Our Three Miracles

Secret Number One and a Photo Dump

2012-02-09T19:35:00.001-05:00

We have some secrets. I feel ready to share one.

After almost 8 years, I will be heading back to work full time in September. This decisions has come after months and months of thinking, worrying, planning, questioning, doubting, crying, celebrating and every other emotion imaginable. I know we have made the right decision. I am ready to be back. I am ready to have my own classroom again.

Riley and Simon will both be at school full time with me and Coop will continue at his Montessori. There is another huge piece to this puzzle that I will share in time.

I'm not sure how it will all work as Jason will be continuing on with Volleyball Canada (more on that later too). I do know that we will probably struggle and stress and worry but I also know that as one of my good friends says " we always come out smelling like roses".

As our other 'projects' come together and we are comfortable with putting them out there, we will. But for now, a photo dump.

I do love my job

Cooper reads his hockey books

The perfect late night combination

Blue bird sky ice cream date

I wonder how long the obsession with keeping my car clean will last?

Our poor girl is under the weather

Photo dump

2012-02-07T20:55:00.001-05:00

I've never really thought of myself as a person with an addictive personality but I have come to realize that I totally do. I can admit it. That's the first step, right?

My name is Amanda and I am addicted to Instagram and Pintrest....and a few other things I won't mention.

I have also realized that I am best at feeding these addictions when there are huge things happening that I should be paying closer attention to, like my report cards, this huge pile of laundry and this massive basket of socks to matched and a few other major life changes that aren't ready to be shared yet.

Without further ado another photo dump......

Our Super Bowl Party. I will take any excuse to have a little party. The planning has already begun for our family Oscars party. Bring on the red carpet.

Trampoline jumping in February

Our poor baby slipped on the ice at school and cut his face up. He did inform me that he didn't cry because "I'm tough like a hockey player on ice."

Coop prints his name all by himself

Is there anything cuter than footed P.J.'s?

Tuesday ski day

I drove my first

1000 km in my new ride

We saw a full moon, so we got in the car and chased it to the lake. Then we got out of the car and danced.

Photo Dump

2012-02-06T17:42:00.001-05:00

The howler

I LOVE that he still sleeps like this

Eyelashes

I took a day to myself. The whole day. The first one since before Riley was born. I was bored out of my mind and wanted the day to be over by 11:00am.

Parents night at dance

Slumber party

A regular Saturday morning

Someone doesn't recover so well after an all night boys night.

Out for dinner with my peeps

The talk about crying wolf

Car wash

It's February and my windows are open

If you think this is all he does, you are right.

Exploring apple seeds

My fancy girl eating oysters

Photo Dump

2012-02-02T13:23:00.001-05:00

I'm pretty good at this photo dump thing. Maybe one day I will get my actual camera back out and write a real post.

Sorry about the general screwupyness ( yes, screwupyness is a word) of this blog. I have no idea what's going on.

I guess he really wanted a cheese string.

Sumi takes a turn in net.

New rides.

With Mario on his back.

The howl

Photo Dump

2012-01-31T10:38:00.001-05:00

Serious girl talk.

Goalie face

Report card survival

I think it's safe to say we are an apple family.

Walking the dog.

A star

Always backwards

Sunday night dinner

Bath

A beautiful package from beautiful friends

I love that she always gets dressed "fancy" for dinner.

Cooper's Birthday

2012-01-29T16:40:00.001-05:00

We like to celebrate a birthday around here for a good week. Let's face it, we are kinda a big deal. On Coop's actual birthday we celebrated with cupcakes, presents and good night on the ski hill.

We hope you great birthday week Coopy. Xoxoxoxoxo

Disney Live

2012-01-29T16:29:00.001-05:00

A couple weeks ago after the girls had their very first big girl sleepover at our house, P and K picked them up and took them to see Disney Live in Toronto.

The princesses dressed up like a princess and humoured us with a photo shoot.

Thank you P, K and D for spoiling our little princess.

Photo Dump

2012-01-27T22:13:00.001-05:00

Our in home date night. Gar Par Fries and Thai wings

My weekend

Tent

What every six year old needs a Caboodle full of Mac makeup for competitions

He has not taken this shirt off for 80 hours

Another hiding spot. In my sweater.

I love him

Kissy lips

The One Who Can Not Be Named and Hermione

Early morning hotel entertainment

Great Wolf Lodge Wizards

3 minutes after pulling out of the Great Wolf Lodge parking lot

Extra practice

All ready for drum lessons

Practicing his drum beats

Coop wanted "drummer hair" too

I love XM Radio

A few of my favourite things: my bed, my beer and House Hunters International

Cooper's Third Birthday Weekend Celebration

2012-01-27T21:07:00.001-05:00

Once again, we packed up and headed to The Great Wolf Lodge to celebrate Cooper's birthday. It was a fantastic weekend with great friends (adult and child), watersides, hockey games, birthday celebrations, bed jumping, hallway drinking adults and really big beers.

Thank you everyone who came. I sadly didn't take out my camera as often as I usually do, not everyone was captured. Looking forward to doing it again next year

Our weekend

Mix up

2012-01-26T22:27:00.001-05:00

Im not sure what's happening with the layout of this blog, but it's all mixed up and I can't seem to fix it yet. I'm open for suggestions....ahem, Paula:).

Good Intentions

2012-01-26T22:03:00.001-05:00

Many good intentions came with our time off during Christmas Break. Like marking piles of essay's.

And maybe getting up to date on this little old blog. But you know what they say, the best laid plans of mice and men. Our final few days of our break were spent at the movies, bowling and at the Barrie Colts Hockey game.

Seeing that all this happened oh so long ago, I will let the pictures of the game do the talking.

Soaking in every last minute (written on Jan. 18, published much later)

2012-01-26T21:35:00.000-05:00

Dear My Coopy ,

I used to write these letters to your brother and sister on their birthday. It was something that I wanted to do for each child, for each birthday. Well, you are the third child and you sure know what that means. Here on the eve of your third birthday, I write your first ( maybe second) one.

I sit here beside your bed watching you sleep, listening to you snore, smiling each time you press your lips together and cringing when you grind your teeth. I want to soak it all in, to never forget, your hands and how they feel around me, holding tight as you say "mama, I need you" or "mama, I love you so, so much".

I want to remember the feel of you, fresh out of the bath, when you ask me to "snuggle buggle" or to be "as snug as a bug in a rug" I never want to forget the sound of your voice when every single night at dinner I ask you what you you are thankful for and you respond "you, and you, and you and you" every single time. You love with your whole heart and you tell us everyday how much you love.

The smile on your face when you see Riley, Simon and I at your school at the end of the day. The way you run to us and jump into Riley and Simon's arms.The way you introduce me to people at your school by saying "this is my mama, and I love her very much". The way you throw in "thank you" and "you're the best mom ever" in multiple times a day.

I never want to forget the things I know I will, your love for Raisin Bran, your love for the color blue, the way you want your breakfast cereal to be "as big as the CN Tower", your hatred of having your finger nails cut, the way you play with toys and always have them kiss and be friends, followed by a smash, and then followed again by kissing and making up. How you play with Riley and Simon, dressing up and dancing around the house, the way you "Chocobocca" instead of Chewbacca. The way you tell me "I feel lonely without you" when I leave your sight for a few moments. The way you always need "upy" into my arms. I want to remember that you have always been a "big boy, who can do big boy stuff". The way you dress yourself with your shirt on backwards every time. How "I can do it" is heard 24567839 times a day from you.

I'm not sure we will ever forget your absolute obsession with hockey. "I'll be the player, you be the goalie" You're collection of all things hockey and desire for anything and everything that has to do with hockey.

Cooper, you are a sweet, sensivitive caring boy who wears his heart on his sleeve and has a mean slapshot. You love with your whole heart everyday and you share that love with all of us around you as often as you can. We are so lucky to be your parents. You have the ability (and often exercise the ability) to make us laugh, smile, shake our heads and steam with frustration all in the matter of minutes. You are one lucky boy to have such wonderful older siblings with the patience of an angel with you. You are my diva baby and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love you Coop, with my whole heart. I can't wait to see what the age of three brings us.

Let the adventures begin...

