Our Crazy Life

STAMPEDE SUNDAY

Hello again from the nation's capital !

We are relaxing this evening watching the Calgary Stampede.  It is just as exciting on television.  We have enjoyed the Handhills and Nanton Night Rodeo highlights.  Paula has educated Carter on her childhood experiences.  We have watched the Rangeland Derby a couple times this week but won't tonight as it starts after midnight.  It was cool seeing Dale Gray every night.  He won another buckle Friday night with Kelly Sutherland winning the aggregate.  We could always spot him on the back stretch.  Sure hope they do good tonight in lane three.

We had a very quiet weekend.  No lacrosse this weekend at all.  We managed to get quite a bit of work completed around the house and yard.  We all slept in late on Saturday.  We were all in bed early Friday night so enjoyed an extra long rest.  It rained pretty much the entire day.  Carter and Randy shopped for new skates and parts to restring his lacrosse stick.  We lucked out on a pair of 2008 Bauer 40's.  His skates should last at least until Christmas.  The lacrosse stick got restrung this afternoon.  Carter spent the afternoon with his buddy Patrick.  They played video and computer games.  We picked them up after dinner and they spent the night at our house.  They went to bed at 11:00pm but we have not idea when they went to sleep.  R & P were in bed right after the chuck's. 

Randy was up early this am so spent the morning filling five bags of yard waste.  The hedges and trees were all trimmed and the weed as whacked.  The yard looks good for another two weeks.  We have still not fertilized the grass, perenial beds or annuuals.  We have had enough rain the past two weeks to keep everything green and lush.  The boys slept in until 9ish and Paula just before them.  Bob was out with Randy barking at the rake, hedge trimmer and weed wacker.  He would grab a branch and hustle with it to the side of the house.  It was so cute.  He had quite a big pile of branches after three hours helping Randy.  Paula started scrubbing floors so shipped the boys outside to play.  Soon they were bored so Randy took them to Ice Age 3D at the Imax.  It was pretty funny.  Just as good as the first two movies.  It was anything but busy at the theatre.  We returned home after the movie just before it rained, yet again.  Paula BBQ'd us a nice dinner and made key lime pie for dessert. 

Randy took Bob for a good walk this evening.  He is currently sleeping at his side; obviously wiped him out.  He obviously needs more exercise if he can't keep up to Randy.  We are hoping Bob is full grown.  He is just the right size and doesn't need to grow anymore. 

Carter spent the week at lacrosse camp and had a wonderful week.  He was full of stories each night.  He will spend this week at another lacrosse camp and he can't wait.  He was in bed early tonight to be well rested for tomorrow morning. 

Work is as busy as ever for Randy and Paula.  We are hoping to take the last week of July for a holiday.  Who knows!  We are in the Nepean lacrosse tournament next week with the first game on Thursday night and three games on Saturday.  It should be a competitive tournament as two teams are from Toronto.  They are always better teams than any local teams we play.  Carter is stoked.

Congratulations Jackie and Brad on the birth of your daughter.  Eight pounds and counting.  Wow!  Hope both are doing well. 

Have a great week !

 

GRIFFINS LOSE IN FINALS - PLAYED AN AWESOME TOURNAMENT

Hello again from the nation's capital !

We enjoyed another fun filled lacrosse weekend.  This weekend we hosted the tournament, no traveling.  We played our first game Friday night.  The boys went into the game with a negative attitude.  They played a very lack lustre game and lost badly.  They arrived the next day with a much more positive attitude and won three games on Saturday.  Carter played especially well garnering many assists and a couple of goals.  He plays defense and does a very fine job.  They played in the semi-finals and finals on Sunday.  Oh how we wished we'd have video'd the final game.  They played their best game of the season.  It was against the team they played on Friday.  Our goalie was not near his best the first half of the game and let in some very easy goals.  You might say he scored on himself twice.  Anyhow, the third period was spectacular.  The boys were hitting hard and held control or the ball for most of the period.  We were down 6-2 and came back 6-4 with only three minutes to play.  Carter and another player then charged down the field manouvering thru the opposition.  The other player made an awesome pass to Carter.  Carter shot the ball in a nano seconds after catching the ball and scored.  it was a blistering shot.  The crowd went ballistic.  We had many family and fellow Griffins in the stands cheering on the boys.  Anyhow, they pulled the goalie with 96 seconds.  The guys on the floor lost the ball and they ended up scoring with 36 seconds and 10 seconds left in the game.  We were all so proud of our boys we cheered them loudly.  They kept us on our toes the whole game.  It was very exciting.  It was also a long weekend and we were all glad to go home at 5:30pm.

