Milroy Family

Always dressing up

2012-02-15T06:03:00.000-08:00

Little miss Maddison loves to dress up...
In her brothers hat, mittens and back-pack. Or weating all of her skirts at once (with Mama's slippers!)

Love... Love... Love

2012-02-15T05:58:00.000-08:00

Lots of Love at the Milroy House this Valentines Day! As always Mom loves to bake her traditional 'Skinner family' heart shaped coookies. Chocolate dipped strawberries made by Mom are a new tradition and a huge hit in the house!

2012-02-11T12:49:00.000-08:00

Pizza party on the floor! Followed by a very surprised bithday boy with his special cake.

Gifts... playing with good friends

And a happy but very tired Mom!

Let the party begin

2012-02-11T12:04:00.000-08:00

There were lot's of games at the party!

Build the tallest lego tower..

Balloons are still a favourite at a party even if you are as old as 7!

Oreo face race (with Oreo 100th birthday special edition cookies not yet in market - it pays to have a mom who works at Kraft)

Guess the number of lego bricks (251 in case you were wondering)

Dustind's 7th Birthday Prep

2012-02-11T11:58:00.000-08:00

Mom's favourite part of party planning is well.. the planning and the set up...

This year was a lego themed party...
Birthday sign - check!

table set... check!

Front table with loot bags (lego for all... lego book marks... lego candy...)

Cake pops in lego containers

Lego head cake... check!! Time for the party!

More Carnival

2012-02-11T11:52:00.000-08:00

And some pictures from the camera.... Mom in Old Quebec City and in front of the ice Castle

Dad doing his best impression of the snow sculptures and posing in front of the ferris wheel!

Carnival

2012-02-09T11:22:00.000-08:00

Mom and Dad went to Quebec City last weekend for Carnival. Mom was there for work... but got to bring Dad along and they had a blast! Stand by for more pictures...

One of the many ice-sculptures found around the city

Bonhomme - the star of Carnival got off of his float to high-five the 'VIP' area at the parade (other benfits included our own warming room on-site)

The Kraft Village! Games, Samples, Entertainment and more!

Snow in Haliburton!

2012-01-08T18:08:00.000-08:00

Ski Camp!

2012-01-08T18:02:00.000-08:00

Dustind enjoyed a week of ski camp at Sir Sams - enjoying the latest addtion to his gear, his poles, and bullet hole sticker smack in the middle of his helmet. Dustind graduated from a Green circle to a Green Star in just 5 days. He is ready to go for racing camp at Sky Loft for the rest of the year!

After the first day Maddy told everyone she was a good skier - she had three days in total over Christmas ski break and was a great sport! Not to mention she looked super cute in her ski outfit (including rhinestones on her jacket and turtleneck.... wow - a whole new world of shopping for Mom- little girl ski outfits!)
Dad looked pretty good himslef in his new ski-pants he got for Christmas!

2012-01-08T17:55:00.000-08:00

Long underwear... check... snow pants... check...

snow... CHECK!

Christmas Dinner

2012-01-08T17:48:00.000-08:00

And then there were gifts

2012-01-08T17:41:00.000-08:00

Christmas was a smashing success.. Barkleigh enjoyed her 'senior kong' all morning. Maddy had to put on everything (at once) and Dustind was a master gift opener! Nana got enough 'Bliss' cream to turn back the clock another 10 years (and that is only one of her secrets to staying so young!)

And Santa was ready for us!

2012-01-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

We are ready for you Santa

2012-01-08T17:17:00.000-08:00

After some quiet contemplation... Maddy and Dustind though of the perfect snack for Santa... gingerbread men and carrots for the reindeer!

Christmas Eve dinner

2012-01-08T17:02:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house....

Well there was a lot going on and it certainly wasn't quiet!

Every year Barkleigh gives us a gift that we must open the night before Christmas - every year we get matching PJ's - but this year Barkleigh packed them in something extra special - a brand new suitcase for Maddison and I - THANK YOU BARKLEIGH WE LOVE OUR GIFTS!

It is the Skinner family tradition to always have a table gift on Christmas - this year we did them on Christmas eve along with our annual Tortiere - thank you Nana for making them - it was delicious and we all loved our table gifts!

