Sunday, October 14, 2012

September Random Cuteness

A moth landed on Maelyn's foot and she was fascinated by it..

It kept crawling around her foot and she said that it tickled her...

Our little miss who NEVER wanted her picture taken decided that
she wanted a photo taken...

So cute!

Time spent with 'her' Julia....two peas in a pod!

Friday, October 12, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Thanksgiving afternoon spent with family...
 


Maelyn thought that this coyote used to scare away birds was
just like a ride at the park - hehe!


Mackenize with her newphew/our cousin, Carter...


Maelyn loved Carter!



My brother with Ian...


An uncle with the kiddos..


Uncle Cam is always so much fun!



A Thanksgiving feast...


Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

18 months & 40 days

Today, Ailee is 18 months old -- our little girl is a year and a half! This milestone is so special because it is the last milestone that we won't celebrate with Ailee in person. Next month, when Ailee is 19 months old, she will be in our arms -- a part of our family. The thought takes my breath away.



Maelyn has been getting more and more excited about becoming a big sister. Almost daily, she has been asking us about when we are going to China. Tonight, Paul and Maelyn surprised me by putting a count down calendar together.




A visual representation of when we are going and who is coming...hehe!
Happy 18 months, Ailee! We can't wait to meet you!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Family

Family life is so much sweeter now that we have little ones to spend time with...

Love this little guy -- cutest nephew ever!!



Silly cousins...





Three of my favourite people...

Monday, October 1, 2012

Happy Mid-Autumn Moon Festival!

Besides Christmas, Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is my favourite holiday that we celebrate as a family. How could you not love getting together with friends and going on a moon-lit walk? We truly feel blessed to be surrounded by our China family of friends and we love being able to celebrate together.

Moon Festival celebrations have been held throughout Asia for over one thousand years. The Moon Festival is often compared to a sort of "Chinese Thanksgiving" because of its spirit of gratitude and its inclusion of an abundance of food. Moon cakes are an important part of the festival and are a representation of the full moon.



The kids, big and small, played together for hours, while the grown-ups chatted and caught up on each other's lives.







We decided to forego the homemade Chinese food this year and instead celebrated in style -- with pizza! We did, however, have traditional Chinese Moon Festival desserts -- moon cakes and moon cookies. Yummy!




 
After dinner, it was time to make our lanterns...
 










 
We donned our glow bracelets and rods, braved the drizzle outside and went for our annual parade around the neighbourhood...



Maelyn said that her favourite part of the night was 'holding Jennie's hand
while we were walking outside.'



There are many similarities between Mid-Autumn Moon Festival and Canadian Thanksgiving. Although we don't always take the time to appreciate and count our blessings, we know that we are blessed to have such a wonderful and loving extended family. And we cannot wait to add Ailee into the mix!

Happy Mid-Autumn Moon Festival!