Our New Puppy!!!

He's not really new, this is the same pup we got in June, he just got a haircut and looks like a new puppy. I clipped Percy while the kids were in bed, so in the morning to get Ben out of bed I tild him we got a new puppy while he was sleeping. He came running out of his room greeted by the clipped Percy and said, "You're right Mommy, we did get a new puppy! I love him!!" Then I told him that it was really Percy with a new haircut and he replied, "You're right Mommy, it is Percy, but I think I will call him Thomas."!

Percy Before

Percy After I got to him with clippers!!

His legs still need a bit of work, he and I were both getting tired so we decided to stop. Percy was fabulous. Once he got over the noise of the clippers he just laid there and enjoyed his haircut. What a lot of hair he had!!! And I figure if nursing doesn't work out I could be dog groomer!

Remembrance Day on Valour Road

Pine Street in Winnipeg was renamed Valour Road after three men who live on the street, before going off to war, won the Victoria Cross during WWI. The three men were Cpl Leo Clark, Sgt. Maj. Frederick William Hall, and Lieut. Robert Shankland. Leo Clark and Fred Hall both died in the war and Robert Shankland died many years later at the age of 81.

Today was the 5th time they have held a Remembrance Day ceremony on Valour Rd at the memorial there. It was very nice. They gave the citation of each man that was published when they recieved the Victoria Cross. A relative of Cpl Clark was there to read about him. The man related to Cpl Clark was the grandson of Cpl Clark's brother.

The kids were realtively well behaved. The ceremony was just long enought. We laid our poppies on the monument after the service and each of the kids laid a poppy we made that said "thank you from (each child's name)". I made one too.

The kids and the poppy's we made. A heart shaped cookie cutter has many uses. Ben looks quite impressed, I'm not sure what his problem was.

Chris in his uniform on Valour Road.

Bomber Stadium

The football season ended with a Terminator Tournament at the Bomber Stadium where the Winnipeg Blue Bombers NFL team plays. It was pretty neat seeing the kids on the professional field. Aidan was pretty impressed by the size of the football field and the stadium.

Here he is, #9.

It was so darn cold this morning and we sent Aidan with a down blanket to wrap up in. Of course he took it to another level and snuggled down like he was at home, to stay warm.

We had Sam and Ben all bundled up and they were pretty happy in the sleeping bag.

Aidan's team, Terminator Rod's Silver team.
Aidan's trophy for participating in the tournament.

Halloween, 2009

Claire - Cinderella, Aidan - Anikan Skywalker, Jonelle - She devil, Sam - Dragon, Ben - Ghost, Ariane - Sleeping Beauty.

This year Jodi and the girls came over to Trick-or-treat with us. 6 kids, 2 moms, what fun!!! Ben was at the next house before Sam even got his candy. They all had a great time.

Sleepy Bear

Ben's new sleeping place, just like I used to do when I was a kid. He took everything out of his closet and took his blankets, pillow and his balloon and went to sleep.

Another Photographer in the family!

Aidan got hold of the camera and told me he was going to take his picture. I got my camera back and this is what I found!

Snow in October

The kids enjoyed the first snowfall of the season, Oct 10, 2009. It began snowing the day before but most of the accumulation fell overnight. We got out the winter gear, figured out who fit what and sent them out to play. They had a great time and were out for 1 1/2 hrs. They came in and had some hot chocolate and lunch. They enjoyed it today but we'll see how quickly the novelty wears off. Ben thinks it's cold now and I just have to laugh - all I can think is wait 3 more months. It's going to be a long winter!!!!

Percy also enjoyed the snow too. when I opened the door he bounded out like he always does and stopped dead in his tracks. That only lasted for a second and then he was bounding off enjoying the white stuff! He's not a great dog for snow. He just collects it in his leg hair. We are going to get him clipped very soon, as soon as the stitches from his neuter are healed!

Snapshots of Summer

Jumping for Joy.

A ride in the boat.

My 3 boys walking down the road to Aunt Joan and Uncle John's, a trip I took quite often as a child.

A moment between Hampa and Ben.

And no summer would be complete without ice cream at the Wileville Market!

My Birthday

Yup, I turned 35 this summer! I am now officially closer to 40 than 30 now!!

The cake that Aunt Joan and Uncle John got for me. It says, "Happy 35th yo Our Favorite Canerican". The story behind this is that when I was little Aunt Joan and Dad were telling me how Joan was an American and Dad was a Canadian. I looked at both of them and then announced that "I am a Canerican"!

My gift from Aunt Joan and Uncle John in very special wrapping paper.

My hand-made gift by Aunt Joan. It is my Canerican blanket to keep me warm while I study! I love it and what it means and who it was made by! Thank you Aunt Joan.

Risser's Beach

Every summer we manage to get to Risser's Beach with our cousins and Aunt Shari. This summer was no exception. We had so much fun. Swimming, playing in the sand and ending the day with an ice cream.

Ben checking out the waves. He gets knocked over and gets back up for more!

Brianna enjoyed digging in the sand.

Alex and Aidan hardly left the water. They were hardly out of the water.

Sam enjoyed diggin in the sand and was completely covered in sand, so Uncle Chris took him in the water to wash off. He was very leary of the waves...

...until Uncle Chris threw him up in the air to jump over the waves. He wouldn't let go of his Uncle Chris' hand! It was a fun day full of waves, salt water, sand, sun, and family.

Mr. Freeman's Train

At the very end og the lake, where the lake empties is a log cabin and a train. I took the kids down to the Freeman's cottage to see the train that Mr. Freeman built. It runs on a smaller track and runs throughout his property. It is a project in the works. He gradually adds more track and outbuildings as he has time. It is a wonderful hobby.

They got to ride in the engine. Aidan was in charge of blowing the whistle and Ben got to ring the bell. Sam actually rode in the car behind the engine with Mrs. Freemand and me.

The train station, Thicket Portage, with a real sign from a train station in Manitoba. It came complete with bullet holes for authenticity.

The engineer, Mr. Freeman, the boys and Mrs. Freeman. They boys really enjoyed themselves and even got a ticket that says they rode the train around the property. Thank you for the adventure.

The Snake

A Garter Snake swam ashore one day while we were enjoying a day on the beach. Hampa caught it and waited for it to calm down and then gave the kids a turn holding it. I didn't hold it I just took pictures!