Trouble at the North Pole

Today we dressed the kids in their Christmas outfits and took them out to Semiahmoo Mall to speak with Santa. As we stood in line Clara did not seem too pleased. As you can see the results speak for themself.

Unfortunately even at $15 for the one photo you don't get the option for retakes as the line of excited kiddies was putting pressure on staff.

As both of us stood out of view Clara stared at us with such a disgusted look it was hard not to laugh. After watching several other kids endure a visit with Santa I expect there were a few other families headed home today with similar results.

Of course Aidan had a blast he was just waiting for the Candy Cane

Merry Christmas Aidan & Clara 2008

Aidan's 1st Party Day at Preschool

Okay, I know it is a little long but I cant stop smiling and laughing (just a little when I watch this), guess I cant say that Aidan is shy! I wish it wasnt so blurry but it is easy to pick out Aidan. His preschool has a "party day" at the end of each month where the parents get to watch the kids sing the 2 songs they have been learning that particular month (they dressed up for Halloween for this particular one) as well as sing Happy Birthday to the kids who had birthdays that month. Aidan had to miss his September one as he had a cold so we were very much looking forward to today's and he did not disappoint! I have to say I am counting the days till the next one :)

And one last thing, I am so proud of myself, I figured out how to upload the video to youtube and post it in our blog without any help from Carter (of course I would of had him do it if he had not been working at the Madonna concert tonight). Hope you enjoy the video as much as we did (he starts off loud but gets even louder at about half way through if you can watch it that long)!

I will update our blog soon (I know I always say that) with Halloween photos etc...

Fall is here and time for another post

Well, for some reason I cannot figure out how to stop the underline so I will just have to leave it for now :) My life seems to stop in a technical way when Carter is not around! (He is in Ottawa this weekend at the annual Police Memorial at Parliament Hill, a nice chance to hang out with the guys and get all dressed up in his finest). Anyways, the photos are a little out of order and only go up to the middle of August but I will catch up eventually!

Clara hanging out at the playground

We headed to Buntzen Lake near Port Moody with Kristina and Katie, it is a wonderful spot, feels like you are really getting out of the city.

We traveled to Chemainus in mid August for my cousin Cliff's wedding, it was a wonderful time and beautiful weather!

This has to be the first picture I have of Aidan and Clara where they are both smiling and the icing on the cake is that they are holding hands! Thanks for the great picture Auntie Tracy! Next step is to get Carter to photoshop out the office sign in the back.....

Having fun at the reception

Cool Uncle Steve!

Grandpa and Clara ready for the wedding

Not sure if I should be posting this photo of the guys at the reception, guess Carter cant stop me from Ottawa :), anyways, you are lucky if you are seeing it as it may be pulled from the site at any time.... You can also ask Carter and Steve about the fun story of them having to walk 5 km at 2am in their dress shoes to get back to the bed and breakfast!

Carter, Aidan and I (yes, no Clara but she had a great time at Nona and Grandpa's, she will make the trip next year) headed up to Penticton for the Peachfest so Carter could march in the parade. They had a little carnival beside our hotel which Aidan had a great time at.

Unfortunately it down poured for most of the parade but it was warm and Aidan and I stayed dry!

There was a lot of lightning and thunder that weekend, you can see the storm moving in behind us over the lake.

Our wonderful view from our gorgeous room! We were upgraded for some unknown reason to the top floor of the hotel with balcony, flat screen tv etc... We didnt want to leave!

We brought Aidan's bike along so we took a ride along the waterfront and stopped at the famous peach.

After Penticton we headed to Osoyoos for one night to check it out as we had never been there. It was nice but a little noisy and crowded with all of the power boats. We would prefer to camp on a lake that doesnt allow any motorcraft.

Aidan is becoming a great photographer, we actually just bought a new camera and gave him our old one, it is nice to have someone to take our picture like he did above in Osoyoos.

Aidan riding his "hot wheels" with his best friend from next door, Josh.

We headed down to White Rock beach with about 100,000 others to check out the sand castle competition. It was neat to see but a little too crowded for our liking.

Aidan enjoying the bubbler sprinkler up at Nona and Grandpa's.

Summer Photos

Me and the kids (yes, Carter was hard at work) just got back from a trip to Gibsons for Sea Cavalcade and then onto Salt Spring Island to visit my grandma.

Aidan's first piece of candy caught at the parade! It was overcast that day but a great temperature for sitting on the road watching the parade.

Beachcombing, the tide was a little high but we went back the next day

Group shot at the park on Salt Spring, Grandma may be 86 but she can still play at the plaground!

Clara and Mom at the beach on Salt Spring

We found what we thought was sand but it was actually ground up shells, Aidan is loving his new sun hat!

We found lots of star fish!

Clara's new hat, a little big but will be perfect for next summer

Mom and Grandma at the park on Salt Spring

Amy came to visit a few days before we headed up to Gibsons. It was great to catch up :)

I know, it isnt Halloween yet but Aidan and Clara wanted to play dress up :)

Carter and I recently celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary with a night away in Harrison Hot Springs, thanks for babysitting Mom!

We spent an afternoon with Carter's parents at their friend Ralph's house, we had a yummy dinner and a nice dip in his beautiful pool pictured below

Catching Up...

Yet again we are catching up on our posts.... I will just do a short one and then another soon so we can get caught up.

It is great to have Ed and Tracy back from their travels. Aidan especially likes playing tickle monster and hide and seek with Uncle Ed!

Clara hamming it up for the camera

Tracy, Mom and I took a two night trip to Whistler in late May. We had a great time shopping, eating out and relaxing. It was a little chilly though, especially for Tracy who was getting used to the 40C heat in Asia.

Trying out for the bobsled team!

Shopping in the village, I can safely say we visited every shop, it is such a luxury to leisurely shop with no kids :)

Long time no blog ....... Again!

Yes, I know it has been a long time again since we have made our last entry, we have no excuses, of course we love to read everyone elses blogs but always seem to find something else that needs to be done!

We have patiently been waiting for the sun to arrive as well as Tracy and Ed from travelling. We cant believe that tomorrow we will be headed to the airport to see them after a year! Clara was only 2 months old last time they saw her, I am sure they will see big changes :) Clara and Aidan are doing well. Clara is saying more and more words each day and always wants to do whatever her big brother is doing, of course this creates a few disagreements. Aidan has been having a time visiting both sets of grandparents on his own, he went on a trip down to Carter's parents place near Mt Baker as well as a trip up to Gibsons. It is nice to have the one on one time with Clara as well as a little break!

Anyways, better get going so we can go and enjoy the sunshine today! Hope the photos were worth the wait!

Bouncy castle jumping at Aidan's 3rd bday party!

Present opening

Hanging out at Crescent Beach

Tulip Festival in La Connor with Grandma and Papa

Afternoon trip to Redwood Park in South Surrey yesterday

Finally enjoying the sunshine!

Trip to the Rec Centre for Gymnastics class with Nona

Aidan loves doing sommersaults!

Enjoying the trails in Redwood Park

Mowing the grass at Nona and Grandpas

Yah, my bangs are out of my eyes! Yes, I have a little owie from falling out of the wagon

Trying to get a group photo on Mothers Day! As usual, Clara wasnt very happy about the plan:)