Christmas Pictures!

We had some Christmas pictures taken of the boys- let me just say... it is no small feat to get a picture that is good of two kids under 3. Jack is usually pretty good, unless he "tries" to smile, in which case he ends up looking like he's in pain. The trick is to get him laughing about something completely un-photo-related. Rory on the other hand... you end up standing on your head and making silly faces and he *might* decide to give you a brief smile. If you're lucky.

Here are some of the best ones... Season's Greetings!

Getting ready for Christmas!

Jack and Rory went to see Santa today. Jack couldn't have been happier! (Rory was a little unsure...)

Halloween!

I just typed a big long post, and somehow it has been erased. Which is really frustrating. So now I will just write a smaller one with quick re-caps. Things are slowly coming together at the house, but we took some time off to do the things that one does with small children around this time of year. Jack had a great Halloween. (I'm assuming that Rory did as well, but he's a bit less outspoken about these things than his older brother.) This was the first year that he really got into the festivities, and we had such a great time!

Carving out the pumpkin with Daddy. (It took some convincing to get him to reach in and pull out the "goo".)

Getting ready for the big event.

On our front deck with Jack, Rory and our funny pumpkin.

My wild animals.

This picture pretty much speaks for itself.

We went to Stittsville and did some trick or treating with Grandma (who was sporting some crazy hair for the occasion.)



Things continue to be a bit insane at the house, but we are slowly putting everything together. I'm holding off on the pictures until I have some proper "Before" and "After" shots.

Home sweet home.

Ok, so still no pictures, but we've only recently got the computer set up, so they will come soon.

Things are coming along. The carpets are all ripped out, the hardwood has been laid in the livingroom and the upstairs hallway, along with our room and Jack's room. We still have to finish the floors in Rory's room and the guest room, but it is almost completely done. Yay! The carpets will be installed on the stairs and upper and lower landings sometime this week (I think...) Very exciting.

The smell is almost 100% gone, and we're having the ducts cleaned on Friday, so I'm confident that it will be completely gone after that. Next to come is the painting- the Canada goose mural is gone from Jack's room (we took a picture of us in front of it first- it may be our Christmas card this year.) so we'll probably start with that room.

It is finally starting to feel a little bit more like home... which is exciting.

Renovations (and subsequent exile)- part 1.

I write this from where I have evacuated to- in Ayer's Cliff until the air from the renovations clear. Ben has started tearing down walls and ceilings... I'm so glad that I married a handyman, because honestly, I don't know what I would do had he not been able to deal with it. I likely would have paid someone else way too much money for not as nice of a job.

The issue (or one of the issues) is this- the house was built in 1980, and has since had an addition put on to it. That addition was not done properly, and so there has been a build up of moisture in the roof/ceiling of the front entry way, causing a not-so-nice smell. So Ben, his dad and Jim have ripped apart that roof (hence my staying away in Ayer's Cliff...) and are fixing it. The past-owners were do-it-yourself'ers, but not so good at it. So we also have to un-finish the partly finished basement, because the drywall was installed incorrectly and also has a mold problem. All fixable, but all requiring LOTS of work.

After that comes the flooring- the livingroom, stairs and upstairs is currently sporting the brown, nasty wall-to-wall look that was "en vogue" circa 1981. Ben has already ripped out the carpet in the livingroom and will be installing the new chocolate maple hardwood this week. We are going to re-carpet the stairs and upstairs hall (with something a little more "us"), and then put hardwood in the upstairs bedrooms. C'est beaucoup de travail. And that doesn't even touch the wall-paper removal (including the aforementioned Canada Goose tribute wall) and painting.

My current plan is to stay with Joanne until the air clears (quite literally) and the livingroom flooring is done. Then we'll have the carpet installed by someone else, and then finish the upstairs floors, and paint. But the kids and I can come back for that part. I hope. Poor Joanne...

On a more positive note, my sister-in-law from Vancouver and her two kids came down to visit with us at Joanne's for a week. It was lots of fun (and only slightly insane) to have the four cousins together- 2 two year olds, a 5 month old, and a 4 month old... not hectic at all!

Pictures soon, I promise.

There's no place like home.

We are embarking on a journey, of sorts. We have recently bought our first house (we get the keys in a few minutes, to be specific) and we are going to be doing a few minor... adjustments. Nothing major, but lots of re-decorating, some structural changes... you know. Just enough to keep us busy. (Because running around after a 2 1/2 year old and a 4 month old isn't quite enough action for us!)

It is a pretty terrific house- once you get past the 1980's decorating. (There is a mural of life sized Canada Geese on the wall of what will be Jack's bedroom, to give you an idea...) It is on 3.25 acres, in a great little neighbourhood with good schools nearby.

Over the next few months (lets be honest- likely the next few years) we will be making this house our home, and we will be documenting the process on this blog. So stay tuned! Pictures to come!

Beautiful Labour Day Weekend.

What a wonderful weekend! We were fortunate enough to be able to spend the weekend in Piopolis, Québec, on the beautiful shores of Lac-Mégantic at a friend's cottage. It was the perfect end to a less-than-perfect summer. We had a great time. A HUGE thank-you to David and Cindy and also to Joe and Louise for welcoming us to their little piece of paradise.

Jack eating nacho chips.
Our 9 year old German Shepherd, Riley.

Jack checking out the view.

The view from the beach.

Not too shabby...

Collecting stones.

More nacho chips.

"STOP taking pictures of me guys!!!"

Ben and Rory.

We had a few chilly September mornings. Good thing Mom packed some warm sleepers!

Bright and early in the morning (pre-coffee.)

Breakfast on the deck.

Jack getting the corn ready for dinner with Granny Joanne.

Proof that Jack, on occasion, will eat vegetables.

Going out for a walk with Granny.

A man and his dog.

Rory hanging out in the beach in his sun-shade.

Playing in the water with Granny.

Rory basking in the sun for a few milliseconds.

Warming up after a chilly swim in the lake. (Note the blue lips!)

Mmmmmmm good.

Mmmmmmmm......

Prehistoric World. And Stuff.

So this summer has been.... well, trying. We'll just call it trying and leave it at that. If you know us, then you know why. If you don't, then you shouldn't be reading this blog.

We decided to take advantage of a beautiful Sunday morning and head to Prehistoric World in Morrisburg. We had been told that it might not be worth the drive, but whoever said that has clearly never been to Prehistoric World with a 2 1/2 year old boy. Possibly the highlight of his life so far.

Jack thought it was pretty neat that he could walk underneath the dinosaurs.

Making friends with a dinosaur just his size.

Rory taking everything in.

This is my favourite picture of the day.

I know this one is blurry, but I had to include it because it completely captures Jack's expression EVERY time we turned the corner and saw a new dinosaur. It was hilarious.

Jack thought it was neat to see the mommy and the baby dinosaur together. Just like us.

He had to stop and kiss every single one.

The Triceratops and the T-Rex.

More kisses.

Seconds before the fall.

Registering the fact that he had fallen.

Total devastation at the fact that he had fallen.

Recovering from the fall.

Back to kissing dinosaurs.

Digging for fossils.


Back home after a busy day. (Rory's not so sure about this whole "field trip" thing.)