Hi Everyone!
I just wanted to say hello to everyone because it has been a very long time since I have posted anything. Everyone here is as well as can be expected.
Nikki took a babysitting course in the fall and is now a "licensed" babysitter. She had to get atleast 80% on her her final test and she recevied her marks and got a 92% mark. So she did very well. I am very pleased with her. She has had one job since then and the same people have asked for her to babysit again in January.
She had a shaking start in school at the begining of the year because it was a new school for her.
She has been to the orthodontist and has started the process of getting her teeth in line. She has had the retainer in her mounth now for almost 18 weeks trying to get the 2 front teeth in a little. Then maybe they will put the braces on her. They think maybe she might need to get 2 teeth removed so she has room for the rest of her teeth. The Orthodontist says she has big teeth for such a little mouth. But he says that is only a last resort, so we shall see. But all in all she is glad to fianlly get her teeth fixed and maybe, just maybe, they will be done in time for high school and she wont have to deal with more funny looks and name calling.
But anyways, I will let you go now and hopefully I will remember to post more and keep everyone updated a little better.
Take Care Everyone,
Love Denise

What's up this summer and fall.
Hi there everyone. I am sorry that I have not made a contribution of late. This was a very busy summer. I have taken on the job of editing the church newspaper and have had a blast doing it. Gran and I went to the church picnic and ate roasted pig from a spit. It was really tasty. Here is a shot of us there and Gran talking to her friend Mag who came with us as well. This is the Dundas driving park and not too long before the picnic (a couple of weeks) Gran and I entered in the Cactus run event. Gran walked 2 kms and I ran the 5 km event. It was very exciting and now we are both hooked. I love running and have plans to do the big "Around the Bay" race this coming spring.
Everybody cross their fingers for me please. I have applied for another job in the college and it is a really exciting job that I would love to get. I should know in the next couple weeks. I will post the outcome.
Daryl visited the Ontario clan this summer but I will elaborate about that in another posting since I don't have my pictures here of our adventures. I will do it up tomorrow.
Talk to you later,
Love Sue

Hello Again From Friendly Manitoba!!

I just wanted to say hello to everyone. I know everyone has had a busy summer, I just thought I would update everyone on whats going on in Manitoba.

This summer Bruce came to visit with us while he stayed at the cabin. It was great to see him and to meet Val.

Mom is good. She is still waiting to hear about getting her second knee done.

Daryl is good. He had a great visit in Ontario with everyone.

Nikki has started her process with getting her teeth fixed. She is wearing an apparatus in her mouth, to hopefully bring her teeth back a bit. In about another 4 weeks they will put her braces on.

Bob and I are fine. We never did too much this summer.

But we are all doing well. Hope to hear from all of you. Take Care!

Denise

Dragonboat Family

Last Saturday July 8th Gay, Fuchsia and I all participated in the Waterfest Dragonboat races. It was soooo much fun. Gay and Rob came down to cheer me on and Gay ended up in the boat with us. I think she had fun too. It was loads of hard work but we came in 2nd for all three of our races even though the second race the officials said we came in third losing to the second place team by 1/100 of a second. HHMMMM I just love being on the water and having my family with me made the day Great! Gran, Rob and Miguel were our family cheer leaders.

Hello and Happy Canada Day!

I just wanted to update everyone on things here. Nikki has passed to grade seven. She got a very special award from her school. She received the John D. Adams Memorial Trophy. It is in recognition of her hard work, honesty and citizenship. They made it a big surprise for her. They invited Bob and I to the school in secrecy so that Nikki would have no idea. The school doesnt not hand this trophy out very easily, it is very prestigious. We are very proud of her.

Mom is doing well. The people at physio are happy with her progress. Daryl is on holidays this week and plans just to R'n'R, he is saving for his big trip out East to see everyone.

Anyways have a great day and enjoy the fireworks!

Denise

Dragonboat Time Again

Well, here I go again in the dragonboat. I thought I would post a couple pictures to show you the Mohawk Dragonflies team. I am steering at the back of the boat this year. The bay is beautiful. This was our first practice and our team is made up of students, staff and faculty. A lot of our team have never been in a boat before so there was much to learn at the first practice. I just love this and have such a good time. I think just being on the water gives me peace and contentment. If anyone is interested the race will take place at Bayfront Park on July 8th. There is a beer tent, fishing for the kids and dragonboat races.

Thank you for all the positive comments on Nikkis hair donation. For those who are asking about the donation process, the length of hair depends on where you send it. The minium amount at its shortest is 8 inches. The minimum amount for the Ontario locations is 10 inches. The hair can not be treated in anyway. Nikki sent hers to the local wig business in Manitoba. She has plans to do it again sometime. If you are interested or know someone who is interested, go to www.cancer.ca and search on support services and community services directory. It will give you further details and locations to where the hair donation can be sent. It takes 12 donations to make one wig.

Denise

Nikki's News

Hello from friendly Manitoba! I just wanted to let everybody know that Nikki has done something very special. She was featured in the local newspaper for the special thing she has done. A copy of the article is on the way to everybody, (Bruce, when we get your address I will send your copy). Bob and I are very proud of her. We have had many people commenting on what she has done. She has inspired other people to do the same. Let me know if you decide to take on the challenge. Take care.

Denise

Music fans!

Well Gay and Rob sure do have sons to be proud of that is for sure! Gay invited me to the coffee house being held at Sherwood High School. The coffee house is an event that is held 2 times a year by the music department to showcase the student talent. There were several bands playing that night with Tom and Scott being in several of them. They both play the drums very well and sing fantastic too. If you ever get a chance to hear them you are sure to have a good time. Hopefully we can convince Gay or Rob to post some pictures from their last gig.

Happy Easter!

Thanks to Gay and Rob for leading Bruce, Janine, Stewart and myself on the Hendry Valley trail this past Good Friday. It was a very fun day! Janine and Stewart had an opportunity to feed birds from their out stretched hands. It was a bit damp in the morning but dried up by the time the hike was finished. Gay and Rob gave us a taste of how fun birding can be. We saw swans, ducks and a load of chickadees, blue jays, cardinals and woodpeckers. Next time I will be sure to bring my binoculars. Sorry there are no pictures but you all know the story of where my camera is currently residing. When the hike was done we relaxed at their portable picnic table and Rob cooked hotdogs, Bruce bought us hot chocolate and for desert we had licorise and granola bars. Hopefully Bruce will be back home to do the Good Friday hike again next year.

Let's Share!

Trudy's family is one of size now. Keeping up on what is happening in the family can sometimes be difficult. So what is a phone call? Well, we are all busy and there are times when talking on the phone is too tiring or you don't know what to say or its the wrong time of day. I hope that by putting this blog together we can share what is happening within our family. Share stories and pictures of our trips. Share links to some neat places to go... and on and on. With all of us being 2 provinces apart this blog will provide an easy forum for just that. This will only work to the best potential if everyone tries to participate and not be a "blog watcher". It is real easy and we all have access to a computer so come on lets have some fun! You can do this from anywhere you are in the world providing you have access to the internet.
Mom, I hope this will make it easy for you to feel like you are not missing out on your family in Ontario. I know it will help the Ontario family learn more about the Manitoba family.
Love You,
Your Eldest