Old Time Photos

We were reminiscing over the old photo albums this morning, so I thought that it would be fun to post a few scans of me at Kellan's age.






We had our own bedrooms after we moved to San Diego, but I still woke most mornings to find Amanda cuddled up in bed next to me.



And for some more fun, here are Mom and Dad in their younger days. I love these. Kellan's favourite is "Grandpa doesn't have a shirt on".







To break the already nonexistent lack in continuity, here's a bit of the in between. Beginning with Mom when she was pregnant with me. On vacation in Florida it seems.




Me!



Traveling on the ferry to the Isle of Arran.




At our cabin in Lake Tahoe. I'm pretty sure that I didn't like snow even then!



In Canada with my cousin, Christopher. Everybody says that Kellan is the spitting image of Christopher, who looks just like our grandfather. Christopher is a couple of years older than Kel is now in these photos, but you can see the resemblance.





Visiting family in England. My cousin Allison trying to take me for a dip. Not having a lot of success.



My grandparents. What is Mom feeding me?



Family beach party. You can see why Mom preferred her life in California! I'm in the middle there digging in the sand.



My baptism day.


The family love of trains. Though my face looks as though somebody may have stuffed me in there for the photo!

Fun with Shamu

And then, if you can believe it, there was "Night Seaworld"

Yes, "Night Seaworld", a special weekend treat. Kellan had seen the ads for the night time shows and festivities on each of our many previous visits and had begged to stay late, so we decided to make a late night of it today. It definitely lived up to his expectations and made for a special and exciting visit to Kel's favourite San Diego destination: Seaworld. We arrived home a bit after 10pm, tired, but very happy. Both of us.

Here is Kel watching the "roldercoaster" ride, Journey to Atlantis. He refused to go on this during any of our visits, but he loves to watch the boats come down that hill and screams as if he were right there with the riders!




One of his favourite exhibits, the Penguin Encounter.



Back to the sharks. With a new penguin buddy in tow. That would make two whales and one penguin who leaped from the shelves and into his arms with a high pitched, "I need you! I need you to take me home!". At which point Kel looks at the adult present with big sad eyes, saying, "He needs me. Did you hear him? He chose me..." He's got that one well figured out.



Kel being a shark. Eyes closed, but it was still a keeper. Every kid who grew up going to Seaworld has a photo in front of these giant shark jaws!



And on to the pièce de résistance of "Night Seaworld", the Shamu Rocks show. Here is Kel eagerly awaiting this special presentation.




Which pretty much consisted of whales doing tricks in the dark. With a peppy soundtrack and colourful video show.




All topped off with fireworks of course. Staying up super late, walking around Seaworld in the dark, watching the Shamu Rocks show, and staying for fireworks -- what more could a Kellan want? For that matter, what more could his mother want? It was a fun evening. And now I'm off to Wikipedia to find out how on earth whales and dolphins sleep...

A Day at the Midway

Kellan is finally old enough to enjoy one of San Diego's big military attractions, the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, so I thought that we'd spend part of a day there, then walk along the waterfront, ride the carousel at Seaport Village, do a bit of shopping, etc. Yes, well, we went to the Midway. We spent the entire day at the Midway. Never underestimate the power of navy ships and airplanes to capture the imagination of a little boy.

In order to get over to the city and the museum, we rode the ferry from Coronado. Always a fun and scenic way to travel into town.






The red tongue is a result of fruit snacks. No worries.





On the deck of the Midway. This thing is huge. They call them "floating cities" and they're not kidding! I have no idea how the men find their way around the lower decks.



Kel got to try out flying lots of different helicopters, planes, and fighter jets. Every boy's dream come true. Is the thumbs up thing just a natural boy reaction to guy stuff?







Sitting all the way up top of the carrier. This is the navigator's chair. You could see everything from up here!



I love that sign behind Kellan. Join the Navy and, well -- a bit suggestive, eh?!



Not quite big enough to join up yet.



Kellan and new pal, Edward. They've already been exchanging emails since parting company yesterday afternoon.










One final thumbs up. A great day was had by all. Well, by most. Well, ok, by Kel, but I always enjoy watching him enjoy himself!