Salt Lake City

Before I forget, I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! Eh!
We had an awesome visit with our family and friends in Salt Lake City. We had a blast and were very sad we had to leave! 

 Mom held a small get together to celebrate Connor and Caitlin's third birthday. Here they are being sung too! See the huge smile on Caitlin's face? She totally loved it!

 Caitlin and Kallee who became one of her new BFF's! Now mom is looking for a Tangled dress and shoes for Caitlin! Oh man!

 Playing at Aunt Sara's house on her trampoline and having a blast!

 Caitlin and two of her most favorite people in the world! She loves herself some Ali and Aunt Sara!

 Connor also loves Alison and his Aunt Sara!

 Rocking out on Guitar Hero!

 This must be the reason the kids love Aunt Sara so much! She lets them help make cookies!

 Caitlin with her best bud in the whole wide world! It brought tears to my eyes when she asked if Ali and Brady were coming home with us!

 We went to the Living Planet Aquarium with Papa Gene and Grandma. Here Papa Gene was helping Connor pet the Stinray. Caitlin screamed when she saw it, like Mother like Daughter! I know they are fish and all, but you couldn't pay me enough to touch one!

 They got to run around on Papa Gene's school bus, which was the thing they looked forward to the most!

 Papa Gene with all his Grandkids! This is such an awesome picture!

 Having a picnic at BJ and Tia's house! They absolutely loved playing with Jake, Kallee and Olivia!

 Smiling in the car! Such a weirdo!

 On our way home from BJ and Tia's house

 Connor eating his first icee.

 Caitlin and her first icee. We were planning on cheering Brady on to victory at his football game, but because of a concussion and sprained neck, Brady couldn't play. So we cheered for his team. Brady, it is more important that you sit out and let your brain heal than for me to watch you play. I can come back any time and see you play, I will not be tying your shoes for you in 10 years! Take care of yourself and do what the doctor told you to do!!! That is an order from your Aunt!!! Who will come back to kick your behind if you don't!!

 My little munchkin Brady getting ready for the birthday cake!

 Here they are blowing out the candles.

 Licking the frosting off the Mickey and Minnie figures that were on the cake.

Birthday cake will always cheer people up!

Growing Up

Man, am I the only one that has trouble adjusting to the idea of their kids growing up? Yesterday Connor and Caitlin started a Gymcraftics class at our neighborhood community center. It's just 2 hours every Thursday and mom is not invited! I checked them in yesterday, and they left without looking back. I mean, the only tears were from me? Thanks guys! I thought at least Connor would struggle, but apparently not. The only problem the teacher reported was Caitlin crying a little when they told her the baby doll had to stay in the class room while they went to the gym to run. And once there, she turned into Flo-Jo (Florence Griffith Joyner the Olympian). So all this worrying I did, and the next to nothing sleep on Wednesday night was for nothing? They are growing up, they will be three next month after all and starting kindergarten next September. Which sucks! Now mom needs to learn to adjust and figure out what I am going to do.

East Holland River/ Tom Taylor Trail

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is built around some great trail systems. The East Holland River Tom Taylor Trail is the one trail way that is closest to our house. We enjoy taking the kids there and walk. The scenery is just beautiful!

 

River leading into Fairy Lake

They also have some huge playgrounds along the trails. Which is a bonus for us, the kids just love to climb!

Climbing to the bird's nest

Caitlin in the bird nest

Connor and his Daddy

Richmond Hill Live Steamers

We found this place by accident last week coming home from the petting farm.
http://richmond-hill-live-steamers.tripod.com/

Waiting for the train to take off

patiently waiting our turn

Getting excited to ride the train

one of the miniature trains

the train we rode on

Riding the train

Mom and dad trying to hold on!

Googled it and saw they were having an open house this week. Not knowing exactly what it was, we decided to take the kids there. I am glad we did, all though the lines were long, a good time was had by all. I had never heard of miniature steam trains before! Who knew small trains could haul so much weight around! One of the trains we didn't get to ride looked really fast and carried 2 people besides the conductor.

 

This train is one that carried two people plus the conductor.

Along the side of the tracks, they had built models of the towns all built to scale. It was awesome!
I was really proud of the kids, they did an awesome job patiently waiting in line for their turn!

Lionel's Petting Farm

We found this awesome little petting zoo not too far from the house. We love going there, it's a free afternoon (they only ask for a donation) and the kids love to run in the open and feeding all of the animals. Caitlin has decided she loves the llama's. She asked for one for her birthday, but I wouldn't know where to keep it. Our backyard is barely big enough for Kaiser. And Today we remembered our big bag of carrots to feed the animals!

Connor feeding the momma cow

Caitlin feeding the momma cow

Feeding the spotted pony

He's hungry, momma!

Apparently goats can smell the carrots!

 Connor absolutely loved this bird. I swear we'd probably still be standing there watching this bird walk in and out of his house if we let Connor have his way.

 Connor has turned a corner this summer. Earlier in the spring I don't think he would even look at a pony let alone ride one! And trying to tell him his turn was over!

 Caitlin only wanted her dad to lead her pony around. She is turning into such a daddy's girl!

 Connor's pony's name was Hercules. He was such a gentle and beautiful pony!

 Caitlin's pony's name was Trigger. He was gentle, but he tried to end her turn early.

 This had the kids just laughing so hard! Apparently a goat lying down in a tire is some seriously funny stuff!

Caitlin wanted to bring him home, but where would he sleep? She wasn't willing to share her bed!