Hey Everyone! Chris here. Hope this post finds everyone well and enjoying their summer. I have to do this post because I haven't taught my wife how to download pictures off the new camera yet. So I'll keep it short and sweet...with lots of pictures. That's what everyone has come to see.

First, we are coming closer and closer to finishing "The Project". Only a week or so left and we should be done. Then it is time for some a little more relaxation and a little less work.

Anyways.....PICTURES!!!!!

Just An Update.

I know that it has been forever since our last post, but to our defense we have been really busy! No pictures today...sorry...we got a new camera and I don't know how to download the pictures yet. My computer-literate husband is in Winnipeg right now, so pictures will have to come when he gets back.

Chris received his official letter of offer for the position in Winnipeg, so it looks like we are moving for sure. Good thing, because we have already started getting everything lined up for building our new home. I can't believe how quickly those 15 weeks passed. It seems like just yesterday that he was getting ready to leave for the first time. He LOVES his job and is really looking forward to his new career at System Control. All of us back home are so proud of him! Sari and I are looking forward to living in the same city as him 100% of the time. I have also decided that I am going to sell Concept Now Cosmetics when I get to Winnipeg. It is a home based job, which suits me just fine! It is a skin care line that my mom has used for 30 years and not only does she look amazing, but since I have started to use it, I have noticed amazing transitions in my skin. If anyone knows me at all, they know that I WON'T sell anything that I don't believe in, and have personally seen the results. Well, I have, so I am going to sell it. I am pretty excited about the venture. I love skin care!!

Our house renovations are also going really well. All of Chris's hard work is paying off. We are probably about a good week and a half of hard work away from being finished, maybe less. We are sooooo excited! We are planning on having it on the market by August long weekend. Hopefully that goal is attained. I think that we are going to be sad leaving this house though. It is just such a nice place...one that we really designed to suit all of our needs. I am definitely going to shed a tear leaving here.

Sari is doing great. She is growing into a little girl so fast! I think we have a singer on our hands. Hopefully she has inherited her fathers good voice, and not mine! She sings Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Old McDonald Had A Farm, The ABC's, and she sings along with Treehouse and Elmo's World. Now, she doesn't know how to talk yet, but she sings her own little words to the tune of each song. It is amazing! If you don't believe me, ask her grandparents. They can back me up! I haven't managed to catch it on video yet. Every time I pull out the camera she stops and poses for a picture! Again, cute! She runs around the house like crazy tormenting poor Wicket. She loves to chase him with things and when she catches him she lays on top of him hugging and kissing him. We do have pictures of that, but again, I don't know how to download them! Wicket pretends to be annoyed, but personally I think that he likes his little play mate!

Ok, this is probably enough writing with no pictures to go along with the update. Sorry folks, I'll get picture to you as soon as I can!! Don't worry, Sari is still as cute as ever!!

Take care everyone!

Oh yeah...we are going to be looking for an apartment, hopefully for the beginning of October or maybe even September, or else we were looking to house sit for someone for the winter. If anyone has any suggestions for us, the input would be very much appreciated. Thanks!!

A Little Bit Of This...A Little Bit Of That...

Life has just been plugging along here at the Potter home. Chris has been really busy working, working on the house and trying to line everything up for our new house in Winnipeg. Yep, we have finally made a decision on what we're going to do when moving to Winnipeg! Everything has been approved at the bank and a lot is in the process of being bought out in La Salle. We are going to build our own home and be our own general contractors. We have chosen a house plan and it is being drafted as we speak! This is all very exciting...and a little nerve racking! I am having a lot of fun dreaming up what kind of kitchen, flooring, bathrooms, etc. we are going to be putting in. Now I guess the only thing that needs to be finished is the house we're living in right now...ahhhhh. Our goal is for it to be finished by the end of June so that it can be appraised and possibly put on the market by July. It is a lot of pressure, but Chris is making really good progress on everything. For all of you who saw our house before, you wouldn't even recognize it now.

