Did I Forget To Blog That?

So I started posting some pictures of recent events, and realized I didn't do a blog about Emma's birthday. It was March 27th, so I am a little behind. She is now 9 years old. Yesterday she kept saying she is almost 10. A little bit off. But she is definitely growing up. She is done grade 3 now, and is excited about going into grade 4 this September. Here are a few pictures from her Birthday weekend.






On Father's Day we decided to take Ralph out to the Yarmouth Lighthouse, since he has never been before. I have not been for a while, obviously, because they have done some major changes to the entrance. It is very nice. Anyway, we had a good time taking pictures of the kids, and we even saw a snake! That was my favorite part. That snake made my Father's Day. Here are some pictures from the Lighthouse. PS- Ruby was a little grumpy at the lighthouse...you will see in her picture.









Morgan had her Dance Recital Father's Day weekend. She initially didn't want to be in the recital, but as the day came near, she kept asking how many more days, in great excitement. She is one of the youngest in her class, but she did great considering this and her extreme shyness. It was fun to watch her up there. For me, I would have liked to recital to be shorter. It's a lot of dancing to watch! Here is a picture of the beautiful dancer before we took her to the recital.


Somebody had a third birthday in June. Ruby is growing right up fast. She is a sweet little girl. She seems to always be happy and goofing around. Her and cousin Audrey ("Best Friends"), had a birthday party together again. I don't know if they will ever want to have separate ones. They are both such cute little girls, it is always fun to have the party together. Here are a few from the party.




Somebody turned one in June. The big boy is quite special. He is fun to have around, just like the others...but even better cause he's a boy!! hahahaha. Just kidding. Seriously though, he's a very good little boy. It's hard to believe it's been a year since he was born. It has gone by fast. He is getting to eat all kinds of food now. He loves berries and hamburgers. He's had too many blueberries lately. Too many diaper changes, if you know what I mean! Anyway, here are some pictures of his big day.






Last Saturday night the girls all got their hair curled for Sunday. It was an extreme blast!! We forgot to take pictures of them after the curlers came out. My bad. But here is a cute one of them with the curlers in! Horay!


Ralph sent us some pictures from a few years back. These are from a Youth Temple Trip back in the early 90's. They are awesomely retro! I remember those times like they were yesterday. I especially love the hair. I am going to encourage that hair to come back to life!



Anyway, that's probably enough posting for now. I am back into my Master's courses for the month of July. I can't wait to finish them up and enjoy the summer.

The Phone Call

So last night I got a phone call. Here's how it went...

Me: Hello?

Caller: Hello Sir, you have just be awarded a free 500 minute calling card.

Me: WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Caller: WOOHOO!!

Me: So, wait, if I call someone and use one hundred minutes, then go for 30 more seconds, does that mean I get charged for one hundred and one minutes.

Caller: Precisely. You get 500 minutes.

Me: Yeah, but if I only want to talk for 30 seconds, do I get charged for a minute. Cause sometimes I call people and I don't like what they are talking to me about, and I want to let them go after 30 seconds.

Caller: Precisely, you would only use 30 seconds. Or you could use just 10 seconds.

Me: Yeah, cause sometimes you get the answering machine. I don't like getting the answering machine. If I get the machine, I like to hang up and call back in twenty minutes.

Caller: So you would get two cards, 250 minutes each. They have no expiry date on them, so you can use them whenever...

Me: So, I can use them when I am 65?

Caller: Precisely.

Me: Well, what if I don't want to use them right now, can you send them to me when I am 65?

Caller: No, you have to take them now. It is a one time only offer.

Me: Okay, if I take them right now, can you guys hold on to them, and send them to me when I am 65?

Caller: No, that is not possible.

Me: Well...maybe I can get them now, and save them until I am 65.

Caller: Thank you for wasting my time. I am going to hang up now.

Me: Wait!!...Hello? Hello? Hello?............Hello?

Dial Tone.......

Cousin John

I have been listening to Kelly's Cousin John Connolly the past week or two in my car, on the way to work. I love his albums, and I want to advocate his music.

John is an awesome artist. He writes really great music, and I think he's got some major potential to make a big name for himself.

Anyway, I was just watching some videos of him on YouTube, and thought I would share the link with everyone.

So if you are reading this, please take a look at the video. You may not love it yet, but I promise, his music grows on you, and sticks in your head.

Here is a link to an awesome video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdH_fP4ZHic&feature=related

Also, here is a link to his website, which allows you to listen to some more of his music. Give it a try. You may just love it!!!

Website: http://johnconnolly.ca/?cat=1

ENJOY!!!!

A Year Ago Yesterday***

I meant to write this yesterday (May 25th), but ran out of time. I had been thinking about it all day though, if that counts for anything. (***actually, I tried to publish this the a week ago on May 26th, but the new Internet Explorer wouldn't let me, so I am now trying Firefox).

So, I can still remember getting the phone call from Ralph (well, Kelly took the call), letting us know that Debbie had passed away. We knew it was coming, just didn't know it would be so fast. It was definitely difficult news, despite the positives associated with ending a battle with Cancer. We were glad she would no longer suffer from the effects of the Lymphoma, yet devastated to lose her.

I recall going to work the next day, to prepare for a substitute for a number of day. I was in a somber mood, but wanted to go get things ready, so when I left I wouldn't have to worry.

I remember reminiscing, on the drive up. Though, I think a lot of it was silent. Well, Kelly and I were, the kids are never silent except when they sleep.

