Thursday March 31, 2011

 

Jovi Day is a huge success!
We are so in love with this little guy!
He has such a great temperament and loving personality.  He seems to be just going with the flow of things
      (as long as we don't leave him alone.)

Wednesday March 30, 2011

Voices for Africa 6!

This amazing fundraiser for orphans in Africa has existed for 6 years as a result of the hard work of my friends Heather Polan and Jamie Miller.  They have led an awesome team of teachers and students in making a difference in dealing with the AIDS pandemic in Africa.

Tonight I was brought to tears by the voices of the many young people who reached out to help others.  I really wonder if they even know the impact of their work.

I was thrilled with the results of our raffle which added to the fundraising effort and gave me a tangible role to play in the event.

What a wonderful way to help.

Tuesday March 29, 2011

Okay, now he's just making fun of us!

Two more sleeps!

Monday March 28, 2011

Getting ready for Jovi!

We went out shopping for a few last minute items to get ready for Jovi day, Thursday.

I fell in love with this collar instantly...but had to go to 2 stores to find the right size.

The smoochy poochy leash is cute too but the cookie is for big brother, Rocko.

I have a feeling that he's going to need a little special attention as he gets used to his little brother.

Sunday March 27, 2011

My dear friend, Lorne and his lovely daughter, Jane!

Happy first birthday, Jane!

Saturday March 26, 2011

One day into my Principal's course and I'm loving it.

The people in my course have so much to share.

I'm exhausted and going to bed!

(sorry, I tried three times to turn this photo but it wouldn't cooperate)

Friday March 25, 2011

Play!

It's actually the name of a cool new restaurant that we went to in Aurora.  It serves wood oven pizzas to die for!  We enjoyed a great night out and came home to share the love with Rocko.  The empty pizza box was shared...the leftover pizza is in the fridge for my lunch tomorrow.

Tomorrow is also the first day of my Principal's course.  I'm nervous and excited all at the same time.  Just like the first day of school jitters. 

My first assignment is done,  now the only question is,

"What do I wear?"

Thursday March 24, 2011

Okay, this elusive guy has not made it to my blog yet!

He hates having his picture taken and is very good at avoiding the camera altogether.

Jake, it is embarrassing how few pictures I have of you!

Come and visit and let me take your picture.

Cawi can come too!

Love you guys!

Wednesday March 23, 2011

This was not set up...honestly!
Jim put the book down and then went to have dinner. 
When I saw this, I ran for the camera.
Do you find this as funny as I do?

Tuesday March 22, 2012

Enjoy your last bit of bonding time with your brothers Jovi!

You're coming home in 10 days!!!!

We love you so much already and are waiting for you to join us.

Even Rocko is waiting for you to come home!

Monday March 21, 2011

Happy Birthday Jim!!!

I hope you enjoyed your day!  Thanks for sharing your Billie Minor Pie!

I loved celebrating your day with you and look forward to many more ahead.

I hope you liked your cottage getaway package!

We have an awesome vacation ahead and now, hopefully,  you are totally prepared.

Sunday March 20, 2011

Raclette!

Cooking food on a hot stone.

This was our way of celebrating the end of the March Break...not that the end of the break is a good thing, but celebrating is always fun!

It is healthy, tasty and fun to eat and chat.

Open invitation, call us and come over for Raclette some night!

Saturday March 19, 2011

I miss you Dash!

Mom and Dad's Dachshund is such a lovable dog.

He's very affectionate and just wants to play and be social.

After being around him for a week he really grew on me.

Friday March 18, 2011

Today was another travel day! 

This is heading into San Antonio for my first leg of the journey home!

It was a little turbulent but I'm home safely. 

Good to see Jim and Rocko again and Sally too!

Thursday March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We had a good old fashioned shrimp boil!

It's my last evening in Texas so we had to have a big celebration...shrimp boil, pecan crusted red snapper and grouper!

This is Auntie Irene and Maria, Mom and Dad enjoying the seafood feast!

The breeze is cool on this final evening in Texas!

Wednesday March 16, 2011

Golfing in Texas in the windy season!

Mom took the picture.  Dad and I are grinning ear to ear about our good shots!

We had a great round....well, some great shots.

We saw a turtle, dogs, herons, cranes, sandpipers and fortunately, we didn't see the moccasins or rattlesnakes! 

I'm ready for another round and a good golf season to follow at home in the near future! 

Tuesday March 15, 2011

Enjoying the beach at Rockport, Texas!

I started the morning with a great walk along the beach.

