Sunday, February 07, 2010
North Otter playground
Yesterday we had such a beautiful day, especially considering it was the middle of winter! I took all the kids (minus Sean, who was at a math competition) to the playground at the girls' school. It turns out that Haley and Dylan had no trouble reverting to elementary-aged playfulness : )
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Afternoon playdate
We had a gorgeous day today! We took advantage of it by heading over to the Sumner's house for a playdate with another family from school.
Jordyn with her best friend, Megan. Going into the "pirate ship" with their babies.
Jordyn with her best friend, Megan. Going into the "pirate ship" with their babies.
Dylan, a tuxedo, and a trumpet
I took advantage of Dylan's going to a Kwantlen concert tonight to snap a few. I've decided that I'm bored of our limited backdrops in the front yard...
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Patience outside
Another sunny afternoon. I still haven't done my photography homework. BUT I think I've mastered the automatic settings on my camera. These were taken in the Portrait mode. This girl loves to pose...
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Nicholas outside...
This afternoon the rain actually stopped momentarily, so I hustled Nick outside to take some pictures. My goal was to do my photography class homework, but I think I took only 5 or 6 pictures for class. I took about a hundred of this handsome little boy. Note to self: next time wash his little face before hustling him outside.
Nick notices Daddy driving in. And he's off to greet him!
Figuring out what he's stepping on, how the gate works, etc.
Concentrating.
Giving up.
Looking at Harley.
Petty Officer Murphy
Boy, it seems like it's been a long time since we've had one of those living here!
This January marks Sean's 3rd full year as a Royal Canadian Sea Cadet, and tonight at semi-annual review, he was promoted to Petty Officer, second class. The nice thing is that Sean could theoretically be in cadets another 4 years, so he has the chance to move really far up the rankings!
Here are some pictures of tonight's event. I focused mainly on the guard, so you don't really get a good idea of what the whole corps is like. Sorry : )
Here is the Guard before entering the gym. Sean tried hard to not smile but failed : )
Here is the Guard marching. John Gammeter is the DPO.
Sam Shaw, Sean, and John Gammeter.
Sean receiving his certificate from CO Derek Bailey.
Petty Officer Murphy with Commanding Officer Bailey, who is stepping down after this year to be home with his newborn twins, expected to arrive in June!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
And January is gone...
1/12 of 2010 is done already. Amazing.
In less than 4 weeks we will be picking up Nathan for his 16-day leave. Of course, he's going to be spending a good portion of that time in California, but I can't deny him his beloved Sharks, not to mention visiting grandparents and good friends.
Last week Dylan and Sean finished semester 1. Dylan took 3 provincial exams in Physics, English, and History. If he was able to get A's on all of them, the BC government will happily give him $1,000 for his university expenses. Fingers crossed. Sean, luckily, didn't have any provincial exams...only finals for English, Socials, and Math.
In this upcoming semester, Dylan has only Math 12, band, and his outside-of-timetable music courses. This means that he'll have lots of spare time during the school day, which will be handy for all of the scholarships he'll be appyling for : ) Not to mention the music theory he needs to teach himself before his audition in March, and finishing up his portfolio (a grad requirement).
Nick has become Daddy's Little Boy. He is Don's constant companion whenever he can be, and let's us know he's unhappy when he can't be.
Jordyn has two more ice skating lessons before this session ends. She's doing much better than the first lesson, with hardly any falling. When ice skating is done we'll be moving onto swimming lessons with Marianne! We're really looking forward to that...especially Patience : )
And who can imagine that Jordyn will be 4 in one week? Don and I have some birthday shopping to do! Although she wrote, okay, dictated, a very complete birthday wishlist so it shouldn't be too difficult.
Nathan called me today from his ship and told me that he'll be underway for 3 of the next 4 weeks! He's going to Valdez tomorrow, and then on a trip to Kodiak. Lucky kid. BTW, if you haven't checked out his blog lately you should go visit it...he posted some beautiful pictures.
Okay, I think you're all caught up now. I'll post more as news unfolds.
Cheers!
In less than 4 weeks we will be picking up Nathan for his 16-day leave. Of course, he's going to be spending a good portion of that time in California, but I can't deny him his beloved Sharks, not to mention visiting grandparents and good friends.
Last week Dylan and Sean finished semester 1. Dylan took 3 provincial exams in Physics, English, and History. If he was able to get A's on all of them, the BC government will happily give him $1,000 for his university expenses. Fingers crossed. Sean, luckily, didn't have any provincial exams...only finals for English, Socials, and Math.