Sari is doing great as usual. My little girl finally has some teeth! The past two weeks have been full of cutting her top teeth. Her two front ones have cut through and the two eye-teeth look like they are going to come through any day. Poor kid. I feel so bad for the pain that she has been in. She has been handling it like a pro though. She is so tough! I know that I have said it many times before, but, I LOVE this age! I just wish that Chris could see how much fun she is more often. Soon enough though! Chris bought her this little floaty suit from Costco the other week and we snapped a picture of her in it. Now we just have to get her liking pools! She didn't like it at first, but once she realized that we were laughing at her and she was entertaining us, she ran around the house looking like a football player! She is such an attention grabber! I posted the picture below.

A very cute picture of Sari!

The floaty suit.

What can I say...she loves her spaghetti!

May Long Weekend In Calgary.

Well, it's a week late, but here's the post about our May long weekend. I found out shortly before the weekend that my parents were heading to Calgary to see Berk, Christy and Ryder. My wonderful husband had to work nights on the weekend, so I decided to tag along with them to keep my self busy and have a fun weekend with the fam! And, boy, was it ever busy and fun! Sari did great in car on the way there and back. Chris and I invested in a DVD player for the car, so Elmo playing over and over again kept her occupied and busy. It was a life saver! I really don't know how our parents used to do it before all the new technology came out! :) Once in Calgary it was non-stop running after two toddlers...I lost 2 lbs., it was fabulous! It was so much fun watching Ryder and Sari interact and play with each other. I can't believe how different boys and girls are! Sari was a little chatter box who followed Ryder around trying to be as brave and rambunctious as him, but couldn't really keep up. It was very cute. Dinner time was especially funny. As you will see from the pictures below, we had to sit them side by side, because apparently they couldn't eat off their own tray, but had to eat off each others...whatever gets them to eat! We went to Heritage Park on Saturday morning, but unfortunately there wasn't a whole lot for kids as young as ours to do, so after two hours in the very high heat we decided to leave, without seeing anything, and take our very tired babies home. They slept all afternoon, which was great. Saturday evening was spent visiting with my Nan and Aunt. Sunday, our kids were up before 6:00 am, so by 9:00 am Christy and I had played outside with the kids and gone to the park. Needless to say, it was a very quiet day. All in all it was a great, but quick weekend. The kids had a blast, and as far as I know, so did the adults. It was great to see them and great to play with Ryder. I just wish that Chris could have been there as well. Enjoy the pictures below! They are so cute!

The kids having breakfast together.

Ryder thinking something is very funny!

Puffed wheat...yummy!

Sari trying on Ryder's new helmet.

Sari posing with her sun glasses. What a little model!

She is so cute!

Ryder loving the beach...he is such a little surfer dude!

Sari didn't like the beach so much, but she tried for her cousins sake!

Fun Times Around The Potter Home!

Although Chris has been working away from home, and when at home is working his cute little bum off to try and get our house finished, we have managed to find some time to spend together as a family and have a little fun. Sari is SOOO funny these days! She walks around the house jabbering to herself, playing, and tormenting Wicket. Everything that is new is a challenge and one that she is determined to figure out and master. I am pretty sure that I have an independent little girl on my hands! She also thinks that she is pretty funny and will do pretty much anything to get a laugh out of you, and once she does, will continue to repeat that action over and over, laughing right along with you. Remind you of anyone??!! Needless to say, she keeps me moving and laughing pretty much from the time she wakes up, until the time she goes to bed. I love this age! I posted a few pictures below of our cute little one hamming it up for the camera!

Sari showing off her cute bathrobe after an evening bath. So cute!

Sari and Daddy playing the 'pants on your head game'! She enjoyed it.

Sari didn't really want to take the pants off her head, instead she just ran around with them on there laughing and giggling to herself! Such a show-off!

Walk, Walk, Walk.....

Our little girl is growing up too fast. She learned how to take a couple of steps, then I go to Winnipeg for a couple of days to work, and when I get back, she's practically running.

Check out this cute video!!!!

Happy Birthday Sari!!

Well, it's official, our baby girl is now 1! Her birthday was yesterday, but we had her birthday party on Saturday. Unfortunately, due to weather, we had some guests that weren't able to join us, but it was still a great party! We had quite a few people there, as it usually goes for a first birthday party, so Sari was a little overwhelmed. I don't really know what she thought about everything, but I think she had fun! Unfortunately we didn't get the classic cake picture because it seemed that Sari didn't want anything to do with her cake, at least not until Chris sat on the floor with her and fed her that way. All in all it was a very good party and a very good day. Sari got lots of great gifts...thank you to everyone!

