Camping with the kids

Let's just start by clarifying - this is NOT backcountry camping.  After 2 days of packing, we had a car full of every possible item including pillows, a giant 4 man tent, a dining shelter, and a cooler full of food.  We were worried that the shocks on the car were bottoming out.  But we made it up the Icefields to Mosquito Creek Campground which is aptly named.  It was great to spend some time with friends and we loved the hike to Helen Lake.

Scenery at the campground

Finn and his dinosaurs

The kids.  Note the strangulation hold that Chole is giving Quinn.  

"Chloe loves Papa..."

The Hughes Storks

Quinn in the tent

A panoramic of the view from above Helen Lake

En route

Where's waldo?

Ten bug bites were acquired in the making of this photo

Love this one.  Note the bugs on my back...

My new favourite photo

Jan and Kip

Family shot

Token flower shot (Yes Jan, I took this during the photo ban....ha ha)

Quinn passed out after a long day.  It is 11pm....

A few from home

Quinn used to nap in my bed, in my arms.  Now it is only the crib.  This is a pic of his last nap with me.  Note his head on my pillow.

Love the faux-hawk...

Strawberry picking...or not

Alberta strawberries are amazing...so I have heard!  After a lovely drive through eastern Alberta with Kim and Jo (and the boys), we arrived at the farm to find the berries all gone!  Good thing there was a canola field across the road for a few pics.

Kim and Soren

Jo and Quinn

Exploring...

Nose Hill

Life has changed at the Patterson-Rodgers house.  A good day is now a walk in the park rather than a weekend in the mountains!  (Although, we still make it to the mountains with our superstar hiker!)

The boys at Nose Hill

Bugs...

I love Quinn's expressions!

A day in the park

After a week away, Kip was excited to see Quinn.  We spent the day hanging out at the park (in between naps of course!).

Quinn laughing with Kip

Playing in the backyard

His first swing!

First slide.

July Ontario visit

Quinn and I did a solo trip to Ontario this July.  After a bit of a rough start, Quinn adapted well and loved being at the ranch, and then in Sharon.  I'm pretty sure that both sets of grandparents (plus Ash!) wanted to kidnap him.  Here are a "few" of my favourites.  

Barb, Gord, and Quinn on the deck...

... and the swing

Barb loves to read the books. Quinn loves to eat them.

Ranger Gord leading Quinn's first tree education seminar.

Post bath

Photo in the gardens.

Prep for Quinn's second swim in the lake.

Taking the plunge.

After 6 days at the ranch, we headed home to Sharon.

New favourite activity - eating the flowers.

Practicing for his first steps - soon to come!

Bathtime fun with Nanny.

Nanny and Quinn

Walking in the woods

Who looks smarter....

Aunt Ash doing the heavy work.

Great Nanny and Quinn.

I just love this one!

Fish hook

Quinn found his toes that week.

Grandpa and Quinn