Christmas Eve Day

2012-01-08T16:58:00.000-08:00

A visit to Auntie Elenor's... lunch with GG and Papa at our place and then gift exchange!

Being Beautiful Comes Naturally

2011-12-19T12:12:00.000-08:00

For Maddy at least :)

Being little is so much fun!

2011-12-19T12:05:00.000-08:00

Eating at a little table is fun but so much more fun when you have someone you love to eat with!!

Way to Go Dustind!

2011-12-19T12:04:00.000-08:00

Dustind is doing such a fantastic job with his reading this year! Already at a 14 / 15 level. We are so proud of you!

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas!

2011-12-19T07:38:00.001-08:00

The stockings are hung... and the tree is lit up

Boys were adventurous on the rooftop (I think looking for reindeer landing zones but they say to hang the wreath...)

Our elf is hard at work with Christmas gift tags

And the Gingerbread house is made!!! Bring on Santa!

Picture Day

2011-12-19T07:34:00.000-08:00

Fortuanately they BOTH cooperated for the pictures... pratice smiles were a struggle though!

GG's Birthday Dinner

2011-12-19T07:27:00.000-08:00

Dustind played a critical role in the candle application for the cake...

Date Night!

2011-11-13T19:57:00.000-08:00

Dinner out and then off to an event at the Design exchange! A fun date night for Mom and Dad!

Dibit

2011-11-13T19:47:00.001-08:00

We recieved a package from the North Pole this month. Inside was the book "The Elf on the Shelf" and a tiny little Elf.

The first thing we had to do was to name our elf - After much contemplation, Dustind named our house elf 'Dibit'. Dibit's job is to watch over our family and report back to Santa during the most crutial time of year... the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Each night, Dibit flys home to Santa and then returns while we are still sleeping to a new location in the house. This has prooven to us that Dibit does indeed come to live each night - and pretends to be a toy during the day while he quietly observes who is being naughty and who is being nice.

So far, each morning Dustind and Maddison go on search to find Dibit. The odd morning he is in the same place - but mostly he moves around.

Welcome to Hoover Park Dibit! We are so happy to have you stay in our home!

Princess Maddison

2011-11-13T19:43:00.001-08:00

The ONLY way to read Cinderella is to be Cinderella herself... glass slippers and all!

Time to Trick-or-treat!

2011-10-31T19:27:00.000-07:00

Our motley crew...

Two skeletons...

Captain Sparrow (or Morgan...) and a black cat...

A nutritious dinner...

2011-10-31T19:20:00.001-07:00

School Costumes

2011-10-31T19:17:00.000-07:00

With so many options in the costume box, it was easy to have a different costume for day and night. Dustind opted for teh crazy scientist while Maddy went for the 'pink' kitty-cat.

Boys and Pumpkins

2011-10-31T19:13:00.000-07:00

What do you get with a 5, 6 & 7 year old... four pumpkins and lots of carving tools?

Four wonderful creations for halloween night!

Pumpkin Carving Party

2011-10-31T18:57:00.001-07:00

Pumpkin cake... brains and pumpkin seeds - a good place to start!

Fall Colours

2011-10-31T18:54:00.000-07:00

Fall colours in our backyard...

Indian Summer

2011-10-31T18:45:00.000-07:00

Means backyard campfires!!

9 years and counting

2011-10-20T12:28:00.000-07:00

9 years... 2 houses... two kids... a few job changes...

Even better looking than he was 9 years ago (and can I brag he is still the same weight)

Carl is still as romantic as ever...

9 Calla Lillies arrived to my office with a lovely note and a wonderful dinner out.

How can you match a gesture like that!

Happy Anniversary Carl - I love you as much as the day I married you.

Random Shots

2011-10-14T09:41:00.000-07:00

It's been a while -but a busy time as always this fall!!! So whats new?

Maddison is finally allowing us to put her hair up :) Busy with arts and crafts and trying to constatntly keep up with her brother!

Dustind is looking and now acting - more and more like his Dad every day! The kids went to Woodbine beach on Thanksgiving weekend to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather!

Ziplining at Brookes farm - Go D Go!

And homecoming at SAC... Facepainting is always a favourite activity for the kids!

Numbers

2011-09-20T10:29:00.000-07:00

Numbers are facinating to my kids.