Love,MamaXoxoxo

Photo Dump

2012-01-20T22:37:00.001-05:00

I have written a birthday post for Coop that I will publish after this weekends festivities. For now, here I am with my weekly, or biweekly, or should i call it my not committing to any timeframe photo dump. I'm also trying it out on a new app called Blogsy, so ths may, or may not work. Look at me getting all technical.

Thursday night ski

Dance party

Luigi has moves

Cooper's Angry Birds Birthday Cupcakes for his classmates

Black icing

Test driving

I sneaked a peak at school

Cooper's Birthday breakfast

Happy to hear all his birthday messages

Cooper's birthday morning at the indoor playground

I love to play hide and seek with him

His new googles are a bit tight.

Busily Late To The Party

2012-01-15T22:52:00.002-05:00

It's been a while. I'm not going to tell you I've been busy. The word busy drives me crazy lately. "How are you?" "Busy", "What have you been up to?" "We have been so busy." Busy, Busy, Busy. I mean what does busy mean? Who truly is busy? I mean, isn't all about priorities? Or possibly all about excuses? Okay, tangent over. Although, I can go on, but I won't.

*****

I have Christmas holiday fun to finish up but things have just been so busy (sorry, couldn't help myself). I will get to it later this week. There are hockey games, bowling, movies tea, lost teeth and so much more to share.

*****

I have decided not to do project 365 again this year. I came up 60 (or was it 65?) photos short from last year. The whole point of Project 365 is to take pictures of the everyday, everyday. I am going to do this a different way this year. With a simple photo dump every once and a while (how's that for non-comittment?). We upgraded our phones over the holidays and I discovered instagram. Yes, I am aware that it has been the top app for a couple years now. I am always late to the party so here's my start years after everyone "else is doing it."

Photo Dump (this is a big one)

Tuesday ski day with my boys

In the car two minutes

"You be the player, I'll be the goalie"

Our nightly tradition, eating dinner by candle light.

Sometimes I put my drinks in a coffee cup so the kids don't ask to have a sip.

Bath time

"Snug as a bug in a rug me mommy"

Thursday morning skate

After skate treats

Thursday night dinner

Thursday night skiing

Kid date

Girls night

Prepping for her first sleepover

Girly sleepover fun

The morning after the ~~sleepover~~ giggleover

I love it when he sits like this

Good morning

Morning Picasso

Jedi

Late night princess reading

Kickin it, 80's style

Rainbows and Unicorns

2012-01-06T16:30:00.000-05:00

A Christmas break that starts off with almost 3 full days lounging around the house, playing eating and drinking and just being together in our P.J.'s is going to be a great break. Especially, when you know that you have 13 more days of holidaying to come. We have swam and baked

We went to the cottage for a night. We packed in as much winter fun as we could opening Christmas gifts, skating, playing on the frozen lake, tobogganing and relaxing.

We then went to our friends cottage for our annual New Years Eve party. The night was full of food, drinks, fun, friends and of course fireworks. The kids celebrated New Years at 10:00 after a quick change of the clocks (kids that could tell time are over-rated). All adults stayed up until midnight, WITHOUT naps, AND nobody was markered.

We had quiet moments at home playing hockey, playing games and putting on dances and tobogganing down the hill beside our house

We spent a day at Yorkdale Mall and the Rainforest Cafe.

We spent a day skiing. Cooper's first time on his ski's and Simon's first time on his snowboard. Both boys did amazingly well. Riley is an old pro. Looking for bigger hills, steeper parts and wanting to go, go go.

We have a few fun activities planned for our last two days together. We are going to miss this break and all the yummies that has gone with it.

Already counting down to March Break.

300/365 - Happy

2011-12-29T22:21:00.002-05:00

299/365 - Woodpeckers Were Here

2011-12-29T22:20:00.001-05:00

298/365 - Finally

2011-12-29T22:16:00.001-05:00

297/365 - Trying To Learn About Bokeh

2011-12-29T22:15:00.001-05:00

296/365 - Fresh Fallen Snow

2011-12-29T22:13:00.003-05:00

295/365 - Snuggle Puppy

2011-12-29T22:11:00.003-05:00

294/365 - Gaining Height

2011-12-29T22:09:00.003-05:00

293/365 - Morning Hike

2011-12-29T22:07:00.001-05:00

292/365 - Good Til The Last Drop

2011-12-29T22:06:00.001-05:00

291/365 - Just Dance

2011-12-29T22:02:00.001-05:00

Letting It Linger

2011-12-29T21:57:00.000-05:00

Is it really over? Already? We are going to let it linger a little longer here. What a beautiful, happy, relaxed, joyful, fun, food and drink filled Christmas we have had. Our Christmas Eve traditions stayed strong this year. We went to the 5:00 mass at our new church St. John Vianney, picked up our chinese food, insert the Fa-Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra jokes here(if you have never seen the movie A Christmas Story, then forget that last part), opened our sibling presents