In this upcoming semester, Dylan has only Math 12, band, and his outside-of-timetable music courses. This means that he'll have lots of spare time during the school day, which will be handy for all of the scholarships he'll be appyling for : ) Not to mention the music theory he needs to teach himself before his audition in March, and finishing up his portfolio (a grad requirement).
Nick has become Daddy's Little Boy. He is Don's constant companion whenever he can be, and let's us know he's unhappy when he can't be.
Jordyn has two more ice skating lessons before this session ends. She's doing much better than the first lesson, with hardly any falling. When ice skating is done we'll be moving onto swimming lessons with Marianne! We're really looking forward to that...especially Patience : )
And who can imagine that Jordyn will be 4 in one week? Don and I have some birthday shopping to do! Although she wrote, okay, dictated, a very complete birthday wishlist so it shouldn't be too difficult.
Nathan called me today from his ship and told me that he'll be underway for 3 of the next 4 weeks! He's going to Valdez tomorrow, and then on a trip to Kodiak. Lucky kid. BTW, if you haven't checked out his blog lately you should go visit it...he posted some beautiful pictures.
Okay, I think you're all caught up now. I'll post more as news unfolds.
Cheers!
Car trip, anyone?
Nathan is looking forward to having his truck in Alaska. The problem is that it is currently located in Bellingham, WA (long story). Is there anyone who is interested in driving a 2-person, manual transmission truck from it's current location to Cordova, AK? Nathan would pay for gas and for your return airfare from Cordova. According to Google driving directions, the trip is no less than 48 hours, and much of it is on a "highway" that's not necessarily paved. But I'm pretty sure there is beautiful scenery between here and Cordova : )
Now, let's not all jump at once!
Now, let's not all jump at once!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Patience's diplomacy skills
Tonight Don asked Patience: Would you rather go to Danica's birthday party tomorrow morning, or stay here and play with your daddy?
Patience, after thinking for a few seconds: Daddy, do you want to go, too?
Patience, after thinking for a few seconds: Daddy, do you want to go, too?
Soup for dinner
Last night I made cauliflower soup for dinner, along with homemade multigrain rolls. There were no complaints. Tonight, I made broccoli soup. Don said it was his new favorite soup right after clam chowder!
I thought I'd share the super easy recipes in case you want to add a nutritious, inexpensive meal to your arsenal. Keep in mind that these recipes fed a family of 7 with some people going back for seconds! So you might need to halve the recipe, although I don't see why you couldn't freeze leftovers.
Creamy Broccoli or Cauliflower soup
In a large stainless steel soup pot, saute 1 medium chopped onion and a heaping teaspoon of chopped garlic in some olive oil until onion is translucent.
Add to pot:
1 large head cauliflower, rinsed and cut into chunks OR 1 huge or 2 medium stalks of broccoli, including stem
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 large or 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
Add water to just cover the vegetables. Don't add to much, or your soup won't end up creamy.
Bring to boil. Cover and simmer for at least an hour, or until the vegetables are really tender.
Use the immersion blender that your wonderful in-laws gave you for Christmas to blend the soup completely. There won't be any chunks, just creamy goodness.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. You could thin with milk if it's too thick, but then don't try to freeze any leftovers.
Serve topped with shredded cheddar cheese.
Accept all compliments graciously.
I thought I'd share the super easy recipes in case you want to add a nutritious, inexpensive meal to your arsenal. Keep in mind that these recipes fed a family of 7 with some people going back for seconds! So you might need to halve the recipe, although I don't see why you couldn't freeze leftovers.
Creamy Broccoli or Cauliflower soup
In a large stainless steel soup pot, saute 1 medium chopped onion and a heaping teaspoon of chopped garlic in some olive oil until onion is translucent.
Add to pot:
1 large head cauliflower, rinsed and cut into chunks OR 1 huge or 2 medium stalks of broccoli, including stem
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 large or 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
Add water to just cover the vegetables. Don't add to much, or your soup won't end up creamy.
Bring to boil. Cover and simmer for at least an hour, or until the vegetables are really tender.
Use the immersion blender that your wonderful in-laws gave you for Christmas to blend the soup completely. There won't be any chunks, just creamy goodness.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. You could thin with milk if it's too thick, but then don't try to freeze any leftovers.
Serve topped with shredded cheddar cheese.
Accept all compliments graciously.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Winter Olympics 2010
Just a couple of weeks away! Of course Don and I won't be at any events, but I did find out that the movie theater in Langley is showing some events at their theather...so we could go there! It would be almost as good as being there live : )Saturday, January 23, 2010
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