No Keys for Katie

Being kind of bleary this morning and rushing to get out the door, I locked the front door and set the alarm. Katie asked to hold the keys and I figured "why not". I'll tell you why not! Dropped Katie at daycare, turned up the music on the radio and did the slow crawl to work. Upon arriving, I have messages on my cell (on vibrate, couldn't hear it), messages at the front desk, e-mail, all telling me that I need to contact Dean, IMMEDIATELY! The alarm company received a Panic alert from our house and couldn't reach me. They phoned Dean, he tried to get in touch with me. I was in my own zone of sleepiness and loud music. They dispatched police to check our house. Poor Dean was so worried that something might have happened. Nope - just a little girl who figured out how to push the red button on the back of my alarm fob. No more keys for Katie. More paying attention for me.

Happy Halloween!

Festivities started on Friday at the office. The Grim Reaper made an appearance and 'took away' those who failed to dress up. Thankfully, I had a costume. And thanks to Nick for recognizing me as a "riparian ecosystem". I was just going to say 'wetland'. In the evening, Stacey and I carved some pumpkins for the front porch. They turned out quite well! Saturday afternoon, our friends arrived to have some trick or treating fun! Katie, our little tiger (she wouldn't wear the hood but was cute anyway). Marley, the little butterfly, getting cuter every day. Little monkey, Reece (he was also a skeleton for when he wasn't wearing the monkey suit). And here's Colten, the cowboy. He was a great pair for Stacey (the cowgirl) and she even showed him how to shoot her 'rifle'. And we're off trick or treating! At the end of the evening, Katie sorted out her loot to share with mommy and daddy. What a nice girl!

Thanks Saskatoon!

Our flight proved to be one of those "worst case scenarios" for parents (particularly, the parent travelling alone!). Not 30 minutes into the flight (Saskatoon to Edmonton, 3 hour layover, then on to Victoria), she threw up all over herself and me. Like a good mom, I tried catching it (ha ha ha) but the, uh, volume, was a bit much. The awesome flight attendant brought me towels and a garbage bag and then requested my bag get pulled at Edmonton so we could change our clothes. Whew! Because we were SOAKED! Gross (or as Katie would say, ewwww). In Edmonton, we had been planning on meeting up with Carli, Will and Bobby at the airport. Carli, being the superhero that she is, got some Gravol for Katie, making the rest of the trip MUCH better. Mommy, on the other hand, was starting to feel not-so-great. Thankfully, Katie was over the worst of it by the time she got home, cleaned up and put to bed by Daddy. I went to sleep early and we were both feeling better by morning. Thanks Saskatoon!

Grandma's 90th Birthday Bash

Katie and I popped out to Saskatoon this past weekend (Oct. 24) for my Grandma's 90th birthday party. We kept our visit pretty much a secret until we arrived. Grandma was VERY surprised to see us standing at the door!! Well worth it. We love Grandma! The party was great - lots of friends and family came to celebrate and honour a wonderful person who has touched so many people. The family put together a fabulous slide show of grandma's life. They found pictures of her right from babyhood to the present day. She has experienced so many things through her faith, her travels and her life. Happy Birthday!! Katie made some new friends. She was quite content walking around with Aunt Florence; had a nice chat with Uncle John; and took a great interest in the two Mikes. Katie, being Katie, inadvertently entertained people throughout the afternoon. During prayer, she noticed a garbage can and, making use of her words like a good girl said "garbage. ewwwww." What a girl. For entertainment purposes, mom introduced Katie to Grandma's walker. Then Katie decided to practice for when she, one day, would enter Bethany Manor. Mike (Kerry's boyfriend) noted that she drove it just like an old person! Before the party started, we took in some fresh air down by the river and caught some beautiful fall colours and some happy, happy girl. A part of the weekend was also spent visiting with Dean's family. Katie and I stayed with Murray and Kathy while in Saskatoon. Friday, we headed over to Scott and Ashley's for supper with them and Katie's other great-grandparents. My dear friend Nicole was also able to come for supper and we had a great time catching up (we haven't been face-t0-face in a few years). She was happy to meet Katie for the first time. Scott and the kids (Anderson and Addyson) also came for a quick breakfast on Sunday morning before we headed to the airport. We all tried one more time to get a picture of the three of them together. Always seems that one or the other is not co-operating!

A Toddler's Life

Here are just some of the strange and wonderful things that Katie likes to do. Who can know what goes on in the mind of a toddler? Dancing with Daddy Crazy tea towel routine Big Jump! Serving breakfast to Teddy. Dressing herself (today she actually got her pants on by herself and they were the right way around - mom's pretty proud!) And here's Daddy testing out the table...sure, honey, Katie was just there...Katie of course, LOVES her table and prefers to share it with one of her friends. Here, she is having breakfast with George.

Baby Shower

I recently attended a baby shower for our dear friend Annie, about to have her second child. Her son, Olivier, is almost two and they will soon welcome a little girl into their family. Lots of pink!! Annie Olivier Keri (one of the hostesses; with Jackson) Jackson with a bunch of balloons tangled around his legs! Jack (Pam's little guy) who decided to play in the exersaucer (?) Lilly Katie (this is what she does now, ugh)