Archive for the 'Celebrations' Category

Dad’s Day

My Dad

Happy Father’s Day Dad! Anyone who knows our family knows that we are an awful lot alike you and I! I remember years ago, one evening when you took me out for a special Chinese Dinner for just the two of us. As we were preparing to leave, the owner of the restaurant told us “there is an old Chinese proverb that says that when a daughter is like her father, she will have a life full of wealth and happiness.” I would have to say that this proverb must be true! I owe much of this “wealth” and the happy life I live to my own parents, and to my Husband, the nurturing and dedicated father of our beautiful children! Thanks so much Dad, and to my babies’ Daddy, Stuart.

Daddy

Have a wonderful Father’s Day! Please remember to tell your Dad how much you love and appreciate him tomorrow!

African Lion Safari

African Lion Safari

Stuart and I celebrated our Fifth Wedding Anniversary yesterday by going on Safari! Well, a local safari anyways :-) We took the children to the African Lion Safari in Cambridge, and it was a wonderful way to spend our day!

African Lion Safari African Lion Safari

I must admit, that just prior to entering the safari, I got cold feet. I had never been to the Safari before, and had heard tales of naughty monkeys ripping pieces off of vehicles as they passed through the primate section. This brought to mind images of our *just paid for* Hyundai being demolished…yikes! The Baboons were very well behaved I will admit! They only stole a piece off of one vehicle during the time we spent watching them, and while they did attempt to pull some trim off of our car, they were unsuccessful!

African Lion Safari

I would highly recommend this attraction to anyone with children, looking for a fun way to spend a day in Southern Ontario. If only for a few hours, you might actually forget that you’re still in Canada!


Baby Elephant

Not So Great Birthday

Today is my 31st Birthday. I kind of wish today had never happened…or maybe, had happened differently. At least the day is almost over, and I can start fresh tomorrow.

The day started very early for me, as I was up at 4 a.m. with insomnia, but I was happy enough to start the day with some quiet time for myself…

We decided to venture up north to visit my parents, and elderly Grandmothers, and share a wonderful home cooked turkey dinner my parents had made, as well as the chocolate Birthday cake that Stuart had made. Up until this point, things were going great. The kids were so good in the car, the sun shone, and I was happy to be out of the house enjoying time with my family.

We really wanted to see my Gramma Katie, who has been very ill lately, and is currently in the hospital. This afternoon, Gramma was given the horrible news that she has cancer of the bladder which has metastasized to her lungs. This very upsetting news was delivered to me late this morning, before Gramma even knew herself. Everyone is devastated as she is so loved by her family and the entire village of Wiarton, who refer to her as “Aunt Katie.” Gramma is 88, but this sort of news is never very easy to swallow, at any age. I was so thankful to be able to see her today. She looked good, despite much physical discomfort. She never has been one to complain, and has always been such a positive person.

Our trip home was “interesting” to say the least. We nearly ran out of gas, just south of Owen Sound. I decided not to stop despite being almost on empty, at what turned out to be the only gas station for miles! Liam complained and Gwyneth cried for the last hour of the drive, rattling our nerves which by that point could have used some quiet and calm. We finally stopped and had “Birthday supper” at McDonalds…yuck! And I thought breastfeeding in public was no big deal! Not a place I would ever choose to do that again! You would have thought I had sprouted an extra head!

So, that’s it in a nutshell folks. Thanks to my friends and family who called and e-mailed well-wishes :-) You made a kind of sad day a lot better.

I think I will just pretend my 31st didn’t happen. Maybe I can stay 30 this year, and skip 31 altogether? That really would be okay with me!

Gramma continues to be the central focus of thought and prayer tonight. I want her to know how much I love her, and am thinking of her…

“Gwyneth Ivy Robertson”

Gwyneth

Our daughter is here! Gwyneth Ivy Robertson was born on Tuesday, October 17th, 2006 at 7:20 a.m. at the Guelph General Hospital. She weighed in at 7 pounds 14 ounces. We are thrilled to announce the safe arrival of our little beauty. Mom, Dad, Liam and Gwyneth are all doing well and resting at home…

Oh Canada!

Canadian Flag

As Canadians, I think we often take for granted the amazing country in which we live. Take a moment to reflect on how lucky we are to live here, as you celebrate Canada’s 139th Birthday today. There are so many reasons I am proud to be a Canadian…here are five of mine:

1. Canada is a country so full of natural beauty. While I have only been fortunate enough to visit Quebec and Nova Scotia (and live in Ontario my whole life) the Canadian landscape provides some of the most captivating images imaginable in the whole world.

Moraine Lake

2. We enjoy freedom in so many areas of our lives. We are free to speak, dress and act as we choose. As a woman, I think this is particularily important.

3. We can safely raise our children, knowing they are getting a good education, and will have a promising future here.

Preschool

4. We enjoy a wide spectrum of weather conditions and are very adaptable! In a country where it can be incredibly hot, followed by a cold front with hail stones the size of marbles, one needs to be able to adapt. At least we get to take it all in, and experience every sort of weather imaginable!

5. Canada is such a multicultural country. Being surrounded by such a mixture of cultures enriches everyones life experience in that we are able to learn so much from each other.

Toronto's Chinatown

Happy Canada Day!

A Wedding of Two Wonderful People!

Wedding Wedding

The Ceremony

Wedding Wedding

In the Garden

Wedding Wedding

The Happy Couple

Wedding Wedding

Some Friends at the Reception

Catherine & Stuart

To Love & Friendship

Our dear friends Kathryn and Stephanie were married yesterday here in Guelph! What an absolutely wonderful day! It was such a pleasure to be in a room full of friends. People so warm, and caring and so involved in the lives of these two wonderful women.

Steph and Kath, we all wish you a lifetime of happiness together. Remember to love one another through every experience life brings you. Always treasure your wonderful friendship, and grow together as a couple…We’re all so proud to call you our friends!