Tracked Santa

Wrote our letters "I hope you have a good night. I want to play hockey with you. Good hockey night."

prepared milk, cookies and carrots

sprinkled the reindeer food outside

Then after 45678985674 go to sleeps. The big guy was able to put together some large toys and set up under the tree. Phew. This only took until 3:00am

The next morning was spent ripping paper, eating, drinking, squealing, clapping, cheering and saying "can you open this," "can you put this together," "can you help me?"

We spent our entire day playing, cooking and being together in our jammies. One of our highlights was spending a good hour on Skype with Ryan and Hillary, sharing every single toy with them.

Nee Nee spent her day teaching Riley how to sew. Look what Riley was able to make! I am seriously impressed. With only a few lessons and a watchful eye she made a blanket for her doll Dee Dee.

The turkey, stuffing, potatoes, turnip, gravy, baked beans, peas, mushrooms and almost the cabbage rolls (oops) all served on Riley's cute dinner table set up.

And we topped off the night with singing Happy Birthday Baby Jesus

A perfectly beautiful, peaceful end to a perfectly beautiful peaceful day.

290/365 - Santa's Favourite Cookies

2011-12-26T20:33:00.001-05:00

289/365 - Riley And I Try On My Dance Costumes From 25 Years Ago

2011-12-26T20:32:00.001-05:00

288/365 - Cindy Lou Who

2011-12-26T20:28:00.001-05:00

287/365 - Jimmy Makes Elf Donuts

2011-12-26T20:25:00.001-05:00

286/365 - I Love Shadow Pictures

2011-12-26T20:23:00.001-05:00

285/365 - Muscle Man Coop

2011-12-26T20:21:00.001-05:00

SGA Christmas Party 2011

2011-12-26T20:19:00.001-05:00

We had the pleasure of hosting my schools staff Christmas party. Being a newbie on staff, I did not know what to expect. All I can say publicly is, the only pictures or stories I will share on here are ones that I took before the guests arrived. I also want to add in how happy I am to be part of such an amazing staff and how happy I am that my children will be taught by these dedicated, passionate professionals who sure know how to have a good time.

We also want to thank our amazing neighbours for taking Riley, Simon and Cooper for us. We are so thankful.

284/365 - Jimmy Paints Their Nails While They Sleep

2011-12-26T20:05:00.001-05:00

283/365 - Jimmy Toilet Papers The House

2011-12-26T20:03:00.001-05:00

282/365 - Jimmy Goes Bowling

2011-12-26T19:58:00.001-05:00

281/365 - Jimmy Gets Into The Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-12-26T19:56:00.001-05:00

Singing Fa La La La La La La La La

2011-12-26T19:40:00.000-05:00

I know Christmas was so yesterday, but I haven't posted many photos of events leading up to the big day. So traveling back in time by a couple of weeks, or almost a month, our halls are decked.

Last Fall Swimming Lesson - In Pictures (I am soooo far behind)

2011-12-26T19:23:00.001-05:00

Spaghetti With Santa

2011-12-17T20:13:00.000-05:00

One of the many things our school does is host an annual Spaghetti with Santa. The kids and I happily dressed in festive clothing and had dinner with the big guy in the school gym.

Telling Santa all of our wishes with my camera in the WRONG setting

280/365 - Hand In Hand

2011-12-17T20:02:00.001-05:00

279/365 - Newman Is Not Impressed

2011-12-17T19:59:00.001-05:00

278/365 - Baby Tigers Can Jump

2011-12-17T19:55:00.001-05:00

Christmas Magic

2011-12-17T19:48:00.000-05:00

This year I'm feeling it. I'm really feeling it. The Christmas music is playing and we are busting a move to it.

