Finally

This one above is Katie dancing in the car after Salsa class.

And Salsa Tots video. It's hard to get video of her, as she mostly stands and watches everyone during class. She very much enjoys it, but she gets pretty enthralled by watching all the other kids.


And some pictures too. Katie and Murphy, double trouble. Wherever one is, the other is not far behind. They chase each other around all day long. It's pretty funny.

I had to show her how to hold him, she kept trying to pick him up by the head. Poor cat.

Andrew was working in the garage and Katie wanted to watch him, so I put her up on her bench to watch. Next thing I knew, Murphy was scrambling up so he could see too.
New favorite game (besides pound the cat): Throw all the toys out of the toybox! As you can see, Murphy likes to help.
Poor little guy is all tuckered out.

Meet Murphy

This is our new guy Murphy. He's very sweet. We picked him up on Saturday. Katie is totally in love, and he adores her. Follows her everywhere. Bailey is just as indifferent to him as she is to Morgan, and he loves Bailey as much as Morgan does, in typical cat fashion. Morgan is so not impressed that there is another cat here. Not sure how long it's going to take her to warm up, but hopefully soon.

And, since we have a new kitten to occupy a baby, I've been getting lots of knitting done. Here's the scarf again, just started the second skein of yarn. I think that I'm going to end up using 3 skeins instead of 2, because I want it to be long.

New scarf

I started this scarf today. Mine will look similar to the multicolored one at the bottom of that page. I'm making it with a wool/mohair/silk blend yarn that is very nice to work with. Hoping to have it done before it gets too much colder.

Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty...

I have a video of this that I will put up in a week or so when I've got faster internet. So funny. She clonked the cat on the head once because she was so excited about it, and after that the poor cat wasn't sure if she wanted to chase the bug or run away from the stick.



We have a child who likes to look out the window and see what the animals are doing. And a good part of the day, the horse stands at the gate, so if the dog is out Katie can see all three outside critters at once. However, it was getting a little dangerous...

So we made some adjustments to furniture. This is actually Katie's toybox. It has a lid with a cushion, so it can be used for extra seating. And it makes a great viewpoint.

Falling behind again

I still have more pictures from our trip to share with you, but the whole program crashed the last time I tried to do it. Hope to get to that soon. After the winterizing, maybe. It seems that winter will be coming early this year.

Anyhow. Let's get on with the pictures.

Here is Miss Katie modelling the latest in baby fashion. She is wearing an adorable handknit dress from our friend Korin, and snuggly soft handknit scarf from Aunty Joannie, and a homemade bracelet from her cousin Dylan. And does she ever know how cute she is.

And the latest in baby farm-wear. I went to get our hay the other morning, wanted to get it dealt with before Andrew got home so he wouldn't have to worry about it. So I dropped Katie off at Grandma M's before I went. Of course that meant waking her up 2 hours earlier than she usually gets up, so she was a bit tired. But she got there just in time to help feed the critters, so it was well worth it.

This week has been rough on the poor kid. Monday, she managed to find a bee that had gotten in somehow, and not only did she find it, but she picked it up. That did not turn out well for either of them, as you can well guess. Then Tuesday, she used the table leg to keep herself from falling on the floor, and her momentum swung her around into it and split her lip. As you can see from the little red mark and the big fat lip in this picture. So far there haven't been any more crises this week, let's hope it stays that way.

She didn't let it keep her down for long though!
She's even holding that waffle with her stung hand.

She still fits into her GrammyJammies! Barely, but she fits.

I bought these tubs yesterday at the grocery store. I've discovered that it's cheaper for me to go grocery shopping when we're in the city for Salsa Tots than it is to go shopping here in town. By a considerable amount so far, so that's what we're doing. But the store we're going to charges you for each bag you use. They do sell these little totes, they're the same ones they use as baskets when you shop (except those have handles) and they're very handy.

Katie found them entertaining as well. She must've spent over half an hour in there today. She'd get out and get a new toy or a book and climb back in again. I guess they make good, baby-sized chairs. They'd have made good baby bathtubs as well, but she's a bit splashy for that now.

Loads of pictures

From far off lands.

No pictures today, but I thought I'd give a brief update.

We've been having a great time here in the supposedly sunny Oregon. It's been pretty cool, but at least not as cold as nights have been at home. Katie went on her first plane ride on Wednesday, and she did great. She fell asleep just as the wheels left the ground on the first flight, and the second one she pretty much had the flight attendant's complete attention. She even got cookies before we took off. We had lots of fun playing at airports, Katie even got to play with another little girl in the Vancouver airport. Then she had some good snuggles when we met up with Grandma & Grandpa. Funniest part about the trip was waving good-bye to all the planes and buildings as we taxied away from the Vancouver airport. Second funniest, was taking the carseat through security. The guard says "Wow there's a lot of metal in that!" Um, yep. That's why we picked that one.

