Picture Perfect

We had a great morning on the beach with up and coming photographers John and Martha Locke snapping us all en famille. They did a fabulous job and like true pros, timed it perfectly. We wrapped just minutes before the torrential downpour began!

A really fun time and a chance to capture us all together on film. We have come close to the full complement periodically but it's been a while since we were all in the same place at the same time, plus the first time Oliver has experienced the full group. Luckily he is just as loud as some us so his voice did not struggle to heard. Keep it up, bud!

Culinary Cousins

Olan and Isabelle are such a treat to watch when they get together, and one thing they clearly share is a love of snacks and desserts! Need them to sit still for a picture? Just give them some food and snap away!

Surfin' USA

We always call Isabelle a daredevil based on her perchant for jumping in with both feet (sometimes literally!) when any new opportunity presents itself. The beach and the surf were clearly not an exception to this rule. She loved them and even caused a few minor heart palpitations in family members with the gusto she showed in taking off for the waves.


She is so at home in the water, whether it's the tiny, self-contained pool or the vast, never-ending ocean. Neither one seems to faze her. Then again, we are talking about the diving board princess herself. She might be shy with you when you first meet her, but ask her to jump off or into anything and she'll do it.


This was our last night in Florida, surfing Isabelle spots her Mom coming to see her beach antics. Sorry for the grainy, choppy footage, it was shot from our condo balcony!



The little tyke literally had to be carried away from the ocean. She has been going on and on about "swimming" in the ocean ever since we got home. She doesn't quite get why we can't go back right away. And she needs to read Stella, Star of the Sea every night now. Safe to say she enjoyed her vacation immensely.

Easter Fun-day!

Isabelle must think the Easter Bunny is both a genius and a regular user of Google Maps, because she has now spent 3 Easters in 3 different locations. Her first one was in Ottawa, last year in Toronto, and this year in New Smyrna Beach. Needless to say, the chocolate and gifts have had no trouble finding her anyway. This year she had two easter egg hunts, one through the condo and one to follow on the beach where sandcastles were used to mask the chocolate treasures. Try doing that in Canada!


She also received yet another vehicle for her fleet at home, a pink 3-wheel scooter that her and Olan (with the red version) quickly put into action down the condo hallway.


Enjoying the fruits of her morning treasure hunt.


We went for a wicked brunch with all of the family, all the staples of a well-balanced breakfast, plus omelette and waffle stations to top things off. Not to mention some yummy desserts for Isabelle to consider devouring, like there isn't already enough chocolate on Easter!


Check around if you want but good luck finding a cuter or better dressed duo than these two. What a great day for all of us to spend together, we are all truly blessed to be in each other's company.

Oliver in Action

Courtesy Auntie Mer the videographer, we are proud to present Oliver in moving picture format, a treat for all but especially for those of you who have only had the chance to see him in photos until now. He is such a good baby, just happily trucking along smiling and cooing the whole way through, except when he has one of his trademark grunting spells! He loved the warm weather in Florida and totally killed at the outlets, he is the one member of the family that has his whole summer wardrobe prepped and ready to roll.



We are also happy to report that at his doctor's appointment this week, he weighed in at 10 lbs, 10 oz, which is almost double his birth weight. He is growing just as well as his sister and although it's too early to tell, he just MAY be a better sleeper. Let's not jinx anything just yet!

St. Arrrgustine

Each year we make the road trip up the A1A to St. Augustine, checking out the beaches, the ocean and the million-dollar, hurricane-ready homes along the trip. St. Augustine is one of the oldest cities in the US, home to the famed fountain of youth, and has a storied pirate history that is prevalent not only in the city's background but also in every souvenir shop you walk past. In addition, the city is home to one of our favourite restaurants ever, Harry's, where New Orleans cuisine makes the trip worth every mile we drive. Gumbo, crabcakes, grits, red beans and rice, smashed potatoes, all of which are amazing. And if that wasn't enough, there is the minor point that the place boasts two huge outlet malls to hit on the way home! Who could ask for more, no landlubber in their right mind would skip this port!

Touring the sights with Grandpa


One superb street


Finding some similarly-sized friends


Beaded beauty

Tennis, Anyone?

Isabelle the runner/speedskater/swimmer/tricyclist/gymnast picked up a new sport while down south. Whether it's launching serves or chasing down balls, look for her on the hardcourt, she's the one that's the same height as the net. But let's get one thing straight, she definitely has the fashion and the posing down already. Is anyone surprised?

JB's Fish Camp Rocks!

Vacation means lots of time with family but also sharing plenty of restaurant time with them too. On Auntie Mer's last night in FLA, we headed just up the street from the condo to an old favourite, JB's Fish Camp, and to no one's surprise we had tons of fun. Who do you think had the most fun, especially after she discovered the stage set up outside? Maybe a 2.5 year old version of Sarah Bernhardt? JB's also has a very nice boardwalk on the intracoastal waterway, eclectic decor featuring stuffed alligators, a gift shop (naturally), and above all else, some great food, including Isabelle's favourite veggie, corn on the cob. It's an annual visit, and it never disappoints! See y'all there again next spring!

Calimari delight!


One character meets another


Like grandpa, like grand-daughter



Take a bow

Life's a Beach

We are back in cloudy, brown Ottawa after close to two weeks in sunny and green New Smyrna Beach, Florida. I'd love to say we are thrilled to be home but it was so hard to leave sun, sand, surf, shopping and most of all, family time that made the annual trip as great as ever, this year being extra special with Olan and Isabelle growing up and the addition of Oliver, Great-Grandpa and Auntie Mer! We have so much to report so stay tuned in the coming days for loads of snapshots and stories!

Florida Can't Come Soon Enough

How could we not be desperate for our Thursday morning flight after waking up to this little nightmare this morning:


And more is in the forecast for tomorrow, unbelievable! The city and its people are not too pleased, except for the four of us, who have our golden tickets and are set for the sun and surf that awaits down south! It will be so nice to get away and hopefully get some much needed rest while the rest of the Ottawans just sit and wait for some nice temperatures to arrive. Isabelle is already thinking spring and caring for the tulips, even in the face of the recent onslaught of white stuff!


Next time you hear from us, we will be able to tell you if Isabelle's summer curls are in full effect in the sunshine state. We eagerly await and hope to see what they are like this year. Isabelle, however, cares only for the beach, the pool, the sandcastles and most of all, her partner in crime Olan!

To Bed or Not to Bed

Since Xmas, Isabelle has had her own big girl's bed to start every night's sleep. We say start because this approach has achieved various degrees of success. At the beginning, she simply slept there until she felt like running to Mom and Dad's room, where she would then spend the rest of the night. Oliver's arrival is making a difference as Isabelle is determined to prove to us that she is a big girl now. Her evening and subsequent morning wakeup is in her own bed, although she often requires some assistance from Mom or Dad once or twice to fall back asleep through the night. However, in the past week, she has been sleeping longer and longer so it appears a corner has been turned! Hooray as we can all use the extra rest wherever we can find it!

Looks like last night was one of indecision for Isabelle as this is how she was discovered sleeping when her Dad stopped in to see her this morning!


And poor Auntie Mer wonders how anyone can sleep with a horizontal bedmate like Olan and Isabelle. Try sleeping with two feet on the floor, Mer!

Westminster, Here We Come!

As one of his first ever gifts, Oliver's Auntie Mer got him a Mysterio T-shirt, which comes in a sealed bag and presumably, once opened, predicts the future of the infant it is bestowed upon. If the boy loves puppies half as much as his sister, his destiny may already be mapped out!