Monday, August 9, 2010
New victims
I have plenty of chances to photograph my family while I'm here. It's great to have a few more unsuspecting subjects I can pounce on to practice my hobby.
Here are a few of my beautiful siblings.
Here are a few of my beautiful siblings.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
1600 Miles
Thankfully my parents arrived the same day Clark had to leave, so I had little time to wallow in self pity. They had arrived by 5:30, Dad packed up the car a little, and we went downtown to show them a few of the Ottawa sights.
We ate dinner down in Byward market, saw Parliament Hill, and stayed long enough to catch the light show.
After packing up the rest of the car the next morning, we were on our way to our first stop by 9:00. Palmyra, NY. There is plenty to see for church members. We checked out the Visitors Centre, Hill Cumorah, The Smith farm, and the Sacred Grove.
We went on from there to our hotel in Buffalo for the night. We were on our way the next morning to Niagara Falls, before continuing our journey. It was a little out of our way, but totally worth it. The view is a million times better from the Canadian side of the border, but the wait to get across can get pretty ridiculous, and I didn't feel much like trying my luck with another customs officer. Going through the border is not the smoothest operation for a resident of both countries.
Still, Niagara is amazing. It made me want to see much more obviously, but it is phenomenal none-the-less.
Niagara was our last stop. We drove for the rest of the day, and got to Chicago late that night. Dad decided it would be a smart plan to go through Chicago at night, to save ourselves enduring the morning rush. Day three of our journey allowed me two opportunities to finally eat Panera!!! That excitement gave me the last push I needed to make it through all the driving!
Cameron and Daisy both did amazingly well, and we made it to Minnesota in fairly good time, despite some traffic on the last day, and numerous tolls! Now all I'm eagerly waiting for, is Cameron to catch up to the time difference here!
We ate dinner down in Byward market, saw Parliament Hill, and stayed long enough to catch the light show.
After packing up the rest of the car the next morning, we were on our way to our first stop by 9:00. Palmyra, NY. There is plenty to see for church members. We checked out the Visitors Centre, Hill Cumorah, The Smith farm, and the Sacred Grove.
We went on from there to our hotel in Buffalo for the night. We were on our way the next morning to Niagara Falls, before continuing our journey. It was a little out of our way, but totally worth it. The view is a million times better from the Canadian side of the border, but the wait to get across can get pretty ridiculous, and I didn't feel much like trying my luck with another customs officer. Going through the border is not the smoothest operation for a resident of both countries.
Still, Niagara is amazing. It made me want to see much more obviously, but it is phenomenal none-the-less.
Niagara was our last stop. We drove for the rest of the day, and got to Chicago late that night. Dad decided it would be a smart plan to go through Chicago at night, to save ourselves enduring the morning rush. Day three of our journey allowed me two opportunities to finally eat Panera!!! That excitement gave me the last push I needed to make it through all the driving!
Cameron and Daisy both did amazingly well, and we made it to Minnesota in fairly good time, despite some traffic on the last day, and numerous tolls! Now all I'm eagerly waiting for, is Cameron to catch up to the time difference here!
Montreal
When we found out about the change of plans for the rest of the summer, there were only 2 free days to do all the sightseeing and traveling we had wanted to save until the end. Unfotunately that meant not being able to do quite as much as we had initially hoped.
Montreal is less than two hours from Ottawa though, and since it's Clark's Mecca, we couldn't pass the opportunity up!
I have to say, the freeways leading into the city are pretty confusing. It can get overwhelming quickly! It took all of a matter of seconds however, for Clark to notice the Canadiens logo on a road sign, and he new exactly where he was going. The Mothership.
We spent more than half of our day at the Bell Centre. Taking pictures of the iron statues, the monuments, decorative tilework, and all the other commemorative pieces since their 100 year birthday.
There was plenty of time spent with everything Patrick Roy too. Clark's favourite player. He is even trying to persuade me that were we to have another boy, his middle name should be Roy. Except, no-one would say it properly, (he's French-Canadian), so we should spell it Wa. I'm thinking no.
We managed to spend plenty of money in the Canadiens gift shop. A couple of shirts for Clark, and shirt and hat for me, and a shirt and PJ's for Cameron.
They also have the Canadien's Hall of Fame at the Bell Centre. So that was a must see. We had plenty of fun looking around at some vintage gear, and hockey history.
After all things hockey, we actually saw a little of Montreal, the city. We walked down to Old Montreal, and browsed around a little, looking at all the old buildings. It's a really neat old city, and has a very European feel about it. Clark and I both were disappointed not to have had much longer to explore. There is so much to see.
...and of course, we took one last trek up to the Bell Centre before we headed home.
Montreal is less than two hours from Ottawa though, and since it's Clark's Mecca, we couldn't pass the opportunity up!
I have to say, the freeways leading into the city are pretty confusing. It can get overwhelming quickly! It took all of a matter of seconds however, for Clark to notice the Canadiens logo on a road sign, and he new exactly where he was going. The Mothership.
We spent more than half of our day at the Bell Centre. Taking pictures of the iron statues, the monuments, decorative tilework, and all the other commemorative pieces since their 100 year birthday.
There was plenty of time spent with everything Patrick Roy too. Clark's favourite player. He is even trying to persuade me that were we to have another boy, his middle name should be Roy. Except, no-one would say it properly, (he's French-Canadian), so we should spell it Wa. I'm thinking no.
