February was cold - and it shows in the Union Gas bill (where we had the highest monthly consumption of natural gas but our monthly Equal Budget payment was reduced - some sort of cruel joke by Union Gas). Didn't do much outside due to the cold. We did some shopping here and there.
Tina and Adam went out on a dinner and shopping date one Friday night. Had a nice dinner at the Outback Steakhouse and then spent some time browsing at Chapters. Took the long way home.
Tina cleaned up the Everything Room and made it into a small playroom for Corbin (and Jeremy under certain conditions). We got fed up with the plethora of toys that made there way into the living room, so Tina moved the one toy shelf down to the everything room. She also went through the toys, freeing up several bins. Next: the crawl space needs to be tidied and reorganized.
The boys continued with their various sporting lessons. Jeremy is definitely a fish - he loves to swim. Corbin is excelling at horseback riding. Both boys are having fun at gymnastics - though Jeremy needs to try harder to listen and stop being the clown of the class.
Wednesday, 28 February 2007
Sunday, 11 February 2007
Back To Reality
It was pick up day. Adam headed back to Detroit (his third border crossing in a week) to pickup the in-laws at the airport. No issues at the border and traffic was very light. Once at the airport, he was able to find someone leaving their parking space and was able to catch a shuttle van as it turned the corner. A quick tour of the airport via the shuttle and he arrived at the arrivals lounge, where Chris was waiting with Madigan for their bags, which were just arriving on the luggage carousel.
Walked outside and caught a parking garage shuttle just as it arrived - the same one Adam had taken to get to the terminal. Another quick tour of the airport and we were loading up the van. No problems heading back to Canada. Cleared customs and brought the in-laws to our house. We mentioned that Goderich was nailed with snow all week. Good timing on their part, heading to Florida during a cold and snowy spell.
Walked outside and caught a parking garage shuttle just as it arrived - the same one Adam had taken to get to the terminal. Another quick tour of the airport and we were loading up the van. No problems heading back to Canada. Cleared customs and brought the in-laws to our house. We mentioned that Goderich was nailed with snow all week. Good timing on their part, heading to Florida during a cold and snowy spell.
Monday, 5 February 2007
Goodbye Cold, Hello Warmth
Today, Adam drove Chris, Lisa, Teegan and Madigan to Detroit Airport for their flight down to Orlando, Florida. It was sunny but bitterly cold. No problems at the border and traffic to and at the airport was light. By them time the Chris and Lisa got out of the van, their bags had been checked and their boarding passes printed - excellent service. Adam arrived back home by 8:30 am. Heck, he could have gone to work - but seeing as he took the morning off, he decided to do a few errands.
Saturday, 3 February 2007
Harlem Globetrotters
Today, Adam and Corbin headed down to Toledo, OH, to watch the Harlem Globetrotters. Corbin has been talking about this day for weeks.
Adam picked up Corbin just after lunch, packed the van and headed out. It was bitterly cold but sunny. No problems at the border and the traffic to Toledo was typical. They arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Perrysburg, OH, checked in and grabbed a bite to eat the adjacent Big Boy Restaurant. Then they hung out in the hotel room, with Corbin checking the clock on a regular basis.
The time came and they headed up to the University of Toledo campus, about a 15 minute drive from the hotel. Parking was $5 and plenty was available. Corbin and Adam walked over to the arena. You could tell that Corbin was excited because he was quiet. Once inside, they headed towards their front row seats. In fact, Corbin was located right on the centre line. The boys headed up to get some souvenirs including a regulation Harlem Globetrotters basketball, a reversible jersey and a program. Corbin bought some popcorn and pop.
Corbin thoroughly enjoyed the game and even got a few autographs after the game. He was in a very happy place. Corbin's best memory of the game: two players pulling down their shorts. Adam laughed and was proud of Corbin. It was just another 'regular' father-son event.
The next day did not get off to a good start. Adam threw his back while putting his back. It wasn't debilitating, but the pain was unbearable at times. Still, he managed to get down for breakfast and enjoy those cinnamon rolls. After breakfast, Corbin went for a swim in the pool. After packing up and checking out, they headed for some shopping. They stopped at Target and Corbin bought Jeremy and himself a Star Wars figure.
On the way back home, Adam and Corbin stopped in at Denny's for lunch. Corbin managed to talk his dad into getting him a rocket drinking cup, but in return he had to eat his whole lunch. No issues at Canada Customs. They arrived home safely, just before the crazy snow squall the enveloped Essex County in a matter of minutes.
Adam picked up Corbin just after lunch, packed the van and headed out. It was bitterly cold but sunny. No problems at the border and the traffic to Toledo was typical. They arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Perrysburg, OH, checked in and grabbed a bite to eat the adjacent Big Boy Restaurant. Then they hung out in the hotel room, with Corbin checking the clock on a regular basis.
