Trip to the Calgary Zoo

When we arrived at the Calgary Zoo it was feeding time for the bears. This bear however was more interested in everyone looking at him then eating.

Kaitlyn was really excited to see the Buffalo. We have some not far from our house and she always asks to go and see them.

Trying to get a good picture of Kaitlyn and Gregory looking at the camera is really hard. They were more interested in what each other was doing.

Todd took the kids into this tunnel . There was an opening on the right side of the picture that the kids could go through to get out. Todd and I however had to go out the way we went in.

Looking at the turtles.

Having a little break and enjoying the ride. They were able to do this because Ashlynn was being carried.

It was great to see the newest additions to the Zoo. There is a baby giraffe and elephant. There is also a baby gorilla but we weren't able to get a good picture of it.

A picture of everyone except me. Someone had to take the picture.

Gregory checking out the monkey.

Kaitlyn was holding onto Gregory's hand as tight as she could.

Kaitlyn and Daddy just before we left to go back to the house.

Big Girl Bed

Over the Labor Day long weekend we decided to set up Kaitlyn's big girl bed to see if she would sleep in it. We really aren't in a hurry to make her grow up we just thought we would see if she was interested.

While we were setting it up she wanted to lay down in her crib, which we moved to the spare room.

After it was set up she loved going in there and sitting on it to read some books. On Sunday afternoon we put her down for her nap on it and it took us about 10 minutes to be able to leave the room. Once that was over she talked for about 30 minutes and fell asleep. Success!

Sunday night she also lept in there on the bed after about 20 minutes of trying to leave the room. Double success!

However, she woke up around 3:30am that night and absolutely refused to go back in there to sleep. I had to put her in her crib and then sleep on the bed next to her in order to get her to calm down.

After that she didn't even want to sit on the bed and she started going through seperation anxiety. She would cry when we left her at the sitters and even when we tried to put her to bed. So much that one night she had to sleep with us (first time ever) in order to get her to calm down. We decided to put her crib back in her room along with the bed and we will just take our time with it. As I said earlier, we aren't in a hurry...just trying it out.

Summer Fun

Every year in the summer I plant a garden which usually consists of potatoes, carrots, lettuce and green beans. This year I also planted cucumbers so that I could attempt to make Dill Pickles for Todd. Well I would say that it was a success. I made 14 bottles of whole Dill Pickles and 2 bottles of sliced Dill Pickles. I also made 12 bottles of Dill Pickled Green Beans. We haven't been able to try any of them yet because they need to sit for several weeks. We should be able to try one in October some time.

I am very proud of myself because this is the first time I have ever done any canning.

These are the cucumbers that are still left after I have made all the pickles. I think this weekend I am going to try to make relish for something different.

More Visitors

Two days after Todd's mom left my parents and sister and her family came to visit for the weekend. It was really nice to see everyone. Kaitlyn really had a great time with her cousins.

Kaitlyn and Gregory being read some books by both Nanny and Poppy Rose.

Enjoying a hot dog during a fire pit in the backyard. They had me cook 5 hotdogs that they shared.

Nanny and Poppy Rose.

The beuatiful children of the family. Gregory, Kaitlyn and Ashlyn.

Fire Pit with Grandma and Grandpa

On July 30th Grandma & Grandpa MacDonald (Todd's Mom) arrived in good old Northern Saskatchewan for a 3 week visit. This is only the second time they have been able to visit with the first being 3 years ago. I know that they were looking forward to spending lots of time with Kaitlyn just like Todd and I were.

The first weekend they were here we decided to have a fire pit in the backyard to roast some marshmallows and hotdogs. We weren't sure if it was going to be able to happen because it rained periodically all day and even some in the early evening. Luckily the rain held off (somewhat) and we had a great night.

Group shot of the fire pit. As you can tell by the tarps it had just started sprinkling a little.

Kaitlyn was getting us to chase her. She stopped long enough to pose for these 2 pictures.

Kaitlyn wanted Uncle Darren to play on the slide with her. H was explaining that the slide was really wet and maybe tomorrow.

We bought these swings at our local grocery store for $50. They were the best buy we have had in a long time. Relaxing with Kearstin.

Uncle Darren just being Darren by the fire.

Hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa on the swing while Daddy sits near.

Family Shot!

Kaitlyn's first picture.

(Of Course I held the camera but she pressed the button.)

Another shot of Kaitlyn's. The delicious S'more.

Uncle Darren and Neil acting silly.

Grandma

Grandpa

She wanted to take a picture of herself. Not bad.

Roasting hot dogs

Playing with her new golf set. Great buy...she loves it.

Uncle Darren and Kearstin

Pool Time

Last weekend we pulled out Kaitlyn's pool and got it all set up so that she could get in. She did not like how cold the water was at all. We placed her in a couple times and she just yelled and kept saying out, out, out! She had a lot of fun just leaning on the side and splashing her hands in the water. Maybe next time.

Visiting with The Bannisters

On a Sunday afternoon we went over to our friends Ron and Jen's place to visit and let the girls play. They had a lot of fun. Afterwards we went downtown to watch the parade for Stampede week. Kaitlyn loved seeing the horses.

Kaitlyn was having fun playing with Olivia (8 months old)

Putting on her lipstick. She love to put on makeup like me.

Kaitlyn, Daddy and Olivia.