tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45409769859781759722024-03-18T20:24:57.960-07:00Life in the Okanagan with the BournesGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-40282231641519758412010-12-22T12:57:00.000-08:002010-12-22T13:37:44.415-08:00The Tale of the Native Nativity<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Layla attends school on a Native reserve and has been very lucky to be involved with and learn many of the beliefs and customs of the Osoyoos Indian Band, including their Okanagan Language.</div><br /><br /><div>This Christmas Layla's school, Sen Pok Chin, decided to reproduce the Tale of the Nativity, as written by the children of the Inkameep Day School in 1940, exactly 70 years ago. The play was great but I also enjoyed the speakers prior to the play who spoke of the history of the school and the challenges they had to deal with in keeping their culture alive. We even heard from some of the band's Elders who had been students at this school in the 1940s. They spoke about the great successes of the school's art and drama productions. They even have a letter from Walt Disney inviting them to Disneyland. Unfortunately, due to the World War, they were unable to attend but the letter will be put on display at the Desert Cultural Centre at Nk'mip Resort. There are few pieces left to show for the many productions they put on. When their teacher enlisted for war, the new teacher taught them that what they were doing was evil and burned all of their masks, costumes and so forth. </div><br /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553621304023723634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrDykhyphenhyphengLaOmuT58Iih6FoZF8uJN0nior8I1YtfI0cWj-QmJfiWveibVEX6U99ox0rd6TJtTJcLjW8HRyeaC58CJc8uB9lqpVsrIDXhTDI4BcMObFgAm-EhgaPOLS_faQ-hZVIYAx6N4/s400/xmas10+002.jpg" /><br /><div>The Elders were followed by the play, A Tale of the Native Nativity. I was not successful at getting very good photos, especially since I was wrestling the badest-boy-ever the whole time. Hope you get the idea anyways.</div><br /><br /><div><em><strong>Act One</strong></em></div><br /><br /><div>The Play begins in a small village where Mari is visited by the winged man to tell her she will become the mother of the great chief.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553621304781419730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGAy2K6uoU2Khyphenhypheny-I9BnPiwXzd6PQ0f7XKSV0GA70InzcSjP4NyvNpVGZzYNTPj7N3g1DbwhCNtQJD8KJhbcRtJ1yPlw-Eq2xOCUTZWef9ZN7JFEqTc2RWgrU1MFbluruameroFZi29o/s400/xmas10+003.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553623730643032626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RV7MehUW-m3RcPR0iLEJHVNOzIhYKVamnRXCyPpe2K-OmIogGFdxLkP1V9aTdo8x8H_NOC0zLph79kKip70W_V5q7T3iWLuagWOO1N8ucWotN_RZBAe1MjNM1xY5epaHNSc3_f27_VQ/s400/xmas10+004.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong><em>Act Two</em></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div>The couple travel to the village of the Great Chief and as no TeePees or lodges are available, they live in a cave with the animals to entertain them and keep them warm. Here the baby is born and they are visited by three hunters and three chiefs.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553621309301458274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumXfc5YyrW5EOw3eLPlPVPJy8xVaU3fnEP_IggkS7oy_uvx-YG4UQh8w0K4EcUccQo5GR3epT5xAvrF9o_dXAqlEEqHahuY_8mAHoTf0IsM7_ndwkYwfqVQaiGEnpQeVbzaxsbhd7mcI/s400/xmas10+011.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong><em>Act Three</em></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Mari and Susap take the baby to see the Prophet and the Medicine Woman. When they are visited by the Winged Man, they learn that the baby is in danger and they must move again.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553622140669941090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l7REd1feWwAI4GNQyoPEqXB51Nf4i2XjJacJQSl8CGtYAS-LucPJyVVrwmVKJKoSUFbK4v2bPHUfP68GNsZQfpW6diNERD05JiiRhHpYVmhYE3AUjovLvCS_iqHxAoP3TeqvGgRArrM/s400/xmas10+012.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The children did a fantastic job. Layla was a winged man along with the rest of her grade one classmates. They sang some beautiful Christmas songs in English as well as in Okanagan.</div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553622147216466770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_-gTDp-0X_Zq5PfKLjb4iS_uOCB37aq93yyzehOUWkQ-ENpz7RCWnnQrd4Q4BpIIDyxqMEgfUUAvF9yBh65pfLANEmDYzZl8OugZIUliHufPcjuDoUYb6Yud65KWbPmp3Dm4j_yM53U/s400/xmas10+006.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-14718704827471692162010-12-12T09:05:00.000-08:002010-12-12T10:30:21.990-08:00Christmas For Me<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I grew up as the 6th of 7 children. We moved around a lot and usually did not have a lot of extended family close by. Christmas's for us were spent with each other with the occasional visit from grandparents. I have a lot of great memories of the holidays but these memories are not of gifts, or parties. My memories are all of the weeks prior to Christmas where my Mom made each of us feel involved and excited to participate in the preparation for Christmas.</div><br /><br /><div>My mom baked at Christmas. She baked a lot! We all knew what type of treats we could expect. Home made marshmallows that we all got to garnish with sprinkles, coconut, crushed almonds, etc., thimble cookies, sour cream cookies that we all helped cut out and decorate, cherry balls, pies, nanaimo bars and all sorts of deliciousness.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549856819804572434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6GhdTV38QHZ7Oz12Yx_PFIgDYydRemkus8BrsEhbNDKFDqWzLtYfwuRqrO1-b59P59v-nhGlkV7pPK4bCku1GYVKvTS58NfZyJej8wWJmPo9gNczb326pCK_Zpj-WKrCQnSOWyvIpxU/s400/Dec10+003.jpg" /> </div><div>The baking was great but my favourite tradition was making ornaments. My mom is crafty, this is true, but I can only imagine how much patience is required to teach and help all of us to make or own ornaments no matter our skill level. I remember being impressed as my mom was able to blow all the innards of an egg out of a tiny pin hole. (I still can't do that) We decorated cartons and cartons of eggs for our tree. I remember being amazed at how well she could paint ceramic figurines and how excited I was to paint some of my own. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549857816460645810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUbO53uNHoEGq5XrnZygrjVWu7Qvys20M89IpYugwLrS5vtW0d0bnw2g_6b_EsgovVAg1sVESWNGNMHKwwREZPvPPX0FSIQlz8-6jzVwIc4W5Qk18jcimDChXukdiRx8NMpTfImfODHg/s400/Dec10+055.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549858885311540706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg289ZaeDwnfDuP2RxkF3DrOaVGKtzmlJbpjdhPaWqOpb2wujNpoEQvhZOE3-cbbJyfyrRmHrMK4kNgCbV8T1jEiK5yA8uZk6NCoUgTI_rQXMaj6wZoACj4shd5VasLHJacmsAFqvo42VQ/s400/Dec10+058.jpg" /><br /><div>The most exciting part of Christmas though was the day she pulled out all of the decorations and we decorated the house and trimmed the tree as a family. We always had Christmas music on and she let us decorate as we wanted. I remember it all. The village that she created by hand, the nativities she made, and how fun it was to set them all up. Each year it was fun to pull out all of the ornaments and recall making them. My mom let us trim the tree without much direction and it always looked great. Those are the Holiday moments that I most cherish. After all these years, I remember very few of the gifts I received, but the times spent with my brothers and sisters and mom and dad are clear and cherished every year as I try to do the same with my own family.</div><br /><br /><div>My mom managed to instill in me a love for arts and crafts but her talent must skip a generation. My children are only 2 and 6 years old but Layla and I have made ornaments and decorations every year to the sounds of the Osmond Family Christmas or Boney M blaring in the background.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549856823889216066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9v_JGyyYlWqAPPOxYjoEmsEpoCDpxLxziL32OiEcYOtZMGVcafJuXPOnzz5xWxFhCiChKn9WwgOj_A__mxDuPSdTyAIhLAtt6WoZiuo3WZYPWMbGdEJUyJeE3gtHRJPOHzZqkHaHJLbk/s400/Dec10+011.jpg" /><br /><div>My tree is still adorned with ornaments from my childhood that I made or ones that my mom made and I loved. It is like opening a time capsule every year when we bring out the decorations. My tree is full of 30 year old eggs, hand crafted bells, tiny mittens that my mom knit, an angel made out of noodles from when I was in grade 1, ceramic ornaments that have lasted over 25 years to make it to my tree and, of course, the ornaments that Layla and I contribute each year.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549856832423680994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kGRKQf9oRcCSO_RiIKs9eao0g5zVvRDSGGQQyfo0P5Nz4JB-WOdJ7cvjchCcKQNGDiXp3Yqh4Q0DvIIhuBizusKEuslDvSCx768bVMt8YrFC2aFDQxnA4-B-cpTwpT89pj9ditNwD8A/s400/Dec10+043.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549857819575953426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzdYnSO_7dbp__N5F6ECjWTmi-KDKQRFrUjWA2d_hICetDaJZ36TfXd7w5f16ReDjRG39EwBVFeIy_c7eDLhAvbSlXWMi7bZ1tASETMgWpLmJT-y3OOF4_rl7L0uIoEDbWkg2GEows34/s400/Dec10+060.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549859851626253298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcw-41hSBRvUyrMVZbw1xp8lSZfYKmBafeqxqJT2-M0E6nqOvHrh3-KAdh_Rq0_AFngO6Y2XZafozcahnY2j59nk-tIedLE1WuFWf7rbMlyCsNf6z3Di2DhAMN8R8X3ZCiCI4422SslI/s400/Dec10+054.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549857825734196450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsk7wX1v8adaMryDlkWJtSV0JBeAjEB6zw5ryl-XLoeWz4hkVHI_y_fAOcJTbHXDFJMje2XFoouCEQnYLOTi-r0PGS-GLzdQACzg9SK250_a66Auyd-6YM9C0MwUxG3h0at77VxNh9JA/s400/Dec10+062.jpg" /><br /><br /><div>This year Layla and I took all of the boring silver balls that we had and jazzes them up with paint and sparkles. We painted some new ceramic ornaments and hung them. We jazzed up some old silver butterfly ornaments with some new color and sparkle. All the while, blaring the same Christmas songs that I listened to as a child and now listened to my own daughter sing along to.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549858888597106562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8dPWy-DDntwpvEXpDzaKhUNVsDSzHaDNX6XbTLVNFvN8xcIOR4x_WzeyzbhQXx3H8-4wD3BnuXObgyhwCl5lnwqZaBmWYQTdM2M1d7Hn5AoWmNz2O_lKMpXeUpWAj1hIAi5wCn_9GMc/s400/Dec10+050.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549859858728234146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrkpKiKpNMTgsN2teQW4J9vkm_sHjmmbBpi1MCmKXnYnU3aGhPea26G03GVvGkZpyyGqlxyoP7WZezJ075nOFQNca_n9L_bihzUpZGw6QVEc3rmH3MSXmG4KAk11_HlRC04NdIn-sEV8/s400/Dec10+046.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549858904070242226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijt2KTr7iuv9drF6g1CpeM5ejyq099UhS822Bwj5a-3xxO0a2RmIFKdndFM_imsJQk2ZMM5hA21n_9o74uAowywVYsy3mXSALqnnNVUmgdpUNYYHURavvYgVucXiBzLeouzzU5tccjsH4/s400/Dec10+048.jpg" /><br /><div>I am so grateful for my Mom for making these times so special for our family. I am so grateful for her for keeping all of us (even us young ones) included. I love that my tree has so much meaning and history. I love that I have so many wonderful Christmas memories and that they all include my family. I love recalling the live Nativity my family participated in. I love how peaceful our home was on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I love how my Dad took charge of Christmas breakfast. I love how much we were brought together as a family during the Holidays and am so thankful for my parents for all that they did for us.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549858878028951170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiLDqjnld-GZkv7hehPZgZoCkLbxxATxK2cUghovk44KbbLs87dFt_BBzyQjBu_sh3EjMt2cZ3Tz8jjuxSBV7s0fNGeykV5rMBQXcoJ1O-MouorolQOwQNf08z4FYXlj-KyN5Hd6OVQM/s400/famatxmas.jpg" />The MacKenzie Clan - Back L-R: Jen, Grammy, Me, Amy, Mom, Dad, Rob Front: Mike, Grandad, Sara (Emily not yet born)<br /><div> </div><div>I love my Mom, I love my Family - Thank you!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-72602536759186152212010-06-05T07:03:00.000-07:002010-06-05T07:59:00.456-07:00Short trip..Big VisitOwning a big dog is all kinds of wonderful but it does have one big drawback. Travel. We don't have anyone here to dog-sit for us so Big Chester gets to go wherever we go.<br /><p>That must make him a very well-travelled dog! No, it doesn't, it makes us a not very well-travelled family.