great strides

 Elliott has made a big leap developmentally this summer (in my opinion).  He is now addressing and conversing with familiar adults independantly of me.  And he is happy to play with his pals independantly of me (I don't have to even be in sight the entire time!).  I am so happy for him, and it is really nice for me too- I think that we are both more independant now.  I'd like to think it is my efforts, but probably just a developmental change for him.

 Here he is Sunday morning on a bouncy castle with a friend- they had it to themselves for a whole 2 hours (I think all the wake boarders were still hung over at 8am!).  My girlfriend and I sat in lawn chairs, drinking coffee and chatting- nice!

This doesn't have to do with the heading, but I like the splash!  It was a hot weekend here in Kamloops and we spent a fair time in our little pool and on the slip and slide.

Boys and Girls weekend

Recently, the boys went to Vancouver for a night to attend a family reunion and I went to my girlfriend's wedding.  We all had a lot of fun.  It was the first time in many years (like 22!) that glen was all together with his step, half and full siblings from his mom's side.  There is an awesome picture of them- I'll try to get it. 

Here is a picture of the counsins from that side of the family together.

 And here is Elliott feeling comfortable on his playground motorcylce.

I've lost the photos of my wedding, but I had a lot of fun getting dressed up and attending with my girlfriend as my date.  My friend had literally made everything for the wedding (including her dress!) and they were so happy to get married.  It was a really special event to attend.  And that was the weekend baby Gloria was born, so I spend some very quality time with a new born in my arms- ahhhhh!

This is just an unrelated add-on.  Glen was teaching Elliott how to use his retractable screwdriver.  An important lesson- but more importantly- what a good Dad!

a new friend! more camping!

 Our good friends just had a baby girl!  Baby Gloria is lovely and we've been so happy and lucky to spend some of her early days and moments together. (those are the photos I am sad to have lost).  Gloria and her family came camping with us to the Shuswap this last weekend- at 8 days olds she lay on the sand and had a looooong nap.

 Glen taught Elliott about lighting a fire. 

 I taught Elliott about not touching public toilet seats, and instead bringing your own potty seat!

 Elliott has a new bike!  He seriously wears a helmet 95% of the time.

 The boys enjoying a day at the beach.  Elliott swam for so long, and got so chilly, I had to do skin-to-skin contact with him for 15 min!

Ahhhhhh summer.  The boys are out there in a dingy. 

sorry no blogging!

I have been having some difficulties with my blackberry software, and sadly seem to have lost a lot of photos.  I can do a catch up with the others that I have.

Learning to Swim

We spent a few glorious, relaxing, fun days at my parents house last week.  It was so sunny, and we ate delicious food and we spent almost the whole time in the pool- it completely felt like summer (heaven). 

 My mom bought Elliott a swimming vest (NOT to be used as a lifejacket!).  He loved it and from then on, would only swim by himself.

Everyone relaxing- notice my toes in the foreground.  Notice glen working on the white shirt!

camping

We went camping for a few days last week to a small Provinical Campground called Otter Lake.

  It was so pretty and quiet.  We shared some pretty special memories together- my favorite one not captured here, we let Elliott stay up one night to see the stars.  We sat around the campfire and told stories.  Elliott's stories were by far the best.

 He really seemed to have no conscious of the fact that he wasn't playing cars lying on our clean kitchen floors, but a very dusty campsite.

 Glen found him this plastic lid to lie on.  More for my own comfort, I'm sure.

 No glen isn't wearing a white t-shirt.

On the second day I took Elliott out and he quickly fell asleep in the boat.  I paddled for more than an hour while he snoozed!

 We spent hours each day riding our bikes.  Elliott became so confident on hills and not using his brakes at all.  After the 3rd day he told me that he really wanted a big boy bike (pedals).  Initially we thought we'd wait until he was 4.  But on the next leg of our holiday we bought him one and he rode it so much he couldn't ride the next day his bum was so sore from the new seat!

He also started "mountain biking."  So cute- him and Daddy thought they were so hard core.

Morning sunrise!  We have black-out blinds at home for a reason.

Elliott

My favorite recent picture of Elliott- such a cute expression on his face.  He is showing off "Wingo" his new favorite car.