Time with cousins....

I'm slowly trying to get caught up with all my August photos - one post at a time.

Despite the colour being a little off on these photos - I love, love, love them. The 3 boys are growing up so fast. From left to right Nick, Alex (both our nephews, Nick 13 & Alex almost 16) and Noah.

Noah IDOLIZES Alex & Nick. As annoying it is to watch Noah 'trying' to be cool 'for Alex & Nick' - it's too cute!

This was the first trip in a while that Noah did not annoy Nick to no end, in other words the age difference was good this time. Nick is growing up so much. At times when dealing with Noah, you could see this emerging young man coming out - but then other times, you could still see his childish ways peaking out!!!


Luckily on our trip, we were able to see Alex. He was away at Cadet camp for 6 weeks this summer. He had just arrived home, the day before we were leaving. When he came up to me to give me a hug, I couldn't believe my eyes. He's no longer a 'boy', he is a young man now and he'll be driving this fall - OH NO!

Sights of Season Change

I still have many photos to format & upload from our vacation but for this week, I many not get to them. I am spending every last minute with my little man. School starts next week and I discovered through some hidden emotion (that Jacques dragged out of me) just how sad I am that he is going back to school and that I won't have my little buddy to hang out with :(

It's been kind of a crazy summer with unpacking, renovations, visitors, a trip - it seems like my first summer of being home went by way too fast....so this week is just for Noah & Mommy to hang out. Every day we are doing one activity of what Noah wants! So far, he is soaking up all the one on one attention - with no distractions! Monday's choice was watch a movie, cuddle on the couch and McDonald's for lunch and teach me how to play Star Wars Battlefront. Today, he wanted to go into Daddy's work. We took Jacques out for lunch (brought Memere with us) then we went shopping and got a new Pokemon binder to hold more of his cards! Once we got home, we played some more Star Wars Battlefront on the X-Box - super fun! The rest of the week he has decided on activities such as baking, crafts, a trip to the 'gazillion' steps down to the gorge, etc. I'm sure some activities will be added or removed - but the point is we are spending our time uninterrupted together - just MOM & NOAH!

On the drive home from Jacques work today Edmundston, I was in shock when I saw many trees that already had turned RED. Trees changing colour ALREADY - it CAN'T be? I know one thing for sure - I'm not ready for another winter like last (all that snow). One thing I am so thankful for, is that our family is TOGETHER this year! There's nothing we can't handle together!

Tired

Man, after my vacation & last minute road trip to PEI for a funeral, I am completely whipped out. I can't seem to get it together - yesterday it took EVERYTHING in me just to get some groceries. I am disappointed because Noah only has 1 week left before school starts - and I wanted to have a blast - doing a bunch of outings, crafts, etc. It's not going to happen if I feel like this. PLUS, we have our counter tops & doors being delivered which means we will have all of this to do as well. This is weighing on my mind - worried if I will mess these jobs up as well (as I did with our tiling).

Yesterday, it took everything just to get to the couch and make meals!!! Noah & I watched a movie (College Road Trip) in the morning (it was hilarious) then in the afternoon, we went to get some groceries. When we came home, again I was sweating - just putting groceries away. After this, Noah & I just flaked on separate couches watching separate programs!!! How lazy is that!

This morning, I actually got on the treadmill (sweat my boobs off) for the first time in months (and trust me, I need this) in hopes to have the morning exercise give me a boost of energy that I so desperately need right now. I hope to make this a part of my routine (effective immediately) and possibly even join the gym when Noah starts school. My weight has reached a number I don't like and a number that I am uncomfortable at. I don't want to be carting this extra weight around for Disney - so I hope to get some of my weight off by our Disney vacation.

Which - by the way - we've had to change the date. We are now going in October. It turned out that Jacques' CGA, graduation ceremony is on Nov 15 (the original day we were supposed to be leaving for Disney). It turns out great - considering we'll be at Disney for HALLOWEEN. We've ordered tickets for the "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party". It's a party in downtown Disney specifically for ticket holders. The kids get to get dressed up and trick or treat all through downtown Disney - plus there is a parade and special fireworks just for ticket holders.

I have more photos to download, but for now I have no energy to do this even! Just thought I'd write a post advising we are home safe and sound and thankful to be!!!

Condolences to The Paquet family.

After a very long 8 month struggle with cancer, our best friend's dad has lost his battle to cancer on Friday night. We are so sad to hear of the news. We hope & pray you, and your family the peace and strength you need to make it through this difficult time. If you need ANYTHING, just say the word. We love you and will see you soon.

Vacation Bliss....

Though I've been enjoying my vacation very much, I miss my hubby and am happy to be heading Eastward on Sunday.

Wednesday night, I had to the chance to get together with an old friend (Lori). I figure it had been 12 years since I last saw her. This is a photo of her family! Noah was particularly chatty while we visited, which made it hard to chat but it was still very nice to spend some time getting re-acquainted as well as meeting her family. Unfortunately, I did not get a decent photo of her & I as Noah was in charge of those photos and they didn't 'quite' work out - LOL!


Noah had the chance to visit with Nana & Poppy as well. It was a quick visit with both - which is probably best for the young and old! It's been a rocky year for both my grandparents.