All summer Dustind quizzed Carl and I our our addition and multiplication abilities - we found it ammuzing and answered all of his questions. Secrety I found I was brushing up on my own 'math' and would be a speed thing to see who answered first.

Maddy is great at counting -up to 12 on her own, which Carl and I boast about with pride. But she doesn't like '1' of anything- she always asks for 'two 1's'. We have tried correcting but really it is one of those cute things I really don't want to correct her on.

Despite Maddy's nack for memorizing, she will pretty much get excited about anything her brother coaches her on. Lately he has her saying with as much excitement as winning the lottery "I'm number 9" - where the obsession with 9 has come from I don't know. Why Dustind finds this amusing I don't know either - but hey - nothing wrong with number 9 I suppose.

What I do know as a mom is that I'm excited my kids like numbers so much! In life this will only serve them well!

2011-09-19T05:57:00.000-07:00

We had a fantastic weekend. Saturday Mom and I went down to the Toronto FC game where she had awesome seats right above the net for us! We got to visit the MLSE suite, eat pizza, cotten candy and drink sports drinks.

After the game we went back to Stouffville and met up with Maddy and Daddy who were at the apple picking farm. We had fun climbing the hay bales, picking pumpkins, going for a tractor ride, climbing apple trees and picking apples. Sunday we spent the morning baking apple pie and apple crisp!

I am STILL a succer for a tractor...

Movie in the park!

2011-09-15T18:58:00.001-07:00

There are many perks to living in a small town - like movie night in the park!
The town of Stouffville had an early release of Car's 2. so we hopped on our bikes, wen to the park, set up our chairs and enjoyed kettle corn from the market and a great movie!

The kids discussing the animation and storyline...

GRADE 1

2011-09-15T18:48:00.000-07:00

It was a bit chilly the first day of school this year.
Dustind entered Grade 1 at Oscar Peterson and Maddison had her first day in the pre-school room at Christ Church!

Dustind was excited to put on his new 'dress' pants for grade one - he pulled them up, and then they fell back down. Still weighing in at 40 pounds but keeping pace with his growth in height - it has been a wee bit challenging getting pants to stay up!

Dustind's teacher is Miss Carvalho and we love her! At curriculum night she mentioned that Dustind fits into the classroom well and shows initiative - but we arleady knew he was a 'brain' - as demonstrated by his home-made t-shirt of the brain below! (And no - he didn't wear this the first day of school!)

Vogue

2011-09-15T18:35:00.001-07:00

All you need is your own imagination
So use it that's what it's for (that's what it's for)
Go inside for your finest inspiration
Your dreams will open the door

Carl Love's Cats

2011-09-09T08:26:00.000-07:00

for those of you who really know Carl - you will get the irony of this picture... Forcing Carl to this show would be a sure way to hospitalize him in a matter of minutes...

Dinner is on Dustind!

2011-08-22T09:50:00.001-07:00

Yes... he caught it and yes we ate it!

Going to the Zoo!

2011-08-22T09:42:00.000-07:00

Going to the zoo is so much fun- you don't even need to see any animals! We did however spot a few along the way!

Hey it's Justin Beaber!!
I mean Dustind Beaver!!

We always pack a picnic lunch - but we got to share fries as well on Sunday.

Maddy hatching out of a turtle egg!

One wee little bunny we spotted along the way

Some very hoppy frogs

Another bunny (boy this zoo is full of them!)

A few little beavers in their lodge

Collingwood Fun!

2011-08-22T09:40:00.000-07:00

O-Yah Orillia!

2011-08-15T16:05:00.000-07:00

We spent some time in Orillia on our holiday.

Papa took us to big cheif island for swimming on the sand bar. Papa gave us both a turn at the helm - while I drove a perfect line towards the house - Maddy just took the wheel and drove us in circles.

After we both went in the tube - but papa drove - I don't trust maddy at the helm after driving us in circles!

Amazingly, while we were gone one of Nana's bunnies took Maddison's 'slip slops' and tried them on... silly bunny - you need four to hop properly!

2nd Annual Junior Johnny

2011-08-15T15:15:00.001-07:00

It was the 2nd annual Jr. Johnny - the turnout was a little low this year - but the action and excitement were at an alltime high.