</p><p>The one place Chester is always welcome is Magrath. The Bournes have graciously accepted our Mastiff as family so we do most of our travels to Southern Alberta.</p><p>When we got the invitation to my cousin Tania's wedding I was excited that it was in Raymond because I thought I could see a lot of family in just one trip!</p><p>After pulling an all-nighter through the mountains we arrived at the Bournes at about 5am their time (4am BC time). It was worth it though because we got to visit with my parents, Greg's parents, a few siblings, and lots of long-lost cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479298369512348034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytI5ZxPP6GL907jlIbXyHI5AeLqi3GZNWLC2XwbecRxnQZOOxEWZakuYd_spPqlrn_ALJeZVf97UPZ_Df8Y3Lrwsk-EyzDX8icM0GNPCTGG6rdGvDTUtMz_BtPTS4ogBKrGtwozuH3Qc/s400/may+2010+045.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479298364451570610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQatjgk5gMERlysWWVlmmeNXMrYLvXvAbPZeuU9_o2T7EzTRNVGiFoXDfTJN7dJV5j55GP6TY3H6Ln6xBR84lslH7bpIcklNmvnD-xg4VVAyndeQHvMrhCyh5VSpq_AliPFoiUqUvhx4/s400/may+2010+040.JPG" />Baron got to meet a little boy cousin the same age as him. Him and James Quist were so cute together and enjoyed playing a little catch with Baron's basketball.</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479297693406160418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDBlNJ6OnAVed0MHc7XrPYiCfto_e8O-2AZTk3OfTh5DW1VJuyVnKR090S2AaeLF-a9NHj4DRJvJ0vEHgwkHfs2F028fAjhGE0r9GEQ2yiHA3i5FBvRr95CWQuRza8URS8oxCC60au1g/s400/may+2010+016.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479297707271968594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylnQAFAFSRIKEQQSyz22D2UQ6KZKg2BGmTwpIIfgU3ug0WkagcKPjtNwhwbVXmp7KBjLybXFdVd9PLlZMdjzk-NGZKZSw5i4nsjDC4iRxJV5nt9-s-7cTW9ju5YjTmsVluElBe7J8iH0/s400/may+2010+019.JPG" />Tania's wedding was lots of fun. The kids and adults all had a great time. </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479297720315289826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5A0pJN1MLyhZHoP2hklf8g5N9lLECMNibCNg5sgEIzhDL6vet_vH9eSHEOQjRA3GHNEdxIAEeKQkCqsUFsy4cBk6ZXGJ9uEnoDQtFb1z74iaLIXNjIRPQ9Flc56lduU6trA9OZSHiIKs/s400/may+2010+033.JPG" />Here is my Dad dancing with the bride. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479297709793204818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZsEc_wCGiPJ4PSYxmdJwNdcSLXlfi7UZQWgny0DgdSgrTgSW5zYCCnydlMrwmoOEtbf7xXO3ctpQ3906Hm3D3d16DJQu1VJ2JWBm7vJz8BJvj8GVj5nECAn22q-voGu_srIw5uuqQO4/s400/may+2010+026.JPG" /></p><br />Layla was so excited for Tania to throw the bouquet! She criticized her toss for the rest of the night. She thought she should have done a re-do after the first toss ended up landing on a table a few rows back, knocking over some water and eventually into the hands of Richard Loose's girlfriend. Greg, however, breathed a huge sigh of relief.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-36021998081428008822010-04-20T20:40:00.000-07:002010-04-21T06:39:05.897-07:00<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>With temperatures flirting with 30 degrees this week we ventured out on some new hikes. We climbed up high enough so that we overlooked fields of orchards full of blooms in white and pink, vineyards, Lake <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Osoyoos</span>, wetlands, mountains, and desert terrain. It was lovely. We couldn't take our eyes off it...that is..until we realized poor Chester hobbling along to keep up.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462431617656611234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfV6Ty5FMV27jYe-PFogHhfzxJA7OlorscA92CUfe4Y9aZrrcyVmryoAa_wIF7KwbaYt7aAVM-PDr4Ydxfcswj0oXbOWZyJOXzfashfVsf6Cksx5HL2wtRS5_01_PpxRC1ft63xhzBtU/s400/apr2010+023.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462435573466061522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtalmmlH6oDP_ohaiUPrQqb5tOQr_Dhbg2LrO3ayMEpDelqYvb6ZV-dgHyHcs9BsKRHmwP6w7DDvNy1-4ELdEK9vwAkvEs9HVjPqONlEQ4XMPXcEOmDh12yLLz4j0V_ezIor7LucW2BAE/s400/apr2010+046.JPG" /><br /><div>As soon as we looked down we realized we had been trampling through countless clusters of cacti. They were in my shoes, Greg's shoes, but luckily not the kid's shoes. Of course, the Chester had it the worst. </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462435553799765522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj739fFetB4gHmMSXjUATWloKdbO72YWb_A3Ri1JTT4AA4b-MkVre5j2ediFDCTZVhoYpfvnFCp_n2NZ23cb_coTzsMLtKzwJdxk56ieCu7Q4z9sBN9x6myUpBFIQzFqSM4CImCJgGp9No/s400/apr2010+014.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462435560126318466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09SaFJreJZPViY770J3LA-EYv2xO4KZwWrFlXeu7wRGLNdAAjEy92O_MuWXFw7pWBQdCX73MMkMYoWR9kE9EQVu6DXlwGdUcC5Syy-azen2cFGWpkFTMIMsANPnk4pZBAYwfKQedqUm4/s400/apr2010+012.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462437406032299090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqrtwrhkeh4bOTjPB-qZrW5xj4lZr4QClB8JW5kxsJ-hyyv-tEBLOihyphenhyphenvIrAj2TiV6P4eYWeLelTS8EldwTvGHda2jG3DudBa1HG2Dlnk7gEQc9JNWPfPzaxERKOR7YRZgFzKnO4lcYY/s400/apr2010+051.JPG" /> <br /><br /><div>After immediately retreating from our new hike we spent some time pulling out needles from the dog and our shoes.</div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462431628288871234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mUDCxZdTIosRCDVhR4DfgTWOf5fXk3QyVlgk3qI5rrrc3q62JZWWL1H5e-zfZGuRloBAYyRyN8xvaoGFQ4-Zd34XOBoqD4qZxYYkQ9MSUsoeiBZ-h-c-HwfTv6cOQJkNT_L2i-3vMPk/s400/apr2010+044.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462431608550548754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJwJps_EUXgb1LR8153FexdFvJ1ikPP4chaCcYsu4QSddn7eFjuhrfdhy3FqxOaUd27mYzSWB0rArzaU58JLAhBjl33km9wfrrvD0NaUpyqgau7QpjYf8PhyMi68MbkDFZ2v6AaQ2VPQ/s400/apr2010+052.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462431596630873634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8G8joOTiQtW9BXhxC9fb6KMBeKk4Spq5u0eEHyvaPmchBM0xl40FgEadxS5TRP9M_MsLOxYqIg2Kfupv6lC5t6Uusijg3GFAevF5lagRim5issRcRgji4729d8nF842jH-6No0Jg-FPk/s400/apr2010+035.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><div>We made our way to good <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ol</span>' Road 22. We saw our first snake of the year but he didn't make it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">across</span> the road, poor <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">lil</span> fella. </div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462437433566337986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rXFOgulhKJErAK6z6Vl2KpBDWWhCnEAflQpz88MRgori6wjiOn5nqEE8wmsbAp-i8-4qQpM6L7rqAe6HYNlk-6QMPUul-1MBVOpyMmHkJ1e2leWLDZzL46WpWmfXWGFwZ3UnrgvMozQ/s400/apr2010+056.JPG" /><br /><br /><div>Baron got to get face-to-face with some horses for the first time. He loves horses but had never been close enough to touch one before. He ran down the path full speed to get to them but when Greg lifted him up to pet him he got very nervous.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462437443372268578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpf7vadyYbKgttE_nAEFRL4xbcmAxcpG-WCg5v7VjuK8LcGORqhWK0hHNa5JQuR5G2Xz_IzE63LOO24XspgPlZUmL4TaT0cMqUkz3pfsobUbrqjVCdN7RqSirE4I3YC2qgEolQ0MHUxjU/s400/apr2010+082.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462437836142173458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdI8yqR5a2IEGf5IAQgt2k591qiLAzMAIWzHmB-C8IWgSFaTegVNZyp-9SjACmo3mfHtjMZTxXfPelqydr_vA7OueNHC0DuaLP6UcQ9PYpb5T4pZmhAfxPTKVP0dy4vvbHPGuLpN-pYSo/s400/apr2010+090.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462437423143607938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zJCiVJTfYYrg2UfBBz2mQ6454qJE6FOltNlyCqB8dQ96_daFMoYhZqmVFIkAnOA6eZaoJCV06KwWZyWjDk3tWl5FAEzBAUcU6XzhMjo2qkG7yToa1QMNOL54QAwEhRSGzjFZz1Q4BYQ/s400/apr2010+099.JPG" /><br /><br /><div>The dog always keeps a real good distance from the horses. Just stands there, watching and waiting until we've had our fill.</div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462437416173492626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvwlDaE3ymuPh5HM-7a5KmEiJW4XoMa4XtFlWttJrQJQM6t7-advyLaJZYIDT4qe6orLcHGzeY46jpZjqIVbc4TZYvoTThIzLQOdZHeNd8xqZgGD0f5eXq-lKX99Q-ZPxfsXJR0qbLW4/s400/apr2010+089.JPG" /><br /><br /><div>It's so great to have the hot weather back and enjoy the outdoors here. It is, after all, what we moved here for.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-24457979850698629122010-04-17T07:20:00.000-07:002010-04-17T10:26:27.522-07:00Big Bare and his Basketball<div><br /><div>When I tell someone Baron <em>really</em> loves basketball, what I mean to say is that Baron has an <em>obsession</em> with basketball. It was one of his first 5 words, starting out as b'ball, working up to ba-het-ball, and now a proper basketball. He is about 20 months old now and his obsession is as strong as ever.</div><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461156376716089906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsUFGBoGtjnY2-V9IqShsttY9SwfC0gjf6bqbrTGx2fITMEeQf2-M4li702ZR3Cg02Q_BD801_FxGx9PsmPhActIoFZDhEInPCkjS1YMwNTfzGgupnQBq2kCEJ-bmXoDN5y27fttrzoQ/s400/Apr2010+083.JPG" /><br /><div>He started at a new day home in March. We told them all he needs is a ball and he's happy. After a day or two with Baron they marvelled, "That boy doesn't <em>love</em> basketball...he is <strong>OBSESSED</strong>!!!" He points out every single basketball hoop (and then some) on walks, car-rides, any outing, really. If you took a tally, you would find that he said basketball more than any other word, at least 100 times a day, <em>at least</em>!!<br /></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461156388635929474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5v_LrtlTABnD-rqMtp2wuSLNcBfV3EZWT9QZW3s8l1rmpmoKzwFzAPZ1NpRCgwiqE7DzaGdx7LUBXCnLCdtOoJQ1Z8TXQJvz0twpQY7Dn-zel9s79Cb8Ur0qpcOQ5TthslwythXyGkMk/s400/Apr2010+080.JPG" /><br /><div>At the park Baron will stand in front of the hoops and pretend to shoot without a ball. He bends his knees and adds a bit of a bounce like his Dad before the "release". He also adds his own "<em>swish</em>" verbally. He is currently working on his dribbling, and trying so hard to jump. He can just about get air...he tries so hard! He catches the ball just as well as his 5 year old sister.</div><br /><br /><div>So what does this all mean? Probably nothing. But maybe, just maybe, Baron will take after his namesake, Baron Davis, and be the first person with Goldenhar's Syndrome in the NBA. </div><br /><div>What? It could happen!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyO9Q4wUFOI-GBirr_yL1Ht0OkqG9HTdFj771-5iJRKUjJN_7998ba1IVXTR5BtsWvtt4N1Xr0ukfanKc54tw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-85777135190283278032010-04-11T08:25:00.000-07:002010-04-11T08:57:48.973-07:00EasterLast Easter Layla woke up in the middle of the night to find that the Easter bunny had left an egg on her pillow. She was so excited that we allowed her to go ahead with the egg hunt. She grabbed a flashlight, ran outside and filled her basket with all the eggs she could find. This year she planned for the same. Around 1130pm she came into our room to wake us up and announce that the Easter Bunny had been here! We let Baron sleep but the rest of us trekked out to the backyard. She spotted some eggs inside too but was kind enough to leave those for Baron to find in the morning.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458902541121741330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYHXlBh_tQCX904VhSOrwUNGYDjCB_LJ0xPiOuLZrU_XqoR9lzREfeKRjj1HEgZhhLe7im5H232YnKGYIX6XYfR6JGtITEcSWHUl4TmVVY3k0drggYRrGVR0JN5VyX8ZrCpcMAkxp3Ag/s400/easter+035.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458902554712372706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQ1mP4WzZy1B8WRgtuenWN8uHP9QzyOR6vf7TM76a9dwPIg2plhp_Df6i6W7EbzwCysEMMEQu3da1EKkPRS6iFQdpMVYgMaStO-5UA7_tHaBRcp90qa4KBUUtJn2PIarR3aS3wbtkG70/s400/easter+045.JPG" /><br />Layla was the first one up in the morning but we woke up Baron to join in the fun. He was a bit confused at first but it didn't take him long to realize what was going on.<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458904428587146178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57Qv11-n_uJmfC-apuONu8nTcuPJXQ3Cy3hXjpijdw216YvK8yJfp2r6T0tOhh6blg7ziTtzoXeXcImE01n6WRSmTQp3zQCpN8hqzVPlU61-7fZALU2P6BGauGeNgyVEKmLb9woKXtqA/s400/easter+058.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlIQCBMRO4mlWE4yGbqV971W0Jb2nMhbaVb9_CZqDKlBOxkvzIUrjTJk-7Euo0bS4moSuMQhLEtDU76md0f-nzypgRXVXtTAR6rZDwaRAQrP_WlqkyS6C5aOI8Wcq71tHOdDhmP-31Pg/s1600/easter+053.