Furrr-babies

Ivan and Sadie joined my family in University.  My roommates were on board with me getting a kitten, so we went to a few pet stores, the SPCA ... and somehow we ended up coming home with two teeny-tiny little balls of fur: brother and sister that we just couldn't separate.  Turns out they were only 4 weeks old ... I was syringe feeding them during the night.

Sadie-Bear

Ivan

Many years later, a multitude of health and mental health issues reached a peak.  We could no longer provide the care they needed, and the environment was much less than ideal for Maklin.

 The last year was a battle of ambivalence ... we finally had to make the decision to put them both down.  One of the hardest decisions (and days) of my life.

The other day Maklin and I were looking at pictures in iPhoto ... we watched a slide show of Ivan & Sadie pictures, and he was SO excited.  It was a bittersweet moment for me.  He LOVES animals, and is very comfortable around them.  Although they were only part of his life for a short time, I can only assume that their presence strongly influenced this.  One more experience with them I can be grateful for.

We love you furrr-babies, and think of you often.

Shaken, Not Stirred

Buzz??

If so ... this is post-buzz ...

 [NOTE: no alcohol was consumed in the making of this blog post]

Double-fisting!

Peake Family Christmas

Hardly seems necessary to document PFC when Gillian's already done it so well.

Rocking Horse

In my grandparents basement is a rocking horse that is been around for a long time.  My Dad and his siblings and cousins played on it when they were kids.  My brother and I, and our cousins, played on it when we were kids.

When we went to Saskatchewan last summer, Maklin sat on the rocking horse for the first time.

At Christmas, he was a bit more stable and this time rode it on his own.  I wish I would have had the video camera with me.  As soon as he sat on it, he started rocking like crazy.  He loved it.

And it doesn't even have batteries ...

Christmas Break

We had a very relaxing Holiday -- even with travelling.

Christmas Day with Justin's parents ... mmmm turkey.

Chillin' with Grandpa

Mak still doesn't really 'get' presents, but he enjoyed digging through his stocking!

After Christmas Dinner, we packed up and drove as far as Calgary, spending the night in a hotel.  Boxing Day morning we had breakfast in bed - as was requested by the birthday boy.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Christmas in Saskatchewan great.  Lots of visiting with family, lots of walking in the gorgeous winter weather, and lots of games.  Maklin had a rough transition the first night, but settled in nicely (thanks Grandma Annette for putting us up!!).

Maklin opened more presents - still not getting it.  Opening this box took forever as he took the paper off all the way through in these teeny-tiny pieces.  But then was very excited that under all that paper was a BOX to sit on!!!

Staying Current

Maklin's weekly perusal of the Devon Dispatch:

 

Kitchen Aid

Maklin endeavors to 'help out' in the kitchen in any way possible, like ...

Organizing:

and Cleaning: