Footprints

Photos: Fruita, CO

melissa — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 06:29:00 GMT

Sneak Peak at our Christmas card

melissa — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 17:54:00 GMT

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Look forward to getting your own copy in the mail.

Summer in Pennsylvania

melissa — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 13:36:00 GMT

Rowan and I spent the summer in Pennsylvania with my family, while we awaited Aidan's arrival. We had lots of great adventures, and lots of time hanging out with family, cousins, and friends.

We had a picnic up at Lake Erie with Nana and Papa

Rowan absolutely loves the water, no matter how cold!

Rowan also loved riding the Gator with his big cousin Ricky

Or riding in the wagon with cousins Ricky and Calen

We tried to do a craft every couple of days, this one was for Granny in England

Rowan went to the Deer Park with his new friend Simeon

He loved feeding all the different animals

His favorite were probably the parakeets though.

They were very keen to eat his seed stick

The train is a new favorite as well, and he would happily ride all day if he could.

"Hurry Simeon, lets go see what is next!"

"Roar!"

Chilling out with the chickens, peacocks/hens, turkeys, and ducks

Riding the tractor at Nana and Papa's house

Climbing the dirt pile. There is so much to do at Nana's!

Eating raspberries in Nana's woods was a favorite daily activity.

We also spent the day at the Zoo, where Rowan made lots of new animal friends.

Again, the train is a 'must-do' activity.

What does the train say? "Choo-choo!!"

Rowan's very first merry-go-round ride.

Going down the slide like a big boy

Peak-a-boo!

Playing with cousin Calen in the bubble.

A train goes by, "choo-choo!"

Rowan enjoying a refreshing over-priced over-sugared drink, yummy!

Nothing like an icecream to finish off a day at the Zoo, with cousins Ricky and Calen.

What is cuter than a toddler enjoying an oreo?

Maybe what he looks like after the oreo is devoured?

Oh look, it's little Papa wearing his boots, ready for work!

Rowan enjoying a wheelbarrow ride with his cousins Ethan, Jacob, and Micah.

Taking advantage of the corn soaking water to cool off on a hot day.

"I get you mummy!"

Sharing a raspberry with Micah

Jacob, Ethan, and Rowan enjoying a break from having a run around

"Ethan, can I have a bite of your icecream?"

Rub-a-dub, Nana's three grand-boys all in a tub!

Spiderman/Starwars lightsaber fight with cousin Ricky

Rowan is the winner!

Grandma Lou's watering helper

Thirsty tomatoes (and sidewalk, and ants, and anything else that looked like it could use a drink)

Rowan is such a big-boy-helper

Riding the tractor with a bit of help from Ricky

Enjoying the Old Home Day parade (and all the candy that comes with it)

That afternoon we headed off to the airport for our return journey to Utah, with grand plans of all the adventures we'll have there.

Photos: Summer in PA

melissa — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Jones Hole and Colorado

melissa — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:49:00 GMT

Rowan and I are just cooling our heels until we can move into our new home tomorrow, so to get out of the hotel room we've been having some more adventures out and about in the local area.

Rowan has enjoyed talking with Nana on the phone though.

First we did a hike at Jones Hole. We only hiked part of the trail.. just about two miles down, then back again. It's about an hour and a half drive from Vernal.. on a paved road, but through nowhere.. I think we saw two cars the entire drive.

It's a beautiful walk, following the small river through the narrow canyon it's carved out of the stone over the past thousands of years.

It would be a great hike during the hot summer, it's mainly in shade most of the day.. and there is a cool river to take a dip in if you get too hot.

The red rock contrasted nicely with the bright blue sky.

This is the lovely little river that cut the canyon over the past thousands of years.

Rowan enjoyed hiking up and down the trail.

And feeling the snow melting on his fingers.

The exciting thing for the day was spotting these cougar tracks in the snow. Dogs aren't allowed on this trail, and these tracks were about a mile and a half from the parking lot.. so unless someone carried their Labrador that far, it's about the only thing I can think that would have made them. They look very similar to the pictures I looked up online too.

Today we drove to Colorado go visit the eastern side of Dinosaur National Monument.

We had a 32 mile drive down the park road to get to the hike trail I had picked out.. but right near mile 30 the road became impassable on account of a snow drift. As it was a windy 12F, it was probably too cold to take little megapants out for long.

