Oh my, how time flies...Part 1...

Okay, I'm not sure how it's possible that another 5 months have flown by since I last posted, dang it! My life is flashing before my eyes!! So just what has the family Taverner been up to? Well, lots and nothing depending on the day. I'll try to give you a few highlights:

This was the summer of highland dance for the girl! Mae entered her "Intermediate" dance year in May 2010 and I blogged about her first competition in May 2010 in Sudbury! After the rest of her dancing concluded we began our summer of travelling all over Ontario...and even venturing to Montreal...to get her feet wet as an Intermediate! This meant many hours sitting in the car and a few hotels which Mae hated so very much. ;) It was a good summer for her with lots more medals to add to her collection and even a few trophies as we entered the fall competition season! She also experienced her first disappointment by not getting a "call back" for awards at one competition. This allowed me to be even more proud of her than usual as I watched her handle the disappointment...on her 13th birthday no less!!...with her usual grace and sportsmanship, congratulating her fellow dancers on their success and sticking around to line up the premier dancers for their competition. :) I had a broken camera until August when Tim surprised me with a new DSLR for my birthday and let me open it a few days early so I could capture some moments in Fergus, ON.

Getting her Fling on in Fergus!
(blue jacket in the middle)

And now a little sword dance...Pretty as a picture on National Day
My beauty waiting to perform the "massed fling" for the crowds.
Entertaining the crowds at the opening ceremony in Fergus

Delsin decided to play soccer this summer...he was more enthusiasm than raw talent, let's just put it that way, HA! But damn if he didn't look cute in his uniform that was big enough for two Delsins!! I've decided not to hold out on a Beckham-like salary to support me in my old age. :D

In July, I finally got to meet my beautiful niece Evelyn who was visiting Ontario from Vancouver, she is unbelievably beautiful. Of course. :)

The ladies with Miss Evelyn!

At the risk of making this an "all about Mae" post, she did also reach a milestone this summer: her 13th birthday **GASP** How did THAT happen? I managed to pull off a surprise for her while we were in Fergus for the two day highland competition...we stayed at a local B&B with my Mom along to enjoy a girly road trip and I made scooby-secret arrangements with the hostess to have an "English Tea" when we arrived back after the Saturday of competition. Mae's face was a picture to behold.

And it wouldn't be Mae unless I found her outside in her pretty dress catching frogs in the pond in the back yard of the B&B, LOL.

We continued the celebrations at home after a full Sunday of competition. Tim, the boys and my Dad were there to help Mae usher in her teen years...ACK!

Dairy Queen cake **drool**
Birthday hugs from little man
Grandpa loves his girl
We got a quick visit from Evelyn too to wish Mae happy days
Fast becoming friends
And what girl's birthday would be complete without a sleepover?
(Sleep not included!)

Note how little man has managed to blag his way into the party :D

Just so you don't think I've "bumped off" the other two boys, they are alive and well and living in Ontario! :D They really enjoyed the five months I was without a camera and now that I'm back shooting again they do their best to avoid me at all times! They had a very low key summer while Mae & I were off doing every highland games known to man. ;) Truth be told they enjoyed the ultimate gaming-geek summer hanging out at home with Dad & Delsin wearing boxers and playing lots of video games. Not my cup of tea but bliss for my boys. :) Here they are at the cottage at the end of August:

Connor doesn't "do" smiling. ;)

Compared to the always smiling Cam :)

I'll do another "catch up" post tomorrow, it's late and my Mom will kick my ass if she knows I'm still up, LOL.

Laura xo