Portraits - 2009 models.

We tried taking portraits in this wonderful location this year. Beautiful. Unfortunately we hit on a cloudy, foggy , cold day. So, although the people co-operated nicely, the weather almost defeated us. I think these pics will turn out alright with some touch-ups. What do you think?

This past week-end...

...what do you think we did?

WARNING: content may be disturbing to some readers.

For the second time EVER I am posting some gross pictures. But there is a good story to go with it, so bear with me! Josh ran (or rather hopped) up onto the deck crying he had hurt himself. I looked down and saw a white stripe down his heel. Oh no I thought, not more stitches, but when I looked closely I realized he had striped off the tan. And then it started bleeding, and bleeding. As I was trying to stop the blood flow he was arguing with Ethan about who caused the injury. Josh claimed Ethan slamed the gate on him and Ethan claimed Josh had hit the hockey net. Kaleb's solution was to go investigate!! I laughed. What was he going to find to prove either story? As Gaetan and I looked at each other and laughed, Kaleb ran around of the corner of the house yelling triumphantly. In his hand something dangled. He found the skin:

Where was it? It was on the gate. Unfortunately I missed the picture of Ethan's face at being caught.

They're In!

I am about to unveil the pictures Christine took at my dad's 60th! Are you ready?

That's my mom and dad! Nothing more to say about that.

This is the only retouched photo. At least half the work of a photographer comes after the event, cropping and touching up.

The cutest 1950's kids!

Their proud parents.

Jitske. 'nough said.

Aunty Vera and Uncle Tony. What's missing in this picture? The fake VERA tattoe with a heart on Uncle Tony's left arm.

I love that boy!

I sometimes lovingly refer to him as my first child. Jonathan was born to OUR mother when I was 9, he was cute and cuddly and my real live doll. Now he's all grown up (27!!) and I love to watch him play with my real (and other "stolen") children. I guess I make it a habit to steal people's children. In a nice loving way of course, and I almost always return them upon request. Yesterday, Jonathan played hard in the pool with my boys, splashing, swimming, throwing, being rough. Then he joined us at the table and held Lily (a pretend child of mine, her mother and father are so sweet to lend her to me sometimes). I love watching him interact with her and make her smile. Someday he will have lots of children for me to steal away. Until then I'll just sit back and enjoy this...

Things-of-the-past yet to come!

We had a 50's theme party for my Dad's 60th birthday last Saturday. It was a backyard BBQ. It was so much more fun than I anticipated. (I think most of that was who it was planned WITH ;0)) Christine came over to hone her photography skills "at an event" and her pics looked GREAT on the camera, so I can't wait to see them on Thursday IN PERSON. Here is a preview of what's to come. These were taken by my Mom's friend Jitske (also a very talented photographer), and cropped by yours truly. I don't want to give away TOO much!

Birthday boy man and his lovely wife.

I got the "raw" end of this deal....

There was no china in my package.

It's Raining Cats and Dogs Squirrels

This afternoon we were peaceably enjoying our backyard. Ethan and his friend Tristan were playing a game of Koob. Norah and Kaeden were playing in the sandbox. I was quietly rocking Lily. A peaceful serene afternoon, all that was missing was the sound of cicadas in the trees. Suddenly we heard a ruckus in the tree. Obviously someone was NOT enjoying a peaceful afternoon in our back yard. The ruckus was followed by a crashing sound and a blur moving downward through the tree. Before I could even yell "WATCH OUT!" a little bundle of fur had landed on the ground next to Tristan and scampered back up into the tree, where he stood chattering at someone/thing. Poor little guy. I assumed he had a grouchy cantankerous wife who gave him the boot. It brought this verse to mind:

It is better to live in a corner of a roof on the ground,
Than in a house tree shared with a contentious woman.
Proverbs 21:9

My Brother - The Charmer

My brother Jonathan is an awesome brother and uncle. He is always ready for action. We stopped by the house and asked if he'd like to join us for a walk, and sure enough he did. He proceeded to entertain the boys with all sorts of activities, as well as chat with his sister about... "life". ;0)

Here are the boys skipping rocks...

And here's Jonathan with a snake he caught...

The Cobbler and the Elves (alternate title: The Cook and the Elves)

It's happened a few times lately. Gaetan and I have come back from a walk to find the kitchen looking like this:

(That - by the way - is my kitchen looking spotless, in case you didn't recognize it!)