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458904420086722082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlIQCBMRO4mlWE4yGbqV971W0Jb2nMhbaVb9_CZqDKlBOxkvzIUrjTJk-7Euo0bS4moSuMQhLEtDU76md0f-nzypgRXVXtTAR6rZDwaRAQrP_WlqkyS6C5aOI8Wcq71tHOdDhmP-31Pg/s400/easter+053.JPG" /></a> Layla enthusiastically helped Baron fill his basket with all the goodies they could find. Somehow the Easter Bunny knew about Baron's obsession with basketball and had left a big stuffed basketball for him to sleep with. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk3Z4VNXIkxq1oYVxBCet1SvwGvwV5hImvXjOKMlrfRXEk3Ce9UD_rogEjtLVny3cE3Ef4Au6OM20vYOUQLxbSyW7aE4Tg5LaJg9Lm_mr6eFlR-8Y86PRD1qbU5WmXX1vKs5EPLKUOYA/s1600/easter+052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458904408530610370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk3Z4VNXIkxq1oYVxBCet1SvwGvwV5hImvXjOKMlrfRXEk3Ce9UD_rogEjtLVny3cE3Ef4Au6OM20vYOUQLxbSyW7aE4Tg5LaJg9Lm_mr6eFlR-8Y86PRD1qbU5WmXX1vKs5EPLKUOYA/s400/easter+052.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsPqHW3NtCvwcD19XOOTtkDQAXW9ZdZJOzz0eMI0cqzYSdf5nq5LDUND4CQ54GGQOCXBUq1X9UUT0H352asWZrZ9G0VXsMejgCOYHdWJqVuREdwdo5YNChX4_sYhLezlaUEpQr_sxtHY/s1600/easter+050.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458904407787118498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsPqHW3NtCvwcD19XOOTtkDQAXW9ZdZJOzz0eMI0cqzYSdf5nq5LDUND4CQ54GGQOCXBUq1X9UUT0H352asWZrZ9G0VXsMejgCOYHdWJqVuREdwdo5YNChX4_sYhLezlaUEpQr_sxtHY/s400/easter+050.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPPGgvmwZivX-JFj57YUDvtmRe-W6q8ypZ2RbfQhDuz8qKNSiUqhsSOTlefkMBTELpKr-TdpBi4SdgOdblMRGJFF1_GLxF6u8Z3zhyphenhyphenX70ryRRZyOd6_a6MmU9o7IBJObkfAsWoKzF1Yk/s1600/easter+057.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458903297917299570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPPGgvmwZivX-JFj57YUDvtmRe-W6q8ypZ2RbfQhDuz8qKNSiUqhsSOTlefkMBTELpKr-TdpBi4SdgOdblMRGJFF1_GLxF6u8Z3zhyphenhyphenX70ryRRZyOd6_a6MmU9o7IBJObkfAsWoKzF1Yk/s400/easter+057.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxL7dmiy0OHCGWprE4THAW3PUnMCII2ESC2wMbkXedTcPbILmdRLhXCxAVj34l-kXPRljR51CtCd7uKUJX_CpIS54DLdzi22fDc-ns42vQCSowSRmVyF3FvsCCbCnU1B6uORTkVp6pyek/s1600/easter+055.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458903279180529010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxL7dmiy0OHCGWprE4THAW3PUnMCII2ESC2wMbkXedTcPbILmdRLhXCxAVj34l-kXPRljR51CtCd7uKUJX_CpIS54DLdzi22fDc-ns42vQCSowSRmVyF3FvsCCbCnU1B6uORTkVp6pyek/s400/easter+055.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIo2VFZIVqn0xNIhI0P5CD-5l3Ilqd35FfZ823nUjAk8oF4J4E5b2tsldHHBGUY9kzUF18ofmxWEBDP7E3CD1ZFFCO_3YojKTXbS2jFSJEHv03e03NbftmeILpJRs3WB33Di3oBMMd6rs/s1600/easter+054.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458902581497621890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIo2VFZIVqn0xNIhI0P5CD-5l3Ilqd35FfZ823nUjAk8oF4J4E5b2tsldHHBGUY9kzUF18ofmxWEBDP7E3CD1ZFFCO_3YojKTXbS2jFSJEHv03e03NbftmeILpJRs3WB33Di3oBMMd6rs/s400/easter+054.JPG" /></a> We wrapped it up with a turkey feast for dinner. I love holidays, and watching the kid's excitement. I am already looking forward to Christmas...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w5Nj9OIRM3j7krlyez66gvOh4AYzGWkxB_EQAeofHfMHRUNBWiKnLGWdZ0HAb_tvdq0E3AH5PxUk3vk_LWo_vXfjdV8jq_WvnNpgIXbDEcxTnEQOv0sD82Y4d7KDWbV6vDRnXp_s2-k/s1600/easter+052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458902568459935026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w5Nj9OIRM3j7krlyez66gvOh4AYzGWkxB_EQAeofHfMHRUNBWiKnLGWdZ0HAb_tvdq0E3AH5PxUk3vk_LWo_vXfjdV8jq_WvnNpgIXbDEcxTnEQOv0sD82Y4d7KDWbV6vDRnXp_s2-k/s400/easter+052.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDljLPu34CMAVuX_hfxlXc98St9LPXO0qaHSO-fmcLJWC7FGX2rc8d5MsesAxJbDBjubglc8ElrH63hIfZZL0l8dFmtKcFO2JX7O6_M-sdbaxtuMzcjwS199vxgoVQwyTvv5AVWqeXyE/s1600/easter+048.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458902559932299634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDljLPu34CMAVuX_hfxlXc98St9LPXO0qaHSO-fmcLJWC7FGX2rc8d5MsesAxJbDBjubglc8ElrH63hIfZZL0l8dFmtKcFO2JX7O6_M-sdbaxtuMzcjwS199vxgoVQwyTvv5AVWqeXyE/s400/easter+048.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-64196737137464354392010-03-21T07:33:00.000-07:002010-03-21T07:45:36.064-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUSbRdqJ20wpTOR_wUpv3fN1EidVehDLb2kM35mM2FuqP6jFjlDKLCMdoeFGM7zksddJ1mrSD6N75163uMAoIDrcxHfHUPiOGPUKXlaIfNyKP5LTN-M6tdbWkRUj_RrN-Odku50c3w80/s1600-h/earrings+035.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451098027535263858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUSbRdqJ20wpTOR_wUpv3fN1EidVehDLb2kM35mM2FuqP6jFjlDKLCMdoeFGM7zksddJ1mrSD6N75163uMAoIDrcxHfHUPiOGPUKXlaIfNyKP5LTN-M6tdbWkRUj_RrN-Odku50c3w80/s400/earrings+035.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div>Almost 2 years ago we made a deal with Layla. She could have cable TV, or she could take the money we would have spent on TV (for one month) and buy whatever she wants. She chose the money...and with the money? She decided she wanted to get her ears pierced!</div><br /><br /><div>We've been putting it off ever since then but on Sunday we finally gave in. She asked if she was allowed to cry and we said of course. There was only one girl working that day so instead of getting both ears done at the same time she had to sit through one at a time. She did great. I could tell it hurt, she turned a little red but kept a straight face. </div><br /><br /><div>Since then she will wear nothing but pony tails and loves to tell anyone who will listen about her newly pierced ears with the pink diamond flower earrings. </div><br /><br /><div>Here's Layla with her new look.</div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451098017563155458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQ-3sD_pHgjUo2huFjlAdTKm_KGO41-z4NvE-hwMhMfgw4lo0lUP0gtZNneEqNgQYoV5JS1aOXixe4utlKJ1wruCRuOIyvEMl6yCXmoiUrUVVKGHVGL728IJ1stAiDtUc-RWjypbVb_I/s400/earrings+030.JPG" /></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-49391095470044588272010-03-14T13:04:00.000-07:002010-03-20T14:13:58.025-07:00From the Mouth of My Babe<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450822979014980930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIyV32aBfLg9-iqlfQVwgo7OYd5hpGRL0wXBJs-mdLNESoy6wHsbHdirt0xNysx3qURs5DsJl872Ef-2zuXIO46Op6b_jA6q-4lv2RrDHqK9jIIH5j8w3fJ8VnjB-Lvj5i1BmH7atpW0/s400/glasses+005.JPG" /><br /><div><div>Here's a quick interview I had with Layla. I did one of these over a year ago on Facebook and I was surprised that most of her answers stayed the same. Here it goes:</div><br /><br /><div>About Mom:</div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#006600;">Q. What does Mom say to you?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. I love you</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Q. What makes Mom happy?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. When I smile.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Q. What makes Mom sad?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. When I am dead.</span></div><div><br /> </div><div><span style="color:#009900;">Q. How old is your Mom?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. 59</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Q. How tall is your mom?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. 69 meters</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Q. What does your Mom like to do?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. Play together</span></div></div><div> </div><div><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Q. What does your Mom do when you are not around?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. Looks for me.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Q. If your Mom was famous, what would it be for?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. Cooking</span></div></div><div> </div><div><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Q. What is your Mom good at?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. Playing</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Q. What is your Mom NOT good at?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. hand stands</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Q. If your Mom was a cartoon character, which one would she be?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. Belle</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Q. How are you and your Mom different?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. Mom likes to eat fish, I like to eat candy!</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Q. What is your Mom's favourite thing to do?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. Go to the park and play with her little kids.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#009900;">Q. What does your Mom look like?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. A princess.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;">About Dad:</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;">Q. What does you Dad say to you?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. Wanna play Layla?</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;">Q. What makes your Dad happy?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. When I do plies (ballet)</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;">Q. How old is your Dad?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. 79</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;">Q. How tall is your Dad?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. hmmm, 10 or 9 km</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;">Q. What does your Dad do when you are not around?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. Sits on the couch and watches basketball with Baron.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;">Q. What is your Dad good at?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. Push-ups</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;">Q. How are you and your Dad different?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. I like pink, he likes black.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;">Q. What is your Dad's favourite thing to do?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. Go to the beach</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;">Q. What does your Dad look like?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. He kind of has a mustache but he doesn't, he just has lines.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc0000;">About Layla:</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc0000;">Q. What is your favourite thing to do?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. Get swung around</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc0000;">Q. What makes you sad?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. When I get grounded.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc0000;">Q. What makes you happy?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. When I get to play outside with beasle, my bumble bee who I hold in my hand but doesn't sting me.</span></div></div><div> </div><div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc0000;">Q. What do you want to be when you grow up?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. An astronaut</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc0000;">Q. Why did Mom and Dad get married?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. Mom was beautiful and Dad was handsome.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc0000;">Q. How many babies do you want to have when you are an adult?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. 5, so you better buy 5 cribs</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc0000;">Q. Who is your Mom's best friend?</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. Me</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#cc0000;">Q. Who is your Dad's best friend?</span></div></div><div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">A. Mom</span></div><br /><div>That's my girl!!</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450823394276184578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQwQYL-7ICrhkbDv9_CXsnzwxO-zbEHcVTgENxWmjVQ2P4n4bA2KYKNYx38hAaS5y1l2ORgC0gQ4gK22X6-240CttPPzKG8QAjyUX7fEyvGLRv79xD9SPctMekAphvUenA0G00QzM80I/s400/schoolphoto+001.jpg" /></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-11104735007844681522010-02-28T15:24:00.000-08:002010-02-28T15:35:42.287-08:00Sunday Pleasures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_asnBLfbtEfDe8T4YwTMYFd2QkKQtMcEunB0pKxhVEHMU5qCX7iz8S3i1M0ZScUW3K81gmg5nqsOj9LpK8b5XfiTLo0Y3aWJOU3IvNkIyO1nLBxE8bHG4Zi7ZSy_O_wbht8-jpJE3KI0/s1600-h/feb10+053.