And, I can recall all the support and comforting words said by many kind people during those next few days. It really was nice. Thanks especially to Rhonda for coming all the way from Alberta. I know that meant a lot to Kelly. And it was great to see all the Family members, too.

Anyway, we took the kids out to eat last night, in remembrance of Debbie. As we sat we talked about what we miss about Grandma. The kids were talking about Christmas, and presents...Debbie always made sure they had enough. Kelly talked about how she missed being able to talk to Debbie everyday, and how her Mom would listen to whatever Kelly wanted to talk about (something I have not perfected yet!!). I'll get there though. It's true though, Debbie would talk about You and Your interests. I said I miss washing dishes with Debbie after a big meal. I still get a bit emotional when I am doing some dishes by hand.

Anyway, we all miss Debbie. I know we all think about her often. We know she is in a good place, and in good hands. Miss you my favorite mother in law.

Here are a few pictures of Debbie through the years

5 Years

It has been five action-packed years of marriage to my beautiful wife. We began with one kid, now we are up to four. We started in an apartment in Halifax, and now we are in a house in Yarmouth. I was a student then, now I am a Teacher (with a permenant contract and all). Kelly's wonderful mother has passed away. We have had a lot happen within this short period of time. But it has been great to spend it together.

Happy Anniversary, Kelly. You are this man's best friend (at least until I get a dog some day!).

Funny Story...Now.

Sorry I don't have any pictures to go along with this one. It is all fact, though.

Last weekend we travelled up to Halifax to visit Ralph. We keep a potty in our van for those special occasions that happen every 3-hour drive. Anyway, on the way up Ruby needed to go, so I was going to pull over. Kelly thought we could just let her get unbuckled, pee in the potty, and toss the pee out the window of the moving van. I quickly told her how that would be a bad idea, due to the speed of the van, and the wind and all. You know. You can imagine it right now.

So I decided we would pull over, and we had no messes. End of story? No way.

Today on the way back, Emma needed to go. We were hoping to get home quick b/c the guy working on our basement was coming over. So, somehow the decision was to let her pee on the potty, while the van was going. I was dreading the end of the story on this one. But, I let it go. I thought, if Kelly thinks the pee can get dumped out ofo the moving vehicle easliy, who am I to stop her?

I am no science expert, who can calculate liquid and wind velocity...but I pictured it all in my head. And you know what? The vision in my head went exactly as expected. This is it:

After explaining what I thought would happen, Kelly thought it might be okay. She thought the pee might just tip down, and fly low. I gave her the go-ahead...thinking this would be a good one to watch.

She opened the window....

She gripped the potty, and tipped it best she could...

Pee flew all over the side of the van and windows...

Kelly brought the potty back in, only to discover it was dripping with pee all over...

Shocked, and disgusted, she quickly pushed the potty back out the window...

Her grip was not as tight this time (perhaps due to all the pee on it)...

This time, the wind took the potty and it flew down the Highway.

End of story? Nope.

Ruby immediately started bawling, "My Potty!!!! My Potty!!!"...

We drove back to the spot....

The potty was miraculously still in one piece, eventhough a truck knocked it ito the side of the road.

Was it funny? Not for me. Not then, at least. But it is now. I think it was a lesson learned for all of us. Kelly-wind is no trifle thing to mess with. Rob-Don't let Kelly throw pee out the window of a van going 100KM/Hr. Emma-Pee before we leave. Ruby-Never trust mommy with "your" potty. Morgan-it's good not to get involved in bad ideas. Charlie-Welcome to the Jungle!

Update-a-Saurus

Here is a little update. I feel like there is so much going on most days, that I don't have the energy to update...but since I am doing my online course right now, and just have to listen to other people talk, I have a few minutes.

I found my very first pair of glasses one day, and Morgan decided to try them on. She actually looks a little like me when I wore them back in the 80's!!!


It was Morgan's Birthday on January 10th. She is now 4, and loving it. She is growing up faster than ice cream goes to your thighs!! It's crazy.

Emma finally got the garment of her dreams (well, it was a second place finish, but it's all good). She anticipated the day she got her LuLuLemon sweater like it was her wedding day. There are some similarities...it was a great union between two entities, and we may have even had some cake to celebrate. Not really. She was super happy though.

Morgan had a new dress that Kelly made for her B-Day. It was her fav color. I like this picture cause it's a fast action shot...though a bit blurry, it is (as the kids say these days) "Cool".

Ruby got to wear a throw-back dress the same day. This one is from the 80's. It was Kelly's when she was three apples high. Now it's Ruby's. I chose this picture b/c Ruby is doing an awsome impression of an angry gorilla. I can't help but laugh just looking at the picture. It's pure gold. She's a funny gal.

Here is a picture of our little family. I say little, b/c we are only half finished completing our family. Psych!!!! This isn't the greatest picture of us...but it captures our "realness".

Kelly turned the big 30 on January 30th. This is a picture of her at 30 years old. She is secretly still 17, but that's not common knowledge. She is doing a great job still looking young.

And here is my little Buddy, Charlie, with his awesome hat that he got from Aunt Jocelyne. He's growing fast. He's a bum skootcher. He is in his own room now. He's a happy boy. We are really loving having him a part of our family.

That's kinda where we are in life. It's a madhouse on good days. But we're fine. Most of the time. Maybe. Who am I kidding? I have lost my sanity completely, but you know what they say...

Some things never change.