, her family, and Adelle put together a bunch of lovely music for us all that we enjoyed. 

Family Day!

For the family day, we got all together at William & Amanda's to chat, go for a walk.... and to meet Nelly's special someone. :) Peter was here for a few weeks from Portugal - where he has been a missionary there for 20+ years - been single all this time- and the two of them connected through facebook - as fellow missionaries a few months ago. So after many hours of skype and emails, they finally met - here in Canada. :) So while they were getting to know each other face to face - we all tried to get a bit of time in too!

Marvin and Marlene were here too - just for the day - as they had come back from a vacation together, and Toronto was their layover. So that was perfect!

Uncle Rob having fun with Laura

Little David

Diane is such a great mom. 

Here's the two of them - me trying not to be "too-in-their-face" as I wanted to get a couple "couple" pictures. :) 

Opa and Avelyn. 

Leanne needed a nap - so James stuck in her a guitar case with her bottle, and all was once again alright with the world. 

We headed out for a walk with most of us - and here's the two faithful boy cousins. :) 

Smiley Elita

Doing triple duty

Ben and Deanna - think Dee was holding one of her boy's sticks -such a good mom. 

This one - hooray - I got a very-quick decent shot! :) 

Someone was snuggled into daddy. 

Marlene and James!

Three of the sisters. 

Miranda is such a great Aunt to all the kiddo's. So caring and thoughtful. 

A bunch of the kids got some park time while the adults finished up some visiting. 

This girl loves the slide!

Diane took a few of me and my littlest. :)

Joel and Little Miss Rabbit Ears. :) 

Precious babe!

Then it was back home for the rest of the together day.