"I've been workin on the railroad - all the live-long day..."

Buck with his tool belt and drill. He has become quite the construction worker these days. He's especially fond of Grandpa Duke's hammering toy. This picture just makes me laugh.
SDJ got her hair cut while she's been here. It looks similar to her old haircut, but (in her words) 'not as bushy.' She really enjoyed hanging out with my hair dresser, who gave SDJ a coffee mug with the salon name on it - ca va bien.
Buck in the perinniel "yogurt on mouth in high chair" shot. I figure we're good for one a month.
SDJ posing for me. Either that or she's very excited about the butter and sippy cup.
Friday morning (pre-camping), we went to the zoo. There are a lot of photos of both camping and the zoo - so I thought that I'd use them up as the week goes on. SDJ returns home on Wednesday (we're all a little sad about that) and then almost the entire family is off to Hawaii on Saturday!! (we're all VERY excited about that).

We had a great weekend. We were camping up in Banff - it's about 1 1/2 hour drive from here in Calgary. I'll be sure to give more detail as I put up the pics - it was couple of very full days for us. The only drawbacks being that our spot didn't have too much shade (we showed up late) and Buck is still learning how to fall asleep in a tent (we had to use the car trick one night). The mosquitoes were also a pain. I promised Superman M that I would explain that SDJ has gotten about 20 mos. bites since she arrived & that this has made the trip much less tolerable for her :) They do sell these neat "bite pads" here that can be pressed onto the bites to take away the itch. They work alright in my experience - but it's still made the trip harder for SD...

This morning, SDJ is sleeping in and then headig to the local amusement park (Calaway Park) with a crowd of 12 & 13 year old girls who I know from my volunteer work with a teen group. It should be really fun as I'm sure she'll appreciate being with some girls her own age for a change. (I mean, I know it's so fun to hang out with a 2 year old all the time, but it can't last forever, right? ha. ha.)

Buck and I plan to continue my never ending quest for even more groceries and we'll probably get to a mall to see if they have any nice "vacation clothes" on sale for us - yeah!

"Lost in this moment with you..."

Well, we spent Saturday "hanging out." It was Kent's (8 year old) last day in town as he headed off to the "BMX world championship races" Sunday morning. SDJ was sad to see him go as he was the first neighbor to reach out to her. Saturday night we had another "happy hour" in the neighborhood while the kids jumped on the trampoline and rode bikes around the block. Buck rode his little tricycle around until it was time to go to bed. I read "Harry Potter" until the afternoon and then came outside to be social.
This is the "Good Luck Kent" sign that Colton and SDJ wrote in chalk on Kent's driveway. He is the little figure above his name. This is his house. RKZ, Kent's dad, and Dave (with his dog, Newman) are standing around talking.
A closer picture of Kent. He was really excited about the sign and his race.
SDJ. I can attest that that shirt don't lie. :)
This is Ron, Lynn, Colton, Kent and their dog, Edee (I honestly think that's the spelling). They are a very nice family and helped to make SDJ's visit awesome.
Colton, SDJ and Kent. I don't know what Colton's doing here, but I think he didn't get the "pose funny" memo. Knowing him, he just doesn't 'pose funny.'
Kent is a big jokester. RKZ is trying to pack up the chairs at this point.
A close-up of the "Good luck" and the "Kent." Lynn took a bunch of pictures, so I sort of stood there and copied her.

The last few days have been a whirl wind. I know that I've missed a few days of posting. SORRY SUPERMAN M!!! :) We have been really busy, though not the fun "hanging out" busy that SDJ had gotten used to. I posted on Tuesday...Tuesday night RKZ and I went to see Shakespeare in the park. The local college is doing "As You Like It" (and others). It was surprisingly really good! We even had fun as it was threatening rain the entire (outdoor) show. Made it more intense, I think.

Wednesday was another fun day where we got a lot of house things done (it rained). SDJ is growing into SUCH an amazing babysitter. She is now totally confident with feeding, washing and putting Buck down for a nap. It's been a big help as we get closer to her leaving. I'm counting on her help so that we can pack for our trip to Hawaii!! Wednesday night, SDJ and I hit the mall for a look around and we went to see the Harry Potter movie AGAIN in IMAX 3-D. I am sorry, but it was like a totally different movie! It was incredible and I'm very glad that we're such "dorks" as RKZ says.

Today was another busy one, full of visits to friends and dropping off food for the family of a new baby. Now, we're preparing to go CAMPING this weekend! Very exciting. SDJ and I have the s'mores ready to go!

"Yo Ho! Yo Ho! A Priate's life for me!"

These are some pictures from the Stampede again, a few of the sand sculptures that were on display in the convention center called "The Beach." (The irony wasn't lost on me either). These photos were sent from a neighbor who really enjoyed them. I thought they'd be some good artistic filler for today.

Had a busy day yesterda - took a walk with a friend and her little son (Charlie). They have a nice "beach" on the river near their house. It was fun. In the afternoon, we all went to the zoo with the Roy family. Finally, we did something together even if it was only for about 2 hours as they had to get somewhere in the late afternoon. But we still had a fun time.

It was a mellow night as Colton (BMX Kent's brother) was packing to leave and SDJ was mourning the loss of her new neighbor friends. I think it will make the busy week we've planned easier to take :) It has been very hot (no complaints! I don't care), so we've all been a little sluggish with no air conditioning and only a little rain to keep up alert.

Sorry it's so dull here. At least you have those nifty pictures!!

"Happy An-a-ver-sa-ry!"