We enjoyed a nice Canada Day with the Beacon Hill Community.  We stayed close to home this year other than to purchase some fireworks.  We picnic'd in the park, played soft ball, visited lots and lit our fireworks with three other families.  It was a fun day.  The forecast was for rain but we enjoyed more than enough sunshine. 

Carter enjoyed his week, four days, at I-Play Network Camp; video games galore.  He is at lacrosse camp this week and loving every moment.  His first comment was he made friends with people the first day: close group lacrossers.  He can't wait to return tomorrow.  He is also going next week.  He came home tonight and shot on his net for another hour.  We held him from practise tonight as he was almost hoarse and had a bad bleeding nose before dinner.  We enjoyed a nice BBQ dinner on the back patio.  Our first meal togther since Canada Day. 

Bob is growing like a weed.  He loves to play fetch in the park.  He loves it for about fifteen minutes or until he's distracted or tired.  He loves to go for walks as we always meet up with other dogs.  Some are socialable, others not.  He has to learn to respect others territories and that not everyone wants him jumping up on the legs.  Oh well, live and learn.  He continues to eat like a horse and hoovers our floor clean constantly.  He is still as cute as a button. 

Nice to read all your reports and hearing about your nice long weekends.  Lots of good news this week.  Keep it coming!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MERV

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MERV !

Hope you had a good day !

Kind of kewl . . . .

I was cleaning out emails and came across this great link that Lloy had sent it around. 

June in photos . . .

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBERTA & ANNIVERSARY RON & CAROL

Hello again from the nation`s capital !

Happy B-day Roberta.  It sounds like you enjoyed your day.  Ron and Carol were rained out but with lots of company.  Am certain your rum bottles were emptied with the cottage full of guests.  Hope you also took some money from them playing cards.

We just returned home from a BBQ at a friends house.  Randy did the BBQìng of sausages, chicken and vegetable skewers.  It was all good.  It started to rain half way through the meal.  No one complained as we are desparate for moisture. 

According to CTV Newsnet it has been raining here all day.  Dah!  Randy washed both cars early this morning as a lark as he jokes about how it rains shortly afterwards each time they get cleaned. 

Carter is out of the tub and reading in bed.  Bob is busy humping his stuffed toys.  He needs to be fixed real soon.  Paula is on the phone arranging pick-ups and drop-offs for the three amigos at I-play camp this week.  The boys will spend the first week of holiday playing computer games.  They will spend some time outside playing so it is not all sitting in front of a monitor.  Next week is lacrosse camp and the next hockey camp.  Carter is quite excited about lacrosse and hockey camps.  He will spend two weeks in total at each camp.  Last year it was all skate boarding and this year he hasn`t even mentioned the subject.  It is all lacrosse.  

We spent today sleeping in; a nice change.  Randy did yard and car chores in the am.  Paula did the cooking for the week.  Carter vegged in front of the boob tube and played his NHL NK9 game.  He played his last 4 on 4 hockey this afternoon.  He did okay but commented to his dad afterward that he could have made a better effort.  He still managed to score over a half dozen goals.  Most of the kids were wiped after twenty minutes.  He has a good time and has learned not to be such a show boat.  After hockey we rushed to playoff game two of the junior Griffin lacrosse team.  We arrived just in time to watch nine players duke it out on the floor.  It was a mad house.  We made it for the most exciting part of the game.  They ended up losing 9-7 but made a good effort.  We went to game one on Saturday night.  It was so hot in the arena it was a wonder the guys could play.  They all spent intermission outside cooling off and watching us drink cold beer.  Ha!

