Tag Archive | Faithe

Onto More Fun

August 3-6

We have started our August with a very busy weekend. From a historical site to a rather amazing park. With friends along to share in the fun – Renee, Christopher and their 3 sons. they had been to this park before… it is a great combination of play set with a small splash pad area. We had a bit of a drive to get there and it was a rather popular place but we even managed to snag a table… in the shade!101_8934

We got there and the kids just scattered.101_8923 101_8924 101_8927

We brought some treats to munch on and there was a water fountain to sip from. It was an amazing time!101_8936

After that we headed back to town and the Schwartz’s for dinner. Although the kids had to enjoy the slip and slide first.101_8938 101_8942 101_8946

Since it is creeping up on Echo’s FOURTH birthday we brought a cake and Chris and Renee had a special present just for our almost birthday girl.101_8950 101_8952 101_8957 101_8960

Echo is absolutely in love with Jeffrey as well. (but then again, who isn’t???)101_8949

Monday and Tuesday was back to school (half days). We have been working on our pen pal work, tracing picture using tracing paper… all sorts of fun stuff! So appreciative of Gammie sending us the Mixels.101_8962 101_8963 101_8966 101_8964 101_8965

But on Tuesday we emptied out Ken and myself’s bedroom (with lots of kids’ help). We had seen Nana and Baba off on their Florida Adventure to take more of Joe and Faithe’s things down and help them settle in (the left a few days later than the family but took longer driving stretches). I figured it was as good a time as any to sort out our bedroom. We do keep getting more stuff (not a huge surprise after getting rid of 3/4 of what we owned before we moved south). Final tally – most everything collected is used and useful! Just like I intended!101_8967

With the sun holding and Daddy needing to do some garage sorting the kids spent a lot of the afternoon in the sun… or in the girls’ case in the shade of an umbrella.101_8968 101_8969

We found a critter.101_8971

And plucked from the garden.101_8975

And then continued the trend on Wednesday (looking back now and writing this in September when the weather just blinked and went fall I am SERIOUSLY missing these warm sunny days!!!).101_8976 101_8984

Sometimes you need to run before you learn!101_8974 101_8973 101_8983

And then go right back out again!!!!101_8986 101_8984

Enjoy the picture overflow!101_8928 101_8929 101_8932 101_8933 101_8956

This entry was posted on 13/09/2014, in Uncategorized. 2 Comments

The Lull Between Holidays

July 2-3

I have to say, having the reason to celebrate BOTH Canada Day AND Independence Day has made our July much more interesting. Of course since one is July 1st and the other the 4th we DO have two days in between. This year was unusual as everyone (including Joe, Faithe, Gabbi and Zachary with Nana and Baba) was going camping starting on the 3rd… Except me and the girls (Mosquito allergy) and Ken (leaving the morning of the 4th after his appointments). This marks one of the VERY few civic holidays that Ken and myself would not celebrate together. As I mentioned in a previous July 4th entry HERE, we 3 girls did manage a fun time without our boys. But we did miss them!

Anyway… the 2nd and 3rd… We started with a half day of school. Mainly reflections on what it means to each of the twins to be Canadian…101_8160 101_8161

And pictures of things that represent Canada to Trinity and Emanuel.101_8158 101_8159

The boys are very serious about improving their reading. The twins are thick into chapter books and Emanuel is struggling less and less.101_8162

The kids got their newest souvenir from Nana and Baba’s travels… animal puzzles!101_8163

And then it was time for cousins and playing.101_8165 101_8166

They are set to move to Florida at the end of July. Quite the big move and a wee bit unexpected so I made sure to grab early July 4th group photos. I even dressed the kids up in their colours. I couldn’t let a holiday go by without that! (I posted an image or two from this photo shoot HERE.)101_8169 101_8173 101_8175

Especially without a group shot of the kids. Every year we do it!101_8170

On the 3rd we saw off everyone BUT Daddy, but really snuck out before the chaos and met up with Renee, Nathan, Evan, Jeffrey and Renee’s sister Karen (you will remember her from the amazing June wedding Ken was in HERE).101_8185 101_8184

This is a pretty amazing series of parks. There is a play park, then a splash pad (not a park, just a cement pad with water spraying out) and then the manicured and lifeguard included beach!101_8187 101_8186 101_8188

Ken was odd man out as usual but the kids had a blast, and it was so fun to get to see the sisters together. Now that Ken is healthier and working on becoming the healthy and HAPPY man we always knew he could be he is the first out the door to allow for the possibility of us expanding our social life. Karen and Renee are such a welcome addition to the list of people I have locally to hang out with. I feel so lucky that they include us on outings and time with the kids! (Karen is an amazing math teacher as well! And so interesting to talk to about possible school ideas… something I have been missing here in Minnesota what with all my librarian friends up north!!)101_8193

101_8207 101_8210The girls didn’t even miss their wayward brothers and even made up for the lack of boys by playing with Nathan and Evan.101_8208 101_8190 101_8191

I was amazed at the absolute confidence Miss Echo showed. We didn’t have to convince her into the water or even follow her around!101_8214 101_8195 101_8189

Of course we brought lunch!101_8217

After our playdate it was off to Joann’s to spend the amazing gift card my sister in law Holly sent me for my birthday. She sent it with the direction to “buy yarn” so I went all out random.  And since it was clearance time spent way less than expected!!101_8222 101_8223

With just the two girls and then Daddy gone to appointments was our afternoon and evening ever QUIET!!! So weird, not only having just girls but only 2!!!! But a nice break before the next special day!101_8220 101_8221

Enjoy the beach filled overflow!101_8215 101_8216 101_8218 101_8199

Happy Easter

April 20

Happy Happy Easter!

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Hallelujah!

Or… Happy Bunny Egg Day!101_7118

We started Easter with dressing EVERYONE up for Easter 2014 pictures. Trinity and Echo wore MATCHING dresses… too cute! The boys their Aunty Holly shirts. Not a bad looking crew, if I do say so myself!101_7090

101_7105101_7109bWe also had our Gammie/Mommy/Daddy/Easter Bunny baskets to open and rummage through.101_7091

101_7092101_7094101_7095After the family photo op we headed off to church for Easter Sunday service… a bit of a challenge but we had a good time. Echo and Ken snuck out to spend time in the nursery and make new friends. I worked with the twins on reading hymns and seeing the changes in the music written on the page.101_7120

When we got home the cousins were already there so it was right into the Easter baskets. The 7 of them were crazy happy to jump in and get those presents opened!101_7121

101_7122101_7125101_7128After gifts Aunty Judy, Uncle Jim and cousins Robbie and Jessica got here and the kids ran wild until dinner.101_7133

We had one of the most delicious hams ever. It was a GREAT Easter.101_7138

101_7139I hope everyone else had as lovely and family filled day as we did!!! Happy Easter 2014!101_7111

101_7102101_7127And for those interested in a couple resource books:

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New play outfits

New play outfits

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And a reminder of how she looked PRE play time

And a reminder of how she looked PRE play time