Tina's friend, Angela, visited us this weekend. Tina and Corbin picked her up in London, which worked out well for everyone.
Angela brought the kids a present. Thanks for the Nerf guns, Ang. I'll be finding Nerf balls for the next 20 years.
On Friday, Angela helped Tina and Pam get Pam's house ready for Chelsea's Sweet 16 birthday party. Yes, Chelsea is 16-years old. Time really does fly by.
Jeremy and Corbin loved having Angela over as she spent lots of time with them. That gave Tina and myself some time to do some chores and errands.
Posted by Adam
Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Monday, 6 October 2008
Kalahari 2008
Tina and Jen decided that we should return to Kalahari Water Park in 2008, especially since the expansion was complete. Tina booked the trip. We got a good rate staying Sunday to Monday. Of course that meant the boys would miss a day of school, but no one seemed concerned.
We left late Sunday morning. US Customs was about a 30 minute wait. About 20 minutes later we were enjoying breakfast at Denny's in Monroe. The boys were excited.
About an hour or so later, we arrived at Kalahari in Sandusky, Ohio. It wasn't as crazy as last year. Tina went in to get our passes and check in. Our room was ready, so we unloaded the van and then parked it (finding a sweet spot near the main walkway).
Not shortly after, the Joe and Jen pulled in and they checked in.
We changed into our swimsuits and headed down to the waterpark. It was huge. The expansion doubled the size of the facility and added a wave pool, another surfing ride, and bunch of new waterslides. The new part included a deck which increased the room for lounging around.
The younger boys spent their time in the kids waterpark. Corbin and I checked out some of the new slides. He also did the 'toilet' slide, where you swirl around in a bowl and then fall through a hole into the waiting pool.
The major hit was the wave pool. At first, Tina and I tried it out, but it didn't seem all that exciting. We gave it a second look later and it was fun.
We munched on some pizza and then did some more waterparking. Then it was time to head up to the rooms to celebrate some birthdays - Corbin's and Jen's oldest boy's. We had cake and they opened presents.
Our package this year included breakfast. So the four of us went down before it got too busy. It was buffet style, but the selection was great. Tina and I filled up, as did the boys. Then it was time to pack, change into swimsuits, load the van up, and enjoy a few more hours in the water park.
It was a great time with friends. It could become an annual tradition.
Posted by Adam
We left late Sunday morning. US Customs was about a 30 minute wait. About 20 minutes later we were enjoying breakfast at Denny's in Monroe. The boys were excited.
About an hour or so later, we arrived at Kalahari in Sandusky, Ohio. It wasn't as crazy as last year. Tina went in to get our passes and check in. Our room was ready, so we unloaded the van and then parked it (finding a sweet spot near the main walkway).
Not shortly after, the Joe and Jen pulled in and they checked in.
We changed into our swimsuits and headed down to the waterpark. It was huge. The expansion doubled the size of the facility and added a wave pool, another surfing ride, and bunch of new waterslides. The new part included a deck which increased the room for lounging around.
The younger boys spent their time in the kids waterpark. Corbin and I checked out some of the new slides. He also did the 'toilet' slide, where you swirl around in a bowl and then fall through a hole into the waiting pool.
The major hit was the wave pool. At first, Tina and I tried it out, but it didn't seem all that exciting. We gave it a second look later and it was fun.
We munched on some pizza and then did some more waterparking. Then it was time to head up to the rooms to celebrate some birthdays - Corbin's and Jen's oldest boy's. We had cake and they opened presents.
Our package this year included breakfast. So the four of us went down before it got too busy. It was buffet style, but the selection was great. Tina and I filled up, as did the boys. Then it was time to pack, change into swimsuits, load the van up, and enjoy a few more hours in the water park.
It was a great time with friends. It could become an annual tradition.
Posted by Adam
Friday, 1 August 2008
Ottawa Vacation - Day 3 - Part 2
This evening we drove back over to Steve and Pam's house for some pizza, beer and good old hanging out.
I thanked Steve for his suggestion about the Canadian Aviation Museum. He was right, it was cheap and the boys liked it. I also said that I loved valet parking - it's so convenient to not have to drag your kids to the parking lot or garage, especially when the valet attendants park the van right outside the door. Now that is service.
