New Kayak

Today Morgan got to sit in Grandpa’s new kayak.  She wanted to ‘go’.  It was so much fun to see her try to make it move.  After the kayak ‘trip’ her and Grandpa picked all the green beans.  She ate a few, so look out Mom and Dad!

Canada Day 2011

The month of June has been a month of tremendous growth. Charlotte suddenly EMERGED as a wonderfully happy baby. She’s been slowly waking up for her first 3 months of life, but man, in month four she’s become all smiles, giggles (very contagious giggles!), and fixated on everything around her. She and her sister have eyes for only each other… Quite an adorable pair.

Challenge: Can You Spot the Happy Baby?

Already they seem to be synchronizing… when one laughs, so does the other.  Unfortunately, when one cries, so does the other.

We went to the West Sechelt Carnival where Morgan went ballistic for this 20′ inflated slide.  She went back again and again for more (until her mom decided to see how she’d do on her own… then that was the end of that adventure).  We had pizza on the field, explored bouncy castles, jungle gyms, and just plain ran around. Charlotte slept through the whole sordid affair.

We also headed to the Gibsons Children’s Fair.  What a blast!  We had our hands full so left the camera in the car.  Charlotte grooved to the live music and Morgan learned how to go up and down slides… over and over and over and over…  She also went to a petting zoo where she made all the mom’s “aaaaawwwww” when she hugged a bunny and gave it big kisses.  It really was quite cute.  She also got to pet a goat, a guinea pig, a rooster, and a horse.

We also went to the Canada Day Parade in Sechelt.  Morgan loved the noise and excitement (and maybe the chocolate).  She got to see Grandpa in the parade.

Even better than the parade was the impromptu get together at Auntie Amanda’s.  Hot Dogs, beer, kids, horses, and fun.  Morgan got a little too up close and personal to Cookie, Amanda’s dog, and got a face full of dog teeth as a life lesson in being too pushy.

No loss of life or limb, so a good day.

Pictures Online: https://picasaweb.google.com/mainstaycomputing/CanadaDay2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCNbOn8iepK_Y8gE

Pictures Online: https://picasaweb.google.com/mainstaycomputing/WestSecheltCarnival?authkey=Gv1sRgCLqP7vSe4vfZ9QE

Cousins

Today we had a cousin day.  Every one of the girls were here.  Morgan loves her cousins.  They did hair, nails, did a play and dress up complete with wigs, and generally had the most amazing time.  We had snacks and goodies, and Morgan is most generous with her toys, and her love.

Morgan Turns 2

Morgan had a TERRIFIC 2nd Birthday today.

She had Auntie’s and Cousins and Friends and Neighbors and Grandma and Grandpa and even Great-Grandma attend to her every whim.

Bubbles and face painting and pools and water-and-sand tables and burgers and hotdogs and sun and chips and pop and cake and balls and frisbees and kids … oh my! what a day!

Thank you to everyone who could make it. And “save the date for next year” to all those that couldn’t.

And if you have pictures to add, send ‘em our way!

More pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/mainstaycomputing/MorganSSecondBirthday?authkey=Gv1sRgCIn6g5GSzrf9QQ

Black Bear Morgan

Today we were playing up back and swinging on the swing set.  We decided to come in for a snack and a bathroom break.

I looked out the window and there, right where we had been playing seconds before, was Blackie, our resident bear.  He is really big now, but so gentle (looking).

I tried to get Morgan to see him, but she was unaware of what I was so excited about.  I wish she had seen him, but I did take pictures.  We must be very careful in the back yard, as Morgan would just love to give Blackie some very big cuddles.

Bush Bombing No Go

Today we took the stroller up the back trail, but Morgan was very nervous and wanted to go back to the house.

Her sign language is very strong and demonstrative.  She decidedly wanted to get back to her usual surrounds.  She likes things the way they are supposed to be.  Don’t mess with the status quo.

