Skiing and Fondue

February 17, 2019

On Sunday afternoon we had a fun family cross-country ski outing on NCC Trail 10 Shirley’s Bay. We skied the 4km loop.  Maman had brought some snacks, so the boys stopped for some part way through the loop.

After our ski, Grandpa suggested we check out the nearby Hilda Rd. bird feeders.  Right away Grant spotted a large white rabbit in the underbrush. The boys soon saw it too. Grandpa had promised the boys 25¢ for each bird species they saw.  Not too many today.  The rare red-bellied woodpecker did not appear at the suet feeder on the tree.  We did see chickadees, a crow, and a Hairy Woodpecker  = 75¢ for each boy.

Then we all got together for dinner at 9 Lambert.  Sam enjoyed his favourite chicken pot pie. Then there was a lot of action for dessert with the boys creating fruit fondue treats for us.  A bath for David and a shower for Sam followed.

A Visit with the Boys

February 10, 2019

On Sunday, Papa called Barbara, Bill and Grant to see if the boys could come for a visit while he and Maman went to Ikea to discuss their plans for a kitchen renovation.   The boys got right into playing Pokemon Cards with Grant. Grandpa taught them how to play Euchre. David was interested in a maze on his placemat, which he easily completed. Then the boys and Grant created mazes for each other to do.  Then Grandpa showed Sam satellite maps of Jamaica and the Dominican Republic and some photos of his recent trip to Jamaica. Soon the lasagna was ready and we all had dinner together. David helped Barbara with the Valentine’s Heart chocolate cake for dessert. He carefully decorated it and was proud of his creation.

Samuel is 9!

January 26, 2019

Barbara, Grandpa and Grant joined Samuel at his home to celebrate his 9^th birthday.  Mama had just finished icing his large 3 layer chocolate cake – she had inserted several wrapped coins into one of the layers.

The boys quickly finished the strawberries from a fruit tray. Sam examined Grant’s present in a big bag.  He would open it after supper.

Sam and his friend Ross had spent the afternoon building a quinzee (snow fort) near the back deck. He was very proud of it. Boots, Grandpa and Barbara examined it and then went for a walk - it was a cold day but nice and bright.

When they came back the boys were having fun playing with Grant.  David checked out the cake. Sam checked out the hors d’oeuvres and then Grant read him a birthday card from Aunt Wanda.

Once again Sam was happy to have his favourite food, lasagna, for supper, followed by the amazing chocolate cake.  Check out his smile.

Sam was happy to open Grant’s present – a Cabela's outdoor store sea plane with a boat, atv, a campfire, a moose, etc.  David quickly got out the truck/camping set he got for Christmas and the boys happily played together.

Sam and Papa are looking forward to going to a Senator’s hockey game (Senators play Detroit Red Wings at the Canadian Tire Centre) next Saturday evening.  Sunday will be

Sam’s kids’ birthday party. His friends Ross, Liam, Rafael, Philippe, Pasha and David will be shooting it out at  Laserquest.

Vancouver Day 4

January 13, 2019

Today, Sunday, was Aki and Sean’s wedding day – they asked the boys to be at the Brix and Mortar venue at 2:30 to prepare for their role as ring bearers.

After breakfast, David was busy making his new Lego boat which he tested out in water in the sink; then he got busy creating a truck.  Meanwhile Sam was relaxing watching Pokémon on TV.

Pamela and Craig went to church and the rest of the family drove to Deer Lake for a hike.  It was another warm sunny day, just like summer.  Bill spotted an eagle, several ducks and a hummingbird.  The boys noticed some plastic garbage and collected it – sometimes having to get held upside down to reach it at the side of the wooden walkway.  They had learned at the Aquarium that plastic was dangerous for wildlife. Barbara carried it in a bag and they threw it out when they reached a garbage pail.

Back to the house for lunch and a change of clothes for the wedding.  The boys were very proud of their role as ring bearers – Aki and Sean had decided that the four nephews, Sam and David Bowman and Hunter and Everest Anderson would carry a cushion with the rings up the aisle.

A beautiful wedding.  The boys were awesome ring bearers.  They enjoyed the food and had a lot of fun with Giant Jenga blocks, origami creations and a polaroid camera.

The trip to Vancouver was an amazing family adventure. On Monday morning the Chelsea Bowmans were up at 4am to have breakfast and get to the airport for their early morning flight home.  Pamela, Craig, Grant, Barbara and Grandpa visited the amazing Bloedel Conservatory in the morning and the Vandusen Gardens in the early afternoon.  Then they too drove to the airport for their flights home.