Happy Autumn

There are beautiful coloured leaves on the trees right now. Here are a couple of photos from today.

Back from The Rockies

We have just got back from a week in The Rockies with my Mum. We stayed in several places including Revelstoke, Jasper and Banff. Everyone had a great time and obviously it was wonderful to spend time with my mum and for Alexander and her to spend time together as well. We took LOADS of photos which I will download, sort out and upload a selection in due course. It always takes longer than I'd like these days. Can't imagine why...

Alexander eats Miso Soup

My mum is visiting at the moment. Last night we went out for sushi and Alexander loved the miso soup. Click here to watch a clip!

Spagetti and Corn

Alexander likes both, apparently.

Thetis Island Retreat

This weekend saw our Third Annual Thetis Island Small Group Retreat take place. Thetis is a beautiful little island off the coast of Vancouver Island. We drive over, using two ferries, while the others, who did not need any baby stuff(!) were able to fly in 20 minutes from Vancouver. Here are a few photos.

Firstly, the Group Shot. We make a sorry looking bunch!

Amazing blue skies and calm waters.

There was time to go kayaking...

And time to hang out at the cabin!

Off to the hair dresser

It was overdue. Alexander needed a haircut. So it was off to The Hairloft in the Kidsmarket on Granville Island. But Alexander wouldn't sit in the train or in a car, only on his mama's lap. Here are a few photos.

All done. Looking smart!

Vancouver from the Air

Yesterday I attended the Planning Institute of British Columbia's annual conference in Nanaimo, which is on Vancouver Island. Here's a photo taken on my phone on the way back.



On Saturday we're off to Alaska to join Steph's parents for a week of exciting adventures. There will be lots of photos I'm sure.

- Posted from my iPhone

A little family portrait

Here's a quick family portrait I took using our new Panasonic LX5, which I am very excited about. Anyway, more about the camera later. For now, here's a quick picture.

Happy Easter

We had a lovely family day out today at Steveston, a fishing village in Richmond, just south of Vancouver. We ate fish and chips, toured the salmon cannery museum and hung out at Garry Point Park. This park juts out into the Straight of Georgia so is usually fairly breezy. Today there was a lot of kite flying going on, which Alexander found fascinating. He also loved the beach. After a nap (for Alexander), a cup of tea (for Steph) and a coffee (for Tim) we headed to a great children's play area that has loads of things to keep smaller ones occupied. Of course, at Alexander's age, it also keeps the parents occupied as well. Here are a few photos from our day.

Alexander was fascinated with the kite flying. Had he had a go himself though, we fear we would be still looking for him somewhere up the Fraser Valley.

Alexander seemingly would have been quite happy to wade out into the estuary had we not stopped him. I played around with this photo a little, including adding a sepia tint, in case you were wandering.

Off at the children's play area, Alexander loved a train. This playground actually represents the end of the old interurban train line from Vancouver, so the model train is highly appropriate. It would be great if the real thing was still in operation though.

And finally, Alexander examines some daffodils. One minute he's stroking them gently, the next... well, as they said in Short Circuit, 'no reassemble'!

Out walking with Alexander

Yes, that's right, walking. With Alexander. Outside!!! Yesterday Alexander got to test his new outdoor shoes for the first time.. outdoors! We just went down to the Coal Harbour seawall. We was fascinated. At first, when let out of the stroller, he just stood there, on the grass, as if taking it all in for the first time. Or maybe getting a feel for the grass/ mud. Anyhow, he soon got used to it and was very interested in the Red Men near the Westin Bayshore Hotel (see photo below). Steph and I were looking at him and realised he really isn't a baby anymore - he's a little boy! Hope you like the pictures. (One other thing we realised - he doesn't have enough trousers. They're going to get muddy and need washing a lot more frequently than before!)

Alexander and Steph pose with a Red Man on the Coal Harbour Seawall.

Alexander takes his first steps on the grass.