caaaammmppppiiinnnggg!!!!!!!!!

hello friends!!!!! here it is.. our camping adventure! Colin and I have only been camping with our families, never with each other so as we booked our site at Rathtrevor for our camping adventure panic set in as we realized we didn't know how to camp! I madly started writing lists of things we would need. And although our tent was too small, our axe too dull, and our food unglamorous... Rupert left the site in tears crying "more camping! more camping!"

We dined on hot dogs, smores and alphaghetties! I loved camping because although it's cliche it does really force you to slow down and relax because there really is nothing to do! so that's what we did... not a whole lot of anything. we played in the campsite, went for walks, went to the beach and played in the tent! it was lovely.

{he just keeps growing and growing this boy!!!!!! I don't always notice it day to day, but then I take a picture of him and there he is a lot older looking than the last...}

{after "helping" daddy get the fire ready}

Our boy loves camping. He had a perma smile on his face the whole time. We decided just to go for two nights as we didn't know how he would do. The first night was a gong show. We got Rupe a mattress that had a sleeping bag attached to it. Seems like a good idea right? he's locked in with no where to go.... oh wait except for up. He kept popping out the top of the sleeping bag and falling off his mattress! eventually we just brought him in with us... and the next night put him on top of his sleeping bag with some blankets... He slept from 9pm till 8am. what a champ!

This boy loves marshmallows! he asked for them for weeks afterwards. Although, when asked what his favorite part of camping was he said, "Aylah and Autumn" two of his friends from home who we did not see at all during camping. haha.

Rathtrevor was just the perfect place for our first camping adventure. It was close to home, close to the beach and also has a fantastic parks program! Including Jerry's Rangers, which although is not funded anymore they are choosing to still run! We got to see an owl... just saying.

I think Rupe was made for camping. I think we will have many more camping adventures in the coming years. Now that we have got our feet wet and have realized that camping with a toddler wasn't as bad as once imagined, I hope it will become a regular occurrence each summer.

Ucluelet adventure to come!

and without further delay... birthday number 2!

oh birthday number two... you happened about a month ago now and I am just sitting down to share you. shoot!

I read other momma's blogs and they are all so well spoken and have such deep and meaningful things to say about their lives and their children. But as I sit down to write about Rupert's second birthday party... all I have to say is that it was just plain old fun. Maybe I should buy a thesaurus so that I could use a different word than fun... hmmm. But honestly that is what it was. It was the best day. I stayed up ridiculously late the night before working on cupcakes and decorations because I am huuuuge procrastinator. But when the day came I just sat back and relaxed and had fun with my boy and our family and friends.

We could not have asked for better weather... it was perfect, which made a 2 year old's birthday party much more enjoyable as we all headed outside!

Anyways.. here are some photos from our 2 year old's big day!

{woodland animals theme, cute no?}

{opening presents... way too much fun! we were so blessed!}

{cuddles with my big boy}

{birthday boy!}

{could an Aunty get any cooler? I think not.}

{a ridiculously good looking family}

{such a scavenger. he mooched off of everyone's plates! Invited a buddy in for backup}

{Pinata time!}

{we were so blessed to have many friends and family join us on Rupe's birthday... including the ever cool Uncle Thomas who taught the kids how to walk down a hill properly. :D }

It was a wonderful day and it didn't end there but this post will for now. I will leave you with a photo of me and my boy on his last night as a one year old. I love my little buddy.

kitty's and owls and bears oh my!

waiting, wishing, hoping is what we have been doing this past month! For what? the wildlife recovery center to open of course! Our little boy is a lover of owls. So were thrilled when the day finally arrived and it was actually sunny. Adventuring we would go. Coffee, cameras, timbits and appropriate footwear! Oh wait... I must have chosen not to... I mean forgot to wear my boots. Until cuter boots make there way to my house I refuse to wear them.

Anyways, one little boy who did not forget to wear his cute boots was this one... rather thrilled to be there!

Eagle viewing area. So fun!

Here's the little man viewing said eagles. That smile was firmly planted all day. He ran from one exhibit to the next! I love that he loves animals!

We stumbled upon this little piece of nature... random cat eating a mouse. Rupe was thoroughly amused and wanted to pet and kiss the "bitty". But alas this disgusted momma kept him at arms reach.

I know I know I know that Rupe will eventually talk. But oye. I'm getting frustrated. Mainly because I so greatly desire to hear what's going on behind those deep blue eyes. He's such an inquisitive little kid. And we've had so many teachable moments and I can't wait till I'm not the only one talking! Sometimes I get discouraged and get lazy with telling him things, because I don't know if he's getting it or not. And then moments like yesterday morning happen.. Every morning, we are awoken to the pitiful cries of our boy. So one night as we were getting ready for bed I told Rupert, "mommy and daddy are right next door in our room. So when you wake up, just say 'mommy' 'daddy' come get me. You don't need to cry." And low and behold the next morning we heard cries.. and then they stopped and a quiet, still pitiful, little voice said "mommy" "daddy". Just the encouragement I needed to keep telling Rupert about everything he points at or grunts at because he is getting it!

Our boy loves him some owls.

random photo. Colin was taking video of Rupe. Clearly Rupe was too cool for videos.

me and my boyos.

this look is seen a lot in our house. it is usually delivered to the oldest boy for some sass he's thrown my way. after giving said look I can never remember the offence, but I know it was deserved.

hottie husband.

kitty's and owls and bears oh my!

video of our little outing! enjoy!

lazy Sunday...

Not feeling particularly gifted with words this lazy Sunday afternoon but did want to get these photos up as it was a lovely day spent at the beach with my little boy and my momma. I love that he is so content with just his bucket and shovel...

I'm sleepy as I had a little cling-on with me during Sunday School. A certain little boy would not be parted from his momma. He has never been like that before. I dropped him off at Sunday School in tears and then went to teach in the next room. after listening to him cry for almost 15 minutes (felt like an hour!!!!!!) I went and got him and he stuck by my side as I taught the "big kids". I think he kind of enjoyed it :D

Today is also a fairly daddy-less day. Church then council then Metamorphosis youth worship night. So I'm going to enjoy this little moment to myself while the boy is sleeping!

{making grandma do all the work!}

{yup the time has come!}

{master rock thrower}

{cheeeeese}

{and a little more cheese to end the post}