Summer's Twilight

What better way to close August than a sunset cruise in the kayak?

As sad as we are to see the final day of August arrive, we can look back and say we had a great summer, full of friends, fun and family. The weather was sunny and hot, just like we like it. We hosted visitors and we went visiting. We worked on our house but we also stopped to smell the roses. Every day was different but every day was special to us. Mommy had an extra special extended time to spend with Isabelle and Oliver, not only hosting what seemed like daily playdates for two weeks, but then heading off to Halifax to share in the family cottage and reunite cousins for some fun in the sun. These two kids will only ever be this age for one summer, and we made sure to enjoy it. Next summer will surely be just as fun as they continue to grow. Each season is important to us for so many reasons, but we do love summer best of all.

Oliver and Mommy chilling out

Cruising into September...

Happy to Be Back!

Although Halifax was fun for everyone and Dad had the chance to enjoy some quiet time to himself, there is nothing better than having everyone back in Ottawa, together and enjoying the tail end of summer. Isabelle and Mommy were off to get Mommy/Daughter manicures, so Daddy and Oliver went to check out Rideau Falls! Lots to get caught up on, we missed each other so much!

A Night Under the Stars

We present to you the Sole Survivors!

Isabelle and Grandpa have always had a special bond and it was solidified over this year's time at the cottage. Everyone decided the weather was nice enough to do an outdoor dinner, followed by some pitched tents and a night of sleeping on the beach, with only a thin layer of tent between the sleepers and the stars. It all started off well, with some of Grandpa's favourite baked beans passed around for all to enjoy. Once the skies darkened and bedtime came around, two tents hunkered down to see if they would enjoy roughing it. Olan and Oliver were very quick to bail, hightailing it for the solid walls and running water in the cottage, while little Isabelle shook off her princess label and toughed it out all the way until morning, with Grandpa by her side. Bravo Isabelle, you are such a trooper....or maybe you were just so worn out from all the day's activities that you fell asleep and didn't wake up until morning. In any case, you made it through a night under stars, what a special night for you and your Grandpa. More great meories to cherish from the cottage...

The Great Haligonian Cookout

Grandpa tends to the fire

Tranquil sunset on Sherbrooke Lake

Gotta Love Cottage Life

It has been a great time up at the cottage, living day to day with no agenda, just fun times with family from morning until night. Not that it isn't tiring for all involved, but it's a different kind of tired than being back home in Ottawa. The days can be busy here too, but busy with fun activities, road trips, catching up with cousins and aunties and grandparents, plus we can't forget the great food and treats that come with vacation! It certainly was a great way to wind down our summer and take our mind off the impending return to work and school. Relaxing never felt so good....and the nice weather doesn't hurt either!

Isabelle runs with the bulls

Oliver attacks his corn with gusto

Beach buds for life

Matching smiles and hoodies with Mommy

Mission Accomplished

With all the recent renovations around here and an upcoming project slated for next door, we felt the next step was to make sure our garage was as clear as can be. With Mommy and the two little ones still vacationing out East, it seemed to a perfect project for a Dad on his own. With the help of our friend and contractor Khal, Daddy did a lot of sifting and deciding on what went and what stayed. Who knew that our garage attic had a sizable enough attic to take much more stuff than we originally thought? The kid's cars even fit up there so once there is a rack installed for the kayak, the old garage is good to go! Clean as a whistle, something that hasn't been seen around these parts since we moved in! The big test was pulling the van and although it's extremely tight, it is just spacious enough to fit in. Hooray! We are looking forward to some winter mornings when we don't have to brush it off! It was a tiring but fulfilling evening for the boys, who took pride in being able to a 2010 van and fit it in a 1940 garage! Amazing that we may be able to use our garage for what so few people do nowadays: parking our vehicle!

En Garde!

At the cottage Oliver has been working on his many skills, and it appears that first and foremost on his (and his Grandpa's) list is swordplay. Having the opportunity to haul off an whack away at his Grandpa is just far to much enjoyment for one little 3-year old brain to handle. He has had so much fun chasing after anyone he can find, so much so that while in town he and Mommy discovered and brand new Spider-Man sword and just had to pick it up! Oliver happily returned to the cottage, brandishing his new weapon proudly and swinging it with all his might. Just one of many great things about vacation and the cottage, all the time in the world to learn new hobbies! So far it's been an awesome time here, with lots of time to spend with cousins and just enjoy not having a daily agenda full of activities. Too bad the general rules of society say we have to work and go to school! Let's forget about those for a while...

Blast at the Buskerfest

 A couple of weeks we renewed yet another of our annual Ottawa traditions, a weekend trip down to Sparks Street and the Busker Festival. This year we got to see some great acts, including an old favourite of ours from a few years ago, Peter Rabbit the Bucket Drummer. Logan the aspiring drummer himself was impressed with Peter's skills, and Oliver and Isabelle were thrilled to be there to take in all the action. Oliver was less enamored with the entertainment than the giant slide, which he would gone down 100x over if his parents would have let him. Buskerfest is always a great spot for families and for kids of all ages, something for everyone to see and usually accompanied by great weather. Even little Kayla had a blast, craning her neck to see what all the commotion was about. In future years this event will just get better and better and the 4 kids all together will be a joy to see. Definitely one of the highlights of the Ottawa summer!

Bombs away!

Waiting for the show to start

Up close with Mr. Rabbit

Peter Rabbit in action

A rockin' good time as always



Summer Vacation!

It has finally arrived. While the cousins were all together whooping it up at the cottage in Nova Scotia....

...Dad spent a weekend in Toronto visiting Great-Grandpa and taking in some MLS soccer.



More to share on the many exciting times at Sherbrooke Lake. Isabelle and Oliver are loving the cottage life, enjoying all the room to roam and the many activities planned. Wouldn't be a vacation if it wasn't action-packed with excitement!