Aunty Lindsay and Ross arrived safe and sound on Thursday. Took Katie a little while to warm up because she's never met Ross before, and hasn't seen Auntie in a year, and she was so tired, but she got there. We also found Katie a cute pair of winter boots on sale at an outlet store. They're made with Thinsulate and nice soles, so they should be great for walks in the snow.

Today, we all went to lunch in Portland with one of my cousins who we haven't seen in ages. He hadn't even met Katie yet. It was good to see him. Then we went for a long walk at the zoo and had a great time. Katie loves to go look at animals. She was most excited by the trout, salmon & sturgeon in the Pacific Northwest section. That section is mostly new since the last time I went to the zoo and it's amazing. Just beautiful.

That's all for now. Perhaps we'll have a few pictures in a day or two.

It's fall!

This'll be the last update before Katie's big adventure. If we can get pictures from the camera to the computer and I have time to borrow a computer, there may be more updates. Otherwise, everyone will just have to wait a bit. Tomorrow, Katie gets to go on her first plane ride. And the second as well, I suppose, but all in one day. We're going to visit Grammy & Grandpa where it's still summer. As you can see, it has become Fall at our house. The leaves are turning, we're picking apples, there's a little chill in the air. Before you know it, there will be snow.

Why yes, I'd love to go for a walk!

What's all this stuff on the ground?

Big girl.

Today Katie sat in the big chair and fed herself some yogurt with a spoon. Pretty funny. Took her ages, because she was mostly just dipping the spoon and licking it off, but she was so excited to do it herself.

A Milestone

At least that's what I'm told.

I cut the feet off Katie's pyjamas today. Only one of her pyjamas, but still. Cut them off just above the ankle elastic, and now the bottom hangs just below her knees. Those suckers were tight. Now they fit nicely again.

I also had to take the cover off the carseat and wash it, because she'd made a mess of it. Cracker crumbs I can deal with, but I gave her a bit of muffin the other day and she apparently stuck it under her leg for safe keeping. Not sure why she felt the need to do that, but there you go. All clean now, and a bit of a comparison. She's so big. But the clothes she was wearing in December were obviously too big, because they still fit!

A Beary Cute Canadian.

And the latest in baby containment devices. There is a contraption called the Learning Tower. Katie hopes to have the Grandpa made version at some point (sooner than later, we hope), but for now we have to make do with the dining room chairs. It works pretty well, besides her not being able to get up & down by herself. She's in & secure, and happy that she can see what I'm doing, and I'm happy that she's not going to get hurt.

Gimme that camera! I want to look at the baby too!

I know, I know. I'm beary cute.

Quick catch up with pictures.

Just a few photos from this month. Nothing too exciting, we tried to stay home as much as possible after our big holiday.

She loves her watermelon. She'll eat tons of it if you let her. Not sure yet what we're going to do about that when winter comes.

She has also rediscovered her rocking chair, and she loves it. Snuggling here with her hedgehog.

Look at all those teeth.

Snuggling with her baby. She lugged that baby all over the place this day. The next day was the big stuffed zebra.
Little bruise on her left cheek from falling off the little step in front of the house. Not far enough to do any real damage, but enough to give her a good scare. Poor kid.

Slipping further and further behind

August 4, 2007
Today was a bit of a lazy day. Lots of splashing in the river, sitting around catching up with everyone, things like that. Naps were had by some. We had the traditional potluck in the afternoon, a bit different than usual since we weren't allowed to roast the meat on the spit, but there are enough travel trailers now that everyone put a bit of roast in their oven and it all turned out great. In the evening (after it had cooled off a bit), Katie helped her Grampa push a wagon around. Her cousin Arie brought some good toys with her. Katie and Grampa also tested out Arie's bike, which Katie enjoyed immensly but not quite as much as the wagon. Have to point out to Grampa that she can't really learn to ride the bike until she can reach the pedals. In the evening, everyone gathered around the firepit (lit by lanterns now that we couldn't have a fire), and some people helped make huckleberry ice cream. Not sure how this tradition started, but it's a good one. We had to take a cranky baby to bed before the ice cream was ready, but there was enough to go around and Grammy brought some to our tent for us.

PS. Grampa, that bike must've made an impression, because she was most excited by the bicycles at the parade on Friday.

Now, pictures!

This camping is hard work. Notice the little twine belt. Every child who has ever been to the campout has had a twine belt at some point. Katie's was because her diaper didn't fill out her jeans like it usually does.

Helping Grampa move that wagon. She was much happier to push than she was to ride in it.

A bicycle, eh?

I think she likes it. Look at those dirty, dirty knees!

