East meets West

We were very fortunate to have a visit from our friends Cecile, Gabriel and Justine this past weekend! Cecile was in town for a conference so they were able to turn the trip into a bit of a vacation. Our families have a special connection due to the fact that our daughters have the same hometown and were born just two weeks apart and oh yeah, we travelled in the same group to China back in 2007!! We met for dinner on Friday night and the girls had a blast. On Saturday we got together to take in some local attractions which included Midway Rides, a petting zoo and copious amounts of water. It was hot here this weekend!!! We all came back to our place to barbeque some steaks and to give the girls a chance to cool down in the wading pool. It was so great to spend time with people with whom you share something so unique. I wish we all lived closer together!

Friday with Nana

Friday was Nana's last full day with us so of course, what did we do? Anything Halle wanted to do!! Our first stop was the nearby nature preserve. We checked up on the injured birds, debated trying the tobaggan run (some debated longer and more forcefully than others), visited the soddy and rented a buggy to go out and see the bison. Nana's ankle is getting better but it is not quite up to going that far. And no two points are ever a straight line with a two year old!!

How do we measure up??

Can I interest you in some nice aubergine?

Darn technology! I should not have left my abacus at home...again.

A train to the coast is gonna cost ya' Nana...

Halle helping Nana count out her money

Let me stamp that for you....

Oh. What a surprise. In a 5000+ sq foot building, look what Halle happened across...

I dig that she digs 'diggers'. On the other hand, she also files her nails. (Thanks again for that Mom. I'm sending you the bill for the repair to the dining table when she tried filing the edge.)

We're two, we're four, we're six, we're eight...

If those words don't mean anything to you then you probably do not know a two year old that is obsessed with Thomas...the Train that is. Every morning, every evening, every day of the week, Halle wants to watch Thomas. Right now she's into the 'Mud Glorious Mud' movie that her friend Tanner let her borrow. Thank-you Tanner. With Nana being in town, we thought it would be fun to go on a real train ride. After living here for 10 years (+), I discovered that there is an antique steam engine passenger train that takes trips once a day on the weekends. Needless to say, we all went including a very tired Daddy.

Getting a hand up from the Porter who was calling her by name by the time we reached our first stop.

Hey! The train is moving!

Holy #$%@!! The train is moving (Halle doesn't actually swear, I'm just embellishing.)

So you're telling me this is definitely NOT the Easter bunny?

Chugga chugga zzz zzz! Chugga chugga zzzz zzzz! And that is how the ride went...

Mommy! Her name 'Doll'

Auntie J found Halle a doll in Vegas. It is soooo cute! And Halle absolutely adores it and takes it everywhere. The pictures pretty much describe how Halle feels about her new baby named 'Doll'. Nana suggested various names, Uncle Sean even tried 'Sally' but no, her name is Doll. Literally.

I don't even know what to say...

Tootin' her own horn!

Nana Comes to Visit!!

Halle was very excited to see Nana arrive on Tuesday evening!! Since Nana's arrival it has been non-stop fun! It actually resembles Christmas with all the treats and presents. We went to the zoo yesterday and today we went to a Children's Festival. Despite 15 minutes of rain when we first arrived everything turned out really well. Halle had a blast going from activity to activity. She listened to a group of Metis singers, made a kite, did some work with clay, created a necklace, netted some critters from the marsh and then went to a tent that was all about music! She played the sticks, bells, cymbals, a violin and a trombone (video to follow). We ended the morning by going for Korean food for lunch. Nana underestimated how much rice Halle will eat and lost half her plate to the rice monster!!

Did someone say 'skycap'?

Snack for Halle and a rest for Nana...

OMG! Another use for Tim's cups...liquid glitter glue!

Halle checking out the critters and wishing she had a dip net.

Hmmm...what is that word Mommy keeps saying...prodigy?!?!

Halle wanted something blue so the volunteer drew a moon, then Halle wanted a kitty cat face. She kind of looks like and extra from Cats. She should start singing 'Midnight' any moment now.

Oh, the poor volunteer had to hold the mirror for a full two minutes...twice! so Halle could take it all in!!