First Visit to Saskatoon

Elliot had a great time in Saskatoon, mostly hanging out with his grandparents and uncles. His first birthday party ever was celebrated in Saskatoon with friends and family coming to Grandma's house to eat cake and hand over cool presents. He is very much looking forward to visiting again soon. More pictures can be seen if you click on the word Harangue.

Elliot's First Plane

We were warned about taking an infant on a plane ride and we hoped against all odds that everything would be fine. All the while, fear lived inside of us like a pair of unmatched socks. The flight attendants warned us that he would start screaming during the ascent and the unavoidable descent due to the air pressure causing pain and discomfort in his ears. Doctors and nurses were recommending drugging him with Gravol or Tylenol. We refused (okay we ran out of time and didn't get around to it) but we needn't have worried. Elliot was fine. He laughed when the plane took off and laughed when the plane landed. He slept without any pharmaceutical aid and he continued to flirt with whatever girl would pay him any attention (he doesn't even care if she's one or ninety one).

Uncle Andrew and Aunt Cara

We all took a nice trip to Saskatoon in September and the first and foremost reason for the trip was to partake in the celebration of the marriage of Elliot's Uncle Andrew to the lovely Cara Martens. It was a wonderful day, their wedding day. The day was beautiful, Saskatoon always does autumn unlike any other city in the world. In celebration of the colourfulness of the season, Cara and Andrew went with a lot of reds in the decorations and in the garments. I was given the honour of being a groomsman for one of the finest people I have ever known, who also happens to be my brother Andrew. This was a big deal for me and I will always cherish this privilege for all my days.
Elliot also had a great time, and was often carted away from his parents by giggly girls from the Martens side of the family. He most definitely did not mind this, nor did his parents. I danced once, Elliot danced all night long. He is unlike me in many many ways.
One of the many joys I was able to experience during that day was the time with my brothers and parents and wife and kid and new sister in law. We were able to get some pictures done as well. Here are a couple, and if you want to see more you can click on the word ASPARAGUS.

Elliot the Great Patriot

When Elliot was inside his mother, his father(me) would often sing to him one of two songs. "Oh Canada" was one of them. The other was "God Save the Queen". Those are two of the few songs his father can sing that he doesn't dance to. So it is no great surprise to discover that he loves our Canadian flag and enjoys waving it proudly for all to see.

More pictures

By clicking on the word Fiddlediddle you will access a large selection of pictures including the ones included in this blog entry.

Uncle Clayton is Cool

Elliot often saves his widest smiles for his aunts and uncles so we weren't surprised at all to see his pearly white teeth when Uncle Clayton arrived last week. He hasn't stopped smiling much since. Uncle Clayton is a great play mate and an excellent conversationalist. Walking, running, swinging and face attacks (you have to experience it to understand what it means) are just a few of their favourite activities. In fact they even invented a game of their own called the "upside down game" where Uncle Clayton holds his hands as Elliot stands and dips his head all the way back so that everything is upside down.

We have been going on quite a few outings while Uncle Clayton has been here. Whiterock and the Zoo and Granville Island so far. Perhaps Stanley Park this weekend. We've watched quite a few Simpsons episodes and danced to the Wiggles quite a few times as well.

Elliot is eating lots of Cheerios, grapes, cookies and crackers on his own now. He is very close to walking on his own (taking a few steps here and there). Sometimes he doesn't even realize he is standing on his own and as soon as he does he falls down.

Uncle Clayton bought a french baguette today.