It's fun!

Christoff shot this fun video on our porch just this past weekend. Ambrose was in full form, showing his appreciation of David's singing and ukelele playing.

Introducing Ryder

Jessie holding her baby nephew

My niece Breanna had a baby boy on Friday, August 24 at 2:43 am. He weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs 12 oz and was 19.7 inches long.

Baby is doing well and so is Miss Beans.

a wedding at Hnausa Beach

we attended our second wedding of the summer, this time a friend of David's, Carly, who is a a long time supporter of PoorTree (David and Christoff's performance poetry group).

It was a beautiful wedding with amazing live music. Carly's now-husband is the drummer for a very talented local blues band The Perpetrators
Needless to say there was live music at this wedding, incredible musicians just having fun jammin'.

I don't have a close up of the bride and groom (lower left) but I do have some fun shots of ambrose, david and christoff on the beach at sunset (above) and ambrose with "sistoff"- whom ambrose adores.

August long in The Pas

Ambrose was not able to contain his excitement over the big waves!

We finally made the trek to nana and poppa's new house at Clearwater Lake.
Luckily, Ambrose is an excellent traveller and does not mind the 7 hour car ride.

We had a great time because many people came home to celebrate The Pas' centennial year. Although we didn't partake in an any formal celebrations, some of Ambrose's extended family got to see him (great aunts and uncles) as well as the folks who make Clearwater their home year round.

Ambrose was particularly excited to spend quality time with this big cousin Emma. And she was just as pleased to spend time with her little cousin Ambrose. It was very sweet.


(Photo gallery to be uploaded later)

Ambrose dancing at Auntie Des and Uncle Emile's wedding

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