Creating our own Christmas traditions is very important to me. Christmas is a sad time for me personally, this year I'm kicking those feelings out. They have no place in my family anymore. I have struggled with them for 30 plus years. My time is up. Move on sister!The tradition of Drysdales Tree Farm. This year with new friends. This place is magical, even in the rain. There is just something about the smells, the lights, the music, the people.

The soft spoken Santa who carefully listens to each child's dreams.

The train ride, the sleigh ride it's all part of the magic.

The magic that exists in the face paint, even if you ask to look like a baby tiger every. single. time.

I am feeling this Christmas magic like no year before. There's no stopping me now.

277/365 - Chef Coop

2011-12-17T19:28:00.001-05:00

Anything Can Happen If You Let It

2011-12-17T19:25:00.000-05:00

Riley, Nee Nee and I spent another beautiful day together. It started with Riley and I driving to Yorkdale Mall, shopping a little, stocking up at Starbucks and taking the subway to the Eaton Centre where we met Nee Nee.

We shopped a little bit more, hailed a cab, stopped for lunch and enjoyed the musical Mary Poppins.

Riley sat captivated, literally at the edge of her seat for the entire performance.

After the show, we went for a "fancy dinner" and ordered "fancy drinks." My little Riley ordered an entree of salmon, wild rice and veg and she ate the entire thing. She then ordered white chocolate crepes for dessert. She is a champ.Riley and I got back on the subway and arrived back at Yorkdale Mall 10 hours after we left there that morning. Riley asked me if we could continue shopping!!! This girl has got stamina.Another beautiful day with my best girls.

Another Season Closes - Basketball

2011-12-17T19:08:00.000-05:00

During the fall Simon played basketball once a week at the Recreation Centre. He loved playing, learned a lot and scored several baskets.

On his last day of play the kids and I had the chance to play with him.

Obviously, Cooper should have been going to the washroom, not playing basketball.

276/365 - Jimmy Is Under The Weather

2011-12-13T00:08:00.001-05:00

275/365 - Jimmy Has A Snack

2011-12-13T00:07:00.001-05:00

274/365 - Barbie Takes Jimmy For A Drive

2011-12-13T00:05:00.002-05:00

273/365 - Jimmy Does Rice Angels

2011-12-13T00:04:00.001-05:00

272/365 - Jimmy Rides A Dino

2011-12-13T00:02:00.001-05:00

271/365 - The Shepard Is A Cool Dude

2011-12-12T23:55:00.001-05:00

270/365 - Saturday Morning Snuggles

2011-12-12T23:46:00.001-05:00

269/365 - Happy Birthday Owie

2011-12-08T12:23:00.001-05:00

268/365 - Shadow Dance

2011-12-04T17:18:00.001-05:00

Nest

2011-11-29T16:07:00.001-05:00

I often refer to the kids as my little ducklings. I'm the mama duck walking with my three little ducklings following behind me. Saturday was our littlest ducklings school Christmas concert.

Coop has had a very difficult transition out of our nest and into school life. Much like Riley once did, he cries at school.

We didn't know what would happen on Saturday. Would he get on stage? Would he sing? Would he cry? How hard do we push him from the nest.

This is where the third child differs from the first. I would have been stressed out if I knew this was happening with Riley. She has to get on stage. All the money spent on new concert clothes. The family and friends watching. What would they think? My confidence as a mom has increased since those days.

We gently nudged him from the nest. Offering words of encouragement.

He wasn't having it. He wasn't interested in flying today.Then, his special comfort zone appeared with open arms and a friendly smile.

He got up on that stage in his new little nest. His temporary nest. The arms of a wonderful teacher.

He sang his songs and even stood tall for a few brief moments.

It was beautiful. He is beginning to fly.

We know that in his time he will ruffle his feathers and fly all on his own. We will be there cheering him on as proud of him then as we are of him today.

267/365 - Meet Jimmy Ronald Hubbard

2011-11-27T21:35:00.001-05:00

266/365 - The Fab Five

2011-11-27T21:34:00.001-05:00

I'll take the company for $1000.00, Alex

2011-11-27T21:14:00.001-05:00

There is just something about a parade at night that makes it so much more amazing.

