Olympic Spirit

Our house is tv free for the toddler in our family. It's in the basement and just not a part of our daily lives. Tavish, of course, knows what tv is ... but after this summer, we wonder if he maybe thinks that it's just for the "lymptics" that he's been told won't be on for another four years?

MOMENT: Sport Enthusiast

The Olympic games took place mostly while we were visiting in Fort Frances this summer. Tavish literally happened upon them en route to the bathroom when he noticed a tv that had been left on. Daddy found him entranced and standing about a foot away from the screen. Tom relocated him to a nearby chair, and an Olympic sport fan was born...

Goofy Grandpa

My Dad is amazing with babies. My Mom has said that they've been in restaurants together and she doesn't get why he's making goofy faces ... until she realizes there's a baby he's made eye contact with at a nearby table. Aw. I'm so lucky my kids get to enjoy him and his silly faces as often as we do for living as far apart as we do.

MOMENT: Funny Faces

Here he is with Keva ... not too unlike how wonderful he also was when we captured him with Tavish back when he was a baby.  Everyone loves those silly faces because they are the look of a playful person who adores children. What's not to love in that?! Thanks Dad for loving my children so much - they certainly love you back, funny faces and all!

Sink or swim?

I'm going to go with a swim in a sink - tiny tub, big baby.

MOMENT: Clean Keva

She really needed a bath and well ... her brother we going to be upstairs for a sleep, so we were flexible and cleaned her up in the sink. It worked and as a bonus, she liked it!



FLASHBACK: Tavish in the 'Tub'

Looks like this 'tub' can handle even older babies .... Tavish was exactly 4 months old when my Mom and I bathed him in the kitchen sink. There was no other child napping as an excuse for why we didn't use the tub beyond it's entertaining and does do the job...

The Next Generation

Since my friend, Katharine (Kate) moved to town in 1984, we have been good friends. So close, it seems, that our family life path looks strikingly alike (and I swear - completely unplanned). Sadly, geography isn't on our side with us living in different provinces. Boo. Happily, we were both visiting 'home' at the same time so we could play together and meet the next generation. Yay!

Kate & Kath with our kids

MOMENT: Kate, Kath & Kids

Since we go so far back, we like to photograph our children together because we think it's sweet. Who knows if they'd agree - but this idea began when Tavish and Sophie were babies. This summer, the new babes fell victim to our camera clicks. Different babies, same amount of sweetness.

Keva (L) and Eli (R) getting acquainted on the cold grass

Keva (L) hearing Eli's (R) loss of interest in this activity

Front (Keva) and back (Eli)

Eli (L) hearing what Keva (R) has to say now

Put our older kids with our younger kids and the cuteness factor grows exponentially...

The next generation of Kathleen & Katharine greatness

Sweet siblings

FLASHBACK: Now & Then

My how they've grown! Here are some Tavish and Sophie highlights of the first photo shoot when they were about the same age as Keva and Eli in the photos from above - such a coincidence in timing! Spot any similarities to their siblings at the same age?

Tavish (L) and Sophie (R) wondering what's going on...

Sophie (L) and Tavish (R) all topsy-turvy

Meeting of the minds (Tavish-L, Sophie-R)

Still cute as ever - but easier to tell apart!

Cabin Fever

"Family is one of nature's masterpieces"
- George Santayana

We were able to enjoy a full week of time 'up at the cabin' as a whole family this year in the company of my folks and my Auntie Colleen, with a visit from my brother and nephew, Logan. Summer time at the cabin is what memories are made of...

MOMENT: Family Fun in the Summer Sun

Ready to board the boat from the landing

Grandpa's Chief Navigator

Tom and Kath

Keva taking it all in

Keva cuddles with Grandpa

Grandma and her grandkids

Two boys in a boat - cousin fun

Keva and Uncle Kevin

Auntie Colleen

Grandma cuddle time

First time fisherboy

Waiting for the fish to bite

Summer splashes

Loving the lake

Heading 'home'

To think I was concerned about our ability to keep Tavish entertained at the cabin! Five adults worked together to keep up with him and all of the adventures there were to be had, all with a healthy sprinkling of baby snuggles for Keva's first trip up to the cabin.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

We're off on vacation to my 'home'. Tavish, the seasoned traveler, led the way for Keva's first flight.

All aboard!

Watching the prep on our plane.

First flight feed.

MOMENT: Packed and Ready

Before we left, Tavish had 'packed' his suitcase with different toys a few different times. Fortunately, we conducted a second screening of the contents of his suitcase on the eve of our departure - we found the most random things in there! We also had to bring the suitcase in for the evening as he always insisted on taking it outside to the yard so it was 'ready to go'.  Huh. Fortunately, both kids fared well on our travels by plane (two of them) and car (for the 4+ hour drive 'home' from the airport). Phew!

Hot Town, Summer in the City

Tavish, Keva and I explored some of the summer sites in the city with Tom's sister and family on their last day here: mounties, music, marching and the Rideau Canal Locks in the hot, hot sun.

MOMENT: Marching and Boating

The boy cousins had fun watching the Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill and doing some exploring together while Keva enjoyed the musical sounds around her and took in the elephant mobile sites from her stroller. Later, Tavish enjoyed a lesson in lock operation. What a classic day exploring the sites of the nation's capital in the heat.