1st Birthday Celebrations!

Last Tuesday, April 7th was Cadence's first birthday!  That year went so fast.  We love having Cadence in our family.  Her brothers adore her and love entertaining her and making her laugh.  She has her daddy wrapped around her little finger, and I love my constant little companion and the joy she brings me.

We had a birthday celebration for Cadence on Saturday.  We invited her grandmas, aunts and uncles and cousins.  We are grateful so many family were able to attend.

I decided since this is our last little one that I'd decorate a bit more than I usually do.  I made a big number one for the front door.

I loved how it turned out and I'm going to hang it on her bedroom door for awhile.  It was too much work to only hang up for one day!

I also made some paper pennants that we strung up.

Of course no party is complete without lots of balloons, and I bought a few decorations as well.

I printed off pictures from each month of Cadence's life so far and strung them up on the mantle.  I had also bought her the book "The Little Girl Who Lost Her Name", that spells her name (so cute), and we had everyone sign it that came to the party for a memento for Cadence.

Then it was time to get Cadence ready for the party.  I bought her a vintage inspired ruffled lace romper with headband.  All ready to party!

When guests arrived we had lunch.  We served beef on a bun, veggies and dip, fruit and dip, chips with cupcakes for dessert.

Then it was time for the birthday girl to open presents.  She was spoiled and got some great gifts.  She got lots of clothes, a few board books, a fisher price vet centre, a wooden zebra, a toy piano, a baby dolly, and my brother Dave and his family restored a doll buggy that was mine when I was a little girl (love it!)

After presents it was time for cake.

We played a couple of games before everyone left.  My brothers Dave and Jared raced to see who could drink the quickest out of the sippy cups.  Dave won!

Then Cora and Ashton raced to empty a kleenex box.  Cora was super fast and won!

Then we played a few rounds of pin the bow on Cadence.

After a fun time with family we sent everyone home with a party favor.  Candies in a baby food jar!!

Happy Birthday Cadence!!

Ashton's New Look

Ashton broke his glasses quite awhile ago.  We've been so busy, but I was finally able to get him to the optometrist for an appointment and to order new glasses.

They came in this week.  I think they look awesome!

He picked the frames himself.  Looking so mature and handsome.

12 Months Old

Our sweet baby girl is celebrating her 1st birthday today!!  Never has a year flown by so quickly.  We have loved every minute of having this precious miracle in our home.  She has a spunky, pleasant personality.  She definitely has a mind of her own, and loves to tease.  She loves her family and is a complete joy!

Age - 1 year old (April 7, 2015)
Weight - 21.5 pounds
Hair - getting thicker, little curls in the back
Wears size 12 month clothes
Size 3 shoes
Teeth - finally got her first tooth a couple of weeks ago (bottom front)
Walking all over the house, still a bit wobbly
1 - 2 naps per day, and sleeps 10-12 hours a night
Loves to eat - everything!! (except avocado - not a big fan)
Doesn't like her baths
Likes playing with her toys - especially books!
Gets into everything (emptying tissue boxes, spreading rocks from the plant all over the house, pulling books off the shelves etc.)
Quick to smile
Has a temper, especially if told no!
Has a funny, breathy old man laugh that cracks us up.

Happy Birthday Cadence!!  Can't wait to celebrate with you on Saturday!

Grandma Visits

Last week my mom came up for a little visit.  We were excited to have her come since I don't think we've been together since Christmas.  She also brought me an early birthday present.  She bought me a Bosch.

Such a wonderful gift.  It is going to make the process of making bread and buns so much easier.  I'm sure I will do it more often.  We decided to try it out and made a couple loaves of bread and some buns.  So delicious!

We also hemmed and hung my new kitchen curtains.  I'm loving how they look, the pop of colour looks great!

Unfortunately as soon as mom got home she was sick with the flu we had had the week before.  I guess we weren't quite over it yet.  Thanks for the visit mom.  We hope you come again soon!!

And..... She's Off!

For the past couple of months Cadence has been taking independent steps here and there.  She'd let go of the couch and take a couple of steps and then sit down.  The past week or so, she's been walking more and more.  She is definitely walking more than she is crawling.  She's still a bit wobbly, but is getting more confident.  I think we can say she's officially a walker!!

