Incredible True Story

Supper was nearly complete and Shawn and I were trying to figure out who had already set the table since it was Ella's week and she usually requires assistance.

It was discovered that Taylor had set the table immediately after getting home from school!! Not his week, no one had asked, cajoled, or threatened him to do anything!!

This was a few weeks ago and I'm still incredulous!

Church Art

Taylor's latest church creation (2 weeks ago):

The "dialogue" starts at the bottom:

Dad: I have a fat hed. (I am pretty sure this comment is due only to Taylor's artistic abilities and not specific paternal insult.)

Mom: Aaa! Wut did you do?


Averi:  I did nufin!

Taylor:  It wus Ella!

Ella:  No, it wus Taylor!

Ah, family life!  ;)

Shawn's News

We've already told half the world, but Shawn passed all his provincial and national exams!! No more school, no more tests! Just needs to finish his 4th-year hours, and he'll be an official red seal journeyman!

Thank goodness.

Ella's Haircut

It was time to lop off Ella's scraggly locks. I am quite partial to the inverted bob:

Ella loves the limelight!

Sweet, soffy girl...

Halloween

It worked out that I never got a photograph of all the children in their costumes. Taylor went as a tradesman in Daddy's safety vest and hard hat. Averi went in the same owl costume as last year. It's so big, it will probably fit her next year, as well! And, Ella, went as little miss devil, a perfect fit if I ever saw one. ;)

Ella reminds me of my brother Jason's girls here!

I didn't get a picture of the pumpkin, either, but it was a devil, too!

Halloween is Coming!

Will come back tomorrow with pics of the kids in their Halloween costumes and the pumpkin we carved, but in the meantime, check out these Halloween chocolate bars!

Love it!

Ladybug Girls

My girls play so well together!

You can see Averi's new haircut... Picture day tomorrow!!

Taylor's Investiture

Taylor has been subtly groomed by Daddy to be enthusiastic in regards to upcoming Cubs. :D Not that he needed much persuasion.

Taylor has been waiting to come of age for Cubs since earlier this year when he was invited to attend a Cubs airport "field trip." He started attending Cubs regularly since September and went through the investiture ceremony last Wednesday.

Mommy was most impressed that the boys stood decently still throughout the ceremony.

I love Taylor's little salute!

Mommy thought she was supposed to "tie" the scarf on--instead, there's a woggle.

Got it right! Now Mommy was told where all the badges go on Taylor's Cub shirt. Wha?! I have to sew?? (Not really--there is special sticky stuff you can get... Phew!)

It won't be too long until Taylor is hunching over me in pictures!

Footage of Taylor stating the Cub _______ (theme?):

First Day of School

My schedule this semester is such that I can send the kids off to school each morning! :)

This isn't Ella's first day but it's the one shot I got of her with the school bus.

It was the end of the day and she had been sleeping--she's quite groggy here!

More Pics with Grandma and Grandpa

Averi and Grandpa singing Primary songs:

Taylor and Grandma at the Science Centre:

Averi showing Grandpa the wonders of the PS3:

Grandma snuggling with the rambunctious Ella:

Taylor's Baptism

Taylor's 8th birthday fell right on the Labor Day weekend this year. Since this is the best time to coordinate with American residents, Taylor was baptized on the very day he turned 8.

We took pictures of Taylor that morning to use on his baptism program (click here to view):

We didn't use this one but it's so cute!

Pre-baptism photo:

I am disappointed that we didn't get a family pic, including Grandma and Grandpa Harris! :(

Here are some pics from the "after party":

Some footage:

SAIT's Aero Centre

I met several fabulous faculty and administrators during my 2-week training course at SAIT in early August.  One of my colleagues teaches Aircraft Maintenance at SAIT's Aero Centre campus near the Calgary airport. He said he'd be happy to give me and the kids a tour!

This yellow plane is from WWII:

Our host seriously reminds me of my brother-in-law, Kyle Elliott!

Averi's salute:

Helicopters, too!

We had lots of fun and learned lots of new stuff!

Thanks, Steve!!

Averi's 6th Birthday

For Averi's 6th birthday (last Saturday), we went to Calaway Park. None of the pictures turned out very well but here's a video.



Shawn and I can't ride that thing but the kids love it!

Averi also had a friend sleepover the Friday night (Kaitlyn H).

On the Sunday, we had family over for cake and ice cream.

I used fruit to hide the mess I made of the cake. Averi wanted the ladybug-shaped cake pan but it did not like me.

My sweet baby!

Omi Sleepovers: Ella

I was most nervous about Ella's visit to Omi's house. Apparently, she was just fine. She does well as an only child, but then, who doesn't?

I was so sad that we left our portion of streusselkuchen at Grandma's!