Ready for Advent

We might fall behind on blogging around here, but we like to get a headstart on Christmas. Daniel has been asking the whereabouts of pretty lights and Christmas trees on a regular basis since they were put away last year, so he was very excited when they began to appear again. Sophie thinks the lights are awfully pretty too.



Once the tree was set up, we left it to Daniel to put on the decorations. He took his job very seriously and made sure they all found a place. When he had them all on, he declared that we needed more for all the other parts of the tree that didn't have any.



Sophie is quite taken with the little lights and shiny ornaments.



Happy Advent, everyone!

Halfway to one

That's right, Sophie is already 6 months old. She has started being able to sit up on her own and is quite pleased with herself about that. Or rather, she was pleased for a couple weeks until she decided she would rather stand. We are going to be in trouble with this one, aren't we?





Falling backwards isn't near as bothersome as the face-planting forwards.



When she puts her mind to it, Sophie can wrestle the entire playmat structure to the ground.



Smiling and playing peekaboo in her crib.



Sophie is completely in love with her Dad. When he comes home from work she flaps her arms and makes noise until he comes to give her a hug. He doesn't seem to mind.

Happy Halloween!

Last year, Daniel didn't fully understand Halloween. He was excited when people came to the door, loved giving out treats and carving pumpkins, but he absolutely refused to don a costume. This year, he had a number of ideas about how he should dress up and spent most of the day in his Lightning McQueen costume. Keith took him around to our close neighbours, and we all went out to a couple friends' houses to wish them a Happy Halloween. Daniel also helped hand out playdough and chocolates at our door. Sophie could not be convinced her strawberry costume was a good idea, but since it wouldn't really fit into her car seat anyway we just left it at home.

Ready for their close ups

We enjoyed a truly beautiful autumn this year. Lots of sunny days and very little cold weather or snow meant we got out to the park as often as possible. Sophie is five months old in these pictures and Daniel just over three years.

The rest of Thanksgiving

I'm getting closer to caught up- here I am posting about Canadian Thanksgiving BEFORE it is actually time for the American one!


Following our time in Nanton, Daniel's train table was once again totally devoted to trains. What else could it be for, you might ask. Well, it seems that train tables are just the right height and size for playing with cars, tractors, dinosaurs, and anything else Daniel can physically lift that high. I digress.



Very excited about the trains & his new circular track set.






AND, as you might have noticed, still very into the John Deere clothing. I don't think he wore much else in October.



In Sophie news, she finally scored her own crib! Up until Thanksgiving weekend Sophie was in our room in a bassinet. She was definitely getting too big for it and was so happy to sleep with her arms stretched out that night. Daniel was/is super excited to share a room with Sophie. The first week was hard with each of them waking up the other at odd times, but hopefully it will lead to both of them being deeper sleepers in the long run.

Thankful for trains

On Thanksgiving weekend we spent a morning at the Big Sky Railway in Nanton. Wow, has it ever gotten a lot bigger since the last time we were there! Our original destination was Heritage Park in Calgary, but Nanton is where Sophie decided she absolutely had to eat and Keith thought he and Daniel could just go into the train place for a short break. Ha. I couldn't get them out! I guess we'll try for Heritage Park again in the spring.

Dream come true

Daniel has been in love with all things John Deere for awhile now. Just a couple days after the big birthday party, the kids & I headed north to visit with my parents & family for a few days. We arrived in time for the last night of harvest, so Daniel got to go see the big combines with Grandpa. His Auntie Melissa, Uncle Justin & cousin Luke had given him a John Deere hoodie & cap for his birthday so he was thoroughly prepared.

Birthday Extravaganza

Since Daniel & his good buddy Nate were born only a week apart, and we happen to be "good buddies" with his parents too, we decided to organize a joint birthday party for them on the Saturday in between. Becky & I had so much fun with the boys at the Corn Maze last fall that we decided that would be a great place to do it. And it was! It was a gorgeous morning full of fun- everyone took in a hay ride, the playground & petting zoo before we gathered for birthday singing, snacks and cupcakes. Then the "cow train" pulled up and zoomed the kids around the farm before it was time to try out the maze. I think we may have stumbled upon the beginning of an annual event!


Not a posed picture!




Hard to go wrong with chocolate & John Deere green




The cow train was pulled by a lawn tractor- it went surprisingly fast and turned sharply too. VERY popular with the boys!


Little Sophie didn't sleep through much of the party. Lots of people to visit with!


The boys & Dads did eventually make it into the maze :)

Birthday boy

On Daniel's third birthday we continued the tradition of having the Adamsons over for supper. We ate Bami for our main course- an Indonesian chicken/noodle/leek dish that Daniel loves. And since Daniel isn't a big fan of cake, I thought he might enjoy a pavlova for his birthday dessert (it just happens to be MY favourite as well). I think the digger candles were his favourite part, but he sure liked the fruit too.

Miss Sophie

Little Sophie just keeps getting bigger. At her 3 month check up she was in the 75th percentile for height and weight and starting to really show us that smile. Here are a few photos from September (my goodness, am I ever behind!). And, of course, her brother had to get in on it too.

Day of Remembrance

In Canada, Nov. 11th is a day to pay tribute to our veterans & teach our children about what it means to be a true hero. We are very thankful for those who have served and are serving in the armed forces. Our prayers are with them and their families especially this day.

In my family, this is also a day to remember my Grandma Mac, who passed away two years ago after a long and fruitful life. I am so grateful for her quiet example of how to live & love and be a blessing to others. I pray that my children will also enjoy a lengthy relationship with their grandparents, and that none of us will take a moment of it for granted.