The past year with our daughter has been amazing. She is growing up to be such an amazing little person. I love the personality that she is developing and who she is becoming. I am looking forward to this next year, and the year after that, and the year after that....!!

Sari opening presents...or should I say mommy and daddy opening presents!

Sari enjoying the paper.

Sari still enjoying the paper!

The most amazing birthday cake! Thank you Crystal!

Just a close up of the bee...isn't Crystal's work amazing?!

Sari and Grandma Brenda enjoying some quiet cuddly time.

It Has Been FOREVER!!

I am SO sorry that it has been so long since I have posted. Things around here have been a little crazy...as I'm sure you all know by now. Hmmm, where do I start?? Well, I guess with Sari. She is the most important one in this family! She is doing great! In a few days our little baby will be 1! We are really looking forward to her birthday party. Sari is walking now. She is still a little unsteady, but has started to walk more and more. Give it a few more weeks and I'm sure that she'll be running around with full confidence! She still only has 2 teeth, but has no problem munching away on pretty much anything she can get her hands on!

I have also started back to work. I am working mornings only. Sari goes to a babysitters, (Crystal), those mornings. She LOVES it there. She loves playing with other kids. It actually broke my heart a bit because she just didn't seem to care that I would leave, or even come back for that matter! But I soon got over it, realizing that her being happy is the most important thing! :) Crystal is a wonderful and amazing person. I am so thankful that I found her. She has a business of making cakes as well. Check out the cake below that I had made for Easter. My brother and his family were home for Easter, so I decided to make it a little mini birthday party for Sari as well as celebrating the holiday. The cake was AMAZING! Crystal is soooo talented! I can hardly wait to see what she thinks up for Sari's birthday cake! We had a great weekend visiting with Berk, Christy and Ryder. I love watching the cousins play together. It really is quite comical at times!

I guess that biggest news that we have as a family is that Chris got a job at System Control for Hydro in Winnipeg, so it looks like we're moving...again! Our lives just wouldn't be normal unless there was constant changes in it! He starts a 15 week trial period on April 3rd, to see whether or not he likes the kind of work at System Control, and then I guess we will hopefully be moving shortly after that. So, now we are busy trying to finish our huge project of a house so that we can put it on the market as soon as possible and buy something in Winnipeg. We are actually looking at homes in La Salle as opposed to right in Winnipeg. We would like to stick with a smaller community, but still be quite close to Winnipeg. I am very proud of my husband and all that he has accomplished in his short years with Hydro! I am a very lucky woman!

Anyway, I have included some pictures below. I will be sure to post again after Sari's birthday party.

Sari showing off one of her 3 new bathing suits!

"I love my bath!"

The most amazing Easter/Birthday cake ever!

The cousins getting reacquainted.

Playing together.

Sari opening her birthday present from Uncle Berk, Auntie Christy and her cousin Ryder.

Hmmm...What To Report...

I know that it has been a while since our last post, but I have to be honest and say that with all of this cold weather, there hasn't been a whole lot going on around here. Sari and I have been stuck in doors through most of this cold snap, which I'm sure all of you with babies can relate. We did manage, however, to get outside to the skating oval that one weekend a couple weekends ago when it was -5, to take Sari around in her sled. She quite enjoyed that!

Sari has been doing really well. We have her eating small pieces of some non-mushed up food. I think that she really likes the independance of feeding herself! Sari also has a new favorite thing of climbing up the stairs. She does it really well! If I let her, she would crawl up them all day. We did have the falling down the stairs incident already though. It was one of those situations where I thought she was in the kitchen with Chris and he thought she was in the living room with me. I walked to the front hall to get something and the next things I know I see this little pink thing fall backwards down the stairs. Thankfully Sari wasn't hurt. I can hardly believe that in 2 months my little girl is going to be 1. Where has this past year gone??? She is growing up so quickly. The only thing that I wish would grow quickly with her is her hair!! Poor thing is still bald. I have given up hope that she is going to have hair for her birthday!

