Grandma Cutts Visits!

 I'm so lucky that my mom is wonderful and came and stayed with us after Tessa was born! Grandma was here for 10 days and we made the most of it. Some highlights were shopping trips (Tessa's first trip to Kingsway Mall), going to our ward Christmas party, going to the library, going to the doctors, going to Macy's gymnastics class, and a few dates for me and Chris! And of course, lots of pictures of Tessa!

 It was fun to watch Macy at gymnastics. Grandma got some good pictures and videos. 

Our ward Christmas party. We had a turkey dinner and it was really well done. It was a fun little night out.

 Apparently Macy asked Santa for an Ipad! She didn't get one!

 Rachel didn't last too long, but liked the candy!

Chris and I went out a couple times, once with Tessa, and twice just ourselves. We went to the movies to see the James Bond movie Specter, and another night we went to 'That BBQ Place' for dinner. It was good!

 Here's the baby photo shoot!

Just chilling with Grandma. We miss her! Thank you so much for coming!!

Tessa Katherine Lamont

We were so happy when Tessa decided to join us, one week early, on a Saturday evening, at the most convenient time possible! She started out wonderful and has stayed that way! I actually have written her birth story in my old fashioned pen and paper journal, so this post will mostly be pictures.

 Short story: We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 pm after feeling contractions on and off in the morning, and then more steady in the afternoon while we went for a brisk 45 minute walk to move things along. Grandparents Lamont met us there and took Macy and Rachel. Tessa was born at 9:07 pm, 8 lbs 1 oz, 21 in, 10 fingers, 10 toes, and totally perfect!

 Sunday morning my friends Leslie and Natasha visited, and Grandparents Lamont with Macy and Rachel.

 The girls were SO excited. When we told Macy the day before we were leaving to the hospital to have the baby she screamed for joy! When they came and met Tessa Rachel kept saying 'cute, cute'. To this day they have loved Tessa and been go great and gentle with her. Both love to hold her and make her smile and laugh. I'm excited for the adventures these three sisters will have!

 This last one is at home and she is only a week old, but so bright eyed and beautiful!

Rachel is Two!

We had a fun birthday weekend celebrating Rachel! Friday night before her birthday we went swimming at Millennium Place (last time that she would be free)! Saturday was her birthday. We opened presents as a family in the morning. We had McDonald's for lunch and black forest birthday cake. Chris had meetings in the evening so we hung around at home. Sunday we had dinner at Grandparent's Lamont and had more birthday cake and presents.

 I'm happy to say she is still playing with this baby doll!

She still has the funniest faces! 

 Macy was a little sad as this was the first birthday or present opening that Rachel actually understood the gifts were hers and Macy couldn't just take what she wanted to play with. We are still learning sharing in this house!

 These girls are great!

Rachel has quite the personality. She loves to laugh and play, but has a stubborn streak too and loves to do things on her own. She is very clever and finds a way to get what she wants. Right now she loves the movie Home and the soundtrack too. She especially likes Mickey Mouse, but also still likes Curious George. She loves dancing and running and playing with her sisters. She is learning more and more words and I can communicate pretty well with her, she definitely understands almost everything we say and do. We love this energetic and spunky gal!

Halloween!

Halloween was on a Saturday this year. On Thursday Macy had a Halloween party at school. She dressed as Rapunzle, and had beautiful long hair, but no picture! On Friday night we went to the Dogan's for a family party. It was great. We ate delicious food all Halloween themed. We played some games, like toilet paper mummy and donut on a string. But again, no pictures. Too bad.

Halloween day cousins Clark, Bruce, and Aurora (and their parents) joined us for trick or treating. I stayed home to hand out candy. They also met up with our regular neighbourhood crew to trick or treat.

 Rachel, Macy, Aurora, Clark, and Bruce.

 I make Macy dress as a lady bug for trick or treating because it goes so well over coats and warm clothing. This year wasn't too bad and there was no snow.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2015

On the Saturday of the Thanksgiving weekend we met up with the Leishman's, Steve Lamont family, and Grandparents Lamont at the Edmonton Corn Maze. It was a beautiful day! Sunny and warm, with just a little breeze. The corn maze was lots of fun and lots of activities for the kids. Below is a large bouncy pillow that everyone enjoyed.

 Above is Ruth, Rachel, and Macy.

 We split up from the others for the corn maze, but Ruthie came with us. We started off letting Macy and Ruth each take a turn picking which direction we went. After about 25 minutes and going in circles, Chris took charge and we were out it no time!

 Dad and Rachel.

We had to wait a bit for the other group to get out!

 Simon, Anderson, Henry, Rachel, Ruth, Macy, William, Bruce, Aurora, and Clark.

The also had a little petting zoo and a large hey bale hill for the kids to play. It was a great time and we would definitely go again.