Our Saturday was spent at Laxfest.  The round-up of house league.  We played in the A final of Novice at 9:30.  We played a great game.  We ended up losing our first game of the season.  None of the players or parents minded as it was a very exciting game and all the kids had a blast.  We were short three players and the opposition had a wringer in net.  Oh well.  We hung around for a few more hours watching other games and Carter entered the skills competition.  He did a real good job at each skill being the only player to hit the two rings three times in a row.  The heat helped coax him out of the arena and home for some r&r.  We planned a swim at the neighbors but found it cool enough under the trees in our own yard.  Randy spent a good portion of the pm watering every square inch of the yard.  The leaves on the two deciduous trees in the front are turning yellow and falling off.  Up till yesterday we hadn`t watered the grass, too cheap.  Paula did the normal shopping routine.  We bbq`d pizza for dinner.  It turned out quite good.  One of the crusts was a tad burnt but next time we`ll know better.  Randy made his patented dough with a tad more olive oil than normal.  The dough actually rose higher on the grill than in the oven.  Must be the hotter temperature (700F).  We spent the evening baking at the arena watching lacrosse. 

The temperature this week was above 30C every day.  It was way too hot.  We don`t complain other that the loss of moisture.  He heat is good when we spend half the year under the white stuff. 

Carters report card was as good as expected.  Mostly all A`s except for a B in drama and dance class.  He even earned fifty extra dollars for getting and E for excellent.  We are real proud of his grade four academic accomplishments.  Paula treated Carters class with candies, popsicles and ice cream floats Wednesday afternoon.  She had the day off due to the Quebec national holiday (St. Jean Baptiste Day).  It was a hot afternoon and the kids were sweating bullets.  She showed up unannounced and the teacher let her do her thing.  The kids all appreciated it.  Can you imagine being ten years old and not knowing what a float is!  The orange crush was a major hit over the grape crush.  She did however run out of ice cream as most kids came back `for seconds`.  She was in and out of the school in under an hour. 

We had lacrosse on Monday, practise in Leitrim, Tuesday, a game and another win, Wednesday, practise in Navan and Thursday a practise in Leitrim.  It was so hot we let the kids horse around with just their helmuts and gloves.  They scrimaged until the other team got tired and went home.  We played on our own for another half hour.  And you wonder why we win...heart baby, heart.  All the parents thanked Randy for a job well done this season.  One even rewarded us with a bottle of red wine.  All asked if he would return next year as coach.  We will miss our Tuesday and Thursday night house league. 

It is time for bed so best wrap this up.  True Blood 2 begins momentarily and we certainly don`t want to miss a single episode of the best show on HBO. 

HAPPY CANADA DAY !

LACROSSE, LACROSSE, LACROSSE

Hello again from the nation's capital !

We apologize for no report last week.  We arrived home from Toronto, Caledon Lacrosse Tournament, last weekend very tired and wanting to just relax. 

We have had a very active past two weeks mostly with Lacrosse.  We were in Vaughn, a suburb of Toronto, last weekend and in Cornwall this weekend.  We left last Friday morning and returned home Sunday afternoon.  The boys played three games, lost each, but had a wonderful time and valuable experience playing some very excellent competition.  The teams we played were all A teams.  The tournament was a little fixed as all the second seed teams played the one seed teams.  Never the less we gave each team a run for their money.  It did not deter any of the players as they all had the time of their life playing lacrosse.  It was a little exhausting to say the least.  A game on Friday night, early Saturday morning and again in the afternoon.  We could have driven home Saturday afternoon but that would have been no fun.  Instead we had a barbecue at the residence we all stayed at and partied until the wee hours Sunday morning.  We should clarify that some of the 'dads' partied that late.  Our trips to and from were most enjoyable.  On the way down we cruised the country side part way and enjoyed the drive.  On the way home we made three productive shopping stops.  The weather was most cooperative: no rain and no unbearable heat. 

