Family Day

Today was the first official "Family Day" in Ontario. For most employees in the province (Wendy and I included) it was an extra holiday. The boys were also off school. We made a trip up north on the weekend. The boys had a great time playing in the snow and Wendy and I enjoyed a bit of a rest from the regular routine.

Back to the grind though .... Wendy is off in Waterloo on a course for a few days so I am home alone with the boys. There was a time when the very thought of doing this alone (even for just a few days) would bring on an anxiety attack. Now I find myself really looking forward to it.

I made spaghetti tonight ... and the boys were amazed that I actually knew how to make it and it tasted almost as good as Mommy's. I should make a point of cooking more ....... I doubt that 25 years from now when they may be married themselves their future spouses would appreciate their up bringing in a house where Daddy's doesn't know how to turn on the stove (he makes great microwave popcorn though ....)

Still went out to curling tonight and had to get the boy across the street to babysit. Easy $$$$ for him ... the boys were sound asleep before he got here and they didn't make a sound (at least not one that the babysitter could here with his iPod turned up as loud as it could go ....)

Getting them packed up and shipped off to school in the morning could be an adventure .... guess we will see ...

Steve

November - National Adoption Awareness Month

November is National Adoption Awareness Month. At the end of October I attended the Ontario Adoption Resource Exchange and participated on a voices of adoption panel. I am used to public speaking in front of large groups but never on such a personal issue. It was difficult but rewarding to perhaps help others.

Looking forward to the start of ski season ... with Paul playing hockey it is going to be a challenge to fit everything in.

Summers Over

Have not updated in a while ... September is always rough .... back to school and routines. Here's some pictures ..............

Graduation Day - So Proud

Hopefully these are not the only graduation pictures we will every post :)

Ride for Heart 2007

All four of us went downtown for Ride for Heart this morning. Paul managed to complete the 25km all by himself. Out of 12,000 bikers we saw maybe 1 or 2 other kids around Paul's age that were biking on their own. He did a great job.

Randy rode with me on the tag-a-long. Much easier than finishing on your own pedal power the entire way but still quite an accomplishment for a four year old. We had a great time and the weather co-operated so we could get our ride in before the rain came.

The 25km ride starts at Exhibition Place .... goes east on the Gardiner Expressway to the Don Valley Parkway. North on the DVP to the Bayview/Bloor exit where you turn around and head back to the CNE. There is also a 50km and a 75km ride as part of the event but we though we better start slow.

They went to bed without much fuss tonight. I don't think I will be too far behind them.

Its Been Awhile (Again!)

I'm not sure if anyone is even looking at this anymore. It has been so long since I have posted anything. The boys have grown up, moved away for University and got married. Time just seems to be flying boy. Here are a few pictures anyway .... no wedding pictures yet ... that was just a joke.

Maybe We Over Did It

A fun ski weekend but I think we may have worn them out. Spent all day Friday at Beaver Valley and skiing with the boys from 9:30 to 4:00pm. Friday night checked into the hotel and went for a swim before bed time. Got up the next day for another 6 hours on the slopes.

They had a great time in the powder (lots of snow) and fun with the cousins. We will see how today goes ... a couple of grumpy kids :)

Steve

Happy New Year

Happy New Year from all of us. Wendy took the picture and Paul doesn't stand in one spot long enough to be captured in any photo .... need higher speed film I think.

Merry Christmas

Our second Christmas as the Kemp family. Not much to say except that we are having a great time. The boys are so excited about tomorrow. No snow .... but still its starting to feel a little bit more like Christmas.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Everyone!

Long Time No Here From

We may regret this one someday .. Paul and Randy had their first ride on a motorcycle today. Our friend Shawn took them for a ride. I don't think they will forget this day for a while.

First Day of School

Randy's first day of school in Junior Kindergarten and Paul's first day in Senior Kindergarten. Sorry about that sweater Paul.

Wake Me Up When September Ends

Back to the regular routine ... kids in daycare/school, 5 day work weeks and dark by 6:00pm. Hopefully we can find a way to beat the winter blahs ... skiing seems to help quite a bit. Hopefully the boys will be ok adjusting back into the routine. They have had a great summer.

A New Look

I decided to change the name and look of our blog. I was getting bored of the old one.

Some Pictures for You

Happy 4th Birthday to Randy (August 29th) and first lost tooth for Paul (August 30th). Hard to believe that summer is winding down. Lately they have been having fun with their new skateboard.

Missing Grandpa

Two years ago today my Grandfather passed away suddenly. He lived a long and fulfulling life but it ended in an instant. I hope he is watching or can somehow sense all of the changes that all of us have gone through since he left us. I think of him often and miss him. He influenced me in many ways and I very much appreciate everything he did for me and taught me along the way.

2006 FIFA World Cup

Randy In Goal
Randy "In" Goal
Paul In Goal
Warm Ups
Hip Hip Hooray

The 2006 FIFA World Cup starts today. I never have really been that interested in soccer but with the boys around it has made it a little more exciting. Paul and Randy had their first game last week representing the "Yellow Team". They had a great time and Randy even scored two goals ... they were on his own teams net but he was just as excited either way. They slept well that night ..........

Mother Day - Belated

Mothers Day has come and gone ... and I missed it .... I am out at a conference in Banff, Alberta and Wendy is home with the boys (and her mom for help). This is the first time I have been away for this length of time and it feels really strange. It is a nice break and I am really enjoying myself but I definately miss them. The mountains are just beautiful ... I'm sure someday when the boys are a little older we can all come out here as a family and enjoy the surroundings.

Mothers Day Is Coming

Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small
And always leave my fingerprints
On furniture and walls.

But everyday I am growing
I'll be grown up someday
And all those tiny handprints
Will surely fade away.

So here's a final handprint
Just so you can recall
Exactly how my fingers looked
When I was very small.

Love,

Paul

Eagles Nest

This is really cool ... can't stop watching it for some reason. Its amazing that I can sit here in our kitchen with a laptop with no wires connected to it and watch a live video feed of an eagles nest from Hornby Island in B.C.

http://www.infotecbusinesssystems.com/wildlife/default.asp

Their site claims that they are getting 10,000,000 hits a day.

Steve

Go Fly A Kite

A beautiful weekend weather wise. Just the way I like it ... not to hot and not to cold. Lots of sunshine. We went to the park this morning and flew a kite. Wow, I have not done that in a while. Will probably go out for a bike ride later. I had to work yesterday so I am taking tomorrow off. I'm looking forward to some time for myself. Not sure what I will do.