Tee off Tanner Shillum hit the links with enough force that a hockey player would have been impressed.
Maddison - the youngest player in the tournament this year - was both focused and determined to get the pink ball into the hole even if it meant placing it there.
Maya - our most fashionable player second year running showed the younger ones the ropes.
Dustind - as full of energy as ever - got the first hole in one ever in the Jr. Johnny history and blasted through the course faster than you can say 'Mini Golf'
A special shout out to Alexandra who stood by her mom while she was in the hospital and still made it up for the post-game dinner.
Thanks to all who came out and we look forward to another successful tournament in 2012

By By Baby Cheeks!!

2011-08-15T15:04:00.000-07:00

Slowly they are disappearing - sniff!!!

Bathing Beauties

2011-08-02T20:04:00.001-07:00

The only thing better than a bath at the end of a hot summer day is a bath with your favourite brother & sister!

Hall and Milroy Family Weekend

2011-08-02T19:50:00.001-07:00

We went North of Kingston for the second annual Hall / Milroy family summer weekend!

We had tonnes of fun swimming, playing in the woods, water balloon fights, watching movies on the iPad...

Chats with best friends dockside

Girl talk over drinks

PJ Pancake breakfast

Dockside afternoons filled with swimming, boating and tubing

Yes, that's Maddy out for her first tube ride!

Daredevil Dustind

We can't wait to see you back home in September Hall family!

The coolest dog ever

2011-07-23T05:03:00.001-07:00

This is Deisel. he is the coolest dog ever (as you can see). He wears goggles because his main car is a convertable and his googles let him get fresh air while he drives. Diesel is bigger than Maddy and I combined. He loves to swim as much as we do. Deiesel will get the paper, go get you a bottle of water and will bring Annie her slippers.

We think that Diesel or 'DeeDoo' is one of 'our' dogs (Barkleigh is the other one). Lucky for Mom Nana and Annie have dogs or we would be asking for one every day.

We love you DeeDoo!!!

Swimming like Fish

2011-07-23T04:59:00.000-07:00

We have been up to Nana and papas two weekends for swimming (even Diesel swam), up to Auntie Carin's to swim and this weekend off to Simon and Blakes cottage to swim!!!
Mom and Dad are planning a long weekend getway where guess what - we get to swim! Oh yah - and Mommy's birthday weekend is coming too and she told us we can go to Nana's swimming then too!

Science Camp

2011-07-23T04:57:00.000-07:00

This past week was Science camp at Strawberry Patch. Activities included but were not limited to:

- Mentos in a bottle of pop that exploded
- Creating a compost
- Planting a Tree
- Learned about the lifecycle of frogs & catapillers & all about snakes
- Had a solar system dome to go into & created my own 3-D solar system

We are going to miss you Mrs. Berry!!!!

I love you... you love me

2011-07-23T04:45:00.001-07:00

A Berry Good Day Indeed

2011-07-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

Mom and Maddy visited the market on Thursday night and picked up some delicious Ontario picked berries! Maddy ate a few at the market and a few more on the car ride home!

Mom suggested a strawberry Milkshake for me (given my ongoing weight gain strategy and the volumes of berries Mom had in the fridge). Instead I thought it would be a better idea to make Chocolate dipped Strawberries! YUM!

Hello Halifax!

2011-07-03T18:59:00.001-07:00

While William and Kate were touring Ottawa... Jo and Kate were touring Halifax!

Kate got up close and personal with a 40 year old lobster - this one was put back into the Ocean!

Before going back Jo decided a kiss was in order...

A Canada Day Parade would not be complete without guns going off at the Citadel (picture taken prior to the guns going off at noon)

Theodor was busy in and out of the harbour all day long

Jo and Noor giving Salute abord the only boat that survived the Halifax explosion

Stacey's Shower

2011-06-30T06:09:00.001-07:00

Stacey is home from Australia to get married! We had a shower for her last week - few images of the 'Skinner' ladies below:

Stacey and Sacha

Auntie Cheryl - ready to be a bride again looking stunning as always!

Uncle Gord (our runner) and Groom to be Sacha

Holly and Autie Cheryl

Maddy - our little helper and entertainer for the evening

Auntie Marnie - mother of the bride

Holly Dolly - (oops... Sorry can't call you that now that you have your LLP?)

