Halloween

This year Elania went trick or treating for her first time just around the block. She loved pushing the doorbell and saying trick or treat. She was very observant of the carved pumpkins and cats she saw on the way. Jodi took Brayden and Elania to the library "Tales for tots" with the kids dressed up. Elania wore her ladybug costume all day and didn't want to take it off.

Dentistry Awards Night

Mike was the recipient of 6 awards for his school work last year (2nd year dentistry program) including the highest academic standing (GPA) in his class as well as highest marks in 4 courses. We feel very fortunate that he has done so well in his schooling and can't complain about the award money he received! I'm really proud of his accomplishments.

Turkey Hat

For FHE on Thanksgiving, Elania helped glue together the parts for her turkey hat. We thought that the end result was pretty good.

The Pumpkin Patch

After the pumpkin weigh off, we visited one of the local farms where they grow and sell pumpkins. The guy that started the weigh off tradition owns the farm and grows everything from giant pumpkins to miniature ones. Elania quickly found a pumpkin just her size and wouldn't let go. She even took it to bed that night.

Train Rides

In Windsor, we went to the miniature train rides. All the tracks are made by the owner as are the train cars. Elania was really excited to ride them. After getting off the last ride, she said "Elania so much fun!"

Pumpkin weigh off

On Saturday, the weather was great (23 C or so) and we got up early to drive to the Annapolis Valley to look at the giyant pumpkins and to bring a few home. The Pumpkin weigh off was quite the show. They haul the pumpkins one by one up to the scale with a forklift. The winning pumpkin was 1202 lbs! Second place was 996 lbs. I felt out of place around all those farm folk without a hat on. The biggest watermelon weighed in at 87 lbs. The picture of our family (minus Brayden who was sleeping in the stroller) is in front of the heaviest pumpkin.

Elania and Brayden

Here's a few recent photos of Elania and Brayden. Once again, Brayden has changed (grown) quite a bit. As well, since that first rough month, things between Elania and Brayden have improved a lot.

Dora

Some months ago, Mike found some Dora cookies at Wal-Mart which Elania loved. But then they were no where to be found. At the end of August, Mike went to Maine to take a Dental Board exam and stocked up a bit down there much to Elania's delight.

Elania and Brayden

Since the last time we posted pictures of Brayden, he's grown a lot (like pounds and chins). Elania is doing much better with the idea of being a helpful big sister.
She doesn't even cry every time he cries.

One last beach trip

We finally had some summer-like weather at the end of August and beginning of September so we went to the beach a few times.

Some Random Pictures:

Elania spying on Brayden sleeping



Elania got into the diaper cream and smeared it all over. Here's our computer chair after the damage. Of course the cream wasn't regular zincofax it was desitin that reeks of fish oil.



Elania pushing her shopping cart around "naking" as she says (naked).

More blessing day pictures:

Brayden's Blessing Day

Brayden was blessed in church on July 22, 2007. These are some pictures Grandpa Smith took after church.

Parade of Sail

2 more pictures from the parade:

The Parade of Sail

Every 4 or 5 years, the international tall ships festival comes to Nova Scotia. At the end of the Halifax harbour portion of the festival, all the tall ships participate in a parade around the harbour before leaving for their next destination. The parade was led by the Bluenose II (replica of the schooner featured on the Canadian dime) Jonathan and Cori came to the waterfront the day before and saw the ships up close on the docks. It was impressive to see some of the ships at full/partial sail. Unfortunately, J&C missed the parade by a day.