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My parents left to spend the summer out in Nova Scotia on Thursday, and as such they narrowly missed their grandson walking on his own for the first time. I share it with them now through the magic of the Interweb.
The weather ended up being exceptionally nice yesterday, so we took Will over to Andrew Haydon Park. The evidence is on flickr.
Will also got his first, real haircut this weekend. He needed it.
Things I learned in my first year of fatherhood:
This morning was heart-wrenching in that “my son is growing up” kind of way, as Kristina started back at work and I dropped Will off at daycare for the first time. In honor of the occasion, and because I know Kris will need a little something to get her through the day, I’ve posted a little clip of Will laughing that we recorded this past weekend.
Oh, and for those who haven’t noticed the animated funkiness in the sidebar yet, I’ve begun posting pictures of Will to flickr. I haven’t abandoned the local gallery completely, but if I do it will Kev’s fault anyway since I saw the flash badge on his blog first.
Will cut his first tooth and learned to crawl on the same day last week. Punctuated equilibria, anyone?
After spending undue amounts of time in airplanes and airports myself last week, often in search of lost luggage, it was nice to be reminded yesterday how airports can be the best places in the world when you’re welcoming loved ones home.
Tim and Bob remain devout bachelors, but my “little” brother, Dan, left their hallowed ranks last weekend when he wed his long-time girlfriend, Christine. We are all thrilled to have Christine officially join the Cooper clan, although we have already come to appreciate the mellowing influence she has had on my brother over the last few years, even in a non-official capacity. My Mother and Kris are also ecstatic to have another female around for testosterone-balancing purposes.
The couple was radiant, the ceremony touching and heartfelt. Will did his best not to steal too much of the spotlight, but it’s hard for him given his natural propensity for cuteness.
Congratulations to Dan and Christine!
When I was 12 years old, my Grandfather, Ray, fulfilled the promise he made to my dying Grandmother when he took me across Canada by train. The trip had three purposes:
At the time, I remember not being very thrilled about the prospect of visiting rural Saskatchewan and Alberta. I was also a little dubious as to whether the two of us would get along while travelling together for several weeks.
As it turns out, my Grandfather was great fun to travel with. Unlike me, Ray was a talker. Given a conscious audience with even a modicum of interest, he could talk their ear off, and then turn his attention to their remaining ear. Tales of growing up on the prairies, his baseball exploits, his years in the service, the current state of financial markets…you name it. Our train crossing of the Rockies consisted of one long conversation with a couple from New Jersey that lasted all the way from Calgary to Vancouver, and too many Caesars to count (mine had very little vodka, or so I’m told).
It’s somewhat ironic therefore that the story I feel most typifies my Grandfather is actually about brevity. “Apple Lazy Mints Outside” was an overheard, throwaway phrase uttered by a restauranteur in Grenfell to answer the questions of several patrons in one breath, mostly concerning the dessert selection of the day and the location of the washroom. However, to hear my Grandfather tell the surrounding story could involve an hour of build-up: the history of all the patrons in the restaurant, the menu, and the weather at the time before even approaching the punchline. I must have heard that story a hundred times growing up, but the way he told that story captivated us as children, and we asked him to tell it again and again. Of course, he also offered to tell it even more often.
The couple from New Jersey certainly seemed to enjoy the story as well.
To Ray: a great travelling companion, the family bard, and a heckuva Grandfather. You will be sorely missed.
The balance of our trip photos is now online. Yes, it was all as much fun as it looks.
Vacation photos are now available in the Gallery. I am especially pleased with the photos Kris took of us on Crescent Beach in the half-fog.
Also, those who have been waiting “patiently” for more photos of Will can probably find enough in here to tide you over until I can do another upload later this week.
