Halloween!

 We went to the Chui's for an amazing Harry Potter themed Halloween party. I forgot the sock for little Dobby, and not sure what he is doing with Viktor Krum??!

Pirate Macy and Ladybug Rachel ready for their school parties!

Halloween night!

The neighbourhood crew!

Max, Lasha, Macy, Rachel, William, Jackson.

Taylor, Naima's brother, Naima, Jackson, Macy, William, Lasha, and Max.

This house always does great decorations, and sometimes a haunted house. Too bad it just sold to new owners!

Galaxy Land with Rachel

When your under three years old you get into Galaxy Land for free, along with your adult rider. We took advantage of it a lot with Macy, but didn't have the same opportunities with Rachel. So finally about 2 weeks before her third birthday Rachel and I went together and had a blast!

 She just makes me laugh! She loved spinning on the teapots and we got spinning pretty fast!

Fall 2016 Pictures and Memories

 Here's a glimpse at our fall and some of the fun things we did to keep us busy!

Rachel in cookie heaven at our Ward's Labour Day Party.

Tessa at 9.5 months. Starting to cruise around, and as cute as ever! 

 Lights on the tree house was a fun addition.

 Notice how cute and innocent this little Rachel butterfly looks! Don't be fooled! Not minutes before, while at the Telus World of Science with our friends the Fixsen's, I was watching Tessa in the baby area and Leslie was keeping an eye on the other kids. Tessa's soother gets dirty and Leslie goes to wash it, not even a minute later I look over at Rachel who has stripped all her clothes to play in the water area!

 Luckily Leslie snapped this picture (pretty sure she is not supposed to climb up like that), and there was only one other boy in the area and no one seemed to care much. Yikes! She is a fast one!

In October I ran a 10 miler (16 KM), my longest race so far. Above I am training and we had just gotten an early snow fall, first week of October. We were hoping it would melt by the race, and it did, but then we got another little dump just before. Oh well, it was a great race anyways!

 Tessa at 11 months, so adorable.

 Macy had some money saved and decided to spend it on some Shopkins at Costco. After I treated her to Costco ice cream and she remarked "Shopkins and ice cream! This is just like my birthday!" I've got to remember that!

 Practicing spelling words.

 Rachel got the most adorable hair cut. Looking back at these pictures, she needs to get it done again, I just love how it looked. Totally suits her spunky personality!

 Playing at Millennium Place.

Rachel Starts Preschool!

Rachel started 3 year old preschool at The Learning Safari September 2016 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. She took a little time getting used to school and being dropped off, but really enjoys it once she is there. She loves the classroom and her teacher Mrs. Raymond. There are 10 boys and 5 girls and they are a fun group. Since I have to volunteer regularly, it has been fun to get to know some of the kids in her class.

 Found a toy phone and was happy to play!

First Day of Grade One!

Macy's first day of school at Pine Street Elementary was August 30, 2016. She is in Ms. Raddis' class, who got married and is now Mrs. Oslanksi.

 I think Rachel wishes she could stay!

No tears or fears here, she was ready for grade one and is loving it still!

Pool Party at the Pizzey's

I had the greatest visiting teacher who has the best house for parties. Luckily she is now one of my counselors in Young Women's! She invited us over for a pool part at the end of the summer, and even though it is sunny and bright, it was a cooler day. Thank goodness for her heated pool. Only down side, everyone got sunburned!

Arife and Tessa!

 Arife and Rachel - she's not the host, just another lucky gal like me!

 The kids had a blast and it was a great way to wrap up the summer!

Summer Trip 2016 - Lake of the Woods!!!

Just looking back at all my pictures while doing this post makes me long for the lake again (good thing I just confirmed today with my Mom that we are booked for August 2017)!! We always have the best time, no matter the weather or the uncomfortable beds (or even more uncomfortable moments between in-laws...totally joking ;), we love Lake of the Woods!

We arrived on Tuesday and got some Kenora Fries to go along with our picnic lunch at the Visitors center.

 Dad and Tessa selfie as we head out!

Our second day out we boated to Kenora for the Farmer's Market. Grandma and Grandpa treated us to gourmet cupcakes we enjoyed on the dock and homemade perogies we fried up back at the island.

 Checking out the water planes.

 We spent the afternoon tubing and water-skiing. I crossed the wake for the first time (can't believe it took me this long)! It was the best weather of the entire trip and we made the most of it!

 We play hard!

 On day 3 the Tom Cutts family joined us. The girls loved having some cousins around. We explored the lake around Scottie Island and Whiskey Island, and Grandpa took us past Camp Stevens regaling us with stories of his youth.

 The Lily Pad is the greatest!

 Thank goodness for Aunt Julie who kept Rachel occupied on the long boat ride with her bag of many snacks.

 Day 4 was a busy one! We boated to Kenora and the visitors center where the girls traded in items they found in nature for more items you can find in nature!

 We got Kenora fries, walked around town, and did a little shopping. We ended up at Husky the Musky and had a pizza picnic lunch. We spend the rest of the afternoon at the island swimming and boating.

After dinner, we boated back to Kenora to Norman beach for an evening swim. Grandma and Grandpa treated us all to Dairy Queen, and we finally went back to the Island and to bed!

 Day 5 was relaxing as we stayed mostly around the Island and enjoyed swimming and canoeing. We played the Candy Bar game, and ate dinner on the patio. It was our last full day and so we enjoyed the lake life.

 My girls just LOVE Foxy!

Julie and Tom made us the most delicious BBQ Pork dinner.

And finally it was time to leave.

Macy did not want to leave and begged to take Uncle Tom up on his offer and go live with his family until Christmas, too bad her parents love her too much to let her go.

 Pretty sure we got Kenora fries one more time, and then ate again at A&W before saying good-bye to the Cutts' cousins and heading back to Headingley.

We are so blessed!