Pam ordered pizza from a nearby pizza place, using us as guinea pigs. We were fine with that. It' can't be that bad, right.
The kids played and played and played. We sat on the patio and chatted away the night. The pizza came and the kids ate inside while the big kids - us adults - ate outside. For the record, the pizza was just fine.
All good things must come to an end and we had to leave. It was getting late and everyone needed some rest. We thanked Steve and Pam for having us over, again, and that we will definitely be back.
Posted by Adam
I thanked Steve for his suggestion about the Canadian Aviation Museum. He was right, it was cheap and the boys liked it. I also said that I loved valet parking - it's so convenient to not have to drag your kids to the parking lot or garage, especially when the valet attendants park the van right outside the door. Now that is service.
Pam ordered pizza from a nearby pizza place, using us as guinea pigs. We were fine with that. It' can't be that bad, right.
The kids played and played and played. We sat on the patio and chatted away the night. The pizza came and the kids ate inside while the big kids - us adults - ate outside. For the record, the pizza was just fine.
All good things must come to an end and we had to leave. It was getting late and everyone needed some rest. We thanked Steve and Pam for having us over, again, and that we will definitely be back.
Posted by Adam
Thursday, 31 July 2008
Ottawa Vacation - Day 2 - Part 2
The plan for tonight was for Sarah to hang out with us. Sarah is Corbin's former worker who recently moved to Ottawa (she is from Ottawa). Sarah and Corbin have a special bond - she was one of the few workers who was able to spend two hours playing Playmobil with Corbin. We were sad when Sarah left Windsor.
When Sarah moved back to Ottawa, we promised Corbin that if we were ever in Ottawa, we would call her up and get together. We just didn't expect to happen this quick.
Sarah works in Gatineau, Quebec. She didn't have too much of a problem finding the hotel. Corbin and Jeremy were excited to see her.
We went down to the Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant for dinner. Everyone seemed to like their food, and I enjoyed my pint of Guiness. After supper, Sarah took us into Byward Market to have some Beaver Tails, an Ottawa specialty. It's dough that is flattened out, deep fried and then topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon. It was very tasty.
We wondered around the market. At one point I had to take Jeremy to the washroom - I was able to find one and Jeremy was happy to have relieved himself. We walked back to the hotel, changed into our swimsuits and joined the mayhem in the pool. Tons of kids to keep Corbin occupied. Sarah helped Jeremy with his swimming. Tina relaxed in the hot tub. I just swam around.
Corbin and Jeremy liked hanging out with Sarah, and it was good to see her again. It was time to say our goodbyes to Sarah.
A nice ending to an awesome day.
Posted by Adam
When Sarah moved back to Ottawa, we promised Corbin that if we were ever in Ottawa, we would call her up and get together. We just didn't expect to happen this quick.
Sarah works in Gatineau, Quebec. She didn't have too much of a problem finding the hotel. Corbin and Jeremy were excited to see her.
We went down to the Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant for dinner. Everyone seemed to like their food, and I enjoyed my pint of Guiness. After supper, Sarah took us into Byward Market to have some Beaver Tails, an Ottawa specialty. It's dough that is flattened out, deep fried and then topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon. It was very tasty.
We wondered around the market. At one point I had to take Jeremy to the washroom - I was able to find one and Jeremy was happy to have relieved himself. We walked back to the hotel, changed into our swimsuits and joined the mayhem in the pool. Tons of kids to keep Corbin occupied. Sarah helped Jeremy with his swimming. Tina relaxed in the hot tub. I just swam around.
Corbin and Jeremy liked hanging out with Sarah, and it was good to see her again. It was time to say our goodbyes to Sarah.
A nice ending to an awesome day.
Posted by Adam
Sunday, 17 February 2008
Rain Is Not Good For Tobogganing
John & Cindy Pucher held their annual toboggan party at their house. Their backyard consists of a large hill - a handy thing to have in winter when you feel the need to catch some speed...and snow.
Corbin was having a horrible week and could barely keep it together this morning, so Jeremy and I headed down the 401 to Woodstock. It rained the whole way down. It was cool but sunny yesterday - perfect weather for sledding.
