Pool Party

Matthew and three of his little friends enjoying some pool side chalk fun.
A picture of all the kids (minus one), enjoying some hot dogs, snacks and drinks.
Another birthday cake! What a lucky guy....and a soccer one at that! Matthew and Daddy blowing the candles out:)
Just the 3 of us...Taiya was busy still munching on food in the highchair.
Opening the gifts, Matthew got some neat toys. Looks like his cousin wants to take this one home. It was a fun, but hectic afternoon...there were only 8 kids in total...but it sure felt like more.

Sept. 19th Matthew's 4th B-day

Here's Matthew with his gifts from Mom and Dad. He got a hockey helmet, a Beta fish (now names Fins and a book about oceans/animals with puzzles pieces. He was thrilled especially with the fish and helmet (he wore the helmet all day at daycare). Mauela giving Matthew a present for his B-day. He got this neat bubble making device that makes HUGE bubbles.
Uh oh! Could we be in the midst of having a another little hockey fan in the family.
We went out for a birthday dinner with just the four of us at Boston Pizza. While waiting for our food Taiya was clearly enjoying the music. Oh, just in case any of you were wondering, having Taiya sitting at the table was short lived....we had to move to a table where she was placed in a highchair (what a little wiggle worm!). Matthew blowing out his candles.

Yummy that was good! Now I can't wait until Saturday to celebrate with all my friends.

Two Wheeler and Spectator

There's only one safe way to watch a new two wheeler....that is sitting and strapped down. Taiys is proud of Matthew, she cheers "Yeah!!"
There goes the big guy on his bike! He's doing great...now only if his legs were a bit longer, it sure would make starting and stopping a lot safer.

Here is our International Student from Vera Cruz, Mexico standing in front of the Empress Hotel downtown in the Harbour of Victoria. She is going to be with our family for the school year and we are happy to have her with us. She is a wonderful addition for us, and a sweet girl who fits in perfectly with the kids and the rest of our family.

These are from two weeks ago when we went to the Saanich Fair. We had fun, especially Matthew who wanted to ride everything. You can't see from these shots but he's definately got some dare devil in him.

Sports Fan

Matthew started skating lessons today, he is in "mosquitos". He hadn't stepped foot on the ice since last spring, although I was a little apprehensive about this, he basically just took off without a hitch.

Matthew is also registered for soccer for the first time and is an excited guy. Here was a photo before going outside to play with daddy (of course he needed is team socks, his new shin pads and soccer shoes). I can't wait to watch the games.

Summer Fun At The Lake

It was a fun filled summer at the lake. Here are just a few of the pictures: out on the lake on our boat; Matthew with his first ever live snake (and of course flowers); the kids with some cool shades; Matthew holding a frog for the first time (poor little guy....the frog that is - he had a death grip on that thing); Daddy and Taiya with beautiful smiles; celebrating Daddy's big "4-0".... an evening difficult to forget (need I say more); Matthew's first time fishing... trying to catch the "big one"....maybe next year big fella; Taiya petting a friendly dog (something she loves doing); Matthew participating in the annual "Fun Day" events on the Aug. long weekend (this pic was of him doing a peanut relay race with a spoon); the kids having some fun with Daddy's camping hat....as you can see, where ever there is a cowboy there is always a cowgirl somewhere close bye (monkey see....monkey do); Matthew on his bike.....and 12 days later he started riding without training wheels (way to go!!!!); Matthew with one of his campsite buddies (Hailey) enjoying a yummy Jolly rancher popsicle; and finally Taiya enjoying some dry land fun with Matthew's boogie board.

It was such a great summer, with so many firsts for both of the kids....it will definately be one I will remember for a long time to come!!!!!! For the most part, I had the kids at the campsite for the summer by myself, and managed to hold out there from the end of June to the end of August ....whew it's a good thing summer doesn't last much longer than 2 months. With no external boundaries and nothing but open space....let's just say Mommy had her hands full (I was told I was making people feel dizzy, as they watched me going constantly here and there).

The kids had a blast playing in the water, going out on the boat and tubing, and lots of fun playing with their "campsite" friends (as Matthew would say). It's now time to settle in and get back into a more normalized routine. It's back to work for Mommy, and daycare for both of my beautiful babies. Thanks for the wonderful summer and all the beautiful memories Matthew and Taiya...I love you both so very very much.