Happy First Birthday to Kate

What a week... back to work, Kate to daycare and her first birthday. Today will be the family celebration, complete with presents and banana bread with a candle.  We love our little girl so much and we are so happy that she is a part of our family.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Lucky Number Seven

It feels like seven years and it doesn't.  When we were first married I would look at Ken and think, where did you come from?  Who are you that you are my perfect match in every way?  How is it that I haven't always known you?  How is it that you are everything I ever wanted but didn't think I would ever get?  I still catch myself - every now and then - glancing at Ken and thinking, where did you come from?  I'm just so thankful that I have my sweet Ken at my side, always and forever.  Happy Anniversary my love.

Vaseline fail

This is why small children should never be left unattended with vaseline...

...change that. Never leave Anna sitting on the couch beside her Mom while she's watching television.  (Reason #467 why it's a good thing that Suzanne canceled the cable.)

Playdates Galore!

As the days fly past at ludicrous speed I can take some of the blame.  I tried to schedule as much fun into December as I could.  We have enjoyed many playdates over the last year and I have blogged about several of them.  Playdates have become more and more fun as Kate can interact and sort of play.  There are ups and downs of course and some playdates are smoother than others...

Case in point, Ashtyn and Kate.  Ashtyn's mom Catharine and I work together at Blue Willow Public School.  We went on maternity leave at the same time and Ashtyn is 20 days younger than Kate.  Ashtyn is very sweet and smiley, until we tried to pose her with Kate the thug.  What you didn't see was Kate claw at Ashtyn, hence the crying!

Next was the Richmond Hill crew.  We've hung out many times and it's crazy how big all the babies are getting.  This picture of Ava and Kate was taken in January when Kate was a week old.

This picture of Kate and Ava was taken on the 17th...

And here are Kate, Taunia, Darby, Ava and Ruth, such sweet people.  I will miss you!

Another playdate this month was with Gayla and Jake.  Gayla is another teacher that I work with at Blue Willow Public School.  Gayla and her husband Jeff went to Russia to pick up their beautiful Jake in July of 2008.  We haven't gotten together since April.  Kate slept the entire time. This time it was play, play, play! Jake did a good job sharing all his toys with Kate.

Most recently we played with Michelle and Marisol.  We met them at Kindermusik, they are our Tottenham friends - yay!  The girls had fun climbing over each other, playing with toys, and of course the stairs.

McCartney Family Christmas

 I feel like I need a disclaimer... I should have been more proactive about trying to pose people.  I so wanted to get all the girls, then all the guys, then the siblings... etc.  However my picture taking spirit was slightly dampaned because Laura and William weren't able to attend.  It was fun to capture Kate and Ezra's first Christmas.

Pretty girls and cutie Ezra.

Kate examining the loot.

Ezra enjoying carrots from Grandma's garden.

The kids table.














Wendy and Kate enjoyed some Christmas tunes.

The present frenzy begins.

 Lisa taking pictures of the frenzy.

Kate not quite sure how to unwrap presents.

Ezra not quite sure how to get the toy out of  its box.

Kate and Ezra having a race up the stairs.

Kate won even though Ezra tried to cheat by hanging on to Kate's ankle.

Kate enjoying Konrad and Braden's dance number.

The aftermath.

Dan attempting to spread holiday cheer.

It's Beginning to Feel A Lot Like Christmas!!

Fang no more!

That's right, she now has six teeth!

More tree fun

Kate and Ken checking out the pretty lights.

The pretty tree all aglow.