Rowan did enjoy a run around at one of the scenic view points.

It was a enjoyable drive. You would be going along and every thing looked fairly flat, then suddenly a canyon would open up right next to you.. making you realize you were actually on top of a mountain (or is that a mesa?).

A close up from the picture above.

The road at the bottom of this canyon looked very inviting.. but the way down was far too icy for me to even consider this time of year. Maybe in the spring?

It was an enjoyable day out.. even if we never really left the car!

Photos: Utah 2

melissa — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:39:00 GMT

Adventures in Utah

melissa — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:37:00 GMT

Well.. it looks like the start of a new adventure for team Deletant. I've just accepted a job offer to teach in Utah.. so just after New Years Rowan and I flew out here to get things organized while Aidan finishes up at work. We've been here a little over a week now, and have been able to get all the major things sorted out, such as daycare for Rowan until Aidan arrives, buying a car, finding somewhere to live, etc. I haven't even though about work yet! When Rowan and I weren't busy with our searches we've been off having adventures in the local area. Doing some hikes and seeing the sights.

Here are the mountains near Salt Lake City, where we flew in to (and where we ended up going back to buy our car). They're amazing.. just massive blocks of rock rising out of a flat valley.

This is the Unitah Basin, which our town Vernal is part of.

Red Fleet State Park.. there were some guys out ice fishing on the lake.. but I didn't fancy walking out there myself, especially with little Rowan on my back.

There were some amazing rock formations there.

The area is full of these small bonsai style pine trees. They seem to grow about ten foot tall.. and are always some distance apart.. I've not seen them in a dense grove. Maybe them are a bit territorial, which I guess you have to be in a desert.

Rowan and I visited Dinosaur Nation Park, they have half a mountain enclosed in a building, to display and preserve all the exposed bones. The woman said it took 30 years of digging to show all the bones that we could see.

Rowan liked playing in the gravel the best.

This is the 'econo' car we rented from the airport. Some how at 11.30pm after a 24 hour journey the sales guy convinced me this was the better deal. His math made it $20 cheaper than the one I had booked. I did love driving it around.. I felt invincible.

Next up was Flaming Gorge National Park

It was amazingly beautiful. I almost couldn't believe I was standing there looking at it.

I know Aidan and I will be having lots of adventures around there. It will be amazing to do some kayaking there in the summer. Maybe even load up a canoe with Rowan and Finn, and do a bit of camping a days paddle down the reservoir.

Snow caped mountains in the background.

It was so lovely and peacefully. I enjoyed watching flocks of birds fly below me.

The local deer (or goats?) didn't seem all that bothered by my SUV.

They didn't seem to like I leaned out the window for a better shot though.

We returned to Salt Lake City to buy our new 2012 Subaru Forester. I've only had it a few days, but it's a joy to drive.

A few more pictures for the men to enjoy (that's you Dad and Uncle John).

I love the shade of blue.

Rowan likes playing in the rocks.

Today we went off to see the dinosaur tracks on the opposite side of the lake from Red Fleet state park.

I didn't really think much about it, other than it being a bit of a destination as it's a three mile hike there and back.. I was really going for the walk. It surprised me though, how much I enjoyed the sense of history it gives when you can put your foot in the same place a dinosaur stepped all those years ago.

The foot prints weren't that huge.. and there were a number of even smaller ones around as well.

This site is special because there are a number of tracks of foot prints made by the same dinosaur, which seems to be quite rare from what I've read.

The rock was pretty smashed up in places, and you can see it's from the ice. I'm sure a number of the prints are being destroyed every year that way.

This one was near the water, and you can see the rock just crumbling away.

This is from the hike down to the lake to see the dino tracks.. it's what I would term 'desert scrub'.. not really forest, but not completely desert either. It was amazing how dry it was, even with snow on the ground. The sand was loose and soft.

This area is only about a ten minute drive from our house, so I imagine we'll be up here quite often for walks with the dog.

So far it's been a grand adventure. I can't wait until Aidan is with us, so he can enjoy the best of Utah too.

Photos: Utah

melissa — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:53:00 GMT

Photos: Rowan 3

melissa — Fri, 2 Sep 2011 01:59:00 GMT

Rowan 6 - 10 months

melissa — Fri, 2 Sep 2011 01:57:00 GMT

I thought it was about time I added some more Rowan pictures for you all to enjoy.. time just passes so quickly, it's hard to keep up!