Me before my hair exploded in the humidity

My lovely as ever Mom (by the way I want that dress one day)

Bloom and Grow

2011-06-30T06:05:00.001-07:00

I've been encouraging my clamatis plant for over three years now... and this year it paid off with blooms a plenty! So happy wiht how the side garden is coming along!

The Graduate Part 2

2011-06-30T05:57:00.001-07:00

Round two... Strawberry Patch.
When Dustind wasn't in JK / SK - he was at Strawberry Patch Montessori School.
Dustind had an awesome experience with Mrs. Berry, Mrs. Evers and Mrs. Shaban (Mr. Berry joined for the last two months).
Mrs. Berry read every day with Dustind and he diligently completed three work-books (earning a trip to McDonalds after each work book with Mrs. Berry).
On top of a fantastic start to education -Dustind also created wonderful crafts and participated in plays where he had his own speaking lines.
At the ceremony he held a candle (battery lit) and sang 'this little light of mine' with all of the seniors. AT the end of the song he annouced to the audience what school he would be attending next year for grade one.
We love you Dustind and are so proud!!!

The Graduate Part 1

2011-06-30T05:51:00.001-07:00

We are proud to annouce our the graduation of Dustind Kai Milroy from Mrs. Eng's SK class June 2011.

Dustind had the pleasure of attending two years with Mrs. Eng. Mrs. Eng complimented Dustind for being both 'spirited' and 'imaginative' a very good reader and writer.

Dustind shared with the class that when he grows up he wants to be a Doctor - which is good because immediately following the ceremony he went to the splash pad beside the school, whiped out runnign around and skinned his knee's so badly he told me his legs were 'like they were broken...'

We are so proud of you Dustind!!!

Happy Father's Day Dad!

2011-06-30T05:49:00.000-07:00

Dustind picked it from the tank... Maddy cried when he showed it to her!

Bits of 2 year Birthday

2011-06-30T05:47:00.000-07:00

2 year old Diva

2011-06-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

Need we say more...

Baseball!

2011-06-23T19:31:00.001-07:00

Don't worry Blue Jays - help is on the way - in about 15 years or so... Dustind knocked one out of the park on Wednesday night (well it made a really loud crack when he it the ball). He is more and more excited for 5 pitch - that's right foalks - no T for DK!! He got to be pitcher and catcher as well this week. Go Dustind Go!

Backyard Oasis!

2011-05-30T08:35:00.000-07:00

After several years of planing and hard work - the backyard is really starting to feel lush! Mom had to share the beautiful red blooms on the crabapple tree just a week ago! Enjoy!

Blue Jays Game

2011-05-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

This was yet another busy weekend. Mom had a ladies night / Sunday a.m. in Toronto. Dad and kids picked her up from the hotel around 12:30 for a jam packed afternoon.

We started with hot-dogs from a vendor at Nathan Phillips square. I think the birds ate more than the kids!

Following was an amazing Jay's game.

Dustind wore his uniform baseball hat...

We got to see the Jay's win - including a home run (no fireworks though!). Dustind informed me that his team was so good that he would have been able to beat them as well! Pictured below is the age 6 Stoufville 5 pitch team! Dustind is number 12 - his Papa's favourite number. Watch out Blue Jay's!

Icecream was the highlight (and running down the ramp from the 500 level!)

We also made it on the big screen - but you had to really look to know it was us!!

Maddy goes culinary

2011-05-30T08:27:00.000-07:00

This year Hoover Park... 15 years the Cordon Bleu in France???

Maddy Turn's Two

2011-05-30T08:19:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Maddy's birthday up at Nana and pappa's house. This year's birthday theme is ice cream! Mom made cake pops instead of cake this year.

Maddy got a new pair of PJs.... her first nighty

She looked oh-so- grown up in her new dress and shoes!

Maddy enjoying being the center of attention

Even Dustind got a gift from Auntie Marnie that he enjoyed!

