A Rainy Week in May

Gwen in her new summer hat from Grampy!

Cara in her new summer hat, too! Thanks, Grampy!

Too bad it rained all week...but we'll get a lot of use out of these hats this summer!

Cousin Connor was baptized this weekend in New Brunswick. We are his Godparents and really wish we could have been there for the day. He is such a big boy now! xoxoxo!

Cara's kissy pose :)
She sends her hugs and kisses to everyone!

When it rains outside things get very messy inside! We are thankful for washable markers!

Cara's hair has really grown and she has some pretty interesting hair-dos some days (she is anti-hairbrush most of the time!)

World's BEST little sister!

The sun finally came out for the weekend and we got our first day in at Calaway Park. Gwen was good to wait while Cara and Daddy went on a ride.

Cara enjoying the Egg Ride!

And the Carousel!

Gwen liked the Carousel too!

She had a good time on the Train.

Cara was very excited for the train ride this year.

Then Cara tried a new ride that she's big enough for this year. The Strawberry Ride! It is sort of like the TeaCups...you turn a wheel and it spins...so Daddy had to hold it still for the ride. Cara liked it so much that when it was time to get off she wanted to get into another strawberry and then screamed and threw herself on the ground when told it was time to go. Two year olds are very honest :)

Parental leave week 8 - A great end to the leave.

Gwen - adorable girl :)

This was the last week of Daddy's parental leave. We got the most out of it - went to another movie (Rio) and for another swim at the big pool with waves, lots of time outside and at the playground. We are sad that the 8 weeks are over but are so grateful that we had the opportunity to have them at all. We made great memories and enjoyed being with the girls so much.

We had some rain this week and Cara and Mummy went out to jump in puddles. We saved 3 worms from the puddles and Cara was fascinated with them!

It started to sprinkle, then rain, then hail! We took cover on the step and watched the hail bounce around.

Gwen is getting so strong! She is sitting on her own for a few minutes at a time and really prefers to be upright.

We went to a farmer's market this week and found fiddleheads! Cara helped wash and trim them...when they were cooked she lost all interest in eating them :)

Since summery weather seems to be here to stay - Cara and Daddy have been going for bike rides with Cara in the trailer. She enjoys it much more than last year especially since the rides always seem to end at the playground.

Sisters in their matching outfits (thanks Aunt Jill!).

On Saturday we went for a picnic with our neighbours - Cassidy and her mom and dad. The girls had a great time playing and running around.

Friends heading to the swings.

Weeee! down the slide!

So much space at this park to just run tree to tree! Gwen had a great time too but spent a lot of the time sleeping in the sling.

Gwen with two teeth cut. She has been a champ with these teeth - a little Tylenol at bedtime and she sleeps right through.

Parental leave week 7 - Gwen is 6 month old!

Robot Cara.

We have had another fun filled week with Daddy being off. It is like summer now so we've been barbequing, going out for walks and to the playground. As well as trips to the library and the movies.

The Byrne Family of Four. 6 Months Old.
We made it and we're smiling!

So our little Gwen is 6 months old. She is eating a variety of things, sleeping so great, had her 6 month shots, weighs 19lb 9oz, is 26 inches long, cut her bottom 2 teeth and can roll front to back and back to front! She is so happy and calm, she is a great traveller and loves her big sister, she loves to be read to and has a great laugh! We can hardly believe that 6 months have already passed - it has gone so fast and at the same time it feels like she's always been here. We LOVE our little Gwenny :)

Cara found a tricycle at a community yard sale and just couldn't leave without trying it which meant we couldn't leave without buying it. She is so proud to ride it around.

She doesn't mind her helmet at all this year.

We'll be doing this a lot this summer.

On Saturday Mummy and Daddy had their first real date night since before Cara was born. We went out to supper with friends then went to see Elton John. It was an awesome concert. Thanks to Nana and Howie for babysitting and getting the monkeys to bed...Gwen still won't drink from a bottle really, but thankfully Nana got her drink from a cup.

Sisters doing push ups.

Cara is really enjoying Gwen's new skills and Gwen really enjoys Cara's encouragement.

Parental leave week 6 - Banff!

We took advantage of a nice weather forecast this week and took a mid-week trip to Banff for a couple of nights. It was very nice to get away and the weather was perfect. Here is Daddy and Cara at Bow Falls.

Last time Cara was here she was just little and it was very cold...

Family portrait at Bow Falls!

Cara was being a bit of a pickle...but she was great for the car ride so her pent up energy had to get out somehow!

Cara waiting for her supper at Boston Pizza.

After supper we went for a swim at the hotel. Gwen had a nice time in the water and loved watching her big sis splash around.

They had a kiddie pool with little slides. Cara had a blast!

The next day we went for a little drive to go on a hike. On the way we saw a herd of Bighorn Sheep.

And a deer. We were only going about 40 km/h...the park has reduced the speed on this stretch of road for the springtime for the sake of the animals.

We had a great hike up Johnston Canyon. Daddy wore Cara on his back.

And Mummy carried Gwen.

Cara and Daddy in the cave near the lower falls.

There weren't too many people on the trail that day but a nice guy took this picture for us. We impressed a few groups with our hiking with two little ones!

Gwen's first hike completed!

Cara enjoying her spaghetti at the Old Spaghetti Factory.

Gwen is so happy in the mornings :)

While Mummy packed up Daddy and Cara went to play at the giant indoor play structure that was in the hotel (this hotel really was perfect for families!).

Cara about to go down the slide!

Before we left Banff we did one more hike. Fenland trail - a flat loop through some woods. A nice walk.

Gwen napped most of this trail.

Daddy and Cara in the wilderness.

Gwen's second hike done!

Totally in control of 2 kiddies!

The other big news this week is that Gwen rolled front to back! She's been rolling onto her belly for weeks and weeks and getting stuck - now she can do a complete rotation! Yay Gwen!

Our strong baby girl!

Cara wore this pretty dress for Mother's Day. She chose the accessories :)

It was a great Mother's Day this year!

Gwen being a cutie pie on Mother's Day :)

I am one lucky Mama!