Little Trumpet Girl

I was practicing on the trumpet recently. Since Michaela hates missing out on anything that grown-ups do she was begging to get a chance to try it out as well.

It took some explaining on how to use her lips but Michaela was soon able to blurt out a note (I'm not sure which note it was, "E" maybe). The look of sheer pride at her accomplishment was priceless.

Hello Pirate!

On a recent shopping trip to Zellers, we saw and fell in love with this horseback riding costume, which Michaela will most likely wear out for Halloween. It's really cute and Michaela adores it. Jon tried to teach her to say, "Howdy Partner", but for some reason Michaela heard it as, "Hello Pirate!". So now whenever she wears the costume, she runs around saluting, and saying, "hello pirate!" It's really adorable.

Three Cheers for Jon!

Yes, Jonathan has officially put his Master's behind him and is a PhD student. To celebrate this momentous transition we invited all our friends and family out to dinner.
Michaela couldn't resist a cuddle with Jon's Grandmother.
It was great to be able to see friends and family. Thankyou to everyone who came. We had a wonderful time!

Build it up!

Michaela was so proud of this tower she built that she actually asked me to get the camera and take a picture (Usually she runs the other way as soon as the camera comes out!). You can really see the conflicting emotions churning inside of her as she struggles between a proud sense of accomplishment and an almost incontrollable urge to gleefully smash the whole thing down, which, lets face it, is the only real reason to build a tower of blocks. This tower lasted about 5 seconds after the picture was taken. Quite a lot of restraint for a 3 year old!

Ballet Lessons

This one is especially adorable. On friday, Michaela attended her first ballet lesson. Priceless.

Painting

Here's a little video of Michaela and Mommy painting.

Hidden Camera Video

It's hard to catch what Michaela is like when she knows that she is being filmed. This may be a manifestation of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. Anyway, it takes some hidden footage to see.

Good Times...Great Friends

Pablo and Victoria have made it down for a visit several times in the last few months, so we've been really spoiled! On Aug. 31, we went out for dessert to celebrate my 29th Birthday.....Wait, no I'm only 26! Please God! Don't let me turn 30! I don't want to be old!!!!.....Ahem...I mean, you're only as old as you feel right? (I still feel 19! Can I be 19 again?)

Michaela get's a real kick out of Pablo.

Lulu and the Tomcat

Michaela and I had a very nice visit from my aunt Lori. Michaela love listening to Tom and Lori's music. Here's Michaela talking to Uncle Tom on Auntie Lori's phone.

Ritz it Up!

A big Thank You to Lucas and Suzanne for hosting a fabulous Birthday BBQ for Lucas and myself. We had a great time, and Michaela had so much fun playing with their neighbor's son Max, and the two dogs. Here's a picture of Michaela playing fetch with Ritz. Ritz has the stick in her mouth and Michaela is waiting for her to drop it so that she can throw it again.

Jon's Thesis is DEFENDED!!!!

Yes, Jonathan has successfully defended his thesis. We are all soooooo proud of him. In celebration of this event we went out with Jon's co-workers for dinner.

The man on the right is Bill Bukowski, Jon's supervisor. And of course Rick and Donna were there, as proud as could be!

Michaela Goes to the Country Club

On our last day in Kingston we visited my Nanie and Dan in Bath. They took us to the golf course club house for lunch. Michaela seemed to be transported into a fairy tale land with giant birds, little bridges and beautiful gardens. It was a great way to end a wonderful week. Yes that's right, this will be our final Kingston summer 2006 picture! Stay tuned for upcoming picture including "Trip to the Park" and "Auntie Lori Visits" and probably a few more "Michaela Finds Another Bug" and it's been awhile since we've had a "Cute Michaela and Cat" picture. So that's what our fall preview looks like. Enjoy, and please feel free to leave comment, requests and suggestions.

Teamwork

The Eternal Desire to Explore!

Thanks Mom and Dad for providing such a wonderful place for the Kids (both young and old) to grow, have adventures, discover nature and above all, have fun!!! We'll miss you as you gallivant around Europe for three months. Have fun and we'll be seeing you before you know it!

