Aiden's 2nd Birthday July 29,2006

Tonight Sam & I headed over to celebrate Aiden's 2nd Birthday. It was wonderful to be there and have a good time with everyone. We had to leave before the gifts were opened but can imagine there were many lovely items that Aiden will enjoy!

Just hanging out with Dad! July 19,2006

Why does childcare with Dad seem so easy! Well here are a few picture of Darren & Sam just having a rest. Well Sam hangs out Darren has a light snack!

A visit with a friend July 21,2006

I had a friend Cindy come and visit us for a few days. It was nice to see her and get caught up on regular chatter. Darren was home for a few days and was able to put our new huge(sarcasam!) shed together. Needless to say it will function as a gardening shed.

Peas & Carrots(aka Sam & Bronwynne)

If you are not an animal lover than you might stop reading now. I think we should post this in honor of Smommie(you know who you are). Today I was finishing up some painting downstairs. So I brought Sam's blanket so he could play while I finished up. I was working away and saw Browynne pass by I said a hello. She plunked herself right down beside Sam. I saw her grab for one of Sam's toys, I mentioned that was not for her and she dropped it. The next thing I see Sam sucking on a toy nothing to be concerned about then I hear a diffrent sound. So I glance over. Sam is holding the toy so Bronwynne can have a chew. It was ment to be best friends till the end! It is said things happen for a reason. Well, first Bronwynne came into our lives and such a wonderful time and now Sam. We are lucky people!

So Sam Sits!

It is apparent that my baby is growing up. He is sitting up in his playpen for long periods of time and he is rolling over both ways. When did this all happen! Yes ,you hear it, enjoy it as this time goes fast but you don't belive until it is happening to you.

Just Me & Mommy July 8,2006

Well today it was just Sam & I. Darren has returned to work after being off for a few weeks. It was nice to have him home and accomplish a few things around the house. So today Sam & I headed out to Planet Java to have a visit with Grandma & Grandpa then we had a few errands to do. We headed home Sam had an afternoon nap & I managed to get some gardening in. Here are a few shots of Sam from the afternoon.

So this is what people do on a holiday weekend! July 1,2006

Well as you can guess Darren was home this holiday weekend. We have been very fortunate to have him around as he had some time off. So in between the steady stream of house ammendments we had time for a little We recieved a call from friends Jen & Will for an invitation for afternoon and dinner at their house on Saturday which was just lovely. Their little girl Emily just attended to Sam's every need. Big sister/Babysitter in the making! We had a lovely afternoon just chatting and strolling through Kennsington. After we made our way back we had a delicious dinner. As the night came to a close we found ourselves making plans for the next day.

Our adventure would take us all to Allouette Lake boating. I can say that a terrific time was had by all, especially since this was Sam's first boating experience. Well except when Darren was feeling a little bit quesy from the drifting that we were doing. But once we got him refreshed and a little land time he was all set to go again.

Early B day gift for Darren June 30,2006

As you can see Darren received an early Birthday gift from Mom & Dad Samuelson. Darren's birthday isn't till August but Mom & Dad thought he could get way more use this way. And what a happy camper he is!!

Busy, Busy, Busy.... June 28,2006

Well another busy day here. Darren & I continued to work on the back garden. We finished tilling and bringing additional soil in so it was planting and more planting. Sam must think he lives on a farm(maybe a funny farm).














After a busy day in the garden we visited Krause Farms for a fresh fruit smoothy. YUMMY!

Sunday June 25,2006

Today we went for dinner at Grandma & Papa's house. Auntie Karen was kind enough to take a picture of the three of us.

Nicholas' 1st Birthday @ Deifenbaker Park

So today we(Darren, Sam & I) managed to participate in a function with friends. What a novel idea. It was Nicholas' first birthday Michelle had organized a wonderful afternoon of friends, food and fun. I was just grateful that Darren, Sam & I actually made it to the event. We had a wonderful time with everyone. This is one of the moments where we are blessed to be back in BC and have that core set of friends. It is nice to be able to see us all constantly evolving from our school days to being parents ourselves.

Now you might we wondering what fall fashion Kim is sporting. Well this clever gift was from Leiko & Orson and as Leiko proceeded to inform us it is a toy that is to be used in what ever fashion the child likes to inspire creativity. Well I guess those of us who are able to remember the Fat Albert days might just wonder.... And if you are thinking where to I get one you would look at DANDELION KIDS... 1206 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, B.C. 604- 676-1862.

Well another crazy week.....

