Baby Olympics!

 There are the OLMPIC Olympics, the Paralympics, the Special Olympics, and now... BABY OLYMPICS!

In the spirit of the Olympics, a few of Fraser's closest peers came representing a culture of their background, and the games were on!

Representing CANADA: Nico!

Representing Scotland (simply because blue and white were the only colours other than pink that she owns!) : Hope!

Representing Finland: Desmond!

 

Annnnnd representing the Netherlands: Fraser!

(Side note: Fraser's little soccer jersey is actually FROM the Netherlands... thank you Nana & Papa!)

 LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Crawling race to the cheerios/baby mum mums...

Hope & Fraser tied for first...

(Another side note: Fraser started army crawling just in time for his 10-month birthday, and in the 3 weeks since, he has begun regular crawling, pulling himself to a stand, clapping, waving, signing "more", and making all sorts of noises. We can practically SEE the wheels in his head turning as he's taking everything in and learning sooo much.)

But I digress. Back to the olympics...

CHEERIO GRAB...

I'd say it was a four-way tie (although Fraser DID sort of hover above the stash and hoard handfuls)...

We had other activities on the list (diaper changing contest, first giggler when tickled, who imitated a clap first etc), but we got a bit of a late start and the babes (and mamas) were starting to get hangry. I guess that's what happens when you get a bunch of babies and mamas together... nothing quite goes as scheduled! ;)

The gold medals went to... EVERYONE!

 After the medal ceremony, lunch was had by one and all. The mamas had a potluck lunch with foods from their backgrounds, and it was an astoundingly delicious spread if I do say so myself....

Thus concludes Baby Olympics 2012... can hardly wait until winter Toddler Olympics in 2014!

The Best Job in the World... Puppy Photography!

Lowell's parents breed golden retrievers, and when they have puppies to sell, Lowell and I head out their way to take pictures of the pups. This time, they had TWO litters (i.e., TWENTY PUPPIES!!!). One litter is filled with Kumeu's full siblings, and the rest are his half sibs. Hey, it's a ruff job, but someone's gotta do it (hehe)...

 

 

The group shots always prove to be somewhat of a challenge. Quick reflexes, lunging and sweating are most certainly involved...

 We took the easier route for THIS shot. You know, wrangle them together, don't let them go, and smile pretty for the camera...

We're considering quitting our hard-earned day jobs to become professional travelling puppy photographers... now wouldn't THAT be the life?! :)

Keep tabs on tayalta.com if you're interested in a puppy because it will be updated soon!

While we were at the farm, the whole family (plus cousin Erin!) happened to be there as well. Janelle threw together a fabulous rainbow-themed party to celebrate Katelyn & Emily's birthdays, so we all dressed in a colour of the rainbow to add to the festivities. Family! Puppies! Kidlets! Colour up the wazoo! Could it get any better?!

(Missing: Ryan & Lori's Dave boohoo!)

Now pardon me while I go ogle some more puppy pictures...

Fraser's First Camping Trip!

Fraser's first camping trip was a rather spontaneous journey to Waterton with our small group friends (minus Nick, Chels & Nico). We started off with a wee hike...

 

 

Do you like the cover for our child carrier? It's to shield Fraser from sun, wind, bugs.... and fire. Yes, it is apparently fire retardant (and I have no plans to put that claim to the test)!

After our hike, a picnic lunch and ICE CREAM,  we headed back to our campsite where Auntie Mandy pulled out her bubbles (can you tell that Mandy's a teacher?)

 

The weather was totally perfect, but we still had a fire going the entire time...

 

And of course there was no shortage of food...

And PIE!

 

I burnt mine, but burnt pie is better than no pie...

 Weiners and s'mores were a must...

...and Fraser was just DYING to try a s'more...

 

The men kept the wood good and chopped, and Lowell felt the need to prove that he could chop a log on it's side...

Success! What a man.

 Ahhh. I love me some good campfire, chattin times...

 

 

At night, Mandy and Graham pulled out Bolaball. They are seasoned campers, they are. They've got ALL the goods!

 

 
Aaaaaaand Auntie Mandy pulled out the bubbles again (and I don't know that Fraser was even around. Just sayin...)!

 

BED TIME! Lowell, Fraser and I slept in our van. It was a wee bit cuddly, but it worked. The reason we opted for van-sleeping as opposed to tenting it was so that Fraser didn't wake up the entire campground if he was up in the night. Well, he actually did pretty good... it was the little girl in the next campsite that kept people up (and I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief that it was someone else's child disturbing the masses)! 

 

Goooooood MORNING!

We did up a fancy little breakfast together. Bacon, eggs, pancakes, toast, fruit... YUM! Team effort...

 Fraser boy firgured out that he could stand on the bench when his little seat was hovering above the bench. Little turkey...

 

But what an adorable little turkey...

 

 Another first for Fraser. Deer, meet Fraser... Fraser, deer... 

 

Before we headed home, we hiked through Red Rock Canyon. And by "hike", I mean sauntered through the freezing cold water and climbed some rocks now and again... 

 

 

 

 

Our final destination was a rock slide. Before anyone attempted it, Graham made sure everything was safe and there were no sharp rocks ready to take out our tail bones...

Julie, Graham and I all attempted it. Exhilarating... and COLD!   

 

(Thanks to Mandy for capturing the sliding fun and classic facial expressions!)


Awww.... what a great group of pals we have. Fraser is so lucky to have all his pretend aunties and uncles!