Hot Tub March '08

The hottub is in, installed and operational! So far, like there was ever any doubt, it's being used a few times a day. Have had one party in already- the bender girls, and having more over this weekend. Everyone loves a hottub. Going to be lots of work to do around it this Spring/summer with a fence, deck, arranging the bbq, hopefully getting to the retaining wall gardens...ahh summer!
Cheers.

Dawson's 17th Birthday

Happy 17th birthday Dawson!
Sporting a newer shorter haircut, new girlfriend (Hi Carissa),and a big smile, Dawson turns 17!
Although the moneys good, the job at the community center has been running late the last two weekends- coming home at 3 am after cleaning up after "a wedding or something". Glad he perked for brunch after a short sleep.
I think Olivia was trying to imitate the frog on the paper plate...I don't think she was trying to offend our guest! Liv should just have one more fun game for Ringette this season- just did the fitting for her soccer uniform yesterday. Ian's coming out to the gym, and riding the Paris to Ancaster with me in April.
Shelahs still loving her kitchen, and the opportunity to do some more baking. I love the opportunity to eat some more cake! Shel is in training for a 10k race this spring and getting to the gym 3 or 4 times a week. Still growing the locks out, almost to the shoulders. Very nice.
Apparently Dawson wasn't really making a face at the cake, he was just about to cough. Great brunch, great day. Hopefully next photos will be outside with the new hot-tub...less snow in the background would be a bonus, but we can't ask for TOO much. Play safe..

Myrtle Beach Golf Trip '08

For the second year running London Ident had our winter golf in South Carolina. The same crew, myself, Kim (retired), Tom (the boss), Andy, Judy and Teri. Stayed at the same hotel, Long Bay, and played four rounds. Most of us agreed that our favorite course this year was Legends Heathland. They have two other courses in the same area- I forsee going back to try one of those.
The weather was not as kind as last year, a little colder and we got to see some rain. Our first day was very wet- we gave up on the 14th hole, but they were very good about it and gave us all a nine hole rain check and we came back the next day at 3 after we completed 18 at another course.
I can't beleive the amount of food thats served at all of the resteraunts there. Seems like there was twice as much as normal- and twice the amount thats deep fried, just fried or re-fried. I tried to keep breakfast small and have fish or salad or both at dinner. Had to save some calorie room for the "occasional" beer.
The refreshment cart lady on day two told me I won the award for least dressed on the course. I was in golf shirt and shorts- most had pants and long sleeve- she had three jackets, hat and mitts! This is Judy on the Wednesday-she decided to start the day off warm. That doesn't look like a "golf hat"!
Heres another pho of the happy crew- minus the photographer, and Jude had left to meet her hubby in Florida for the next couple of weeks. The drive back was a little better this year- we stayed over the Thur night and left fresh Friday morning...probably safer for the other cars on the road!
FORE!

February '08....Three of the girls.

I know, it's been too long. It seems every opportunity to bring a camera to a holiday or event the last couple of months I either forget to bring the work camera home, or just plain forget to bring the camera from the house. It's always easier to remenmber things in hind sight. If I could learn to get my hind sight forward...
I have to give Ian credit for the photo of Molly. She looks so small sometimes- comparing her to Larry I guess, but she sure fills this chair. What a good puppy.
Speaking of great pictures, how about these two beauties. Hailey's down for her reading week and she's just so happy and fun to be with. She wanted to have a picture taken wit her sister- which I have to admit was something NOT on her agenda the past few years. I love the way that all of the kids are growing and maturing and are becoming friends as well as brothers and sisters.
It'll still be a couple of days to get golfing pictures added- I can't add photos at work for some reason so I have to fix them up there, email them home, then add them, blah blah blah. Later.

Christmas 2007 at Home.

 

Christmas 2007..can you believe we've come this far already!!? Hailey and Ted came home for the holiday, it was wonderful to have everyone back. Could've cried. Ted sqeezed in a hair cut this holiday, the first since the dreads got trimmed off, Hailey got...well, she'll have to tell you about that.

 

It was nice to see the snow fall, it made Christmas all the more "traditionally" pretty. Kids got a chance to snowboard, toboggan, and shovell.

 

Christmas eve was a blast, we all visited at the Simones accross the street. Too much great food to eat, lots of beverage and a lovely time had by all. We should do this again(?)

 

John and Caroline, Danny and Davy came down on the 28th, it was so nice to have family in during the holiday. Unfortunately they had to leave a day early. Hope their time on the board hill gave them the bug. Back to work now, new years over with everyone surviving. Ringette tournement in Cambridge this weekend, then the kids back to school (thanks for the visit...see ya!). Merry Christmas, Happy New Year...cheers.

