We're expecting

...made you look, didn't I?!

(I hope Bruce doesn't faint when he sees this)

haha

We're expecting Fit Physiotherapy to be a big success! The clinic opened Mon Dec 6. There's still some to be done (anxiously awaiting some equipment, etc) and kinks to be worked out. But a few bumps in the road won't deter Bruce and the staff. We're excited about this new venture. If your a local, you may see an ad in tomorrow's paper.

Tell all your friends, family, neighbours, pets...

I am even thinking about getting the clinic a facebook page!?! Those who really know me are laughing hysterically right now as I am SOOOO not technologically gifted. But if my dad's on it maybe there's hope for me too.

our pre-Christmas gift

Sadly, another post without pictures as we forgot the camera...

On Monday Nov 22 it was FREEZING cold in the Great White North (here) and the lesser known, not- so- great White North (Great Falls, Mt). We had a decision to make: Go through with our plans to travel and see this man in concert or not. We braved the poor driving conditions and travel advisories and did it! Just me and the kiddos. We had a great time. As soon as we got to town we shopped thisfast and gathered up some truly American treats (read: candy, yogurt and Bath/Bodyworks). Ochi said he only wanted to come if we could go to Target. A boy after my own heart. Dean "loved it all", my boy of few (but sincere) words! The concert was held in a charming reno'd theatre. We were not a very interactive crowd, but everyone there had a great time.

Some of the songs he played were this, this and of course this ...we have TONS more new faves. Ask the boys. We're liking North Pole Express right now....'tis the season!

3 Concert Tickets= $22

4 New CDs= $40

Dinner, shopping, hotel, gas,more shopping=more than I'll admit!

Spending Time with my boys (doing something cultural that WASN'T a sporting event)=priceless

I can't wait to do it again. Maybe next time Bru can come.

do you see what I see?

That's right...it's a post from us! Not really, it's just a psych out as I am really busy (just as all of you are, I'm sure). I can't wait to sit at the computer and blog a bit, but not tonight. But for any of you who check this out and are bummed out by this total slack blogger, check out this site for the month of December. It looks nice and meaningful...2 things I obviously need, but don't have time for right now!!

my little artist

Ochi loves art. Colouring, doodling, illustrating...he's got skill. And I've got a recycling bin full of paper to prove it. Tonight before Family Night he was at it again. This drawing, as you can tell, is US. Quite an eye, don't you think?
Then he showed me his next piece of work. I laughed my head off!!

My other lucky day

So, it's the 18th, and some of you faithful blog readers may be aware that somebody else had a birthday in our house this past week. Thankfully, he has not said "where's my blogpost?" Not to be outdone, here's our Ode to Owen:

8. His nickname is Ocho-or some derivation of it. Don't ask why...we don't know, but it's stuck. Ocho...he's 8... Kinda cool.

7. He has always cheered for this team, but it comes as no surprise that he lives and breathes this sport.

6. He could give the Energizer Bunny a run for his money. This kid can go all day long...and then some!

5. He is trying to master this song on the piano right now. I just wish he'd stick to his regular music homework, but the boy sure has an ear. He's loves being our family iTunes DJ, too.

4. He's his father's son: he has a gift for quoting movies, running fast and making us all laugh :)

3. He HATES getting his haircut. It must be a Samson thing.

2. He's his brother's hero.

1. He's getting baptized this weekend.

Ochi- we love you. Happy belated birthday

MY lucky day

I've heard that some people think today is a lucky day, being 10/10/10, but I KNOW it is. At 10 minutes to 10am, on 10/10/10 Dean will be celebrating his 10th birthday. In actuality, he was born at 9:56am, but we are rounding down for dramatic effect and sheer awesomeness of it all!

All those 10's are screaming out "Top 10" list to me. So without further ado, here is today's 10/10/10 Top 10 things about Dean you may or may not know (in no particular order)

10. He dislikes yellow peppers, guacamole and jalapenos (I try not to hold any of that against him-his tastebuds are still developing)

9. He's loyal. Through the good (but mostly) bad times, he has cheered for this team!

8. He has the best sense of humour, if you can catch his quick wit.

7. He has a good, kind heart and a smile that makes me melt.

6. He's his brother's hero.

5. He's a wealth of knowledge. Ask him anything about any sport, world record or country and chances are, he knows it. (Good luck on Jeopardy one day!)

4. He won a trampoline!

3. He loves Sunday morning pancakes (he's his father's son).

2. He can tickle the ivories and loves playing this song.

1. He loves to be here and here with his family and friends.

I could go on and on about this great kid of mine. But I'll just say "Happy Birthday, Deany. We love you thisssssssssssssssssssssss much" :)

Is this how it felt at the Inn?