Poppy took a massive stroke last September (losing his ability to be independent - loss of speech, paralyzed on his left side, leaving only his right side that his arm already had already been mostly immobilized from having polio when he was a boy). Poppy now lives in a home - which he absolutely LOVES. He is slowly regaining some independence back - limited use of his hands such as feeding himself and using a tv remote control (with the hopes of being able to write one day), scooting around on his wheel chair (pushing & pulling with his legs), a little bit of walking with the assistance of a walker, some very limited speech - though through body language, motion & guessing, I have been able to figure out most of what he is saying.

The progress since we last saw him is AMAZING. Both Noah & I are THRILLED to see his spirits high and a smile on his face. Noah, my little talkative man was a hit during our visit with Poppy. I don't think the smile left his face the whole time we visited.

When we left, Noah expressed how happy he was that Poppy was okay.


Nana - who just celebrated her 80th birthday in June - broker her hip earlier in the year (requiring a hip replacement) and moved into a smaller apartment. Noah was perfectly behaved while visiting Nana - it was so nice (not that he is not usually well behaved - just that it's tiring for her when the kids are running around, making lots of noise)!!

Noah was very confused and has asked me a few times why Nana & Poppy don't live together anymore! He would say "Mom, can you remind me AGAIN why Nana & Poppy don't live together?". It must be confusing for kids!!

We spent a night at my cousin's (Jackie). While there, I finally got to meet their 4th child - PORTER. What a little cutie pie (top row of pictures)!!!

The other three Kayden (bottom left), Easton or IGGY (bottom middle) and Tanner (bottom right) - are still as cute as ever. I got to spend a few hours in the morning with all of them alone while Jackie took poor Keith (her hubby) to get FIXED!!! Man, did we ever have some good laughs on his account.

The kids were really well behaved and I was happy I got to spend some time with them.

Ahhhh....heaven. My sister & I decided to get pedicures/manicures and have promised each other that we would do this each visit - from this point forward. It was so nice to sit for almost 2 hours each - together - chatting girlie chat!


I've been very lucky this visit - Nick (my nephew) is babysitting age - and has been babysitting (or playing with Noah lots) while Tricia & I do running around (school shopping, shopping for us, girl time...etc). Thank you so much NICK!

Hilarious Story...

Today, as I stood in line at the Liquor Store (getting some of our FAVOURITE 'adult' drink that we can't get in New Brunswick and haven't been able to find in many years) in Guelph, Ontario, I giggled and told my sister that the guy behind me looked an awful lot like a guy in a show Jacques watches (Trailer Park Boys). I told her I should tell him he looks like this character!

During my transaction, I turned to him and our conversation went like this:

Me: "Do you ever look like Ricki from Trailer Park Boys?"
Him: "Don't you mean Julien?"
Me: "Yes, yes that's who it is. You must get that alot, huh?"
Him: "Yeah, because I AM him"
Me: "Ooooooh, what are you doing in Guelph, Ontario?"
Him: "Actually, I'm here for a funeral"
Me: "Ooooooh (and a big pause), can I have your autograph for my husband because he's a big fan of yours?" (Daaaah, what the heck was I thinking? How inconsiderate of me?)

He said sure and as he was signing a piece of receipt paper from the Liquor Store, I was all flustered and was giggling like a school girl. Looking back at it, it was rather humiliating!! The autograph says (pardon the language - but this is exactly what he wrote, in character) "Drink Rum, Jacques You Fucker. signed Julien"

We chatted for a little longer. I found out he has many relatives in Guelph, even though he lives in Eastern Canada and the show is filmed in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I offered him my condolences and I went back to the van to immediately call Jacques. Unfortunately, he wasn't there so I had to wait until later to tell him.

My goodness, did my sister & I ever laugh, we laughed all the way home.

Once I finally talked to him, he was thrilled. The first thing he said (after I finished my story) was "did you get a picture?". Man, I didn't even think about it - and I even had my camera with me. But honestly, I felt a little bad that immediately after he told me he was in town for a funeral, I asked him for an autograph!!!

The funny part of this all is that Julien (the character) ALWAYS has a drink in his hand (not sure if it is Rum though) and this is what Jacques always cracks up about in the show. AND I met him in the LIQUOR buying RUM!!

Can you believe that? What a small world, eh?

Catch up...

I know it's been a while since I last posted - so I'm going to make one post to combine all that has happened since then.

To start - we've been really enjoying our summer.

Last week, my Aunt Kathy and her friend Donna came for a visit from Ontario. It was mostly a relaxing week with some sight-seeing in our new surroundings (Grand Falls, New Brunswick), some picture taking, a drive to the US to shop and a day trip to Fredericton, New Brunswick for Donna (who is an artist) to explore the Beaverbrook Art Gallery among other attractions.

The weather did not really cooperate for us to spend time in the pool - but we made do!

Day 1 we went for a drive in the country around Grand Falls & Drummond (where Jacques grew up - which is mostly a part of Grand Falls) with camera's in hand!

