Fall has Arrived

The maples this year are brilliant. Ours are just starting to turn. It's a good year to be in the northeast!

The city of Ottawa has a tree planting program. Saturday Cyle and Clayton went to the city nursery and picked out a crabapple tree. Cyle wanted an oak, so Clayton is calling it an "oak-apple" tree. He, of course, had to help dig.

The boys and our new tree. Too bad we won't be able to see it next fall.

Cyle went out for his first goose hunt of the year. He limited out and was home by 8:30. I love goose-hunting! He's happy because he went hunting. I'm happy because he didn't spend all day in the woods and come home saying he "killed time." The goose was delicious. I cooked it in Cajun Jambalaya Pasta- a Cheesecake Factory knock-off.
This week Grandma and Grandpa Huck and Uncle Cameron are coming to visit! We can't wait.

Levi growing, growing, growing

Levi is getting so big. He's up to 13 lbs and is 23 1/2 inches! He's outgrown outfits Clayton was wearing at three months. He's starting to smile at us, but of course, I couldn't capture it. I tried dearly. After about the 20th flash, Cyle told me it was enough.

I love how he's getting little fat rolls on his legs! And those chubby cheeks, too!

I made this cake for Cyle's boss who is retiring and moving to Florida. Read more about it and find out what's cooking in my kitchen at Baking at Huckleberries.

Oops...How could I forget?

I'm updating this too late at night and forgetting things...Yesterday was Clayton's first hunting trip! How could I forget to include such an important event?! Cyle got him up early and decked out in his camo (which Clayton says he "loves so much"). They hunted all morning, but no squirrels. They did shoot at some crows and had a good time walking through the woods.

The next generation of Huck hunters...

September Updates

I 'm thinking that I really need to update this more often than once a month...there's just been so much going on. It's taking me a while and making for such a long entry.

We've been really busy. School starts in September, so everyone has come back from travels and things have started up again. Summer is over. Time go get to work!
I'm co-president of the Events Committee/Party People at the Embassy. I love working with such a fun group of people and helping with the CLO events. At our meeting this month they threw a shower for Levi and I. KarenKay made a fabulous lunch (just two quiche and a salad...yeah right! It was a feast. A delicious feast!) and Claudette and Deborah made an adorable cake. Thank you!! I've also started a walking group with some of the same ladies. We're meeting every Wednesday at different spots in Ottawa and taking advantage of all of the wonderful walking trails. It's been great to get out and enjoy the nice fall weather and get in some exercise. Maybe some of those pregnancy pounds will start to melt away.

Clayton has also started "school." He's so big.

Either twice or three times a week Clayton will be going to South Carleton High School for their playgroup. The playgroup is actually a child development class for Seniors. For Clayton, it's a fun time to play! For me, it's an hour to get stuff done! His first day was last Thursday and he seemed to really enjoy it. Of course, they did have a sensory table full of blue sand with tractor machines for digging. You can't see because of his adorable John Deere jacket (Thank you, Auntie Kendra!!) but he has on my favorite tractor machine shirt that says, "I dig dirt." (Thank you, Nonna!) School was a hit. I fully expected to see him still digging in the sand when I picked him up, but he was playing with playdough.

Clayton being in school gives me a little one-on-one time with Levi. He's really growing so fast. I've had to put away some outfits that are too short and I hope we use up all of the size 1 diapers before they don't fasten around his belly anymore. He's getting really good at holding up his head and is just on the verge of truly smiling. He is super alert. Always watching and listening. And always as content as can be. He really is such a good baby. I was just noticing in this picture...you can actually see his eye brows here - and his chubby cheeks!

The Fair

This weekend was the Richmond Fair! After church we parked in town and made our way to the fair grounds! First stop: Food. I have to say. Canadian fair food really pales in comparison to the fair food at home. There are no hand-dipped corn dogs, funnel cakes, pile-o-potatoes, deep fried Snickers, Oreos, or whatever else. There are hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian sausages, Pogos, your run-of-the-mill donairs AND Beaver Tails. Beaver Tails partially redeem the food at the fair. They are a piece of dough flattened into a beaver tail shape and deep fried. (Really, what is better than fried dough?) They are then topped with a good variety of things - our favorite is cinnamon and sugar. Here is Clayton enjoying his bit.


What is a trip to the fair with out wasting money on a silly game for a cheap prize? Here we spent no less than $5 for Clayton to pick out 3 ducks to win a stuffed parrot. He really enjoyed picking out the ducks and loves the parrot even more. So I guess it was worth it.


Here is Levi as content as can be as we strolled him through the fair grounds. I forgot his hat, so I stuffed the burp diaper (it hadn't yet been used...) around his head. It wasn't so chilly, but was quite windy. He was awake for most of the evening. Apparently he didn't want to miss one bit of the fair.