What happened? The kids are in bed "asleep", so we won't wake them to ask them what it is all about. The cats are pretty aloof about the whole thing. The only conclusion is that like the famed cobbler, we have elves.

I love those elves.

Why I NEED More Children.... (reason #6 527)

I NEED more children because, apparently, the ones I already have will no longer be photographed. They are done having their pictures taken. Done. See?

This one deliberately wears hoodies so he has a quick cover up...

This one uses items in his hands to hide his face. In an emergency he has even been known to use his hands...

This one ducks and dodges the second he sees the camera come out... What is a mother to do?

Boys, when you read this, I have a GREAT mother's day gift idea for you...

Despotism

Despotism is a form of government by a single authority, either an individual or tightly knit group, which rules with absolute political power. In its classical form, a despotism is a state where a single individual (the Despot) wields all the power and authority embodying the state, and everyone else is a subsidiary person. This form of despotism was common in the first forms of statehood and civilization; the Pharaoh of Egypt is exemplary of the classical Despot.

And what does that have to do with anarchy?

If my boys lived under despotism, they would rebel and that would be anarchy.

BTW, Mike wins, being the first to define despotism without the aid of a dictionary OR an 11 year old boy. Way to go Mike!

The Next Question

"What is antidisestablishmentarianism?"
"And is that really the longest word?"
"And MOM, can you spell it?"
"Yes, a-n-t-i-d-i-s-e-s-t-a-b-l-i-s-h-m-e-n-t-a-r-i-a-n-i-s-m, yup, that's it."
"No, you spelled it wrong, it's i-t."
"Where? There's not "i-t" in antidisestablishmentarianism.... oh..OH.. i-t, got it, good one, well aren't you smart?





And, because I know my kids read my blog, I present to you from Wikipedia:

Main article: Longest word in English
The longest scientific term in English is the full chemical name of the world's largest known protein, titin. Beginning with Methionyl... and ending with ...isoleucine, the word contains 189,819 letters.
The 45 letter word Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is the longest English word that appears in a major dictionary. Originally coined to become a candidate for the longest word in English, the term eventually developed some independent use in medicine. It is referred to as "P45" by researchers.
Antidisestablishmentarianism, at 28 letters, is the longest non-coined, non-technical English word. It refers to a 19th century political movement that opposed the disestablishment of the Church of England as the state church of England.


Postscript: I still cannot believe I fell for that old joke. *sigh*

What Was That?

This is a beautiful picture of my boys enjoying some watermelon with their Dad, discussing the questions Josh writes down in his journal. Questions such as: What causes sickness? Who is the most imaginative person I know?

The question of the moment?

What does anarchy mean?

This is my husband's face when he hears the response from one of the boys:

What was the response? "I think it may have something to do with despotism."

BONUS POINTS: To anyone who can tell me what despotism is, without the use of a dictionary, or an 11 year old boy.

SHHHHH! Don't tell HIM!

Josh is very shy about showing you his face...

Why? You ask. Because we had lots of fun at Nanny and Poppy's Sunday night. So much fun that some boys (not to mention any names) decided to show their younger cousins how to suck on a cup until it sticks to your face. Lots of fun, right?

Yes, it's all fun and games until mom actually takes a picture to show the world. Please don't tell him you heard it from me....

Random Comments

I'm in Pennsylvania visiting Mike and Ange. We're having a great time. There are however a few random comments which have caused me to wonder about this place.

1. The new workout program "3second Plastic Abs"

2. Can I have a wild boar in my house instead of a sheep?

3. So, getting to Chicago is like the rapture? (note: Only if you are pre-trib)

What do you think? Is it time to head for the Canadian border again?

Loved

I've been thinking a lot about how blessed our children are to be surrounded by love. I started thinking about it a few years back when I was watching my niece sleeping on Gaetan's lap (she was about 2 at the time). I realized just how comfortable she was sitting there. She was secure. And then I thought about how many people she had that made her feel that way. And how many people my boys have that give them that same feeling. I realized today looking at this picture (Kaleb is the one holding Penelope's hand) that my boys are now part of that loving circle around my nieces. That they are now old enough (and loved enough) that they can pass that on to their younger cousins.