14th Anniversary

March 24th (Tuesday) was Jason and my 14th wedding anniversary.

It has been such an amazing 14 years.  We've had ups and we've had downs, but we have always had the support and love from each other and our love for each other continues to grow.  Jason is such a blessing in my life.  He is everything and more than I ever could have dreamed of having in a husband, and he is the best father to our children.

Jason bought me a beautiful wall hanging and it looks great in our family room.

We had planned on going out for dinner on Tuesday night, but unfortunately the flu has been going through our house and Jason was still too sick to go out.  By Wednesday, we were all feeling better so my mom came up for a visit and offered to babysit for us.

We went out for a delicious dinner and enjoyed spending some time together.  Thanks mom for babysitting.

Happy Anniversary my love!!  You are my everything!

Ashton's 11th Birthday

My oldest turned 11 yesterday!!  Ashton is such a great kid.  He is smart, kind, loving, imaginative, curious, and such a wonderful example to his younger siblings.  We are so happy he is part of our family.  I love my time with him and he teaches me so much.

We asked Ashton what he wanted to do on his birthday and he decided he'd like to go out for a family dinner at the Cheesecake Cafe and then swimming together on Saturday.

Officially off the kids' menu!

It has become a bit of a tradition for Ashton to go to the Cheesecake Cafe for his birthday dinner.  He keeps trying to see if he can finish an entire piece at one sitting.

So far it's Cheesecake - 4 / Ashton - 0

Birthday cuddles from Cadence!

When we got home it was time to open presents.

Happy Birthday Ashton!  We are very proud of the great young man you are becoming.

Oh!  and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Enough Hair?

So what do you think?  Does she have enough hair to use barrettes?
I couldn't resist picking these cute little barrettes up at the store today.  Along with four new little outfits, a bathing suit, and white Sunday shoes.  I'm having so much fun dressing a little girl!

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11 Months Old

Our little Cadence is just one month shy of her 1st birthday today.  She is getting to be such a big girl, and is more and more fun every day.

Age - 11 months (March 7, 2015)
Weight - 20.9 lbs (either she's lost weight, or was weighed incorrectly previously)
Wears 9 - 12 month clothes
Size 2 shoes getting tight
Birthmark on head - had it checked, apparently it won't get any bigger and will probably disappear by age 5
Hair continues to fill in - but still quite sparce, but dark
Still no teeth!
Eating more table foods - but still limited due to no teeth.  Loves oat cereal and pureed foods.
Had her first major cold this past week.  So sick - I haven't slept in my bed since Saturday.
(Made us all very grateful for her usual good health)
When healthy sleeps 12 hours a night, with a couple of naps during the day.
Walking several steps independently before getting nervous and sitting down.
Loves exploring the house, especially emptying the books out of the bookshelves, playing with the rocks in the plant in the living room and trying to pull the dishes out of the dishwasher.
Babbles all the time.  Says da da and mom ma but not on purpose.
Sweet personality - and definitely spunky.  Knows her mind!

We love you - sweet Cadence!!

Reason Why Cadence Is Crying #3 & #4

#3

We wouldn't let her hit Bowen!

#4

I put on her hat.

February Bookclub

I'm so excited I've started up a bookclub.  I've attended bookclubs in the past and always love them. So I'm thrilled that after putting up a simple inquiry on facebook I received a lot of interest from others wanting to join.  We had our first meeting this past weekend.  I had picked the first book to read so I was hosting at my house.  We will take turns picking the books and hosting each month.

Our first read was "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed.  I wasn't sure about the book when I first started, but by the time I finished it I decided I quite enjoyed it.  Her experiences hiking on the trail were interesting and inspiring, and I was pleased to see her personal growth.

We had 6 in attendance, with a few more expected to come in the future.  I served veggies with dill dip, a fruit platter and havardi cheese, and crab tartletts, with chocolate cake, and chocolate pudding parfaits.  Of course I forgot to take any pictures of any people.

For March we will be reading "Secret Daughter" by Shilpi Somaya Gowda.  Looking forward to our next meeting.

New Haircuts

When did my boys become teenagers?

Looking so grown up and handsome with their new haircuts!