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443440240135802850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_asnBLfbtEfDe8T4YwTMYFd2QkKQtMcEunB0pKxhVEHMU5qCX7iz8S3i1M0ZScUW3K81gmg5nqsOj9LpK8b5XfiTLo0Y3aWJOU3IvNkIyO1nLBxE8bHG4Zi7ZSy_O_wbht8-jpJE3KI0/s400/feb10+053.JPG" /></a> It was Sunday afternoon, Baron was napping, Greg was writing, and so Layla and I decided to have a girls outing to the park. We enjoyed the Oliver sunshine, while I'm sure everyone else in the country was watching Canada's boys beat the US hockey team in the Gold medal game. Way to go Canada!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipujG8zyX4v5WYv-djw-dQ0-xk3YCu46189dIuXhmK_WvfUsa52ufDE45wWf2e25Ke9I8M8KwB97MRuOJpiLrxyBMIRgq6S3juP93ZA7KybIt8HlVbZzPYvDXG3KZljr8WSt6OTsaNvWw/s1600-h/feb10+051.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443440224813731090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipujG8zyX4v5WYv-djw-dQ0-xk3YCu46189dIuXhmK_WvfUsa52ufDE45wWf2e25Ke9I8M8KwB97MRuOJpiLrxyBMIRgq6S3juP93ZA7KybIt8HlVbZzPYvDXG3KZljr8WSt6OTsaNvWw/s400/feb10+051.JPG" /></a> I love watching the kids play at the park. The pure innocence and joy that emanates from them is so heartwarming.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_JzbAZh8T2TgCNa2rdW4uTmlKlxaFelKWepEUEkQOme8GzmWtUGJB-HWeYIueyu2aY38a6VtHe_0uJ-ujtkAbEZbPPmyihjq2sbYMfFFvfzfNJ_jXP61Q3TNxEIN459o9VV_N6W-KS8/s1600-h/feb10+050.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443440208403211922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_JzbAZh8T2TgCNa2rdW4uTmlKlxaFelKWepEUEkQOme8GzmWtUGJB-HWeYIueyu2aY38a6VtHe_0uJ-ujtkAbEZbPPmyihjq2sbYMfFFvfzfNJ_jXP61Q3TNxEIN459o9VV_N6W-KS8/s400/feb10+050.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiAw8LKEIw6l8lQxGQnmKrWdWuIB3HpEjpegW0rJ9bA4HPr3-fl8m4wLsHDrUZ2eYhNvDgy1jMZUXFcWYjw9lxRPoQAsvsnm6QmAHWq5nzCQmcExXxB1p0TRvd6sJM0Vn0uhCuRKzevM/s1600-h/feb10+048.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443440202228075714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiAw8LKEIw6l8lQxGQnmKrWdWuIB3HpEjpegW0rJ9bA4HPr3-fl8m4wLsHDrUZ2eYhNvDgy1jMZUXFcWYjw9lxRPoQAsvsnm6QmAHWq5nzCQmcExXxB1p0TRvd6sJM0Vn0uhCuRKzevM/s400/feb10+048.JPG" /></a><br />And of course, the tired kids who come home and crash early, well, that's just an added bonus :)<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-52078977412638669942010-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:002010-01-31T06:34:03.640-08:00Hey There Good Lookin'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomAs2CFS07x4AQEge4wG3qKNHp09agKxgbZO4BneZklmgNfjirnvN6LzTiysmV4zixquKXtZ_856e5_YoPORmkPS8pdnp_hyphenhyphenlFaJTwOF17XteX_fJLs-BeenUjQ0nkybYRfHv_M4mCk8/s1600-h/glasses+031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432908320952531602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomAs2CFS07x4AQEge4wG3qKNHp09agKxgbZO4BneZklmgNfjirnvN6LzTiysmV4zixquKXtZ_856e5_YoPORmkPS8pdnp_hyphenhyphenlFaJTwOF17XteX_fJLs-BeenUjQ0nkybYRfHv_M4mCk8/s400/glasses+031.JPG" /></a> We picked up Baron's first glasses on Friday. We could not get them anywhere near his face without pinning his arms and forcing them on. We knew we needed a new strategy, but what? Greg took out his contacts and put on his glasses. Then he opened up NBA.com to watch some highlights and voila! Baron left his glasses on to enjoy some basketball with his fellow-four-eyed father!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HBwB_T5n4brthD2E_WacsDYuQL6Yb7-Bz_OoQE2ROWaPRfj7IkE4S40xBBTUhBVRAefrTId5Ua-jVTjM9zoIxifV2WzCSOBaIADM-yMhUs5rtWZ8nC55yzAP3QjY3x2Zo66L13O02XU/s1600-h/glasses+018.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432908312982525330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HBwB_T5n4brthD2E_WacsDYuQL6Yb7-Bz_OoQE2ROWaPRfj7IkE4S40xBBTUhBVRAefrTId5Ua-jVTjM9zoIxifV2WzCSOBaIADM-yMhUs5rtWZ8nC55yzAP3QjY3x2Zo66L13O02XU/s400/glasses+018.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2LMH_U6Eqf0-_sJlSUsjAYQnu8dfGwosQJp2NzsK0tYWTpXRtfd6llFg8gKPnL2awYEDosPZJhOmAoMUcK3B5Dm1YaNjFZR7YuLjsgkEgjVFtYFaVfZJpisR-1hCyjF841zq5zqFMho/s1600-h/glasses+016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432908303943552834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2LMH_U6Eqf0-_sJlSUsjAYQnu8dfGwosQJp2NzsK0tYWTpXRtfd6llFg8gKPnL2awYEDosPZJhOmAoMUcK3B5Dm1YaNjFZR7YuLjsgkEgjVFtYFaVfZJpisR-1hCyjF841zq5zqFMho/s400/glasses+016.JPG" /></a><br />The next day, if you could get his glasses on without him throwing them across the room, he would generally leave them there for an hour or two, depending on what he was doing. He got excited when we read some colorful books and seemed to look at them with a new clarity. I was surprised to see how strong his prescription was in his bad eye. It's completely blurry for me to look through. Yikes! Who knew he wasn't seeing like the rest of us?!</div><div> </div><div>I took Baron up to our bathroom to introduce him to his new self in the mirror. I am so glad he is doing better at keeping them on. He's still my super handsome little fella, but now he can SEE! <br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432905207360273378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyR4IxcPYDrH4yjmNnEZ1_WoDSliUjd1rQgHGeQeZ1WNaKNM8ILSLes_yYJO6W54U4dxCx3ZSKAqdjR-IiOi6NUAqrsBp9ylll5G3EcM23mtqIVDeuu37zziA5oXcQ2_nkPo-XXnXylc/s400/glasses+027.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432905198354075986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez68n6n5FPW3edr4z-wpU8f7EJh4GOTIJuupqRBROQQQXC2gi1XouiaeJZVQEYp56zZdP7TSG7VColAlCOOaHfi38ItziYz1iq37-iXs3J0hQdFTlbLXPiq2tyews2Q9c1YcnWWn0vz8/s400/glasses+026.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432905215426836178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GkCVzMMp9s7JTzYkd9YPOLYMQjxaDpiUS1xMBil_cKjTHPvTgA8o4OU6BgTKGvofhC8RpfRafLwrgB_mPfwXY6ibjTJ7U48l0TJZMlMqVMZ9CjIHCjIVbnpalHaQseLr0tnuzokgzeA/s400/glasses+036.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432905226684387442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjISqwOO5NtYrIj7sJ9t_WSL2KU_-KYU7JNn-GZoOJ_HRD0zD5ew5r5xwG1ldmQEY2p98zJCNj3VYoG9YfrZD3WhQZQrAVrQFnU05Xt3VGm6QtrcOHXtdOlG6KNcHQXRmvINzzlfqY0Q/s400/glasses+052.JPG" /> </div></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-31167494940121665992010-01-24T11:17:00.000-08:002010-01-24T12:02:15.884-08:00<div><div><div><div> When I was a child I spent my time running around the neighbourhood playing with my friends, going to the park, and each other's houses and the only thing I worried about was being home in time for dinner. </div><br /><br /><div>The times have changed since then and in order for Layla to play with her friends outside of school I need to find out who the parent's are (if I don't already know), get their phone numbers and call to arrange a scheduled "play date". I don't mind this really. I am glad I will know a lot of the parent's of the children who she will likely be going to school with until graduation.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>The last few weekends we have been host to some great play dates. We all have fun. Greg chases the kids and swings them around. I chip in on the swinging but I am not as effective of a chaser. Not scary enough. Baron loves chasing too and they are very good about keeping him involved. </div><div> </div><div>Here's some of the highlights.</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430391116860090146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiK6lNxKhc_8Ym-nrjyOBwMn33a6hzU2QbdrLXPkbLLbTEFYfe-eIFZg882o1e9c7RJBJ_wbhx1wvgPn8Xb4I6-aKLtfPxZFF4fF2WKd0HfyJf5ZdJsbO6JRAiOgGRc_PZdfMR0JWB2vU/s400/jan10+039.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430391132299623554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIX4yHZb4FGKTVLS-Qa9rKuxYAbencAzaF55SrIx9keMcn3iSjhzUCezCF23YZpan2U-3lvJsTEbdFXDG1HcledM-3i1to6waJzgRrqhexaEqtk6vxXbG7iesob4Ryc8vlj5wuwbvtyzA/s400/jan10+070.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430391128670193170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCN8wxr41nyt5hY6Dk1Nlj-9My8syI9JCqFGJ-M1jlHewTr7mOdIxJjD_5zeoUcwHuQ_lDjxbEVQBpeAduI6Lw7zI-wuxY1VUZpzxmtu1EB7x8U6DCDFNhQnY1lF_L13miJ7DtzYqLKkU/s400/jan10+066.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430391112255114114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKIPRpnerKMrMYVXYW9S4OsJzn2V6sQJd2mM1IDm3bLP1yE0j39o6ROwgyr7VJuOKiqbV_TSLo0ccAEJErwqaycBHDONZSY6ptWwN5pWOc-pSatSTPIjHVIB-0APpUcbXIWFp37qkcFM/s400/jan10+035.JPG" /></div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430388875602795074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmHlS6tUnjh_JFMPE2jguqNylZ7BxIsGIb8ThrUJNoyLewG49dWN5I_FdkCMKKL_pX0lw24P4UT7gtm5MqvTBMcXWHxEevZ1gowN5Ve47WMBbiUhIUU2jUrqVKxfgwtxG54cxXxNq0sM/s400/jan10+075.JPG" /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTIPgzsGYZazVpt15DmLcpOn6me47qkfN7-l0KYJ_jthG5vrOYlIZZ-b245oitU6YhREXEjCTgr7Kkz9a3oURL5f1DTJdum7iusvp5X9_l3xR_NEfEHbice_-8Pacb1_at512wn8CiUY/s1600-h/jan10+046.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430388867573167842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTIPgzsGYZazVpt15DmLcpOn6me47qkfN7-l0KYJ_jthG5vrOYlIZZ-b245oitU6YhREXEjCTgr7Kkz9a3oURL5f1DTJdum7iusvp5X9_l3xR_NEfEHbice_-8Pacb1_at512wn8CiUY/s400/jan10+046.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNl7_aYsoU69epx92WMT7E4DR0FYxP2vfWzpiOr5KMuRYkvPNWBdAH3u-gN9hGzCeJlif2OFV69oqNpW3EKS2r6i7uWV542oBk6UFOyojA2d06p7M-D9w9UJ3-rx24sqsu3XpgR4tWpU/s1600-h/jan10+005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430388863576045826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNl7_aYsoU69epx92WMT7E4DR0FYxP2vfWzpiOr5KMuRYkvPNWBdAH3u-gN9hGzCeJlif2OFV69oqNpW3EKS2r6i7uWV542oBk6UFOyojA2d06p7M-D9w9UJ3-rx24sqsu3XpgR4tWpU/s400/jan10+005.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5Mr4UfvfonxXlKX6ajlEWACZl6i8r1_VvSxUSA45-DMk1DVB7zNvqyL5g_E_7eh_Un0eEAvJWRNYyb71PGnwf3mPDHSkskaS8adX9egKNote2pg0veMM1D_QySxUclzc1Gsu67tIsOA/s1600-h/jan10+004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430388849441441858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5Mr4UfvfonxXlKX6ajlEWACZl6i8r1_VvSxUSA45-DMk1DVB7zNvqyL5g_E_7eh_Un0eEAvJWRNYyb71PGnwf3mPDHSkskaS8adX9egKNote2pg0veMM1D_QySxUclzc1Gsu67tIsOA/s400/jan10+004.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-44119345136791103872010-01-01T14:24:00.000-08:002010-01-02T07:33:31.957-08:00"I Didn't Know about this Day!"<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>It's 1100pm New Year's Eve and Layla and Greg are still outside shovelling snow from the front driveway for the fort they are building in the back when Layla exclaims, "I didn't know about this day! This is the best day <em>ever</em>!!" - referring to the ever popular children's holiday, New Year's!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421931882580972946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0Utnwat40osH5FGBvJDrSLLjizpd0EG38OU0t5dWV7FVyY9ETE6IxkiS6vWvN5Pr_QcB4f-w97qxdJj6FnzB62cJC0NDE3Hsec-AdexY2Aofgw3p5C9jNPIvrEQmrk5zVPxBObai0Ak/s400/newyears09+093.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421935691449935842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTH3348eEyIoS8VyTiy2YVgBZhRLE67_1-76cqrFe2Iu7EC5ASUwox6Gf5yh04WUvLfrIX-S5K1Z38nEYPNP0KpVoLcZKGinYqJN6mPRYA_5pcG0vkRCWdemTLG-RPsoK-tYPsKGiCj_o/s400/newyears09+020.JPG" /><br /><div>Layla was disappointed when she heard the radio declare that this would not be a white Christmas this year. We assured her that there would be plenty of snow in Magrath. She was so excited to get to build a snowman when we got there but the snow was too soft and dry and did not stick together well enough to build anything. </div><br /><br /><div>We returned a few days later to find Oliver under a blanket of fresh snow. Our first day home was New Year's Eve and Layla and Greg decided to build a snow fort. There wasn't a huge amount of snow so Greg and Layla worked hard hauling snow from the front to the back.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421931866394143234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Gu8vzQvQ3SgA_CFZ7NcKfugCyR4ir_25wRpkw4qddoX1_HZ28Cyy-l89iY8Ht7jo80gbv9sS8yPDwizYnBzWkOBe1_TvhPVTljs3nbz1S48d_WmpAMNPfznfelNMD6bTlm3S7g5hS_U/s400/newyears09+091.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421935702207955170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P6f7MaSWC0nIUogqj1Pa0x3HBQLc_fExhLZnxrDz34Imc1q8LyVyQ4FY05j6gx9J55tF5k0G4kGOgItqHNxoG9idP3K9z4RceirP3Cr1SiyZUZifKAbt3UlJZjoLABM9I6f7GE-IAxA/s400/newyears09+035.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421935692966216482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Hjuxy-loI0AfGHIzDFWxnZynAvrgHIeRFcQk9cTVRVGjyf3SF7VJbK-2Xs-56ilrfFKyB78uTYSuBHVHVUhYpUuJYmU8Dqv8kgmzmk11H9VVMdXDbCNyO3ebJmzXocSa73HATUa4Vd0/s400/newyears09+015.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421931877873112706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4a7Gmy_6NWCTsOuhKA0YhgZcDi_lFs72OkGJHbT_cmMPEKKyk1tLQZnyxgtOZwD7ajIZx0rSLI3EJxpyEVN-dcOK2Zy9MSqUPN6Kx2o-sh47_AR8K65N1jcq7oPKb0qK3iqKC0GJqgcI/s400/newyears09+095.JPG" /><br /><div>The next day we were out early continuing to work on the fort. We took turns hauling snow from the front and watched as the fort came to life.