Terry's Cause 5km walk

My sister Brooke and Dave's family (nana, poppa and Emma) joined Dave and me for a charity walk at the UofM. Unfortunately it was cool and rainy day but it was fun. Both kids rode their bikes and we got to walk a lap in the new stadium. Later that afternoon and post nap Ambrose went to his first swimming class (semi private with his buddy Samuel). He LOVED it. Thank goodness. We'll have a water baby after all....

summer 2013

Summer 2013 highlights: 

- I went to Montreal for a conference, rented a fabulous apartment through airbnb and had guests: Arlo, Des and Emile! I then headed to Toronto to see my girlies Tamara, Sheryl and Alicia. 

-Ambrose and I attended Breanna's grade 12 graduation!

-We (finally) got a a new (to us) car. And later we picked up a utility trailer, a long over due purchase given ongoing reno projects, crazy yard waste and our pack rat ways.

-Met the new addition to the Anderson family (my cousin Moog's new daughter)

-We tried out an oTENTik at Clear Lake (awesome!)

-Hung out with Arlo et al at folk fest. 

-Rented a cabin at Clear Lake. Our friends were there, too (Christy, Karel and Ambrose's BBF, Samuel). Karel was the artist-in-residence at Deep Bay. Ambrose got to spend some quality time with the grandmas. My parents stayed for one night and so did Christoff.

-In August we headed up to The Pas for a family gathering. We were happy to host Emile's family (parents, brother and partner).

-We headed up to Clear Lake for one last sleep over in the oTENTik

Click here for photo gallery

Visit with Auntie Des and Cousin Arlo

Three siblings with their three babies

Emma, Ambrose and Arlo

3rd birthday

our boy turned three on march 30. I swear, his development spiked shortly thereafter and is steadily increasing with regard to language, comprehension and physical growth as well.

His birthday fell on Easter so we had lots of family time. Streit family (nana, poppa, Emma et al) along with Luna et al on Saturday, spent Saturday night in Mitchell, woke up and had Easter hunt on Sunday and then dinner with my family later that day. Ambrose had a blast.

I will admit his birthday started on a low note when he was disappointed to not see evidence of birthday wrap (we bought him a bike I failed to wrap it), helium balloons (his birthday was day after Good Friday so there was a delay in getting them) and banners (mama and dada were lazy and/or forgot). However, you will from this picture and the gallery (link below) that his energy and excitement once we got our act together and got the party started....

We bought him a balance bike - what all the cool pre schoolers are riding instead of a tricycle or bike with training wheels. Check out Strider

Check out picture gallery here 

The cousins can't wait to meet Arlo!

The cousins had a great weekend together. There was a fire in the snow fort and hockey in the afternoon.  Emma is wearing her mask that we picked up in New Orleans.  Ambrose is wearing a mask and cape from Aunty T. Can't wait for a picture with all three monkeys.

 I imagine Arlo in a classic mexican wrestling mask. 

Pictures of my sisters new baby boy to follow.

Playing in the snow

After a long "house" day, David took Ambrose outside in the early evening to burn off some pent up energy. Ambrose had lots of fun and had no problem getting down to the serious business of playing in snow.  Click here for more photos.

Digging through the snow fort's tunnel

Contemplating his next move

Post play, rosy cheeked and hungry for dada's yummy fresh bread

Lest we forget

(photo credit: Jason Anderson)

Thinking of my grandpa, William Johnson, who served our country during WWII.

July 2012 - Planes, trains and automobiles

In July we boarded a plane and headed to Ottawa to start our whirlwind vacation. First stop was second cousin Claire's house (Moog and Janine).

We had a fabulous time enjoying their new home and the amenities (read: backyard pool!). We had a great time with the Andersons! Thanks for the hospitality and the yummy meal!

Next stop was Gatineau and for a quick visit at Auntie Des and Uncle Emile's new house. Nana and Papa were there waiting for us. We then got into our cars - rental or otherwise - and 'caravaned' it to Dunham in the Quebec Eastern townships. We were there to celebrate Desiree's and Emile's wedding. And celebrate we did. It was a beautiful and magical wedding made even more special with the announcement of Desiree's pregnancy (we knew ahead of time but we were now able to share the news!).

We rented a cabin close to Emile's parents. Ambrose had fun with his cousin Emma and new friend Jack. Emile's parents were generous hosts and we loved spending time at their enchanting property including their cozy home and swimming pond! The pictures of the wedding may speak for themselves: outdoor, big tent, fabulous food amazing performances (including members of the Geoffroy family). And dance party! Ambrose started us off by gallop dancing around the stage. He LOVED dancing in front of the crowd.

Post-wedding, we drove back to Gatineau and spent the night at the newlyweds home (sans the couple, it was just our small family). We left the next morning on a train headed to Toronto.

Upon our arrival,  we headed immediately to my friend Sheryl's where were stayed the night with her family. Again, wonderful hospitality and delicious food. Ambrose was well taken care of by Eva (yet another beautiful older girl in his life in addition to cousins Jessie and Emma). It was great to see my good friend Sheryl and tootle around Yorkville catching up.

We then took the train home from Toronto to Winnipeg. Ambrose loved traveling by rail and quite capably demonstrated that he has 'train legs'; no issues navigating the bumps and jumps of the train going down the track.

