Wilson ...

 

There's a new guy in my life.

His name is Wilson.

He is cute - I mean incredibly cute, adorable.

I fell hard & I fell fast.

Some people might say it's just puppy love but ...

I just love him beyond words.

- Wilson & Me -

Happy BDay Kathryn ...

Happy Birthday Kathryn 
& 

Congratulations on receiving your Doctorate 

Jessica, Kathryn  & Nancy,   Nanimo  2008 -

Wishing you a wonderful BDay and sending you belated congratulations on becoming a Doctor of Education 

Happy Dad's Day ...

Happy Father's Day

 

Last weekend Mike & I were up in Canada for a Backyard BBQ to celebrate an early Father's Day.  Jessica & Aidan hosted the BBQ at their house and we were blessed with sunny weather & a very enjoyable gathering of family.

Dad, Cathy, Wayne, Jenny, Livy, Bella, Max, Mike, Jess, Aidan & I were all came to the BBQ this year and it was nice to see everyone.

It's such fun to see all the kids  - they always make me smile.

They just sat & stared at each other for the 1st 35 minutes - no playing, no talking or interaction of any kind and then  - then boom, an explosion of kid laughter, fun & activity.

Once the fun began they didn't stop playing together until it was time to go.  

Haha, too funny.  It made be laugh and think back to when I was a kid.

I may be old but I still remember going through the exact same 'gathering of the kid clan' rituals when I was a young ... the re-acquainting with with all my cousins at family events years & years ago.

It's so true that 'The more things change the more they stay the same.' 

It's a process that takes a good 1/2 hour to complete and it goes something like this:

1. Upon arrival ... slyly glance as each one as they enter to size them up for 'playability'.
2. Continue to stare coolly at them, taking care to avoid any eye contact.
3. Act reserved, assess them & the likeliness that they might want to play with you. 
4. Engage in some nervous sideways eye glances (this time hoping to make brief eye contact) ...
5. A mother (any mother will do) comes into the room and says, 'whats wrong with you guys, why aren't you guys playing'.  Get off that couch and go outside/downstairs/into your room and play!
6. At this point one the kids, usually the child who lives there (resident child), will get up & begin moving towards the (insert appropriate area) ...
7. Within seconds the entire group gets up and follows ...  
8. Now the 'resident child' will get braver and address the group asking 'Who wants to play (insert a kid activity) with me ...
9. At this point all heck breaks loose and a full on Kid Explosion begins ...  

Jenny, Max, Aidan, Livy & Bella

We had bought everything to treat the kids to some Smores for dessert.  I thought they would have fun making them on the BBQ but by dessert time the BBQ had run out of gas.  

Bummer, but then Jess suggested that we make them in the microwave and they turned out GREAT.

Needless to say they were the hit of the party  ...

- 5,000 calories of YUMMY goodness -

Lessons in 'How to eat a Giant Gooey Smores' ...

- Bella -

- Aidan -

- Livy -

- Max -

 

Life is good and so much sweeter when we can share good food, lasting memories & just enjoy the sweet goodness of being a family whenever we can.

We missed having Doug, Kathryn, Sandra, Brent, Jay, Sarah, Todd, Katy, Hannah, John, Jimmy, Ava, Claire & Gavin at the party this year.

I hope everyone is as lucky as me and has the opportunity to give their Dad a hug today and say 'I love you'.

- Happy Father Day -

Happy BDay Jimmy ...

Happy  No. 6 Birthday

 Jimmy

We hope you Party like the Super Star you are!

   

Good Karma 4k ...

- May 26, 2011 -

On Sunday, May 29, 2011  I participated in my second 5k of the summer and  I plan on doing at least 3 more by the end of September.

On the last walk (The Big Backyard) Mike & I helped raise money for King County Parks and this time Dana & I raised money for NW Harvest, they are a state-wide food bank in Washington.

- Dana & I -

This was the 1st annual Good Karma walk and we were excited to be a part of it.  There were quite a few racers & walkers at the event and the weather was picture perfect.

- Here we go -

Dana was concerned that it would be cold and so she dragged her coat along with her but only worn it for about 5 minutes at the start & ended up carrying it for most of the walk.

I guess that lesson is to dress in easy to stow in your backpack layers.

- Dana -

Dana has lost about 130 lbs in the last year and she is like a new person.

See that great big smile on her face - it was still there at the end of our 2.5 mile walk!

She is ready & willing to do almost anything these day and I am so proud of her - I LOVE this new energized, ready for anything  Dana.

- Seward Park -

The walk was held at Seward Park in Seattle.  It is such a beautiful park, right on Lake Washington with amazing views.

Here is a little of what we saw as we walked the route ...

- Downtown Seattle Skyline -

- Mama, Papa & ducklings -

- Entrance to Japanese Courtyard -

- Japanese Lantern -

- Trillium -

Dana & I finished the walk in under an hour - a time we were happy with but determined to beat next year.

 

Happy BDay Claire ....

Happy 6th Birthday Claire

We hope you have lots of Birthday fun today!!!

“Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of 'you' to the world.”