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421931888175215202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_Tzsd-e76_OKIYSA3tAR_EH55l4-XvE5QKgTGTuPX25yAYUNnTh9V6YtYDa4ol0KzFoL6RXvUQlOhS5z0ubJpmH1IUhH8pBGXcpLxkOoWk61DmygB9nLMrdFiHqSTy_SJoJpvdnd1eQ/s400/newyears09+126.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421933672794530418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMt-_nm1zKqU8tOayahxAZk-N0XuHvQwbdAHMQVM82BhNbJVcx88ff3jdSaPmIsGuYbzJhhZ7vTFclNAmUPHOrUHH6zRlCmhtENFFd8y48dtOSJxZOksoA2dSZreoo2PjVYYWjwF43hA/s400/newyears09+163.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421933678550825026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7qmgxhJBKnrsq87jsy8c30bmCN-UMLiqqFwnc0VMTJ-WL70tAjVkq9jwMwpma3N9EEf9TUWSJa-5O0BErcrReHTpjD5ZU-N3itKGLwdkJnHcCES2p_ifHHEGX5o0nILwvfB8e3WKUPU/s400/newyears09+185.JPG" />We all snuggled together inside the cozy fort. Even the dog tried to get in but we thought he might break it so he wasn't allowed.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421934883624549842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5OZ94deXSWN-6adqICkC12xD0iFLwaZUwidPTtKYzHG9QjFdQDDBmcMMLeA8TC72gbtSTaU3QeVrUJ97qgDPCUG5htb2VQFyLe8iOGpQ1mr8cEY9PYTezu6-nermZSK7pHLV1cX1pKs/s400/newyears09+231.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421934891366857602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfG5uYk1oKMnlnkY6p5541NWqdkCMFIgJjPOKDs0h6iAUQA74jo7C7MFsCSZ8bcKOhEhXZgZ0iXZEoD1L9CaBv1Sf_JS2zBDCDUNZTWufL98ydIVlYIrALvOypAoQICyc6wDIhh1QEf0o/s400/newyears09+238.JPG" /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421933698281723538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpq771Xod1Zl7MHejHgGPUtq1BTRGJOeYUVm9eScp0dC6jfRWrTSjMdgsVmuoXt6c1hh9AT6UkuH_xGoCUfwmk84szTgotYh5pVodiEIJzBfoC1SsKFGY8fckD8xOUYfBsScl9Q-_OtY/s400/newyears09+199.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421934875586918690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqSg-JOHnsH4kHuDlrvWNZNZQkevRnj1f4Yb-Vc8ObbvJ3ZksPMuRtjr5IssYl1u04gL5O1ovv2ElPg3DFNtVl8tK4sW4ThNytfBdxx-SMzHcokNt7WuRIA9aBDkosZtVfL5WTR7k62s/s400/newyears09+208.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421933704518664178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0Y_bcxk1EnC7I-HEm5vpNQZ_caNN4XJM3B5epWfKW7RVjNAOofns9L3vNsAgV_hHC28chaqDkLN9djPrX45dDeNF4zaYpd_EGxnnjqVcybEZrKJr0X6dcsFwKCwwOw1jwmcQ4go9D-M/s400/newyears09+203.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421931895330391570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLe__pfuyhaF911PRImKLdZ6T1ld_JwgnXB0uehCzaEmfmnb2ZeQUbQKPTKFQvnHZd_jWwrI-lIccxsG9a1Sz2WHxf3wTbiQRpPGZItl9wx63kYnZRNvlVGuabVgrBiYFjBJ5YK4bkgA/s400/newyears09+157.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421933688726887954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOC6MMdjxowQHqhBcOb3d2sE9A5urBqVY0Zh0XMvocOHkY74a_6xaBpm5DK584nPles8sXFMizX_kRp5QhBwvjErnw8DVcLxwJyTWcHBx8Xo9f3XzFxjmGK5kzFYRmOyjgW8MJuJL0Ps/s400/newyears09+193.JPG" /></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />This morning, after one day's worth of warm temperatures the fort has melted so much that the top of the doorway is touching the ground. Greg's 6+ hours of shovelling and our hard work is not all wasted though, Layla says it will make a great slide.Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-41196258046782809012009-12-31T22:46:00.000-08:002009-12-31T23:29:54.848-08:00Christmas '09<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Another Christmas has come and gone, and now all that's left is a mess of new toys, and a few extra pounds around the waistline. <div><br /><div>This year was a busy Christmas for us. I worked Christmas Eve so Greg prepared a delicious roast beef dinner for when I got home. That evening we opened up all of the gifts under the tree.</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421662815579001826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUyDSqpBXKwAyrRopgiIcSWwqKrKF6TEBTFimb-X8oLtDWwQMu-GEXzdDXYpWxpbmzoA3tltfO2G_QsaMBT50YdqY2loWBdmUnzpOcubCEDKYj7GSUyEx3SFKwEs79H5fZX27g04QRlo/s400/xmas09+215.JPG" /></div><div>Christmas morning we woke the kids up early so they could see what Santa had brought for them. We ate a big breakfast and by 8am we were on the road headed to Southern Alberta to visit family. </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421662827822357842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHqPaD6g6IMGT_8gpEuiOCTkhFAinad8yTuvefxROMCnCy-kNRrgLhGFCU8S4MIpW1aGESWEbVf5FVFfwOnKxdChA5EtdHDiHaAnrxUu0k6P6D4Y6ksOzZ3rdrjmB6kL3vWlA5VwmR9M/s400/xmas09+229.JPG" /></div><div>We stayed in Magrath with Greg's parents but we also got the opportunity to spend some time with my parent's in Lethbridge, my Aunt Cheryl who lives in Raymond, and Greg's Aunt and Uncle who live in Raymond. </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421661384564985426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAu3x4lFgQtWUPiauRtBP6v2ZsLUDlNKonleOhh96dyRmtjLE8m1v7RiGyQ0FINuFv2kZvjyy3XFJVTg2u039r6fzp2rOJ6UeG3xOhzejAgSj1DsiQF9VTmyK1SpoFBXN4WSnaIRysEnk/s400/xmas09+096.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421661363852554754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLev3k-C2Gbo4yCdROZu7_13cu18pK3WTbJaLIcrp5HM0KIabijk2GoEEdhgNWS53oRm_sVLFV_98NcCWB1CPyUGpDhm3LjKy5E5NujYb_HXvu_OA14OsG4mjOX-h-aq3cw3CONx9cVc8/s400/xmas09+089.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421661358919895282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOijXUXbz6RgHigc_VZ8zX_AkiZ5-eSxRhsKH06LqRJzupjCJuybT7pYPNs9m_vhYIQOpn5hm9NcWU4JJcqZi8Z-qAn8V54-unZ3AHpLauwc3dVhmtV88Ys9wMRPx8HxwBr09qXB8Abmc/s400/xmas09+087.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421660347897313394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGWwD1OInldivIrXaxW0fX-rhIeLBw5ItIuiJR13gEDUALUjAaoVJqcxQ8AxPFzVCH6MuwvwZ2uV-4x0Td8zB2H7eBkQbgnqr7ShsXFTcFXtiKUvn2AvphIcnpCfS8kr0LTutrezYkXs/s400/xmas09+080.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421660370492627858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_i2X4zHtOgZ-5Mz00JiBn3f2JinB6-IXJwgAlR4x6NInyNReMSf3O1UHUo9ZM-IwQS8ZqwJCLFdFCl7AFpN4Fd3EXORCgKF0JbRgmvOIWALy9ZtWJdTGi8mA9INGNQv3HhID1i3UJEiM/s400/xmas09+083.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421660363409689714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydTtRarmotc33B-qXUb_7XR46OA8kA5A7ebLdSElzHq7nmxbFKOdUc6u-jEugLzOcKnJPAFKh0fOVGYlSr21S9XuRTG2dVbhuIQ4thEPn5uMm70EkYeVWglNYLSZD1N4BtOG2pf-Z8bc/s400/xmas09+082.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421660356579903874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJrGo16EYq-aKcJCG7cl_ZYV2Jb7BEDtHECo45bW-9Ub1PP4yl0IBLEiezUshoxa9_vCUntbgscE4Xub4RAIOth6ZUACNSLUp9Ff3WHUkyC_Vz1uO5-QsQOURpxMq4Z_luoIi4cW3Es8/s400/xmas09+078.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421660340048816002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oE8_T109PpXy0ddRN1v4sTbPwIdkskZwQnSMWA3VToxY20P7h6IE8J0ITdfWGAMEfHtOynwuC3pVpa4lT5vssmAFrnBQSoThJq_IYPCO5d2ngz6TRG_kUEXmhisRk-HfrpuMHs7SSqc/s400/xmas09+044.JPG" /></div><div>The highways on the way home were awful. There were accidents everywhere. We battled heavy snowfall, thick fog, and icy conditions throughout the mountain passes and beyond.</div><div> </div><div>The kids were very excited when we got home as they finally got to play with all of their new toys. Layla's favourites this year are her musical instruments including guitar, piano, microphone and Hannah Montana Stage. Baron's favourite is definitely his basketball hoop. Considering his limited vocabulary we are amazed at how well and how often he says "ba-het ball! ba-het ball!" I am going to get some serious biceps with all of the lifting I do so that he can put the ball in the hoop. I'm glad he loves it though. My favourite gift was a painting of a penguin done by Layla, and framed by her school. Greg says his favourite gift was the contributions made towards winter tires for our van because without them we would not have seen our family this Christmas, and family is THE greatest gift of all. HIS words NOT mine so save your "oh geeeeez" for Greg.</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421662843511904354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGfmajSuzBJcRCpeSJR4BX-4RowpQlYXDVEkB7mJ4c0at-60vhNyyhTgw-CRE2Q5BJ5X8n_SxS6XFQl6e23hFUa7ew0nwJw6LRi7TJpyICnYTrgBzcYzgk1FZmWvkPlxVtaezOjhOl8w/s400/christmas09+043.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421662836766157986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLwLfqwtY14vcfadUN4OW60TLvGLHVRVNRjEfAixbH3zKhugrtcLQnGjdCpXzgDVNivYzDMLh_5fLfHIkCDafDoVlHmu7bWAvPDOeU9iI9K9ovazK6b2DKzseAOZBwZilrNZK71x60YY/s400/xmas09+247.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421662813129986994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDF74wC31SJHbNPTAXY0vIk_S4kLeef-3GgwCdRz80VlHGUNbULpLkeyp5OtjlbcNxLK9OEiZDpCwsg3vlaqdIEzgYwb4f2dw_3GJmS7pkp8k9DzEHIRe-IKAiqt2jbt1XCNIsJBtvXE/s400/xmas09+163.JPG" /></div><div>And that was Christmas for the Bournes this year. Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-43067963129382203952009-12-17T10:08:00.000-08:002009-12-17T20:10:10.628-08:00Sen Pok Chin Christmas ConcertLast night was our first opportunity to attend a Christmas Concert as parents. Layla was so excited and so were we. The concert was held in Osoyoos at the Desert Cultural Centre. The theme was The Power of the Drum and featured the very talented Russell Podgurny, a Pow wow singer and drummer. He has been working with the students all year to teach them about his craft. He performed solo and also with each class.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416319796052246914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBMDeBDbcX360KXWknDwEyZHAF9ke6BASXmHP0pis5XrMy6GvW-ZQvSDFtqaEJ_PFg-9MPU7HzXM1zLJXZ9jgxtjy5bkuDVKyOIfhhUCdjkqpujKBvxEiFGWCNkvq5c-5fK6BleOCX5I/s400/concert+052.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br />Baron enjoyed the dancing and the music and managed to keep his havoc to a minimal. Very much appreciated by his parents.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416319804396951618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8ZX8FfyVz1ZQC_-1p9UMRGywxePaVXGEkbIXduBtSJSBTNNujCbhIHtvEDpeAe1gNb5KAWJs-pJ8hJH1noLWb_IiD3djeny-KhM7Zinz91MngIDLiey4lDqEApBcYgn2k6RC9orJL4A/s400/concert+053.JPG" /><br /><br />Layla and Latrisia after the concert with what I believe is a dead coyote.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416320543306125458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iQz9t20KCSFJTN7kgj0LAGSyQhnGbh9MGKyw4Ug5Th3sjjf92QatsOjYIm6ve4-IeckjmoUczEIu7M_6-YlZQBSmZHIu4pvheJ4tNtEyyIqrLhGYNB2Bue_w6_0MA65Q5ZeeUUSDMVI/s400/concert+075.JPG" />Markus, Layla and Nathan in the teepee room. It was pitch black in there besides the flash of my camera and nearly impossible to get them out to go home.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416333436314917442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmy_TNcAGPiWkSsdq90E6_7aMh5-ksnk3nTLU3V4klKNB2Cbl-a_oLmnaoLBtL9zhdASEuOLywJc4aCh00pNgAsEYodBYMHabW3SGAmh74ZEWryHMKy69fJJYPshlkT8k-_0zhSQEg5o/s400/concert+080.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416320550680498162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGQyQMx-s-nkjvshBly9pvkueEXmwm-SUxXdjS1Ez5WyLhsP-l-WTL2eEldiYhLx91UyiiI33VR8H191KtjG5hm-VZ1qlvKkCvboVizLO7SVc4M0_goPy-8clgWZIl0HVzveKw4-Sx_Q/s400/concert+079.JPG" /><br />Layla and Emily on stage.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416319821324487474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSPQWib2cv05IZ4k2wl-mHZ_yYkrpOIdHdNj_OOXpYBXse1EzKH4V0xiEt1eeiKawWr3Y92JxrBNXpSuTOsw0R6IwBXtIPZDAqBnn8M8Bvea8sbgJsWyAfLZTuqDcdZyF_dxAaTsEpeI/s400/concert+069.JPG" /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416319813777301410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmr_PbFpJmPEbym6w6beZpYQSPLwS6JcZ3hYjCcvcf6mR3vq4km5c_O3yfswdB4ymvPZXsdqlcFhvxm21YZcVbipyYHP43Zp4MGLl6nvx_Bkacg-107OETh3VU-4_rc-k39fZJFXkp7zo/s400/concert+068.JPG" /><br /><div>Here are some videos I tried to film with Layla's little camera, so I apologize for the quality. </div><div><br /> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy0kcLA5sdpZTBdEA8lbTzJogPr5L5ybcDcwwQOxFhkDMozVv9PgrXQGS2vIUxJ4G1Q-T21uVnKJr9CZTyyKw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-24563284168337589942009-12-06T06:34:00.000-08:002009-12-06T07:00:06.605-08:00Lost Moose Lodge<div><div><div><div><div>Last night, for my birthday, Greg and I got a babysitter and headed up up up a mountain for some fine dining. We went to Lost Moose Lodge, which overlooks Penticton, Lake Okanagan and all the way to Peachland. It was a long way up and we met winter about half way up. We were pleased to test out our new snow tires and didn't lose traction once on the steep twisty snow covered road.