Massachusetts 2010: Part 1

Time for the Massachusetts trip. I just counted the total number of photos and videos from both our camera and my mom's camera, and it came to a whopping 464. Even if I pick out just the highlights, we're still looking at a whole buttload of posts devoted to Massachusetts. I'll try and be gentle.

Before I get into it, I just wanted to update with what's been going on lately in our lives. Lucas started back at daycare last week, after having the whole summer off. He wasn't there the whole week though, as we drove down to Niagara Falls on Thursday. Besides seeing the waterfalls themselves, we got a chance to visit our friends Wes and Kelly, along with their brood, in Hamilton, Ontario, and then on Saturday, we spent the day at the Toronto Zoo. I didn't take nearly as many pictures during that trip so I should be able to cover it in one post. Whenever the Massachusetts juggernaut quits rolling.

Also, we're bringing Lucas for another speech assessment tomorrow. He's light years beyond where he was last year, but we're just being safe. He still doesn't say his H's very well (if at all), but as those of you who have heard him recently can attest, he sure doesn't mind talking.

Ok, onward with vacation pics. The first week was just Marilu and Lucas so, like the Newfoundland, trip, I may not have much to say sometimes since I wasn't there. However, all 3 of us were around the second week.

As most of you know, my mom and Kevin live on a lake in Webster (I won't show off my awesome spelling ability of the lake's real name again), and the first day they were there, they took little time getting into it.

My cousin Greg (which would be Lucas's first cousin once removed or second cousin?) watched Lucas try and figure out his Spider-Man fishing pole. This picture also gives you a good idea of the view from the dock.


Greg then helped Lucas out.


And then the master fishermen posed on the stairs leading up to the house.


Believe it or not, Lucas took this picture of Marilu and Greg by himself. Why she let him hold a valuable piece of electronic equipment on a dock, with water on both sides of him, is a mystery, but still, a fine job of photography. Note that I am not posting the 20 other photos of their legs, the trees, or the sky that he managed to take while trying to get this shot.


Another good photo of Greg and Lucas.


Guess which of these 2 photo subjects does NOT want to be there at that moment.


Kevin, or Grandpa Kevin in Lucas parlance, had no idea what he got himself into when he married my mom. At least I'm fairly sure he didn't expect to one day be sitting on the floor in his living room playing knights with a 3-year-old.


I'm even more certain he didn't foresee this...


Ok, that's all for Day 1 of the trip as well as Part 1 of this series. See you next time!

Breaking News (that is not all that important)

We're back from our mini-vacation to Niagara Falls and vicinity. We didn't take many pictures on this trip, but I'll make up for it with the scads of pics from Massachusetts. I hope to start posting those tomorrow, and if the Newfoundland trip was any indication, there may be 10 or more parts for that set. As for now, I'm going to sleep since I stayed up way too late.

Father's Day 2010

Here are some pictures of Lucas giving me the Father's Day presents he made for me. Beware, cuteness overload coming up!

Some older stuff

Hey all, we're back in Ottawa. Actually, we returned Friday, but I was busy with Lucas for the past couple of days (Marilu had a book club get-together at a cottage) so I had very little computer time. I thought about starting in with the Massachusetts vacation pictures immediately, but we're headed off yet again on Thursday for a long weekend visit to Niagara Falls so I've decided to wait until next week to post those.

If you thought there were a lot of Newfoundland pictures, you ain't seen nothing. Between our pictures and the ones I got from my mom's camera, I think we have nearly 400 pictures from the 2 weeks we were there (or 1 week, in my case). Obviously, not all of them are Pulitzer prize winners, but there should be enough good ones to keep us busy for a couple of weeks of posts.

To hold you over until next week, I'll be uploading some older photos from June that I never got a chance to post. With any luck, I'll get one step closer to the mythical "catching up" that I always seem to strive for yet always fail miserably at. No comments about that trailing preposition, thank you very much.

