Stampeding July

July has been non stop! We've been to Sherwood Park, Lake Isle, the CPS Kids Stampede Party and spent lots of time splashing in the water keeping cool! Its been a hot couple of weeks but I won't complain (even thought I'm 8 months pregnant) because when winter hits I'll be wishing it was summer! I can't believe July is almost over and Baby will be here soon! We've been attempting to potty train Julia and she's getting her big girl bed next week, she's almost 2...how did that happen so fast!?!?

 CANADA DAY at LAKE ISLE with Cole & Brodie and Grandpa and "Grandpa" Stachniak 

Julia doesn't seem to notice the one letter difference between Grandma and Grandpa, so they both get called the same thing!

Auntie Debbie got a new puppy. Julia and Lucy were instant friends!

 Pool Party with Shamus

 CPS Kids Stampede Party

 We took the C-Train to the party and Julia was so excited about riding the ChooChoo Train, I think she enjoyed this more than anything at the party! There were balloon animals, a petting zoo, bouncy castles and lots of treats!

 She loved the rabbits, and when she says rabbit she sounds like Elmer Fudd!

 The sheep were "messy", because they were covered in hay!

Spray deck with Max & Cam Medlicott

 Good-Bye Pearl! Hello Minivan!

Sophie is camera shy, hot and tired!

Baby Love & Little Friends

June was a busy month for us and for my friends. Kirsten and Jenna both had darling baby boys within days of each other and Julia finished up her time at dayhome...which means I am done working for the next 14 months!!!

I got to have quick visits with the new babies, Julia met Baby William or "Willwum" but had a meltdown when I tried taking her to meet Baby Henrik, she ended up going to the park with her cousins instead! Both boys are so sweet and small! I can't wait to snuggle them again soon!

 Playdate with Ella & Faye before they moved back to Edmonton. Ella was a little stunned by Julia's wild ways, but they eventually started playing together and did Ring Around the Rosie together a 100 times!

 Julia's last day at Laura's dayhome. She had so much fun playing with all the kids! From top left Will, Carter, Shamus, Ellie, Julia and Brynn.

 Kisses for Baby Willwum

 Julia and Craig are now best friends!

 Congratulations my beautiful friend on your beautiful boy!

Hello Baby Henrik

 What a gorgeous family!

 Big Brother Love

Bellies!

My hair got shorter and my belly got bigger! I'm 28 weeks pregnant in this picture!

Jenna and I got to have a quick lunch date a couple weeks ago, I really miss being able to hang out with her all the time!  We can talk for hours and it feels like 5 minutes, I don't think 3 days went by, when we were on maternity leave with Finn & Julia, that we didn't have a chat, cry or laugh about our ups and downs of motherhood! I'm so glad we get to experience baby #2 together as well! We

 had to get pictures of our bellies together, since we did it the first time we were pregnant too! 

Jenna is about 36 weeks and I'm about 26 weeks in these shots!

 Love the torpedo belly!

Family Moments

Bonding with Graggy & Papa at the Lake.

We got to see Baby again last week (25 weeks pregnant), to check on a few things...all is well! Below is a picture of Baby blowing bubbles (we think the bubble might be its hand???)

 Pat has never worn a uniform since Julia arrived, this is her first picture with Policeman Daddy...we taught her how to say "Daddy is the PoePoe!"

 Matching outfits for 2 cute girls!

A Day with Thomas the Train - May 12, 2012

The Hamiltons came to Calgary for the Mother's Day Weekend and we all went to see Thomas the Train at Heritage Park! Gage & Julia had so much fun watching Thomas and got to ride on the train too! On Sunday our husbands (and kids) took us out for a delicious brunch and spoiled us Mommies with wonderful gifts! We had such a great weekend hanging out with good, old friends!

(click on any of the pictures to make them bigger)

 Adorable, priceless little faces!

 On the train

They were done with pictures, especially Gage and wanted some ice cream!

 Playing Choo-choo all day is exhausting!

Baby #2s are on their way: Kirst is due June 21st and I'm due September 1st.

Could they be any cuter together!

Jill came for a visit, us girls talked for hours...the boys watched hockey!

Yummiest Pancakes Ever!

We eat these pancakes a lot! Julia loves pancakes, she thinks cupcakes and muffins are pancakes too!

Banana Pancakes

(makes 10 – 12 pancakes)

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tbsp white sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 pinch nutmeg

2 pinches cinnamon

¼ tsp salt

1 egg, beaten

1 cup milk

2 tbsp vegetable oil

½ tsp vanilla

2 ripe bananas

(I always add blueberries or strawberries too)

1.     Combine flour, white sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt.

2.     In a separate bowl, mix together egg, milk, vegetable oil, vanilla and bananas.

3.     Stir flour mixture into banana mixture (batter will be lumpy).

4.     Pour or scoop about ¼ cup of batter for each pancake into a pan or griddle, cook until golden brown on both sides.

5.     Serve with fresh strawberries or bananas and maple syrup.