Bi Yearly Update

So yeah it has been a while, I notice I haven't been on here since January.  That is seven months by my account.  Really I think I need to focus a bit more and stop with the weak facebook updates.  We need a real record of what has been going on.  So here it is.

It was a dark winter, it dragged on and on.

We needed fire to keep us warm. (first use of our fire pit)

Then February arrived and our youngest turned four.  Crazy.  He gets more interesting everyday.  No more diapers, no more naps, no more helping him get dressed.  Still needs bathroom help (teeth brushing, etc...) but he really is getting to be a big boy.

Unfortunately our oldest seemed to turn 20.    This was a special evening when we had a friend over and they put on a fashion show.  However, this does not bode well for the future.  More succinctly, "Watch out dad, this is going to be rough."

The middle child found his long lost twin.  There was much rejoicing.  Both of the older kids have grown so much.  The oldest is closing in on mom really fast.  The middle child is making up ground quickly too.  What has happened to our babies.

So winter ended and suddenly spring arrived.  The two oldest started playing soccer.  The youngest wanted nothing to do with his Tots Team so he just wore his shin gaurds and cleats to the others games.  There were wins and losses (not the son's team, undefeated, more craziness) and a giant final play day.

Also in the spring we got to meet two new friends.  Cleopatra and Wil David joined the clan. So great to have more little ones around.  Love the growing number of cousins.  Keep up the good work sisters.  We are officially done having kids.

We also sadly said goodbye to one of our favourite Davids.  He was much loved and is sadly missed.  Sometimes it is hard to believe that he won't turn up for a next visit.  Safe Journeys Uncle Dave.

As spring continued to progress swim meet season overtook us.  The middle child met some unexpected success and took home quite a few medals.

The oldest also had her share of podiums and made huge improvements.  As of August her dad can no longer beat her at any stroke over any distance.  He didn't figure he would be put so firmly in place after only 11 years of having children.  But he was.

The youngest didn't medal but he did learn to swim in the deep end and should have medalled for this amazing Urkle impersonation.

With the school year over the first few weeks of summer were all about Birthday season.
Daughter had a pool party.

 Son had a water slide party.  Both were a great success.

Dad's summer project of putting up a proper fence to keep the deer out of his garden came to fruition.  Next year will be under ground sprinkling and a green lawn.  Just don't hold me to it.

As the summer wrapped up the kids went to the swimming regionals and qualified for the provincial meet.  Provincials were a real eye opener.  We got to see how good the top swimmers in the province are.  We will see how much we can improve by next year.  Hopefully they both make it back.

By the end of the swimming season we were all a little pooped.

 As luck would have it that is the perfect time to spend at home in the garden.

 The zucchini was a neighbour's but the rest of the produce came from our garden.  Thank goodness for the fencing as we had a pretty great crop and no vegetables were harmed by deer (so far)

And lastly, this being a blog about what we eat I had to add a picture of us having Yaki niku.  We don't pull out the Teppan often but we always enjoy it when we do.

School in-service starts on Monday so the summer is pretty much officially over.  The first half of 2013 has been a roller coaster but that is the nature of life.  Lets hope the second half is just as interesting.  And lets hope I can be a little more regular with the blog.

Love out,