Horses, Halloween, Holidays, Happy Happy Joy Joy

(Linky link blog entry - click on any underlined word for a link to a webpage)

I've found a new hobby - blog hopping. I find it very interesting to read blogs that deal with new recipes, home decorating, photography, saving money and mom-related dialogues. Some of the ladies whose blogs I check regularly are so clever and creative it's a bit daunting to try and write my own blog!

We've had a lot of fun with horses lately. We've put Claire on the waiting list for the Little Bits riding program that allows children with disabilities to take riding lessons. The wait list is almost 2 years though but maybe that will give her more time to be physically ready to sit on a horse. We went to observe a class to see exactly what it was all about. They have three volunteers that help each child - two on either side to provide support/balance and one person leading the horse. It was such a neat atmosphere and everyone was so kind - I'm looking forward to trying it out with Claire. We also had another Hearts and Hooves activity at the CNIB where the girls had a chance to brush and play with ponies. It was great!

(As a side note - I've realized that one of my favourite and probably over-used punctuation marks is the --DASH--I can't get enough of it)

We started with a new GRIT worker in October and she's great. We loved our first lady, but because of back/knee problems, she was having troubles lifting Claire, especially when we would be at play groups/singing groups where we'd have to sit on the floor. Our new girl, Janelle, is very kind and we have enjoyed getting to know her in the past few weeks. We also have had Claire's first IPP meeting with GRIT which was encouraging and attended the annual general meeting and had some great Greek food as part of the bargain.

Ryan hosted a super-fun EQ activity at our place complete with outdoor soccer, Rockband and 10 pizzas. The girls and I spent the day out in Wetaskiwin raking pine needles and cleaning the garage. It was so fun to be outside all day even though it was a bit chilly.

We also had fun at Olivia's Alberta reception. It was fun to get to know Rob a bit more - we like him! Unfortunately we don't have any pictures of the bride and groom since our camera had a little accident and tried to commit suicide by jumping onto the hardwood floor at the Rutherford House. We got a few pictures before that happened though.

Here we are with Lorne and Carrie and Broc - enjoying some chatting and good desserts.

We've had numerous meetings for church things, GRIT things, school things, etc. It seems that we have something going on every single night of the week.

We had a great Halloween. Click here to see some pictures.

Our big news is that Ryan and I are going to Mexico in a week, for a week. We had wanted to go during Spring break in March/April but decided at the last minute to go during Winter break in November. We're staying at the Catalonia Yucatan Beach resort and I'm so excited! We're so lucky to have family who are willing to take the girls so that we can have our first vacation together since our honeymoon almost 6 years ago!

Here are some fun pictures from the past few weeks.

Madeline and her experiments with blue Smarties

Here is Claire wearing her Beetlejuice pants doing some good standing in her standing frame.

Madeline love piling things up and laying on them. Her bed is full of blankets that she lays on top of.

Boxes are the most fun!

Maddie's first shiner. I'm surprised she hasn't hurt herself more because she climbs and jumps off so many things.

Goofy goof

More goofy goofing around

Claire has been so funny lately - this is how she falls asleep every night. No matter how many times we go in and turn her around and flip her over, she isn't comfortable until she is laying like this.

Do you like see-food?

Ah, the joys of managing our apartment building. Raking leaves/garbage/cigarette butts from our side lawn.

Luckily we had lots of help!

Here is Madeline practicing her wrestling moves on me.

Funny bunnies on the floor

Claire's lovely, spontaneous and infectious smile!

Here is the next rockstar drummer. Whenever we are playing, she always wants to hit the drums or the foot pedal. We have to confiscate the drum sticks most of the time though in order to protect our valuables from being smashed.