Aren't Grandpas Great!

This little trip left Michaela talking non-stop about the "Big boat that goes fast". Not to be confused with the "Little boat that goes slow", meaning the paddleboat.

Sunday Morning (after a very late night), Jon and I were trying to sleep in. Michaela had other things in mind. She's discovered that the best approach to waking us is a subtle one. Instead of climbing into our bed and kicking us awake, she'll lie there and softly tap me repeatedly until I acknowledge her. This particular morning she climbed into bed with us and she and I had this exact conversation:

"I love you sooooo much Mommy"

"I love you too Michaela"

"You do?!"

"Yes, I do!"

"Ooooh! You make me soooo happy!"

Now, who could fall back asleep after that!

Off on an Adventure

Michaela loves going on hikes with Grandma and Grandpa. She finds cool bugs, neat rocks and collects branches, leaves and flowers of all shapes and sizes. Fortunately at Grandma and Grandpa's, you don't have to go far to get to the woods. Walking out the front door is about it! Unfortunately Michaela also collects bug bites! That's what the hat's for.

Our Little Beach Bum

Michaela is to water, as a worm is to dirt. Michaela loves being in and around water. And I guess being out in the middle of nowhere, at Grandma and Grandpa's house, bathing suits are not required, although plenty of sunblock is!

Typhoid Michaela

She's been down with a bad cold (runny nose, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes) this week.

However, she's always quite the trooper. We went to the store for some back-to-school supplies, she was bleary-eyed yet bushy-tailed for most of the way.






























Tonight, she was pampered. Mulan AND the Heffalump movie while lying down with yummy fruits and a drink.

Timeless Photo

A year in Michaela's life - Part 2

Here's the next installment of video clips from Michaela's life. These center around the time after her second birthday going almost up to her third.

Creating this video was a challenge, there were lots of bits that I wanted to include...

A year in Michaela's life

Just reminiscing over old videos of Michaela from after her first birthday to her second.

Here's a year of her life summarized in less than 3 minutes....



I should have the next year up soon.

Pebbles and Bam-Bam

Micah and Michaela got along really well on our last visit. It was so nice to see them playing together and having so much fun. I thought these pictures were particularly cute.

Sandbanks Fun!

On Aug. 2 we took the kids to Sandbanks. We all had a blast. It was so much fun. The kids (of all ages) enjoyed riding the waves.

Jon, Jon the Fishermon

This picture is for the non-vegetarians among us (sorry Mom). Jon was very proud of this catch, and for good reason. It was quite tasty.

Grandpa's Daddy

On our recent visit to Kingston, Michaela met her Great-Grandfather for the first time since she was 1 month old. It was wonderful both to see him, and for Michaela to get to know him better. Thankyou Grandpa for your visit. We miss you and hope to see you again soon. Give Grandma a hug from all of us. We love you both.

Decoding Michaela's Birthmark: Part 4 - Alien Edition

One final interpretation has become apparent. Perhaps Michaela's birthmark is a message from some form of alien civilization.


With this in mind, the message may be that mankind is supposed to use radio satellites and point them to the "Gnome" constellation. Then, we'll be able to detect the comet heading towards Earth and hopefully divert in time to prevent the disaster.

Therefore, Michaela may just save the world...

Underwater Pictures and Video

As promised, here are some of the best pictures that we caught in Gould Lake.


Video Highlight:

Decoding Michaela's Birthmark: Part 3 - Da Vinci Edition

What about this? Maybe the birthmark is a message for a secret society, like the Free Masons, the Illuminati, or the church of Scientology. Perhaps it's best understood by using works of Leonardo Da Vinci...




I'm sorry to report that I have no idea what this might mean. Where's Robert Langdon when you need him?

Michaela: Spider Catcher

A spider was spotted in the kitchen this morning. Faster than a flash, Michaela was on the case.

She caught herself a nice little specimen which she began coddling.

Trophy Video: