Niagara Falls

Situated between New York and Ontario, Niagara Falls is just over an hour drive from downtown Toronto. We decided it was time to get out of the city and take a quick road trip to experience the magnificent falls.

Mark and Henry with the (still beautiful, but less impressive) American Falls in the background.

While Niagara Falls are impressive, Henry was more excited about the indoor water park.
Click here to watch Henry at the water park.

After 2 hours at the water park Henry decided it was time to go all by himself and didn't want any help from Da-da. Click here to watch part 2.

We returned to the city and took advantage of the spring-like weather for a day at the beach with Jake.

Winter has arrived!

Henry is proving to be a tough little toddler and doesn't mind the cold a bit. It takes us just about as long to get ready to go outside as we actually spend outside, but all in all we have had a very mild winter and are enjoying the little bit of snow we have had. Growing up in the South, Mark didn't get the opportunity to partake in the joys of shoveling snow, layering on clothing, salting icy sidewalks, shoveling more snow and...sledding! Now that winter has arrived in Toronto he is getting his fill.

Click here to watch Henry sledding.
Click here to watch Tara sledding.

All bundled up and ready for winter.

Sled complete with a seatbelt and windshield for our little Arctic explorer.

When we're not outside in the snow, Henry keeps busy in his play kitchen...his big gift from Santa.

Christmas 2011

Last year was Henry's first Christmas, however this year was the first year he 'got it'. And boy did he get it. Our Christmas celebration started the first week of December and kept rolling right on through New Year's Day. Top 5 differences this year from last year:
1.) Recognizes Santa...aka "Danta!" and Snowman...aka "Mo-man!"
2.) More interested in the gift than the gift wrapping.
3.) Tall enough (and able) to remove ornaments from the tree...and proceed to throw them on the floor.
4.) There was a Turkey on the table at Nana's...ok...a Tofurky, but that's as close as we're gonna get.
5.) No white Christmas in Michigan (or Toronto); last year we had snow in Atlanta...strange.

Click here to watch Henry and Jake opening gifts from Santa.

Traditions a plenty at the Luzod Christmas Eve gathering - toddlers are always intrigued by Uncle Lonnie leading the crowd in carols and Henry was no exception.

Papa Andrew and Henry at Kew Park in Toronto.

A Christmas kiss for Henry's trusty side-kick.

Lots of laughs opening presents, and presents, and more presents.

Chasing ducks on a mild Christmas morning at Shiawassee Park, Farmington Hills.

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

Happy Holidays to all of Henry's fan club. We are off to Michigan for the Christmas holiday where Henry will experience his first "Luzod Family Christmas Eve!" Hope all of you have a safe and happy holiday!

Here is the complete photo gallery from Henry's 18 Month Photo Shoot. While there was no cake to smash during this shoot, we still had fun and Henry got to play with his favourite toys (including Jake), read his favourite books and his best friend, Alex, made it over for a few minutes of fun in front of the camera. Click here to see the gallery.

Snow Day and Santa

The first snow this winter was just what we ordered. Enough fluffy white stuff to get excited and set the mood for Christmas, but it melted as soon as it hit the semi-warm ground. Being a somewhat planful and "must-document-everything" mother, I knew it was coming and I had a plan. The video recorder was in my pocket, my coat was buttoned and Henry's was waiting at the door for the moment he woke from his nap. His reaction to the first snow would be amazing (like everything else he does) and I was going to capture it! As usual, he had a different plan. I scooped him up from his crib, practically flew down the stairs and headed for the door. Before we even reached the kitchen his eyes widened, he pointed his tiny finger, and said...."Whoa!" And the recorder was safely tucked in my back pocket. Such is life. Click here to watch the video taken moments later.

The whirlwind of holiday parties is in full swing and Henry's first encounter with Saint Nick was this past Saturday at his friend Theo's house. The picture says it all...

...needless to say, Henry was less than thrilled to sit on Santa's lap.

Thanksgiving 2011

November was another busy month as we got in gear for the holidays, traveled to Michigan for an MSU Football game, traveled to Atlanta for Thanksgiving and enjoyed plenty of visitors including two of Mark's friends from college, Ben and Toby. Henry also had his 18 Month Birthday and our wonderful photographer, Heather, was in town from Copenhagen to capture him with some of his favourite friends, books and toys. Click here to see a preview of the photo shoot.

October - Halloween! (Part 4 of 4)

We arrived home from Grand Cayman just in time to prepare the house (and Henry) for Halloween! Typically Halloween would mean setting a pumpkin or two on your front porch, preparing a few treats for the neighbourhood kiddies and waiting for the ghosts and goblins to shout "Trick or Treat" at your door. Not so on our street. Halloween "Joseph Duggan" style is a production, in every sense of the word. A custom-built haunted house is erected, an elaborate dinner party is prepared for all to share, spooky sponsors line the sidewalks with hot coco, snacks and photo booths and the local TV reporters are vying for the best camera angles early on. Drawn in by the special effects screaming from the haunted house, an estimated 1200 people walked through our street on Halloween night. Last year Henry was only 6 months old and barely crawling, therefore he could not partake in the extravaganza. This year....it's a whole new ball game! Dressed up as his favourite character, ELMO, Henry ran up and down the street for nearly 3 hours. Passers-by would say "Hi Elmo!" and he would wave and reply "Hi!" To our surprise he was not frightened by the zombies and skeletons, instead he seemed intrigued and would often point at them with a curious "Ohhh!" Click here to watch.

More fun Halloween videos:

Video of Henry as Elmo.

Video of Frankenstein's lab rat in haunted house.

Video of people on our street and parts of the haunted house.

G & G with Elmo.

More photos of the Halloween production here.

Just for kicks, here is Henry's 2010 Halloween picture....

...our baby is now a little boy.