Diaper Cake

The Aquarium

So when my parents were up we all went down to the Aquarium. I haven't taken the kids a lot this year but we have been down a few times and they both really enjoyed it. The nice thing for me was having my parents up and going because they haven't been since they were kids and having Chris with us. He hasn't been to the aquarium since Carsten was little I think around 5 or 6 months. So quite a while ago, I had wanted him to see Carstens reactions to all the fish and birds now. Plus having help keeping track of the kids is always a bonus. We all really had a good time and I love watching the kids reactions to all the animals as they become more aware of their environment. Carsten is so funny when looking at the fish and birds now and will point to some of them. Plus when you say fish he does a fish face which is really cute.

The Food Monster

 

We have a food monster in our house. She eats everything she can get her little hands on and is more then willing to go and steal her brothers food. If it is close to the edge of the table and she isn't sitting at the table she will stand up to see if she can knock it off the table. If anyone is eating food that she isn't she heads straight for them. I haven't figured out how she eats everything she does when she doesn't have teeth or how she can eat as much as she does. A lot of the time it seams like she will out eat Carsten and I just dont know how that is possible. River is only 8 months but is eating anything that is in front of her with no hesitation and no teeth the power of gumming your food to death. Carsten is learning very quickly that he has to guard his food hide his food or eat it right then and there before his little sister comes to take it from him.

The Backyardagins

So on Sunday Carsten and I ventured to downtown Vancouver so we could go and watch the Backyardagins. We ended up stopping at the book store to get a few books and then we headed down to the Theater. We meet up with V and her daughter K and had a really good time. Carsten watched the play so intensely that it was funny no smile no frown no nothing just pure concentration. So cute he sat through the whole thing and didn't get antsy until the last 5 minutes. So for an hour long show I was very impressed. 

Our Summer

This summer has been lots of fun but very busy.  River started eating solids and crawling, Carsten has been learning more and more words, we drove back to Alberta to see our families and Chris has been fixing up our condo so we can move to something bigger. There was also a family reunion on my side, Carsten turned 2, a trip to Disney World with Chris parents and his sister and brothers family and a variety of everyday adventures mixed in.

 It has flown by with everything going on and the kids have been amazing with everything we have done this year. They both traveled so well when we went to Alberta (13 hours) and Kamloops(5hours) and Disney World.(6 hours on a plane closer to 10 spent in the airport and in the air) River really doesn't like her car seat anymore but she will usually fall asleep in it in about 20 to 30 mins. Carsten just seams to travel well as long as he has cars or trains to entertain him and his sippy cup life is good.

The trip back to Alberta was good it seamed really long at the time but that may have just been what time we were driving at. We went to my parents place first and spent some time with them my Grandparents and my Aunt and Uncle and their Daughter and her daughter on my moms side then we saw my Aunt and Uncle on my dads side the next day. Everyone had a good time and we got to see everyone on my side that I had wanted to. For my Grandparents it was their first time meeting River but they were so enthralled with Carsten and how active he was. It was amazing to watch my Grandfather interact and watch Carsten. My Aunt Colleen and Uncle Neil hadn't meet Carsten or River or Chris yet. So it was nice for everyone to meet and have some time together.
Seeing my Aunty Terri and Uncle Bob was a very nice night it was their first time meeting River and Aunty Terri loves little ones so I am not sure who she was more excited to see of the kids I think a mixture of both of them. Now if only they would live closer so I could take her up on the babysitting offer she gave me. lol

    Next we headed to Chris parents place, I had planned this trip so we would be there for Chris sister's oldest birthday. C's birthday was lots of fun and it was really nice to see everyone. I think we were missing a few cousins but we saw pretty much everyone at the birthday party. Carsten loved seeing Barkley and Grandpa even let him walk him so Carsten has been going up to any little dog since that has a leash and trying to walk them. We also went and saw Chris brother and his wifes new house and had dinner over there with them. It was a nice visit with Shawn and Fawn.

We also Made sure to see my Brother and Cousin well we were there and that was such a relaxing and fun evening. Thanks Heather for letting us all come over to your place. It was nice to catch up with everyone and watch Steve, Heather and Pat with the kids. We at one point had Carsten in Pats suit jacket but it didnt last very long.  Both the kids were enthralled with Steve I dont know what he does but the kids love him.

When we came back to Vancouver we relaxed for about two weeks until we went to the Family reunion on my side. There were so many Cousins and Aunts that I hadn't met, it was really nice to meet so many new people and we had a blast visiting with everyone. Plus Lauras pool was amazing it kept us from melting and Carsten enjoyed floating on the pool floaty plus it had small pockets of water what could be better to splash in.

  We have had our trip to Disney which Chris enjoyed more then he thought he would and he has agreed to go back at some point in the future. The kids enjoyed it except for the heat a few minor snags but a good time was had by all.

 Through out this all Chris has been slowly painting and fixing up the condo which has been interesting. The kids can't be in the condo when Chris is painting or until the paint has dried. For the most part we have had something going on so me and the kids can be out of the condo but there have been a few times where it is just me and the kids out for 5 hours. Thankfully the painting is done or mostly what is left can be done with the kids around as they are rooms that can be closed off from them. YAY. We should have our place up on the market by the end of the month and then we will see what happens from there.

Last Sunday I lucked out by having a friend who had nothing going on so we meet up with her in New Westminster and took the kids and her dogs to the park for the afternoon. The kids had a blast with the dogs and being able to go run around with out me chasing after them. The joys of an empty baseball diamond. Thanks so much Steff for coming out to the park with us the kids and I had lots of fun.