America's Funniest Home Videos

Here's a clip of Michaela watching a clip of "America's Funniest Home Videos" cats:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMiaj3UcyI8&mode=related&search=

It's definitely worth the 1min, 35sec:

Movie Night

Friday is again movie night. Lately, Michaela has been attached to the "Wizard of Oz" or as she calls it: "The Lizard of Oz".

She has recently only accepted being referred to as "Darcey" (Dorothy), while Daddy is the "Lion", Carrie (Massey) is the "Tin-Man" and Mommy is the "Scare-Crow".

We keep asking her who Toto is, but she adamant that "Toto" is "Toto".

And It's Official.....

What can I say other then, we're proud of you Jon. Keep up the good work!

Goodbye to Fall

As we beging to settle in for winter and break out our seasonal affective disorder prescription, it's worth taking a look back to warmer days. These pictures are from when Meghan and Aaron visited a little while back.

Remember When #8

Now this is going way back in time! If you didn't guess already, this is Me (Cara) and Josh on Halloween at least 25 years ago. Back then , I understand, you didn't just go to Walmart and pick out a costume for 15 $, you actually went and bought a pattern and material, and made it yourself. My Mom made us these costumes, and I think they are brilliant! In case I don't say it enough, thanks Mom for all the awesome memories!

...Do you remember this Josh?

Remember When #7

Here's Michaela's very first Halloween. She's only 3 months old, and obviously didn't go Trick or Treating, but she did greet all the kids who came to our door with a smile and a giggle. I think the costume is thanks to Tom and Lori (Lulu and the TomCat). It looks like a cow, but I think (knowing uncle Tom and Auntie Lori) that it's actually a spotted cat costume.

Remember When Series #6

Here is Michaela going Trick or Treating for the very first time. She was 15 months old, and she lasted only 4 or 5 houses before she decided she'd had enough. She went out with her cousin Micah in Kingston.

Trick or Treat

So here she is at last, all ready to go out tick or treating. I painted a little red nose and some freckles on her. It really looked cute. Michaela went door to door for over an hour, and even then, she could have gone longer, but Jon decided it was enough. What a trooper!

Story Time

Halloween was on Tuesday this year, and on Tuesdays Michaela has Story Hour at the library. Although the children weren't told to dress up, they all came in costume! I let Michaela choose which costume she wanted to wear, and she chose a red cape and a crown. She said she was a "Queen". She looked very cute.

Pumpkin Day!

Michaela really got into pumpkins this year. This first picture is the pumpkin she decorated at her art class. She did everything herself. I think it looks fantastic!
This is the pumpkin we carved on Halloween. I let Michaela choose a pattern off of the internet, so although I did the carving, she picked the face! She was so excited when we lit the candle in it.

Skating Video

Here's a video of the hour-and-a-half of Michaela skating. I was strongly tempted to make a blooper reel but my conscience kicked in. The sound quality was horrible so we decided to follow Josh's lead and put the video to music. We honestly considered using Tom and Lori's "Copycat" song...

Skating Party

Michaela was invited to a skating Birthday party for two of her friends on Sunday. It was her first time skating and we were so impressed with how well she did. At first Jon pushed her arould while she held onto a cone. Afterwards he told me that she went, "AAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" the whole time. By the end of an hour and 20 min. She was moving, skating and falling all on her own, and having a blast. The whole experience renewed my determination to put her in skating lessons this winter.

What Fun!

Michaela's Grandmaman, Marthe, gave her a Barbie pool for her Birthday. Here's a picture I thought was so cute of Michaela playing with it. She has so much fun with it, and gets water EVERYWHERE! But that's ok. I remember how much fun it was to play like this when I was little.

Michaela was fascinated by the "jungle". She loved searching for all the hidden animals, especially the monkeys!
Family photo. Thanks Auntie Meghan! Too bad that guy didn't take the hint and get out of the way for the picture. Oh well.
The otter was a huge favorite. The kids loved watching him swim back and forth, doing tricks, seemingly for our entertainment.
The other favorite was the huge underwater tank, simulating the waters of the St.Laurence lowlands (I think). There were sting rays and massive sturgeon, and these adorable little birds that would dive down and swim under the water looking for food.

Look Out Biodome....Here We Come!!!!

We drove all the way to the Biodome on Saturday, which was a breeze in our rented Behemoth. Our little monst....I mean Angels! had a wonderful time.

3 Silly-Billies!

Meghan, Aaron, Micah, and Elizabeth came to stay with us for the weeked (talk about a full house!). We decided to rent a car large enough to get us all around. We rented an 8 seater Ford (Explorer?). It was awesome! The kids were all in the last row, able to be silly and loud and have fun together!

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.