Is it all the lights?

Is it the big man and his Ho Ho Ho's?

Or is it the company?

{this photo is so blurry because the company, AHEM, was yelling at me to get off the road}

265/365 - He Is Really Into This Ice Cream

2011-11-27T21:08:00.001-05:00

264/365 - A Haircut And A Smile? Weird.

2011-11-27T21:07:00.001-05:00

Date Day

2011-11-27T20:47:00.001-05:00

Simon and I had an entire day together. Just us. It started off at 8:30am after dropping Riley and Cooper off with chocolate cake.

Next, we went to the Creative Cafe.

We spent the rest of the day at Chapters, going out for lunch and snuggling in my bed and watching a movie in the middle of the afternoon.Thanks Si Guy for a beautiful day.

263/365 - I have nothing else to wish for

2011-11-23T22:35:00.001-05:00

262/365 - Splash

2011-11-23T22:33:00.001-05:00

Experience

2011-11-21T22:47:00.001-05:00

It is my wish as a mother to experience. Experience life WITH my kids. Experience life THROUGH my kids eyes. Experience is learning, laughter, FUN.

My mother gets this. This was her wish for my brother and I too. We never had a lot of money growing up, we never had a big house, fancy clothes or cars. We had each other. We had those trips every year as our family of three. The trips my mother had to save all year for. We had experience.

As my brother and I got older we continued to work hard in order to experience. The going to university full time and working 30 hour weekends at a group home so Jason and I could experience Europe for 10 weeks. My brother lives the true experience. He could not care less about stuff. It means nothing to him. He lives hard. Skiing, biking, surfing and traveling.

For my birthday, my mom treated the kids and I (Jason couldn't get the time off work) to a night at the water park. It was once again an amazing time. The kids ran up the stairs and came rocketing out of those watersides with huge smiles on their faces.

Riley and Simon quickly found little friends to race, jump the waves, and swing with.

We ate in the restaurants and had cereal from little boxes. Without a care in the world.

We shared cakes, candles and Happy Birthday songs.

We were amazed at the magic and even had the chance to be part of it.

The experience was beautiful, the memories are forever. We are thankful.

261/365 - Gathering Spot

2011-11-21T22:42:00.001-05:00

260/365 - Hardwood Protection

2011-11-21T22:35:00.001-05:00

259/365 - Hockey Face

2011-11-21T22:33:00.001-05:00

258/365 - Typical Cooper Attire

2011-11-21T22:28:00.001-05:00

257/365 - This Makes Me So Happy

2011-11-21T22:21:00.001-05:00

256/365 - How I spent my birth night

2011-11-21T22:15:00.001-05:00

255/365 - Hotel Must Do

2011-11-21T22:07:00.001-05:00

254/365 - Old Boy

2011-11-16T23:11:00.001-05:00

253/365 - Deliciousness

2011-11-16T23:06:00.001-05:00

252/365 - Lego Organization

2011-11-16T23:01:00.001-05:00

Full

2011-11-16T21:49:00.001-05:00

I sit here thinking of this past year, a few hours from a new year, a few hours away from being closer to 40 (yikes) I am thankful. This past year has been full. Full of good. Full of wonderful. Full of sad. Full of bad. Full of change. Full of awesomeness. I have learned many things this past year. I have been thinking of this for a while...I've learned....crying while holding hands makes me feel strong(er).I've learned....supporting others dreams is an important skill to teach your children.

I've learned....to sing to my children when I really want to yell.I've learned....it's ok to fight for your students even if you get your wrists slapped in the process.

I've learned....that sometimes, no matter how hard I try, somethings will never change. And, it's ok to stop trying.I've learned....that my little family is my world. I've learned....I don't like to be alone.

I've learned....breaking out into a kitchen dance party with the kids makes everything better.I've learned....that my families needs are changing and what has been right this year may not be right for next.

I've learned....that my clothes are not the right size.I've learned....you are the author of your own happiness.

I've learned....that you can't control what others do. You control how you react to it.I've learned....that I have the best friends. Each one perfect for me for different reasons.

I've learned....that nothing taste as good as a chai latte at Starbucks.I've learned....that I can run.I've learned....that I can watch my kids sleep for hours.

