I did it!!

After 4 longs years, I have finally complete my nursing degree!  It was a great day finally attending my convocation.  My parents, brother-in-law Colin, and my 3 lovely children were there to share in my accomplishment. 

 My view of my family from my seat!

 Proud graduate!

 Proud Husband!

 Proud Parents!

 Proud Brother-in-law!

 Proud children!  Just glad mommy is now done school!

 Happy family!

 Helen Glass Building where I spent the last 4 years!

 Celebratory dinner at Swiss Chalet

The beautiful bracelet bought for me.

Happy Canada Day!

The day started of questionable with clouds, dark skies and rain in the morning. We decided that we would get ready and go find something to do anyway. We packed a picnic lunch and headed to Lower Fort Garry which is an old Hudson's Bay Trading post. The kids and Chris went there last year when I was in the hospital so they thought I should see what it was like, plus it was free on Canada Day.

We arrived and had a picnic lunch out of the back of the van, which was pretty exciting for the kids. The highlight was the train that went by across the highway from the parking lot. The boys all ran to the edge of the parking lot and waved at the train. To thier surprise the conductor waved back and blew the whistle for them! They were so excited he blew the whistle just for them!! All smiles.

No Canada Day would be complete without some ice cream at Sargent Sunday`s by Assiniboine park. Across the street we camped out to wait for the fireworks. The boys were such troopers and Sam kept on going until he got in the van at 11:15, he was asleep withing 2 mins of being in the van.

Happy Canada Day!

Sam's New Haircut

Under Chris' ever watchful eye, Sam, who was supposed to be sleeping, got a pair of scissors and gave himself a haircut! Here's the conversation that Chris had with Sam:

Sam: "Daddy, I need a broom!"

Chris: "What for?"

Sam: "To clean the mess in the bathroom."

Chris: "What did you do?"

Sam: "Noffing!"

Had to give him a #1 to even it out, but you can still see a little bit where he scalped himself. He didn't like it at first, but now he tells me that he is never going to have "long" hair again!! He's pretty cute.

New Brunswicker's in Manitoba

I finally got Melissa out here for a visit and also got to meet my little neice, Isabella, for the very first time. The boys and I were so excited to greet them at the airport. We made some welcome signs for their arrival. Walking through the airport with their signs, the boys brought smiles to many faces.

Sam is a ham!

4 cousins





Melissa and Isabella at The Forks.

Isabella has a love affair with "fake Jake" in my skills lab at school. He is the dummy we practice on every week while learning all our nursing skills.

Isabella's very first time in a pool! She wasn't too sure of the tempurature, but certainly loved the hot tub! She got a few lessons from Aunty on how to do back floats and putting her face underwater. She will be a fish for sure!!

At Disney on Ice for Melissa's birthday!!

Fun on the Christmas Lights Train

We took Mom and Dad to a place not far from out house, in the city, that has a 1/8 scale miniature train built on the property. The man that owns the house has been putting up lights and running rides on his mini train at Christmas time for the past 15 years. This year there weren't as many lights as he has been ill but the novelty of riding the train on a snowy night still was fun and exciting for all. Aidan was sick so he and Chris stayed home this time.

Mom and Dad


Allison and Dad

Sam and Allison - Sam makes a face as per usual

Allison and Mom

All ready for a train ride

Christmas at the Culligan's

Christmas was eventfull at our house this year. We began Christmas Eve with 6 little ones running around the house full of excitement! Our friend Jody came over for the evening for dinner with her 3 little girls, actually they aren't so little anymore!!

These are the umbrella drinks I made for the kids to enjoy with dinner. They were a hit!

From left to right: Jonelle, Aidan, Ben, Ariane, Sam and Claire enjoying lasagne and ceasar salad.

Chocolate fondu for dessert! Yummy!

Sam getting some help from Gramma.

Sam quite enjoyed the chocolate fondu as evident by the chocolate on his face!

Tracking Santa on NORAD!

Everyone checking out Santa's location, "He just left Dartmouth, NS!" Aidan says.

All ready for bed in their new Christmas PJ's.

The loot!

Aidan: "Santa's been here and he ate all the cookies we left for him!"

Ben: "Except for one bite of cookie. He must have been getting full!"

Sam: "All the carrots are gone, the reindeer ate them".

Merry Christmas 2010

Visit with Santa 2010.

Merry Christmas to all of our family and friends!