Here are some shots of last week's visit to Heritage Park with the Ferner family. The kids you don't recognize are Jana's (Ferner). SDJ is surrounded by them as she was the resident story teller at all times. We had a nice afternoon.

This weekend was great. I finished "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" but I won't give anything away here. I have already told RKZ the entire story, since he doesn't really care anyway. It was nice to have someone to tell as I can't talk about it to SDJ who is still in the thick of it.

Our little neighbor, Kent, is off to compete in the world championships of BMX this weekend. He is ranked in the top 10 of his age bracket in the world, I guess. It is very impressive, but I'm not too into all that stuff. His dad was beside himself before they left, though. SDJ will really miss her new little friend and his brother, who leaves for Winnepeg (in Manitoba) on Tuesday.

Yesterday was RKZ & my 7th anniversary. We had such a great night out. It was very romantic and special. Neither one of us it itching (7 years -get it?). Today is already all planned out. I better go wake up SDJ. More tomorrow!

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty" Sorting Hat Song (Year 1)

Last night, SDJ and I went to the "Diagon Alley/Harry Potter" extravaganza in downton Calgary! We both picked up our books around 12:15 am this morning (it is just added luck that the clock behind SDJ shows the actual time!)
We had tickets numbering 4083 and 4084, so I'm guessing that there were around 6000 people on this one city block - and about 1000 of them were dressed for the novels. Yes, that purple line is someone with a light saber from Star Wars. There were people who "just like to dress up" also. These characters are Snape, some guy in the picture, Luna Lovegood, Cedric Diggory and Gilbert Godfrey (very inventive)
Another, better picture of those same people.
Fleur - there were a lot of people who went with the movie version of the characters.
The most impressive Hagrid, who was walking on stilts, I think! He was great.
The buildings all had signs on them which described them as places from the novels. This is the Goblin's bank from Diagon Alley - I am tempted to give away part of the new book at this point!
SDJ has decided that she would be in "Ravenclaw" as, I believe, would be my good friend, E. There were giant banners depicting the descriptions of each of the Hogsworth houses. This is the motto for Ravenclaw.
Here is Gryffindor.
My favorite Slyterin person. He even gave me this scowl for my picture. He is obviously their Quiddich Captain. :)
Hufflepuff. If I had to guess, I would put RKZ in this house. He fits the decription perfectly.
There were street performers everywhere (and mobs of people). This guy was entertaining but hard to catch on film.
We loved that the Humane society (or wilderness animal society or someone) had brought out an actual owl! It looked right at me as I took this pic and I was dying to tie a message to its leg and tell someone (ok, that part is a joke)
This girl had a amazing costume - - she is the "fat lady" who gaurds the Gryf. common room. So inventive - everyone was taking her picture.
Just to get a feeling of the crowd - and the fact that there were about 25 Hagrids.
The "medical Maladies" tent, where the woman who cares for the sick at Hogwarts was (pictured). Please, someone just comment with her name, so I don't have to look it up! Oh! It's Madame Pomfrey - I can actually remember something! !!
SDJ at the Ravenclaw sign. There was no house of "dramatic cuties who love R & B music." I think that the 'studiousness' of Ravenclaw definitely fits SDJ, though.

Here is the Sorting hat song I used from the example. I'm on chapter 11 so far! The neighbors are throwing another "happy hour" in the street, so my reading has been curtailed by Coors Lights. Such a dificult life I lead.
Sorting Hat Song - Year One
Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends;
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!

"Baby, Baby!"

There is an earlier post (from last night) about our daily exploits, but I just wanted to publish a big PRAISE GOD email this morning!

Many of you have read (I think) that a close cousin of mine tragically lost a baby in child birth (through doctor error) about 1 year and 1/2 ago. Well - this morning - that same cousin gave birth to a healthy little boy!! We are all thrilled and I just need to publish it somewhere. I don't have any details but PRAISE GOD!!!! Is all I wanted to say anyway.

Way to go, Lisa and Clay! I am SO EXCITED and happy and grateful. Your family is so strong and courageous for welcoming life again after so difficult a tragedy. You are a beacon of hope for me.

Now, I must go blow up a whale wading pool :)

"Lean like a cholo..."

Yet another cute cousin pic.
Buck trying on a cowboy hat at the Stampede - I love that little blue shirt with the spur on it.
Buck beginning his new role as a country music star :)

This is just one of the interesting songs that SDJ has introduced to us while here. This is a "filler" blog entry where I explain that we have been incredibly busy doing our own thing today. Namely, SDJ babysat for me at my mom's group (with another 13 year old girl) and we went into downtown Calgary to get our vouchers for the Harry Potter book release tomorrow night. The "walk" street downtown (closed to traffic) is being set up (well, one block of it) as "Diagon Alley" - all of the shops will have the names of the shops from the books and they are going to have street performers dressed as the characters, etc. It should be fun. I'll get some photos, of course.

Today, we all cruised up the top of the Calgary tower. Uhh...nothing too thrilling but it still was fun to walk out onto the plastic floor and feel that sickness to my stomach that always comes when I am up very high.

On a dramatic note of acomplishment today, SDJ fed, bathed and put Buck to sleep all on her own tonight as I had to get my hair done! She was amazing and Buck didn't even cry when she left him to sleep. She is the first person (other than Ma Joad) to fully take care of Buck while RKZ and I were out. She was proud and I was grateful (and happy!)

RKZ comes home tomorrow with his tooth FINALLY fixed. I can't wait to see it AND him.