Olympic Gymnist in the making!

It has been an exciting couple of weeks for the family. Isla managed her first roll over, there was a parade in downtown St. Andrews and we took a short excursion to the highlands.

Here is a video of Isla performing a magnificent roll over. Please forgive the corny commentary in the background, her parents were a little excited (This is actually her third roll over, it took us a second to find the camera)




Just so some of you can get a better view of her, here is a second video of her hanging out with a few smilies for the camera. After only 5 weeks, she already looks bigger. They change so fast!





Isla's Nana was her through last weekend and had a wonderful time with her. (She also brought along the family christening gown to get a pic of the girl in it).











Before she left we took a brief trip up to the highlands and caught a beautiful shot of the snow-covered Cairngorm Mountains.










And finally last weekend, the four of us also got to enjoy a parade through downtown St. A's called the Kate Kennedy procession. It is an event that celebrates the history of the town, with participants dressed up a s significant historical figures. While there where many more involved, below are pics of St. Andrew himself with his cross, Robert the Bruce, John Knox and Bobby Jones.

Thank God for Family!

Isla just passed her three week date and is doing great. She still doesn't like to go to sleep at night and seem to really enjoy being part of the action. She has also started to smile which of course we all love.



Haley's parents were here until last weekend and they had a great time in St. A's with their new grandbaby.






In true St. Andrews style we even managed to squeeze in a few rounds on an old course :). We played so well, at one point I think there might have been a few crowds gathering. Rumor has it that Richard might be asked to the British Open!











Isla's Nana also came a few days ago and she was very excited to see her.




It has been very nice the last few days and we all enjoyed a nice stroll on the beach. We are very thankful for our family. The last few weeks have been quite a transition and I am not sure what we would have done without them!

All dressed up

As the excited new parents we are a little picture happy (what can you say its our first!). So here are a few more of the girl dressed up a bit. On several of these you can tell she is real excited about having her picture taken!

Parenting Tips

My sister Kijsa sent me this set of visual aids that recommend some good parenting tips and techniques. I found them so enlightening I thought I would post them so others could benefit from this wealth wisdom.










I believe my sister said it best when she added, "What is up with this!!!"

Isla's Big first day

A few days ago we took Isla on her first big day out. Haley wrapped her up in her Moby wrap and we headed out to the Old Course.





It is tradition to take a sabbath rest from golf on the Old Course. So on Sunday's the course turns into a city park (particularly if it is nice outside) filled with families and pets walking in and among the holes. They even have doggie poo canisters with signs reminding people to pick up after their pets. It is funny if you live in St. Andrews you start to see people you know walking on the course on Sunday's its kind of a community gathering spot. Obviously this is very different from the states. I mean can you imagine Pebble Beach or Augusta becoming a city park!




Here is a pic of all four of us on the 8th hole overlooking the ocean. It was a pretty nice day to be outside (which are preciously rare for Scotland, in fact it rained not long before and after we took this pic).





At any rate, Cathy managed to take several shots around the town and I have posted a few of them. The first one is the St. Andrews Cathedral (it is ruins now).




This is the St. Andrews Castle.





This is the famous Chariot's of Fire beach.








So we think Isla enjoyed her day out, even though she spent most of the time napping. When we got home again, everyone seemed happy. I think it was good for all of us to get out of the house for a bit. Naturally we have been hunkered down in the flat most of the time and we still aren't sleeping much, but I guess that is par for the course!