Yes, rain. Of all the days to rain. And Woodstock has received a ton of snow of this year. A week earlier about a foot of snow fell during a storm. Perfect base for an uncontrolled slide down a hill. The rain didn't let up once we arrived.
Brendan and Dianne and their three boys stopped boy, so between John & Cindy's two girls, Jeremy had lots of new kids to play with.
In lieu of tobogganing, we reminisced about the 'old' days and caught up on the past year or so. We had a great meal and watched the kids play and play and play.
When it was time to leave, Jeremy started to sob. He did not want to leave - he was tired - but you can tell he had a great time.
The trip back to Windsor was uneventful. It rained, heavy at times, between Woodstock and West Lorne. But it stopped, thankfully. Jeremy had enough of watching movies and fell asleep. We arrived back in Windsor just after 10:00 pm
Tina and Corbin had a good day. He came to grips with why he didn't get to go - a huge step forward for him.
Hopefully next year the weather will be better.
Posted by Adam
Corbin was having a horrible week and could barely keep it together this morning, so Jeremy and I headed down the 401 to Woodstock. It rained the whole way down. It was cool but sunny yesterday - perfect weather for sledding.
Yes, rain. Of all the days to rain. And Woodstock has received a ton of snow of this year. A week earlier about a foot of snow fell during a storm. Perfect base for an uncontrolled slide down a hill. The rain didn't let up once we arrived.
Brendan and Dianne and their three boys stopped boy, so between John & Cindy's two girls, Jeremy had lots of new kids to play with.
In lieu of tobogganing, we reminisced about the 'old' days and caught up on the past year or so. We had a great meal and watched the kids play and play and play.
When it was time to leave, Jeremy started to sob. He did not want to leave - he was tired - but you can tell he had a great time.
The trip back to Windsor was uneventful. It rained, heavy at times, between Woodstock and West Lorne. But it stopped, thankfully. Jeremy had enough of watching movies and fell asleep. We arrived back in Windsor just after 10:00 pm
Tina and Corbin had a good day. He came to grips with why he didn't get to go - a huge step forward for him.
Hopefully next year the weather will be better.
Posted by Adam
Saturday, 19 January 2008
Jeremy's Birthday Party
With Jeremy's birthday falling during the Christmas holidays, we decided to have Jeremy's birthday party - the one with his friends - in January.Tina sent out the invitations to Jeremy's classmates and we got 6 or 7 "so and so will be attending" responses. Corbin invited a classmate. The Karb boys also attended. Even Bev & Gerry came down from Goderich to spend some time with their grand children.The birthday was held at the Forest Glade Community Centre. They provide the food save for the cake, keep the kids busy with games and do all the cleaning up. Who could beat that deal?
The party began at 1:30. Jeremy wasn't quite sure what to make of it. But he - and his friends - had lots of fun. They did lots of running around in the gym before having hot dogs, chips, juice and birthday cake. Then it was present opening time - which Paul, one of the workers, handled very well. Tina enjoyed the concept of watching the party. It was all over by 3:30.
Jeremy enjoyed the party - as did all his guests.Posted by Adam
Saturday, 12 January 2008
Crepes and Veggietales
Today we met the Karb Family at a local crepe restaurant for some, well, crepes. Yes four adults AND four kids, enjoying various crepes.
I love crepes and my mom made them all the time. I usually just put sugar on them and ate lots of them. One day, I have to get the recipe and start making them at home.
I got the chicken alfredo with mushroom crepe. It wasn't bad, but I wouldn't rave about it. I found the prices to be on the high side for food that mostly comes from packages or cans.
After eating, Tina dropped me off at home before heading to the movie theatre to see the latest Veggietales movie with the Karbs.
Posted by Adam
I love crepes and my mom made them all the time. I usually just put sugar on them and ate lots of them. One day, I have to get the recipe and start making them at home.
I got the chicken alfredo with mushroom crepe. It wasn't bad, but I wouldn't rave about it. I found the prices to be on the high side for food that mostly comes from packages or cans.
After eating, Tina dropped me off at home before heading to the movie theatre to see the latest Veggietales movie with the Karbs.
