Autumn is truly here!

Painting

Noah LOVES to paint at daycare. I don't often work up the nerve to allow him to do it at home, but I did the other day and he was so good at it, and made relatively little mess (i.e. nothing was permanently damaged:)  So I think there will be lots more painting from now on.  I found some great little sponge paint rollers with different textures on them, and he makes some great creations. Look out Jackson Pollock! He also, of course, loves painting with his hands.  

New Scooter!

since michael missed seeing noah's reaction to his new scooter this morning- here is a little video for him to watch at work...

Temptation at its very finest!!

Up to mischief! 

You've come a long way baby!

One year ago today...

Yikes! And to think we thought she was beautiful even then, vernix and all.  Thank goodness she has become much cuter over the past 12 months:)

Her feistiness and temperamental nature were evident at just hours old, and those things have NOT changed a bit.

Happy First Birthday to our Princess!

Anna Grace had a wonderful first birthday, with celebrations lasting all weekend long.  Happy birthday to our baby!  

Life through rose coloured glasses...She's loving it.

I put some of my new skills to use and made Anna's birthday cupcakes

Thanks to Grandma for sending the special, pretty birthday dress

Cupcakes!

As mentioned earlier, here are a couple photos of my favorite present, which was from Michael. I did a 2 day cupcake decorating course at a professional culinary training school.  I learned SO much, it was SO fun and I'm really looking forward to experimenting and making some cupcake creations.  I was supposed to go with my sister-in-law who has a birthday soon too, but she went into the hospital unexpectedly (she's fine now) so my niece came along instead. The box of cakes pictured below is a hodge-podge of first attempts; the skills are now improving, thankfully.  

like brother, like sister

They looked cute (in my opinion, anyway:) in their coordinating outfits of red, tan, stripes and gingham! And it honestly wasn't intentional, we only realized after they were side by side. 

birthday

Here are a few photos of birthday festivities from last month.  All 4 of us went out for lunch to a nice restaurant downtown on the actual day. I was quite apprehensive about bringing the kids, but Michael assured me that Sunday lunches are "family day" at this place.  It did end up being really quite civilized, the kids sat in their booster seats for over an hour (this is an amazing feat, a definite all time record). In the evening we had a super casual dinner at our place with all the family. I received some amazing gifts- my favorite one, I shall post a photo about soon...

Here's our very cheeky little girl.  Look at those eyes! I suspect trouble is well on its way with this little monkey.