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412136655323622002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIo0hzPHPnoREL83xtYRZRKD5K0M42CZQwC8TMmz8UCa-_7z-HSu-JxkvaNb-uDQ56f0VAL1sPNmVoczDZxbtPclSU0eUz3p6FzjJKT6TWRGLVB2o-VBMqHGPXPuhIzeuAH9K_njfU78/s400/dec09+021.JPG" /><br /><div>There was only one other couple at the lodge that night. I guess we were the only ones brave enough to take on the road? It was a great atmosphere with a fire burning, good music, and amazing views. The chef cooked our steaks outside on the barbecue and they were delicious. It was dark outside and my pictures didn't work out so I copied one from their website.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412135834343753330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4xnAUbOAS-0UDY3PNo1ajINnkTriwnDjG0TK4IchkO7lP41PkzP25QxoGQIHgdLFbLI0brn3t-pkOl-GjX2WTH981wWdK0eNSPqs5gh2J7SFb72PgRCzDIv9V6sMyKFUOxV7neXPAbc/s400/lostmooselodge.jpg" /><br /><br /><div>That was not the first snow we have seen this year. Friday morning we woke up to a dusting of snow on the ground. This was Baron's first time in the snow and he really seemed to enjoy stomping his feet in it. It didn't last long though, it was gone by noon. Perhaps we will take the kids up a mountain and find a good tobogganing hill and remind them what "real" snow feels like.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412135839819906418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN20CCxzUV-2sEVNRCSHSjWt0gmhHKMdtNgGp43a5Ft9jfuGt9J7VEFFO6Turv444rg_xn0IrpVoc9bR_VVpRWLd6H5XyyQDb0HLZyHMIx0pq5zwGHHVvMUJRYFwzS2hJJtPiHMnfQXgQ/s400/dec09+003.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412135856691300226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20xFrmWhQfWGdCqaok_2R4IgI10sj63c97r9FhwI_JEXED4lf4QWFkEqrobAWKnKqIDkpzFhrIOVMiqFgqsYaepUcWyJZe4O-UBlp1QT7914FS3R7cPqIe2pjNIe6_M9XmrAhZlVbgwk/s400/dec09+005.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412135849308350946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkguWIV7bxPw2jaNeN7Ss4i8P9dWQbF0B8AFR_6dKc6y8flKMd7kVH4QuCewnvuq4gnAQlS-rZOGPhRA2r_209_Kzbu1BW03Uw3R7C2EU3zCT1RMJ2nhCOIxlDJ8aFl-dw6v2hpizrwME/s400/dec09+006.JPG" /><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-30699443346248904392009-12-04T08:50:00.001-08:002009-12-04T10:42:29.853-08:00Me and My PALThe last day of my twenties I was lucky enough to spend with my favourite PAL, my little Layla Faye.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411446328233592626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIasj7QPb6avCMD_mT8bP6F726OSPGC32KsUwQpVsHMf8YG0h9F8_gYou8Oy7R3MhY_eB0n5HljYmbeXaoWmCPUz9d9dn9jbLG2m2v932bkiZAQNhBOnl2mLw8WwnJUCbE78jXrFgjU2Y/s400/PALSDec+001.JPG" /><br />Every month Layla's kindergarten class invites the parents to spend half of the school day learning the best methods to help our children learn to read and write. They call this PALS, which stands for Parents as Literary Supporters.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Layla and I had fun using flash cards, searching for letters in the sand, painting, drawing, and reading. It is so great to be able to see her interact with her peers and watch the progress she has made so far in school. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411448796357210530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAwjV6oP5dnaFjDeqayJDqM_gqryjzEjSIWbVrUn6GxBPArKWkVnDAwl_LBxcW6b8iFdKAeFKzpoGkOetkIyz8PsI8dmI_fU0q_-xkI0n0R8PgHOxkuGFMYEY59_2Va8TDKGEq44fjx8/s400/PALSDec+016.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411448786806765970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp62c4Cpjay_sjzpVDrdVKPj0gXMMOo3f7TEPs6hv7uEqpfoFiCynq-mYkzwFslMiVsn8KT5699OQKqHItXIP3PtjdUyU2fcIp6_kRlrhsWE5FT1wXgdWydsRa7ENy9ghWimM_aYwqhgo/s400/PALSDec+007.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411446356226107554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycRowFscGJEGpJIzr8O8fqKKA5nVUVl1KMrGN2w9rjGzYTt0bjzxS7o7KCF_1Kp3kOb-CEG55F1SRHc1XX70VfkcjRGU8gVdoLqFpjCcE7f3Es7qDGuawu2Jd65GAHzpXeTA0PUrBQbI/s400/PALSDec+006.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411446341622060450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkXBypyEdMGTFeJoMLewqYQuH8PXX_jOeLql3BNdTMAWgwI63m9vYxBQX1kjiZpIXlFx1Zu331swACMNjFpoU1vVEUwYUuKiNALyHU6pnPNGhqhnewjDx9KUTn2_ZLijAFHLvpp2n4Uo/s400/PALSDec+002.JPG" />I am so proud of my little angel and can not think of a better way to spend a day than watching her learn and progress into a beautiful little lady.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411446348113489682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDdw9RJ9K1k-9bElRybSrypNp89yspePy9NOc9U07mqJ1UeBcFF9nqEYpymuTmQBYTNeuXcRPERhgqG5ZwNORy0kpIABUhw4VEP8kAAhX1ifAXxrjmjeeHgFwGaP-wQFfeTfNFvIFuMA/s400/PALSDec+020.JPG" />Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-57344775897714228582009-11-05T08:59:00.000-08:002009-11-05T11:18:31.473-08:00Autumn in the Okanagan with the Bournes<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>The best part of autumn for children has got to be playing in the leaves. Layla's excitement about it is contagious and she has somehow managed to get both Greg and I to join in the fun and jump off of our wobbly fence into a pile of freshly fallen leaves. </div><br /><br /><div>I have tried to capture some of that energy in photos. Enjoy.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400674884529563602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2AHbgkWCa8MYg_DHd2KeHtnH7IqcZeecxrCRA2hQv3Qqj1J93zHW5W27voWN47T9ojD-0zrLe9o_no3D0EE85HHNYypWCGVKWkTPyxUAsLrK54R6IF9lWuMhWh4eB1TeQvuJnqco8q0/s400/laylainleaves+096.JPG" /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400700193104896834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oS3LA6Jcw7bKSCHQOANNyvpNLYZ90OfpJWvptZLhW6tAShdG0eiSz7t9TgKfp9F1OxNTAifx2TJTbJDD7oBLaAXDQcztfeNps1DcPjg71xITYZkXDNHpYTK5wdTHCRXCtj15bqkg3B8/s400/laylainleaves+091.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400694664812333554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILQlbFEqVx01pYdJPQsVcSmcw5cYe465BZn7fxeAye_cms53tUUGO4qk2OemDshPcA1rJQxJwMKZ1us69U04YFrGvJ4rsU-ekjCWoTjEb1Co6Zh5hL3FbYIM2GG-jUrZJAFk8Mx7xO60/s400/laylainleaves+108.JPG" /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400697296955396898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZ8DGnsVFY4Zud8ioXEx4OmaPKyLsuX2PxyAdk7ThxBdiOjOjJSAxGF9g7P5KjkBSE-EG_VvsYchf45UYfLTmgO6HymZ0C2rf7T8-0LHW2fFL0xKaCjC6SuhqVJEznlKt0AOLI9UqMzM/s400/laylainleaves+019.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400697299996281458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsP2iObF9u6ibQEixaRh1ISSN5DSvlA8dF9ATKi-jQ0S-cYZtEvCRwRHeI4pirMlEsctRbWWHDhmSZ3asN7czkdM4bI_x9hKhlppnOqbH97YU66Q6d1UCurePD-1Z-hkVZ5Z4BRjxIJk/s400/laylainleaves+008.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400697288707256962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYnZFoKDpXh-xYJ6o6IiTMAxsXEEcfkOW3ZMo8VCDfQChF5fGhb1M5jjwBTbGD1cwjo5I73BUw4Cr1QzzRywcAe3rs7fbjFOiD0I4F3GB18YilgY3mOlrQ6B1WpyXPfjnyRWIXoI1yWY/s400/laylainleaves+010.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400694672408528850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkb5Mt6285Vrvf6KjpobUJMnulu5s2vCO3eu8qN-ZTDCM2QQqg9N-q6pb5J_ypi4WPnHeK1pU3gwbVBGS4PHkNukNIBTY2TQ3CU7PJgdLQEn1d8SNNrbZZNsqvpfzC9XTeV_9lB8JBEe0/s400/oct09+098.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400696381341357266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmZhIabtddvE8b10Dy0S3X8ZfTMIc6DcTmrHynv-xTEIXZCq7nfNmeqcvfk-oHbPNj6_wWVT9rrAP-t3fJd40ILrQEmtRfJOuMhTE8dUDBkSmZr07zV2vaKebzJbQHxW9rYMrUgLKkjw/s400/oct09+140.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400696365492352546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMELhZ4ihNRgxydRdOthHlwvebVH3ZTKzCW4YJCFPLXsYAIy8qo-FDAsrxFc88UkI11L4-Aqp6Sc8dmsMbAU-RaFGpa4KeSNVrC3jrfb-peo3f705WGtuRZr7sAFWj6lDUxx8LG6oq5os/s400/oct09+116.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400696371561711170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkK5gvsPgaMMph8dpa_20_up3XhPJZkWh0yis6tX2j2CYqd40MEHfnp9N8dkiNlJqJJPBmr_U7NGVyjZcCLGwbTNcqoaNixuMCtd8HZTsx8vMERWEXI9LXf6HfWdw3ZoduzFFAWuhD-xE/s400/oct09+117.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400694679961857218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvowTUrUSLCcwK-BwLSjfk2dIY_M_aFPSrhG1ZSBgN1E4dO3gO_O9dkCE33uGAM-q8SISztztOy5dWC_7iqIJRuZFu-ReQZ0OO1haQC_R_PxHQt1bSeHDGjwqgeOwHVKdoHRhV7r8q1UI/s400/oct09+104.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 285px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400694690639372210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkyb82jgQac1gNQaJTAhTkd_vDcrmpLnfNmYFMvotrDzBxvQ_q4rVrFMe05kZArBDtzhRvEH0vANu7lWSLa3_-tEj-Sl-wW3Tsjfiwz_GMnGOKZZ2cUG-ZpOsgcIkXtqvymI7gNR_E0o/s400/oct09+105.JPG" /></div><br /><div> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400674878489993058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXLR_G4VRmyNKdnUnWau1bZA6K_UpfW-WiqYpRWDChsLdrILBfTebLm_19rNcWy0VTX_-TeyX_RY4a2yabvoW_JLUkolOS5T7m7tZR0Ge2DmjMsoMUQXD_3ba7NdQbI6fS-8qmy8qWI4/s400/laylainleaves+044.JPG" /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400674870042261010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcz7c7qKozAsu3N7m7ZeY_JpQdQ7jP7M3aNN89a6z_0365LZh_iMlXQC7UD-1kVvIFAtWFC1WkBCtaWHgaBcfY0tQLuTCfHJsjXhodijipc0gN2KVgNn6dupfLPpYMal8HGbO9iLAHR3c/s400/laylainleaves+015.JPG" /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400674861850832818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV0AEl4QKJtq1yBLuWLaD7YMRBZ4YCGZUlrcF6vJG0zkpoTjuOAzoS2DzuDv0PZCh-JrTkKAkYq-IXJFJaXQfdjUwCObAQApaA5Km1SLeZoU4bSsr8ZAciiJ5HrpsDfhpaD5X7GzibYE/s400/laylainleaves+007.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-51956365349464355382009-10-31T07:37:00.000-07:002009-10-31T09:16:26.937-07:00♫♪ Walk Like an Evening Ship ♫♪<p>Thursday night was the monthly family night at Layla's school. It was a Halloween themed dance on one side of the gym with games and activities on the other side, and dinner set up in the halls. Dinner...not for us! You think you could get Layla to sit and eat when there was so much fun to be had in the gym? Not likely.<br /></p><p>Layla is dressed as an Egyptian this year but she has a hard time saying Egyptian without focusing so when she sings it comes out "Walk like an evening ship". </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398795792599722098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcib_nUCW3VWU7PRdqAoIkvC4acg_9ZHNRy44FehoDEaFCqO2kU_mi2D8j5ZM7uMDfmkJ2y9mKDRYRuV0bXF5NZoxHiNlwhYxzbd_JqOKh3g7dClOwd651f7eOWRmaMU4v4UlxyVKBzlU/s400/halloween09+007.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398795797835330322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYbHjpyTV8HoSs4Botoac-7Z5LDXLe4Oi4TPhYY2NLXeNip-XwAipD1KOJC7l-bGbGPecLV02NunMwS0DXKAdeAZqPu3Yj_7xBpWR9Ofwk8zFg1kbTxvBslswIqWVL9w5lIuK6vuEBYQ/s400/halloween09+012.JPG" /><br /><br /><p>The photos I took in the gym didn't really work out to well but here's a glimpse of Layla and her friends at the party.</p><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398795810411251778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiG-uD1aYPJ1J2tRyrk75p2jA0vyeUGAy_WRonAOgF8-8EvDfII3zCCktPQS1W1b2ltpFK5jidlIr2apqRUsHfG7Z67h2FiZdz6iHTF2xlFmOcleaZZdookJh8RCTTnu_awWe2JNGCHlk/s400/halloween09+025.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398795800993238482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1I5wWwL_6hjWlLR5jtSelQGGkvioflVwFlD4rGeypCGfS1nSwd71lI5K7w845BJFVS1Zn58DHOqSDgAZO4rj5rsPhJ9Ljx7Q0PBVPwMVg4w1slj8vt8-GFPRItaLPB7UP4ReoJe6pth8/s400/halloween09+031.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398796312250932402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOD8jOaDqbmSQPVQfbAx3awr3DSKg2IfLU_QtHFADWvM8zxaiJmdV8hNkquylEXIYqM8P4ctmMG7L2XI-cka9McV0L5pYqdwFJOUeeJ2HJFX73sTz-hLACrHtieJv325c2I3Q0yFHBwU/s400/halloween09+039.JPG" /><br />The kindergartners performed a dance that they had practiced only 3 times but it was pretty cute anyways.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzRYzv4z3eXik2Ky-MPY3NWX96DsMb-m3NIZv8o09qUA9bGLz0Uh-t2mOZZxZn5uFlE9MclqJGGk-CyYz-4_Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-27168190925498810342009-10-26T10:08:00.000-07:002009-10-26T10:40:45.264-07:00Carvin' Up a Good TimeLast week Layla's class went on a field trip to a pumpkin patch. She got to choose 2 pumpkins to take home but somehow, they never made it. Layla said they had holes in them so she didn't want them. Her teacher said she put her name on 2 of them and she definitely had them before home time. My guess? They suffered the same fate as so many sweaters this year, they were abandoned on the playground when it was time to board the bus.