Clayton really wanted to ride the dragon roller coaster, but wasn't tall enough, so he settled on the spinning boots. They rode in a circle and Clayton got to control the button that made them go up and down. It was kind of funny to watch because he wouldn't hold the button in long enough to actually go up and stay up so they kind of hopped around. After this ride we decided it was time to go home. And it was a good thing we did. It wasn't too long after we got home that a good little storm rolled in.

Grandpa G.'s Visit

Grandpa G. came to visit us last weekend. It started out with not such great weather, so it was Sunday before we were able to really get out. (Although, we did make it to The Works - a local burger joint with every imaginable topping available- on Saturday evening.) We went for a nice Sunday drive in the country to Kilmarnock Orchard. It sits on a small island in the Rideau close to Merrickville. We got to ride in the tram and then picked twenty pounds of Macintosh and Courtland apples - YUM!

Levi wasn't really so interested in picking apples. But he was really cooperative all day.

Clayton loved picking - AND EATING - the apples. I wish I had gotten a picture of him climbing the ladder to pick from the top of the tree. He has no fear of heights. Cyle was on the ladder with him and I was holding Levi. Sometimes I just don't have enough hands. The orchard was so very picturesque. Just today I finished putting up the apples. We've got 5 pints of apple sauce and 6 of canned apples. Next year I'm buying an apple peeler.


Clayton loves cooking in his kitchen. I just thought he was so cute wearing his apron and everything.

While Grandpa G. was here I thought it would be fun to visit the Experimental Farm. We got to see all kinds of animals. This Belgian horse is named Lady. We also got to see sheep, cows, pigs and a donkey. Clayton's favorite part of the farm is the Tractor display at the Agricultural Museum. (You can read about that in the previous post.) But to top off the day, Clayton got to watch a tractor in action as it disked up a field. What more could a little boy ask for?!
Thanks, Grandpa G., for visiting!

Tractor Machines

So Clayton's favorite thing is.......TRACTOR MACHINES!!! Because he loves them so much and our life seems to revolve around them, we took a trip to the tractor machine store. We have been blessed to live just a few miles from one of the two John Deere dealerships in Ottawa. We spent the morning just looking at all of the different tractors and pieces of equipment they had for sale. As a bonus, we even got see them drive a combine around. (You can't see because of his jacket, but he has on his favorite tractor machine t-shirt. We've now got a collection of 4 tractor machine shirts so I don't have to do laundry quite so often.)

Grandpa G. came to visit this past weekend and while he was here we made a trip to the Agricultural Museum at the Experimental Farm. In their Tractor display they have this tractor ride that demonstrates the difference between the old metal wheels (bump, bump, bump )and rubber tires (so smooth).


No matter where we go, Clayton seems to always find the tractors. (Here you can see him sporting another one of his tractor machine shirts. This one has a backhoe.) The sensory table at the Richmond Fair, complete with corn and, you guessed it, tractors and wagons was a complete hit. It was definitely better than looking at goats, bees, baby chicks, or petting sheep.


Also at the fair... Cyle and Clayton couldn't get enough of this home-made tractor. The older gentleman had constructed it out of many, many different tractors and such. I think Cyle said the motor was from the 19-teens. I paid attention long enough to take the picture then Levi and I went for a walk. I can only look at tractors for so long.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My mom came up right after Levi was born and stayed for two and a half weeks. She cooked, cleaned, occupied Clayton and helped me get as much rest as I could...Thanks, Mom, for all of your help! We love you!!!

Brothers...

Clayton is slowly adjusting to having Levi around. He tries to be very loving and as gentle as a two-year old boy can be. He's told me that Levi is his friend and that he is happy Levi is home. It's so precious...I hope the feelings last.

If the baby is doing it, so must the older brother.
(This goes for the play gym, bassinet, and being held, too.)
After seeing Levi asleep in his bouncy seat, Clayton got his and laid down exactly like Levi - as you can see.

Cyle asked Clayton if he was going to teach Levi all of his tricks. Clayton immediately started demonstrating his tongue trick.
All in all, Clayton is adapting really well. He has his moments, but he really is trying to be a helpful, loving brother.

Welcome Baby Levi!

Not even 24 hours old

The Huck Family

Levi at 1 week

Cyle, Clayton and Levi

We welcomed Levi Anthony into the world on August 13! I can't believe he's already 3 weeks old. The time has really flown by. It seems we've had him forever.

He's a very content, quiet baby who really does sleep. He very rarely cries, but is a grunter!
He's such a joy - we are truly blessed!