Tonight Bru and I were looking forward to going to hear the 30 Aldermanic candidates at the library. We were excited. It's hard to read sarcasm or real true feelings over the computer. But, I'm being serious...seriously. We are by no stretch of the imagination political pundits, junkies or thumpers...just 2 citizens of this fine town trying to be as informed as we can when we go to vote (reminder: Mon Oct 18).

Apparently, we were NOT alone.

We got to the forum right on time, unfortunately. A typical, prim librarian kindly informed us that there was no room.

No room in the main hall.

No room in the overflow.

"What?!?...We need to know who to vote for though."

"I'm very sorry. Here's a list of other forums you may attend" stated library lady.

"But, this is the only one we can get to.."

I realize by now I am not the only person who has tried to tell her that tonight and, honestly, that she doesn't really care.

I've been thinking though, that perhaps it wasn't a bad thing. Atleast I know there are other people out there trying to inquire about the varied platforms of each candidate. It's not like we were shirking our civic responsibility. We tried, really we did.

If any of you have any insights, let us know. Seriously.

We didn't leave empty handed though. Bru grabbed a few candidate leaflets. And me? I grabbed Season 1 of Friday Night Lights. It's a little guilty pleasure of mine ;)

why the long face?

Today was a nice day. We watched Church conference at Heather and Justin's this morning while they hosted a yummy breakfast. Then we came home to watch the last session. Tonight, Owen was procrastinating doing his homework and I helped him in the effort. This is what we came up with:

In between his laughing we made some more pics in the photo booth:

And then everyone in the family wanted to get in on the action:

We've never used this feature before. I'm sure the boys are going to have some fun with it. Look out for our Christmas card picture. It may look something like this:

How did you spend your day?

hodge-podge

Last night I was talking to a friend and she reminded me that I had not blogged about a certain experience my family had this summer. Later, when I looked at my desktop where I keep pictures that I want to post I realize that I haven't posted about several things. So... here's a mix for your morning of 3 pictures that put a smile on my face.

My boys are growing up SO fast! Playing on the playground now is very different than it was a few years ago. Here they are posing in their fiercest warrior poses!

Something yummy! Warning- do not try to eat your computer screen. My lovely Mr always says if he was a baker he'd be 300 lbs (or is it 400??) Had he been in Portland with us this spring, I would have feared for his waistline. These donuts (and the shop they came from)were like nothing else.

After hanging at Cannon Beach for a day (remember the fish we ate that day?!-Why are some of my favourite memories wrapped in food!) I saw this license plate in the parking lot. I love its sentiment.

So faithful readers, today my wish/challenge for you (and me) is to give it a try and MN8 JOY. Feel free to leave a comment about how the day went... if your life was irrevocably altered in any way, pretty much stayed the same or anything in between...(Bruce has to give a talk in Church on Sunday on Gratitude-anything you write may be used!!)

August Mourn

I have a friend that loves Neil Diamond. Every day for the month of September, she plays his song September Morn while her kids get ready for school. Well, tomorrow is the first day of school,but wait...it's not September. Now, some of you may say "My kids started last week. " To that I say that would be fine if we got out the beginning of June.

But, we didn't.

It was June 28

11:50am, to be exact.

And, to global warming I say : Where were you this summer? I really needed you in those rainy months. The dog days of summer never came. I never got tired of the heat, never yearned for the feel of a Fall sweater, never really thought "when does school start 'cause (fill in son's name here), you're driving me crazy".

And that is why tomorrow I will mourn.

Bye boys. It was fun while it lasted!

Heritage Day

Monday was Heritage Day in Alberta- probably more commonly known as "the holiday in August"! Well, to celebrate we went to the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association event. There were display and craft booths from 20 or so ethnicities. Our favorite were the food booths, though. We ate Vietnamese wontons and fresh homemade perogies from the Polish Association. We should/could have been more adventuresome as there was Afghan, Sudanese and Filipino food as well as 12 other nationalities. For dessert we ate Keke (Tongan donuts) and mango lemonade from the Polynesian hut. It was a great day.

All that eating was followed by a long bike ride- had to burn it all off some how!

travel mugs

A little late, but better than never...

These 2 were great travelling partners. The "Blues Brothers" were caught enjoying a cool windy day at Cannon Beach, OR in May.
This little cutie was adoorbell (isn't that how seriously, so blessed would write "adorable", Kins?)
She was SO fun to visit.
This was a picture of the boys before their first plane ride. Good times had by all! Thanks Gram and Smith fam

sport FAN-atics

What a couple of months it has been. World Cup soccer was HUGE in our house. Dean cheered incessantly for Brazil (even though this is Owen) From the beginning, Owen had chosen SPAIN. You maybe heard the "scream heard 'round the world" at 116 minutes last Sunday into the final game. That's my Owen. He likes winning and winners. (Seriously, if Spain lost, it would have been miserable at our home)
First of July in Raymond- the Witbeck/Price/whoever else shows up to eat reunion. Uncle G brought his slack line which was a big hit. We had a lot of fun with our cousins from here, Calgary and Nevada.
Oh, and this...Lord Stanley's Cup made an appearance in our beloved little city! Kris Versteeg, formerly of Lethbridge, formerly of the Chicago Blackhawks, brought the NHL cup here July 3. Bru and I were at Trek (i'll tell you more about that another time), so my DEAR mother took the boys and stood in line for over 2 hours to see it. These photos were taken by Dean.