The time came and they headed up to the University of Toledo campus, about a 15 minute drive from the hotel. Parking was $5 and plenty was available. Corbin and Adam walked over to the arena. You could tell that Corbin was excited because he was quiet. Once inside, they headed towards their front row seats. In fact, Corbin was located right on the centre line. The boys headed up to get some souvenirs including a regulation Harlem Globetrotters basketball, a reversible jersey and a program. Corbin bought some popcorn and pop.
Corbin thoroughly enjoyed the game and even got a few autographs after the game. He was in a very happy place. Corbin's best memory of the game: two players pulling down their shorts. Adam laughed and was proud of Corbin. It was just another 'regular' father-son event.
The next day did not get off to a good start. Adam threw his back while putting his back. It wasn't debilitating, but the pain was unbearable at times. Still, he managed to get down for breakfast and enjoy those cinnamon rolls. After breakfast, Corbin went for a swim in the pool. After packing up and checking out, they headed for some shopping. They stopped at Target and Corbin bought Jeremy and himself a Star Wars figure.
On the way back home, Adam and Corbin stopped in at Denny's for lunch. Corbin managed to talk his dad into getting him a rocket drinking cup, but in return he had to eat his whole lunch. No issues at Canada Customs. They arrived home safely, just before the crazy snow squall the enveloped Essex County in a matter of minutes.
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
Saturday, 20 January 2007
Shopping Day
Though it was a sunny day, it was cold. Rather than hang around the house we headed to Devonshire Mall to do some browsing and shopping.
The mall was not too busy, which suited us fine. Tina stopped in a few stores hoping to find some new clothes. No luck. She also stopped at a few kids stores, but found no deals. She was kind of bummed that the store where she buys Corbins pants is closing down. We grabbed a bite to eat in the food court and proceed to do some more browsing.
We headed up to the New Balance store so that Tina could buy some running shoes that are to be used at the gym. Next was Best Buy. Adam purchased a couple of movies.
Not wanting to head home just yet, Adam drove out into the county for a short drive. At an intersection we would ask Corbin which way to turn. At first he was hesitant, fearful that he may get us lost (there is no way to get lost in Essex County - we are surrounded by water on three sides). About an hour or so later, we made it back home.
The mall was not too busy, which suited us fine. Tina stopped in a few stores hoping to find some new clothes. No luck. She also stopped at a few kids stores, but found no deals. She was kind of bummed that the store where she buys Corbins pants is closing down. We grabbed a bite to eat in the food court and proceed to do some more browsing.
We headed up to the New Balance store so that Tina could buy some running shoes that are to be used at the gym. Next was Best Buy. Adam purchased a couple of movies.
Not wanting to head home just yet, Adam drove out into the county for a short drive. At an intersection we would ask Corbin which way to turn. At first he was hesitant, fearful that he may get us lost (there is no way to get lost in Essex County - we are surrounded by water on three sides). About an hour or so later, we made it back home.
Sunday, 7 January 2007
Day Trip To Frankenmuth
Tina was home with the boys all week and was getting a wee bit stir crazy. We packed the boys and headed up to Frankenmuth, Michigan for a day trip. Adam wanted some saltwater taffy and fudge and Tina wanted to buy some new ornaments at Bronner's. Both of us wanted a chicken dinner.
It being after Christmas, the crowds on the main drag were light. It made for a pleasant stroll. The weather was slightly on the cool side, but there was no snow, a nice day for walking. Adam bought his taffy and fudge. We headed over to Zehnder's for an early supper, but the place busy. So we headed across the street to the Bavarian Inn. It too was busy, but the line moved quickly and after about a 10 minute or so wait, we were seated.
We decided to go with the Chicken Dinner which consisted bread and jam, chicken noodle soup, three salads, mashed potatoes, stuffing and, of course, the world famous chicken. It was a good thing that we had no lunch, because there was a lot of food. The price for the four of was reasonable - about $45 US. We even had some leftover chicken to take home. After supper, we browsed the shops.
The final stop was Bronner's, one of the largest Christmas Stores in the world. It was not busy, which was a good thing. We looked around and bought around $100 in ornaments. Headed back to Windsor as the sunset. Tina enjoyed her day out. So did the rest of the family.
It being after Christmas, the crowds on the main drag were light. It made for a pleasant stroll. The weather was slightly on the cool side, but there was no snow, a nice day for walking. Adam bought his taffy and fudge. We headed over to Zehnder's for an early supper, but the place busy. So we headed across the street to the Bavarian Inn. It too was busy, but the line moved quickly and after about a 10 minute or so wait, we were seated.
We decided to go with the Chicken Dinner which consisted bread and jam, chicken noodle soup, three salads, mashed potatoes, stuffing and, of course, the world famous chicken. It was a good thing that we had no lunch, because there was a lot of food. The price for the four of was reasonable - about $45 US. We even had some leftover chicken to take home. After supper, we browsed the shops.
The final stop was Bronner's, one of the largest Christmas Stores in the world. It was not busy, which was a good thing. We looked around and bought around $100 in ornaments. Headed back to Windsor as the sunset. Tina enjoyed her day out. So did the rest of the family.
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