Aubrey helping make ice cream.
And that's all the pictures I have from our trip. Sunday was the day to pack up camp and head back to Great-Grandma & Great-Grandpa's house, and Monday we all parted ways and headed back home. After the obligatory trip up the mountain on the gondola, of course. Katie enjoyed that very much.

August 3, 2007

Happy Birthday to me! I think that we've celebrated my birthday more often at the campout than not. And that suits me just fine, what better way to celebrate than surrounded by people who love you in a beautiful place.

Today was more lounging and more playing in the river. Very hot, and the first day of the Stage 2 firebans, which means no open flame. All our cooking had to be done on campstoves now, and propane only. Also meant no more long talks around the fire at night. Lanterns just don't have the same effect, so everyone goes to bed early. But there's good news! It's friday, and that means that Uncle Bob is making his Mulligan Stew. Good stuff, that Mulligan. In fact, the only pictures I have from today are of the Mulligan preparations.

Bob browns the meat while Aubrey gets started chopping onions. My Mom in the foreground chopping turnips or some such thing.

Uncle Jim adds his advice, which apparently has Andrew scratching his head. Or maybe he's just never participated in the Mulligan preparations before.

And Aubrey just keeps chopping away. They had her peeling turnips after she was done with the onion. I'd take the turnips anyday.

August 2, 2007

I'm a slacker. I only took 2 pictures on this day. Terrible. At least they're cute.

Today we started out at a leisurely pace with Grandma & Grandpa. We got ourselves ready (read: bought food), helped them get ready, and we all headed out to the river for the family campout. There were a few people already there, but we were the first tenters so we got to pick our spots first. That's never happened to me before! Mom & Dad even made it before dark. We spent most of the day lounging around and chatting with family we hadn't seen in a while. Splashed in the river a little, set up camp, and generally just relaxed. A welcome change from the few days prior.

Katie pictures only today.

First she wanted to go for a walk in the river.

Then she splashed herself and got mad, so Daddy had to rescue her.

Aug 1, 2007

Today we woke up earlier than yesterday, but not by much, thank goodness. Andrew got out of the tent to start loading the truck and was told by the people next to us that a black bear had passed right by our tent just a few minutes before. We're glad we were all asleep for that. Here's a map of Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park if you'd like to follow along.

We started our morning at the Crandell Mountain campsite, site D10, if I remember correctly. Drove out of the park to cross the border, went through that with no problems at all. It really does benefit you to have all your paperwork in order and ready when you get to the crossing. Stopped for breakfast near Babb, Montana at Two Sisters Cafe. I've had better eggs benedict, but the service was amazing, and Andrew & Aubrey said their food was excellent. And I was quite thankful to be served actual brewed decaf coffee. Most everyone up here tries to give me instant when I order decaf. Not long after that, we entered the park on the Going-To-The-Sun Road (the big red road on the map). About 2 minutes after that, we stopped at Sun Point to walk out to the point and take a short walk down the trail to Baring Falls. I didn't take any pictures of the falls this time, but I have a couple from our last trip. Correction, I didn't take any pictures with my camera. I took some for Aubrey though. Also at Sun Point, the only pictures that I took of people I know all day. Ah well. Gorgeous scenery though.

Spotted some mountain goats somewhere between Logan's Pass and the Weeping Wall. Okay, so we spotted a whole pile of tourists out of their cars first, then we spotted the goats. We stayed in our vehicle and got ahead of the pack.

We took another short walk at McDonald Falls, just enough to realize that you can't actually get to the falls from the overlook. Something about a sheer rock face...

We then swiftly exited the park and headed through the wilds of Montana. Seemed like a much shorter trip than the last one. Of course, there weren't any water bombers to watch this time, and we knew where we were going. Took Aubrey into the 10,000 Silver Dollar Bar in Lincoln, just so we could tell her mom that we took her to the bar. And because you just can't drive past without stopping for a peek. Then we left Montana for Idaho and couldn't get to Grandma & Grandpa's fast enough. We were all very glad to see them and very glad to stretch our legs again.

Pictures!

Katie, Andrew & Aubrey on Sun Point. Aubrey is looking for the chipmunk who was threatening to eat our toes because we didn't bring him peanuts like everyone else.

Andrew & Katie. We've decided that Katie likes to ride on Andrew's back because she can hold my hand, but she likes my back better because it's shorter and she can see over my shoulders.
The view to the East from Sun Point. This lake is incredible. It is so clear and so deep. Beautiful.
Looking West from Sun Point. It's hazy because there are lots of forest fires in the area. I'm glad we got through here so early because by the time we got to McDonald Lake in the afternoon, we couldn't even see across the lake because of the smoke haze.

Why did the goat cross the road?
There are 3 in this picture, I think that the one at the far right and the one in the middle were born this year.

Another one. Doing what mountain goats do when they aren't crossing roads.

The ever elusive McDonald Falls.