Eric's Birthday

This year we celebrated Eric's birthday in a big way. Six of us, plus Vanessa, rented my uncle Tim's chalet up in Tremblant. What a beautiful place. It would be a great place to hybernate in the winter.
We went up on Saturday morning. We arrived just before lunch and set off the alarm. Ooops. We called and got the right code and the peace of the area returned. The alarm co. was contacted and they didn't send us the police. Fewf. That was the only glitch of the week-end. Mostly we ate, watch Vanessa get into trouble, watch the hockey game and took a late night soak in the hot tub.
I prepared a menu that would make Eric happy and everyone else loved it. A lot of it was prepared in advance and nothing complicated up there. Just good wholesome summer foods. Eric requested steak for dinner so that's what we had. Steak, asparagus and home-made oven fries. We made them with huge CP potatoes. Mmm... they were tasty.
The chalet was on 3 floors. We brought two gates but were only able to install one of them. Vanessa had a great time with all the attention because we couldn't leave her out of site for a second. We went out for a walk around the property with her in the sling. My plan was to sit her in the leaves to play but there were dozens of piles of deer poop. I decided that it wasn't a good idea since she still puts so much in her mouth. Yuck.
Everyone had a fantastic time. Although I was exhausted after planning and shopping for the food and then running after Vanessa all week-end. At least she slept though the night and even had a little nap. She was a much more lively person after the nap and so were we. We definitely plan to go back but haven't really set a date. The next time we go the group will have grown by 1 or two more babies. Next summer will be a crazy riot!

Again here are some pictures. Can't do anything without pictures.

Dairy Queen

As everyone knows, Vanessa's daddy is obsessed with Dairy Queen ice cream. You can always twist my arm to go. Hopefully we'll go a little less often this year. ;-) We held off giving Vanessa ice cream until it was warm enough for her to go wild on he own DQ cone.
This week was gorgeous so Pamela came over and suggested DQ and we all went out for dessert. Mmmm... Vanessa was really unsure at first. Must have been the cold sensation or maybe the fact that it was a big blob being shoved in her face. She got the hang of it and even held it herself with interest. I thought she was pretty impartial until I cleaned up the dripping mess with my tongue and she burst into tears. It very rare she throughs a fit so she must have really loved it.
Here are a few moments Eric captured.

We're back on the swing

Vanessa and I took advantage of the nice weather and went to the park. We swung and slid with glee. This park is two houses over. The big kids don't play in it much. It's all to ourselves.

Vanessa had a great time playing in the sand. She loved putting sand on my pants and brushing it off. I now see her wiping her hands together often to get sand, dust or food off.

Sweater Picture #2

When we didn't think she could get any cuter. :-)

New Hat.

Today I went throught Vanessa's clothes. She got some new ones a few weeks ago and I wanted to make sure they go into the drawers before she grows out of them. Today we found out that the beautiful orange sweater and hat that my grandmother knit fits. She kept the hat on inside for quite a while. Must feel nice.

Picture update

Vanessa making funny faces with her staple breakfast. Yogurt and cereal.

She gets some fruit after.

Vanessa loves doors. She's checking out the soap dispenser on Grandma and Grandpa's dishwasher. Note the really cute striped train overal dress. Please click to enlarge.

Showing off all the teeth.

Vanessa's new play area. She loves it in the recycle bin.