We're Baaack!

It's been a long time since our last update and we've had a couple of requests for new pictures, videos and updates. So here's a brief re-cap of the past 24 months. And going forward, I'll commit to updating this site a little more frequently…even if you're the only one reading it, Dad.

2013
March: Mark accepted a position back at Home Depot Headquarters and we prepared to move from Toronto to Atlanta.

May: Packed up our trusty dog, Jake, our little 3 year old Henry and moved to Roswell, GA. We found a house close to the river so they could still be near 'water'. Tara accepted a part-time job back at Whirlpool. Henry found out he was going to be a big brother.

August: Henry started Primary program at his new school.

November: We traveled to Florida for a baby-moon and some much need fun in the sun.

December 31: We welcomed Lincoln to our family…finally!

Giving Thanks: November 2012

November marks the anniversary of our move to Toronto and the beginning of an incredible adventure we have been on over the past three years. It's somewhat appropriate (and ironic) that that this month it has truly set in that our time here is quickly coming to a close. However, until we get 'the call' and things are official we are focused on enjoying every day here and continuing to experience this wonderful country. We have much to be thankful for this year and we feel very blessed to have so many friends on both sides of the border, family that will travel all over the world to be with us and our health, which has improved over the past few months thanks to our new business!

Henry's school collected items for a special family and he took his assignment very seriously. He carefully chose all of his favourite items (Bisquick, Kraft Dinner, Corn Muffins, soup, etc.) and packed them in a grocery bag for the collection.

We are very thankful for our first born/body guard/spoiled yet still sweet dog, Jakey.

Henry is very thankful (as am I) for his Dada. This was taken at Riverdale Farm checking out the goats.

We are thankful for all of our friends in Toronto who have made us feel so welcome and at home here the last few years.

Monkeying Around: Halloween 2012

Halloween was especially fun this year because Henry was so excited about the concept of dressing up and choosing his own costume. Thankfully he doesn't understand the full concept of trick or treating...he enjoyed giving out the candy to all of the kids that came to our door and even gave them his own treats he gathered going door-to-door!

We visited the Toronto Zoo for the annual "Boo at the Zoo" where Henry decided to snack on a banana and then show off his dancing skills with his friend Avery...who was also a monkey!

Click here to see the monkey dancing at the zoo.
Click here to see Henry's favourite animal at the zoo, Hudson. (1 year old polar bear.)

We visited Whittamore's pumpkin patch with our friends Ali and George and the boys had fun climbing over the piles of pumpkins.

On our way home from school every day we walk by the lake and look at the trees changing colours and the enjoy the crisp fall air blowing off the lake.

Catching Up: England, October 2012

Time for an overdue blog post! Apologies to all of Henry's fans who have been craving a dose of updates and photos...promise to catch up and keep up going forward!

Since our last post in September we've have a great couple of months as we welcomed fall in Toronto and took a lovely trip to England. Henry's first trip overseas was wonderful and he even got to see Queen E!

We rented a beautiful boathouse on the Eton College campus (5 minute walk from Windsor Castle), perfect for feeding swans and kayaking.

Click here to watch Henry feeding swans on the River Thames.
We caught up with Nate on The Long Walk and saw hundreds of deer roaming freely and grazing on the royal grounds.

Henry sings Old MacDonal at the boathouse.
Click here for more photos from England.

Farewell Summer...Hello School!

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind around Kaasa's crib. We thoroughly packed our summer with vacations, visitors, family & friends. We feel very lucky to have enjoyed a beautiful summer traveling across Canada and exploring this gorgeous country. A quick summary in photos below and don't miss Henry's two year photo gallery at the bottom.


Henry and his buddy, George, at the Blue Jays game in July. The boys were featured on the jumbo tron!

Celebrating Dad's 65th birthday at a lake house in Muskoka. Nate & Mae flew in from Hawaii for the occassion and stayed with us, in Toronto, a few days after.

When we weren't on a plane, train or in an automobile most of summer was spent at the beach or splash pad. Henry and Cole at Kew Park and a perfect afternoon at Woodbine beach with Jake.

Long weekend in Montreal with Jeff & Aimee Hurdle. Group shot in front of Notre Dame; the tandem bikes were definitely the highight of the trip! (Especially for me as Mark did most of the pedaling!)

Over Labor Day weekend we split up and went separate ways. Mark flew to Atlanta for some much-needed "guy time" and family time, while Henry and Tara went to Michigan. We visited with Great Gram and shared lots of laughs and smiles.

Henry's first day of school...Dada came home early to walk Henry to school and see him off. He did great and didn't even look back to say goodbye as he ran in the door to greet his teachers. The only tears shed that day were Mama's.

Friday after school sweet treat for our sweet little boy.

As we say good-bye to summer we are so thankful for all the time we had to visit friends and family the past few months. Between Vancouver, Whistler, Muskoka and Montreal we've experienced so many wonderful places and sharing the time with friends and family is so special.

I find myself asking this question a lot lately..."How did our tiny baby get so big so fast?" Click here to view Henry's Two Year Photos.

Sneak Peeks: Whistler & 2nd Birthday

We just returned from an amazing week in Whistler, BC. Whistler Village, which was centre stage during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, was bustling with summer activities and we took advantage of every minute (rain or shine) we had in the scenic wonderland. From walking trails to alpine hiking, riding mountain bikes to riding gondolas up mountains, we racked up a few miles, and a few thousand feet of elevation, during our stay. Here are a couple pictures for a sneak peek while we work on the full photo gallery.

View from atop Blackcomb Mountain, elevation approximately 6,000 ft.

Yes, that is snow, packed to roughly 10 metres (30+ ft) in July, atop Whistler Mountain.

Henry didn't mind the rain a bit, in fact he rather enjoyed jumping in every muddy puddle he could find. And we love that about him!

Henry enjoyed a free concert in the main village on Canada Day...and the crowd enjoyed watching him dance!


In other news: Henry's 2nd Birthday photo shoot was done a few weeks ago and once again our fantastic photographer, Heather, has brilliantly captured our curious and energetic toddler doing the things he loves most. Click here to see the preview.

Hope everyone is surviving the record setting heat wave and staying cool!

Summer Fun!

Since our last post we've been welcoming an early summer and all of the fun activities that it brings. Ontario has hundreds of beautiful lakes with sandy beaches, parks with rolling green grass and miles of biking and hiking trails. Our goal this summer is to visit as many beaches possible, run through every park we come across and log as many trail miles as our legs will allow. Here's what we've conquered so far...much more to come as we are travelling to Vancouver & Whistler, BC in 2 weeks!


Chillaxin' in Lake Simcoe at Innisfil Beach Park.


Biking around Ashbridge's Bay Park on Victoria Day.

Click here to watch Henry dancing at the Woodbine Park Police Fair.


Tara & Henry take a break on a hippo at the Toronto Zoo.


Toronto Zoo's new white lion cubs...adorable!

Click here to watch Henry's version of Rock Band, performed with his friend, George, at the Ontario Science Centre.


Henry and his friend Janna getting cozy in the wagon after a play date at the neighbourhood splash pad.



Great-Gram and Auntie Liza came for a visit and we celebrated Gram's 88th Birthday!