Somebody Turns Seven!

We celebrated Caitlyn's birthday on October 2nd quietly at home this year, as we knew that her aunt, uncle and cousins were coming the following weekend.

Caitlyn was very spoiled this year with stuff coming in the mail for year and, yes, we waited until her 'actual' birthday for her to open all of them. (Unlike a certain Aunt from the West!!)

Caitlyn sitting 'criss-cross' apple sauce, waiting to open her mail.

Birthday cake #1 - Store bought but still yummy!


Thanksgiving Weekend - Annual Fall Parade

Three (of the four) kids waiting for the parade (and candy).
Four (out of four) kids waiting with their candy bags.

Birthday Cake #2- Homemade and yummy!

VERY CREATIVE!

Opening some more presents at Gramma & Grampa's

The bouncy castle was a hit with all the kids (and the adults!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAITLYN!

At the end of the day the kids helped take the bouncy castle down.

We then all enjoyed a very yummy Thanksgiving dinner!

Although, it felt very different for everyone because a certain someone was missing this year!

Fall 2011 Update

First Day of School 2011

Train Ride To St. Jacobs, Ontario

"The community of St. Jacobs is located in southwest Ontario, just north of Waterloo in Woolwich Township, Waterloo Region. It is a popular location for tourism, due to its Mennonite heritage and retail focus. The Conestoga River, which powered the village's original gristmill, runs through the village.

Three kilometers south of the town centre is the St. Jacobs Farmers Market, another popular tourist draw. Fresh farm products are sold from across the area, plus many vendors have discount clothing, toys, candy, and other wares. A factory outlet is located adjacent to the market site. The market, town and surrounding countryside are marketed as St. Jacobs Country.

St. Jacobs is also the headquarters of Home Hardware. This national chain of over 1000 independent retail stores located across Canada was founded in the village in 1963."- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Jacobs,_Ontario

In my almost weekly travels to the future Waterloo Courthouse site, I've discovered that there is a semi-historic train ride that runs from north Waterloo to St. Jacobs. We thought that this would be a fun day activity for us and the girls right before school starts.

"All Aboard!"

Some of the shops in St. Jacobs are located in renovated historic buildings.

The grain silos in this picture have been converted into shops.

As previously mentioned, the headquarters of Home Hardware is located in St. Jacobs.

According to our train announcer, all merchandise from each and every Home Hardware in all of Eastern Canada originates from a warehouse in St. Jacobs.

Hannah and Caitlyn wanted their picture taken with "this funny looking guy".

This store had a model train running suspended from the ceiling, I took this picture right as the train was going by.

Another "funny looking guy"

The St. Jacobs train 'station'

As we were waiting for the train it started getting very windy and it rained very hard.

Luckily for us, we were covered. Three kilometers away, at the Market things weren't as lucky!

Our train had to stop at least six times to pick up debris that had been blown onto the tracks!!