We have faces!

Kate's latest hobby is drawing faces -lots and lots of faces...

Daddy is particularly proud of this one:

Beaten by Mt Mansfield

We're back in Vermont for Labour Day weekend this year.  After last year's success with Camel's Hump, we were eager to try Mt. Mansfield this time around.  But we had to "abort" the attempt after almost 1 mile (and 1300 ft of ascent).  I blame:

• a late start due to a longer-than-expected drive to the trail head and a sudden thunderstorm that we had to wait out in the car (we didn't hit the trail 'til almost noon and had lost that early-morning enthusiasm!)
• a slippery, muddy trail due to aforesaid thunderstorn (and, of course, last week's hurricane!)
• hiking with a 2 1/2 year old who is MUCH heavier to carry (poor Daddy!), much less willing to ride in the backpack (good for Daddy!), and much more vocal about her opinions ("I go back HOtel") than the 1 1/2 year old we had along at Camel's Hump.  :o) 

But, it is a nice hike - interesting, challenging terrain - and we did get to stop at a little mountain stream for a little exploring (sorry, can't get the picture off my iPod right now - will post later...).

Kate-isms

A few of Kate's current (cute) words:

• hippopomolus
• bicle (bicycle)
• helpacopler (helicopter)
• teh-bear (teddy bear)
• bokalers (binoculars)

July 2011

Here are the latest highlights from our backyard and beyond...

Watching the RCMP Musical Ride



Hiking in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia


We had a great holiday in the States, spending a week in Virginia and a few days in Washington DC.  We got to see some friends and their new baby too!

Canoeing on the Rideau Canal



Using our new canoe trailer

(This got us quite a few looks going through town, I can assure you.)

Swimming at Bon Echo Provincial Park



We've just returned from a few days of camping.  Kate didn't sleep very well in the tent, but she LOVED the beach.  Hopefully she will get used to the tent! 

Now it's back to work on Monday...

OK, so spring did come...

Here are a few shots from the last month.

New tractor

 First trip to the beach

 Washin' dishes - current favourite activity

 Hikin'

What happens when you let a 2-year-old dress herself

Still waiting for spring...

Kate goes international

Hi friends,

The big news around here is that we just got back from a great trip to Belgium to visit Uncle Neil!  Kate thought the airplane was pretty exciting.  We didn't do much traditional sightseeing - just "hung out" and enjoyed the springtime weather.  Here are a few highlights...

On the plane (reviewing the safety instructions!)

 Splashin'

 Hangin' out with Uncle Neil

In the backyard

Enjoying winter

We headed out for a snowshoe excursion a few weekends ago - the weather was perfect!

I'm 2!

A few shots from Kate's 2nd birthday party last month.  Cupcakes and balloons - what more could a girl want? 

(The cute bunting over the window was handmade by a neighbour for her first birthday - now officially a birthday tradition!)

Christmas

We're finally getting back to normal after the holidays! 

We had a great holiday this year, with just the right mix of travelling, extended family, and staying-at-home time.  We headed up to New Liskeard on the 21st and celebrated with the McLean side on Christmas Eve.  Kate really enjoyed spending time with her cousins.  She even got to ride on Grandpa's snowmobile!

On Boxing Day we drove back as far as Arnprior to stay a night with Granny and Poppa Patterson.  There are always lots of fun things to play with there.  Then we got to hang out at home for another week, just the three of us. 

All of us, including Grandpa, Granny and Poppa, had nasty colds at some point or another (starting with Kate - thank you!), but everyone has pretty much recovered now.  I think Poppa is the last hold-out, still needing a few days rest. 

Here are some selected pictures - although I unfortunately didn't get any from the Patterson side celebrations...

 Reading with Auntie Tammy

 Presents, presents, everywhere!

 New baby doll



And here she is at home enjoying her new art easel and play kitchen...