Five Months

Another month has gone by...and this guy keeps getting bigger...and happier. :)

Erik's latest accomplishments:
Sitting up all by himself
Rolling over
Had his first banana taste.

It's so neat to see how Katelyn and Erik are enjoying each other more. Special times.

Erik's Dedication

On Sunday - June 12th, 2011 we had Erik dedicated back to God. It was a really neat service, one where the elders asked us if we would pray for Erik, teach him in the ways of the Lord, and we would answer with "we will." Kind of like marriage vows. Then they asked the congregation if they would help us in raising our Erik - in different ways, and they answered back as well. There was other questions too, but that was the idea. Very sobering and special. Quite the responsibility we have to raise him up for the Lord.

Erik was really good - which we had prayed for. But we did forget to pray that Katelyn would be quiet....oops.

Our little family

Marc praying for Erik - and Erik spits up - one of those moments. :) A special time.

Remember the Moments...

Life goes by fast... although there are many days you're glad to have over... But I know in a few years, I'll look back, and wish I could have them back. So I try to remember, that I really am "livin' the dream," and remember those moments...

Katelyn's first time holding a dandelion.

(well, this was the second one she held - didn't get my camera on her in time... :)

Erik playing in the jolly jumper. He loves it - when you are right there watching him. Such a people person.

Darling little/chubby feet

Even though I don't always want to live through it...we must remember all those crying moments...the days of colickyness, have melted almost seamlessly into heavy teething... but he's healthy -and we thank God for that.

Playing on the floor. Terribly cute.

Katelyn actually perfers to eat a whole apple, as opposed to all cut up.

Likes to grab things - he does well in his exersaucer.

Katelyn painting a picture - then started painting her face. :)

Special times....with special little people.

Park Evening

The evenings have been gorgeous...so we make some trips to the nearby park, when we have the extra energy. :) Perfect times to play with my new camera - :) Yup - I'd been looking through Kijiji for a while, and found the camera I'd wanted - and recommended by some friends: the Canon Rebel T1i...and promptly got a 50 mm. lens for portraits, and every day use. It's been so fun to have and to start learning with - though I know I have a loooong way to go. But, it's good to keep learning.

Piggyback on  Daddy's shoulder.

First time trying the macro setting - and of course you always use it on flowers. :)

Katelyn expaining something to us.

Erik, chilling and swinging.

First, (well, alright, second) time down the slide.

The family on the "cars". :) Trying out my timer...(yup, it works) Love how it can take up to 10 shots continuously.

And the evening was made complete with ice-cream cones from the Windmill...a lovely time.

Baby Days....

The time came. Say goodbye to the piece of furniture that announced to the world, that we had a newborn. A little, fragile person had come to stay... and now the baby bed had to go. I couldn't believe how sentimental I was that the bassinet had to go. But Erik the large, had outgrown it. Time to move on...

So now, Katelyn is in the big bed - such a small little girl in a bed made for two.

Erik is filling up the crib space well, and it's working out well to have them share the room together.

But it was a bit of a sad day, to think that Erik's little (was he ever little?) days are over. :)

But, we have sweet (and not-so-tearful sweet) memories of the days (and tough) nights he lived with us. :)

Making Maple Syrup

James decided to tap a few maple trees on our rental property this spring, and with some advice from dear Rachel T. we ended up with about 60 gallons of sap. (which James froze at the Windmill, so we could boil it all at once. Rachel's family graciously offered us the use of their sugar shack so we could do it faster, so one Monday earlier this spring, we went boiling... :) Well, James did. I watched the kidlets in the car, and the family's home.

The boiling down of the sap.

Me and Erik - trying to stay out of the rain.

Katie playing on their swing after the work was accomplished. We got about a gallon of maple syrup which was great. A fun experience. :)

Then we went shopping in Cambridge - and got some supper - tried Katelyn out at their playplace, but it was a little over her head. :) Then homeward bound.

Midwife Rally

A few weeks ago,  I got a call from our local midwives, asking if we'd join the bus ride to Toronto for a midwife rally at Queens Park. I didn't know if I'd really want to, especially with just me and the two darlings go without James - but he encouraged me to do it, so we went. :) It was for the "pay equity" issue, and since I love my midwives, we went.... :) On a yellow big schoolbus, with some other moms, dads, and kids. :) (although our bus only 8 adults and 10 little ones) The ride went well, and we got to Queens Park in good time.

The large gathering.

It was so windy and we were so at the back, that we couldn't hear anything being said. But when the clapping began, I helped out a little. In reality, it was all I could do, to look after my little ones, but it was a good, hot and long day experiance. :)

 They passed out stickers, bubbles, and posters for us to use...Katelyn enjoyed the bubbles.

It was later when we got back -8 p.m. - and then got ready for bed. :) I met another young mom of two on the bus from our area, so maybe we'll get together every so often in the future.