Emily's 17th Birthday!

Emily turned 17 on Friday! We celebrated in our usual way, with all the things she loves most (including lots of Larry!). Here is what Emily was doing at the exact minute she was born, 17 years ago: reading in her room.

Emily's birth minute: 8:32am

Her main birthday gift: a new summer wardrobe

Jessi and Emily love to give each other very thoughtful cards and gifts. This year, in addition to a couple of necklaces, Jessi crocheted Emily a Larry keychain and coded a surprise game on Scratch!

Emily has grown a fraction of an inch since last year, bringing her total height very close to 5'-8". Perhaps this is her final height?

Having to stand on tiptoes to see better!

Top height four years in a row

Answering birthday messages from fellow Scratch members

Jessi's chocolate chip cookie tarts for dessert ♥

(Tart filling too soft for a proper birthday candle)

Birthday Girl's favourite lunch & dinner picks

Today we hosted dinner with my family to continue the birthday celebrations. Emily is so loved!

Our resident bakers

And she is growing up quickly! On the 17th of August Emily passed her G2 driving test and can now drive the car on her own! This Fall she'll start applying to University programs. And only one year left before she becomes an adult!

The first outing

Here's to growing independence.

Happy Birthday, Emily! xox

Easter 2026

We had a delightful Easter weekend with family gatherings on Saturday and Sunday. This year, even cousin Maggie got to search for eggs at our house on Sunday morning. She loved it so much that she requested we hide them again, over and over! I bet Louise can't wait until she's old enough to search for eggs too.

Once the little ones were gone, Emily and Jessi enjoyed their own egg hunt and hidden baskets full of chocolate treats, clothing, money for Jessi and a phone case for Emily.

Sneaky hiding spot

How many are you missing?

Daddy hides them really high

The final hidden egg (out of 50)

Mother & Daughters in Easter Pastels ♥

The weather wasn't nice enough for the traditional egg hunt in my parents' backyard (what a long winter we've had!), so the kids searched around in the basement instead. The only other time Easter was indoors was in 2015 when the girls were 3 and 5 (and Lorelei was 2).

2015

14 Outdoor Easters ♥

Parents get treats too ♥

Checking in on Patches at the end of the night

Happy Easter from Nathalieland!