Happy Anniversary, Mommy and Daddy!

Seems like 15 years ago given all that has transpired since that frigid, rainy May afternoon, as today we celebrate 3 years of wedded happiness!

So much in our lives we could not have predicted back when we bundled up and headed outdoors for our Rockcliffe Park ceremony that day. The arrivals of Isabelle and Oliver have made our lives so wonderful, as they grow up it will be such a treat to share our wedding story and tell them how people came from east and west to share in our special day and enjoy an afternoon of food, drink and fun as one big family.

We still think back with such fond memories and always appreciate how much having our families there meant to us. Here's to a fourth year that's as great as the first three!

Au Revoir, Grandmaman and Grandpapa!

We had a great weekend with our Winnipeg visitors but had to bid them farewell and they boarded a plane headed back West. Isabelle and Oliver are so lucky to have two sets of awesome grandparents who love them beyond belief. Parting days are always sad ones, especially for little ones who don't quite understand. The memories, however, remain in their minds and aid in the friendships being built across the miles. We are fortunate to be living in an advanced technology age that allows all of them to chat or see us like we never imagined. Looking forward to the next visit or the next Skype connection!

Welcome, Easton!

Congratulations to our friends Shawn and Lindie in Winnipeg on the April 26th arrival of their little boy Easton William! The cute little guy decided to stay cozy and warm a little longer than everyone expected but he's here now and as healthy and happy as can be. He is the spitting image of his dad and already has more hair than him! All the best to you as new parents, Isabelle is helping to pack your gifts and Oliver is excited to see someone his own age!

Let the Festival Begin

Tulip time in the National Capital Region once again, it has become a springtime rite of passage for Isabelle and now Oliver. Always a treat packed with beautiful flowers but also attractions for little ones like buskers, balloon animals and face painters. Isabelle has yet to be disappointed. The beds are not quite full yet, but well on their way and we are lucky enough to be positioned to check on them daily. We had a great time strolling through and enjoying the crowds. Isabelle snagged herself a giraffe balloon and promptly popped it when she tripped wearing some wooden clogs. She wasn't upset though, as she followed that up with her turn as the cutest tulip ever! Not to be denied any further tulipping experiences, she also received a butterfly face painting and was not too afraid to let everyone know this several times over on the way back home! More to report soon as we plan on visiting regularly!

Madame Butterfly


Tulip trekking partners


The hair and the face make quite the combo


Wrapping up the day with a story from Grandmaman

Alright, Who Did This?

Courtesy of some novelty band-aids found in Isabelle's treasure chest, Oliver became an unwilling participant as she insisted we all try them on. He looks highly unimpressed with the results.

The West has Won!

Won over Isabelle's heart, that is! Grandmaman and Grandpapa arrived this afternoon from Winnipeg and found Isabelle and Oliver ecstatic to have some company. Seems things have been a bit too boring for them with just dreary Mom and Dad around the house. Some new playmates were just what the doctor ordered. Isabelle was overjoyed to show them every toy she owns and to drag them up the street to her park and then for a guided tour of the tulips. We are so happy to have them here and for them to share in all that is Oliver and Isabelle. Should be a fun weekend ahead!

Meet your newest Grandchild, make that 6 now!


Whoohoo, this is fun!


See Grandmaman, this is how you shop the outlets!


Can you show me how it works?


Ah, the Tulip Festival is underway, tomorrow Isabelle realizes her dream: balloon animals!

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