The 'First's' of September

Well, September can be a time of 'First's'. In many ways it has been that way for us this September.

Brooke started Kindergarten this year! It seems like yesterday when she was just a baby.

She is going to Keheewin Elementary School, where her dad, Cam, went to school over 25 years ago. It is fun having another generation of Stringham's going to Keehewin school again!

 

 

Another first for us is that Ava started 'Play School' last week!

She goes to "Bright Explorations" play school in Airdrie. She goes to school three times a week and is really enjoying it.

 

 

 

 

Before starting play school she made a visit down to her Grandma and Grandpa's farm in Taber and came home with two cute little kitties, "Night, Night" and "Raja".

They are so cuddley, her dad has always been a dog lover, but he is sure smitten with these new kitty cats, their first real pets.

 

 

 

Another first is that Cam has been called to work in his Ward's YM's program.

They had their first 'Scout Camp' at our cabin last weekend.

 

...and Cam really showed them how to have fun on the water!

I know he'll enjoy working with those boys. (If he survives!)

Well, Mark celebrated another birthday ...and this is the first of his birthday's in the 30's.

He was taken golfing by Lindsay and his friends to celebrate, he looks pretty happy about it!!

 

On Sunday we had his 'birthday dinner' with Grandma and some other family members. He promised Brookie half of his birthday cake, she was excited, but her dad was not going for it!!

Grandma was having some fun, too!

And a first for Grandma and Grandpa was to get to go to Drumheller with Cam, D, Brookie, Mckinley and Brynnlee! We had a good time learning all about the dinosaurs that used to live in Alberta, it was so fun and interesting!

 

After the museum, we had a picnic lunch and went to play at the dinosaur splash park. It was a great day all in all!

 

 

Brynnlee wanted to get a little wet, too. It was so funny because when she got sprayed, she would do a 180 and head right back to her mom!

 

 

We had such great weather, it seems we are having our summer in September!

We are certainly enjoying the many 'First's' that this September is bringing!!

 

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Joshua's 2nd Birthday Celebration

We had a fun get together over the weekend to celebrate Joshua's second birthday! it was so nice to be together again and to finally get a family picture! It just warms my heart every time I look at this picture of my kids and grand kids...what a blessing they are to us!

 

 

We spent some time boating and Jon and Joshie had a good ride on the tub. Josh seemed to enjoy it.

It will be fun over the next few years to see him learn to water ski, board and surf! I'm sure something new will even be out by then!

We had a nice hot day on the lake and the kids enjoyed taking turns on the tub and just enjoying the boat ride. Grandpa tries his best to drive fast enough to throw everybody off the tub, and he is pretty successful at it. Lindsay won the prize for best 'wipe-out' of the day, and ended up with a bit of whiplash, but she recovers quick, she's a bit of a 'tom-boy'!

 

Tiffany made the cutest 'minion' cupcakes for Joshie's birthday. They were so well done, even down to the glasses and hair, but the highlight for Joshie seemed to be blowing out his birthday candles!

 

 

Brooklyn, Ava and Mckinley loved their 'minions' and could hardly bring themselves to eat them!

 

 

 

 

However, Joshie had no problem 'scarfing' one down. Hmmm...must be a boy thing!? He did have a lot of fun opening his presents. He is so much like Jon!

 

 

We even had a 'Pirate Piñata' which was very hard to bust open. The kids tried using a boat paddle, Lindsay tried with a hammer....but finally Jon got into the game and hit it open with the boat paddle and candy flew everywhere!

 

 

It was fun watching the kids scramble for the candies! I think Josh was pretty amazed to have that much candy around, and it looks like he is saying "Mom, is this OK?"

 

 

When the excitement was over and the candy was all collected it was time to just sit and eat!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It looks like Linds, D, Cam and Grandpa are hoping they can scrounge some candy from someone!

"Hey guys bring some over here!"

 

 

 

 

Mark is the best uncle ever, except when he tries to steal a piece of candy, but Mckinley is a pretty good sharer. They are cute cuddle buddies!

 

Grandpa knows there is nothing better than getting loves and hugs from his granddaughters!!

Brooke and Ava love being with Grandpa, he always gives the very best 'bear hugs' and tickles!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a wonderful time with our family and how fun to celebrate together with our newest 2 year old...Joshua!

 

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