Posted by Adam
Saturday, 5 January 2008
Night In With The Karb Family
At some point over the Christmas holidays, we get together with Karb Family to trade stories and play games and to give the boys some play time together. With plans changing because of Jeremy's broken arm, my mom's sudden trip to Poland and us thinking about going away for a few days, it was a hard to commit to date. When we dropped the plans to go away, our calendar cleared up.
I had suggested to Tina that the Karb boys could sleep over, removing one less worry.
So last night we had the Karbs over for the annual Christmas gathering. We munched away on snacks and listened as the kids played - who knew four boys could be so busy. We played a short round of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit (which Joe won) followed by a round of crokinole (Joe and Jen soundly beat us, though we did manage to score 15 points).
The boys, save for Corbin, eventually fell asleep. Corbin decided to watch a Harry Potter movie in the office. We didn't mind as he was being quiet.
This morning, Tina made pancakes for everyone - thanks hon. The Karb boys got dressed and played some more before Joe and Jen picked them up.
It was a fun night and it was good for the boys to spend some quality play time with each other.
Posted by Adam
I had suggested to Tina that the Karb boys could sleep over, removing one less worry.
So last night we had the Karbs over for the annual Christmas gathering. We munched away on snacks and listened as the kids played - who knew four boys could be so busy. We played a short round of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit (which Joe won) followed by a round of crokinole (Joe and Jen soundly beat us, though we did manage to score 15 points).
The boys, save for Corbin, eventually fell asleep. Corbin decided to watch a Harry Potter movie in the office. We didn't mind as he was being quiet.
This morning, Tina made pancakes for everyone - thanks hon. The Karb boys got dressed and played some more before Joe and Jen picked them up.
It was a fun night and it was good for the boys to spend some quality play time with each other.
Posted by Adam
Monday, 8 October 2007
Kalahari Waterpark Resort - The Next Day
Everyone slowly woke up. We ate in the room - Pop Tarts, oatmeal and cookies. Mmmm, good. Corbin and Jeremy were eager to go back to the Waterpark. We packed up - room check out is at 11:00 am but you can stay in the waterpark till 3:00 pm.
As we were about to leave, Corbin realized he couldn't find his sandals. Tina called the front desk and they had nothing (I was suspicious of this since the hotel guide mentions nothing about a lost and found). This little problem pushed me over the edge and kind of screwed up my morning, but eventually we got all the stuff in the van and joined the Karb family in the waterpark.
Jeremy went on the waterslides at least 50 times. We left Corbin to his own devices - and for the most part this worked out. I went on the tube slides and played with Jeremy and Corbin in the kids waterpark.
We ordered a pizza for all of us and set back and relaxed. Then it was one last bit of fun in the waterpark. Around 2:00 pm we were done. Got dressed and spent some time in the arcade. Tina went to the shop and bought some watersocks for Corbin for $10.00. Jeremy loved playing the shooting games, even if he couldn't see what he was doing. Jeremy got about 180 tickets and got many of the same things as Corbin did. It was time to head back home.
The drive back to Windsor went well. We stopped for gas just before Toledo - $56 for about 80 or so litres of gasoline (compared to $75 in Windsor). And with the dollar at par, the price on the register is the price in Canadian.
Arriving at the Ambassador Bridge, traffic was packed. It took a while to get to the actual bridge, but I managed to squeeze the van through some tight spots and get onto the bridge. All the customs booths were open. It took a total of 40 minutes to cross the bridge and clear customs.
It was a fun filled weekend and the whole family looks forward to returning to the expanded (doubling in size of the Waterpark - biggest indoor water park in America) Kalahari Waterpark Resort. Highly recommended.
Posted by Adam
As we were about to leave, Corbin realized he couldn't find his sandals. Tina called the front desk and they had nothing (I was suspicious of this since the hotel guide mentions nothing about a lost and found). This little problem pushed me over the edge and kind of screwed up my morning, but eventually we got all the stuff in the van and joined the Karb family in the waterpark.
Jeremy went on the waterslides at least 50 times. We left Corbin to his own devices - and for the most part this worked out. I went on the tube slides and played with Jeremy and Corbin in the kids waterpark.