2011-04-23T20:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks Darcy, Leah and Lola for making a great video out of my Peeps Entry - this is the coolest thing ever...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=

Peeps Wars

2011-04-15T18:47:00.001-07:00

Our friends Darcy and Leah have a competition every Easter called the 'Peeps Show'. This year they had an open call for submissions so we have decided to throw our hat into the ring. Dustind acted as Director, Choreographer, Costume Designer, Stunt Man and Producer. Mommy was behind the camera and just took the shots. Dustind setting up for the flying scene. Arial view of the epic battle between Chicoda and Darth Bunny on the bridge Note the Bunnies overlooking the scene with their battle armour in hand protecting the republic. Reinforcements land on top of the Imperial Walker. Note - Peep Bunny driver in front because everyone knows that bunnies are better drivers than chicks... Darth Bunny falls to her demise - ships fly in to confirm she is indeed dead and the bunny republic is safe once more.

Gracie's 3rd Birthday

2011-04-15T18:40:00.000-07:00

It was Gracie's third birthday last weekend. Mommy and Gracie's mommy met when they were three! This is Gracie on the right with her cousin Maddie on the right -she was a beautiful princess! Me going down the slide - I think I set a record for sliding that day Dustind high up in one of the climbing gyms Dustind and Noah (Gracie's brother) on one of the climbing walls

Basement Finished!

2011-04-15T18:35:00.000-07:00

A view of the play area / pool table. View coming down the stairs to the tv room (or the Wii TV!). What do you think of hte mirror Mom and Dad! My new favourite bathroom (kind of hard to get a good shot!)

Winter Wrap Up

2011-04-15T18:30:00.000-07:00

The last ski weekend at the cottage (back in March... Mom has been a little preoccupied with work lately)! Maddy and Dustind decide to pull out the helmets to make sure that they still fit for spring rides on Ziggy with Papa! Bathtub big enough for two! Carl taking a moment to relax (note Diagio issued laptop open on the table in front of him)

Spring Feaver

2011-04-15T18:22:00.001-07:00

After a long but fun winter... we are finally ready for some spring time! Maddy is practicing 'tubing' Dusind is workign on his best ice-cream licking technique Maddy is trying on her summer hat (which used to be Mommy's) And Dustind is working on flexing his muscles for when he is at the beach (as you can tell he has already shed his winter pounds...) You can't have spring without a fabulous pair of rubber boots to splash around in! Thanks Maya - I LOVE these and wear them every day!

chicago

2011-04-07T09:38:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to travel to Chicago for the Promotional Marketing Association's annual confernce. 2 days, 14 presenters and 2 working lunches. I had evenings free and used my time to walk around! I arrived at night to this beautiful city - my cell phone images don't do justice to the city scape!

River running through the city

More interesting architecture

Giant spider constructed out of lego

The closest I got to Oprah while in Chicago (leaving O'Hare airport!)

A cup of Optimism Anyone?

2011-04-01T12:31:00.000-07:00

Right up my ally... optimism and coffee. On of my latest projects - opening up a cafe for Maxwell House in Montreal for one month - with free coffee to everyone who visits. So far PR loves it and day one we have had line-ups! Check out the website to see the great tv spots www.brewsomegood.ca And this helps to explain why I haven't been blogging about my kids (about 4 other programs just as big going on at the same time!)

March Break

2011-03-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

Although not 'off' March Break was still fun for Dustind. We kicked off the week with dinner dates with Ben and then Daniel.

Dustind also had a special day out to Build A Bear as a special reward for making good decisions while at School. Dustind brought his rainbow bear for a visit to his birth place and choose 'Lucky' to bring home to the Milroy home!

Unfortuanately there was a trip to the hardware store that same day that the kids were board silly on...

We took a trip for a long weekend at the cottage - and guess what? There was sun! We stopped at Kawartha Dairy on the way up. Went skiing at Sir Sams and had Friends over.

All in all a good March break!

Proof of the sun... and still a bit of snow at the cottage!

King of the Castle

2011-03-07T10:48:00.001-08:00

Need I say more...

A Fun Family Weekend

2011-03-07T10:35:00.000-08:00

The weather didn't start out great (pouring rain) but we decided Saturday night to make a run up to the cottage to get in a few more runs - and are we ever glad we did! The drive up was less than stellar - but when we go thtere... Mom had to gun the mini-van out of the cottage lane just to make it over to the ski hill. (this after getting out to try to remove some of the snow bank the plow left early in the morning after coming along Parson's road.

Our morning view on Sunday!

Dustind heading out on a snowy trail at Sir Sams!

Before going up to the cottage - we took a trip to the library on Saturday afternoon where Maddy was working on her computer skills... she is really adapt at punching out on the keyboard and turning it on and off... well we all have to start somewhere!

