Winterlude, Part 1 - Friday Night

We arrived on Friday afternoon in Ottawa for our annual Winterlude trip.  We were excited to be up there anyway, but this year was extra special because Paul and Ang are joining us!  It was part of their Christmas gift from Mom and Dad, to have them fly into Ottawa and meet us there.  Lucky for them, it was an extra cold weekend temperature-wise so they got to really see what Winterlude is like.

On Friday night we had dinner at D'Arcy McGee's, an Irish pub close to our hotel.  It was delicious, both food and beer.  After dinner, we headed over to Confederation Park to check out ice sculptures and art installations.  And of course, get a Beaver Tail!!

This is at the hotel before we headed out to the park.  Aaron fell asleep in the Ergo pack while we were getting ready to go out, and then he fell over backwards while we were waiting for the elevator.  The picture is blurry but everyone was laughing so hard that we couldn't help it.  Silly Aaron, what a champion sleeper he is!!

Leah in her super warm, super giant bear suit.

She was so excited to have Uncle Paul and Aunt Ang there!

Poppa and Leah in Confederation Park

Gina is a goof!

More Poppa and Leah

Mama and a very sleepy baby.  He didn't wake up the whole time we walked around.

The snow was actually pretty difficult to walk in, especially for the kids.  It ended up just being easier to have them on shoulders.

Gina and Matt, Paul and Ang

Aunt Gina and Leah.  Leah's got her eyes on the DJ that was part of the Winterlude kickoff party - she loved the music and dancing!

Daddy and Cameron (Cam is also checking out the show)

Yuuuuummmmm!!

Uncle Paul and Leah

Silly faces!

These are all from the one block ice sculpture competition.  There are some pretty awesome entries.

We didn't end up staying out for very long because it was just so cold out.  We headed back to the hotel, put the kids to bed and stayed up late talking and hanging out.

Afternoon on the Rink

The weather today was a bit warmer and it wasn't snowing, so Daddy, Leah and Cameron headed out to do some skating on the rink.

Daddy and Leah on the ice

Playing some hockey

Leah is practicing her skating using the chair for balance

Silly girl picking up the chair!

One-on-one Daddy and Cameron

More skating

They had fun out there!!

Aaron can crawl!

Aaron started crawling not too long ago, here is a video of it.  He crawls the same way that Cameron and Leah did when they started - the wounded soldier!

Aaron Adorable: Hungry Baby

Even at just nine months, Aaron is such a good eater!  He loves everything that we give him and chows down on it.  Of course, he loves snacks the best.  Here are a bunch of beyond adorable pictures of my littlest man.

Mama, you've given me cheesy poofs, of course I will smile for you.

And yes, I know I am the most adorable baby ever.  Even with my cheesy nose and face.

Yum, I love cheesy poofs

What a sweet little profile

I'll keep smiling as long as you keep sending the cheesy poofs my way

Umm, Mama, these things on  my tray do not look like cheesy poofs.  I think we may need to have a word.

Oh, there is pasta that goes with these vegetables?  That may work.

Yes, yes it does work.  The sauce is delicious!

Mama, I like it!

This kid is too cute!

Another cutie who wanted a picture taken after all of those pictures of her little brother!

Family Skate on the Rink

Tonight was the perfect night for a skate on the rink - cold but clear with no snow.  We invited everyone over to go for a skate and bundled up the kids so we could all go out there.  It was a blast!

Aaron was snuggled up.  He was so sweet in his little sled papoose of warmth.

We all got our skates on and headed out to the ice.  Leah pulled Aaron around the ice in his sled (with help from Nana).

I think Cameron would stay on the ice all night if we let him, skating and hitting the puck around.

Cutie in a sled

Family skating fun!

Poppa passing with Leah

Another shot of Aaron, safety tucked into the corner of the rink.  We had chairs and other things blocking him so that no errant pucks would come his way.

Leah practicing her figure skating with Mama

Time for some hockey - face off!

Leah did awesome with her skating, we were so proud of her!

Three amazing kiddos

Family picture on our rink!

Tim and his zamboni, clearing off the ice.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Mr. Aaron!

And here are a few more pictures of this eight month old sweet boy.

He sure is adorable!!