PNE 2009

Jasper and Grandma going for a slide!

One more year til Griffin will get a ride in something other than the stroller!

Auntie Alison and LC visiting the goats

Jasper and tons of "Ming-Mings"

The Cousins

Ok, so I swore that I would never waste the money again to attend the PNE when you can simply go to Playland for a third the cost and a third the chaos and crowds. But, it was simply too tempting to join cousins Marley, Paige and LC and Grandma for a sunny day of fun and kiddie rides and those little donuts - yum.

10 Months!

This month was a big "girth" month for Griffin - I think his thigh circumference has at least doubled and it feels like so has his weight! Maybe this explains the voracious appetite? A few more teeth have made an appearance making a grand total of 10 and counting. The cruising is picking up speed and he is standing on his own for a brief second until he realizes what is happening. Happy bday my little boy!

Farewell Team Scotland

A lovely last day with Team Scotland. Picnic on the beach and muy bien dinner chez Aleman. Alas we will miss the clan so much. Until we meet in the Bridge in 2010!

Leslie the dog made with Love by Auntie Caldero

Auntie Feathers and the Griff - a lovely pair! (and no, I didn't post the semi-porn kiss shots!)

Its Brangelina! No wait its Feathers trying to keep control of the kids!

Table for cuatro

Toast to the Sunshine Coast!

Savage and The Griff chatting on the ferry

Team Scotland pre-dinner and post many glasses of vino!

MegaDob flexing his muscles

Griff still smiling despite post kiss from Sage!

Griffin and I just got back from a lovely trip to the Sunshine Coast to visit with our good friends Shark/Ty and Team Scotland. It was our first visit to Shark and Ty's new palace on the water and we weren't disappointed! Griffin in fact liked it so much he decided that he didn't really want to sleep at all lest he miss some of the fun at 11pm, 12am, 1am etc etc... Sigh.

Anyways, was nice to be treated to fresh crab and prawns (all 6 of them - damn poachers!) and of course lots and lots of alcohol, chocolate and good laughs. Since Aaron and Jasper had the camera up in the Okanagan, all I have are some semi-crappy photos taken from my iPhone.

Updated Casa Nielsen

Jasper in his work gear "helping" dad

We finally had the landscapers come in to finish up the backyard which has been a complete disaster zone for a few months now. A little new sod, some prickly woodchips around the play area and some new bomb-proof plants and we are good to go. Too bad summer is nearly over.....

Mommy and Daddy - The Portraits

Thanks to our budding photographer Jasper!

Nine Months!

Griffin! You are 9 months!
You have your 5th, 6th, and sort of 7th and 8th teeth.
You say Mama and Dada like you actually mean it.
You continue to LOVE food and are willing to try just about anything.
You got your first ear infection : (
After months of sleep training you are back to sleeping horribly, but are too cute when you call out "Mama" in the middle of the night to ignore.
You are a super star swimmer.
You are bring put in your little place by big brother, but rarely cry about it.
You sort of clap and sort of wave bye-bye, both being more like a pat on your leg : )
We love you!

A Little Trip to the Beach

Flying Kites on Cannon Beach

Sandcastle building was popular until the kite was ready!

G-man looking fly in his new hat at Manzanita

Manzanita

Riding the Bumper Cars at Seaside

Papa C and Jasper on the Boardwalk (there was a wedding in progress on the beach behind us at the time!)

Mimi, Papa C and Jasper chillin on the beach

The Nielsen Boys Arrive at Cannon Beach!

After that most annoying heat wave (thanks global warming) it was very timely that we planned a jaunt to the Oregon Coast last week. In fact, not 2 hours after we began our trek south we entered a large fog bank on the I5 and the temp dropped about 10 degrees to a brisk 16 celsius - refreshing! In fact, the temperature did not rise that much for the rest of the trip but that was more than ok with all of us.

This was our 3rd time to Cannon Beach and the first time as a family of 4. We made a stop in Ocean Shores yet again on the way down where we were welcomed again by 16 degree weather with an added wind from the water - not much of an anything town if you can't spend time at the beach, but it was a decent place to rest our weary heads for the night.

Cannon Beach continues to amaze me every year. The beach itself is glorious with beautiful powdery sand and miles and miles of walking (and sand dunes, and wildlife etc etc). We also made the requisite half day stop in Seaside so Jasper could visit the aquarium again and this time we also headed farther south to Manzanita - a charming little seaside village with a stunning beach and super earthy low key vibe - very very chill. I would have liked a few more days of relaxing and beaching but its aways hard to know how much is a good thing til you leave. Counting the days til 2010's trip already......

Playing Trains and Going Potty

Jasper is so happy that baby can finally reach the train table to play trains (well, sort of....)

Jasper finished his ENTIRE potty chart in one week. It took him 3 months to get 3 stickers and thanks to the crash course in SUmmerland, he is now a peeing pro! Now its off to the toy store for his prize!

Potty Au Naturel

Playing in the backyard

New vs Old Christine!

Sue the bday girl and Kieran Day

All the Days and Nielsens

Jasper was on "holidays" all last week in the Okanagan (thanks Mimi/Papa, Auntie Shell and Cousins!!) While on holidays, Jasper got a crash course in potty, going both inside and out (again MANY THANKS to Mimi/Papa/Auntie Shell). And while Jasper is still pretty resistant to going indoors, give the kid a patch of grass/bush/puddle and its go pee/poop go! We are so proud and we are blazing through the big bag of Smarties : )

We also had a couple of bday celebrations this weekend. Auntie Sue and the entire Day clan came over to celebrate her "39th" and we had a fabulous time at Katelyn's 3rd bday at Maple Grove pool.

Go Griffin Go!

To the tune of the RobDobHow family Ibchaillock soundtrack!

20 Years....

....since I graduated from high school and to commemorate I attended my 20 year reunion in Victoria this past weekend. Fortunately for me, I have remained close to my bestest girlfriends from my formative teen years despite time and distance, and of course, they were the ones I was most excited to see, so thanks for many laughs and many drinks girls, next time we will hit Gonzales Hill for sure. We certainly missed Jan the Can and Lou the Chew, but I suppose living in Australia and having a newborn are decent excuses for not attending. By the way, welcome to the world sweet little Jude Oliver!!

The girls getting their drink on at the Wine Bar

The old stomping grounds, soon to be torn down!

Replace the Smirnoff with Rockaberry Cooler and we could be back in high school!

The babies chatting about life at the family BBQ at Willows beach

Classic Self Portrait