Father's Day???

Father's Day???  For the past few years, all of you have picked a day to spend with daddy as a family for Father's Day.  This year, Jamie decided to take the family to Playland for some fun rides and new adventures.  One thing that I love about Playland is that the lines are relatively short and it is a little less chaotic than when the PNE is happening.

I think Michelle and Emma rode this ride about twenty times.

"Tamryn!!!!"  (Had to be there)

Another big hit for Emma

I think Michelle is already planning our trip to Mt. Everest.

My little Joshy is getting bigger.

Yes, the boys and I managed to get a little wet this year as Jamie was tall enough to ride the log ride. 

Lunch Anyone???

These are the moments that crack me up the most . . . to my surprise I saw our lunch bag moving and upon closer inspection, I realised that you decided to climb on in.

"Emma hiding"

You are too cute

I love how you can always make me smile and laugh everyday.

Bear Creek Park

We decided to venture a little further today and packed up our lunches and headed off to Bear Creek Park.  The boys always enjoy exploring a new playground and finding different ways to navigate its obstacles.  Water park, playground, Bear Creek Train, and a little miniature golf . . . the little experiences that I hope you all appreciate and enjoy as much as I do.

Follow the leader and "look at me" is more your speed.

What else, but a race around the playground over, under and through obstacles.

Look at those pipes and the 17 pack???

"I go on train".  Your little smile says it all.

I just love your spirit and your sense of humour . . . who's cute?  "Me!!"

Three Generations

One of the things that I love seeing is the relationship that all of you have with your grandparents/Ji-chan & Ba-Chan . . . we are so fortunate to have such a great relationship with them.  Each one of you have a slightly different little "special thing" with all of them.  This summer, the boys discovered golf and have been playing all of the time.  So, I decided that we would head off to the local driving range and hit a few balls with Ji-chan.  By the end of it, the boys hit 120 balls and practiced their putting on the putting green for about 40 minutes.  Our next stop was the West Richmond pitch and putt to test our skills.  Although my swing is nothing like Tiger Woods, I do love the social aspect of the game.  I found golf as a great way to connect with my dad and brother and now my boys are having a great time connecting with their Ji-chan and of course me.

The next Tiger Woods???

"Eyes on the prize . . . feet pointed at the target?"

"Easy swing, don't try to kill the ball"  Perhaps, I should be listening to my own advice when I am swinging a club.

FORE!!!!!!

Slice, duff, duck hook, off the hosel, caught it fat, pushed it wide, caught it thin, Fore!!!! . . . Don't worry boys, it will only take one good shot per round to bring you back.  

Oddly enough, the boys tied for their first round of golf together.  Our first golf game together . . . I look forward to many more games hacking away together.

Garden City Park

It is amazing how a little water, a few boats and some buckets can keep all of you entertained for hours.  Another great place to sit back and watch the three of you play together and work together . . . don't get me wrong, I like spending time with our friends, but I must admit that I do like it when it is just our little family on a Mommy out trip.

Forever the engineer . . .  always trying to figure things out.

Who needs all of those complicated techno gadgets?

Splish Splash

Schwakida 2011

Well we survived our third annual Schwakida trip with the Schwartz's.  Camping with the Schwartz's was very interesting to say the least . . . first of all they packed up and fit all of their camping stuff into a Toyota Matrix with a small Thule box on top.  Now, I am all for fuel efficient cars and traveling, but two adults and two small kids, camping gear, kids entertainment stuff, clothing, and the suitcases full of Adam's photography junk in a Hot Wheels car????  Lisa and Adam should be working for Ikea's packaging department.  Anyways, upon our arrival, Adam began setting up his one minute pop up tent (yes it literally took one minute) . . . now I am all for convenience and all, but part of camping for me is for my alter ego, Secret Agent Angus MacGyver, to show himself a couple times a year.  You all know the one, the one that initially starts off all energetic; surveying the campsite, looking for the ideal tent location, checking the surrounding trees to ensure that a tarp can be strung up and then it is time to set up the tent ( I think I need a Doctorate Degree for our tent) . . . soon enough the enthusiastic MacGyver transforms into the frustrated silent worker that Michelle has become very used to over the years (At this time, Michelle usually takes the kids on a walk, I mean a hike since we are in the forest or she simply ditches us and takes a shower).  While I continued to struggle with our mansion, I mean tent . . . Adam was off taking pictures with his instant pop up flash diffuser thingamagig.

Trying to catch the big one, unfortunately we only caught some rocks.

You were not too sure of the waves as you clung to your mommy's arms as she dipped your feet into the water.

The other thing about camping that I love is playing with the camp fire.  Camping is not camping unless you are able to have a fire.  ARG ARG ARG. . . ME CHOP WOOD WITH AXE . . . ME MAKE FIRE!!  ME SURVIVOR MAN!!!  Well, actually I build a little wood tepee and douse it with lighter fluid . . . if Emma didn't have a broken arm, she would probably be able to do it . . . my only saving grace is that the lighter fluid makes everyone else nervous so at least I feel needed and won't be voted off anytime soon.  Besides, both Michelle and Lisa can't figure out how to use the flicker to start the fire.

I must admit that my mornings were a lot more comfortable as Adam and I would make the 10 minute drive into town to pick up lattes from the local Starbucks to get us going . . . even with the GPS we would still make a few wrong turns.  All in all, camping was a huge success and we are planning a second camping trip with them later this summer . . . yes, it is a KOA and apparently there is trick or treating one night and a latte is only a few minute walk away.

Hanging out at the campsite.

A picture of the night owls who cut into our social time . . . you two are lucky that you're so cute!!!

The Great Wolf Lodge

Well we made our annual trip to the Great Wolf Lodge . . . the only difference this time was that your mom and I kept it a secret as to where we were going.  The look on your face, Josh, as we drove up to the hotel was priceless.  You had this look of, hey this looks familiar . . . to, "Jamie, it's the Great Wolf Lodge, it's the Great Wolf Lodge!!!"  Upon checking into the room, we realised that we got a free upgrade to the Bear Room, which was essentially the same room, but with a bonus room.  You boys slept in the bonus room and we tried to put Emma in your room, so that your mommy and I could watch t.v. and hang out.  This did not go as planned . . . EMMA . . . you were being the comedian in the room keeping the boys awake . . . giggling, laughing, and babbling away.  I came in a couple of times to warn you, Josh and Jamie, about not encouraging her and spoke to you, Emma, that if you continued we would have to take you out of the room.  Well, lets just say that I had to drag your pac n' play out of the room with you in it Emma.  The funniest thing that happened was that, as I was dragging you out of the room you said in the cutest and sweetest voice to the boys, "Bye bye, see you, see you in the morning".  I literally broke out into laughter and had to bury my face into the boys bed.  Another great stay and "a fun time had by all" (this is your mom's contribution to the blog so far, as she says that she can't blog at 10:00 at night).

Who me???  I didn't keep the boys awake at night!

Emma, you thought it was hilarious to sit on this display every time we walked by it.

 Cruising the shallow waters of the Great Wolf Lodge.

A fun time had by all.

Agility, speed, grace . . . WIPE OUT!!!!

The lily pads . . . you could walk over them with ease.