This n' That

December has been busy. We had our offer accepted to buy a new house so have to start getting our house ready to sell. Jonathan's parents came to help and were AMAZING! Thank you! Leah sure enjoyed her time w/ Grammy!
Jonathan almost has the bathroom finished. What a job!

1. When one does not have a tub, the sink will do! Just seems like yesterday that Grammy gave Leah her first bath at the kitchen sink! Here is she at 9 months already!

2. Enjoying another game of hockey. Last time I was 6.5 months pregnant!

3. Boys enjoying bathroom demolition! They were great!

4. Leah and Moses enjoying some down time.

December II/II !

1. Decorating Christmas cookies.
2. Three wonderful kids.
3. Smiling girl.
4. Micah loving his sister.

December I/II !

1. Leah is as sweet as ever.
She's always so happy and sure to give you a smile.

2. Seth spends a lot of time w/ Leah during the day, and as you can see, enjoys it. Look at their eyes!

3. Mommy sure loves her little girl!

4. Leah can get around. She's pretty good at getting all of the magazines down too!

5. Our first Christmas w/ Leah! Sweet.

A Typical Day ... With Three Kids!

Best Husband/Daddy. Ever.

Have I ever mentioned that I have the best husband, EVER? And my kids have the best daddy?
Well, I do. They do.
Check out these amazing pictures of "Team DuChene" (as he, the leader, calls it) at my race today, Jonathan holding his baby girl, and him building a hockey drying tree with the boys in the garage.

Weekend Away for the Two of Us!

Last Friday I took the train to meet Jonathan in Toronto for a weekend away. He'd been there all week for work and I met up with him for his work gala, which was set for Saturday evening.
Saturday morning I went for a run then we got ready and headed out for a walk. We went for breakfast (I had my favourite, smoked salmon and capers!), to the St. Lawrence Market, walked around some more (enjoying the Christmas displays at the Bay, etc), had lunch (at Earl's), got Jonathan's new suit then headed back to the hotel for naps. We got ready at the hotel (Westin Harbour Castle-what a sunrise view!) then headed to the Carlu w/ Jonathan's "Vantage Endoscopy" work buddies. We had a great night, enjoying delicious food and getting to know some great folks. Sunday morning included another walk and breakfast out before heading back to the kids. Grammy and Grampa had a great weekend w/ the kids and despite 2/3 of them being sick, they got along quite well. Leah took my pumped milk, no problem. Not sure when we will get away again for two nights but it was great. Thanks, grammy and grampa!

Loving Leah

What a happy baby girl we have. Such a blessing!

Family Fun in the Living Room!

The other night we enjoyed a fun game of mini sticks. Truly Canadian, don't you think?

1. We just love seeing Leah clap, wave, and snuggle (when we say, "Night, Night").
2. She and mommy are a pair!
3. What a beautiful day to run on the trails w/ the 2 youngest (and Moses the dog).
4. This is where you can find Leah these days, rolling-rolling-rolling!
5. Leah sure is a happy baby but mommy was even happier to have that laundry basket empty!

Kenya?

Check out Krista's running blog. Kenya?

Go, Seth!

He won't be using the pusher for long!

Skating time

Seth is a real natural. I don't think he will be using the pusher for too much longer!
The Gretzky Centre is where I will be found Mon-Fri w/ me training 3x/wk and Seth skating 2x/wk. There is a new indoor track, 4 new rinks, and a new pool on the way. GREAT for Brantford!

Toronto.

Check out our great family weekend in Toronto at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

Run for the Toad

Enjoyed the Run for the Toad race today.

Loving Leah

Our boys just love their sister, Leah. Seeing them play next to her is a common sight.

Smiles and Sleeping

Seth's latest sleeping positions.



Leah going for a walk w/ daddy and sitting on her new blanket from Auntie Janna.

Apple Festival and Stepping into Fall

1. Jonathan holding Leah with Seth on left and Micah on right. At the St. George apple-fest.
2. Kids and cousins holding their caramel apples.
3. Liv loving Leah.
4. Leah de France.

Lemonade $0.10

The kids' cousins had a lemonade stand a few weeks ago so naturally our boys were interested in doing the same. It was great to see them make the signs with Jonathan, set up the table and chairs, and wait very patiently for their first customer. It took a while to get going but business was then good and steady. We brought the $15 (no, we didn't sell 150 cups, I don't think anyone actually paid $0.10) and split it between the two boys who then divided it into their money banks - spending, saving, and giving.

Firsts.

We've had a lot of firsts in September.
Leah, now 6 months, started solids and has been sitting up.
Seth, age 3.5 yrs, started preschool and tried on his hockey equipment.
Micah, age 5.5 yrs, started SK.
What big kids! What a blessing!

Niagara Falls, Waffles, and Family Fun