Santa Likes Music

Gymnast Christmas!

Cookies for Santa!!!

Cookie Decorating

Olympic Torch Relay

We took the kids to Oakville (picking up Nana on the way!) and went to check out the Olympic torch relay.  It was pretty exciting... there were about 200 people waiting for the runner at Lakeshore and Maple Grove.  Minutes before the convoy got there, RBC people came around handing out sway (flags and tambourines).  Finally a convoy of trucks showed up...

The Coke guys showed up trying to link drinking Coke with athleticism no doubt...

Then a giant RBC truck showed up....

Finally, our torch bearer arrived.  He was a double amputee who competes in the paralympic games.  Runners only actually do a 350 meter segment (the torch weighs 3.5 pounds, so I guess it's a little heavy for some people over a longer distance).  Runners can buy torches (they used to have one torch that they would pass - this time they pass the flame instead) for $300, and somebody was saying you could buy them on eBay for $1,500.  There are 1,200 runners in total.  Honestly, who the hell would sell their Olympic torch??

The "hand-off" ceremony was pretty cool, and according to some in the crowd, this guy handed off to his father.

Christmas Concert

Tonight was Robin's kindergarten Christmas concert.  In years past, the concert was for JK, SK, grade 1 and 2.  This year they limited it to just JK/SK, and there were still 300 or so people in the audience (they even auctioned off front row seats, purchased by our neighbours!).  It was very cute.  Between chatting with her friends, Robin belted out a half dozen Christmas songs.

Big Sister

I overheard the girls in Abby's room getting Robin ready for her Christmas concert tonight. So cute seeing Abby "fixing up" her little sister!

A Christmas Carol

Out at the movies with the cousins and parents!

Airport Announcement

I'm just in the airport in Las Vegas. Over the intercom comes a booming voice "Attention, to the passenger who left their hearing aid and false teeth in the men's washroom... (Pause)... If you can hear me.... Please come to gate D54".

Everyone in the terminal broke out laughing.

Academic Performance Presentation

We were called into an assembly this morning for Abby... cute.

Beth's 2nd birthday dinner

The Inevitable Accidents concert

Santa!

Ginger Bread Houses

Advent Calendar!

Skating Lessons

Beth and I were able to get over and watch Abby at her Monday skating lesson. Wow, it's amazing how quickly kids improve!

Academic Achievement

Too Early?

Probably too early, but the girls (the 3 of them) couldn't wait!

Cross Race

Just watching Paul's cyclocross race near Old Mill station. Wow, muddy and tough.

Vampire Family

Christmas Letters

Abby got pretty specific on what she wanted (martengale? who knew that was a part of a horse's gear!)

And here's Robin's...

Sleepover Letter

Abby is staying the night at Nana's. She's very into writing stories and letters:

My Date

I'm taking my big girl out for dinner and a movie. We walked down to the theater, and Abby said "who needs a car!". We're going to see Planet 51 and walk home in the dark!

Ottawa Bound

Beth and Robbie flew to Ottawa this morning to visit Uncle Neil and Aunt Lyn.  Uncle Neil continues to battle with his cancer, and we're looking to Robin to brighten his weekend!  Should be easily done.

No new sales tax on fast food

McDonald's, Tim Hortons et al continue to be a powerful lobby... disappointing:

No new sales tax on fast food - thestar.com

"Where the hell?"

Yesterday, I gave Robin and Abby a new Wii game... Robin looked over at it and said "where in the hell did you get that??".

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Last night, I asked Robin to tell mommy what she had told me about her cousin Owen (she'd said "I love Owen - he's my boyfriend. And Owen said it was OK, because we are cousints (that's how she says "cousins").  I guess she was embarrassed to tell Beth for some reason.  So I said I wouldn't tell her, and as we left her room, she said "Don't you dare tell her.  If you tell her, I will be extremely angry!".

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That same night, Robin had been over hanging out with her cousins.  She was in the kitchen with her big cousin Owen and Auntie Jill.  She looked over at Owen with an ultra cool expression on her face and said "A girl at school told me that homework really sucks"...  she so wants to be a teenager...

Royal Winter Fair

I took Abby to the Royal Winter Fair at the Ex.  We saw some cows, pigs and goats then went through the "exhibition" part of the show.  Abby is really into horses right now, so she loved seeing all the riding gear and pictures of horses.  