<br /><br />Sunday morning we took the dog for a walk at the beach near Penticton. On our way home Layla was excited to point out the pumpkin patch they had gone to. We decided to stop and pick up some pumpkins. I had never been to a pumpkin patch and Greg hadn't either so we thought we would let Layla show us how it's done.<br /><br /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396958108571559282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMI8qM_XktjFQwJpYT9wrZx5WJYoIQxF8OmV3FcM5o-I7p49JpI73zoabL8FwjOEg8R2Mb38Knv_vTx5m3Uj40o0g8GqpYmU_ct_B7Acxe_gRiwEyqveH6CJYJz4EvM3W5XcxQVPmYrGg/s400/oct09+018.JPG" />Thanksgiving weekend's record breaking cold snap was not easy on the pumpkins and many of them were rotting and in rough shape. We did manage to find a few gems and Layla pointed us in the direction of the scale and for less than a twoonie we went home with 2 beautiful pumpkins. <br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396958117336646530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglkX-vzHDE-Yql5yIP-xgM2iOBuzUsHSn0kKppNVx2nHemzWcVnZfghyphenhyphen3NjzcjxFJ5pyzgkHL7FFIVvjnnk96hqlx5ZzvuXIhTYXALlXPZ2LzcY2dGXPOnZHV1S3CDuKS7h4xQQaxLwAQ/s400/oct09+022.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396958131262269538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3Y-i8Vrvn8BO2AaKQCP79ajNFZ06my_6xxwb2mhd8wSR0o1-s7FomKGic7jVFp0fXorng7Uxzi99jc43zBtf7vlR8hxwwwY4E7uCWutRyF52-sXoW_Ndmr3uCHIWDy7LZqFExoVjr_E/s400/oct09+026.JPG" />At home we went right to work. Layla was a big help and did a great job cleaning out the pumpkins.<br /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396958138319611922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZkLij0Popz15tL4y-qGldZcx7COxx4NlGxGTQWIFAAspTI7tj7b390m0RaLQ7TD0imDvUOa_rv_FU6YNXZxPjhvQaSjQJjlVgRKdLEYIJIb3anz80ummeTc2YLLtZaylzpw6TtrIuzI/s400/oct09+035.JPG" />Mmmmm YUMMY!<br /><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396958849559415506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoe9saLmAefnAOZfUpqxGS2qdnTrjs_ozFj1kh3OXGI2dnjk_ScHDYAq_cw52Gxa5RKnowHx9_wfb4dQckIAHGGC7bxFql-2y4sg56_QU8TsA9cSuEVNUxPaMOhHiBtSSxTwOb93Jvzc/s400/oct09+038.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396958839949479538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gkH1e9p4FhNt6TZpCdZcsY8f1S922HFn8HK70R3p4XbLpXGK134BerKTj5HzIA0_Efj2x36aw1P9TsfzkpEJuZ0CXIqGgHtNbBHLgsV6eWvUsm-pYOuwDGNE3wV5rtO9Jn11aW9X5mU/s400/oct09+037.JPG" /></div><div>...and the final result. Cinderella and Princess Jasmine.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396958861748817762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYX4okDMbrEx-aBzbhHSl4vN15qLzo72K3kXhMx3AMJwpRUiYckFVW7sqWAOPiDzI9OxpBvdSlUnVQKau7FxkbpW37FOa1Q4UU5VknjnvCvuC_lAKVnZjgc18jwtVJm4YSaZ9puvkA0mE/s400/oct09+056.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396958852002296994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPp-woEyCAvAx1hzq2SN0unnEIvnanF3vCG6GdJq411dxy_gT3QBau7FFu2jYofKGk8WriqiluYBw9YOBvfo0AzKG2-b-C0FcZO90kOk4IqiEM4Hy3hsoOBXmJoHdldA8oIIpZODbQ2jw/s400/oct09+054.JPG" />Tomorrow? Roasted pumpkin seeds. Can't wait!<br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-28269113561735573482009-10-21T18:15:00.000-07:002009-10-21T20:14:29.752-07:00Autumn in the OkanaganAutumn in the Okanagan is just so beautiful I thought I'd share a few photos I have taken this week.<br /><div></div><br /><div>This I took today on my way home from work. It's called Yellow Lake. This is where we went fishing last year. I loved how the clouds moved down the mountain like a waterfall and the serenity of the lonely fisherman on the still lake. Sure my commute is long...but what scenery!<br /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395254413998422162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47mLr0mnRHOb1FHRyEM-T_y886e9fpn6nLgn7THzbfWB88En6h4vVNHPa3oPxYq-U1h7SjmsLQ8wVY7DhjtAwsXyfKivyPKc0SKNrBIUdPazzwtpvZpV_NC5CNHn86KEKCk3E3N1gH8Q/s400/oct09+013.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395254402109167570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWmvyTXgvOnrILJOlFGNrg0Urjmza9wNbBMT2zUK-lxmofCbv3jQBMAX3LHAVS1MevrMUgftFX8e1sNOpuNXTu-y-EOkAFfll-LglTHl7gM5kdKqgwLiY03jgnQknwaRddNNHdMKedRk/s400/oct09+019.JPG" /><br />This was taken yesterday on my way home from work. It's close to White Lake and I just loved how the trees were changing color and the way they twist down the hills like a river.<br /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395256276757603842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYWZsH-91iby5CBWSVr10odGeFHA0Ov4yMCmVbkJERcnQlZfoS-fd3DKztOnhw878sAWSxEGUJhRHDlcKahp4_GQKk2-iYGlaSXF9K-lgRUxBTfilgVKWB5cGwDecYAYq0y4Nfe_UHTs/s400/oct09+003.JPG" /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395254401210329234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OoEr-nNcB9Bx5umAYy_rCUvf9BGtBYeTtMp7zVQQHEfFivuw1SUOrFEPUmcvdtGzhN_FySu77rOBYFShyRhDWzanJUXZgDJC4KOT1AMJRH3BYikTqDCz2Nik6rxoJv6A2brQkOW2Vzs/s400/oct09+009.JPG" />This I took on Sunday on our way home from a walk at Vaseux Lake. I loved the reflection on the clouds in the lake.<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395252279727483938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOVNrAhEAJdsDOLbzjzKLTN8LKWqysyDy4wqMyeuioxctpUvwloOlvMr2EGV_eEm9_w0cquOtC__lQZq1EuZfLTzfcDn0r4ZsGh03smxgZXD6b-s7_cnySnNUg4Jpd9KH3b8LUpn-zKI/s400/oct09+107.JPG" /><br />Here is Layla at the Vaseux Lake look out.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395252275403388258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdz1EIisS9bH5LR2B0VTWwtqM0NadYVZzEOE_XTf1auGCHBnC-JX3Au06zAEzbelB0DWgwLUiTnYvWSMH9TswMK3K1yWBnEz0Cj6hmLSKxgaBD7jkQ2WUyqjZRabkg0lYUGiec-caBxlM/s400/oct09+039.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-90535407790410161452009-10-14T08:40:00.000-07:002009-10-14T09:09:31.064-07:00FIELD TRIP!<div><div><div><div><div>Yesterday I was lucky enough to join Layla and her class on a field trip. We went for a walk to see the salmon who have returned to the Okanagan River to lay their eggs. </div><div><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392483437162358898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8V8wbjdvmVGQDuGNxlkeJUBE1WhI5yN0A3dpb7yZwyGLv2RHiBaPe6VR7VMu4kIDa5UiFal-fQeYnINDKWuQ0MXlkGJjDByS55fuPMwkQGG3BXbS2cHGxIU9XVl69ZqwxFgsriGuAZo/s400/fieldtrip+005.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392483423783795186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGP-f4mPwyu5VtfWElp0re5ZodsZPWVRKVBi_QPjXnZY-KGy80UhQRXRPYAUahcwaBPs6HiQB7DeqyeCeEMiICocG57qTvLc0yLxZQNOZTxiwEEuo2Fu7p8B-gULhcuBgWjRGCNulR_Aw/s400/fieldtrip+002.JPG" /><br /><br /><div>Our high that day was a frigid 11 degrees so our morning walk was very cold. It seemed like the adults were the only ones who felt it though. Kids just don't seem to feel the cold like we do. By the way, Layla is the girl in the pink jacket and blond braids on top (sometimes wearing a purple hat)</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392483457312624466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2qPvOthXbnV7Ui0AIAUGhoIbbEx8WzWjx-i6p4jG3dLWMVyixbvRhI86fiitB8Y50kAheVLbpQBQsM_KCObMOj7-AMsW3ZSZNCt4XOf0JZN3j_cvSvpxK0nQ8Mw1pCyds2-ZN_O7QTE/s400/fieldtrip+011.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392483450105021554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeSCKV4bSecVVEgMBLVyYtr6MBUyDJRSkRGLjgejgmRt9Ivw5ZuVur2cInaiilj7uMdMDVBIagPj7i4JAIe4XrueelNP3j_jTcv-WxUbUq1sDCsqiqz37uZWZOWXxAY_4dd3Av1Oh5x8/s400/fieldtrip+007.JPG" /><br /><div>Baron was happy to join the class on their walk. He loved watching all of the children and didn't make a peep the whole 90 minutes we were out there. Very unusual for the Bearster.</div><br /><br /><div>Here is Mrs Millward teaching the class about the river restoration project which includes returning the river to it's natural twisty state rather than the straight channel it had been made into years ago. This gives slow moving areas and pools for the salmon to spawn without having to fight the current so hard.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392483928489977842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLvcB5aWEsgjtmlMbPakYAHhCLrFXpY4vi0FgcXDXZhdJMysorD2s3vjRlxBdlOYlG4hbCZGf1KVRUBAirs5rJoHWJcckeyOGuIFLZM-pew94Zad4i9jC1TF4PmxrmGypbR1owE533D4/s400/fieldtrip+014.JPG" /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392483468602172562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxD1RoP-9uwa76TyVWaFcLM6kfAK9nwtZbLAYfrqalTK71uJX4fUW65Ydpc6oowVDt-OrTg7Xwu4ouV73wfpAtB0UvWhqG_U6ITlT29MJmMVGcMiWPm-wYLn9ZPPDjk4AJHy848ulVkn0/s400/fieldtrip+013.JPG" /></div></div><div>I had a great time and hopefully I'll be able to join them on more of their field trips, they seem to have a tonn of them. So far this year they have gone to a farm and picked a tonn of fruits and veggies (and got to bring them home), skinned a deer, picked grapes at a vineyard and learned how to make them into juice, went to the Nk'mip golf course to run the Terry Fox run, and next week they are going to pick pumpkins from a pumpkin patch to take home. I guess full-time kindergartners have lots of time for extra activities. Lucky girl.</div></div></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-11885143405793692612009-10-14T08:21:00.000-07:002009-10-14T08:38:40.497-07:00Baking with Grandma<div><div><div><div><div>For the Thanksgiving weekend we were thankful to have Grandma and Grandpa Bourne come visit. Grandma thought it would be a good idea to make her famous oreo cookies with Layla. Layla was pretty excited to bake what her Dad promised would be the best cookie she has ever tasted.</div><br /><br /><div>Layla got to combine all the ingredients and stir, stir, stir. </div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392477962472115746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAu-_UsvQe9amwNRi4h4lz6gx_Je7_LjPsszIE9ZaBtw3_HAcykIt2SilfERUo7md5bTTohjWInvVpEBPXKT1gSlwaFpHJePWc6Y9QMPYOGsJssE3puOsC-A46yDY4Mu0_I7CaLHgWu4/s400/thanksgiving09+008.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392477970571231090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_J5mCtPA4UTO9V5V4zgYThWdBfMHuTNeCZlc8t-EWoiTSdagrJFAw_pNO6fbZKNKSPRSkStnetfyiHo-DUH0ZFwgM7U994gkTGwckTA8g2LuOq70doJgWh3wI2Pq35szza7LGIYKJXL4/s400/thanksgiving09+009.JPG" /><br /><div></div>Greg was elected the official taster because, well, he had the most experience.<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392477954136342706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSExLN734iiKSq6oU8w2iwlfRFq7rUu7ReMilADuN7fFsnLunWAaW_IRQxR-oQRsX5xiYKZgl2ZR64wVYeWo8T3YpbvlueMOWGXSYyBGcZJj33bYwY8HlppBnG_q1gnxV9jZjDltCA9o/s400/thanksgiving09+064.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p> </p><p>This one was a special cookie Layla made for Grandma with lots of extra cream cheese icing. Oh the sacrifices one makes for their grandchildren.</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392477987970184770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBI0PgPtXbhUj0HmDnjZalibwMorEkz3Zc3hDXoi3JCs4QnhVCFLEaBGY55NjHgbOa9Ywd4JL3ErHmdUSECwPEIKaRzcwG3zbDJjyEMAvuM6NVEmS5LbQpzHRyUo99-BKYxmxeIzSmMA/s400/thanksgiving09+074.JPG" /></p><p>We all approved of the cookies and had them polished off within 48 hours. Soooo yummy.</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392477972862488514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mcbqPawsTHNHSz6Gm5fexP6dsXzM8562sKrUB37JrbR-3_wtQMZiuMu0pqWh72SYeeDyTQeVNSIe7M5QsBv2kAljIDahYftjsPG_7vIQfFKeHV6ZR6yYhxrOKHp3j8dbY4glH6HcXk0/s400/thanksgiving09+067.JPG" /></p>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-36939417327091935572009-09-19T11:09:00.000-07:002009-09-19T11:44:15.564-07:00♫♪ You say Good Bye ... I say Hello ♫♪<div><div><br /><div>After the untimely demise of our pet moth, Chompers, we respectively put him to rest beneath a tree in our backyard. Layla decorated a coffin for him, dug the whole, sang him the saddest version of Happy Birthday you have <em>ever</em> heard and left him with a kiss and some flowers. Then she jumped on the bus and was off to school.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383244677241215458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmwupuGFYAU2bR6zVgB_52NFKOTIL4BmETWySJiWmra1y3xkN0Ta1HfaTOrfBpupO6tMsfxhMuKxKiOZfyQLeDSPZdued58TDz4DTnNwOvfZOmoG_lgNTC6wmIAwqqz84UGi4bDPTPPw/s400/chompers+013.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383244692697993682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFR6FLfmmfWp4cR5IyWyEf24wKULihU3LkjNetIMrRfwCHbal0wk0Xcv1IEQKokB7N3EAwzDFaVmsXOkl26igVub2Qov-93i_z7oiISIoNw4wxnllt9ID2I9kxl4UD6yZxW8rIzK2KEg/s400/chompers+014.