all dressed up . . .

stopped in at mom & dad's before the big partee . . . figured should take a snap as you know how much i love to dress up :) i think we were home earlier than the girls . . . getting old i guess

halloween . . .

last minute halloween costume we managed to pull together for claire this year "little miss fun! too cute! she had fun going to gram & gramps & ringing the doorbell . . . even surprised the old gram as well! em had no interest in dressing up this year & had volleyball playoffs in warman. my baby is growing up . . . it's all about the candy now!

thanksgiving meal . . .

busy day today getting ready for thanksgiving meal at mom & dad's with kate & eldon & family. up early & into the city for groceries, violin & to see gram in the hospital. back home in the afternoon & made roasted root vegetables, mango romaine salad & the annual pumpkin dessert. looking forward to our first holiday celebration in the new house with 'my people' whom i love dearly . . .

autumn baking . . .

it's an internal thing for me . . . every fall i get this urge to bake & today was the day! made fresh pumpkin apple muffins & a pumpkin dessert for thanksgiving meal tomorrow with my family. feeling inspired with my camera & can't stop snapping! claire & i gave miss maggie a bath . . . she's such a sweetheart? i'm talking about claire not maggie! she has such a loving & gentle spirit & a real heart for animals. she takes such good care of maggie & has already taught her to sit & lay down. i love watching them play together. spent a cozy evening having coffee with mom & dad . . . so love having them around!

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas . . .

this is what we awoke to this morning! tough weather for house training a puppy. madly trying to find the winter coats, ski pants & boots before school. why do we live in this climate? not holidays are becoming more appealing each year for me. a cozy day around home . . . made coconut corn chowder & fresh parsley biscuits for supper, took emma kate to her piano lesson at bethany & waited for her in the old music & piano rooms which was a serious blast form the past!

maggie . . .

today we went & picked up maggie & were we excited! kinda felt like a new baby as not sure what to do. first mistake was we put her in the kennel in the back of the jeep & she cried so hard & ended up pooping & peeing! we wrapped her in a towel & cuddled her after that . . . she was much happier :) the girls played with her lots outside today & i managed to get a couple of shots. she is such a little sweatheart . . .

weekend with the girls . . .

it was the annual elkridge 10k trail run with the girls & it was great to have some new ladies join us as well . . . headed up friday night & had the most amazing meal at amy's . . . great food & company. beautiful room at the hotel & awoke to a gorgeous day . . . breakfast & visiting on the balcony & headed out to the run mid morning . . . really enjoyed the trail this year . . . one of my favorite times of year up there . . . gathered for the post race munchies & music . . . soaked aching muscles in the hot tub & packed up & headed home . . . had to get one last stop in at starbuck's & winners . . . a wonderful weekend with wonderful friends!

church logo design . . .

designed new church logo & sign

school days . . .

i can't believe it's the start of another school year! both girls looking forward to the new school year & seeing their friends! mama's looking forward to getting back into routine!

a visit to the eye doctor . . .

today was our annual eye doctor appointments before school. was dad surprised when emma kate came home without her glasses & wearing contacts & claire came home with glasses . . . had to take some pics!

art city . . .

took the girls to our old stomping grounds in winnipeg . . . graffiti wall was just around the corner from our place on spence street & a girl in our block & her aunt . . . famous wanda koop took over an old abandoned building & created a safe place for inner city kids to come & discover the arts . . . very cool to see it still around.

happy 50th mom & dad . . .

we celebrated mom & dad's 50th anniversary & the reunion (aka 'cousin camp') this weekend in manitoba. it was great to be together & see how the kids are growing & changing. can see our reunions may have to start happening at weddings & grads, etc. we had mom & dad's closer friends & family join us sunday afternoon for a program & light meal. had a wonderful time celebrating!