We have enjoyed lacrosse four nights a week the past two weeks.  The house league team enjoyed two wins.  Carter racked up a few more points with both goals and assists.  He continues to love the game and practises in the front drive continuously.  He purchased a slap shot plate so we have added the hockey routine back into the front drive practise.  His school work has ceased to exist the last week.  No homework, just field trips and play time.  Teachers are gearing down as well. 

This past weekend we attended another tournament this time in Cornwall, just an hour and a half east of Ottawa.  We played on Thursday night, Friday night and two games on Saturday.  We managed to win on Friday night but lost the other three games.  We had to pick up players as six were still in Spring hockey tournaments.  As such we did not fair so good this tournament.  We did manage to play in the B final this morning but lost 7-1 against Knanakwe, a native team.  They were very good.  Carter played his heart out.  He plays so much better when challenged.  We have never seen him run so fast or hard as he did the last two weekends.  He has amazed all involved with his competitive spirit and has been asked repeatedly to play on the number one team next season.  That is a major committment that neither Paula or Randy can meet.  For example, they played with us last weekend in TO and again this weekend in Guelph.  The weekend before was in Quebec.  They play way too many away tournaments for us to get time off.  It would be great for Carter though.  Lots of experience. 

Happy Fathers Day Merv, Ron, Larry, Rickey, Reg and Joshua.  Here's hoping you all had a great day golfing or a great day with your family.  Randy was happy getting up at 5:30 this morning with the dog, cleaning his poopy cage, showering, enjoying an espresso, which they don't have in Cornwall, awakening Carter and Paula then driving an hour and a half for a one hour lacrosse game.  We enjoyed a nice breakfast in Cornwall.  Only a five minute wait in line.  He was presented with a Thule canvass roof top carrier and some new martini rock glasses.  He was very happy and couldn't have asked for anything better. 

We returned home in time for Carter to attend hockey four on four.  He played good scoring at least ten goals.  He could have stayed to play with the pee wees but we said 'NO!'.  He was so tired from running this weekend he needed to relax and enjoy the day. 

It was hot and humid today.  It was so sticky that Carter could hardly stretch his under armour onto his tiny frame.  We stretched and pulled until it stuck to his ribs and arms.  How he got it off is another story.  He was the last to leave the dressing room.  We spent the afternoon playing with Bob and enjoying cocktails on the back deck.  Paula did some grocery shopping while Carter viewed umpteen 'U' tube videos on lacrosse and hockey skills.  Dad, come look at this video.  It was the same place we spent shopping at the Mohawk reserve yesterday afternoon where we bought Carter a wood lacrosse stick.  It was a video on how they make wood sticks.  The guy gave us a tour of the shop where they hand make every stick.  Too weird.  Another weird part was the natives are protesting the use of fire arms by customs officials.  Yesterday was the first day the police were allowing anyone to pass the Cornwall toll bridge.  We were warned we could go over to shop but could not go any further and would not be guaranteed return crossing.  To make a long story short we did get back and the shop had many visitors that day.  Carter is totally thrilled with his hand made wood stick and hopes to use it this week in practise and in house league play. 

Paula cooked us a great Fathers Day Feast.  We enjoyed lobster, shrimp cocktail, BBQ'd shrimp, scallops wrapped in bacon, BBQ'd corn on the cob and home made garlic bread.  It was all cooked on the BBQ and was scrumpdillyicious!  For dessert we enjoyed a caramel cheese cake.  We managed to eat half.  Not bad after a big dinner. 

Hope you all enjoyed fine weather, good eats and good company this Fathers Day.

GARAGE SALE WEEKEND - HOUSE IS A LITTLE LIGHTER

Hello again from the nation's capital !

Only three more weeks of school and it will officially be summer.  With all the sun and warm weather we have been enjoying it feels like summer already. 