Here is Rowan on his first ever trolley ride.. looking like such a big boy!

Rowan contemplating the freedom of the wide open door.. if only he could walk.

Working on those crawling muscles.

A little help from mum gets him to where he wants to go.

There isn't much cuter than a naked baby.. especially when he seems a bit horrified I have the camera out.

Running super fast around the kitchen.

Just learning to stand up using furniture.

Celebrating the wedding of the Prince and Princess in Westcott

Trying to sneak off to work with daddy.. at 6.30am Aidan probably won't notice till he was half way to London!

Doing a bit of cleaning.. mummy didn't want anything on her coffee table anyways.

Happy Meal?

Rowan chilling out with his friend Peter.

Enjoying a bit of gardening.. he's great at picking flowers and digging in the dirt.

Practicing press-up's with Harry.

Doing a bit of cooking with mummy.

Watching a bit of 'TV' at the Deletant household.

Peaking outside at the dog.

Ladybird Rowan

A lovely day for a swing.

Playing with his current favorite toy, the click-clack.

Taking a break to go harass the dog.

Rowan having a play session with all his best mates.

Rowan and his friend Johnny, playing at his house. New toys are always so exciting.

Watching a bit of iPhone with his friends Zack and Johnny, and Phillipa.

He's such a little man now.. I can't believe his first birthday is only a few months away!

Back to Wales again

melissa — Thu, 26 May 2011 05:43:00 GMT

Last week was our first proper holiday with little man. We were in the US for Christmas, but with all the family around to lend a hand.. it didn't really prepare us for what to expect when we had to do it alone. Aidan said he was more tired after the holiday than when we had left (and that was after a work week of getting home around 11pm every night!). It's amazing how much energy a seven month old can consume. We did have a very nice time, and did the usual walks and mountain biking.. but we both could have used a lot more sleep. We decided next holiday to just save the effort and stay home! I think the real shock was due to the fact we stayed at the same place we went to last fall, when I was eight months pregnant. It was the comparison between the two identical holidays that gave us the reality check.

Finn testing out the couch for comfort (I think this one passed!)

Rowan giving it a test too.

Putting his foot into his mouth

And the consequence of biting down on his toe with his two new teeth (he's not yet made the connection).

Aidan after a muddy bike ride, having a cuddle with his son.

Enjoying a rare bit of sunshine in the yard of the rented cottage.

Evening sunset as viewed from the back porch. Unfortunately it wasn't viewed long, due to the biting midges.

Rowan taking a break from shopping to play with some toys in the park

Aidan looking 'oh-so-handsome' with a bit of a beard and freckles of mud (he had just returned from a bike ride). This picture was taken during our coffee 'date', as luck would have it Rowan had just fallen asleep in his pushchair when Aidan came to collect us from the village after his ride.. so Aidan and I enjoyed a leisurely coffee at a lovely veggie cafe where I had had lunch earlier in the day.

Bluebells on the welsh hills. Neither Aidan nor I had seen them in Wales before, I don't think we've been there this time of year yet. They finished in Surrey weeks ago.. but they were in the height of bloom there.

More views of the bluebells

The happy (sleep deprived) parents

Rowan taking a bit of exercise at the rest stop play ground, with a bit of help from daddy.

Unfortunately I didn't take many pictures this holiday. In part due to the wet weather, the camera didn't make it out often.. but usually because I had my hands full with one very active little boy!

Photos: Wales

melissa — Thu, 26 May 2011 05:33:00 GMT

Weaning

melissa — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 05:48:00 GMT

As Rowan is now six months.. we've begun weaning. We're using the 'baby led weaning' method, which basically just means you put the food within reach and let them get on with it. No special meals, no purees, no fuss. Messy.. but fun.

Rowan's very first meal.. the broccoli was his favorite.

Not quite sure what to do with it once he's got it in!

Mmmm.. carrots.

More broccoli.. and some did make it down, I've got the nappy to prove it!

The tricky cucumber carrot combo.

Cool cucumber.. another favorite.

And banana for dessert.

After that first bit of fun we got on with more traditional meals.

Baked sweet potato with cheese

Tuna mayo with chive sandwich

He's still working out which side of the spoon is up, so at the moment he gets runny things using a basting brush. As demonstrated here with a yummy fruit pudding.