The sand is beautiful and the water is not too cold...there were actually people in the water, lots of people flying kites and some building sand castles.  I'm loving the lack of snow!

Monday March 14, 2011

This is our beautiful evening view of the canal from our dock.

The green lights are set up underwater to attract the fish.  It is so amazing to just stand on the balcony and watch the fish swim around.  I saw a whole school of small fish swimming laps!

Yep, they are flamingos!

We saw them and the other birds while checking out a golf course today.

While here, I'm trying to experience everything Texas...



Saturday March 12, 2011

How adorable are they?

We visited Rockport Beach and Pier today.  It was pretty windy but we had a chance to dip our toes in the ocean and talk to the fishermen.  No one is really catching anything in this windy weather but we found it pretty warm and very enjoyable.  We stopped at the bait shop today and found that they bring in shrimp for bait and for supper!  We spoke with some people that were buying supper!!! from the bait shop!!! We will be going back tomorrow!!!



Friday March 11, 2011

Welcome to Texas Tinko!

Thanks Mom, Thanks Dad

After a long day I arrived at the condo to find this welcome sign!

My eyes were barely open at 2 a. m. as we drove in the driveway but I couldn't miss my neon welcome.

I've just had a 2 minute tour and now I must sleepppppppppppppppp

Thursday March 10, 2011

Texas here I come!

Well I'm pretty much packed and ready to go, including a quick trip to the doctor for some drugs.

I just hope my head doesn't pop on take-off with this sinus headache I've been dealing with:)

I know it is a big suitcase for just a week but I need lots of room for bringing stuff home!

Rocko doesn't look impressed!

Wednesday March 9, 2011

Here's my friend Joe Eppele!

Joe was the Toronto Argonaut representative visiting our school today and telling his experiences with bullying.  He was both bullied and the bully.  Joe did a great job with the students and they were so excited to meet a real athlete.  They jumped all over him, arm wrestled with him and asked him every question in the book.  He seemed to really be having fun with the kids.

The Huddle Up team of students presented their media project, introducing the theme for the day and wowed the whole school with their work. 

 I was very proud of them!

Tuesday March 8, 2011

Any ideas for a quick solution for the common cold?

I'm really not looking forward to flying with a cold but once I get there I should be fine!

It was 22 in Texas today, and I'm monitoring the weather for the end of the week.

Three more sleeps!

Monday March 7, 2011

Busted!

This is what Rocko does when I'm away!

Jim sent me this picture while I was out one afternoon. 

Notice his head on the pillow too.

I'm sure he was thoroughly exhausted from a fun run at the park but putting his head on my memory foam pillow is pushing it a bit.

Off Rocko, Off!
Still love you though...

Sunday March 6, 2011

South Pacific

Had a fun visit with my travel buddy, Beverly today.

Lunch out and rush seats to a musical felt very extravagant for a Sunday afternoon.

 Many talented actors and musicians.

Saturday March 5, 2011

The puppy visit went well!

He was only playing, didn't really bite.

We fell in love with 7 puppies.  They really were quite different, some sleepy, some very excitable, one who missed his mommy when she stepped away, a few who were very eager to be picked up and then very quickly fell asleep in our arms.

 Now the countdown really begins, we better start puppy proofing the house!



Friday March 4, 2011

Meet Pudge and Malloy!

Pudge is Jovi's mom and Malloy is his dad.

Tomorrow is the first day that we get to meet the little guy and his parents.

Fun times ahead.

Thursday March 3, 2011

My Thursday night peeps!

This is the after-volleyball-party and it happens most Thursdays.  We just learned tonight, that if we save our receipts we will have a free team party at the end.  How cool is that.

Love you guys!

Wednesday March 2, 2011

Crazy!

So the truth comes out...when it gets crazy cold and windy like today, Rocko is not going to get his walk.

On these days, we have a built in babysitter to deal with his crazies and it is a rawhide bone.

This is him in the backyard prancing over the bone.  He then proceeds to roll all over it before picking it up, tossing it around and catching it and finally chomping it to bits.

Go crazy buddy, we'll go for walkies tomorrow!

Tuesday March 1, 2011

Jovi!

Our puppy is growing up so quickly.  He'll be 4 weeks old tomorrow and then we can visit him.  I feel like we've missed so much already but we know that he needed to be with his mommy to grow and develop.  This Saturday we will meet him in person and I'm sure there will be a few pictures to follow.  This may actually be one of Jovi's brothers since they will not match up puppies to families until week 7 when their temperament becomes more obvious.  I'll have to make sure that I hold each puppy so they all get to know me!!