After the exhibition, we went into the Ricoh Center and watched the show jumping for an hour or so.  Abby loved seeing horses "live".  Here she is with her cowboy hat, and she had boots to match:

On the way out, we saw some record breaking pumpkins... this one was over 1,200 pounds!

Jeffrey Gordon Graham

JEFFREY GORDON GRAHAM August 31, 1969 -- November 6, 2009 Jeff passed away peacefully on November 6, 2009 after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer. Loving and devoted husband of Susan and adored father of Georgia and Jack. Beloved son of Mary Beth and Malcolm and cherished brother of John (Eleisha). Son-in-law of Bruce and Carol Bawden; brother-in-law of David (Janice) and Steven (Sue); and grandson of Helen Ough. Much loved uncle of Mackenzie, Ireland, Conner, Liam and Jayden. Also loved by aunts, uncles and cousins. Jeff had so many true friendships and will be missed by all. Jeff grew up in Newmarket and enjoyed all the pleasures of spending summers with family and friends at the cottage in Erieau. Jeff enjoyed an 18 year career happily employed by the Ford Motor Company and its affiliates; most recently with Jaguar Land Rover Canada. Over the years, Jeff raised significant awareness and funds for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada (BTFC). He inspired many family members, friends and businesses to get involved. Jeff spent his last weeks at Ian Anderson House, a beautiful hospice in Oakville, cared for by their wonderful staff and volunteers. There, he had quality time with his family, many friends and relatives. If so desired, a memorial donation to BTFC (www.braintumour.ca) or to Ian Anderson House (www.ianandersonhouse.com) would be appreciated by the family. Memorial visitation will be held at Ward Funeral Home, 109 Reynolds Street, Oakville, 905-844-3221 on Wednesday, November 11 from 7-9 p.m. and on Thursday, November 12 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A Memorial Service in celebration of Jeff's life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 13 at St. Stephen's-on-the-Hill United Church, 998 Indian Rd., Mississauga. A reception for fellowship will take place immediately following the service. Cremation has taken place. A book of memories may be signed at www.wardfuneralhome.com

Carving Time

Halloween #1 - School Dress Up

Dracula and our local vet are ready for the festivities at school today!

Happy Halloween

"The bestest day of my life!"

Abby woke up this morning and barges into the room:

"Daddy, today is the bestest day of my life. Want to know why? I have piano, a spelling test and estimation jar!" - wow.... neeeerddddd... lol

Robin, out of the blue yesterday:

"Daddy, when I grow up, I'm never going to smoke. And when I do, I'm not going to throw them on the ground."

That's... great... Rob.

Impromptu Twister

X-Country Semis

Abby and her cousin Jack were in the cross country semifinals today. They both did awesome, finishing 27th and 47th respectively.

Tired after the race

Yes, they're the same age!

Must be a new babysitter

Every time we try a new babysitter, we're always "curious" to see what happened while we were gone (remember the "experience" in the forest??). Holly babysat tonight and when we went to check on Robin after arriving home, we noticed she was surrounded by 40 of her closest friends. She typically tells babysitters that this is "what I always do"... clown.

Thanksgiving

Unfortunately we didn't make the list on Abby's "thankful for" list. Bugs rejoice!

X-Country Chicken

Abby did her first cross country race today and finished first in her school (for grade 2 girls) and 19th overall. She had a great time and loves the whole "racing thing". Looks like she's off to the semi-finals at some point.

Homecoming

We're at my 15th (Beth's 16th) homecoming weekend in London. After a late night, I picked the family up at the Via station this AM and we toured around the campus for a couple of hours. We're now at "Adventures on Wonderland": an awesome indoor playground.

Robin has asked/reconfirmed numerous times "are we sleeping in the hotel? Are we eating dinner out? Are we having breakfast at a restaurant". Yes Rob. Classic.

Deloitte Impact Day

Tree planting in birchwood park for the community.

Ride to the lake

We just rode to the lake - the girls rode on their own for the first time. Very impressive. Just as we got here, we passed a group of riders that were riding with some of the Cervelo pro tour team including Heinrich Haussler who won a stage of the Tour de France this year. Very cool.

Toy Story and Chutneys. Perfect saturday night!

Norseman Fair

Girls checking out a firetruck at their local fundraiser.

Friday Drive-In

We're watching cloudy with a chance of meatballs at the 5 Drive-In in Oakville. 24 years after the last time Beth and I came here!