The Beacon Hill Community Association organized a neighborhood garage sale Saturday.  We joined in on the action and filled our driveway with stuff for sale.  We were quite successful at getting rid of a ton of stuff we no longer use, need or play with.  Yes, Carter parted ways with a number of toys, soccer shoes and a bike.  We carried the articles up stairs on Friday night and trudged them out the door by 9:00am.  We remained open for business until noon by which time the traffic was very slow.  Some of the neighbors stayed open until after 4:00pm.  Power to them.  The weather was much to perfect for sitting in the driveway.

We enjoyed the same activities as the last five weeks.  Carter studied hard for his french/Canadian geography exam on Thursday and was rewarded with another A.  He also got an A on his science and math exams.  He scored a hat trick at Tuesdays win over team 3 at lacrosse.  He turned ill on Friday with a high fever.  Randy was two hours out of town at a job site when he received a call from the school.  Paula had not charged her blackberry so wasn't avaiable.  She spent the majority of the morning at the clinic, doctors office, to get checked for her asthma.  She now has two puffers, inhalers, to help her breath.  Every spring it gets worse.  Anyhow, she got home just in time and checked for messages on the phone.  She picked Carter up from school just before they went into a mock lock down.  Lucky because she wouldn't have been able to get him until 3:50pm.  Carters temperature was high, he had no appetite and was exhausted.  He and Paula came home and rested for the afternoon.  Randy arrived home around 2:00pm.  He mowed the grass and ran a couple errands before BBQ'ing his family a nice meal.  We missed the school fun day events Friday evening.  Paula dropped in to do her volunteering committment but came home within minutes.  She could hardly breathe and with the awesome weather had many volunteers.  We were all tired so needless to say the lights were out before 10:00pm at our house.  

Saturday was the garage sale.  The morning started wonderfully with the sun shining and a nice breeze.  It was a perfect morning to be on the golf course.  Randy was up at 5 and 6:30am with Bob.  Bob couldn't sleep in, no chance - no way - no how.  By the time the two sleeping bears arose the clouds covered the sky.  It didn't dampen the garage salers from scouting the neighborhood.  We met a few neighbors that live quite close.  That was cool.  The sun returned around 11:00 and by noon we had had enough so packed what we didn't want in a box and delivered it to Sally Ann.  The rest will go in the trash tomorrow morning.  

Our afternoon was spent grocery and annual plant shopping - by Paula of course.  Randy stayed home with fever boy and Bob and did more chores - household.  All the laundry was completed and the floors cleaned.  We were rewarded with martini's and Paula BBQ'ing us a fine dinner.  The evening was spent watching a movie and checking the hockey score from time to time.  Dam Red Wings had to win!  It was another early lights out on Saturday. 

Today was absolutely gorgeous.  Bob managed to sleep in until 7:00.  Carter got him out of his den and through him outside.  We knew he must be feeling better although he climbed into bed with us for a few moments and that was not a good sign.  He hasn't done that in a 'coons age.  Paula had teevoed (sp?) him Private Ryan on the computer so he was quite anxious when he awoke.  He had spent the better part of Saturday watching the history channel and the events of June 6, 1944.  He is a major WW1 and WW2 history buff.  While he watched his movie and Paula remained dormant Randy and  Bob ventured out on a nice long walk.  It was a perfect morning.  Bob met a year and a half husky cross in the park and they chased each other for quite a few minutes.  We continued on our walk concerned Bob would have to be carried.  Not,  he never showed any signs of exhaustion until we got home over an hour later.  We ventured out again in the late afternoon for forty minutes so he will sleep like a baby tonight. 

The sun disapeared and the clouds covered the sky for the remainder of the day.  There were a few sprinkles while Paula BBQ'd dinner but that was all for precipitation.  Carter was a trooper and skated the 4 on 4 this afternoon.  At first he was short of breath and dragged his ass on the ice but soon warmed up and skated like he knew he could skate.  He scored three goals today and assisted on a few other goals.  He has a nice shot and his aim has improved immensely.  The goalies mom was telling her how to stop Carters shots before they game.  She did good and managed to stop quite a few.  

