Stop me if you've heard this one before...

What cheese is made backwards?

Edam!

Just a joke to start off with, to break the ice.

And now for a quick catch-up summary since I've been such a slacker.

Ryan's been super busy with school, working at Apple, conducting a Meet the Teacher night, teaching sessions on iPads on Professional Development days in his school district, helping the missionaries out and saying a talk in church.

Jacky's been busy with the Malmo Parent Association with the Annual General Meeting, executive meetings and fundraising, running the Grace Martin Fundraising Society, helping with her first (and probably not last) Casino, attending an Edmonton Cerebral Palsy Association meeting, having a girl's night out with Kathy and working on transcriptions nearly every night.  She also got a new phone and is now addicted to winning at Scrabble and Words With Friends.

Claire's been busy at school, so busy that she falls asleep almost every afternoon!  She's been losing teeth and has a cute little toothless grin.  She had an appointment at the paediatric sleep study clinic and is scheduled for a sleep study sometime in the next YEAR to see why she has such a hard time staying asleep at night.  She's been riding well at Little Bits on her favourite horse, Babe.  She got new AFOs (ankle foot orthotics) and attended Sadie's birthday party!

Madeline's been busy at preschool, where she fit right back into the schedule with her favourite teachers.  She's started taking gymnastics lessons and loves it!  She's a big helper, always eager to go on errands and help around the house.  She's keen on doing art projects - her favourite show is Artzooka.  She attended Hayley's birthday party!

Our family's been busy buying a new car, attending the Atkins golf tournament and our community league bbq, playing at Grandma and Grandpa's garage sale, visiting with friends and surviving daily life!

Here are some {many} pictures to round things out!

Madeline practicing her stance for gymnastics class.

Carefully following instructions.

Trying out her newly acquired gymnastics moves as she jumps into the pool.  (In October!)

Enjoying the hot tub at mom & dad's place after working hard (?) at the garage sale!

Enjoying the summerish weather at one of our local parks.

Claire's lovely smile.  Don't mind my finger clouding the top of the picture.  I was still getting used to my cell phone camera!

Having fun in the bouncy house at Hayley's party.

Claire's Second Day of School!  What a bad mother I am to forget to take a picture inside the classroom on the first day.

Madeline's first day of school!  She doesn't look excited at all.

Madeline getting her face painted at our community bbq.

Enjoying the food and the sounds of the event.

On the way home, we had a race.  This is the face of a sore loser.

The toothless wonder!  Luckily we managed to get the tooth out before she swallowed it.

Ryan dressed as one of the Blues Brothers for his Apple 80s-themed party. 

 A typical outfit of choice for Miss Madeline.

Goodbye Ol' Faithful.

Hello fun, new and totally practical car.  

Madeline enjoys using Claire's specialized equipment as climbing apparatuses/Slurpee-eating platforms.  

Claire enjoying her ride at Little Bits.

We decorated for Halloween before Thanksgiving.  I held out as long as I could!
(This is her "spooky face")

I think the recipe for a successful event is:

Add 1 bouncy castle/house/obstacle course
Stir.

Here is Madeline testing out the theory at the Meet the Teacher night at Claire's school.

We had a quick, yet fun visit with the Thompsons (who really need to buy a house like next door to us already).
The children, much like their parents, enjoy a good Rock Band jam session.

Part of the shrine collecting outside the Apple store in the wake of Steve Jobs' passing.

Since I didn't really take any photos from Thanksgiving, I must first do some photography collection before proceeding to my Thanksgiving post.  Please stand by.