G & G Freeland Montreal visit

At only 4 months old Max's life is complete as long as his fingers are free for sucking and someone is willing to carry him around from time to time.   Of course, his little twinkle toes barely touched the ground while Grandma & Grandpa Freeland visited.  He loved every second of it!  We had a wonderful time with G & G walking around the city, shopping, cooking, Starbucks runs, reading books, watching football (I'm working with Max on, "Go Vikings, boo Packers!"  Thankfully for Grandpa Bill it's a slow process), and just chatting it up while relaxing.  

4 months and already hitting the bottle, tipsy little dude.

Max LOVES to read, especially with Grandma Sandy.

Boy power!

What?!  I'm cool and I know it.

Thank you Mary Jane for the fabulous chewy toy.  Nice to give the fingers a rest.

Sweetest baby ever!

Max and I had a wonderful time in Minnesota for his first Turkey Day, but as usual it went by too quickly with not enough time to do and see everyone.  Poor Scott had to stay back and work.  Canada celebrates Thanksgiving or known as "Action de Grace" in Quebec in October and it's not the same big deal as we make it in the States.  However, the show is coming along beautifully and on track (so far) for it's premiere date of April 19th in Montreal.

Happy birthday Grandma Peggy, Grandpa Bill and Sara!

We had a wonderful time celebrating Grandma Peggy's 60th.  Sushi for us and soy for my little dairy free delicate flower.

The party animals!  Max was already passed out in his car seat.

...is that...a baby...in a bar?!  Yes, it is!  Max loved Bingo and Trivia night at Mainstreets.

Maggie teaching Max the ropes around downtown Hopkins

Always such a happy boy!

Winter is here and the snow is near, but Max can't wait to smear his drooly kisses all over his cousins.  T-19 days until Evanston for the Holidays and Kourtney's birthday celebration!

So full!

Just like daddy!

Mini Scott in the making

Feedings can feel a little like pin the bottle on the baby

Grandma Eck Montreal Visit

We had a blast with Grandma E!  We walked all around the city, drove around town (rather jerked start and stop for miles on end cause of the awful construction and crumbling bridges), visited Notre-Dame Basilica, Mont Royal, Cirque headquarters, shopped, ate Grandma's home cooking, tried new restaurants and watched the Cardinals take on the World Series.  Max especially loved Grandma's fabulous bath time massages.  He would smile, coo, stick his tongue out and click when she rubbed his hands and feet.

Dining in style with Grandma E at a French restaurant in the Old Port

Notre-Dame Basillica

The Bank of Montreal

On top of Mont Royal or known as "The Mountain" overlooking the Northern area and St. Lawrence River at the tail end of the Fall foliage.

The big bronze clown shoe outside Cirque headquarters.

Over the Halloween weekend we visited Quinn Farms about 45 minutes outside Montreal.  We saw pigs, chickens, cows, goats and horses.  None of which Max gave a hoot about yet because they didn't flash fancy bright colors or rub his feet, but still amusing to see his countless facial expressions.  We also went on a hayride to their apple orchard and pumpkin patch.  We made a delicious homemade apple pie with the local Cortland, Spartan and Empire apples.  Not as good as Minnesota's famous Honeycrisp in my opinion, but still tasty.  Then we carved pumpkins at Velvet, Mike and Myla's house with friends.  It was a fun farewell week to Fall!

 Don't think the stinky part helped with Max's interest level either.

 Family of skunks on our hayride

 Picking apples for our pie

 Max found a good one and directed Daddy to get more.

Pumpkins were a bit picked over 

Thanks again to Grandma Eck for making the special trip.  Now we look forward to Grandma and Grandpa Freeland coming this week.  Max is a happy, spoiled little boy and he always welcomes more pampering visitors!

 With the bright blue sleeper underneath we called Max the Pumpkin that ate a Smurf

 Ex Koozan - some artists wore a skull outfit during Scott's old show, Kooza.

He is a mover and shaker now!

