Happy 1st Birthday John!

just a few days old! August 2013

Dear John,

You are now a year old! (13 months by the time I am writing this). It's been quite a year.. we just wanted to let you know how much we love you, little man! 

Your sister thinks you are the greatest. Even if you pull her hair. She loves to get you to chase her, roll around on the floor with you, and watch you learn new things. When you first started to stand, she squealed, "Standing John!" every time you did it.... she is your biggest cheerleader!

It wasn't always an easy year... your first few months are quite a blur for your mama! You have always been a sensitive soul and you have never been one of those babies who sleeps long stretches overnight. In the beginning we swaddled you up tight with your gummy soothie..... then you became too strong and wiggly for both those things, and grew to love your spotted red blankie.We know that these years will pass quickly and one day you wont need us in the night anymore... for now, you move along at your own speed and we are okay with it. Partly because you are just so cute ;)

You cruise along all the furniture like a pro and love to hide under the table. You love to go outside at the first glimpse of an open door... just like your parents and sister. You are often braver than Bronwen at things like splashpads and trampolines... when you are a bit older you will probably inspire her to try new things and who knows what sort of mischief there will be!

You love food... everything from beets and turkey to blueberries and curry. Actually, in true Newfoundlander fashion cod was the first solid food that you actually really enjoyed. None of those silly mushy foods for you.. you are a true little gourmet and wanted to wait to eat until you could do it all yourself.

You shriek with delight often, and though you are sometimes particular about who holds you, you make no secret of who your favourite people are. Luckily, most of them live right in this house. 

You've grown so much from the little dark haired newborn we brought home just over a year ago. Keep growing and learning and exploring.

We love you forever!

Mum, Dad, and Bronwen

sister helping you eat your cake

your delighted face... mouth open wide

BC Trip Part II

After 6 days in Terrace, we took the train to Prince George.. a 10 hour train ride on a VIA passenger train. It was tricky at times especially near the end of the trip, but overall I would say that everyone had fun!

A bit more room than the plane for sleeping..

Beautiful mountain views!

Playing with her new drawing book from Grandma

While in Prince George, we had a great time with the rest of the Claus family... 3 Claus brothers, 3 Mrs Claus's, and 8 fun kids!
Here we are at Dave and Krista's personal playground.. right across the street and complete with astroturf...

John getting to know Auntie Krista

Playing at the bike racing track

Bronwen picking raspberries

Meeting up with old friends.. here is Jeremy and Micah

John loved the splash pad

Mealtimes were a lot of fun, even if a bit chaotic at times.

Playdough with the cousins!

Delicious pizza on Friday night..

Happy first birthday John!

Trying to organize the family picture..

And there they are! Ages 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 2 and 1

John playing pool

Some downtime with Peppa the Pig

Toddler fun.. Micah, Atticus and Bronwen

Old friends reunited

John wasn't feeling so well, he fell asleep in my arms which is a rarity! I savoured it ;)

Painting on our last rainy morning

Thanks Dave and Krista for hosting such a fun family gettogether!

2 Months later...

Here I am, back again! It's been a bit of a whirlwind.. since my last post we moved and flew across the country and back, all the way out to BC.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll put up some from our trip and let them tell the story. This will be installment #1- Terrace, home of Mom and Dad/Grandma and Grandpa Claus!

First, we flew across the country, It was a bit of a painful experience but we survived...

And finally made it to Terrace!

Exploring the farm...

Early mornings for our little jetlagged Newfoundlanders

rubber boots on the farm!

a long row of chard

Picking raspberries all by herself.. this was a highlight

Fresh wild northern BC salmon for dinner.. yum!

Spending some quality time with Grandma and Grandpa

Brian and I got to spend an afternoon date together at Lakelse Lake... such a beautiful spot

 Selling vegetables at the market! I even got to join in the fun for an hour or so.

Morning river mist..

Visiting the Baker Extraordinaire

A hot afternoon at the park in downtown Terrace

Beautiful sunsets

Our late night expedition down to the Skeena River

the riverbed

And then, after 6 days in Terrace, we took the train to Prince George! Stay tuned for Part II...