Anita's Baby Nathan

Anita's Baby Nathan is almost 3 months old now and just had his dedication ceremony. He is at stage when, in my opinion, babies became more interesting. As Anita says, he is now cooing (talking) and smiling all the time. She and Brent are just loving being parents. On top of this whole new parent thing, they have decided to renovate and create a finished basement. This is a project they intend to do themselves. They had finished their bathroom less one year ago. For those of you who may not know, last year was a very lucky one for Anita and Brent. The same week that she discovered she was pregnant, Anita won a home makeover! Yes these contests are legit. Anita had written a letter for a radio contest and had then won a $10,000 renovation prize from Home Depot. On top of this they were given a week vacation to stay away from their home while the renovations took place. They returned for the big "reveal" which was recorded live on air. Overall, a fantastic surprise.

Too bad all renovations couldn't be this easy!

L.A., California

Andrew went to Los Angeles for work to visit Fox Sports at 20th Century Fox Studios. Of course, being in Fox Studios, he was in the heart of sitcom shoots....lucky he always carries his camera for these unique photo opportunities.

Winterlude!

Every year we make a pilgramage to Ottawa for two major events, Canada Day and Winterlude. Winterlude can be a truly magical experience if the weather co-operates. If it doesn't, it can be a bloody cold event. Fortunately, we experienced the former during this annual trek as the sun was shining and the temperature was ~10C (positively balmy for Ottawa).

We visited the ice sculptures.




















And, we skated 12 km on the canal, the world's largest skating rink.

On our last evening in Ottawa we went for dinner at the home of Andrew's oldest friend, James and his wife Nancy. I must give these guys credit for being able to maintain a friendship for 30 years despite a 500km distance. It was nice to see their two lovely blond children again.









Later we sampled some truly wonderful italian wines with a delicious meal while Andrew and James discussed camera merits.

Nancy and Andrew playing with the camera

Our only regret about this weekend is that we missed the opportunity to go NIGHT cross country skiing in the Gatineau Park with our friends Stephanie and Ted. As per Ted's email to us the following day, " You missed a fun time. It was ~21C in Ottawa on Saturday night and probably a few degrees colder in Gatineau Park. The ski into the cabin was longer and more uphill than I remembered (or maybe we're just more out of shape than we thought)? We had a great time with lots of food, hot chocolate, wine and beer. Steph & I were the last to leave and it was quite neat skiing by ourselves at 1:30am in the dark, through the park. Except that our eyelids were frozen when we got to the car. But a fun time, and hopefully you can make it next year."

Ted...you can count on it. One of the reasons why we came to Ottawa one day later than planned was because it was Jamie Campbell's surprise 40th Birthday Party. And since Jamie's birthday isn't until May 20th, it was truly a surprise!!!! (Alison decided to have it now because Jamie will be on the road touring with the Blue Jays in May).

"DON" Dylan

My brother's family invited us to a fundraiser soccer banquet for their 9-year old son Ryan. This was an opportunity to meet my father's brother and some other members of the family. We thought a child's soccer banquet would be a small affair in a donated hall. Boy were we wrong!

My sister Sandra and husband Donald with my brother Victor and wife Lidia

We arrived in Bolton to a very grand banquet hall with at least 300 mainly Italian attendees. We began to eat at 6:00pm at a delicious hot and cold buffet with grilled calamari in tomato sauce, fried calamari, many types of pastas, salads, mussels, etc... We filled our plates and ate and ate until we were satiated. And then we found out this was only the antipasto (appetizers). Dinner consisted of SEVERAL more rounds of seated plate service.

Dylan and his cousins Malcolm and Anthony

The dinner portion was interrruped several times with prize-winning games to see who was the best "DON" of each table (these Italians know how to joke about themselves). Guess who won the best "DON" contest at the children's table?

Dylan embracing his Italian side and wins best "Don" for his table.

The soccer team sat at the head table. They entered the room with a very inspirational soccer tune and presented their mothers with a rose bouquet (I found this very touching). I must admit it was very exciting and what a great time for each of these young children! Later the boys started the dance with a slow dance with their mothers.

Soccer player Ryan presenting his mother Lidia with flowers.

Speaking of dancing....Dylan was unleashed on the dance floor and did not sit down for one minute until we had to leave. Boy this boy can dance! He had to be taught the polka by his cousin Sarah but then he was actually spinning her around the dance floor to all the disco and pop numbers.

Dylan with cousin Sarah tripping the light fantastic

Andrew, Dylan and I had to leave before everyone else as we were driving straight to the chalet for skiing but we were able to round up the family for a photo. My uncle Angelo has invited me to his house to meet this children and grandchildren and I must admit I was very touched by his invitation.

FAMILY TRIPONE - My Father and his brother with spouses, my brother and and sister with spouses and children.

Whistler!

My husband went out to Whistler and all I got was this t-shirt (no, just kidding, I got an electronic Sudoku gameboy).

Andrew found himself in Vancouver for business and managed to hook up with our friend Brenda (visiting from Toronto) to ski in Whistler. Poor Andrew, after a full day skiing he ran out of energy and had to download at the end of the day.

Later that evening they met up with our friends Krista and Brock for dinner. It is such a small world. We have been able to stay connected with friends despite a 2000 km distance!

P.S. I hate to be a nonconformist but I still enjoy my Sudoku the old-fashioned way...paper and a fine-tipped pencil.

Take Me Out to The Ball Game

No it is not quite baseball season yet (nor do I care) but our neighbour Jamie Campbell does as he is the Sportsnet Blue Jays Anchor. This means that he is on the road 24/7 once baseball season starts (including spring training).

Jamie used to be Andrew's roommate in unversity. And, talk about serrendipty, when we moved into our house he and his new family bought the house right beside us. So, once again they are (almost) roommates.

Having Jamie as a neighbour has its advantages as Dylan was allowed to watch some Blue Jays games from the press box at Jamie's side.

I don't really enjoy baseball but I sure do enjoy singing that jingle:

Take me out to the ball game

Take me out with the crowd

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack

I don't care if I never get back

Let me root root root for the home team

If they don't win its a shame

For its one, two, three strikes you're out

At the old ball game!