Florida 2012: Farewell Sun and Surf

We all hate the saying "All good things must come to an end." Especially Isabelle and Oliver, who fail to comprehend even why this saying has to exist. Unfortunately, the sun and surf of Florida were about to subside for this year, but at least Isabelle got out there one last time for some boogie boarding with her Grandpa. She took to it like a real pro, loving every second of being one with the powerful surf, riding into shore with a big smile on her sunkissed face. We expect in future years she will get better and maybe even graduate to one of the big boards. For now, she can at least call herself a surfer. It was a perfect activity to wrap up a glorious two week stretch in the Sunshine State, building great memories day after day, experiencing new adventures and revisiting old favourites. It's an amazing place, this New Smyrna Beach, a hidden jewel on the coast. Now we are starting to miss it before we even leave.

Proud Grandpa follows his prodigy

Smilin' surfer

Hold on tight!

Beautiful surf

Palm tree paradise

Farewell, Florida

Ride the Rocket

We stayed an extra day in Toronto over the family picnic weekend as Great Grandma was experiencing some difficulties and we wanted to make sure both her and Great Grandpa were doing ok before we headed home. As Mommy accompanied Great Grandpa to see her, Daddy and the kids kept themselves busy by heading on a little subway adventure downtown! Isabelle was last on a subway when she was in Paris at the age of 13 months and Oliver was on the TTC when he was 8 months, so neither one of them has any memory of it. They went into it with wide-eyed enthusiasm and it was a really fun experience. They loved as rushing to find seats, watching all the other riders, seeing all the different stops (some are outdoors, Dad!) and just riding the rails to the thriving downtown. The hustle and bustle of the city really hit them when the subway opened up to Union Station. People everywhere! A quick trip a few blocks over to see the Hockey Hall of Fame from outside and then it was time to head back, although they would have been just as happy to just ride it all the way to the end and back. It was a great way to pass the time and it will be hard to keep them from wanting a TTC experience every time we come to the city!

Rollin' on the "shove-way", as Oliver called it

Isabelle the poser outshines the CN Tower

Hugs at the Hockey Hall of Fame

Hanging with the hockey players

In the Crease!

Florida 2012: Fisherman Garth Returns

For Christmas 2011, our family gave Garth a day-long deep-sea fishing trip off the coast of Florida. Finally, 4 months later he got to go on that trip, accompanied by fellow Bedford-ite John. They rose early in the morning to catch the boat and head far out to the sea. They spent the afternoon fishing for all kinds of fish, even battling a little bit of nausea amongst the rocking waves, but having a grand time experiencing such a unique event. It's not quite like fishing at Six Mile! Many fish they caught had to be released due to state restrictions, but Garth did bring home a nice one, which he then proceeded to clean with Oliver and Isabelle as his excited audience. They were on the edge of their seats watching Grandpa slice his fish and when Grandpa pretended to make the fish talk, they were beside themselves with glee. It was a treat to see such big smiles on their faces! Needless to say, Grandpa had a great time on the boat and the kids an even better time seeing his catch of the day! From there, Grandpa had a well-deserved nap and we headed off to the Flagler street festival, an annual event we just love, with food, drinks and even toys for the kids! It was the perfect final night in Florida!

Stretching for a closer look

Can't take their eyes off it

Full of laughter and smiles

Snacking siblings

The Flagler tradition: bubble shooters!

Hangin' With Harrison

We live in Ottawa and our friends Andrew and Lena are in Edmonton, but we were lucky enough to rendez-vous in Toronto, not only to catch up but to meet their fabulous bundle of joy, Harrison! He started off our visit with a nice long nap, so peaceful in his car seat as we checked out Yorkdale's new food court. As we dined on gourmet burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches, he dozed away and we chatted about life in Edmonton and especially with a new arrival! It was really nice to get some extended time together, as we are usually relegated to using Skype or phone calls to keep each other informed. Harrison sounds like the model infant so far, enjoying their week-long trip to Toronto and charming everyone he met. Once he woke up, he found a new friend in Isabelle, who was only too happy to stick by his side and entertain him. They spent quite a long time just laying back on the couch, Harrison playing with Isabelle's hair and staring into her eyes. He's such a happy little guy and we were so lucky to meet up with him for the afternoon. Andrew and Lena are awesome new parents and we are overjoyed to see their family full of love and happiness. Great job guys, we miss you and can't wait to see the three of you again!

Paparazzi in training

Relaxing with the Ottawa crew

Harrison and his adoring fans

OK Blue Jays, Let's Play Ball!

 As a special treat on Sunday afternoon, Daddy and Great Grandpa headed into the big city to see Great Grandpa's beloved Blue Jays take on the evil New York Yankees in an afternoon matchup. Great Grandpa is a tireless fan of the team, watching as many of the games as he can from the comfort of his living room, today it was time for him to see it in person for the first time this year. The stadium was completely packed and although the roof was closed due to forecasted rain, that didn't stop the Jays from jumping out to an early lead and hanging on to beat the Yankees 10-7. With nice seats near the third base bag, Daddy and Great Grandpa were well situated to see all the action and even came about two rows away from getting a foul ball! Great Grandpa was happy to tell everyone at yesterday's picnic that he was going to the game, where everyone talked about the struggles the team is having, but today they overcame them to give all their fans a win! Hopefully we can make this an annual tradition where we can get Great Grandpa to a game, if only we can make a deal where the Jays live up to their part of the bargain and give us a win too!

Carrie Underwood with the ceremonial first pitch!

Perfect seats to catch all the action

Not only did we see them win, we saw one of the greatest catches in Blue Jays history, courtesy of Rajai Davis!

A great day for Great-Grandpa!