We managed to spend plenty of money in the Canadiens gift shop. A couple of shirts for Clark, and shirt and hat for me, and a shirt and PJ's for Cameron.
They also have the Canadien's Hall of Fame at the Bell Centre. So that was a must see. We had plenty of fun looking around at some vintage gear, and hockey history.
After all things hockey, we actually saw a little of Montreal, the city. We walked down to Old Montreal, and browsed around a little, looking at all the old buildings. It's a really neat old city, and has a very European feel about it. Clark and I both were disappointed not to have had much longer to explore. There is so much to see.
...and of course, we took one last trek up to the Bell Centre before we headed home.
8 Months
My lack of laptop has put me about a month behind on my blogging, so I'm doing my best to catch up now!
Cameron's last month was quite an eventful one. He started it off with the measles! Baby measles that is. Which thankfully has no side effects other than a 12 hour temperature of 104, and a bumpy rash.
His 8 Month check up saw him grow half an inch, but lose weight....which can be attributed to the measles, his new found love of crawling speedily everywhere, and the fact that our apartment was a consistent 1000 degrees.
He is still as cute as ever though. He's learnt to pull himself to a stand, and now loves to watch TV 3 inches from the screen.
I took him to the park for the first time, and he loves the swing.
Here are a couple more 8 month shots of the little guy. (Taken July 23)
Cameron's last month was quite an eventful one. He started it off with the measles! Baby measles that is. Which thankfully has no side effects other than a 12 hour temperature of 104, and a bumpy rash.
His 8 Month check up saw him grow half an inch, but lose weight....which can be attributed to the measles, his new found love of crawling speedily everywhere, and the fact that our apartment was a consistent 1000 degrees.
He is still as cute as ever though. He's learnt to pull himself to a stand, and now loves to watch TV 3 inches from the screen.
I took him to the park for the first time, and he loves the swing.
Here are a couple more 8 month shots of the little guy. (Taken July 23)
Sunday, August 1, 2010
We miss daddy. Already.
This summer has taken a different turn for us. Clark's office has been moved 6 hours outside Ottawa, so the company gave up our original accommodation for some new ones...new ones a whole family wouldn't fit in! Not only that, but there was no way for Cameron, Daisy and I to get home to Lethbridge with no car, and all of our summer stuff. So we are improvising.
My family had planned a trip up to visit Ottawa the second week of August, so they agreed to bump their trip up a week, so we could travel back with them to Minnesota, and stay with them while Clark finished up work in Ontario. Originally it was a month we'd be apart, but he since got an offer we couldn't refuse, requiring him to stay on an extra month.
The good news is that my family now get 2 months to see Cameron! Living so far away is hard on them, I know, so this will be an exciting bonding time I hope. Clark works long days during the summer, so having the extra help, and company day to day will be nice for me. I'm excited about spending time with them, and being in MN. It's been a while!
The sad part is that we are now apart from Clark for 2+ months. That's 2 months he doesn't get to see his son learn new things. Potentially his first tooth, first steps, and maybe even his first word. Parents should never be apart from their kids. It's not fair.
It was hard for me to watch him leave. There were many times we spent apart during our dating relationship, and it was tough then... it's even harder now. We don't get sick of each other, well...at least I don't get sick of him! The nature of this job allows him to be home almost 24/7 during 8 months of the year, and I love it. It's not a conventional set up, for some people, its maybe too much of a good thing! But it works for me. I can't believe I got so lucky. What are the odds of finding someone in this world that you can spend every second with, and love each one more?
As hard as the separation will be for me, I know it will be even harder for Clark. He has more than one person to miss. I appreciate his sacrifice for our family, and hope it is all eventually worth it. Only one hour after seeing daddy drive away, we already miss him, and are counting down the days until he is home with us again.
My family had planned a trip up to visit Ottawa the second week of August, so they agreed to bump their trip up a week, so we could travel back with them to Minnesota, and stay with them while Clark finished up work in Ontario. Originally it was a month we'd be apart, but he since got an offer we couldn't refuse, requiring him to stay on an extra month.
The good news is that my family now get 2 months to see Cameron! Living so far away is hard on them, I know, so this will be an exciting bonding time I hope. Clark works long days during the summer, so having the extra help, and company day to day will be nice for me. I'm excited about spending time with them, and being in MN. It's been a while!
The sad part is that we are now apart from Clark for 2+ months. That's 2 months he doesn't get to see his son learn new things. Potentially his first tooth, first steps, and maybe even his first word. Parents should never be apart from their kids. It's not fair.
It was hard for me to watch him leave. There were many times we spent apart during our dating relationship, and it was tough then... it's even harder now. We don't get sick of each other, well...at least I don't get sick of him! The nature of this job allows him to be home almost 24/7 during 8 months of the year, and I love it. It's not a conventional set up, for some people, its maybe too much of a good thing! But it works for me. I can't believe I got so lucky. What are the odds of finding someone in this world that you can spend every second with, and love each one more?
As hard as the separation will be for me, I know it will be even harder for Clark. He has more than one person to miss. I appreciate his sacrifice for our family, and hope it is all eventually worth it. Only one hour after seeing daddy drive away, we already miss him, and are counting down the days until he is home with us again.
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