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Showing posts with the label Colin

Toddler Talk Time!

I apologize for the video quality or if you have seen this on FB already but I had to share...

A short, child-free break - bliss!

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I write this the evening of our return home. Colin and I left Isla overnight with Mom and Dad and we escaped to "cottage country" for a very short break but as short as it was, I was happy to see my baby again. This was the first time I have left her and the first time she spent the night away from us. She did very well with Mom and Dad and they were able to keep up with 19 month old. Thank you! We didn't go to far, just to Gravenhurst and we stayed in the brand-new Residence Inn Marriott . It was lovely and we had a small kitchenette in our room but trust me, we didn't cook, we needed a break! Our afternoon drive took us to Gull Lake just outside Gravenhurst. The weather was great both days, sunny and dry but today (Friday) was a bit cool especially on the boat. This weekend there is an antique boat show and boaters from all over N. America have taken over the hotel and the marina. Our "cruise ship" - The Segwun - is 120 years old so appropr

Daddy's Girl

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The weekends include alot of Daddy and Isla time. I'm handy to have around when Colin isn't, apparently. Colin left the apartment this weekend and she started bawling her eyes out and came running to me. I guess it's my role to be a comforter. During the week when he is home from work he has started the habit of knocking on the kitchen window to announce that he is home. If you could see her face when she sees him, it's priceless! To say that she is a daddy's girl is an understatement. But I'm not jealous, even when she won't give me an eskimo kiss (nee, nee as she calls it) after rubbing Colin's nose without fail everyday. Oh no, not me! I get to have her all to myself all day. Of course there are times that I would love to just go out on my own but 99% of the time, I love our time together. Just this morning we enjoyed our coffee break on the balcony together. I had coffee and she enjoyed her cup of juice while wearing her favourite hat. Goi

A little bit fruity....

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Dear Diary, Isla LOVES fruit, especially the "yellow fruit" (code words for banana or nanas as she calls them) so last week when I saw cherries on sale at the grocery store I thought I would buy her some to see what she thinks. Personally, I don't like cherries and while she didn't mind them the amount of work it is to get the pit out by hand we decided they're not worth the effort. Colin had the great idea to make a pie with the leftover cherries. Do you see the scruff on his chin? Do me a favour and tell him to shave it for me. I didn't have high expectations that he would shave it for me but even Isla doesn't like it and it's still on his face! Speaking of hair, check out Isla's hair. I put pigtails in this morning for the first time. I have figured out that the best time to put them in is when she is distracted by playing with the bathroom faucet. Her sticky-outty hair has been driving me crazy! The curls are only cute when

Colin's out-of-town Photo II

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Dear Diary, I call this photo, spit and polished! We're off to the immunization clinic this afternoon for an injection and you gotta look good! See you tonight dear - have a safe flight home.

Colin's out-of-town - Photo I

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Dear Diary, Colin took this photo on Wednesday morning before heading to the airport but that smile is so sweet I couldn't resist posting it for him. (just ignore the food in her mouth) See you Friday!

This week in our lives, so far...

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Dear Diary, Yesterday was Colin's birthday and I think (I hope) he had a good day. When he got home from work, Isla and I gave him his presents and cake. He enjoyed it as much as 38 year old man enjoys it.. Afterwards we went our for sushi, Colin's choice, and while he enjoyed it, I opted for tempura instead. That was probably a big mistake as I was sick all night and felt pretty lousy today. It must've been a bit of food poisoning I guess. Onto Isla .... She's done this before but on Monday I was battling with her to keep her blankets, bed sheets etc. in her dresser. Thankfully this dresser is designed that only one drawer can open at a time so I now have a sock sticking out of the top drawer which prevents her from opening the bottom.... Onto the cats .... The little guy in the picture is a HUGE problem for two furry girls. He hangs out in the tree in front of the dining room window and comes to taunt them several times a day. It's funny to watch them sin

Happy Birthday Colin

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Dear Diary, Happy Birthday Colin ! Another year older, another year wiser, another year blessed to have you! Two more years to a big milestone birthday when we'll have a great big party in your honour but until then, we'll enjoy not being that old, YET!! We love you!

One step closer....

Dear Diary, Today we had our biometrics taken by Homeland Security as part of the visa and green card process. By the way, we didn't get a microchip in our necks!!! All they did was electronically fingerprint us and take yet another photograph. When we submitted our application we had to include 10 passport photos of Colin and 6 each of Isla and I so I was surprised they still took more. I was a bit disappointed they didn't scan our iris', that would've been cool albeit a Star Trekki! We don't know when or even if we'll get the visa and green card but I'm fairly certain we will be approved. I'm confident our attorney would've told us if she thought we didn't take a stand a chance. From conversations with various people I should say we are NOT applying for American citizenship. It's simply for residency and work authorization. Perhaps if we are still living here in 10 years we'll apply but at this time it's not even an option

Sometimes I think....