Today the boys finished a week long sports camp:football and basketball. They learned alot and had fun. Since we are not big baseball fans, and there's no Summer Olympics, I think that this sporting family can take a break for a bit...like until tomorrow when Bruce runs his race.

Nike (or adidas, or someone else) was right...there is no finish line!!!!

summer is here!

BOYS and GIRLS-

man, there has not been much good stuff in the world to speak of. the weather in these parts has been almost unbearable (rain, rain, please stay away), our kids are STILL in school, we have no summer plans.

and then...like the shining, silver lining on those rainclouds that have been covering the sky of most of Alberta...

I turned on the tv tonight

and it was as if the sunbeams of heaven were shining directly upon me and my family as we enjoyed and celebrated the return of summer:

the season premier of WIPEOUT!!!!!

the big balls, big spills and the witty banter/play by play of its hosts John squared; it doesn't get better than this.

SUMMER IS HERE, FOLKS

when life gives you lemons...

So I am very disappointed tonight as I have been trying to load a video clip of the boys' piano recital (it's awesome, if I do say so- their playing- not my recording), but to no avail.

So, I did the next best thing and changed the blog.

It's not perfect but it'll do for tonight; Nothing like lightening up for summer!

I can't wait to spend some lazy days reading a good book on some soft green grass, drinking the raspberry lemonade mix I bought at Harry and David's, or playing (fill in the blank with any sport) with the boys outside. Just go ahead and ask me how many more sleeps until school is done (15 including the weekends).

We just can't wait for summer to begin...

the funnies

I love to read the newspaper. Especially the comics. I've been a fan of a few dailies over the years. Last year when our local paper "updated" the section I was quite upset. How dare they change my routine. Some of those characters had become part of my life and then, suddenly, they were gone. Here's one I saw today. And I smiled...because, for me, as much as I complain about stuff, its true. What would I do without my friends?

Ironically, the guy I see the least is the friend I wish I could see more often! I guess Bruce is the reason I've got so many friends!! So, thanks, Bru.

practicing piano

Ahhhhhh.....it's the season for finales.

On tv (I'm so glad I didn't get attached to Lost), at school, and...for music lessons! The boys haven't always practiced their lessons, nor are they prodigies. But they like their teacher and are content about the upcoming year end recital. When they get angry (sometimes) and pouty (often) about practicing, they watch this and then they get inspired!

And I'm grateful for that.

Because really...what's the point of having a piano if no one in the house can play it?

Spring, where are you?

A few days ago it all began...

Then...

This morning's "ironic-shot-of-the-day" brought to you by Mother Nature ;) You've gotta love Spring snow

the weather outside is....

Well, here's what's up with us:

SNOW DAY

-it was bad, but we've actually all enjoyed the day

Ironically, our church is sponsoring an emergency preparedness class tomorrow night at the Fairmont Church from 7-9pm. Anyone is welcome to attend.

PS- yes, the boys wore pink today. here's the proof

the power of pink

Our school is participating in this on Wednesday. I just wanted to spread the word...

Pink Shirt Day

In September 2007 a new student attended his first day of classes at a rural high-school in Nova Scotia, wearing a pink polo shirt. A group of older students recognized as the school bullies went to work on the young man. He was physically and verbally abused. Two Grade 12 students, David Shepherd and Travis Price witnessed the bullying and took offence on behalf of that younger student. These boys using a little money and social networking created a miracle. Hundreds of students showed up at school the next day wearing their own pink clothes, some head to toe. When the bullied student, who has never been identified, walked into the school he was greeted by a “sea of pink.”

Since that time the movement has gained momentum. On April 14th many Canadians, young and old, will be wearing pink to send a loud non-confrontational message of resistance to the bullies among us. By wearing pink on Wednesday April 14th, you will identify yourself to victims as a source of support and draw attention to the effects of bullying.

own the podium

Bruce, Dean and Owen had a great run on the weekend. It was the 10-4 (miles) roadrace, a fundraiser for the local college XC team (that's why we had to enter). Here's how it went:

Owen and Dean were 1st and 3rd in their age category and Bruce was second in his.

I'm so proud of them.

The sweet taste of victory.

As they says "You're only as good as your last run, and we rocked that one!" You rock, boys!!

Hockey Night in Canada

This video is from Monday night's FHE (family home evening). It was a nice evening and we couldn't let the opportunity be wasted. We hope that spring is here!

