It's Our Kid in a BOX!

Fun filled February

February has been filled with fun experiences for our family. We've found ways to enjoy the snow and embrace the Canadian winter. From our trip to Winter Carnaval in Quebec City to discovering new areas in and around Toronto, we have been very busy. We've also had lots of visitors this month. Aimee H. visited early in the month, Nate and Mae were just here this past weekend and we are expecting Nana Myra and Great-Gram this coming weekend. It may be cold outside, but Henry is still a hot attraction!

















Jake turned 4 this weekend! He enjoyed a doggie-friendly personalized carob frosted cake and enjoyed his seat at the head of the table...a very special treat for our sweet pooch!













Henry is very interested in holding his own spoon. Fun to watch him learning the art of finding his mouth rather than his ear. I think it's a conspiracy to have a bath every night, as he loves the water.









Bottles are for Babies! Henry has mastered the sippy cup and can even manage it one-handed.









Henry started his pincer grasp (a big milestone for baby) in early January, it's perfected now. The only question is...will he be a South Paw?















Feb 21 is "Family Day" in Ontario, which means paid holiday and family fun day. We spent the morning strolling our neighbourhood and the afternoon at the Auto Show. It was the first Auto Show for both Mark and Henry. Of course they both had smiles on when we found the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

February 2011 - Quebec City & Carnaval

Last weekend we flew to Quebec City for the "Carnaval de Quebec." For two weeks in the heart of winter families brave the cold and snow (temperatures well below freezing) to enjoy winter activities such as dog sledding, snow shoeing, ice carving, sledding and much more. The event takes place in the centre of Quebec City which is a beautiful, historic old town that offers a little slice of Europe without crossing the pond. We stayed a bit North of the city at Chateau Mont Sainte-Anne, a cozy lodge with ski in/out rooms. Friends of ours that recently moved to Toronto joined us on the trip and we shared babysitting duties so that everyone could get out on the mountain. It was a fantastic trip and we are already planning to visit again this summer.


Mark and Henry meet Bonhomme Carnaval.

Henry and his friend Giovanni relaxing in the warm lodge while parents snowboard.

Tara 'gracefully' wiping out on the snowboard.

We found a delicious crepe cafe for lunch in Quebec City.

In the heart of Quebec City it was cold, but Henry braved it like a true Canuck!

Ice Sculptures at Carnaval...the white dots are snow flakes...we timed it perfectly for a small blizzard while we walked Carnaval!

Although Henry had a fun trip, it's always nice to come home and see your buddies. Here he is back at our fitness class with his good friend Alex.

Jake was very excited for us to arrive back at home...and it appears Henry missed him quite a bit too.

January 2011

January has been a month of firsts for our family. Henry had his first bath in the big boy tub (aka Mom & Dad's jacuzzi tub), ate his first bite of real honest to goodness Chicken(and liked it)and last but not least, pulled himself up to standing for the first time! In related news, Mark and Tara went on their first vacation without Henry! Big Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa Kaasa for flying to Toronto and taking care of Henry and Jake.

Mark and Tara in Puerto Rico. (Since Mark won't brag about himself I will do it for him...he won the trip from Home Depot for outstanding performance!)

We realized early on that Henry LOVES to look at himself in the mirror, especially after a bath. Here is is kissing himself! (Photo courtesy of Auntie Liza)

This is the first time he pulled himself to standing. He was laughing hysterically and so very proud of himself. Time to lower the crib matress!


Last bath in the baby tub...just too small for this big boy. (Photo courtesy of Auntie Liza)

Henry's 1st Christmas

Christmas this year was special in so many ways. Being Henry's first Christmas we did our best to make sure everyone had a chance to visit with him. Our holiday celebration started in Toronto with a visit from Tara's Mom, her brother Nate, his wife Mae and their 'baby'...Max. The second stop on Henry's Holiday tour was Atlanta, GA, where we celebrated with Mark's family and friends. Amazingly we had a white Christmas in Atlanta. The city was covered in fluffy white snow on Christmas Day - we felt very at home! We flew back home to Toronto just in time for a Christmas visit with Tara's Dad, Marlene and Great-Gram. Thank You to everyone for making this holiday season so special. It was wonderful to visit with so many of our friends and family. Happy New Year!

Mark and Henry with his cousins, Caitlin, Owen, Zach & John in Atlanta

The Kaasa Family Christmas portrait...getting bigger every year

Henry, Cate & Julia Chandler and Charlie Kopp at the annual Lobsterfest gathering in Atlanta

Henry and Mark at Casa Loma in Toronto

Tara, Mark and Henry before the Home Depot holiday party (Henry stayed home with Nana)

Henry with a stack of gifts from Santa

First set of drums

Henry getting a little help from Jake opening his gift

Great-Gram and Henry...smiles all around

Papa Andrew and Henry having fun on a new toy on New Year's Day

December 2010

Too many cute pictures to wait until after Christmas for the next posting so here are a few to share.

Research shows that Avocado is nature's perfect baby food. Henry sure agrees and has started the "I can feed myself." stage.

The snow isn't slowing us down. Henry went for a walk during the first snowfall of the year. Now the ground is covered and we have plenty of fluffy white stuff to pave the rooftops for Santa's reindeer.


Henry and Tara have been going to "Mommy & Baby Fitness" class for a couple of months and Henry has become friends with the other babies. He lights up when we walk into the studio and for the most part the babies entertain themselves for the entire class. (Note all of the Mom's in the mirror...we look like the paparazzi.)


Mark's office held a Children's Holiday Party and Santa made a guest appearance. We were afraid Henry would scream with Santa, but he did great and even gave him a big smile!

Thanksgiving 2010

Henry is now 7 months and his first tooth popped out the day after Thanksgiving...a little late to enjoy the Turkey leg. He is on the move rolling all over the place; we know crawling is not too far off so let the baby-proofing begin! Jake is keeping close tabs on him and they are becoming best buddies.

We had a jam-packed November with visits from Grandma & Grandpa Kaasa and Kristin & Kevin early in the month then traveled to Michigan to spend Thanksgiving with the Luzod's and MacIsaac's.

Getting some lovin' from Grandpa Kaasa......and a little more from Grandma Kaasa......makes for a Happy HENRY!


Thanksgiving with the Luzod's in Michigan. Great-Gram has Henry on her lap and is beaming with joy!
Thanksgiving at Nana's house on Saturday was a full house too. Henry posing with cousins Abby and Sarah.
Auntie Shannon showing Henry a few of her tricks.
We are looking forward to a couple of quiet weekends at home before the next round of travel begins. Henry will be speding his first Christmas in the South as we are off to Atlanta in two weeks. Happy Holidays to everyone!