Max learning of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries divorce - not shocked nor upset, just drooly as usual.

3 months old

Our little Peanut is getting big!  Now he coos, smiles, laughs, clicks, stares and giggles everyday.  He even rolled over for the first time in our Baby and Me Yoga class last week!  He is the star pupil. . .in my eyes anyhow :)  

 Happy 3 mois (months in French)

 Giggle monster!

Shakin' a doggy tail on my doggy quilt!

Starting to turn a week before the big roll.

The weather in Montreal is starting to turn cooler but we still manage our daily Starbucks walk with a few more layers and rain cover.  

Big bear is ready for our walk!

The Canadians are protesting for economic justice too.

Scott was kind enough to watch Max while I took his tickets for the Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour Premiere with my new friend, Velvet.  Velvet is the wife of Scott's boss, Mike.  They live in Montreal but are also newer to the area and have an adorable 1 year old named Myla who is great with Max.  It was so nice to have an adult outing. 

Our drooly little jester.  

Fingers are the favorite toy right now!

The show was incredible!  They really pulled out all the stops for Michael.  Even the Jackson family was in attendance.  It is an Arena touring show, but Cirque always develops and releases their new shows in Montreal.  I'd highly recommend seeing the show if it comes to your area.  It maybe coming to Minneapolis the end of March 2012 and Salt Lake the end of July 2012.

 Still dark blue eyes.  Sorry about the scary flash little man.

Footloose!

Max can't wait to get smothered by Grandma Eck during her upcoming Montreal trip.  We love and miss you all!

 Always happy in Daddy's lap!

 Clapping along to 50's music 

 Reclining in the boppy lazy boy for Sunday football.  Go Lions...oops, Go Vikings!

Ooooo, fun fingers again!

Montreal, Quebec Canada

We're all settled into our new apartment in the heart of downtown Montreal and beginning to explore the city.  There is a grocery store, Starbucks, tons of restaurants, theaters and charming Old Port only blocks from us.  We couldn't have asked for a better city living location!

 Max waking up

 Big boy can face forward in the Bjorn!  He loves to help mommy grocery shop this way.

Ready for Starbucks!  The barista, Alyssa, loves Max so much that she has given me free coffee to assure our return.  Little does she know that I will walk through a tsunami for my Starbucks.

Chillin' on his poppy, a.k.a. "throne"

 Walk to Starbucks along Saint Catherine Road.  They've spent the last 3 year remodeling this walkway and road.  It's gorgeous with brick paths, trees and rod iron light fixtures.

 Cafe Starbucks Coffee

Theater - one of million theaters near us, I just liked the sprial lights.  

Montreal is the 2nd largest city in Canada with around 3.6 million metro wide.  French is the official language but most people also speak English so getting around is a breeze.  It has a rich history with evidence that shows the nomadic First Nations native people occupied Montreal for at least 2,000 years before the arrival of Europeans.  The Old Port area is the birthplace of the city dating back to 1692 and has fabulous walking trails along the St. Lawrence River, old stone buildings, cobblestone streets, royal statues and captivating churches.

 Old Port area

 Saint Paul Street in Old Port - cars aren't allowed but horse and buggy are!

 City Hall

 Place Jacques Cartier - the original marketplace in the early 19th century.  Now has artist, street performers, cafes and outdoor restaurants.

 Court house

 Row of neat looking town homes along our walk

Monument to Admiral Nelson

It's the start of Fall here and the weather is perfect to be outdoors.  Max and I have enjoyed our daily Starbucks run followed by a walk around the city and then a little Rock-a-bye Baby.  Scott continues to work on hiring within the departments, learn the artistic acts and help develop the technical side to bring it all together.

Remember visitors are always welcome.  It's cheaper than a flight to Paris but has the same romantic feel!  Max will wear a French beret to seal the deal. . .

Wee wee ladies!

Thank you Jim & Donna Freeland for the adorable handmade baby quilt!  It is incredible - we love it!