Farewell to Auntie Ann ~ Aug. 21st

Last night we had a lovely family party with some special friends also. We were celebrating Charles' 16th birthday, as well as recognizing the sad occasion of Ann and her children moving to Winnipeg in a week from now. Of course we wish her and Steve all the best, but her absence will be felt deeply.

Randy, Julie and Anna joined us, allowing many to meet Anna for the first time. At 10 months, she is the same age as Nora was when we brought her home from China.

Nora checks them out, while Nana recalls that trip to China last year...

Grandpa with Isabelle and Nora... cheesies are always a favourite.

Enjoying a wonderful meal together... happy to have Kelly and Dave join us.

Ann's never far from the "kid's table".

Dessert time is always the quickest way to gather all the kids together. Second cousins Makena and Coen, with my cousin Luke and Tricia also joined the party.

Charles had a bit of help with the candles...

All the cousins and second cousins together... not an easy feat!

Anna joined the mix as part of our family, too.

Oops, we almost forgot Charles. Unfortunately, James was at work...

I couldn't wait until Christmas to give my nieces these flowered crochet hats/purses. Nora had been enjoying her hat for awhile already. (Nora's not too excited about her hat right now...) It may be a year until the girls can all be together again... :(

Anna tries on the hat, too...

A last touch for Charles, sweet sixteen... time for some candy!

Thanks everyone for a special evening...

Charles' Birthday ~ Aug. 19th

Nora and I had the day mostly to ourselves, so thought I'd do some pampering for her. Nora had an early morning bath, and thenI tried to do some hair-stylin' with her but it's not that easy! She does seem to enjoy the ponytail option. Eventually, all the barrettes get pulled out, one by one... I love seeing her forehead, as I remember when she was bald when we first met... still very endearing, but I'm thankful for the hair growth, too. :)

Charles finally came home from his stint at Camp Stillwood, where he had worked for 3.5 camp sessions, working as a utility crew volunteer. Now he knows how to repel down small cliffs to hack off brambles, and mop down large work kitchens. We were happy to have him back to celebrate his 16th birthday!

Eating cake at 11pm, never a bad idea...

Random summer days...

AKA check out Nora's wardrobe, I can't help but take a photo when she's wearing something cute... although this first shot is what not to wear... blackberry juice! But so yummy...

Eating more blackberries down at the park...

This sweet little dress reminds me of when my niece Abby wore it, although she was much younger.

A sweet summer dress for a warm summer Sunday...

Sharing with her favoured Daddy...

I was quite amused when Nora showed me that she was wearing my duty shoes. Thankfully I had just cleaned them during my previous nightshift, as they're usually not the nicest things around. Watching her clomp around in such big shoes was really funny. I'm sure she will literally never fill my shoes! (Let's hope not!)

Caring for her first patient...

Here's a recent purchase to give Nora her own smaller sized broom, as she frequently tries to use our larger one and subsequently bashed everything as the handle is so long behind her.

However, she insists on using the "lobby" dustpan, and so is taking things out regardless. But she's having a good time. (Although I can't say the kitchen floor is any cleaner...)

Farewell for Uncle Steve ~ Aug. 7th

My brother-in-law recently accepted a new position in Winnipeg, and arrived there Aug. 15th. Our extended families gathered at Hume park to celebrate Steve's birthday, as well as to say goodbye. In the end, I was too chicken to say goodbye, as I try to avoid tears when I can. :(  However, it was a fine time with family and long-time friends of Ann and Steve's. The water park was a big hit with the kids...

The open table of cheesies and blueberries, among other treats, was also popular!

 Keeping Nora from getting wet was pretty much impossible, which made for a wardrobe change later on.

Birthday cake with thick fluffy icing... what could be more glorious?

 Julie and Anna make a welcome appearance, as well as Kristin... both Ann's dear friends.

Thomas and Lewis... always joking around.

And their younger prototype, cousin Aiden.

Hanging at the Park...

As I was working last evening, Scott was keeping the kids busy. His goal was to tire out Nora so she'd avoid waking up at 6am like she had done. (Grrr...) She still woke up at 7 am this morning, so I guess that didn't seem to matter... But she had fun!

Here Lewis throws a pass... Rosie always believes the ball is only for her.

Nora runs with it...

Rosie is faithful to her herding instincts...

I have a feeling that Lewis was doing some stroller "drag-racing" here...

A beautiful shot on our favourite rock...

What nice brothers Nora has...