The Surprise...

So, we had been feeling like we should visit back home this summer but couldn't really see how we'd afford to go.  Then when I had an interview for a job beginning in the fall we decided that if I got the job we'd take some of the money we'd set aside and head east.  I got the job.  Other things fell into place and we got our tickets at a reasonable rate and off we went.  Before we left Little Dude picked up my camera, this is what I look like when he's playing with a piece of equipment that's not his!!...

And here is what the boys looked like a bit later while I was packing.  We'd just returned from a 4 day stay at my cousin's house with lots of little cousin's to play with.  They were tuckered out.

Once we arrived, we hung out with my aunt and uncle and family for a bit before heading to the farm.
Once we got to the farm, there was no one there.  I knew that my parents had been invited out to dinner and so I called the place they were supposed to be visiting but got no answer.  I figured that meant they had either left or were outside visiting.  We brought in all our luggage and just as we were finishing that up their car rolled up the drive.  We waited behind the door to yell surprise when they came in.  I managed to get Mom's reaction, but missed Dad's because I hadn't realized how close he was behind her.  Apparently he thought my uncle was there to pick up a television set and wanted to head straight out to the barn to get it, my uncle told him he was thirsty and needed a drink first!  :)  Here's that video...

And here is the second video of me trying to catch Dad's reaction.  It takes too long for my video to kick in and so I missed the first part where he smiles and says, "Well, you really know how to keep a secret!"  Then he bent down to say hello to the boys.

 Then the next day we surprised the second set of grandparents.....

FAMILY REUNION

So, while the bulk of our family meets far across the country, my cousin and I meet here in the West.  Instead of only a day we decided a weekend reunion might be in order.  Trust me when I say it was a stroke of genius.  The kids had time to really get to pal around with their cousins as we arrived Thursday night and stayed until Monday afternoon.  They were wonderful hosts and we found it hard to leave!  Some highlights were a pinata the kids started (and the moms finished) and a photo shoot at a little out of the way Catholic church.  I don't have my pictures off my camera, but my fabulously talented cousin gave me a memory stick with the pictures she'd taken.  (Much better than mine anyway!)  And so I can't resist giving you a taste here.  :)  In the picture below Munchkin is a bit confused.  My cousin had instructed the boys to do nice smiles, but the older boys were still doing goofy faces.  Munchkin was trying to do something in the middle!

 Two brothers on a stroll.  :)

 Looking down into the stream....and now for SPROUT, who really seems to be sprouting.  He's my little inch worm as he works his way across the floor with increasing speed.

 Look at those lovely eye lashes! 

I think I'm gonna make me a Sprout Collage!

Sprout crawling

Well, I have tried and tried to upload the video of Sprout crawling that first day, but Blogger is not allowing this.  I feel I must resort to a LINK.  And so I've created a spot on YouTube where you can view this video.  Just click on the link below and take a gander!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1DLzeg8rO4

Little Dude's Ride

hello, this is ephraim.  Hi Grandpa B (mommy is typing for me now...I'm a bit too slow), Hi Grandma B, Hello Poppa, Hi D, and watch this!  Watch me ride my bike!  I had a little help from mommy and dad.  Watch this, I can ride on two wheels!  Hi Grandma and Grandpa Z, watch me ride!

Little Dude did really well...he doesn't know about all the nicknames around here...so I hope you know who you are in his little post at the top.  :)  Little Dude did so well today.  I think Big E and I helped him ride in front of our townhouse maybe 6 times and then off he went like you can see in the video.  WOW!  He's always been pretty coordinated but it really showed today!

Sprout Shoot

 What do you get when you mix a cute sailor suit, a little boy, some green grass and a camera???  A Sprout Shoot!!!  :)

 Oh little toes, how I love you so....I kiss them and tickle them and wish they'd never grow!

 He's starting to get very curious...this combined with his new found mobility will be my undoing.

I suppose I could have remembered to remove the soother...but other than that, I deem this-PERFECT!

Tractor and outside fun

Blogger is driving me crrrazy...I have videos to load and it isn't letting me load a single one...not even the shortest, tiniest, cutest one.  GRRR....so only pictures for now.-It's July 2nd and I THINK it's going to let me do this....

A couple of weeks ago wonderful, giving friends of ours gifted this motorized tractor to the boys.  (I have video of them driving it...if I can get it uploaded one of these days.)

 Even Little Dude's friend got a turn, though the general rule is that no one else rides it for now.  For some reason all the neighbourhood kids think we have the best toys and the best food.  They come over asking for both! 

 Today Little Dude spent quite a while outside playing with little friends.  They were really enjoying climbing this tree...poor little tree.

Ahhh...good times.  :)  Summer time friends.

Canada Day!

 Cute little Canada Day bows in Little Dude's friend's hair.  For Canada Day we got together with friends for a late dessert (pictured below) and then went to see fireworks.

 Dessert was our traditional Canada Day Cake (although Big E doesn't like whip...so I also baked pies this time.)

 See!?  Lovely home made pies.  I was running a bit (ok a lot) behind and Big E wanted to know why I just hadn't bought pie shells from the store.  I looked at him aghast and sputtered, "If I'm going to go to the trouble to make pies, why would I ruin them with a store bought crust!?"  I find it SO disappointing to bite into a pie and taste a crust that is like cardboard.

 Crash, boom, bang.  We all LOVED the fireworks.  The best fireworks I have ever been to were in Windsor Canada.  They would send barges out onto Detroit river and their fireworks display was unlike any I have ever seen.  This came the closest to my Windsor experience.  Maybe one day I'll get to go back and sit along the river (with the rest of the entire city it seems) and watch that amazing display.  Little Dude has had no such comparison and he thought these were a smashing success!

 One of the friends we were there with...everyone else gave me goofy pictures and it would serve them right if I posted them...but I'm not that evil.

 Munchkin watched the fireworks with his dad on the other side of the field because right before they started he piped up, "Mom, I have to go PEE!"  :)  Off they went and returned when the show was over...so I didn't get to see him ooo and ahhh over the fireworks.  He did have fun waving his flag though.  :)