Trip to the Island

This past weekend we went on a family trip to Nanaimo for Ken's cousin's after wedding party. It was quite an exciting adventure for Melissa as we rode a ferry and stayed overnight in a hotel!

Melissa's first look at the ocean as we were waiting in line to board the ferry.

On-board, on the very cold and windy deck!

Taking in the sites...

There were many seagulls flying along side us as we were on the deck... they were near the same speed as us, but a little faster and Melissa found it quite humorous... we had a good look at them as they came really close!

Melissa & Co. This is how she liked to travel! (with Kitty, Dora, & Daisy)

The after-wedding party was held at "Moose Lodge". Melissa wasn't feeling the moose. No way was she going to pet him!

Melissa made great efforts to try and play with the older kids. Most of the time it looked liked pig in the middle, but she was more than excited to be in the mix of it all!

The newly wed couple, Michael & Jasmine, cutting the cake.

Melissa was captivated by the bride Jasmine, who to her was a real live princess!

Posing for a picture with Princess Jasmine!

Coloring with some new friends...

Back on the ferry, Melissa passes time playing in the children's play area, talking on the big old phone (very short conversations I might add).

A nostril shot of the three of us...

make it four of us... Daisy was along for the ride too!

Daddy's little girl :)


It is still a daily question if we can go back on the ferry again!
She had a great time!

First Snow (of the season)

Tonight Melissa was filled with great excitement when she looked out the window at the snow that was coming down and accumulating on the ground. She was more than eager to go play outside in it...

All suited up and ready to play...

Aboard her sled...

and off we go.

Daddy pulled her around the cul-de-sac to look at all the neighbour's house lights.

Neighbour Kim came out to say hi and give Melissa a candy treat!

Such great fun!

Thomas Elves

Click here to see the Thomas elves dance.

3' Fiber Optic Christmas Tree

Tonight we added a little bit of Christmas to our home with the setting up of our little 3 foot fiber optic Christmas tree. It was a very exciting moment for Melissa as she has been seeing Christmas trees all around town and even in our neighbors' windows across the street.

Her first look at the tree after it came out of the box... I think there was a little bit of concern!

Fluffing the tree as best as can be...

A crowd gathers to watch the excitement (I wonder if they remember previous years?)

Melissa just can't get enough touching the little lights...


Melissa - 35" / Christmas tree 36" (somehow I think the tree has shrunk from its original size)

Curiosity would kill this cat... he couldn't resist getting up close when we had to sprint for an emergency potty break!


A picture flashback to last year when Melissa was 19 months old...

Potty Princess

About two weeks ago Melissa & I seriously took on potty training. Melissa was more than ready, and after a few accidents things have been very smooth sailing... it's more about me getting used to the idea of asking her to go before we go out etc.

The past few days Melissa has been sick and house bound, and she has been very into wearing her little princess shoes and sunglasses. She keeps busy clopping around the house in her little hi-heels and sunglasses she can barely see through cause of all her little fingerprints on them... she isn't bashful about asking for compliments! This little princess even wears her sunglasses and shoes on her royal throne :)

Crafty Girl

This past week Melissa & I have spent many hours together watercolor painting, playing with playdough & making different crafts. Melissa has grown into a decent attention span which makes it easier to really enjoy doing these sort of things together.

Some balloon guys that we made...



Fancy watercolor art...

A paste & stick train made at Pre-school Jr.


Hair-salon playdough



The many different do's we made!

Bowling

This weekend Melissa & Kiera experienced their first game of bowling at my childhood bowling alley.

Melissa ready to roll her first ball with her fans cheering her on!

Trying the 'between-the-legs' method, but from there on out it was just easier for her to roll it however was easiest (but certainly not fastest)! At times the balls would come to a stop on the lane, or they would go so slow that they didn't have any momentum to even knock over the pins!

Bowling with Dad's coaching...

An aerial view...

A new fad... well not really, just some really broken-in bowling shoes!

Watching their parents bowl from the sidelines.

Girls just wanna have fun... and they sure did!

Hi-five...!

A goodnight hug for these two inseparable buddies!

Cousin Luca's Halloween

Just had to post this video of Melissa's cousin Luca (3 yrs) who lives in Toronto. He was a Pirate this Halloween, and he got very into the part!

Trick or Treating

Last night was a fun evening... the McMillan family joined us trick-or-treating around the neighbourhood. We had anticipated hitting a few houses, but the girls got the hang of it and were having such a great time that we spent over an hour hitting houses up for candy!

The trick-or-treating gang.

Our sweet little cow...

and her 'construction worker' accomplice, knocking on doors...

charming the folks for candy!

Filling up at a 'self serve' station.

Mommy & her prize cow!

Taking inventory of her loot.

Trying on Kiera's tool belt & pink hard hat!


Even today Melissa keeps saying how she wants to go door to door again... she even resorted to dressing up in her cow costume saying she was ready to go again! She had a great time :)