We're Back!

We’re back!!! Yes a few months have passed us by, but we are back to say that we are happy and healthy (most of the time). The girls are doing extremely well. Claire started Kindergarten this fall and is in the Montessori stream. She has made many friends, not that we are surprised from our social butterfly, and has an amazing teacher! She is also playing soccer this year and so far is enjoying it. Grace is up to trouble and in to everything. This girl keeps us on our toes. Just ask Uncle Lonnie who lives downstairs…she is a loud one ;-). She loves taking Claire to school and when she awakens from her nap instantly asks, “Where’s Care?” Mike has gone back to work, and he is teaching high school again. He is working in the science and math departments, as well as coaching basketball. Myself, I am the manager/cook/event coordinator/cleaner but happy to be at home with my little ones at this time in our lives!





Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair.

Good Times!

We have spent the last month having birthday bonanza at our house! Gracie turned 2 on March 15th and Claire turned 5 on April 9th. I think they both ended up having two parties each and throw Easter in there too. It has been a lot of fun to say the least. The girls are doing really well. Grace is talking up a storm and we understand about half of it. Claire never stops talking, so Mike is enjoying his days. All of you with more than two children, we don't know how you do it.

Claire is starting soccer tomorrow for the first time. We are curious to see what she thinks of it and how she handles it. I guess this will tell if she has the Markley competitive edge or the Haffner calmness. We'll keep you posted.

Grace is our pistol! She screams, throws and runs after Claire. Remember how calm she was as a baby-we didn't know what was coming. In the end, they are perfect!! :)

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! We have been snowed in here in the Pacific Northwest. We actually even awoke to snow for our first morning of 2009! We spent Christmas this year at my parents' cottage in Secret Cove. We originally had planned to leave Christmas Eve; however, the weather report was calling for a snow storm on the 24th. So spur of the moment we decided to leave on the 23rd. I had 3 hours to pack the entire family, while Mike ran out to find cables for the car. It took him 3 hours to get out to Surrey and back, and when he did return he had to put the roof rack and cargo box on the car which didn’t want to go on. Let’s just say Mike made it on the naughty list this year for his vocabulary! Now many of you know we have to take a ferry to my parents’ so timing was crucial and to add to that Mike’s sister was waiting for us in North Van. We ended up leaving 45 minutes later than planned, made it to the ferry where they proceeded to tell us that the ferry was running an hour late! We laughed, in the end we were lucky we did leave right away as we would have never made it there on the 24th. Christmas was beautiful with all the snow and the roaring fire, and Santa was good to us all!

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2009!




Gracie helping decorate the house for the holiday season.


Snow time!


The three grandkids.

One of the birds that my mom likes to feed.

Halloween Fun

I hope everyone had a happy Halloween! We lucked out as the rain held off, so no rain coats needed. The girls and I had a wonderful night, as all three of us were Snow White! I have to thank Michelle for loaning me her costume which was a hit with the girls and at school with my grade 1 class. Much chocolate was had, actually too much for mom and dad! Saturday night Mike and I both felt sick from over indulging in treats!! Grace quickly figured out what to do, by stating "pick or peat." And she held tight to her bag of chips. Claire also was a fast learner yelling out to Mike before the neighbour's door had closed, "Daddy I need to empty my bag in Grace's, mine's full!" Hugs to everyone!

The Best of Summer '08

Summer '08 was a lot of fun! I've attached an assortment of pictures from our summer adventures!

Testing our first patch of tomoates.

Raspberry picking with two young girls meant a lot of berries in their mouths not in the buckets!

Lots of park trips.

Cottage style bathing.

Hanging out at Secret Cove with Grandma, Grandpa and Ty.

We went camping twice this summer, once to Harrison with our neighbours (we forgot our camera :( and with the Geekie Gang to Golden Ears.


Tristan making his moves!

Claire's first day of school and note the Tree House is done!!

And our last fun event was spent at Playland! Notice my face in the picture below. I guess I'm not as brave as I used to be.

Till next summer, when the sun appears again ;-)

Cast Away

As some of you already know, Gracie had a cast applied to her right foot and leg this morning! She has in-toeing issues that we have been watching for awhile now. We recently met with a surgeon who stated that Grace has "metatarus varus", a twist in her right foot and to help fix this she needs a cast applied. Then after that she has to wear "special" shoes for 23 hours a day untill she grows out of them. We were told this morning that she needs to have the cast on for 4 weeks, and that it can't get wet, so only sponge baths! Yippee!

Grace was such a trooper! She watched patiently while the doctors applied the cast, didn't cry or fuss. That's our girl :) Below are some pictures from today.

I might have a cast on but I can still destroy my room!

Nothing is stopping me from walking!

This is my favourite: "I went to the hospital and all I got was this stupid cast" Also note: bad hair day!

Sunnyvale Miniatures

June was a busy month for us! As we also had the privilege of visiting Sunnyvale Miniatures in the Columbia Valley. http://www.sunnyvaleminiatures.com/
My dear friend Jennifer (often referred to as my 'tall, blonde friend who I played basketball with in high school') invited us to visit her Dad and Heather's farm. They started this farm as a retirement venture and have been loving it ever since. I believe they have up to around 50 miniatures now. We had such a great time! Heather and John were great hosts and we can't wait to go back! Both girls had the opportunity to ride a miniature horse, as well we saw one that was only 4 days old at the time.

Kaia, Melissa, Jennifer and Grace (Kaia is only three weeks older than Gracie).

Cutie Kaia!

Claire working on the farm (Claire recalls the horse's name as Butterfly).

Gracie enjoying a twirl.

Claire going for a ride with help from Heather and Jennifer's niece.

Gracie and Kaia going for a ride.