Family and Friends

A lot has happened in 2 monhs ...

[The photos are 2006 (not 2005) ... user 'setting' error by none other than yours truly, this technology stuff is all new to me.]

Myles turned 3 !

Father's Day !

Introducing

Nicholas James Chapman

Grammy turned 66 !

Cousins Jared and Rylan stop by for a visit and a refreshment.

The new and improved sleep position is invented.

Cousin Chris's youngest daughter Stephanie graduated from high school down near Fargo, ND. Wonderful ceremony. Exceptionally talented. She's looking at all the options and has university in sight.

[Jen makes her first trip to the promised land (Fargo, N.D.)]

[Myles convinces Grammie to buy the entire stock of Target dinos]

Aunt Kathy (standing, Uncle Charlie to her left) hosted a 'Chapman' family reunion at their beautiful farm to celebrate Grandma Chapman's life.

Cousin Jared came through town ...

Skippy the Bunny

Look at all the Candy !

New Year's Eve a BIG DEAL

First, it was Myles's first formal night out for dinner. Grandma took us to Oceana for Grandma's favorite chinese food.

[Note to self: wait well beyond the age of 2 and half years before taking children to a restaurant for a New Year's Eve dinner. After being seated at 7, an hour and forty minutes is too long to wait for your meal, mom get's much too hungry.]

Second, there was Gina and Big-Billy-North's anniversary (#11 ! I think) as well as Ginger and Thevy's anniversary (#3, I think there). Congratulations yooz guyz. Ain't married life bliss ?

Third, Myles stayed up to 'ring in the New Year' for the first time ! (... and to wish Mom a Happy Birthday, she's a New Year's baby) Chocolate helps. Here you go Erin, your close up.

And of course, there's the old standby, 'get on the bus', to help pass a few minutes ...

AND FINALLY, NOW for some really BIG STELLAR NEWS, our friends Andy and DeeAnn McCullough announce they are HAVING A BABY ! Their FIRST. He/she/(they?)'ll be hear on July 26th. That's good stuff ! Congratulations Freddy boy ! Way to go DeeAnn. We weren't sure you had it in ya ... uh. Nevermind.

Post script. Fred, we're all so very happy for you now that you have finally stopped falling head over heals for those low-life bags you were constantly picking up with so much skill. You look after DeeAnn !

That's all for now folks !

Christmas at the In-Laws

There was just enough time before dinner to get a decent start on demolishing the ginger-bread house. [Construction runs in the family.] Of course, there weren't enough people to hold two pre-schoolers down to eat a decent supper after the fact.

A welcomed surprise. Auntie TC came home for Christmas (from Alberta) with her new 'smelly squirrel' -- a ferret named Grechin.

Christmas at home

All that playin' can take the wind out of ya.

Watching a little Madagascar [gotch-on-gotch] (Uncle Doug's nickname is "Gotch" - another story altogether.) It's a good thing Doug is Myles's only uncle because he'd certainly be his favorite uncle either way ... and who'd want to compete with this ?

Power Tools from Auntie Leanne, cousin Taylor, and Uncle Doug -- YAH !

'TRUCKS' and 'CANDIES' ... exactly what I asked for. "You ROCK Santa !"

Cousin Taylor gets her Apple iPod nano from Santa ! She said she was going to buy one with her own hard-earned money anyway, if Santa's helpers weren't able to keep up with the demand. Fortunately, some folks in the letter-writing / letter-opening departments must have been 'on the ball' early. Good'ole'reliable Santa !

Huh ? Instructions ? Ohhhhh. Now what ?!

No problem, dude, it came with a DELL ! Unckie's going to be impressed after I get all this gear working together. [True. In fact, Taylor actually had songs loaded within the first 24 hours of getting it home (... a little help from Dad means that it now also plays Aerosmith's Dream On.]

But, apparently Aerosmith is hot music for today's 6th graders. What generational gap ? Good pick (... dad). In fact, I think I'll grab a copy of that one for Jeni and I. Aerosmith just played at the MTS Centre here with Lennie Kravitz. Jeni and I saw Aerosmith just over a year ago at the old Winnipeg Arena, the last concert for us to see in the old building. It's now being demolished, but will remain forever in our hearts.

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All prepped. Bring on the presents !