We ordered a pizza for all of us and set back and relaxed. Then it was one last bit of fun in the waterpark. Around 2:00 pm we were done. Got dressed and spent some time in the arcade. Tina went to the shop and bought some watersocks for Corbin for $10.00. Jeremy loved playing the shooting games, even if he couldn't see what he was doing. Jeremy got about 180 tickets and got many of the same things as Corbin did. It was time to head back home.
The drive back to Windsor went well. We stopped for gas just before Toledo - $56 for about 80 or so litres of gasoline (compared to $75 in Windsor). And with the dollar at par, the price on the register is the price in Canadian.
Arriving at the Ambassador Bridge, traffic was packed. It took a while to get to the actual bridge, but I managed to squeeze the van through some tight spots and get onto the bridge. All the customs booths were open. It took a total of 40 minutes to cross the bridge and clear customs.
It was a fun filled weekend and the whole family looks forward to returning to the expanded (doubling in size of the Waterpark - biggest indoor water park in America) Kalahari Waterpark Resort. Highly recommended.
Posted by Adam
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
Night Out
With no kids around the house, Tina suggested to Jen that the four of us should go out for a dinner and movie. Jen found a babysitter for her boys.
We headed to Tony Macaroni's in Tecumseh for a pleasant dinner. The food was hot and tasty, but the service was faster than anticipated. So we decided to squeeze in a game of mini-golf - Tina won.
Next, it was movie time. We picked the new Transformers movie. We arrived early enough to get good seats. The movie was a riot - non-stop action from beginning to end - the perfect summer time movie. The visual effects were amazing - the Transformers looked real and blended right in with the 'real world'.
All in all, a great night spent with good friends.
Posted by Adam
We headed to Tony Macaroni's in Tecumseh for a pleasant dinner. The food was hot and tasty, but the service was faster than anticipated. So we decided to squeeze in a game of mini-golf - Tina won.
Next, it was movie time. We picked the new Transformers movie. We arrived early enough to get good seats. The movie was a riot - non-stop action from beginning to end - the perfect summer time movie. The visual effects were amazing - the Transformers looked real and blended right in with the 'real world'.
All in all, a great night spent with good friends.
Posted by Adam
Sunday, 28 January 2007
Pucher Get Together
Headed up to Woodstock to spend the day tobogganing and hanging out with the Pucher family. The drive up was uneventful until we got to Woodstock when it started to snow. They already quite a bit of snow up there.
Unfortunately, the Kennaley's were unable to attend this year due to sickness - seems to be a lot of that going around lately. Phil Brand and his daughter (and Adam's goddaughter) Alix, did make it. We all bundled up and proceeded to climb the hill in John's backyard and take turns trying to not wipe out. Jeremy obviously comes from a place that is flat and has little snow, for his first turn down the hill was without a toboggan - he went belly down the hill. It was hilarious to watch.
Corbin went down several times. Jeremy finally found a toboggan and went down solo a few times. Other times, Corbin and Jeremy went together but Jeremy was not a big fan of the snow blowing into his face. After about an hour - it was windy and snowing - we headed in to warm up and set up for supper.
Supper was excellent - Cindy outdid herself. We cleaned up and the kids played some more. Eventually, we parted ways - it had stopped snowing, so the drive back to Windsor was incident free - until Tilbury. Seems the snow plows were out salting the 401. So it took us a wee bit longer to get to Windsor. A great day trip
Unfortunately, the Kennaley's were unable to attend this year due to sickness - seems to be a lot of that going around lately. Phil Brand and his daughter (and Adam's goddaughter) Alix, did make it. We all bundled up and proceeded to climb the hill in John's backyard and take turns trying to not wipe out. Jeremy obviously comes from a place that is flat and has little snow, for his first turn down the hill was without a toboggan - he went belly down the hill. It was hilarious to watch.
Corbin went down several times. Jeremy finally found a toboggan and went down solo a few times. Other times, Corbin and Jeremy went together but Jeremy was not a big fan of the snow blowing into his face. After about an hour - it was windy and snowing - we headed in to warm up and set up for supper.
Supper was excellent - Cindy outdid herself. We cleaned up and the kids played some more. Eventually, we parted ways - it had stopped snowing, so the drive back to Windsor was incident free - until Tilbury. Seems the snow plows were out salting the 401. So it took us a wee bit longer to get to Windsor. A great day trip
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