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383244702607845858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQstnfq6m8gg0G7j16kRVirSSAy_MKaWhc83raNRCMvrk1johPyGYn-L2g2cfIh3NrxOi7aZ1JnoVuZeioG7-J3zeLTpkI2Li8oB4R0bq72YwwN55cWXfGP8Y_P4gGF_SMiC8G1FzqFA/s400/chompers+018.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383247481311341970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzexKAyDV_-HCegPpCK_Y7lG1CfsDus1n7T8KDRdX62auNavL15gCp5IyrM2duq9E0Pb-ID4lyMyEiIes-NPPzF6oTh38GPFboBGBEOpY97qv1aBwcRqN8ti1eYl1JmnQKRTV0H41Y-Y/s400/chompers+027.JPG" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A few days later I spotted a big ol' green caterpillar on our driveway. I put him in Chomper's old digs and waited excitedly for Layla to get home. </div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383243309790259714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlk8G39r3fIXHJeICPm9f1RKVisYPzF6dXqa6uEhDpQ2J7SXuZxLw2juYqtS40GiFhYjTcKDSB3mS8A_M5I6uaeAYkKcumD0-eruLn5hLivK_kZ3yWhxGyX1_D3TdIqbv4PGS0WT5YCFE/s400/caterpillar+015.JPG" /></div><br /><div>When Layla arrived she immediately took him out in the backyard for a play. She named him Cactus and he now lives on our kitchen window sill. We are excited to have found a caterpillar that looks as if he may become a butterfly, rather than a moth (No disrespect intended Chompers RIP) .<br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhXutdY474BUDOZ0CvItkGq9BzY0M-XmSpys9OytLq8fq194P3J0JegbJ4ykdeteBF_9xIl5T0OmIS3wsQN_hoX_Vl-l3jRaiYJN-OI3zozmD04ut9zJ_tSz9tiMFBayZrhlEuoefTxo/s1600-h/caterpillar+009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383243298575401538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhXutdY474BUDOZ0CvItkGq9BzY0M-XmSpys9OytLq8fq194P3J0JegbJ4ykdeteBF_9xIl5T0OmIS3wsQN_hoX_Vl-l3jRaiYJN-OI3zozmD04ut9zJ_tSz9tiMFBayZrhlEuoefTxo/s400/caterpillar+009.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-89051298723103243442009-09-13T11:02:00.000-07:002009-09-13T11:59:57.678-07:00Metamorphosis...by LaylaThe morning of Layla's birthday she found a caterpillar on our walk. She decided that she wanted to keep him and watch him turn into a butterfly. Sure, I'm always game for bringing home live insects to feed and nurture as a beloved pet. Did I just say that? Anyways, we made him a comfortable home with twigs and a variety of leaves hoping that one of them would be the type he likes to eat. Layla named him Chomper and he sat in our window sill day after day. Layla would periodically let him out of confinement to enjoy some fresh air a playtime outside. She would put him on her slide and watch him roll down, place him on her swing and give him a little push. I thought for sure ol' Chompers would never make it to the cocoon phase.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381018656932964770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAdkvqlFFQGYwLePJEJ1pUUH-a4mCkRnwEG18sQ7aewKK12l2DH2iR-aD69eszVVz3wKCLjC10ejUXwOIEqBmWUBM2O0S8oQoSuLsUdwfMlNkDtLEn4Jzj3NYY0du-CEdSqPXqLAp2jg/s400/bday5+004.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381018640783977714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAsx1I453vtqdZqixbSpGhh86Uzhxr285-jum2iArxzmRF7z-dJvV-8WeyAem3wW5_g4pv43p4Q7lMMw2jQh_ur1WJLwVemoEEOrpTWxd_Q6zHbK38E39jrgo0b-fqDj25pVdIET60gg/s400/bday5+006.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381018646819073122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMzU-WYxgM91ymR5nWvQa2RG50Uzsqb5d5x-4kTfa_TVhl1w1dhOl53D7QkpCwv9MPj3_IPqU1wnwqD1mKeiDDnROhYpDEfFRDb6cuITRN7YJc-HUeM7soDAw_5n5XFj4eTT5xg7Q8QY/s400/bday5+011.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A few weeks later we discovered Chompers was gone! All that was left was a lonely old cocoon. <br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381023115144756882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwVVTW1IPm7qIpSz6LxOH7uNTvOLY4LTe4gj8bNyBoXE_f8WgsSTzQPSG20VRyg57P6WEz-d9DrRxq73z47fOzQWffQ9t1VAbxlA7WyCxNGPyzLnftzvayTin_RD2YG3q8IQd1ut1XsA/s400/emilyandallen+010.JPG" />The cocoon got steadily darker each day and after a few weeks I came to the realization that poor Chompers was never going to fly. I assumed he was dead but he still sat in my window sill day after day. There must have been a part of me that thought he might live, maybe, or I just never got around to getting rid of the bug carcass that sat on my kitchen window sill.</p><p>Last week we had a wind storm and Chomper's home fell into my kitchen sink. When I went to pick it up in the morning I noticed the cocoon was split open. I couldn't believe my eyes! There in my hands staring up at me was the most beautiful moth, blech, yes moth I had ever seen. I yelled for Layla to come see. I could tell she was a bit disappointed at first that it wasn't a big beautiful monarch butterfly but she quickly accepted Chompers for what he was and we hustled him outside so he could test out his new wings.</p><p>Chompers refused to leave the bottle. We had to shake him out and then he just sat in the grass. After a nudge from Layla he took off in flight. It was amazing to watch him fly for the very first time after spending nearly 2 months in our kitchen in his various stages of life. So the story ends...or does it?</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381019598890812914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAXgCB2BvYy3qANejtIaBl9pOkTdVn_jsnQuEsms-bTFTMtXI603jLPPSdF5zUlfq0769cV9-0yLw6NAmy6TpKfdc8wzQF7gxK0IV6rybTWLWLKYjaLPbvOgRzrbflSjOm-chZf2t5NM/s400/funeral+030.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381019588500164658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZzrNyYC0cbNEkvStA3sNqKbyIBadDSmSNiE_IYNdKo-9GI_qhgEm7ZeEcTVAtVR2oHe9OemOYQITqnuFOBmdx_s78KvEv4Su1zBb4Wi8ZxD6x4Lj1GO7aKI694R14UTH1Q6s_C6UubE/s400/funeral+024.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381019604399704658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_4yG5aldkNl_q92xMikdHXYuNwCJk5h7J1qBwOB2k_F0Cy0MIfRYIsu3G_mSWcd4Ob6q8KawoCz4ufvlUricjf5AeC4gNRMfRB3UbM_MXD4yf9SkiEf2RDc5yhJlprduRsbZgNQQrEw/s400/funeral+034.JPG" /></p><p>Later that night, the kids were sleeping and Greg and I went downstairs to the kitchen to get a drink. I made a joke about turning on the light to find Chompers back in the kitchen. Ha ha, we chuckled and then Greg turned around and THERE HE WAS! I don't know how he got back in, and I guess I can't be 100% sure that it was even him but it's not as if we get a lot of moths in our house. So perhaps it was just a coincidence but I think it was our good friend Chompers coming to the only home he knows. I told Greg to kill him (don't judge me) but he refused and so we let him be. Welcome to the family Chompy. </p><p> </p><p>The next morning we found Chompers sleeping on Layla's blinds right by her head. She was so excited she prepared some food for him and showed him her barbie house which she thought could be his home. He stayed in her room for a few more days, and she tended to him like she would a pet. Sadly Chompers life ended yesterday. I'm not sure what happened but he was found lifeless in our bathroom beside the toilet. He is gone, but will never be forgotten.</p><p> </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381020351136025650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkBs2fZvPhiq_4MJKPf4Q1QHN4XWt3IggXEU2s-l2vnsE7cxrNQEpYy2llRzY8CVLo4MQuDUywflk8vSpRq4x2c-ppwvPOGQKsBBiFpICZN_PrRLDIAHHngCYfrgaydsSn6Glnzlosn8/s400/firstdayofschool+007.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381020360441075826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4IXkFWEAFcxQP7GoiRbxf_kig9qBHj1jl_Rj5mHZ4r4u10IhnPZcotDGzX9VeT8c0L4f_MHdFZNvzoBvmEkJ8Z7xVAJYcX7qfJqRO_stur5KQ0qT2q1JJz-47IB0TSU8RsrHaDhzNFk/s400/firstdayofschool+010.JPG" /></p><p>Here's to you Chompers!<br /><br />Layla and Chompers (look closely..he's on her nightlight on the white shelf)<br /></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkPqQWlOcsF36v_5cbPvhGN7_hK3BxMERA4Uqk_fUmfIF_7LBhs_F3Y3c0gw1nNg3JpPFehN7JK9HU2oulqgKopAF1dY0nh97ti5ugIZX4GsfWE2H3w7y5W6kUZlGB7_APQmC6DoPDPI/s1600-h/firstdayofschool+011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381020339905782290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkPqQWlOcsF36v_5cbPvhGN7_hK3BxMERA4Uqk_fUmfIF_7LBhs_F3Y3c0gw1nNg3JpPFehN7JK9HU2oulqgKopAF1dY0nh97ti5ugIZX4GsfWE2H3w7y5W6kUZlGB7_APQmC6DoPDPI/s400/firstdayofschool+011.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540976985978175972.post-69616280223308934802009-09-08T13:39:00.000-07:002009-09-08T15:14:00.565-07:00First Day of Kindergarten!!<div>After much anticipation, by the both of us, Layla finally got to start kindergarten today! She is attending Sen Pok Chin Elementary School on the Osoyoos Indian Band reserve. After looking into the schools in our area and meeting the teachers we decided this school would be the best fit for Layla, at least for kindergarten.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379203930787261122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA83Lb6NML-0-k7YcYPAN3innk9MmtbIOSerSSUfyG5Zuo_SnXjCw1SikyCAULXI-ecXqp7b-H-KLp3fugRujGFZrb-eaWDURTZVgWU-sEp3ezQZpd3w7aSYqa_cuHyGCZaOh1bRIMnMA/s400/firstdayofschool+064.JPG" /><br /><br /><div>Today was a half day, followed by a bbq lunch that Baron and I also attended. It was nearly impossible to tear Layla out of there. Layla and her friend, Aianna, who she went to preschool with, caused general havoc throughout the school and on the playground. Meanwhile Aianna's mom and I dragged around our 1 year old sons, who are only days apart, and tried to keep their destruction to a minimum. </div><br /><br /><div>Layla loves her teachers. Despite there being 3 elementary schools in the small town of Oliver, there is a whopping 29 students in her class this year, so I guess they will need all the help they can get! Some of the students are only there for the mornings so the afternoons will be a bit quieter, I imagine.</div><br /><br /><div>Here are some pictures of her first day:</div><br /><br /><div>Layla insisted on choosing her own attire for today, and why would it be any other way? She chose to wear a dress she inherited from Charlie on last weeks trip to Edmonton.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379202496392461490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gEZQHhcugrPdE12CgBrWhhRM3VoSfPHG5UV3XrwH1NfZlSzawxBZ68VIVzJWD5qfn9LgP2MJS-VO1BhTT15yR5pzU7lkp6T2ak0pKfYRaVwohOpvHUMmfWtylibA3wWcgePqz4U9Jbw/s400/firstdayofschool+027.JPG" /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Aianna, Larissa and Layla playing on the playground before school starts.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379203763058883586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPoM8kE-F_NYhS7kOLeFvbAj2goAwm0qu3E7UA2VatFBb8HO-RjjxnfIw8sTwz1uALsFxF8ACcsKe8H88HaeeVVRmdcQyw1P6LOGvMoVWFp5a-lc-s2TQ4QN6e3NlpUEElZwXGBMYf4I/s400/firstdayofschool+031.JPG" /> Baron and his friend, Chadon playing in the playground<br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379222681744531570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFkR4fOg9CBX_joVPcfJ7bckrocF5hS3Ij1guPyL-CLNYW1bku5HmFAQTi7yTRh1A-kRcEmsbUfc7k2ftdVeTwOSu1vXkOQesblvAu_iZoi9vqNg3egF7l3FYlnaPsMaVaGWGKbcqFXk/s400/firstdayofschool+056.JPG" /><br /><div>Layla and Aianna walking hand-in-hand looking for their lockers.<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379203771346607314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEPb2HH1WqTvOjqQ4gS6J2kljwYE1q3sXvNJQnD0JqIXP0C_TAHDq5SotldYfMkBTfa9kvBbo6nNX4zCaQSVKKOZNoh71HQD4-kNE9GrrfePhUQJgCvSq6Wsv1P8o4tGfVub5JYU7aWk/s400/firstdayofschool+032.JPG" /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Playing in the classroom before I had to leave.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379203779325859682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSvV1K8iGrcbqLxHOnfqddR__o1hlwuOo-HZPmCkTho09Vl5us94g8SitzvFiCWIoEfEUK8GkGhTYQe5mB8I-I92ARfel-D5QpHWw0t8TR5CtsQSqRH-zhqk9-PVBCWlc9Z3_DAW2l2A/s400/firstdayofschool+035.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379203788745249698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpLAUXUTWeAK-l7vfg017Z07GNpvpr8GKRdwu1V7DB8McRZU4R-G08FQ4ARDkYoK2rnVhXsbANo7z2e69bXi-vPjrna5BMeqlgB2fT4SwYUiNFdA7AvH4rfF-ZJPfYENyp7ow-Q3krkA/s400/firstdayofschool+034.JPG" /><br /><br /><p>Layla and Aianna in the library<br /></p><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379202503587307778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW19vInJ0Q8xJDxz1Q5-DbYL2m0Rh-4DSH5rkRvd_zUUpB9D-36aM6TyFbYxPC-zC88gMj0t33oIP1VRSEtKUDkV02ijUNDEjGMYqxnjen1RjggJKbjAwjq74SYNM5vlskqnXyZPaYLT4/s400/firstdayofschool+037.JPG" /></p></div><br /><p>She had so much fun today! What a great start to her long journey through school!</p>Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04051794420328632672noreply@blogger.com4