In Grand Falls, it is often you will hear the whistling sound of a train in the distance many train tracks in the area (it's only cargo trains, there are no longer passenger trains that go through here). This is a new sound for me and I LOVE it. I find it very soothing.

This photo below is a HUGE train bridge, it always reminds me of the movie Stand By Me (remember this movie, specifically when the boys ran across the train bridge to beat the train). Jacques tells me that he used to do this when he was a kid. Well not chase the trains, but they would walk across the tracks.




One of the days that Aunt Kathy & Donna were here, we walked the trails that go beside the FALLS and farther down the gorge. I had only done a small part of this trail MANY years ago when I first met Jacques.





The day we went to Fredericton, we brought Zach with us. While Aunt Kathy & Donna went to the 'adult' things, the boys & I went to Science East. After we explored for a few hours, we met back up with Aunt Kathy & Donna to have lunch.
The photo below is the cool life size kaleidoscope that we climbed into.


After lunch, the boys & I went to the NB Sports Hall of Fame. It was fun and quick. Not much interactive stuff for the kids to do. But the coolest discovery was that Matt Stairs (from the Blue Jays) is from Fredericton. Further to that, we were going to see a Jays game 3 days later and Noah wanted to get a Blue Jays Webkinz and name him 'Matt Stairs'. So when we discovered that he was from Fredericton (and the whole 1st floor was a display of his career), we found it very cool.

The photo below is the 'jersey' collection of all the teams Matt Stairs played for in his career.


On the drive home from Fredericton, we got off the highway to stop in Hartland, New Brunswick home of the worlds longest covered bridge. It was a quick stop as the boys (Noah, specifically was getting very cranky, hungry and tired) and we all just wanted to get home.

Then it was time for our ROAD TRIP. My first time driving alone (13 hours) to Ontario to see my family. I have to admit, I was very nervous. Aunt Kathy & Donna stayed with me through Quebec then we parted in Ontario. To some extent, it was stressful trying to keep track of another car but there was some comfort in knowing that they were so close. Now, I am not worried for driving at all. It went perfect (except for the HEAVY rain right before Montreal). But other than that - I felt comfortable driving, Noah was the BEST behaved I had EVER seen him in the car (he even napped which is a very rare occurrence when we travel).

The photo below was my view for a great majority of our trip.

Then there was Noah with his green silly putty.....aka, his mustache. He had this mustache on for probably a good 2 hours, bopping and singing to his MP3, colouring, watching a DVD. When it came time to take it off, a part of it was stuck on his face like bubble gum after it dries. We had to scrape to get that part off.

I am so proud of Noah from this road trip. I knew he could do it. He showed so much responsibility and patience. I am thrilled! When we travel (the 3 of us) Noah usually requires more help than he did on this trip. He is usually always asking me to get him something or reach for something that fell, etc.

This trip around, before we left I sat him down and had a serious talk with him. I explained that I would be counting on him to help me reach for drinks and snacks, I also explained that I needed him to be very careful with dropping his things because I would not be able to reach for them while I was driving. I explained that I was a teensy bit scared and I needed him to occupy himself as much as he could (like, getting his own movies, snacks, etc).

I giggled at the part of the trip (leading up to Montreal, Quebec) when the DOWN POUR began (something that I am a 'fraddy-cat' to drive in), I explained to Noah to 'keep the volume down' because I had to really concentrate on driving. And he did. He also gave me some advise. He said "Mom, just fight your fear, I know you can do it"!! So I did, along with pray the whole way through the rain. And we did it.....

Once the rain stopped (for the 1st time), he handed me a picture he coloured of me driving on the highway. It had a little bubble out of the car (on his side of the van) that said "Mommy fited her feer and did it, I'm so prowd of mi mom". (the translation would be "mommy fighted her fear and did it, I'm so proud of my mom"). I laughed and we giggled. He was proud of himself for giving me some good solid advise, as was I. He is growing up so fast :(


We treated Mom & John (Grandma & Grandpa) to a Blue Jay's game (as a late Mother's Day, Father's Day, Birthday, Anniversary present). The day we went happened to be "Webkinz Day".
The first 5000 kids received a free Blue Jay's Webkinz - a Webkinz that is not available at the stores. This photo below is as we were arriving at the Rogers Center - downtown Toronto (a place I do NOT miss - the traffic, the fumes, etc)
We ended up with pretty good seats - Noah's choice of outfield.

Noah picked out the T-Shirt of choice, one for him AND one for dad - so they could have matching shirts. Noah wore the shirt with pride the entire game. Unfortunately, the Jays lost the game - but I believe fun was had by all!
I finally got a pink baseball hat - I however did not wear it the entire game.


After the game, we were 'supposed' to do the CN Tower with Nick, Noah & I but when Nick announced that he did not want to go - suddenly Noah did not want to go :( I was kinda disappointed because I thought Noah would have loved it - but at least I got a photo with Noah, his Jay's Webkinz and the CN Tower behind him!

As we were relaxing one day, Tricia (my sister) looked outside and yelled at all of us to get our shoes on, to come outside and see. This was only the 2nd time I had ever seen a double rainbow and although the photo does not really show it....the larger of the two rainbows was the MOST PERFECT and beautiful rainbow I had EVER seen.