Niagara Falls

Because Jonathan was working out of town Niagara way . . . and because the kids had a PD day, it seemed like a really good idea to make good use of this combination and do something fun.

We decided to keep it a surprise, so I packed a big suitcase, hid it in the van and simply told them we were going to town.  Kevin had a real hankering to buy skates and he was pretty sure this was my mission too.  

Getting to town took a LONG time.  

The children were no longer happy.  Especially when I told them after driving for an hour and a half and listening to them complain about the length of the drive, that maybe I just had to pick up a chair that I found on kijiji and then we'd head back home? or maybe not!?!  

At this point they told me I should have just left them at home. 

But after a little over two hours (we encountered the first snow of the year which didn't speed up progress!) I pulled into the Hampton and as their minds worked in rapid order, firing questions, and figuring out that we were going to STAY!!!, it was all worth it.

My mom and dad did such things to us and it brought back memories. (except I don't know if they teased and held out on us quite as long).

 We pulled in right after 2pm and got right down to business!

After enjoying the pool for a couple hours, we went to McDonalds for supper and Karter tripped in the play area and smashed his nose real good.  It was a topic of conversation for the next week or so as it turned every colour and scabbed over as well.

 I don't like Karter's eyes in this picture below, but I love the joy on his face.  He was just continually happy in the pool and had a ball.

 Jonathan joined us at about 7pm and we hit the pool again.

 And one last time in the morning after a very hearty breakfast!!

 After we checked out at the last possible minute, we watched a bit of the local parade and then went to see the Falls. I think it was the first time for most of them to actually walk up to it.  We may have done a drive by with them before and we were almost tempted to stick with that this time too!  Parking in this city is ridiculous.  We finally found a spot within in our budget and not 5km away -- though it probably was over 1km away and down a big hill .. . which means it was UP a big hill on the way back. Did I mention it was not a balmy day?!

 Anyway, we were dressed appropriately and it had warmed up a bit from the day before, so we didn't freeze and we were really glad we made the trek.

 Karter liked the boat.

 Karter also likes having his picture taken . . . or not.

 The favorite spot was right where the Falls tip over.  What power!!  Although the kids saw all kinds of coinery down there, they were not too tempted to lean over the rail and make a reach for it!!

 We warmed up inside a shop before heading back to the parking spot.

And then we headed out to meet Jonathan again and we hit Ikea and Canadian Tire all together and it was a fun little getaway.  Short and sweet and well worth it in lots of different ways.  

And quite important to note . . . we made it back home just in time for the Leafs game.  Phew.  Hate to miss those deadlines! (Kevin)

EduDeo Run - Year 2

The day dawned dark, gloomy, and frigid.  Typical it seemed . . .but not necessarily cause for joy and excitement!  As we loaded ourselves and our baskets of winter paraphernalia and blankets, in the predawn light, we wondered again, just why we do these things!!

Because there just is something fun about it!  

It was a family affair this year - we'd all do a tad bit of running.  

Karter was not a happy dude right from the start. I'd like to think the cold -feels like minus five degrees celsius had a lot to do with it.

We picked up all our running bibs, shirts etc. etc.

Karter is still not excited.
As we did these pictures, somewhere in the background we heard the microphone telling all 1km participants to follow him.  But we knew what we were doing. We did it last year after all. 

As I walked towards what I thought was the start line, I quickly realized they had changed things.  So now to find out where we were supposed to be!

Needless to say, we missed the start of the race. Everyone was off and running by the time we arrived.

I sent Kylie on ahead and Karter and I began our trudge.

Karter pretty much refused to run the whole time. So between starting dead last, me carrying him most of the way, his pins that kept popping open threatening to poke us both, and him throwing off his hat and mitts . . . I was doing my very best not to come in last place.  It was tough.  But I think we succeeded - we may have been third or fourth last, but I"m pretty sure there were at least two more set of mom/toddlers behind me.

Good thing they don't time you and it's all about the fun!

Then it was Kade's turn - 5km!

He did amazing - beating his time from last year by quite a bit.  He ran the 5k in 22 minutes and 32 seconds coming in 56th out of 919 runners!