It has been another busy week here. We had a lovely visit with friends Dan, Jodi & Taylor they came and spent the night as they were passing through on their holiday. It was truly nice to sit down and have a chat and catch up. It was also nice as Sam had not met them so we all got aquainted. We were only missing Utah(their chocolate lab).

Then Darren was off on another pairing. Though we were glad to have him home for an extra night as he was overnighting in YXX. So he came home and we had an early Father's Day.

All or nothing.... Monday June12,2006

Our lives seem to be all or nothing. Everything is always happening at once. I find when Darren is home for a few days things either run smoothly or I feel like I am on turbo mode. Well that is what happened the last few days, the turbo mode. I picked Darren up on Wednesday afternoon. We made our way home from the Vancouver airport some traffic but that is to be expected. Well we stopped at a few car dealer ships to dream as we often do well......the next thing I know we are taking test drive in Langley, Darren is still in uniform and Sam is having a minor melt down as he felt he had been in his car seat too long. Then we go home all pumped up. Try and put that thought on the back burner. The next day we had Darren' parents come over to help out with the front garden. Darren had half of it rototilled and would eventually get the rest done. The rain started to sprinkled a little bit then the down pore happend. So they were able to get a bit done but not alot as planned. The following days had us enjoying the cold Sam caught, gardening and deciding on the car. Needless to say Sam still has a slight cold, so we are officially part of the snotty nose club, we planted the garden and seeded the other area. And we bought the car.

Monday June 5,2006

Today Sam & I got going but a little slower as this cold Sam has is hindering us a bit. We got ready and headed over to Dave & Pauline's house for a little visit. We saw Aiden and managed to grab a few shots of him and his Daddy.

While we were out that way we proceeded to the Planet for a cup of Joe, well of coarse that was for Mommy. We had a nice visit with Donna. Then we managed to squeeze in a walk at the Fort to Fort trail, a beautiful day to be out enjoying the BC surroundings.

Later that evening we met up with Donna & Brandon. Brandon had a soccer practice so, Donna & did a few laps around the track while that was going on. Sam just hung out and kept us amused.

Sam six month old today June 4,2006

Well today Sam is six month old, before you know it I will be saying six years.... We stoppped in at my parents after dropping Darren off at the Vancouver airport this morning. Guess what Sam decided to do... well he officially rolled over from back to front. Now he has been workin on this for some time.I guess he just wanted a captive audience, nothing better than Grandma!

Yesterday, we managed to get out and grab a coffee and a few yard sales it was nice just to enjoy being all together. Well when we got home Darren made a couple gates for the fenced area, while I cleaned up the garage. Sam managed to get a few pushes in his new swing, which Darren hung from the apple tree. That sounds too good to be true doesn't it!

Visting Daddy for the Day May 30,2006

Well today Sam & I went down to meet Darren. He was in Vancouver for the day. So we packed up and picked him up from the Vancouver airport. He was sure glad to see us. We all went out for a late breakfast of coarse al the ladies in IHOP were ga-ga over Sam(such a nice feeling). Then we spent the afternoon just milling around together. Finally we went to the Yohan(sp) center and gathered up a few thing for Darren's lunch and a collection of goodies for us for dinner. We had some sticky rice wrapped in a banana leaf, pot sticker and spring rolls. We hung out in the hotel room till the last of the rush hour was over then Sam & I headed home.

When we pulled up in our driveway. Mom & Dad Samuelson were here. Mom spent the entire gardening and planting day lillies in our front garden as you walk up to our house it looks beautiful and we are so greatful.

Went for our almost six month appt w/ Dr. Smith May 25,2006

Well forgot to mention that we had our almost six month appointment the other day. We picked up Darren from the airport that morning then eventually made our way to see Dr. Smith(sounds generic but it's his real name). Sam checked out just fine and dandy. He is weighing in at 19lbs 8oz. His length was 26 inches which all accounted to be in the 90th % for his age. Dr. Smith noted that when he is in grade one, he will be in the second row second from the end. Told us to try and remember as he has a pretty good track record so we will wait and see. Hopefully that will not be upon us for quite sometime. He also noted that when he is two years of age you should be able to take that height and multiply it by two and should be close to their finally height.

Trying something New May 26,2006

Well today we tried carrots for the first time. Naturally we captured it on camera for all to see. And without a doubt Sam love every morsal of his new and tasty treat. It will be intresting as the weeks pass to see what he thinks of all the wonderful and new tastes and textures.

Now after you have such a terrific meal you have to just lay down and have some fun with your best bud, Bronwynne. As you can tell they are already friends till the end.