We'll start with the very last picture I took in May. Lucas has really enjoyed helping Marilu out in the kitchen. Whether it's adding ingredients to a bowl or mixing something with a spoon, he is more than happy to help. Here we see him perched on his chair, as they concoct that night's dinner creation. Of course, pants are always optional.


As you have seen many times, most pictures of Lucas are adorable.


However, the odd stinker does make its way into the batch.


Like most kids, Lucas loves playing with the hose. Doesn't matter whether it's warm or cold, just so long as he has a chance to make something wet.


Here I was demonstrating how to eat a cupcake as messily as possible. I believe he picked up on it quite quickly.

FYI

Just a reminder, we're on vacation in Massachusetts all this week so there won't be any new updates until Saturday. Have a great week!

Newfoundland Unabridged

Click here if you want to see every single photo from the Newfoundland trip. Trust me, there are a lot.

Newfoundland in Video (only 1 part!)

The first two videos from Newfoundland are shoe-themed. Lucas tries out a few different types. I suspect the latter of the two will be shown at his wedding.







I have no idea what is going on here, but he's acting cute.




One of the days they were in Newfoundland, they caught caplin (spelling?), a small fish that comes up near the shore. Here, Lucas proudly displays his catch.




Finally, Lucas gets a little mischievous down by the shore.

Newfoundland in Pictures: Part 6

We've finally reached the last photo post for Marilu and Lucas's trip to Newfoundland. Following this will be a video post, which should contain 5 videos. I'll also be uploading all these pictures, as well as the ones that didn't make the cut (over 100) into their own folder in our online album. I'll provide the link once I've actually done it.

Last time at the beach. For what it's worth, that does not look a comfortable beach to curl your toes into.





These four are from the last night. Some good (and funny) family ones with Uncle Steve and Nanny.





Returning "home" to dad at the Montreal Airport.

Newfoundland in Pictures: Part 5

Wow, Marilu took a LOT of pictures during their trip. There will be one more photo post, and then I plan to do a final one with videos from the trip. Since I leave for Massachusetts myself on Thursday morning, I'll try and get them all posted by tomorrow night.

Not sure what the story behind this is, but I suspect someone ate well that night.


I vaguely recall Marilu telling me they went to the shore and caught little fish on one of the days they were there. Presumably, these are from that day. Great expression in the second shot.



Pictures from the next day. Marilu, Lucas, and an unknown baby.


Feeding the ducks and swans at a local park.


It just isn't a park visit if you don't sit IN the park sign.


And a few more from the park.




If you look closely, he's trying to touch a chipmunk.

Newfoundland in Pictures: Part 4

And the picture train keeps on rolling. By the way, not sure if I mentioned it, but Marilu and Lucas are in Massachusetts at my mom's place. They drove down last Thursday, and I'll be flying down this coming Thursday. Then we'll all drive back the following Friday. It sounds like they are having a good time so far. It doesn't hurt that my mom lives right on a lake, Lake Chargoggagoggmanchaugagoggchaubunagungamaug. A.k.a. Webster Lake, if you're not from town. And yes, I spelled that without looking it up. :)

Back to July and Newfoundland! This next picture makes me laugh. I can just imagine what is going through Lucas's head as he looks down at his puny ride.


Of course, he got to drive the bigger version shortly thereafter.


The kids clowning around in the water.


And on the deck. You can never have too many action figures.


Some more pictures with family.




A little water for the plant...


...and a little water for Lucas.


Our son makes another wonderful fashion statement.


These final pictures (for today) appear to be Lucas messing around with a light on the lawn. Speaking of messing around, you'll notice Marilu was fiddling with the camera settings in the second picture.

Newfoundland in Pictures: Part 3

The vacation pictures continue. Based on how many remain, I expect at least 3 or 4 more parts after this one.

Lucas rocks out at the swimming area with Uncle Steven.


That is one happy kid.


A couple of pictures with family. He looks like he has a diabolical plan in mind in the second one.



We'll be saving this picture for his wedding reception.