Rowan wondering what he should do now that he's chucked his brush off the tray onto the floor.

Fruit and yogurt for breakfast.. yum yum.

Photos: Weaning

melissa — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 05:42:00 GMT

Rowan: 3-6 Months

melissa — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 05:13:00 GMT

Wow.. it's hard to believe Rowan is already six months old! Such a big boy now.. and here are the pictures to prove it.

Rowan looking 'oh-so-handsome' in the bodysuit with Grandma Lou added embellishments.

Showing off those big brown eyes!

Rowan's first ride on the swing. I don't think he's too sure if he likes it or not though.

Watching the washing machine do it's thing. Hours of entertainment.

Going for a hike with daddy.

Playing on the beach in Devon.

Kisses from mummy. Eww.

Rowan trying to sort out why daddy is wearing such a funny outfit.

In his new pushchair, with his new sweater made by Nana.

Racing his turtle.. as he's not crawling yet, it's have to say it was a draw.

Mummy and Rowan

Rowan wearing a lovely sunhat that used to be his daddy's, once upon a time.

Enjoying the sun at Wisley Gardens in Surrey.

More kisses from mum!

And cuddles too!

Enjoying a sunny day in the grass.

Photos: Rowan 2

melissa — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 04:37:00 GMT

Welcome Rowan!!

melissa — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 05:42:00 GMT

Introducing baby Rowan.. born 9th of October 2010

It's amazing how such a small bundle can have such a huge impact on our lives.

Rowan in his first hour of life.. having some skin to skin contact with daddy.

Rowan's second day.. looking like he has things pretty well under control!

Following that were many sleepless nights and busy days. Aidan had three weeks paternity leave from work, but even with two of us it seemed more than we could manage! We have many happy memories from that time though.. getting to know our little man, plus lots of fun during the 'early hours of the morning' play sessions.

Cuddles with mummy.

Naps with daddy.

And of course the first bath!

Rub-a-dub.. two boys in a tub.

Getting all dry.

Having a little nappy-free tummy time.

There were lots of first adventures..

The first walk

The first time mowing the grass

The first train ride (with Nana!)

First snow angel

Then suddenly he seemed so grown up..

Sitting with mummy

Smiles with Nana

Sleeping with daddy

Riding the London Eye

Looking stylish

Every day he seemed to grow another inch, and learn some new trick..

Watching TV with daddy

Watching Mountain Bike DVDs (a favorite past time)

Lifting weights

Looking super cute at Granny Deletants

Then it was off to the US for Christmas Holidays with the Smith family..

Playing with cousin Ricky

Cuddles with Aunt Lynette

Hanging out with Uncle Brian

At Holiday Valley for his first ski trip

Walks along Oil Creek

Lots of fun times at Grandma Lou's

We also had a wonderful baby shower for him there..

Ricky wondering when Rowan will ever wake up to play

The super yummy Very Hungry Caterpillar cake

Decorations and fruit salad

Then it was back home for more growing and learning..

First time grabbing feet

Finally being able to get things into his mouth with good control

Keeping his head up when on his belly (even if he's not happy about it!)

Putting more things into mouths

More walks with daddy

The first time sitting upright in his pram

His favorite toy of the moment.

Rowan is turning into such a little man.. it's an amazing each day to discover he's suddenly able to do something he couldn't yesterday. He's such a happy baby.. and we can't imagine a time before he came along to join our family.

Photos: Rowan

melissa — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 05:26:00 GMT

North Wales

melissa — Tue, 7 Sep 2010 04:04:00 GMT

(I'm going to try out a REL style entry)

Aidan and I have just returned from another lovely holiday in Wales. We stayed in Coed-Y-Brenin, right off one of the mountain bike trails there. We rented a cottage for the week, and had another couple come stay with us for the first half. We had amazing weather.. not a drop of rain until we were driving home on Sunday.

Here are the boys sorting out the BBQ. You can see Aidan is hard at work!

The sunset from our back porch.

Many of the days were filled with mountain biking, Aidan managed to hit three different trail centers during the week. No mountain biking for me this trip though!

Aside from deserting me to go mountain biking Aidan also did a big day of climbing along the north ridge of Cader Idris with Chris and Gail.