I've learned...that photography makes me happy.I've learned....that I will always long for another baby.I've learned....to look at the moon with different eyes.

....and there's so much more to learn.....and I will. In time.Right now, I am happy and for that I am truly thankful.

251/365 - 11/11/11

2011-11-13T23:55:00.001-05:00

250/365 - Mrs. Moon

2011-11-13T23:47:00.001-05:00

249/365 - Dip

2011-11-13T23:31:00.001-05:00

248/365 - Handsome

2011-11-13T23:19:00.001-05:00

247/365 - Most People Sleep With Stuffed Animals

2011-11-13T23:09:00.001-05:00

246/365 - Cock-A-Doodle-Do Hair

2011-11-13T22:53:00.001-05:00

245/365 - Cheering On Andrew

2011-11-13T22:39:00.001-05:00

Trick Or Treat

2011-11-12T18:07:00.001-05:00

Our Halloween night started out with our traditional dinner of mice and ghosts.

We gathered with friends and some of our neighbourhood posse

And headed out on our quest for candy

Hope you Halloween was Spooktacular! Sorry, I couldn't resist.

244/365 - Strength, Beauty, Courage, Bravery, LOVE

2011-11-09T15:01:00.001-05:00

243/365 - Laughter and Tears

2011-11-09T14:57:00.001-05:00

Second Annual Hubbard Halloween

2011-11-08T01:31:00.001-05:00

The Saturday before Halloween we hosted our Second Annual Hubbard Halloween. This year it was bigger and better. 65 friends in costume came to spend the night with us over conversation, drinks and food. Tinkerbell and Peter Pan

Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach

The appetizer and sweets table

Pumpkin Krispies

Frankenstein Jello

Mummy toes

Pumpkin Cheese

And much more

I wish I would have taken a photo of everyone in their costume. I will set up a photo booth next year. I did get a few...

We had some crafts for the kids

Riley and Simon insisted on making mummy your mommy..or daddy an annual event.

Our last group of guests left at 1:00am. Riley and Simon were up until the end. Riley was jumping on the trampoline at midnight. It was a great night with tons of fun for everyone. At 4:00am we realized just how much fun Riley had when she vomited up pure chocolate. Now that's a party!

242/365 - Tinkerbell

2011-11-07T21:49:00.001-05:00

241/365 - Mario and Luigi

2011-11-07T21:43:00.001-05:00

240/365 - Poser

2011-11-07T21:39:00.001-05:00

Pan Am Games 2011

2011-11-07T21:36:00.000-05:00

Jason recently returned from coaching at the 2011 Pan Am Games in Mexico. It was an amazing experience for him even though the teams results were not ideal.

He was heavily guarded the entire time there. From RCMP escorts,

to Navy Boats, Army Helicopters, and machine gunned men.

The rules were long.

The venue was sweet.

The ~~all inclusive resort~~ athletes village was nice.

The crowds were big.

And Brazil took the gold in both men's and women's.

Cooper's First Class Trip - Avalon Apple Orchard

2011-11-07T21:15:00.000-05:00

Cooper's Montessori School took a class trip to a local apple orchard. The original plan was for me to take a personal day off work and go with him. I was uncomfortable with him going alone with his crying and being so young. As it usually happens, our life is full of twists and turns. You know the kind when someone cuts away the insulation and a mouse nest falls out. That kind. As our luck would have it, my school scheduled class photos on the exact same day as the trip. I had to be at school. A class photo without the teacher...not so good. So, to make a short story even longer, Nee Nee the great stepped in. She worked on a weekend in order to have the week day off to go with Coop on his trip. She even snapped a few photos for me.

Thanks Nee Nee.

239/365 - 65 Classroom Halloween Cookies

2011-11-05T11:13:00.001-04:00

238/365 - My Baby Godson Plays Football

2011-11-05T11:08:00.001-04:00

237/365 - I Am So In Love

2011-11-05T11:04:00.001-04:00

236/365 - Auntie Chantal

2011-11-05T10:57:00.001-04:00

235/365 - Brothers

2011-11-05T10:53:00.002-04:00

Scenes From Our Trampoline

2011-11-05T10:50:00.001-04:00

234/365 - Our Poor Sick Baby

2011-11-05T10:46:00.001-04:00