Happy Halloween!

What a perfect night! The weather was warm and dry - we couldn't ask for anything better. There was even a nearly full moon which made for a bright evening. The boys had comfortable, cute costumes and a gang of friends to trick-or-treat with. We went out with Joel & Cooper, Marcus & Victoria, and Tristan.

Matthew is a very handsome Batman - Dark Knight. Everyone LOVED Michael's little monkey suit. The banana in the back pocket was a cute finishing touch. The way he waddled he truly looked like a little monkey.
Matthew of course knew what Halloween was all about, but Michael caught on quite quickly. He was running up to doors with the big kids, pushing his way to the front and then reaching into the bowls of candy and helping himself. Everyone thought he was so adorable they let him take as much as he wanted. He either really likes the colour orange or he loves peanut butter because he seemed to grab alot of reeses peanut butter cups and reeses pieces.

After we finished trick or treating in our complex I dropped Michael off at home with John so Matthew and I could continue trick-or-treating with the big kids. We also got Matthew a new bag since his was getting so heavy. At the end of the night we came home for a hot drink and
Matthew got to eat some of his treats. We dumped all of his goodies out on the table (no this doesn't not include all the candies Michael got!) and he sorted through it all. When we said it was time to go to bed he actually asked if he could have another minute to look at all his candy. He was in heaven.


Matthew thinks he has enough treats to last him until NEXT HALLOWEEN!

A day at the PNE

We have had a fun-filled summer, which I will likely not get around to blogging. Sorry. But as we start to think about returning to school and work I will hopefully be better at regularly updating the blog again.

Yesterday we had a fabulous big kids day at the PNE. My friend,Lauretta, and I took Katie and Matthew for a day of junk food and rides - without the little siblings. It was a big treat for us all.

Apparently Matthew thinks we live in Britain - every car ride today he chose the right hand drive.

The kids rode all the junior rides. Matthew was aching to try the big kid rides too - he'll have to wait a few years unfortunately.

This look of joy was permanently etched on Matthew's face during
the roller coaster ride.

The cotton candy was a big hit too!

Both kids bravely stuck their heads in the lion's mouth
as well.

Happy Birthday, Michael!

Although Michael won't officially be one year old until the 30th, we celebrated this past Sunday with Nana, Papa, Grandma & Grandpa Dixon and Aunty Sammy. Aunty Heather and Uncle Corey were in Europe on their honeymoon, so they missed the festivities.

Michael was beaming as we all sang to him, and he did make an attempt at blowing out his candles, but Matthew beat him to it. What a helpful big brother!

As soon as the cake was set down within Michael's reach he grabbed a fist full of blue icing! What a monkey.
We offered him a piece of cake, but he really didn't seem to like it. We have noticed that Michael doesn't have much of a sweet tooth. He did enjoy squashing it though and rubbing it all over his body.

Once everyone had a piece of cake Michael was ready to join the blueman group, so we gave him a speedy bath so he could open his gifts with out recoloring the living room.

This is a shot of the birthday gang. Michael will have to get used to sharing his birthday with the rest of the family (not to mention many friends with birthdays at the end of June too). Papa (June 29th), Aunty Sammy (June 24th), Grandpa (June 26th).Michael knew just what to do with all the gifts too. He grabbed envelopes first, let Matthew open everything, and then settled down to play with a few things while I unwrapped things like clothing and cards.

Once everyone had gone home Michael had a nap. In the evening we took a nice picnic dinner to Harrier Park and let the boys play in the evening sun.

It was a wonderful day to bring to an end Michael's First Fabulous Year.

Kiddie Pool Fun

Auntie Sammy gave the boys a kiddie pool back in the cold days of Christmas time - what a lifesaver it was this week. With temperatures in the 30 degree range the boys had a great time cooling down in the water. Matthew is almost too big for the pool, but enjoys the freedom to splash like crazy - which he isn't allowed to do in the tub. Michael just spends his time crawling in and out, and trying to drink the water.

1st Haircut

Michael's hair was starting to get a bit out of control over the ears and in the back, so I just couldn't wait for his first birthday as I had planned to give the little guy a trim. We made a trip out of it to John's barber in Burnaby and all 3 boys got the haircut. Just like his older brother Michael was curious at first about the razor and then decided he did not want his hair cut. Poor fellow. Depsite the fussing, squirming and screaming I think it turned out pretty well.

Michael had started the haircut sitting on John's lap under the cape. Within a
minute he was standing and the cape was nearly gone.

Up, Up, and Away!

Michael has managed two pretty big milestones in the last 2 days. He has started to say the word "Up!" when he wants to be picked up from his high chair at mealtimes. We think he has also said "Heather" and Bye bye!", but when we asked him to repeat these words he didn't.



His other new skill is climbing the stairs. John and I were both shocked to see him sitting at the bottom of the stairs one second (which he does a lot since Bucca's toys are in a basket there) and then on the 4th step a few seconds later. Since his first (and very successful) attempt at climbing all he has done is practice. Here is a video of one of his first tries, he slips a little on some of the steps. I should make another video because in the past 2 hours he has become even quicker and more sure footed.

Aloha!

Aloha! It has been awhile since my last post due to creating wedding invites for my sister and a close friend, hanging out with the boys, holding stamping classes, and most recently living island life in Kona, Hawaii with my ohana (family) including my sister Heather. I can't promise I'll fill you in on the past few weeks at home (if time permits I will), but here is a quick look at our Hawaiian holiday.

We spent many days hanging out at beaches. Michael especially loved crawling around in the surf.

We went to the Black Sands Beach and saw the Honu (turtles).

We took the boys on a glass bottom boat & dolphin adventure. We saw spinner dolphins and 2 bottlenose dolphins swam with us for the entire trip entertaining us at every reef we stopped at.

We drove to the volcanoes and stood at the crater at Kilauea. Matthew was a little scared of the steam vents we could walk up to, but thought the big one in the crater was cool. We didn't get to see any flowing lava, but we did get to walk through a lava tube.

We went to Place of Refuge and saw all the tikis. There were a ton!

Matthew was thrilled to be at the luau, eat kalua pork and watch the hula girls. He even got to watch his Auntie Heather go up on stage to dance!

We swam in the pool, walked the Kona strip, ate in too many restaurants and generally relaxed. The heat and the swimming really wore the boys out though. Matthew even napped most days. Then again that may be due to the fact they were getting up around 5:30 am and going to bed around 9pm.

We had a fabulous time and can't wait to go back!