Andrew at football practice getting ready for the big game. Dad's days of manhandling his son are just about over.

We had so much fun. It was so wonderful to be on the Gulf smelling the salt air and the highlight of being with family. Love you all Mum

Jeffrey relaxing in the motorhome.

Fun times in Texas

Matthew is really interested in food now and grabs for everything. We couldn't figure out how to turn the video (sorry!).

Well we spent the weekend at Debby's parents and Isabel really enjoyed the piano.
She seems less taken by the keyboard we have so maybe the full resonance of a real piano makes the difference. I'm thinking we may have to rent one.

Here's our little maestro. I like the concentration and some of the more subtle fingering beyond the exuberant crashing octaves... ha... Maybe a concerto in the works?

Kate is holding a snake skin she found in the bushes beside the dirt hill the kids play on. It measures 51/2 feet long! So when are you guys coming down to visit.



The picture of Isabel feeding the bunnies reminds me a lot of Kate when she was that age. You take great pictures Stuart.
That's a great moment of Sadie flying.

Make sure you enjoy every moment with your kids, it goes by quickly.

Sadie's new outfit for Halloween...it had to be purple and princess-like. I stopped the camera too soon, Sadie was just about to say "I can't believe it!" (in reference to her flying abilities).

And one more video since the other 2 worked.
Just Isabel eating an apple and the relaxing sound of waves.

I was having trouble with the videos. Hopefully these work now.

First is Isabel at the farm amongst her friends the ducks

Next is at the beach playing in the sand

Part 2 of our weekend was a trip to the beach Sunday. Daddy buried Isabel in the sand which she seemed to like very much. We played at throwing sand around...

then Isabel had an apple as the sun was starting to set

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Amazing that this is just at the tip of Stanley Park about 10-15 minutes drive from our home (and only that long because of downtown traffic). Vancouver is beautiful.

A fun weekend. We went to Maplewood farms to look at the animals. Isabel sees so many on her shows and in her books and has signs and/or words for about 15 different animals but she squealed with delight seeing real pigs and goats and sheep and horses and cows......

She loved feeding the bunnies.

Meerkat Manor

I don't know if anyone gets this show, but I recommend Meerkat Manor. We get in on Animal Planet. It follows different groups of meerkats and presents their tales in a very dramatic and entertaining way. Neat show. Collette took notice last night and was riveted the whole time. She finds meerkats very interesting. Otherwise, she doesn't pay a lot of attention to the TV, other than when we first took her home and she was afraid of all loud sounds.

Sadie getting ready for her first day of pre school. She loves it.

(Her teachers name is Linny.)

I thought you would like to see your brother in a skirt. He thought he was putting on his shorts and got Debbys skirt by mistake. I think he looks good what about you? Love you Stuart Mum

A couple short videos of Isabel doing some signs and saying her first really clear word "duck"

Man, they really grow up quickly.

This is our trip to Oaklawn zoo. (Sadie`s first pony ride)

Alice's Visit and My School

My friend Alice is visiting this weekend. I am sure most of you have heard of her or seen her in my travelling pictures. We met in Japan, she is from LA, and she is still teaching (at another school now) in Japan.
I took her to my school on Friday, so I thought I might post some pictures so you can all see where I will be working. Glenelg Country School, http://www.glenelg.org/, has four schools, Primary, Lower, Middle, and Upper, so it goes from pre-kindergarten all the way to grade 12. I am in the Lower School, fifth grade, which is the oldest building. Settlers from Scotland came in the 1700's and built a manor house, and the tower part of the building was built in the 1800's. I am working in the part of the building that has that old tower section, which is kind of fun and has some beautiful views from the windows. So in the pictures are the parlor area, the commons area at the top of the stairs (the fifth grade section), my classroom, and part of the school grounds.
The picture of me and Mike was taken on our balcony. You can see the Washington monument behind and between us. And, of course, I have to include cuteness, Collette.
We also spent this weekend touring DC and all of the monuments. Hope everyone else had a fun Labour Day weekend!

Kate's new horse Daisy

Nemo is jealous!

This was taken last night. Matthew is laughing at Sadie as she jumps off a stool.