My Birthday weekend and Canada Day weekend

For my birthday, I bought myself a new bike. It's quite pretty and Dave calls it my pony (as only Dave would).

I have since bought a second hitch for the Chariot so Ambrose and I can go for bike rides when Dave is  on the train. Ambrose loves bike rides, especially when the destination is to get ice cream (or tee-team, as he calls it).

Hold on, just putting the seatbelt on by myself

LOVES playing with Papa's truck

We visited my parents both weekends and enjoyed their beautifully landscaped yard. It's nice to not have to cook, too!

Discovering the St Vital play area.
We were on a mission to buy dada
a new suit for Auntie Des' wedding

Ambrose and I stayed clear of Osborne during the street festival. Perhaps it's because we're inhabitants of the Village, that we tend to avoid the drunken revelry of this annual event. Or perhaps it's because we're half a block away and can enjoy (?) the people watching from the front porch. Either way, we were no-shows.

At nana and papa's. Step 1: Locate rocks

Step 2: select some rocks
that need to be cleaned

Step 4: Give the rocks a
good washing

Step 3: Drop rocks into
the pail

Ambrose and i drove out to Mitchell after dropping mom off at the airport.  the day eventually became nice.  A storm snuck up on us on the way up and i had to white knuckle a bit....Ambrose had a two hour thunder storm nap.

busy weekend

Here's a quick update

Ambrose has been quite busy. He had a fun visit with second cousin Claire. Ambrose was quite the gentleman and helped Claire with her shoes and she accepted the assistance. We are looking forward to seeing Moog, Janine and Claire in July during our trip out east.

Ambrose hung out with his buddy Samuel on Friday night. These two are very cute together; they are both very chill.

His cousin Jessie came by for the afternoon on Sunday and we walked to the Forks and back. It was fun. Pre and post walk, she looked after Ambrose so I was able to plant the garden.

Sunday night: we just got back from a quick road trip to Brandon and back to visit Grandma Johnson (along with Auntie, Beans and Jess). Whew, I need a weekend to recover from the weekend.

Clearwater Lake, end of summer road trip

Our macbook pro died on us and we have not had access to our photos in quite some time. As well, with the arrival of autumn, things just got busier.

We picked up our brand new macbook pro today and the data from our old computer was transferred to the new one: happy day. It was so much fun to go back and look at how much Ambrose has changed in the last month and half or so. It is truly remarkable.

So, regarding the road trip. We rented a mini van and the five of us piled in: Desiree, Emile, David, Ambrose and me. It was great fun. Highlights included meeting Meg and Steve's new baby, Evelyn; dinner at their house and, of course, the apres dinner sauna; hanging out with Darby and Serene's two beautiful girls, and visits with lake folk (incl Auntie Wendy, Marni and kids, Shaun and kids etc). Ambrose got to spend some QT with nana and papa at the lake, which was just fantastic.


Another highlight was the engagement of Desiree and Emile. Emile popped the question while the two were running through the trails.

 Photo gallery to follow, promise.

Weekend in Clear Lake - August

Helping Grandma to celebrate her birthday

Another (extended) weekend, another fabulous time at a lake, this time at my lake within beautiful Riding Mountain National Park. As a child and into High School, I spent all or most of my summers at Clear Lake. Dave, who also has fond memories of the resort town, is as committed as I to create our own family tradition of  spending time at the Lake each year.

Playing with papa

We rented a friend's cabin, just outside of Onanole. It was my Grandma Johnson's birthday and we had a great dinner at a new restaurant, Siesta Cafe, which is co-owned by Dave's friend Vaughn, a former Winnipeger who now calls the area home with his growing family.

My Auntie Bonnie was visiting from Prince George, BC and it was a wonderful that she finally got to meet Ambrose. Auntie Darlene and Uncle Brian were in from Brandon and it was great to hear updates on their granddaughter, Claire, Ambrose's second cousin (the one with all of the hair for all you loyal blog readers!)

With Miss Jessie

My parents, Brytt and Miss Jessie came up for Saturday and we all spent the night together at the cabin. It was great fun and I hope we can do it again next summer!

Sloan and Ambrose

Later that weekend, we met up with Dave's friends Paul, Kelly and their two children Sloan and Alice. Ambrose loved the opportunity to play with an older kid but Alice out played them both by heading face first into the sand and eating it!

Alice, post self propelled face plant into the sand

Click here for more pictures

Swinging at the playground

Dave got to spend some QT with our mutual friend Ryan Murray. Unfortunately, we heard some unbelievable news from him: our friend Brad had a heart attack two weeks ago. He's 37, a vegetarian, a non-drinker, and a non-smoker. We are still in shock. He's back a home recovering. He has a wife, toddler and a baby.

Clearwater lake - visit with nana poppa

Last weekend (Fri-Tues) we rented a SUV and took a road trip up north. Despite the wall of fishflies on Easterville road (and running out of windshield wiper fluid - thank goodness for baby wipes) we arrived late late Friday evening at the lake. We could not have picked a better weekend. We enjoyed the sweltering heat, lakeside.

Ambrose loved the water (although he had a preference for being beside or on top of the water, not in it).
We enjoyed visits from the usual suspects and had some great QT with the grandparents.

Highlights included a boat ride on the ss minnow with poppa and beach time with nana.
Click here for photo gallery.