Happy Birthday also too...

2011-02-27T18:12:00.003-08:00

Auntie Marnie! I hope that your day was as great as mine was!!!

Love Dustind, Maddy, Jo and Carl!

And the party continues

2011-02-27T18:04:00.000-08:00

Opening gifts at home - thanks for the piano Nana and Papa! I told Mom I would play her a song tonight as soon as we get it turned on!

Opening gifts wtih my cousins - thanks for the Leapster - I've decided to call it a DS (hint to Mom and Dad... maybe a gift idea for next Christmas??)

A very tired looking Maddy who refused to go to sleep tonight -

The Birthday Boy! Have you seen a happier 6 year old?

An out of this world party!

2011-02-27T17:58:00.001-08:00

Chuck-e-Cheese was the choice this year for our first ever out-of-home party.

If I had to wager I guess - I'd say it delivered on everything Dustind had hopped for!

Being crowned with a birthday crown from Chuck-e-ceese himself.

Enjoying pizza and veggies

My best-buddy Ben

Gracie looking so grown up

Maddison on the Barney Ride (her favourite!)

Your Mission if you choose to accept it

2011-02-27T17:52:00.000-08:00

Dustind is 6! The excitement has been building... and mommy has been making and baking!
A crater cake being attached by martians

And a LOT of martian cupcakes!

The martian loot bags

And the rocket Thank-you notes!

Our Valentine Sweeties

2011-02-19T18:02:00.001-08:00

Valentine Day was about 3 days in our house - we enjoyed chocolate dipped strawberries, baked and decorated cookies, filled out valentines for four seperate classes and coloured pictures of angels to hang all over the house (Dustind's idea).

But on the big day both kids woke in great moods and were full of love as always!
Dustind posed with the bear he loves the most - baby bear!

Maddy was just happy to pose!

Bon Jovi

2011-02-16T06:35:00.000-08:00

Last night I joined several colleagues at the ACC in the Kraft box to catch the Bon Jovi Show. Technically we were 'behind' the stage - which from some women's perspective is the perfect vantage point for viewing Bon Jovi. I have to say at 49 he still looks like he is 35...

Best line of the night 'Bon Jovi is like Viagra for women'...

Fortunate for us the screens were amazing so we also got frontal views of Bon Jovi.

Enjoying the cookies!

2011-02-14T07:07:00.001-08:00

Both kids thoroughly enjoyed decorating the cookies... but the real fun was in the sampling.
Maddison choose to lick the icking off of her cookie.

Dustind enjoyed eating the whole thing (and some of the candies for topping them!)

In addition to only licking the icking - Maddy sucked the red off of the heart candy and then spit out the rest... I guess that she is just a topping kind of gal!

Baking cookies

2011-02-14T07:01:00.000-08:00

First you take a recipe handed down from your grandmother, to your Mom, to yourself - read out of cookbook that you have had since you were 8...

Then you mix it all together in the Red Kitchen Aid mixer your husband gave to you on Valentine's about 10 years ago

Chill the batter in the fridge

Bake and then cook on cooling rack to prevent warping

Decorate with the kids, and pack up to send to school!

Teaching Maddison to Camp

2011-02-14T06:59:00.001-08:00

Dustind has decided that Maddison needs to start to go camping in the summer starting this year. On Saturday - he taught Maddy how to 'camp' - on the landing of the stairs... they coloured pictures, had a snack and even a 'nap' time...
Maddison will pretty much do anything Dustind does... kind of hilarious!

Superbowl Sunday

2011-02-06T20:34:00.000-08:00

Superbowl Sunday - Daddy's favourite day next to Christmas!

Dustind had a fabulous day - playing with Blake and Simon, ice skaing and then a party. Even Maddy was excited - even though they were not playing she kept saying 'Go Jets' - the kids loved the half time show and then it was back home to bed.

