Independence Day

What a fun day! Heidi and Todd live on 200 acres in an old farm house in Seneca Falls, New York. That was the setting of a most wonderful bbq. There were 15 kids in total - but you never would have known. The kids played on the trampoline, on the rope swing, in the fields, by the pond, in the barn and under the trees. It was a beautiful sunny day, if perhaps a little chilly, but still lovely.

Heidi and the girls spent part of the morning cutting out, ironing and sewing a cute red white and blue banner for the back porch - scene of the grilling party.












Todd and Heidi are pictured here, from behind unfortunately. I wasn't focused enough on the picture taking. I didn't get a single photo of Heidi and Kate!









The celebration was of course to mark the 233rd birthday of the United States of America. Suzanne and Matthew and their family drove to Syracuse from New Hampshire to stay with their friends the Lotts. Then the lot of them (I couldn't resist) drove to Seneca Falls to the Egans where Ken and I were staying, with Kate too of course.










After a lovely lunch and afternoon outdoors everyone was called inside to recognize the other important birthday that had just passed. Much to Matthew's chagrin we played a Canadian Trivia game - on Independence Day, in which the parents had to correctly answer questions about Canada to win Canadian treat bags for their kids. I had fun making up questions and being the quiz master. With a little help, everyone was able to win! YAY!










And forgive me Suzanne but I had to include this photo. The loot bag for "Anna" was very much enjoyed by it's intended recipient! I suppose Suzanne worked hard for it, she did have the hardest questions, being the only real Canadian contestant.

Cross Stitching for Kate

It was a cold snowy day in December. I had spent the morning in Tottenham for the house inspection and then I was off to Newmarket to meet Shawn and Cooper for lunch. In the same plaza as the restaurant was a Michaels - an arts and crafts store. I had wanted to pick up a cross-stitch pattern for my baby and hadn't gotten around to it yet. I picked out a design that would work for a boy or a girl. I picked the trains because Tottenham is all about trains. The rail line crosses Tottenham road twice - south of town and north of town, and we are one street over from the same line. On the other side of town is the South Simcoe Steam Train. I began work on the cross-stitch that day and spent a good deal of time, over the next two weeks, working on it. I made a pretty good dent but I was no where near finished. Then came Kate!

Long story short, I finished it two days ago and ironed it today. Now I need to take it to the framers. I'm thinking that if any of the other children we're planning to have are going to get one, I need to start cross-stitching again tomorrow!

Canada Day 2009

Our day began with a drive to Waterdown, just outside of Burlington. Ken's sister Maureen and her family live there, and now so will Ken's sister Laura and her son William. We went to help Laura move in, let me re-phrase, Ken went to help with the move, I was there to well cheer people on! While holding Kate of course. The move went really well. Ken's parents were there, as were Maureen and most of her family - minus Caitlin and Meagan who were at girls camp, and Lisa and her family were there as well. Ken's family is awesome - they all pulled together and got Laura moved in and mostly unpacked in a few hours.

Afterward everyone gathered at Maureen's house for a BBQ. I was all excited about taking family pictures. I especially wanted a picture of Kate and her Auntie Laura, however I seemed to get side tracked once the food came out! OOPS! Oh well, now that Laura's so close there will be lots of opportunities for picture taking!

Sarah and Kristen and Kate














Sarah and Kate.



















Sarah was so cute with Kate. She really wanted her to crawl and was trying to teach her. She kept picking her tummy up off the ground and trying to move her legs.

Just after we arrived home the rains began, and the thunder and lightening. I thought for sure the fireworks would be cancelled but the skies cleared. Around 10 p.m. Ken saw some fireworks out the front window so we all went outside and watched the fireworks from the street. Tottenham put on a great little display, I was quite impressed. I'm not sure how much Kate got out of it. She was very squirmy and jumped everytime there was a bang, but she didn't cry!

Kate's First Meal of MUSH!

In ten days Kate will be six months. I was planning to wait until she was exactly six months to start solids but I've been getting very excited about starting solids, because Kate was starting to get very interested in food. So far she's been given a "taste" of banana, watermelon and apple. Yesterday when we went grocery shopping we picked up a box of iron fortified cereal and today after church I decided to try it. She ate almost the whole tablespoon serving prepared for her. We'll see if she eats it again tomorrow!

The Blesssing of Fathers

To my sweet Ken, Kate and I are so blessed to have you in our lives. You love me and support me in everything and through everything. This is such a great blessing to me. I hope you never feel taken for granted. I hope Kate and I always show you our love and appreciation. You are one in a million and I'm so thankful you're mine!




















Not only do I have a wonderful husband who is a wonderful father, I was blessed to be raised by a wonderful father. Thank you Daddy for being such a sweet, doting Dad. (And thank you Mom for making sure Dad sees this!)

I'm grateful to my Heavenly Father everyday for the blessing of a sweet husband and a sweet Daddy.

Kate's New Toy

We made a trip to "Once Upon A Child" and Kate is now the proud recipient of a tigger bouncer. She has been dangling this morning but as yet hasn't figured out the bouncing. AND last night she said "ba". So far the only consonant was "g". All very exciting! Are we new parents or what!

Ken's Work

What does it take for Ken to make an appearance in the blog... Front Page News!! I do try to include the occasional picture of Kate and her Dad but this post is just about Ken. He has been working for the Town of New Tecumseth for six months now. This job has been such a blessing. He loves what he's doing - when he isn't frustrated by some code (you don't have to know what that means, just nod and say aha) and he works with some lovely people. It was a fun surprise to see some of Ken's work on the front page of the local newspaper. He made the maps that accompany the article. Yay Ken! (If you click any where on the picture it will enlarge)

Fingers are Passé

Toes are the new fingers!