Madeleine's new hair cut

Since birth I have been the only one to cut Madeleine's hair. Partly because it was slow growing and we were so excited with any growth for the first few years that we didn't do much cutting and also because she is quite nervous about experiencing something new and going to a salon was something new. So, she came with me to my haircut to see what it was like. That was perfect as the mystery of the salon was demystified and she was ok with going. She returned the next week and had 8 inches or more cut off!!! She looks a couple years older to me now...She really likes it, and so do we.

Baker weekend

Just a few more photos of the Baker weekend. This is cousin Clair and Auntie Mary-Ellen at our dinner at the restaurant.

Baker Family Reunion/Anniversary Celebration/Baby Blessing

Outside the church after the blessing.
The Baker gathering at the Gilbert's home. We enjoyed good company and a wonderful pot-luck dinner. The picture above is of Ted and Sonja opening their memory book that Corinna put together for them.

Grandma trying to keep our kids in line!
Auntie Peggy getting to know our little Olivia.

Olivia and Julia are about 6 1/2 wks apart. Julia is such a happy smiley girl, so glad we got to meet her while she is still not too old.

Auntie Corinna with new adorable neice, Julia. Grandma meeting Olivia for the first time.
Below is a photo of us on a walk around Henderson Lake.

Auntie Birgitta was a natural with Olivia and Olivia seemed to fall asleep easily in her arms.

Labor Day weekend was an eventful and memorable weekend with family. We had chosen this weekend to have Olivia's baby blessing and it was also Ted and Sonja's (Eric's parents) 40th wedding anniversary...so Uncle Neil and Auntie Dawn headed up a Baker family reunion here in Lethbridge. Eric's brother and family came from Victoria, his sister from Louisiana, his Great Uncle and Aunt from Vancouver Island, cousins and Aunt from Calgary and those of us from around here. We have missed not having more family close by and were so grateful and appreciative of their efforts to make the trip out here.
On Olivia's blessing day the wind kicked up which made taking outdoor pictures a bit difficult. That Sunday evening we went to Dynasty Restaurant to celebrate Ted and Sonja's 4oth. All the family visiting came and we enjoyed the food that cousin Peggy had chosen for us (thanks Peggy).

Lemonade, Lemonade, 25 cents

Madeleine's piano teacher and her daughter dropped by for a glass.
This was their first customer, our neighbor from next door.


It was a hot early September day, hotter than we seemed to have had all summer, and the kids had been begging to have a Lemonade stand. Well, it seemed the time had come and so we got set up and before we knew it some neighbor girls had come to help out. The kids were so excited. Justin has quite the lungs on him and was pretty sure that if people could just hear him they would stop.
I was so thrilled when so many people stopped by for a cup...probably 15 people. The kids were so happy with each customer.

Justin enters Kindergarten and Madeleine starts Grade 2!

Justin on his first day of Kindergarten, and his first day to catch the school bus. He was pretty excited about the whole thing. He had quite the disappointment when Madeleine started school before him. He knew a few faces in class which he was excited about.

Madeleine in her classroom.

At the end of August Madeleine and Justin entered their new school year with mixed feelings. Madeleine, who is completely thrilled to have a sister (and does not enjoy homework), offered to quit school so she could, "stay home and help take care of Olivia for you." I was tempted for a moment as she is such a big helper. She, and us also, were relieved to meet a warm and welcoming Grade 2 teacher. She seems to be enjoying it. Madeleine has really turned into an amazing reader. She is enjoying her chapter books and surprises me with the vastness of her vocabulary.

Heritage Park

This ride was a hit with all the kids, especially with Austin.
A bag of candy can always put a smile on our kid's faces.


We took my mom and Robert to Calgary; on the first day we explored Heritage Park and on the second day we went to the Calgary Zoo. Both were hits with the kids, we just hope we didn't wear out the grandparents with all that walking around.

Our trip to Waterton with the Orr's

Where we ate our picnic.

Austin and Annica playing in the water.

We had a wonderful trip to Waterton on my birthday. We were so glad that the Orr family (all but Dave), and grandma and grandpa Cornilles could come spend a beautiful (windless) day with us. The kids had fun chasing/bugging goats, playing and building a damn in the water, and of course getting ice cream in town and taking a cool dip in the lake. It was such a wonderful day.

Our girls

Here are a few photos of Olivia and Madeleine...two peas in a pod. Madeleine is such a big helper and I don't know what I would do without her.