The Twelth Annual Canada Day BBQ

This year was the twelfth year we've celebrated Canada Day together. With Alan in the middle of a chemotherapy treatment we kept the festivities quite small. Auntie Chelle and Auntie Mana joined us in Canadian colours!

The family wore t-shirts that Daddy got on a layover in Ottawa at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Mommy and Daddy had Avro Arrow t-shirts. Another great year celebrating with salmon and good friends!


Auntie Chelle and Auntie Mana with Alan


Canadian t-shirts!

Snow Day

Although friends up north may laugh, today was a snow day here in South Texas. I was up with Alan at 2:30 in the morning and saw that the road was covered. Come morning it was still all over the roads, dusting the trees and bushes, but not much on the grass.

Kevin's school was closed for the day, so Grandma took him out into the back yard to check out the snow. Then we bundled up Alan and we all went on a walk around the Circle. It was fun seeing all our neighbours out enjoying the day. Lots of the kids were "tobogganing" and "sledding" on boogie boards and laundry baskets - whatever works! One of them was walking with their big, friendly, shaggy dog and Alan got all excited! Doggie says "woof"!


The backyard (full size)


The front yard (full size)


Grandma took Kevin to check out the snow out back


Up...


... and down the Circle


Alan was glad to finally get out of the house!


Kevin and Grandma

Eggs, fire truck and helicopters

We had the first Easter Egg hunt of the season today, one for special needs children held at a local golf course. The boys had a lot of fun - Alan had lots of space to run around, and BeBop the clown brought him a fantastic expanding/contracting ball to play with.







Kevin loved exploring the fire truck and TWO helicopters! One from the SA Police Department and the other one from Air Life. We've been going to the Air Life Santa event at the hospital for five years, and it has never made it because it had to do it's job. How funny we got to see it land and explore it when we least expected it!







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Barnston Island

After a stop at the Sandwich Nazi's shop in Port Kells, we and Uncle Peter went to the ferry to Barnston Island.



We walked onto the ferry and waited for a tugboat and barge to pass before we crossed over to the island. Once we were on the other side, we walked to the park at the end of the island. It's a small roughly paved road and the boys enjoyed the "massage" in the stroller, as well as the breeze, swirling leaves, and right before the park, all the cows at the Avalon Dairy Ranch.





At the park, we enjoyed the cool weather, the beautiful view, and our tasty sandwiches.





We took some time to blow bubbles, and Kevin was fascinated by the nearby teenagers playing Hacky Sack.





Uncle Peter tried to take a nap, but Alan had other ideas.

Happy Independence Day!

Our family will be celebrating the 4th by not having any plans! That's a nice break after all the heavy scheduling we've had to deal with this spring and summer. But last night, we went to Auntie Karen and Uncle Kirk's for a great BBQ and swim party!


After some initial apprehension, Alan loved splashing around the sunbathing deck of the pool. Then he noticed the spillover from the hot tub. Wow!


Kevin was a like a fish all evening, coming out only for dinner and then again briefly for a cupcake.


Alan was having a grand time cruising back and forth around the hot tub. The fountain was definitely part of the allure.


Kevin just didn't want to get out of the water!


Alan enjoyed splashing!

10th Annual Canada Day BBQ

With everything going with Alan's treatment and Kevin's busy summer schedule, Canada Day snuck up on us this year! We did the math and realized this was the 10th anniversary of our annual Canada Day BBQ. Since time was short and our commitments many, we kept it small on July 1st, rather than doing a big bash on the weekend. As a result, our guest list was smaller than usual, and for once, the Canadians outnumbered the Americans!

This year, with smaller numbers, we splurged on some wild sockeye from Alaska.


We didn't have time to make the traditional Canadian Flag cake, so we compromised with a pre-made cake customized by Ryder's Mommy with a Maple Leaf and "Oh Canada".


Kevin wore the usual Roots Canada t-shirt. We'll need to get bigger sizes next time we're in Canada!


Mommy and Alan in the Canadian Flag Gymboree outfit. Time to pass it on after this summer!


Buddy Ryder found his way up a tree. He was having a good time, with a great view of the yard, until he realized he needed some help getting down. Real men aren't afraid to ask for help, so he asked Kevin's Daddy for a hand.


Alan and Stefanie help the big boys (Kevin, Ryder and Austin) create toy carnage.


Auntie Karen gave Kevin lots of tickles and upside-downs.


Canadian Girls Rock!

Happy Father's Day!

We went to Dave & Buster's for Father's Day brunch and some fun games. The boys were pretty darned cute in their "Son of Superdad" t-shirts. After a nice family nap, the boys romped around with Daddy.


Kevin and Daddy read a new book from the library - "Just Like Daddy".


Alan and Daddy roll around.


Daddy and Kevin play Catch while Alan watches.

Kevin made a Father's Day card with a tie he decorated. He chose shiny stars and moons to glue to it and painted the dots on it, saying "Dot!" with each one.

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day Tea

Today, we had a Mother's Day Tea at Kevin's school. We mommies put on our lovely paper tissue corsages and waited while the kids came in from the other room.



We gathered for Circle Time, where Kevin was the helper. First, he held the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance...



... then he pointed to the month and day.



After Circle Time, the kids sang a couple of special songs ...



... and then were dismissed with the Rolling Ball to serve refreshments and sit with their mommy.



My place setting was marked by a plate that Kevin had painted and a cookie he had decorated. Ms. Anna had been hinting at all the surprises Kevin had been working on for me all week!



What a lovely morning!



As we were leaving, Ms. Anna gave us a basket from PPCD, Ready Set Go and the Hardy Oak PTA. It was a bouquet of hand prints from all of Kevin's classmates and teachers and filled with gift cards to help out our family from their families and the PTA. What a wonderful school and community!