Weekend of Ball and Babies

We were invited to come play with a team in a slopitch tournament this past weekend.  After quite the ordeal to find a way to camp, we headed out to Rocky to meet our friends.  It was soooo much fun.  I don't have a pile of pictures to show for it, but that was because we were very busy all the time.  Not only did we play 6 games in two days, but we did it with 8 babes (all 2 years old and under), 4 dogs (all sorts of crazy animal antics) and a HUGE thunder storm.  


Thanks again to Mel and Stacey for inviting my family.  Though a little rusty, I had a blast playing and hope it becomes an annual event.  Can't wait to see the trouble our boys will be able to get into next year!!!

First thing the boys did once we set up the trailer, was dig in this dirt pile.  This is Sam's  friend Bennett.    Ben is one year older than Sam, so it was very important that Sam did everything the same as him.  Unfortunately the next trailer that showed up parked on the dirt pile and the game was over.

Here the boys are sitting out of the way of all the trucks and trailer driving in.

Sam love love loves camping!

Here Sam is playing clean up with Lucas (or maybe Matty, sorry Stac).  This broom and dust pan were a big hit!!!  These boys are going to be just like their daddies!  

Going on a Tiger Hunt... I'm not afraid!

We had so much fun at the zoo last week, that we decided to take Auntie Angie with us for an adventure yesterday.  Another wonderfully gloomy day (have we had much else this summer!?!?!) so all the animals were out and ready to show their stuff.


We started the adventure in the African Safari.  We got to see the 45 year old hippo getting his teeth brushed and the lions awake for a play.  Our lion visit was ended abruptly when the lions started to 'wrestle' and I thought Sam was maybe a little young for the birds and bees talk!!!

The zoo was not busy at all, so took advantage of it and played on the "big" kid playground.  Great Auntie Angie took me up to the top!

Sam made it down this huge caterpillar slide all by himself. 

Crawling out and wondering where we should go next!

We watched the elephant for quite a while . She was pacing back and forth and each time she got up close to us, she gave herself a dust bath.

Here she comes again!!!

Sam would make his elephant noise and nose at her.  SOOO CUTE!

We were very lucky the tiger was out and about prowling his cage.  He even took a little swim in the pond!  The picture doesn't show depth very well, but he was only a couple meters from the glass.  Sam and the little boy next to us did their very best roars!

There is a new playground at the zoo, built just for 0-5 year olds.    Great place for babes Sam's age to play without worrying he'll become a speed bump under the feet of a big kid!!!  Auntie Angie is always up for fun and sends Sam down the tube slide!

 We did the tour of the Prehistoric Park at the end of our visit to the zoo.  It's definitely a lot cooler than it used to be with the Dino Alive exhibit in there.  However, giant roaring dinosaurs seem to make most kids cry.  Not brave Sam!!!  Actually, I looked back in the wagon and he was sleeping sitting up... I guess it was time to go home!

Summer Days and BBQ

Shaun is still close to his two best friends that he grew up with.  We are so lucky to have these guys, their beautiful women and kiddos in our lives.  We spent the day as a group on Saturday.  Lots of playing, talking, sitting in the sun, enjoying being together, not to mention an amazing BBQ to end the evening.

Sam loves his little friend Logan.  He held her on his lap for this picture and didn't try to get her off him.  So cute.

Chelsey rounds up the little boys and holds them still for 30 seconds... after being calm for a moment they spent the rest of the time they running around like crazy people!!!

Lincoln explaining to Sam that there is a whale in the pond... oh my, I can only imagine the things  Linc will teach Sam as they grow!

My happy boy playing on the deck!

Sam the Dog Tamer!

The little boys up to trouble!

Sam's first class in Uncle Bill's Basement Boxing

Ready to get his fight on!

Love Logan's expression in this picture.  She is such a sweetie!!

Love that these boys all have kids in a similar age range.  I hope our kids are all life long friends too.

Sam the Gorilla Whisperer

Sam and I spent a cloudy day at the zoo on Thursday.  I was a little bummed about the weather until we started looking at the animals.  The cool temperature made all the creatures very active, so we got to see everyone in action.  It was also a special trip because it was the first time I think Sam could see and realize that there were animals in all the cages.  Though we had a fun day looking at many different animals, the gorillas were a definite highlight!