Here is our friend Lola - also in a football jersey

Lora 'tickle lady' and Bella

Daddy and Maddy

Some of the gang catching the first half

Our two favourite fans at home supporting their favourite team even though they didn't make it to the superbowl this year

A weekend of moving

2011-02-06T20:28:00.000-08:00

It was a weekend of moving.
Saturday - Carl and I drove to Orilla to pick up a couch, chair and bed frame and then the real work came on Sunday.
- Take the basement doors off - again...
- Move couch out to front of house
- Unscrew front double door
- Move family room couch & charit to basement
- Put basement door back on
- Move new chair up to family room
- Move new couch up to family room
- Put door back on
- Drive old couch from basement to Billy's house
- Move couch to Billy's basement appartment

Here is the basement wtih the furniture from the family room - starting to come together

Pool table and lots of toys spread all over the basement!

View looking to the bathroom door and work room door!

Dancing Dustind

2011-02-04T18:10:00.000-08:00

Both of the kids love our Saturday morning dance party - and both have quite the moves...

I just went in to check on Dustind who was so quiet in his room - he was under the covers with his iPod on and a flashing star.... just like a real dance party....

Nearing completion....

2011-02-04T17:30:00.000-08:00

Carpet is in
Trim is almost done...
Pool table delivered.

Every Day is a dressup day for Maddy

2011-02-04T17:27:00.000-08:00

Need I say any more?

The Homestretch

2011-01-24T19:01:00.000-08:00

A view of the bathroom - shower is on the left - sink will be straight ahead.

The floor tile - I LOVE it!

Looking at the pool table room. Sub floor is in, light is hung, first coat of paint on the wall.

View from the pool table area to the tv area - note the trim is starting to go up around the window!

Tuesday = complete sub floor, final coat of paint, door frames hung

Wednesday = carpet installed

Thursday = trim and hang doors

Bathroom.... hopefully before the end of the month!

20 Months!

2011-01-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

Our baby girl is 20 months. Some of her latest accomplishments include:
Sing's 'ABCD', 'Twinke Twinkle', 'No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed'
Loves to say 'dancing' and dance around - she has sweet moves like her mom (oh ohh)
Maddy loves to get dressed up. When going out she picks out her own boots, hat, mittens and jacket and brings them to us to help her get ready.
On Sunday Maddy sat in the chair next to her Dad - pointed at the football game and yelled 'Go Go Go!'. When Dustind came down in his 'Jet's' jersey she pointed and said 'Jet's' - I don't think that Carl ever had a prouder moment

Story Time

2011-01-24T18:51:00.000-08:00

Now that Dustind is starting to spell and write... he writes, and writes and writes...

Snow Birds

2011-01-18T19:41:00.000-08:00

For my family in Florida... this is what I get to wake up to in the a.m.!

2011-01-18T19:39:00.000-08:00

Nana and papa spoiled the kids with some great new clothes at Christmas - I wanted to post some for Nana to see how sweet her babies look! Thanks Nana - we feel like we are dressed to the 9's every day!

and for those of you wondering... yes I still have my garland up on my railings... unfortuanately with the basement renovation I can't get into the cellar to store them until I can clear out what is in there to move to the rest of the basement

Pre-primer

2011-01-18T19:35:00.001-08:00

Tape and Mud is done! The team was quick, tidy and minimal dust!

Stand by for pictures of the walls with primer... sub floor in and progress on the bathroom!

Drywall Hung

2011-01-18T19:12:00.000-08:00

Looking at closet - carl had an outlet installed and the fridge for drinks will go in here. Shelves above. Room behind is going to hold the pool table and kids play area.

The TV / Wii area

A different perspective of the pool table / kids play area - can see in to Carl's future wine cellar where all building materials are currently stored

Door on the left leads to the work room. Door on the right into the bathroom

Our little cowboy

2011-01-18T19:10:00.001-08:00

We have been pretty busy lately running errands and making decisions about the basement.
We couldn't resit taking this one at the design store where we purchased our flooring!

Basement Renovation

2011-01-08T17:08:00.000-08:00

It is a minor miracle that we were able to clear out the basement - We hardly recognize it at all.
here is our framing stage...

Back work room / washroom

View from the 'pool table' room to the 'den'

View from the washroom looking over to the 'wine cellar' and the pool table area:

Looking from the 'bathroom' throught the furnace to the 'den'

This was prior to Christmas... stand by for completed drywall pictures soon!

We have:

- ordered our carpet

- picked our paint colour

- selected our tiles for the bathroom

All that is left is bathroom vanity, toilet, taps and bathroom fixtures....

We hope for full completion by mid- February to early March!