A walk in the park...

Our dear friend and neighbour Marta accompanied us to the park one Saturday morning in early December to take some photographs of the three of us. We loved them and several ended up on our Christmas card.  Enjoy!

Dad's boots, a rainy BBQ, broccoli, and Halloween

Here is a random assortment of photos and a video from the last few weeks at the Walls' house.

Matthew discovered that he could wear Dad's boots the other day...

It was a bit rainy outside, but the boys wanted to BBQ...

 Matthew isn't a big fan of broccoli, but he sure does like the cheese sauce:

We went to a Halloween party at our friends' place today.  Here are some photos of Matthew (a dinosaur) and his friends having some fun:

Our prenatal education class babies....a bit bigger than last year! 
(From left) Ewan, Logan, Kiyana, Ekam and Matthew

Matthew found a pumpkin in the garden

Bubbles!!!!

Fireworks too!

Gobble, gobble, gobble

We shared our Thanksgiving turkey with some of our wonderful neighbours and friends.  The photo says it all - even the kids are happy!  Plenty of delicious food and excellent company (including Erin who is behind the camera)!

October already?!

Wow - it's been a while since we've posted on our blog!  Plenty has happened at our place since July... we've been camping, had visits from Grandpa and Grandma Gainer, Grandma Jocelyn, and the Harrises, Lisa has returned to work and Matthew has started going to daycare.  Here are some photos from the last few months:

Matthew's first camping trip...in the rain, and he loved every minute of it!

Playing in the sand at the campground

Riding Christie's bike at the BC Bike Race

 

A very fat lip after a fall at the playground :(

A very full belly and a very messy boy after eating Grandma Gainer's blueberry pie

Reading books with Grandpa Gainer

Fun at the water park

I climbed up here all by myself!

Looking at photos with Grandma Jocelyn

 

Reading stories with cousin Ryleigh

Matthew, Mackenzie, and Ryleigh in the tub

 

Ryleigh on the swing

  

Having a snack at the park

"I just called to say I love you..."

 

How do you wake your child up in the morning when you find him fast asleep like this?

Matthew's First Birthday

We celebrated Matthew's first birthday with our friends at home.  It was a wonderful party full of fun, food, laughter and plenty of mess!  Since our family and many friends couldn't be here to celebrate, here are some pictures and videos - almost as good as being here in person (minus the yummy cake).

The family

The gang

Two balls and a dog!  Matthew's favourite things...  (with clothes removed after eating cake!)

Birthday boy eating on the run

Playing with the racetrack from Grandma and Grandpa Gainer

\

Squeezing icing between his fingers

 

And now he's REALLY walking....everywhere, all the time

We spent the weekend in Whistler and while we were there, Matthew decided that walking is a much better way to get around than crawling.  He's definitely moved into 'Toddler Mode'.   He also discovered how to to 'click' his tongue.  Here is a video of him doing both at the same time!

Matthew is walking!

Matthew took his first steps about a month ago and has been cautiously walking around ever since.  He still prefers to crawl most of the time or to walk while holding onto the finger of someone a bit bigger...

Here is a video of some of his first steps on June 3rd.  Although he is much steadier on his feet now, we haven't managed to catch it on video yet!  Seems he's a bit camera shy...

  

A few much delayed May and June photos...sorry!

On one of the first sunny days of spring, we went for a hike out to Quarry Rock, near Deep Cove.  

Lunch with Dad

ET phone home

Enjoying the grass at Panorama Park

Man in motion

Pine cone inspection

On another sunny spring day (there weren't many!), we went to the Capilano Suspension Bridge for a walk and a look around.

We spend a lot of time at the park near our home.

 

Snacking on an apricot

Crawling in the long grass

Ripping out the grass and throwing it in the air...

Meal times always make for plenty of fun and a great big mess!

Getting ready for a bath:

No tickling, please!

Well, hello Monkey!