Cousins, cousins, cousins!

Isaac and his 2nd Cousins, Cole and Ryan
While in Cape Breton, we got a chance to visit with my cousin Evan and his little boys. Ryan is just 8 weeks old so it was a perfect time to meet him. Congratulations again, Evan and Alicia!

West Mabou Beach

Surveying the beach

Beach bum!
The scenery in Cape Breton is simply stunning. If you ever get a chance to visit out East, make sure it is on your travels. And, hey, while you're at it, stop by the Smith family farm in Smithville, Cape Breton!

En route to Cape Breton

Crossing the Canso Causeway

Lobster for lunch!

The toy that works when all else fails
Taking Jen and Isaac along on the familiar drive to Cape Breton was a great way to share memories of growing up with them. It's a bit longer now that Dad lives in Dartmouth instead of Truro.

A stop for lunch just before the causeway was definitely necessary! Luckily for Isaac, we took the fish chowder over the lobster.

For a 5 hour trip, it went pretty well. By the end, Isaac was getting pretty restless so calling in the cavalry (Mommy's sunglasses) saved the day (on the way back as well!).

Tristan & Adele

Last August, Andrew and family stayed with us in Toronto when they were up for a wedding. While they attended the ceremony, Jen (then 8.5 months pregnant) & I babysat the kids. That afternoon at the park playground, a number of parents exclaimed over our bravery for having a third. We hastily assured them that Tristan and Adele were just rentals and we weren't that crazy. Well, it's been a year, and we are in the thick of it now. Thanks, Tristan & Adele, for the dry-run at parenting last year!

ps - Thanks for a wonderful meal and evening, Andrew & Carol!

Visiting with Erin and her kids

Isaac with new friends Molly & Sam

Thank you Erin for lunch!
We had a great chance to have a visit with Erin McDonald and her little ones. It had been a number of years since I had last seen my good high school friend. My, how life has changed 15 years down the road :-)

Unwinding out east

Dad's famous Chicken and Broccoli wrapped in Bacon
Enjoying dinner and the view of Halifax out on the deck
Now that we are in Halifax (Dartmouth, actually) we can relax and enjoy a couple of weeks before the summer ends. It'll also be another great opportunity to spend time with friends and family and have them meet Isaac for the first time.

Taking the flight path less travelled

Enjoying the ride across from downtown to the Island Airport
It doesn't take much to amuse the LM
Don't worry - we're not leaving without you!
Despite the controversey which has by now largely abated, we decided to take a Porter Airlines flight for our trip out to Halifax. Gotta say that avoiding the trip out to Pearson, a spacious waiting lounge with free latte's (but no hot chocolate!) & cookies & internet kiosks & newspapers, free food & booze on the flight, and friendly service all appeal to those living in or near the downtown. Me? I just dig it for what's reputedly the world's shortest ferry!

All set for the baptism

Nothing better than playing dress-up with the LM
Somehow Isaac knows that he will have a hard time living this down in later years
Nonni (Jen's grandmother) and Louise (Jen's mother) couldn't resist the opportunity that a baptism presented to doll Isaac up. He looks pretty spiffy!

Weekend at Lac Sam

Enjoying the lac (that's French for lake) with the LM
Heidi and Manuela (visiting from Italy!) in the canoe, Anton in the kayak
4 roomies from back in the day at Guelph
Many thanks to Erin for inviting us all up to her family's cottage outside of Ottawa on the Quebec side. It's always great to get out of the GTA, especially when the endpoint is a secluded lake! Fortunately, we were out of town for the big propane explosion and the ensuing traffic snarl.

Good Sunday Morning to you!

The LM can't resist the camera
While entertaining Isaac (or is that being entertained by Isaac?) this morning, I took this video.

Life by the poolside

Almost ready for Beijing
Almost 30 years ago when Nonni was looking for a new house, Jennifer, then age 4, suggested one with a pool. Nonni took that advice and the family has enjoyed it ever since.

For the past little while, we've been staying with Nonni. Given the warm summer weather, it should come as no surprise that the daily routine includes a dip in the pool for the LM.