Chicago Getaway 2007

 Finally, it's time to add to this posting. We had such a good time in Chicago a couple of years ago with the family that Shelah arranged a trip this Christmas. This time we went with Pam and Danny. They picked us up early Friday and we drove to Detroit on time and without incident- only 20 min or so stopped waiting at the boarder- which is good from some of the stories I've been hearing.
 We landed at Chicago Midway airport, which was a little surprise since we thought we were landing at O'Hare. But we were impressed that the luggage was unloaded and on the carosel as we came down the escalator, and the cab ride to town is shorter from this airport ( take note here as this comes back later!). We checked in at the Hyatt Recency at the south end of Magnificent Mile on Michigan Ave. Place was HUGE.
 Shopping was wonderful, Nike Town, Lego, Macy's, Eddie Bauer, and bunches of girl stores too from Saks fifth avenue, Prada, etc, etc. The sidewalks were packed with shoppers- all spending money, it was how you'd think a downtown should look. O-k, I probably got a "little" tired of shopping, but the girls appeared to have fun. Nice skarf Shel. Nice hat Pam!
 The trip home started so well- until we got to the counter at Chicago Midway and found out we had to be at O'Hare!! That cheaper taxi ride didn't turn out so cheap this time! We arrived in suitable time and checked in quickly. On arrival in Detroit the bags were over an hour late to the pick up, "apparently" the luggage cart got stuck on the runway. Anyway, Pam got us home through the driving snowstorm (over a dozen vehs off the road on the 401!) safe and sound. Thanks Steve for keeping the driveway plowed- I got to sleep in!
Looking forward to the next trip, we've found some more things to see and do the next time.

Fall and Football...go hand in hand

Just had to add a few photos of the first kid in the house playing football. It is kind of weird, dad played football and of course I played in the park with the neighbourhood kids when I was small, but I was never really interested in playing. When I was asked by the gym teacher in grade 9 if I was trying out my reply was, "no, why so I can get my nose broken?" I should have tried it- might have got a better mark in gym(?).


Ian's number 59, the fourth in line in the second photo. Central's doing well again this year for both junior and senior teams, looks like they have amazing coaching staff, and amazing kids to work with. Way to go Ian, keep up the good work!

:) Thanksgiving 2007

What a GREAT Thanksgiving! It was so nice having all of the kids at home. Ted flew in Thursday night so he could go to his Central Grad, and Hail came on the weekend. We tried a new "annual tradition" this year. Borrowing from the Americans (I hate to admit), we made a big deal of the CFL football game on the Saturday. It worked really well having a room full of family that normally wouldn't last 5 minutes in front of a ball game. We had a few favorite snacks- oh and gambling helped too- the bet on closest combined score kept most right down to the end!

The dinner Sunday night was exceptional- compliments (again) to the chef, and to all of the helpers. A huge turkey was on the menu, a bunch of other stuff (that was REALLY good, but I am getting old and I should have posted this sooner...) and finished with a selection of pies. Yes, I did have the apple.

Here's the most updated family photo- Molly missed this one- the one with Molly in I missed- oh well, she loses this one! A few hair cut changes, a few inches grown, and one little girl with railroad tracks.

I don't know why I'm including this one. I was practicing night photography and after a couple of mistakes I remembered some of the goofy tricks that you can do. The BIG advantage to digital is that you can see your results right away. I know- I forgot to smile. This is serious stuff!?

July-Aug 2007...Vacation time!

To start the summer, Dawson was back to Camp QE for July (turns out to be ALL summer- but that's another story), then Oliv and Ian to camp as well. Shel and I flew out of Detroit to Victoria the same day for a wonderful "west-coast" visit. A little more cloud and rain than I remember from past visits- bad weather coming in from Asia apparently. It was great to see the sights- Bear Mountain, Titanic Exhibition, coffees out...
The view from Don's window at work of dowtown Vancouver is amazing- I don't know how he gets any work done (?)


When we left Victoria bright and early a week later, it was off to Vegas.











It was extremely HOT, but I loved the heat- much like a sauna from the time we landed. It was over a 100 degrees a number of times. There was lots to see- shopping and restaurants under every casino and hotel on the strip, one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten in (Rosemary's), Cirque's Zumanity (for those over 18..), and there was even gambling. They say Elvis is dead, but I'm told there are ghosts, and every now and then...


When we got home again it was time to pick up the kids- minus Dawson who called at the last minute to say he was hired on in the kitchen at the camp for the remainder of the summer! We miss him a lot, but are very proud of him.
Shortly after I went with Ian and Oliv to Ottawa for the week. We stayed with John and Caroline, and while Liv was at ringette camp all day for five, Ian and I went white water rafting on the Ottawa, cycling, a round of golf, visited Bonchere caves- you know...roughing it. Leaving Ottawa we met with Shelah at Camp Big Canoe to meet with friends for Patti and Dougs 26th.
So now it's that "catching up" time, hurryingly (is that a real word?) before school and fall catch up with us.
TTFN. G

oops...sort of out of order- last June posting.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TED! Eighteen already! Chocolate cake never goes out of style- and the sparklers were a hit!
"How do you blow these out??"
Dawson "finally" got his braces off- here he is with Dr Tom. "I just can't stop smiling- it feels so weird!"



Ted's lifeguarding and teaching swimming lessons at Thames park this summer. It's one of the larger pools in the city, and heated- which makes it a very desirable pool both to work at, and take lessons. Shel has all of the child care kids in lessons first two weeks in July, as well as Olivia- who has Ted for her teacher!
Two weeks until vacation...