Jogging Stroller

Today we got the most amazing stroller.  It is huge and meant for bush bombing and biking.  Morgan is a little awed by it, and her and Grandpa took it for a test drive.  Her eyes get bigger and bigger as she explores more of her world.

Outdoor Morgan

Morgan spent the day here, her first without a really good reason, other than that she wants to be with grandpa and grandma.  Good enough.

She totally loves the outdoors, and we spend as much time as possible outside.  She gets the mail and paper with Grandpa, and eats and naps without a problem.  We read lots of stories and she comprehends most of what is discussed.  Today we talked about frogs and jumping.  She is a very good jumper.  Her most amazing attribute is her love of everything, animate and inanimate.  She hugs everything, and kisses and cuddles even the most mundane and usual item:  dolls, bugs, garden sculptures, angels, butterflies, flowers, etc.

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Oh oh, something astounding happened.  Auntie Kathy brought us a little play house.  It is just the perfect size for a little Morgan.  She goes in and out and in and out.  Then she hides.  We sign a song:

Where is Morgan, where is Morgan where is she? 

                        Where is she?  I don’t see her, I don’t see her – where could she be? Where could she be? 

                         at which point, Morgan pops out one of the little  window, and we sing the response…

There is Morgan, there is Morgan, there is she, there is she

                        Now I see her, now I see her looking at me, looking at me…

This absolutely cracks her up and she dissolves in giggles.

We keep all her balls, blocks and other necessities of life in this little house.

Baby Shower

Today we had a baby shower for Charlotte at Auntie Bertas’.   Morgan was very social and so proud of her baby sister.

Charlotte’s Baby Shower

Auntie Roberta hosted a wonderful baby shower to welcome Charlotte.

Charlotte's Baby Shower

Morgan was the official greeter and made sure everyone gave her just as much attention as they did Charlotte.

Charlotte is now weighing 8lbs 8oz.

The highlight of the event was a beautiful hand-made hat that Taylor knitted for Charlotte.

More pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/mainstaycomputing/CharlotteMonthTwoBabyShower?authkey=Gv1sRgCKWhspW3uvHLCA#

Baking

Morgan loves to bake.  She is very competent in the kitchen.  She can roll out dough, make cookies, and then wash the dishes.  We go through a lot of outfits, but it is so much fun.

Visit With Grandpa and Grandma Craig

Mark and Hamid were able to make it up over the weekend and have a visit.
Jan and Guy visited their new granddaughter.
This gave Beth some much needed hands-free time.

Visiting with Grandma and Grandpa Craig

Morgan is enthralled with her little sister.

Charlotte is now weighing 7lbs, 10oz.

More pictures at: https://picasaweb.google.com/mainstaycomputing/VisitWithGrandmaAndGrandpaCraig?authkey=Gv1sRgCKHukNDXj7LLdw#

A New Sister

Charlotte is home.  Morgan evidences no sibling rivalry at all.  She is thrilled with her new sister, and extremely generous and caring with Mom and Dad.  They are talking about starting potty training, and with any luck we will have Morgan come for one day a week.  We don’t want her to feel excluded from her nuclear family at this point so playing it cautiously with her sensitive nature.

Charlotte Arrives

Morgan is a big sister.  Charlotte Sophia Madeline was born today.  Let the games begin!

Today a little orange bunny came to visit.  Grandpa and Morgan had a great time watching it, and trying to get it to eat carrots and lettuce.  Morgan knows how to hop like a bunny.

Thanksgiving

Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.

Beth and I are grateful that we can share this evening together and enjoy good company and good food.

I for one am very thankful for this feast that has been prepared before us.

Together, we’ve had a lot to be thankful for this last year.

Our business has  prospered and grown, tough economic times not withstanding.

We’ve had our wonderful little girl who is an absolute delight and who has brought us tremendous joy.

We would also like to share with you the wonderful news that our family is about to grow a little larger.  This spring we are expecting the arrival of a new baby Lehmann.

We have much to be thankful for.

Family is the wine of life; Let’s drink of it, and to it.

Zum Wohl!