Love is in the Air...

We've just returned from a busy 3-day visit to the Bay Area. I was down there on business and the rest of the family decided to come along. Christina and the boys enjoyed seeing some of our friends again. Aiden was especially happy to see Clara (former neighbour and love of his life) - as you can see it was a feast of hugs & kisses from start to finish. This trip also marked the first time that Zack slept away from home and he did fabulously. On our way back home we had a breakfast feast with Kevin and Heather in Walnut Creek. We hadn't seen them in years so it was great to catch up. We have a few more weekend trips planned before the BIG trip to South Africa in December. We're hoping these little getaways will train us and the boys for that. So far... so good!

Apple Hill

We joined friends in exploring Apple Hill on Saturday. Apple Hill is a area east of us towards the Sierra Nevada mountains where you can pick berries in the summer, eat apple pie in the Fall and taste wine all year round. The weather is just gorgeous with cool nights and sunny days and everywhere people are getting ready for Halloween and Thanksgiving. The highlight for Aiden was the petting zoo and the goats in particular. My boys were not really interested in taking fun photos in the pumkin patch...

Zack is all about smiles, giggles and looking around.

Salmon Festival

We had a great time today at the local Salmon Festival. Aiden just loved looking at the fish and he was even able to feed the Steelhead salmon at the hatchery and watch the "fish fireworks" as they splash in the water eating the food.

Zack is getting bigger every day. It is great to see how he can hold up his head and his wonderful smile.

Sleeping Boys

My boys are both good sleepers (I take all the credit for that!) and they keep making me smile. Before every nap and bed time, it takes a while for Aiden to decide which car or ball he wants to take to bed with him. These days, it means most of his cars and of course, his two teddy bears - Nonnie, small Nonnie and Clifford.

We will not be able to swaddle Zack much longer, because he keeps getting his hands out. At least that does not seem to bother him much.

Zack @ 2 months

Zack is 2 months old already and went for his scheduled pediatrician visit this week, which included getting five shots. He yelled at the nurse, but was back to his old mellow self within 5 minutes. The doctor says the bump on his head is nothing to be conserned about as the X-ray and ultrasound both turned up normal. Over time the size of the bump will diminish and eventually disappear as Zack's skull grows and gets its normal shape. Zack's weight is now 12 pounds, 1 ounce and his length is 23.75 inches. Aiden has learned how to smile at the camera :-) or is that "grin"? Anyway, he thinks it is very cool. He loves drawing with chalk outside on the concrete and is helping dad mow the lawn nowadays using his very own little lawn mower (thanks Rubows!)

Summer won't quit!

Summer won't quit, so we won't quit either! As most weekends in California go, it is another gorgeous one. We had breakfast at the Waffle Barn this morning and then went for a leisurely stroll along the banks of the American River in Negro Bar State Park. Zack took a nice little nap in the Baby Bjorn while we were walking. I can't wait until he is old enough to play in the water with me. My dad has tennis elbow, so his ability to skip stones on the river was impaired.

Last days of summer...

We are enjoying the wonderful weather and try to play outside as often as possible. Aiden's new favourite shirt is his Lightning McQueen shirt he got for his birthday from Sullivan. Thanks buddy! This morning Gavin took Aiden to Folsom Dam to throw some stones into the dam. One thing led to another and after about 15 minutes Aiden was shirtless and swimming! Fortunately it is still warm enough for these type of "tricks". Zack is approaching 2 months and is cute and healthy.