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Dear Diary, ... that my dad and Colin are blood related. Do you see her yellow socks hanging out of her pants? That is exactly what my dad would've done with them too! It's not the first time I told Colin my theory... Just had to share... Have a blessed Sunday wherever you may be.

Spring Swingin' and Sisters

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Dear Diary, Colin is away in NYC and Philadelphia for a few days this week so Isla and I have been getting out and taking advantage of trips to the park. She loves going to the park especially the swings. If she had her way, I'd push her for hours! Lately every time I try to snap her photo, she won't look at me. Apparently mommy is not that exciting and other people or things are much more interesting. Here is a classic example although I still love it. She is such a happy girl! Back at home she has been spending time in her deck chair on the balcony with her furry sisters but she's been scraping her knees while crawling on the balcony concrete. Ouch! While we've enjoyed getting out the last couple of days, we'll be happy to have Colin home with us again tonight!

Saturday Morning in Colorado

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Dear Diary, If you've watched CNN in the last 12 hours you know what I'm talking about. We're snowed under!!! In some places in the mountains they've recieved over 34 inches (almost 4 feet) of snow in the last 24 hours. The I-70 from Golden to Vail is closed and they don't know when it's going to be re-opened but honestly, I can't imagine going on that highway in this weather unless it was a medical emergency. Imagine a roller coaster without the loops, that's what that stretch of highway is like. This is Colin and Isla about an hour ago to go and collect the mail. He took our "4x4" and could hardly make it through the heavy wet snow. Anyways, if you ever wanted to do some Rocky Mountain skiing or snowshoeing, it's a good time to book your ticket. Chances are good it will be gone by Tuesday when the temperature will reach 70 degrees so you better be quick. Unrelated to the snow, check out Isla's hair. It's cr

New York City, New York - Part II (photo overload!)

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Dear Diary, I promised the photos of NY and now that Colin is safely home with the camera, here they are. Enjoy! 5th Avenue The plaque above is located on this cross which is made of the remains of the towers This station house is located across from the Towers and was first to respond This is part of the memorial to the five men lost Sept 11 We weren't able to get to the Statue of Liberty as it was sold out for the day but we still had some great views from Battery Park. Family photo in Battery Park Stock Exchange Colin and I in front of the Brooklyn Bridge View of Manhattan from the observation deck of the Empire State Building

Our itinerary for the next few weeks....

Dear Diary, We are driving to NYC on Saturday.... with Isla... Are we crazy travelling 1800 miles with a 13 month old? Probably but for a good reason. Colin has a convention at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan for a couple of days. He has loads of stuff, aka. computers, terminals and even our TV, so we decided to drive and make it a mini-family-vacation. At least I hope its a vacation, we'll have to see about that. Another thing, after the convention Colin has to come back to Denver to meet a client and I'll stay on the east coast. While he is away Isla and I will be staying with Nancy and Bob in Hartford who graciously offered to put up with us for a few days. By way of history, Nancy was Colin's mom's pen-pal for over 50 years - they were like sisters. Colin will fly to Hartford late Tuesday night to meet up with us and then we drive back to Denver and should arrive back home on Saturday at the latest... Phew, nothing in our lives is straight-forward

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Dear Diary, First, thank you for the birthday wishes in the blog comments and on FB. In case you were wondering, I'm officially mid-30's... Also, without sounding too cryptic, we are in the middle of a visa drama. I can't say too much right now but we would grateful if you could pray that we get the visa's we need to stay here and in the alternative if it's not meant to be, He shows the way. Hopefully, I'll be able to post more about this in the near future. We haven't posted too many pics of the little lady since her birthday so here you go, Isla, 12.5 months: Don't worry, she's still adorable and happy. These were taken tonight quickly before she went to bed so nothing too great, just a few updates for her Opa and Oma (and everyone else of course). She was up at 8:30 this morning, really, she was! I'm glad she woke up when she did because we would've been late for church this morning and we had to make a side and main course for t

Rocky Mountain National Park

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Dear Diary, On Monday we drove into the mountains to visit Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park . I can't help but sing to myself "Home, Home on the Range, where the deer and the antelope play.." No antelope, just deer and a lot of elk. It is a beautiful park and we have plans to bring a blanket, a bottle of wine and sandwiches with us this summer.