Other than that, no much else to report. Chris has gotten into a groove again with working on the house, which has made us both happier. Our bathroom is coming along nicely and should be finished within a few weeks. Yippee!!

I included just a couple of pictures today. I have been a little slow in the picture taking department. One is of our spoiled dog, Wicket. Just a picture that shows what a spoiled little thing he is and how he really feels he is the most important person in this house!!

Sari playing with her toys...ofcourse she had to smile for the camera!

Wicket just relaxing on the couch, not leaving much room for anyone else to sit down! He honestly slept like this for most of the evening! So cute!

We LOVE This Picture!

I just had to post this picture! Chris snapped this beauty while I was taking a nap one day. He managed to get Sari laughing and waving at the same time...the picture turned out awesome!

Sari is doing great. She now is pulling herself up to a standing position on the couch, as well as anything else that is just her height. Now she insists on standing all the time and is trying desperately to scootch around the coffee table. She has had many bumps and bruises, but no major blood spilling yet! We are also convinced that she knows how to say "bye bye." When she says it though it sounds more like "ba ba." Good enough if you ask me!

"Right on!! I love driving!"

Happy New Year!

Well, it's a little late, but Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!!

Everyone here at the Potter home had a very nice Holiday Season. Everyone was spoiled rotten with gifts this year! I guess it's ok once a year! Sari enjoyed her first Christmas. She wasn't really to sure what to do with the presents, but she sure did enjoy eating the paper! We had our own little family Christmas on the 23rd and then headed out to Chris's mom and dad's for Christmas Eve and most of Christmas Day. Then it was back to Brandon for Boxing Day with my mom and dad. It was a very busy few days, but wonderful all the same! The sweetest gift she was given was a rocking chair made by my Grandpa. It is soooo cute! Already Sari loves it! She loves sitting in it and having me rock her back and forth! When I take her out of it she screams a bit and then proceeds to try and climb all over it! It is very cute!

Sari is doing really well. She celebrated her 9 month old birthday on the 30th. I can't believe that my little baby is going to be 1 in just 3 months! Time is going by way to quick. She started to crawl just a week or so into December. Now she is desperately trying to stand. She can stand from pulling herself up on things that are low to the ground, but hasn't quite got to a standing position from pulling herself up on the couch yet. Soon though, she is quite determined. She also has started to wave bye-bye and hello to anybody who will watch! She has become quite the little show-off! As soon as the camera comes out she makes her funny little face, smiles and waves! It is just so sweet! Also, I am pretty sure she has learned and understands the signs 'more' and 'all done'. When she is eating and we ask her if she wants more she claps, and when we ask her if she is all done she waves one little hand. We know that it is supposed to be two, but we think this is how she does it for now. She is so smart! I have included some of the pictures taken over the Christmas season. Enjoy!

Sari opening her first Christmas present from her mom and dad.

Playing with her cousins at Uncle Rick and Aunt Simone's.
Having a bath at Grandma Joan's.

Sari and Ella having a bath together.

Sari posing on Ella's new couch on Christmas morning.

Sari putting on a show while trying out the rocking chair Great Grandpa made her.

Opening presents on Boxing Day.

Bon Jovi RULES!!!!!

Well folks, it was worth every penny, the tickets that is!! Ok, so here's the story. We get there and go through security and when they scanned our tickets a red flag came up. Can you talk about crapping your pants!! Carrie and I just looked at each other with this horrified looks on our faces. It turns out that the row we were in ended up having to have equipment in it so they had to relocate us. We were terrified that it would be worse seats, but no!! They were BETTER!! We ended up being in a row with only 3 seat, which was perfect since there was 3 of us, and it was right next to the part of the stage where Jon Bon Jovi came out!!!!!! I am telling you, he was only about 25 feet away from us. When he came out, Carrie and I just screamed and practically melted to the floor!! He did come up to that part of the stage a few times to sing and Carrie and I are certain that he looked right at us and was singing to only us!! He was so close that I could count the hair on his belly!!! Can you say sexy?!! It was such an amazing concert! I am still dreaming about it and reliving it! Words can't even describe what I good time we all had!! I wish that I had some pictures from the concert to show all of you, but pulling a usual Potter move, we all forgot our cameras! Not smart! I guess we'll just have to make sure his image is burned in our memories. As for Sari, she did well with Uncle Gord. She was in bed before we left and didn't wake up once...lucky guy!