There were a couple gorillas playing indoors.  Eating and monkeying around.  Sam thought it was very exciting... he had no idea what was in store for him.

We headed outside.  It was sprinkling a little so most the gorillas were taking cover throughout their yard.  This gorilla is the mommy to the small gorilla in the back ground.  When I parked Sam here, she sent her baby away and came to sit right in front of us.  Every once in a while she would reach back and knock on the glass.  Very funny, but nothing compared to the next phase...

She quickly spun around and slapped the glass.  She ran off and grabbed this small tree and brought it back to us.

After sitting staring at us with tree in hand she began to dance and dance and dance.  Every so often she would stop and slap the glass (you can see her hand prints) and then dance again.

Then she stopped and posed like this.  Her final move was another giant glass slap and the she ran off to her baby.  I'm not sure if she was upset with us or wanted my baby, but it was a pretty amazing performance.  So worth a couple rain drops.  Sam kept looking at me like he couldn't even believe his eyes.  Very cool... I hope he's old enough to remember this experience!

Another mommy gorilla walked up to the glass right in front of Sam.  She seemed older and less wild than this other one.  She set her hand on the glass right in front of Sam and stared at him.  She had the sweetest eyes and looked at him very lovingly (sounds weird, but I'm not kidding).  I tried to get the camera out to capture the moment, but she wasn't interested in sharing with me.  I recommend a cloudy early morning at the zoo... you never know what could happen!

Thank God He's a Country Boy

We spent some time this past week at Shaun's parents' home in Bentley.  There is something about the drive to central Alberta that makes me feel like I'm heading to where my heart is.  The yellow canola reminds me of summers on my Grandparents farm, playing for hours with my cousins.  The green of a John Deere is a favorite of mine... I even painted my bedroom that colour when I still lived at home (my mom has since painted over, apparently it's not for everyone.)  Fresh air, the patchwork of fields for miles and miles, silence.  I love that both sets of Sam's Grandparents still live in this area of the country... it is the perfect setting for boy to visit and play.

Our second annual canola field photo together.  Last year's picture was taken on our VERY first outing since Sam had been born (over 5 months old).  The first thing that I ever wanted to show him was the yellow, rolling fields.

Gramma and Grandpa Connolley

Dad gets in on the fun!  You can't help but love these fields!

If only this photo had audio!

I think we found Sam's happy place!  I'm not sure yet how he'd feeling if he heard the noise up close, but for now tractors are a very wonderful thing!

Three generations of Connolley men... love them!

Splish-Splash Summer!

Not sure what it is about water that makes my little boy's eyes light up, but if there is splashing to do Sam is there!  Needless to say, we go through many outfits trying to stay dry.

Daddy stained and sealed the deck, so now a big rain brings lots of SPLASH-ability!!  Sam saw all the little puddles and couldn't believe his eyes!

Working hard at splashing but wondering how come he's getting so wet!

Karen invited us to her community center, which as a splash park... BIG HIT!

Parker and her Mommy try to spray us

Karen teaches Sam how to spray back at them!

Sweetest little thing my eyes have ever seen.  The basketball helps me love him even more!

Brave boy

Parker trying to lure Sam over (and I have no idea  a better way than a big bright ball!)

"Hey Sam, can you get that for me?"

"Anything for you Babe!"

Just hanging with his girl after tons of fun at the splash park... they were both a little scared of the water, but summer 2011 look out for these two!!!  They'll be into like no one's business!

Sam's Big Day

Well, it was actually Anthony and Allison's (Sam's Godparents) big day, but Sam played a role in the wedding.  He had two beautiful little girls pull him down the aisle and he handed the best man the rings (I don't think he actually had them.)  It was a perfectly, beautiful wedding and I'm so grateful we got to have a part in their day.  Congrats to the new husband and wife... may your life always be filled with tons of love, laughter and happiness!

Here are my two handsome boys after the ceremony.  I took MANY photos this day, but I won't post more until I've given the bride copies (and gotten her permission).  I definitely understand why photographers make the BIG BUCKS... it's a long and stressful day!  Looking at and editing the photos now definitely makes it worth it.  Had great time that day and love working with photoshop.  I'm a little slow at editing, but the end result will be fab and I cannot wait to show Anth and Allison.