Spring is in the air.

The Canadian tulip festival in Ottawa claims to be the worlds largest tulip festival. Over 500,000 people attend annually. In 1945, the dutch royal family send 100,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa in gratitude for Canadians having sheltered Princess Juliana and her daughters for three years during the second world war.
While in Canada Princess Juliana gave birth to her daughter at the Ottawa civic hospital. In 1946 Juliana sent 20,500 more tulip bulbs asking a display could be created for the hospital. And promised to send 100,000 more each year. The years following the donation Ottawa became famous for their tulips and in 1953 the first Canadian Tulip Festival as organized.
We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful city with so much history. A few days ago we attended this flowery wonder and loved it!

This is the rideau canal that runs right by our apartment building. Best walking paths ever!

During the Second World War, Canadian soldiers saved the butts of the Netherlands. They donated this monument to pay tribute to Canada. A statue identical to this one stands in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands. The same monuments symbolically link Canada and the Netherland.

Montreal

So little time so much to do! 4 of us couples here in Ottawa decided to take the 2 hour drive to Montreal one day. We didn't get to see all we wanted to see this time, but we did experience a tasty culinary adventure and walked a couple of fun streets. When newborn Emery used to wake up in the middle of the night i used to drape my arm over the side of her little bed so she have some company, and i could continue sleeping. From then on she has loved my hands. Her love for them has made many car rides much more relaxing and enjoyable for us all.

Em had discovered her hair. She strokes, pulls, and pats it. It has been so fun to watch her develop.

Everyone loves food, but it seems to taste so much better in the summer time. Montreal has so many different places to choose from for a meal, snack, or dessert. Since Poutines were thunk-up in Quebec we had to give them a try. PatatiPatata Poutines were rated "something people talk about for years," and they didn't let our expectations down. They were Delicious, but nothing compared to.... Schwartz's famous smoked meat sandwich!

Here they are...smoked meat sandwichs. My sister Emily gave us strict orders on what to order and all 4 of us couples ordered the same thing. One dill pickle, two cherry sodas, and two smoked meat sandwiches...from heaven. Lines out the door and a packed hole in the wall deli usually is a sign that someone is doing something right! We all talked about these sandwhichs for days after.

Another day in paradise

Allot has been happening lately its hard to choose what to blog on. One of the more exciting things has to be Emery learning to sit up. One morning I thought she could try to sit up for the first time, and to my surprise she stayed sitting up. She Just continued to play with the blankets as happy as can be. She is still getting the hang of it, but is getting better everyday. Mm mm. Dicks Drive In. How Delicious. Levi spotted this little gem one day from the road and we just had to try it out. It is the cutest, quaint, classy-retro place. I will have to take more pictures of the decor next time we go...which I'm sure will be soon!

I ordered the "little Richard". Levi and i thought the name of it was just too funny. (not sure why...) It was the best hot dog i had ever had!

We have found how little we need to survive. Me, being a crafty little lady, decided that the pile of shoes at the bottom of the closet just would not do. I made a cardboard shelf...as you can see. Maybe not the prettiest thing in the world but makes a pair of shoes allot easier to find. I am tempted to take it home because it took me FOREVER!

After congratulating myself on my and homemaking skills i found these strawberries in our fridge. whoops! I had bought them 3 weeks earlier and had put them in the back of the fridge. Bad idea. Very pretty...but gross. Very very gross!

Watch me grow!

Our little weed, Emery Elise, has been growing faster then ever. We have been able to throw a couple "six month clothes" in with her abundance of "three month clothing". (more clothes to choose from now!! ) Emery is now rolling over, Sitting up (sometimes...) and eats quite the selection of fruits and vegetables. This would be Em sporting her first 6 month outfit a couple of days after her 5 month birthday. Happy birthday Emery!

Ottawa is getting hotter everyday which causes our little Emery to be dozier than ever. Cute...but I'm missing those bright eyes!

Once upon a time Emery wanted to stand up while looking like a gangster. We have a talented young lady on our hands.

Talented yes...but a tad bit of a drama queen. After a napless day i wrapped her up tight so she could not pull out her soother but go straight to sleep. It didn't work.

Both Emery and I agree that Levi gives the best cuddles. We have really enjoyed having Levi to ourselves every Sunday, and I'm sure Levi has enjoyed having a break from work.

This little nibbler is wonderful and i love it. I put practically anything fresh in the little net and emery just sucks it out. Her favorites have been cucumber, frozen carrots and peas, and bananas. Great for teething!

Emery is quite the social baby, and has been loving all the kids around. One of the wives here has a son that is just a couple of weeks older than Em. They have allot of fun together...sharing snacks, toys...and droll.

Emery naps the best when she knows I am close by, so i usually just plop her in her crib while i clean the bedroom. One time i gave her a package of nursing pads to play with, not expecting her to be able to break it open. Well she did, and has been one of her favorite things to do since. All that hard work put her right to sleep. She now not only can get a package open but can open them all up individually.... She has busy fingers.

Teeth are a pain. I wish Babies were born with them. Levi and i used my headband as a bandage for her toothache. It worked for the little rascals....right?

We must be having allot of fun to have time fly this quickly. I can't believe we have been here for 3 weeks. It's beautiful here and i honestly will be sad the day we leave. But on the other hand, we have discovered something important being here. Our home is not where our house is, but the place where our little family is. So for the time being...Our happy little family, has made our home here in Ottawa!

Fun in the sun

What better time to go on picnic than a Sunday afternoon. Across the street from our apartment are these wonderful falls and not to mention the beautiful Rideau Canal. Emery has been loving the outdoors and is quite content cuddled up to my side. She was very interested in all the falling water around her.

Our apartment building is just over those trees. You would never know it with all the trees and plants around. We are super lucky to have such a fun location.

Thanks to Auntie Lacey, Emery never has to leave my side! We have been loving the borrowed sling. She sleeps, eats, and cuddles in it. Lucky duck!

Oh rice crackers. You are the best. Emery has been thrilled about all the new solids that have been introduced to her diet. Apples, Carrots, Rice cereal, and now rice crackers! Our little girl is growing up too fast.

I woke up this morning and this is what i find. What a little monkey. jokes! She might be growing up fast, but not that fast.

I can't believe how quickly we all are settling into our new life for the summer. Maybe we will stay for good.... :)