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.

Month 2

Keva's two month-iversary was celebrated while we were off exploring the city. She partook in the adventures from the comfort of her stroller bassinet.

Keva captivated by her stroller elephants
July 28th, 2012

MOMENT: If You've Got it, Rock it

The tuft of hair on the top of Keva's head continues to grow. At two months of age, she's got a spike that she rocks. We like to think she's advanced in the hair follicle department. ha.

Keva sports a spike at 2 months
July 28, 2012

Swing Batter Batter!

Grandpa Mike took his children and grandchildren to a ball game. Tavish loved it. Grandpa Mike later added a baseball bat and ball - carefully hung from a string on the clothesline, to our yards for the boys to practice with. A baseball player has been born...

MOMENT: Let's Play Ball!

He gets a kick out of playing baseball with Daddy ... and hearing "he's safe!" after hitting it out of the park.

Row, Row, Row your Canoe

... Gently on Dow's Lake.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily -
Good times it will make!

It was Keva's first time in a canoe. She seemed to really like it in that 'had-a-good-sleep' kind of way...

Safety First: Keva dons a lifejacket

MOMENT: Premier to Paddling Plus A Picnic

An excellent way to spend a holiday Monday and Keva's 5 week-iversary - in a canoe. Daddy kept us on course in the stern, Tavish kept us entertained with his playing and 'paddling' in the middle and Mommy provided some power from the front seat, this time with an extra special view at my feet of a sleeping newborn. Aw. "Sweetride" (our canoe) had her first voyage with the full family. We met Michele and family out on Dow's Lake and paddled to a picnic spot where we met Grandpa Mike for lunch. Good times and hopefully just the first of many moments of paddling together as a family of four.

"Sweetride" indeed

Mommy's View

A Favourite Pastime - Picnicking 

Starting them Early

MOMENT: Tavish's First Time

Tavish's first time in a canoe (at just over 2 months) was less smooth ... he clearly didn't love his PFD and clearly his parents found that somewhat entertaining. Oops.

May 31, 2009 - Tavish's turn to try the canoe

Tavish's idea of torture at 2 months and 1 week
into his long paddling future