Cousin time!

Assembled before a few early Christmas presents

Thanks Auntie!

 I'm dreaming of a gray Christmas.

Skating with the S'tooners

Uncle John made his annual ice rink.  Since it was Saskatoon, not Sherbrooke, the neighbours didn't complain.  In fact, they loaned skates of all sizes so that visiting cousins could skate.  Nice job John! 

 I think Christmas vacation is tiring for everyone.

Capturing it for posterity.

A Winter Wonderland

When we arrived in Regina there was ice fog, somehing that usually only happens when it's -25.  This time, however, it was barely below 0.  Every tree in the province was beautifully frosted.

We stopped at Girvin, about halfway to Saskatoon to take a couple of pictures.

 I tried to coach Emma on how to frame the photo.

Saskatchewan Ho!

My little hockey fans settled right into air travel like they'd been doing it their whole lives.  Even after a long day of school our flight to Saskatchewan was a breeze.

We had a stop in Toronto with just enough time for a smoked meat sandwich.  Santa and Mrs. Claus had parked the reindeer and also had a hankering for a pre-Christmas snack.

Finally in Saskatchewan with Grandpa and Grandma!  I admit, we were all pooped.

The Wall

Oscar played in a hockey tournament today and did me proud again.  Emmanuelle and I, along with the rest of the Lynx supporters, were cheering him on during an 8-1 rout of the host team Napierville.
He had a couple of notable moments during the game.  First, he showed his usual defensive prowess. In the video, you can see Oscar at the far end of the blue line.  He keeps the puck in at least three times.  In fact, at ~30 seconds in, you can hear one of the other dads comment "C'est un mur!" ("He's a wall!").  The puck only leaves their zone when the other team heads up the near side of the ice - Oscar can't get over in time to cut off the play.

In the second video, Oscar (the one with the stickers on his helmet) comes over from the far side of the ice to carry a loose puck out of the zone.  What I'm most proud of is that he actually skated it out, which is a huge improvement over just a couple of weeks ago when he would have just shot it blindly.  A few seconds later he passes to his teammate, Yan, who scores.

Second effort

Look for the one with stickers on his helmet in his own zone.  Oskie is #31, like Carey Price, but he sees himself as more like PK Subban.  He loves playing defense, and has adapted from playing "second goalie" last season to clearing the puck and stick checking.  Here, around 40 seconds into the video, you see him try to clear the puck.  When it gets stopped at the blue line he barrels forward and dives to make sure it exits the zone.  Good job, Oskie!

Thanksgiving 2014

Unfortunately there was no crowd at the inn today, but the three of us did our best to eat like a family of six.  I certainly made enough food.
The pies are delicious.  We haven't cut into them yet, so I'm judging only based on looks (but hey, that's how the world works, isn't it?)  The pumpkin was actually a giant pumpkin we grew in our garden.  Bonus points, maybe, but if I am correct, giant pumpkins are not really pumpkins at all, but another orange squash.  We'll see if has an impact on the flavour.  The other one is an apple pie, which took 4 apples.  Leaving another 36 in the bag to throw at passing cars.
We ate about 10% of the turkey and I'm already sick of the leftovers.  It doesn't help that I made a chicken on Wednesday.
Our other activity today was watching the football game (a massacre I'd rather forget.)

Almost thanksgiving!

Cousins!  It's not every day that we have so many urchins invading the city.  Fortunately the weather cooperated marvelously.  We spent Saturday afternoon enjoying BBQ at my place, with the kids running around in the backyard to give us much-needed peace.  Afterwards, burgers, snacks, two kinds of pie, and a movie for the kids.

 Almost time to get a bigger kitchen table.

 What you don't see are the parents willing the kids to eat faster.

Sunday was good for a trip to the science center.

 The weather took a nasty turn on Monday.

 Just more reason to cuddle family.

 Hey, who's that tiny coach driver?

 I'll have to keep an eye on my car keys.

First Day of SCHOOL!

Ok, it is true that I've been having the kids listen to Pink Floyd recently and that they don't need no education.  Could that be the explanation for their enthusiasm on the first day of school?

Nah!  The kids LOVE school.  I just told them to look serious in the first photo.  Emma did her best!

Here's the real M!

And her goofball brother

Start of Hockey Season Again

I can't remember what I said to get Oscar to smile for the camera at 6:30 AM, but I know I was inspired by something I heard recently on A Prairie Home Companion, "Say Ovaries!"

Lordy lordy look who's 40!

 You wouldn't guess it from the photos, would you?  Or my child-like joie de vivre?  Yes, it's true, I am officially... but wait, what does 40 mean anymore anyway?  Am I an adult now?  Am I old?  Hard to tell, and I'm sure not an objective judge.  I only figured out a few months ago that I'm not in my 20s.

Celebrating with the kids at LaRonde.  Slowest carousel in the world.

On the Ferris Wheel.  If it looks like Oscar is making a funny face, it's because he was.  In all of the Ferris Wheel pictures.  If it looks like I'm making a funny face, you should be nicer to me.  It's my birthday.

This ride is so scary!  Yawn.

Carousel

 Later in the evening with friends at Pied de Cochon.  I must have been born in the late afternoon, because you can definitely see that I'm younger in the pictures above...

Old Orchard for the Nth time

Somehow Old Orchard never seems to get old.  Well, to be honest I might be done with my usual hotel there, and since I haven't heard anything particularly positive about any of the other hotels, it might be time to look for a new beach destination.  Too bad, because the beach part of it and the attractions are still plenty of fun for the little ones (and me too).

This was the first year that we did significant numbers of rides.  And the first time the kids did a legit big kid rollercoaster, the Galaxi.

 Oscar was plenty proud of his "minions" t-shirt.

 What a handsome lad.

 What a comely lass.

 She is actually posing in this photo.

 Happy to be at the beach after driving from NH.

 At the Children's museum in Portland, ME.

Tent life

I'm in a particularly good mood today.  That probably contributes to my fond memories of tenting in NH.  I don't think I was the only one who was comfy cozy there though. The kids woke up slowly and with smiles on their faces.

Spend a half an hour doing games before breakfast?  Let's make it an hour.

 Let's go for a little hike around echo lake.  

 How many times have we been photographed on this rock?

 Lifeguarding while the kids go for a swim in Echo Lake.

 Spawn tracks.

Non-camping eats in NH

Flatbread pizza.  Man can we stuff that in!

 Banana split.  Mental note:  Gummy bears in ice cream are about as good as banana slices in jell-o

 I have no idea what this has to do with anything.  What does Greek yoghurt have to do with ice cream?  What do lemons have to do with greek yoghurt?  What does the last name Lemon have to do with the flavour lemon?  What do endorsments from fictional characters have to do with ice cream quality?  What do endorsements from real celebrities have to do with ice cream quality?  And why would the kids want to be photographed with this fictional characer?  (OK, I told them to do it.  Forget everything I said.)

Hangin' in NH

Okeedokee.  Summer vacation was a couple of weeks ago but I think I can be excused for the delayed post.  I've had a thing or two going on.  More on that later.

Part one of the vacation was my typical camping trip down to NH.  The kids were super cool on the drive down there and super cool camping.  Camping slooooows you dooooown.... 

and.... that... is...  -exactly- what... I... (we...) needed...

ahhhh.  I feel relaxed just thinking about it.

Oscar was tickled to have an inchworm on his hand

 Corn comes campfire-ready in a handy wrapper (full disclosure - the kids didn't like it.)

 Avoid E. coli risks.  Always cook Marshmallows thoroughly.