Coming Soon...

Well, here we are at 38 weeks. Miki's sibling wil be making her grand entrance within these next 14 days. As a matter of fact, today was the first day in a long while that Ericka was feeling a bit "off", both physically and energy-level wise, prompting both of us to get various arrival day gear readied and the changing table maneuvered into position.

Will keep you posted, stay tuned...

Autumn is here

Hello and once again sorry for the long absence. We've been quite busy these last 2 months and I'm just getting around to all the "domestic chores" that await me. Spent 2.5 hours yesterday doing yard work, then off to the Farmer's Market and Miki's swimming lessons. There's still a monstrous pile of wood in my driveway that needs to be split and stacked before the rain comes and of course, before baby #2 arrives in early October.

E and I are getting certain rooms preped in anticipation of Miki's sibling. Still not sure what we'll actually do with Miki when E goes into labour; some friends have offered to help out and the midwives are suggesting a home birth as one possible solution. Hmmm...

Anyway, here are a few photos following the swimming lesson yesterday evening.

Goin' to church?

That's what E said when she saw these pics. Miki got all gussied-up for an evening soiree on Saturday night. A good friend of ours is leaving the Island for the Alberta side of the Rockies and some friends held a "sobetsukai", as the Japanese would say or, "going away" party. It was very enjoyable; we caught up with lots of friends we haven't seen in a while and ate some delicious, Mexican-themed foods. The favorite was a creamy guacamole, heavy on the garlic.

This afternoon we drove into Victoria to pick up some camping items I need for an up-coming hike and sat on the curb (briefly) in Chinatown to watch a celebration kick-off. Our dwindling parking meter time prevented us from actually seeing anything!

Still here...

Sorry for the long hiatus. The month of August was an absolute gong show for me at work. A total of 56 students came thru our doors in a matter of weeks and in between groups I found myself "guiding" 2 visiting professors for 2 nights up in the mountains, all in preparation for a longer program which begins this Thursday! 11 University women from the Dept. of Education are coming for a 12-day program; 3 nights of which will be camping and hiking in the Forbidden Plateau.

Mama and Miki are doing fine. Another month or so and baby #2 will be arriving. Here are a few photos from our mid-afternoon picnic yesterday.

Forbidden Plateau

Trekking area in Strathcona Provincial Park. July 10th-11th, 2008. Covered 15.4km in 5 hours & 40 min. One night out, surprisingly cold. Today sore in places I didn't know I had places.

Forbidden Plateau photos

More photos from a recent hike...

Forbidden Plateau "stream"

BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.

Home Improvements

It was a long time coming, trust me. When we bought our house, 5 & a half years ago, the balcony deck off the master bedroom was in obvious need of serious repairs, even back then. Honestly, it's no small miracle that the rotting mess didn't come down on its own accord by now. So, we bit the bullet and decided two things: Tear down the balcony deck to make way for a new one and rip out the hot tub encased in 1/2 of the lower deck.

The new deck was just completed today and the hot tub was "sold" to a friend and his small family just down the road.

I just want to say how pleased I am with the work done and the deck upgrade. And although I do wish I could take credit for it (sorry Jivi, you're going to be disappointed in me), I had neither the time, the tools nor, quite frankly, the skills to pull it off in the time the 3 contractors did; 2 & a half days was all it took them. The gap left by the excised hot tub was "patched over" with floor decking and the new master bedroom deck was built to almost double the size of the old one! It's awesome. Very simple, sturdy and toddler-friendly. Can't wait to sit out there (once we get some outdoor deck furniture!) in the early morning with a cup of tea and a book...

Family Photo

There's an agriculture professor here visiting and teaching for another 2 weeks and he took our photo a few days ago in my office.

Why I'm Voting Republican

Classic. Click this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiQJ9Xp0xxU

Calendar Shoot Photos

As I mentioned in the last posting (see below), our firehall was involved in a recent calendar fund-raising photo shoot. The company responsible for the calendars, The Fire Within, maintains a website where anyone can view a sample of the potential calendar photos. And since I'm in next year's calendar, I've provided the link for you. How thoughtful, eh?

1. Click or go to this site: http://www.thefirewithin.ca/
2. Click GALLERY at bottom of page
3. Click VIEW PHOTOS
4. Click 2009 CALENDAR SHOOT
5. Click BRITISH COLUMBIA
6. Click NORTH CEDAR

There are basically only 2 sets of photos with firefighters in them. I'm in both sets. Can you find me? Not easy under all that gear and a helmet...

"Nee-Nor-Nee-Nor" Photo Shoot

That's how Miki imitates the truck siren, nee-nor-nee-nor. Anyway...Late last year (2007) the firehall I belong to joined in a province-wide fundraising event by selling calendars. Each month showcased a different fire department from all over B.C. and the hall that sold the most calendars won 2 new sets of bunker gear (jacket, pants, boots), a fantastic prize worth about 5 grand. And yes, we won, but that's beside the point. Unfortunately, I had just returned from Tokyo a day late and missed the scheduled photo shoot for our hall. Well not this year.

This afternoon 7 guys and I showed up at the hall for the 2009 calendar edition and after taking a couple dozen shots at our hall, we all jumped in the trucks and headed down to a very scenic stretch of the Nanaimo River. The photographer wanted some background in the photo that "spoke" of our district.

Miki & Mama followed the caravan in our car, Miki was beside herself with excitement. It was a beautiful afternoon along the river and the best part was that Mama & Miki got to ride back to the hall in the truck! As it was the first time either of them had ever ridden in a fire truck and an experience I was someday hoping Miki (not to mention Ericka) would have, this afternoon proved to be a very timely father's day gift.

And here comes the biz plug:

I know you all want one of these 2009 calendars, and they're going to go quick, so I'm taking orders! Only $20.00 and it goes to a good cause!!

Picnic

Yesterday's picnic spot with Mama & Miki.

Animal Kingdom

Trooper is the donkey's name. Not sure about the horse, Miki calls her Ginger. The canine is Rope and the biped human is Miki.

Mayo Obsession

For those of you who follow this blog regularly, you may recall a not-too-long-ago video posting when Miki & Mama were talking about their mayonaise lunch. Well, anyway, here she is again in the same field of grass & weeds going at it again like no gourmet could!

Super Big Daisy

We 2 and Rope took an evening walk lastnight down to the duck pond and this flower caught her attention.

Ze artiste

Nice weather a few days ago allowed Miki to set-up her little easel on the lawn and go crazy with the paints. The emu (yes, that's what it's supposed to be; don't laugh!)was painted by Papa.

Thank you Evann & Nana!

Miki received a small package yesterday from Nana & Pop. Inside was a glow-in-the-dark t-shirt from Maine and a pair of outgrown shoes from her cousin, Evann. Miki put the shoes on immediately and set about scampering around the house.

Mayonaise

Sitting in the tall grass next to the cow farm just down the road from our house, Mama & Miki had this little conversation about lunch.

Git' yer freak on!

A few days ago the sun was brilliant and hot. This led Miki to shed some clothes, run around the yard and go berserk. And no, contrary to what it may seem, this is not a "sugar-high".