Going up!

Look for Aidan at the very bottom of the picture, clinging to the rock face.

Peek-A-Boo! (Or should that be Peak-A-Boo?) (Isn't he just the cutest thing you've ever seen?!)

My time was spent doing hikes with the dog, when everyone else was out having other adventures. He's pretty good company, and certainly keeps me fit. Here he is hunting Welsh rabbits.

We did a couple of big hikes.. the first one was up the Rhinogs with Chris and Gail, the couple who came to stay with us.

It was a beautiful day out, with perfect blue skies. The heather was all in bloom as well, which blanketed the area in a bed of purple.

Our friends Chris and Gail.

Melissa, Aidan, and Finn enjoying the view.

We also spent a day at Nant-Y-Aran, which has a mountain bike trail.. but also is a bit of a bird life refuge. The big draw is the Red Kite, which is a rare bird of prey.. and currently found mainly only in Wales. They feed them every afternoon, which is what attracted this large flock. It's amazing to see so many in one place.

A Red Kite

Getting a bit of sun (on my blinding white belly) while watching the Kites.

After Chris and Gail left, Aidan and I did a big hike up Cader Idris (from the South side).. we didn't go all the way up to the peak.. just the lake up in the center. It's a pretty good climb/hike up there.. Finn and I had to keep stopping to wait for Aidan to catch up! (The poor boy had done an hour and a half run and several hours mountain biking the day before.. so he wasn't even able to keep up with an eight-months pregnant woman and an over-heated lurcher).

Melissa and Finn. You can see the valley far below us, where we left the car.. we're not even a third of the way up yet.

Cooling off in the lake in the middle of the mountain. Aidan had a snooze while Finn and I explored the shoreline.

Melissa and Aidan, enjoying our pre-baby holiday.

We had an amazing time.. and made lots more Welsh memories. It's the best place in the world.. and so very special to both of us.

Photos: North Wales

melissa — Tue, 7 Sep 2010 03:49:00 GMT

Garden in June

melissa — Sun, 6 Jun 2010 22:46:00 GMT

Lots of pictures of my garden. The captions under the pictures will give you the full tour.

Photos: Garden in June

melissa — Sun, 6 Jun 2010 21:36:00 GMT

Easter in the US

melissa — Sun, 6 Jun 2010 21:30:00 GMT

We had a lovely month in the US at Easter. It started with a week in PA with the family for the holidays, then a flight to Vermont to scout around for a week (with the idea that maybe some day we might like to move there). We covered most of the state, North/West/South/East, and had a variety of adventures. We kayaked, hiked, shopped, and Aidan even did a bit of biking. Unfortunately we just missed the ski season, or we would have done that as well. We had a grand time, and decided life in VT would suit us just fine. Just need to find a job there first! That wasn't the end of our adventure though.. because, due to a certain Icelandic volcano spewing ash into the atmosphere, we got to spend an additional two weeks back in PA with the family. It was a lovely extra to the holiday, and bonus to spend a bit more time with everyone.

Photos: Easter in the US

melissa — Sun, 6 Jun 2010 20:52:00 GMT

Val D'Isere

melissa — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:15:00 GMT

I've posted the pictures from our ski holiday. We had an excellent time.. lots of fresh snow before we arrived (and fresh snow one night, just to keep the powder topped up).. blue skies.. great chalet mates.. great chef.. and great fun. This is our third holiday in the Alps.. and every time it's been perfect. We stayed at a half board catered chalet (which saves the problem of trying to explain -in French- that our meals should be meat or dairy free.. something the 'cheese loving fish is a vegetable' French don't seem to understand). We had a full breakfast starting at 8am.. hopefully catching the first lifts up the mountain at 9am. Lunch was either packed or at one of the resort restaurants (high prices, but good food). Lifts shut around 4pm.. so it was back down the mountain for a fresh baked cake or plate of cookies provided by our chef, followed by a nice hot bath to soak those tired muscles. Resting and reading soon lead to the 7.30pm pre dinner nibbles and drinks, and then the 8pm three course dinner. There were three other couples in our chalet.. and everyone got along wonderfully despite the wide range of ages. I enjoy the shared accommodations, it's nice to have a varied conversation in the evenings after a day out alone (with Aidan) on the slopes. Usually to bed about 10pm.. then begin it all again the following morning.