We're still in denial that the Olympics are over. Those were good times

the best for last...

GOALLLLLLLLLLL!

I can see clearly now...

I got some new glasses today. They are so clean and pretty and I love them.

It's a quiet Friday night here at home, just watching the game and I just saw this: another commercial. Honestly, they are better than the ones from the Super Bowl. Well...except for that Betty white one. That one made Bruce laugh outloud!

retraction

Hockey still belongs to us...at least for tonight!!! Well done, boys.

the "good" mom

Tonight I let the boys stay up waaaaaaaay too late, all in the name of patriotism. That and the fact that it was ICE DANCE that they wanted to watch. Of all winter sports, I have never heard my children say "I wanna do that". But tonight, they were riveted by the entire spectacle. Maybe since our national sport is being taken over (thanks America) we've got to keep our eyes open to new things...There's always curling.

If anyone out there thinks I am making fun of these sports, know that I have the utmost respect for each activity and its players.

I hope I'm not alienating/boring anyone out there. Believe me, when the Games are over I'll quietly go back to posting once every couple of months :)

say it ain't so

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA- that's the sound of us crying.

We have to go back to work/school tomorrow after the week off. We had fun in Waterton and visiting with extended family. Tomorrow begins with a bang as we return to "Marathon running" at the school at 7:50am. Yikes, that's gonna hurt!

We have all sufficiently overloaded on the Olympics - i'm still trying to hold out for the men's hockey team, but it's not looking promising.

This is the last week of February. How'd that happen? Seriously, time flies when the Crew is on holiday.

But if life were always a holiday, what would we do for a break?

Happy Monday to you all

more musings

so, what did you think?

Of course you know what I mean.

The opening ceremony was the first thing we talked about this morning on the run. We love the voice of Nikki Yanofsky, we teared up when the Georgian team walked into the stadium, and my boys thought some of the dancers were "un"modest (we've been talking about that kind of thing lately). We thought Steve Nash needs a haircut and were shocked with the hydraulic failure (I hope no one lost their job over that), but thought the outdoor flame overlooking the harbour was cool...I could go on and on, but then I'd be missing the actual Games.

Enjoy your Saturday

PS On Monday in Alberta we have Family Day. (Isn't that a nice name for a holiday?)I hope you all do something memorable with the ones you love.

letting your light shine

Okay, I realize that 2 posts in one day is..., well, miraculous and unheard of from me. But, I couldn't pass up this opportunity to open a forum for one of the biggest questions facing Canadians today.

Who will be the last torchbearer and light the Olympic cauldron?

It is certainly dividing a nation; one passionate about its hockey legends (should it be Wayne Gretzky?). Then there are some funny ideas (Bob and Doug Mackenzie, William Shatner...you know, the infamous Canadians that ALWAYS make the "who's who of Canadian icons"list). Several people want it to be Betty Fox, mom of the late great Terry. The sheer sentamentality of it all has won our vote here at ABDO house.

I am horrible at linking videos, but there is just one that everyone MUST see. I'll try. It's a great overview about who Terry was and what he accomplished in his short life. I totally realize that most people reading this know about him already, but this is for those of you who don't know him. Here's to gaining more knowledge, and just maybe, a new hero!

the agony of "de feet"

the evidence

the victim

the culprit

I hate new shoes!

oh the weather outside is...

REALLY COOL!!

Check out these pictures from Thursday at the lake. (I am SO kicking myself for not running there this morning- Scenic Drive was not so"scenic" as this) I don't know why this is underlined!

oh...and here's an homage to the Olympics (i heart these mittens! Thanks Karri)

in a rut

okay fellow bloggers, I can tell from the lack of new posts that either:

1. we all have such amazing busy lives and no time to post about them (in all honesty, I believe this is the answer) or...

2. we all have the winter blahs...

I have been thinking about why I can't think of anything profound or witty to write about. (Because I know that if you want a profound or witty read you all flock to hear what I have to say! haha)

For Christmas, we got the neatest little gift from a dear aunt and uncle. It is a little tile with vinyl lettering. It asks us, "What have you done for someone today?" So each night, before the boys hit the hay, we ask this question and get to hear all the great responses. We try to make it an "out of the ordinary" action. Sometimes, it's just good enough to hear (fill in the name of one of my boys) say "I was nice to (fill in opposite boy's name)"

It's a good reminder that while I know I can't fix all the world's troubles, I can do something for someone.

the olympics came to town

Last night we saw the Olympic torch come to town. It was pretty cool to think that that flame came from Athens and has travelled across our massive country. Scandals or not, we love watching the Games and cheering on all the athletes, especially the Canadians and the underdogs (which in most events they are one in the same)! Go Canada!!

FYI, the Games run from Feb 12-28 in Whistler BC.