I have enclosed some of the most recent pictures. We did get Sari out for a little sleigh ride before the weather got really cold. She was all bundled up and doesn't look like she's having fun, but she did. She was giggling the whole time...very cute! I also managed to snap a picture of Sari with her arms around Wicket. I was working in the kitchen the other day and came back into the living room to find Sari laying half on top of Wicket with her arms around his neck and cuddling him, it was the cutest thing I had ever seen. Of course when I go to take a picture her little head pops up and has to ham it up for the camera. My little diva!

Sari cuddling Wicket.

Sari got her first tooth brush...you can never start too young!
Sari enjoying her sleigh ride.

Sari telling Santa what she wants for Christmas at the Hydro Christmas party.

Hello Everyone...

Well, it has been a while since our last post, but life here at the Potter home has been rather busy. A 5 day leave from my house ended up turning into a 2 week leave while the kitchen was being prepped for our new kitchen to be installed. Like with most renovations, we ran into some obstacles, but Chris handled them really well and we got through it. Our kitchen was installed last Wednesday and was finished being installed on Friday. Sari and I came back home on Thursday. Thank you to my mom and dad for having us for 2 weeks...we appreciated it so much!

I LOVE my new kitchen!! It is very similar to our last one, but that is ok, I loved that one too. Of course there is painting, back splash, ceiling and trim to be finished, but that is ok, I have a sink and cupboards and that is all that matters! Slowly but surely our house is getting finished. We are more than likely going to take most of December off of working on the house though. We need some quality time as a family enjoying the holidays and our first Christmas with Sari.

Sorry, but there are going to be no pictures posted today. I haven't downloaded any lately. But I am sure that next week there will be lots because we are heading into Winnipeg on Sunday...for the Bon Jovi concert!!!! Yup, that's right folks, I am going to see Bon Jovi!!!! Words can't even describe how excited I am! Thank you to my parents for getting me my ticket for my birthday!! Best birthday week ever!!!!!! Chris, Carrie and I are going to be gracing Bon Jovi with our presence. I think that Carrie and I are more excited than Chris is, but I think that Chris is more excited with how hot and bothered I am going to get at the concert!! (sorry to any of the underage readers we have!) So, look forward to pictures and stories next week!

This and That...

There is a whole lot going on at the Potter house right now...in the way of renovations that is! This past weekend we had the Potter clan out for a very fun and much needed visit. Grandma Joan enjoyed, (at least I think she did) playing with all of her grandchildren for a couple of days. Sari had fun being entertained by her older cousins. Chris, Gord and Grandpa Bill were busy all weekend ripping apart and re-doing the plumbing in the bathroom upstairs. Thankfully our bathroom is still fairly functional. The goal for the bathroom to get done was this coming weekend, but, to our surprise we ended up getting a phone call a couple of days ago saying our kitchen was coming 2 weeks early and would be installed next Thursday!! Yippee!! So, the bathroom is being put on hold, Sari and I are going to stay with my parents for a week, and Chris is going to start ripping apart our kitchen tonight to get it all ready for the new one to come! You have no idea how excited I am!!! The kitchen is my favourite room in the house, so to not only have it look great but be functional as well, is going to make my year!!

Sari is doing good. She has two bottom teeth now. Her fussiness hasn't really stopped, so I am pretty sure there are a whole lot more on the way very soon! She is stubborn just like her father!! :) (ok, maybe a little like me!) And, to top it all off, she doesn't like to cuddle anymore...why do they have to grow up so quick?! Still, she's my little sweetheart and I love her to death! The picture below is Sari sporting her new winter hat that Grandma and Grandpa Crowe brought her back from Calgary! She looks adorable! Oh, by the way, happy belated 1st birthday Ryder!! I can't believe it has been a year since my little nephew was born...does time ever fly! That means that Sari's birthday is right around the corner...AHHHHH!!