Kaitlin's Birthday (Phase 1)

We had a games day. Matt, Taylor, Vassily, Alexander and Harry's cousins all came over for tea. Finished with birthday cake for Kaitlin.


Alexander, Kaitlin and Brenna


Cake by Sheila

Christmas Day

After opening gifts from Santa, breakfast and gifts from the family, everyone came over to grandma's for Christmas supper. Everyone included grandma, Sheila, Craig, us, Patsy, Harry, Taylor, Vassily, Alexander, Matt, Owen, Carol and Carson. Unfortunately, Erin had the flu and couldn't make it.


Sheila with the girls.

Christmas Eve

Went over to Patsy and Harry's for Christmas eve. Had a good meal and a good time.


Margot and Harry's Eldest Son Owen have a deep discussion.

Christmas Phase 1

Had the first part of Christmas with Dad and Tom, Ruth and Family. Tom/Ruth/Jason/Monica stayed over night.



Brenna and Monica get ready for bed

Margot's New Tree Skirt

Kaitlin shows off the tree skirt she made for Margot.

Concert and Taffy Lane

Grandma Ruth, Renee, Richard, and everyone else was at Stewart's concert on Sunday afternoon. After supper we went to Taffy Lane which is near the church where the concert was held. It is one of the most famous streets in Ottawa for Christmas light displays.


Getting started on our walk



Picture looking down the street

Halloween

Halloween 2005. The girls took their costumes to school. Kaitlin dressed as Red Riding Hood and Brenna as Dorothy (from the Wizard of Oz). Margot made both costumes. The girls decorated outside and we carved pumpkins the night before. Renee and Richard came over and Mia took the part of Toto for the trip through Kenmore.



Emma, Brenna and Winnie ready to hit the mean streets of Kenmore


Red Riding Hood


Dorothy and Toto (and The Grey Ghost)


Red Riding Hood examines one of the big bad wolf's meals

Brenna's Birthday Party With Friends

Brenna had her birthday party at Horses of the Sun. The girls all got to do a bit of voltige and riding. The weather was cool, but not raining. Afterwards, there was cake and food and presents up in the barn.


Brenna prepares the ring.



End of riding.

Margot's Quilt is Finished!

Margot finished off her quilt today.

Brenna's Birthday

Brenna received lots of phone calls and birthday greetings today. She also baked birthday cupcakes on the weekend and brought them to school today. Kaitlin helped decorate the cupcakes. We had a small cake after supper. Brenna got a real western hat from her parents.


Brenna with her birthday cake decorated with leftover cupcake frosting.



Kaitlin watches.



Brenna tries on her new hat.



Kaitlin had a hat too.

Voltige Show

The girls were in a small voltige show at the Vars fun day.


Waiting to get started



Brenna



Kaitlin

Labour Day Weekend

Went to Waterloo for the labour day weekend. There was a family birthday celebration for Brenna.

Birthday Cake

Brenna and Cake

Craig

Sheila

Matt

Canoeing in Algonquin

Returned home yesterday from a 3 night / 4 day trip down the Barron River in Algonquin park. First day we got to our campsite at St. Andrew's lake -- same one we had last year. Set up. Day two we paddled to the end of St. Andrew's and then hiked to High Falls. We ended up going about 1/2km down to High Falls Lake and then another 1/2km to the falls themselves (but we were probably only about 300m from where we started). Above the falls there is a natural waterslide. Brenna played in that for quite a while. When we got back, the girls (and Renee and Mia) had a nap while everyone else made dinner and tried to manage the rain. There was lots of rain with water running through the campsite. Dinner was a bit of a soggy affair and everyone headed to bed early. Next day we paddled out to Opalescent Lake (via High Falls Lake and Ooze Lake and 3 portages). Had a nice swim in the evening and a spaghetti dinner. Last day was sunny and warm with a good breeze. We paddled through the Barron River Canyon and this year we could see it (no rain). Everyone had a great time.


Launching

High Falls

Whole Gang

Brenna finished with her swim

Kaitlin and Mia

Nap time

Opalescent Lake

Opalescent Lake

Swimming in Opalescent Lake

August 5

Girls are back from camp. Jason and Monica will be staying with us until Sunday.

Kids in the yard made a fort out of umbrellas.