He was happy. We were all impressed!

Then Jonathan and Kevin got ready to go for the 10k. And the rest of us tried to remember what warmth felt like.

They both ran a good race and neither looked especially winded at any given time.

The race is a double loop so we spectators can see them pass by 4 different times if we are in the right place. Jonathan was even able to give us a wave this year! (last year I think he was just trying to breathe at this point!!)

Jonathan ran a personal best finishing 10th out of 503 runners!!! with a time of 40 minutes and 30 seconds. Proud:)

And Kevin was significantly slower this year than last year, but still ran well and finished 33rd out of 503 and second in his age category! (time of 46 minutes and 10 seconds)

He was really giving it at the end here trying to pass this other runner - and he did!

Warming up after the last race in the tent with some soup and fruit!

Jonathan and Kevin both came in second place in their age categories and got an extra medal to show for it!

Kylie with her medal.

It was a good day. In hindsight, we should have left Karter behind. It was just too cold even with all the layers and blankets.. As we watched the snow flurries fly off the lake while we watched the races, I felt really bad for him. But it is all quickly forgotten and the day brings a sense of accomplishment for these runners of mine.  I think EduDeo raised a great amount of money too, so we are thankful for that too.

A Little September and a Little October

Ah September.  Seems like a long time ago . . . especially when I see a picture like this one.  

This picture represents such a happy moment for me.  Our team actually won the trophy. I still can't believe it. We came from behind in both of our playoff series and both went to super exciting game 5's. It was thrilling - even from the bench. I'm still proud of these girls.

In September we went to a thing where you could see strange animals and other displays.  I don't even know what it was called but it was close by so we checked it out for a few minutes. There were some pretty unique creatures.

Karter liked them.

They handed out peacock feathers.

Is it just me or have there been a lot of beautiful rainbows lately?  Caught this double one. I've always loved rainbows - and they are definitely a great reminder of God's faithfulness!

Karter mostly doesn't nap. I prefer that he doesn't actually b/c then he goes to bed really well at night.  

But sometimes he just can't quite make it through the afternoon and he sneaks off to get Mr. Sooey and  . . .not sure why this location . . .but it seems to work for him.  I do move him to his bed  . . .b/c I'm all about being safe and all and I can only imagine the terror of waking up to falling down the stairs. That's gotta be worse than that feeling you get when you are ALMOST sleeping and you feel like you are falling off of something.  I digress..

Kevin at the school soccer tournament (He's #2).  He played for the mixed team (boys and girls) and they won two out of three and made it to the semi finals where they lost. He was exhausted by the end of the day but had a very good day with lots of goals. 

(can I brag here and say that he got 8 out of the teams 9 goals?? oh well I just did. If I can't be proud here, where can I be? And I do want to remember these details!)

Then a week later it was cross country. He also did really well here coming in 8th (out of about 100 boys) with a time of 14:31.

(This picture is the boys near the very beginning of the race - Kevin is in yellow)

It is a 3.1km course, but it is a TOUGH course to run. I did it last year and it was dreadful.  Give me 5 or 6 flat km ANY day!

Kevin coming in about 30 seconds from the finish line.

Then we had Kade's buddies Jayden and Gavin over for Thanksgiving weekend. They were super fun and super easy to have over and they all hung out wonderfully together.  Here they are cheering on the Leafs.

And what do you  know? They even had a reason to get excited! I don't think they won the game though.

Kylie giving Karter some love.

We (Jonathan) nailed some more holes in our walls. Two things went up in the living room and we did two walls in our bedroom too.  Slowly but surely we're making this place ours.

We went for a walk with some of the family on Thanksgiving Day.

Some of the kids could NOT resist the waterfall and ended up VERY wet.  Thankfully it was a fairly mild day.

Summer, Brooke, and Ky.

Mason and Karter enjoying the ride.

Gavin, Kade, and Jayden

Karter got a grey tooth. Not sure which of his falls or tumbles it resulted from, but it is rather sad.  Instead of a pretty white smile, I think he's got a pirate smile:)

But he's still pretty handsome:)

That's it that's all. I'll be back before the end of fall.  

Okay. I won't take up poetry full time.