The big visit!

So, the visit is over and we are back in the swing of things here, just sans Olan and Meg - our constant companions for a couple of weeks.

Speaking of, we obviously returned safe and sound from our brief sojourn to Toronto and then the trip to Muskoka to visit with Auntie Tep. The first part of the trip to Toronto was fairly hairy, but after a short pitstop to change Isabelle in the grass, and feed them both, we made it almost all the way there and stopped for a picnic on the 401 just outside Toronto. They both became fascinated with the grass and worked in tandem, Isabelle grabbing up bunches and Olan attempting to try to eat it all. Auntie Meg and Olan chased some seagulls and they both had a nice lunch of sweet potato puffs and Nutrios.

What to do with this grass?

We arrived in Toronto mid afternoon for a visit with Great Grandma and Grandpa, and then Aunt Janice joined us for dinner. Isabelle and I also managed to make it to Bayview Village for a quick shop! The new condo is gorgeous and it's nice to see that they are comfortable and set up in their new digs. Both babies were great visitors and loved to play with Great Grandma's new walker. I was worried that she would turn around to use it and it would be gone, pushed to the other end of the condo by the two of them....It was nice to see everyone and catch up, but then the next trip loomed and we wanted to get on the road, hoping that both babies would sleep the whole way there!

Visit with Great Grandma!

After a quick trip to Starbucks for some liquid courage, we hit the highway and NEITHER baby slept. Not, that is, until we were about fifteen minutes away from the cottage, and not without some fussing. Hence the next trip to an empty road somewhere off the 400! We tried to make the move from car seat to bed without disturbing, but unfortunately, Isabelle spied her location, knew it was somewhere new, and woke up completely, ready to get it on and party. She didn't end up going to bed until midnight, and this with a total of about an hour and a half for her naps, for the day. Socialite.

Quick change with Gran on the 400!

Although Muskoka was mainly cold and cloudy, we had a good visit with Auntie Tep. We took a day trip into Port Carling and also enjoyed a great dinner with the Bangay clan. We are calling Great Grandma Bangay the Baby Whisperer since both Olan and Isabelle were suitably charmed enough to do something they never do, which is lay prone on someone's tummy and be content to just lie there. Have no idea how she accomplished that feat! Catherine and Kayla dropped by for dessert and we also got to visit with them.

Let me in that boat!

Isabelle's Mom was a total baby herself about going into the lake. Too cold when there is a hot shower in the cottage. Isabelle, however, was completely unfazed and tried to launch herself off the dock every time we were down on the water. Thankfully Auntie Meg and Gran were up to the task and she made it in a couple of times. She and Olan also played in the mini pool that Auntie Tep had on the dock - that is until Isabelle had a small accident and the pool had to be cleared immediately (I imagined the lifeguard blowing his/her whistle). Oops!

Swimming with Auntie Meg!

We also had the great fortune to hang out with Mimi, Auntie Barb and Uncle Dave - can't say enough good things about those two. So in love, so cute, and SO much fun to be around. I was so happy for Isabelle to meet with them, and we even got to see Jen for a short time the next day. Adorable preggo girl - looking happy and healthy and sporting such a fabulous little belly, which I am happy to say I got to touch. Glowing, glowing, glowing!

Pretty cottage butterfly.

The trip home was fabulous. When we started out and both babies were asleep within the first few minutes we thought we were in trouble for sure, but then the rest of the trip passed quickly and with little incident, and this for a 5 1/2 hour tour! A couple of quick stops at the Tim's and we were home. Lovely babies :)

The next day we were off to the soccer game. A tad apprehensive about the later hour and the 29,000 fans, but well equipped with soccer shirts for the babies. We were sure that even if there were freak outs, they were cute enough to prevail with the fans! Isabelle LOVED the crowds and all the music and made quick friends with the people surrounding us. She clapped, she waved, she threw up her hands in the "hurrah" stance and was a huge hit. We needn't have worried about this butterfly, she was in her element.

Let's go guys!

The next day it was time for Olan and Meg to leave, but not before we took another little tour around Bank Street. We even managed to buy Isabelle's christening dress - thanks in huge part to Auntie Meg's suggestion of visiting the store in the first place. Thankfully that problem out of the way. Gilles wanted to know what had happened with the family dress she was going to wear and I had to explain that at 11 months and over 20 pounds, it certainly wasn't going to fit the bill. At the 2-3 month stage, it would have been great!

OOOOHHHHHHH! He's leaving????

We will miss them but will be seeing them again in a few weeks and know they will be very happy to be home again with Dad! We made both babies promise not to change in the next few weeks.