17 months old

Holy bananas, it's been forever since we last updated on our growing Monkey!  Max is now running, jumping, climbing, dancing, chatting, following "selective" directions and expressing his independence (mama could do without on occasions) but he is still our adorable sweetie pie.  We'll let the pictures do the talking . . .

Since turning 1 our little jet setter has lived in Montreal, Quebec, Toronto and Vancouver with trips to Minnesota in between.

Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City.  Such a gorgeous city!

Peaches are much better eaten naked!

Max and some of his Minnesota buddies, Reese & Gus.

 View from our top floor apartment in Toronto, the CN Tower in the heart of downtown.

Cutest little bum!

 I work oooout!  Think you're seeing a naked trend forming. . . 

 Go Gophers!

 Max and his buddy, Raphy.

We rented a cabin an hour North of Toronto on Musselman Lake with some friends.  (Scott, Max, me, Lindsey, Mark, Liz & Edwin).

 Scott caught some nice pike while at the cabin and managed to out fish everyone despite our best efforts.

Max and I cheering on the Argonauts at Rogers Centre!  The Canadian professional football team for Toronto.  They won the 2012 100th year Grey Cup (their version of Super Bowl).

Proud parenting moment: lady at daycare informed me that Max spent his entire time sharing toys and consoling upset babies.  Love our little sensitive guy!

 Mama's sou-chef makes the best cotton ball appetizers!

 We had a wonderful trip to Oakley, MI to visit Great Grandma and Grandpa Freeland.  Thanks again Jeanne & Jim for having us!

 We also had an incredible time in Kalamazoo, MI visiting Great Grandma Brown (Grandma Freeland's family). (Great Grandma Brown, Scott, Max, Uncle Bob and cousin Tom)

Being the mean Mama I am, I had Max travel in this monkey suit on Halloween day.  However, after getting LOADS of attention on our flights from Toronto to California he was a-okay with the costume.

We picked up Grandma Eck (a.k.a mama's free au pair or Gege to Max) on our way to California.

 I was honored to be apart of Andrea & Chris Haight's wedding in Monterey, CA.  It was incredible!  (Tiia, me, Andrea (most gorgeous bride ever), Naomi, Elyse, Rebecca)

 After the fun wedding festivities, we headed North to Walnut Creek to visit our Gorman family (Grandma Eck's side of the family).  (Max, me, Gege, Teri, Jenny, Ryan and Anya (Ryan's beautiful expecting wife)

 We, of course, had to visit Napa Valley while in the area.  Max and me at Duckhorn winery.

Rosbauer winery.  Max was a hit everywhere we went!

 The newest member of our family, SpongeBob SquarePants.  Max viewing while in Stella's doggie bed became a morning ritual at GeGe's house.  What Grandma's let their grandsons get away with!

 Max has already taken Dada's wallet so now it's onto Grandpa Eck's!

 Mama's "helper" . . . or more like raccoon.  Max managed to scatter the trash all around during the 2 seconds my back was turned.  This is his "I didn't do it" look.

 Here's a little bit of that "independence" I was referring too.  Promise the pool went over much better than the swim suit.

Max loves hanging out with his older buddies at Cirque!

Slide fun with Liz

Our little angel's 1 year photo.  We love him to the moon and back!

We're off to Minnesota soon for the Holidays and then Seattle in January.  We hope everyone has a happy and healthy holiday season!  Love and miss you all.

Bonne 1st Fête

Let the 1st continue . . .

 Happy 1st birthday Monkey!

Thank you G & G Freeland for flying into Montreal for Max's birthday!  You made it a special day.

 Bring on the dairy free cake.  However, we now know our delicate flower isn't as delicate as originally thought.  After some testing we learned he is NOT allergic to diary . . . Hallelujah!  

 Thank you cousins for the cool WY gear!  We love and miss you lovely ladies!

 Thank you Liz for the adorable handmade Monkey for my Monkey!  The kisses haven't stopped.

 Playing it cool on his new Little Tikes bike

 1 years old - 90% for height and 50% for weight.  My long and lean Monkey.  Where did the time go?  

 Making friends on the flight to Minnesota.  It was 11 pm, no nap and he was ready to party.

 Auntie Shell wore off quickly.

 No longer a baby in a bar, rather a toddler.  Max was the BINGO hustler.  He won big at Mainstreets and paid for our dinner.  Grandpa Eck was thrilled.  

 Swimming (more like splashing) with (or at) Auntie Shell.  He loved it!  

 View from our new apartment in Quebec City.  St. Lawrence River is on the horizon.  Scott worked hard moving the show for the first time from Montreal to Quebec City while Max and I played hard in Minnesota.

Day time view from apartment balcony.

We loved having Grandma Eck fly back with us to Quebec for a visit.

 Lunch on a gorgeous farming island 20 minutes outside Quebec City called ile d'Orleans.  The people, fruit, chocolate and views were all first class!

Hands down, we all LOVE Quebec City.  It is one of the oldest European settlements in North America with a population around 765,000 metro wide.  The rich history shows everywhere in the castles, fortresses and churches throughout.  We live in the heart of the gorgeous tourist area on Saint Jean.  Picture is of our street.  It is lined with rod iron street lamps, colorful hanging flower baskets, brick sidewalks, wood benches, tasty restaurants, gelato shops and local butcher, baker and produce store.  It gives charm a new meaning.

 Stunning church in Saint Roch area 

 Ready to head out exploring . . .

 Parliament building built in 1877.  It is now a marvelous hotel.

 Found a great park only blocks from our new apartment.  It's appropriately located on Rue Scott (Scott Road).

My name is Max and I am addicted to banana Puffs. 

We're in trouble now . . .