Well, this is reading more like a book and other chores are due before dark.  Carter is in need of a good night hug and Bob needs to go outside.  You all have a great week! 

A few lacrosse photos!!!

Carter wanted me to share of few of these with you . . . .

This was a very sweet goal from outside with a very powerful (and obvious downward) shot . . . 

   

 

 

 

 

 

END OF MAY 2009 REPORT

Hello again from the nation's capital !

As Marlene out it, where did the month go?  It passed way to quickly.  When you are busy time flies.

We had a couple nice days at the beginning of the week.  Other than some sun on Saturday we have had rain and cool weather.  The Iris' have begun to bloom.  The bleeding hearts continue to brighten the yard.  They multiply like weeds.  The chinese, orange, poppies are starting to bloom.  Bob has also discovered them like he did the tulips, bleeding hearts, iris' and peonies.  The only flower he hasn't yanked from the ground are the lily of the valley.  They are still as fragrant as ever.  It is quite entertaining to watch him grab an Iris and run around the yard like he has discovered the best toy in the world.  He is also growing like a weed.  He would eat like a horse if left a bowl full of food.  He gets fed two heaping spoons of organic yogurt and a big half cup of dry dog food twice a day.  Believe us he defacates enough that he gets more than enough food.  The new dry dog food, before grain, is high in protein enabling him to digest his food better: less shit to pick up.  He loves to go for a walk and never runs out of energy. 

Our week was much the same.  Carter had competitive lacrosse practise on Monday and Wednesday and a game Saturday.  He scored two goals yesterday and also assisted on a couple goals.  We played a house league game on Tuesday and had practise on Thursday.  He scored two goals and had a couple of assists on Tuesday and sweated hard on Thursday.  His coach worked the boys hard on Thursday as they tied Tuesdays game 5 to 5.  We were short three players on Tuesday and still tied, not bad! 

Carter spent Friday night and most of the day at Camerons house.  They have three very active boys so the addition of another is quite generous.  Paula and Randy enjoyed a nice vietnamese home cooked dinner and outing to the movie Angels and Demons. 

Saturday was a nice sleep in morning less letting Bob out at 5:30am and again at 8:00am.  The usual household chores were completed and Paula did the grocery shopping.  Carter was retrieved at 1:00pm for his lacrosse game at 3:00pm.  We returned home for yard chores and BBQ'd gourmet burgers before returning to the arena to take in the Jr B Griffin game.  They took on the New Market team.  The Griffins played a very good game but lost in the end by one goal.  We expected a white wash.  The Toronto and area teams are way more competitive at every level because they have ten times the population.  It is fun to watch them play. 

Today was a quiet one in the morning.  The sun was shining and it looked like it was going to be another nice day.  The clouds rolled in mid morning and up until an hour ago it was cloudy, cool and raining.  The sun has reappeared but the wind remains and it is only 8C.  Carter is in the drive shooting on his net alternating between the lacrosse and hockey stick.  He played 4 on 4 with the Atom players this afternoon scoring a few goals.  He was a bit of a show boat today with his two handed praising of his stick, like Ovechkin, then tripping on the stick.  Most had a good laugh.  His dad was busy pouring water down thirsty throats to witness both the goal and the performance.  He also cradled his hockey stick on and off the ice.  Like his lacrosse stick.  A fellow volunteer and parent identified the habit during a game change.  Carter wasn't even aware he was doing it.  He was asked to play with the pee wee's afterwards.  We grabbed the opportunity.  He played as well or as good as any of the other players.  He even scored a couple goals.  We were worried he would be tired but with all the exercise he has been getting lately he never showed any signs of tiredness and stepped up to the challenge. 

We have since made pizza and are awaiting it to finish baking.  Oh, there goes the buzzer.  Umm Pizza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy some pictures below or above and have a great weekend.  We envy those who have relocated to the cottages for the summer.  Hope the weather warms up soon!