Sprucing Up the Barrel

Since our Indiana summer has been quite the hot doozie and Mama is in full nesting mode in preparation for Super Baby, we have been completing some barrel improvement projects.

First Up: The Kitchen. We have realized that our kitchen needed a bit updating for function (welcoming another boy) and style (to inspire Mama when she works on providing healthy meals and working on her blog).

BEFORE:

We wanted to do away with the cracked white tile as well as add a little protection along the lower cabinet wall. We also needed more seating for our expanding family, not to mention Daddy's dream of having some local craft beer on tap.

AFTER:

We also began working on a Super Room for Super Baby.

Meanwhile Elias has been spending time getting out to the State Fair and he started Preschool this week as well.

Starting Pre-school this week!

Smile, I'm Super Baby!

We are at 28 weeks now and headed into the final stretch know as the 3rd trimester. Super Baby is doing well. Kicking all the time. Heart rate at 157 bpm. Head down and positioned well. We confirmed today that yes, it is a boy which was clear in our secret ultrasound.  Now we just wait for his arrival :)

O Canada!

Whew! We just got back to our dusty barrel (there has been quite the severe drought here in Indiana) from a more lush and green land to our North, Canada. We decided to take a trip inspired by neighborhood friends old and new, starting off first in Toronto visiting old neighbors and then to explore Quebec City with newer neighbors. Here are some snapshots from our little trip.

Fun at Toronto's Beaches

We climbed to the top of Toronto's Highest building, the CN Tower, standing at 1,815 feet tall. This needle-like structure was once the tallest building in the world around when Mama and Daddy were born. We went to the two visitor levels of the Glass floor (1,112 ft.) and the SkyPod (1,465 ft.)

Ice cream break while waiting in line for the tippy top

All smiles on the top of the world!

We were not too sure about the glass floor

We got to visit one of the best dinosaur exhibits ever at the Royal Ontario Museum. Elias was in dino-heaven!

Jamming with Little Miss S

Squid Fingers

I'm a Pickle!

Planter as Car

Then we headed to the Francophone town of Quebec City. 

Mama and Daddy came here during their honeymoon.

Our little world traveler

 During our stay was the annual Les Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France, or the New France festival. This festival turns the old historic part of the town into 17th century Quebec and is quite fun. 

Opening night parade

The giants celebrating Quebec culture

Elias and Adelirim enjoying our explorations

We took a horse ride through the city

Our horse Linda

The Chateau Frontenac

Daddy in his happy place...We visited our favorite French restaurant,  Le Saint-Amour. This place was the home of the best fois gras we ever had. A honeymoon repeat.

French walrus at lunch

Playing at a market

Soaking in the culture....

We had a wonderful time with all of our friends. Elias decided this week to exert his independence as well as showed off his running skills (no doubt inspired by evening showing of the London Olympic Games.) We were all well and tired by the end and ready for some US soil again.