Randomness ....

I've been having trouble keeping up here (and everywhere if truth be told!), but I am making good ground and expect to be where I want in the next few days. There is nothing like feeling caught up and that you have ev.ry.thing. under control ...
In an effort to get there, I'm just going to share a few random highlights from November ... in no particular or significant order!

Hanging with a good friend, doing hair and some serious sewing:


A fresh winter photo:

Organizing the loot bags:

The tree:

The gingerbread houses;

Phone girl:

The Surprise Birthday Party:
All dressed:


Christmas crafts:

And a guy in red:


Ah ... feeling good here ...

The Birthday PARTY!

This year Cadence's birthday went off without a glitch ...
We had a slightly smaller guest list, a larger venue and whole lot of physical activity ... oh, and best of all, it was half the price and twice the fun!

There was...

ZUMBA time:

and glow stick accessories:

They were dancing in the dark ... almost:

and eating pizza and cake (not the big tray of veggies I took home!):

There were yoga mats ... perfect for a 'picnic':

and lots of generous presents:

There was even a makeshift 'mosh pit':

and then there was even more!

The Birthday

Preparing the loot bags the night before and very happy to say goodbye to four:

Good morning FIVE and hello cash:

EXACTLY what I wanted ... get ready to rock ... even more:

Seven A.M concert ... yay!:

A birthday breakfast cinnamon bun:

Ready for a real photographer:

Dinner out with the folks and locking 'horns':

FIVE!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful, big, FIVE year old!!!

C the Science Girl

Cadence totally loves Science. She's seen every episode of Sid the Science Kid multiple times. So, when one of the readers she brought home was 'science' based, we took the opportunity to try the 'experiments' out.

Some things float and some things sink ... who knew???

He Sent the White Stuff ...

I have no doubt that Winston got up there and took care of sending all of that white stuff our way...maybe he was trying to tell us he was okay.
He sure made someone smile that's for sure...



Those were photos taken first thing in the morning and even though she got lots of recess time outdoors, it wasn't quite enough.
She was back into it right after school ... til Mommy's toes were frozen ...


Winston sure would have loved being out there with us ...

Thanks little buddy!

WINSTON

July 1, 1997 - November 10, 2011

I write this post with a sad and heavy heart today...

Thursday, we were in shock as we suddenly had to say goodbye to you, our dear Winston.

Although 14 and a half, you still had lots of energy, were able to jump up on the furniture and beds, climb the stairs and walk the block. Your next haircut was booked, we had food and treats stored away at Baba's for the next trip north and plans to include you in Cadence's photos next week.

But, on Sunday, I noticed you were breathing heavy and as I lay petting you, you turned your head and looked at me with those big brown eyes, and I knew in that moment, you weren't right ... you were hurting. We just didn't realize how quickly you would be ready to leave us buddy ... and for that we are so very, very sad. We wish we could have had just a little more time ... to snuggle, to be with you, to comfort you, to get one more little nose kiss. Oh how we will miss you!

How do I begin to write a fitting tribute to our beautiful, brave, loving bichon?

Winston, you truly were one of a kind! You were there from the beginning, creating a family for Sean and I. You were the 'baby' of our family for a long, long time. I remember and treasure those moments you would lay your head in my lap and comfort me as I cried for the other babies that never came. And oh, how after ten years you embraced Cadence into our little family. You NEVER left her side ... right up to those last nights, when you must have been in such pain, you mustered up the strength to jump up into her bed to keep her company. You made us so happy, Winston. We loved the way you had to be right up against us where ever we were sitting, how you were the nosiest neighbour on the block, the little skip you had in your step, the excited noises you would make when we got home, the way you looked after Cadence, always within her reach. Things just won't be the same around here without you, my friend!

Winston, we hope you had a good life with us ... we always said you didn't even know you were a dog ... you really weren't ... you were family!

We love you so much and are going to miss you like crazy ... you will be forever in our hearts!

Rest in peace buddy ......

All Dressed Up and Ready to Roll ....

There were black and orange days, pumpkin carving, decorations and spooky food, costume wearing at dance and the big day itself! Halloween isn't just a night of trick or treating anymore ....

A Wonderful Wedding!

There is nothing like a wedding to bring all the family together! I love seeing Cadence enjoy hanging with her cousins, aunts and uncles. It brings me back to wonderful memories ... luckily, I still get to enjoy hanging with MY cousins and aunts and uncles too!

Love this one of the groom ... he really has that, "Do I really want to do this?" look.

And he really did! He and his beautiful bride were simply glowing!

Here's our stunning beauty posing in her party dress...


Here's a few of the cousins:

One of many daughter and daddy dances:

Baba and the dancing queens:


Once again, as this is the second wedding in a few months (same outfits for us all) that we neglected to take any family photos.
Unfortunately that's what happens when I tend to be the one behind the lens! I'm going to have to get better at getting in on the shots!

Congratulations once again Mike and Alayna!!! Hope you 'kids' are enjoying Disney......