cool christmas song

This is a kid from Manitoba... he is playing all the instruments and his sister did the video.

Really Maya??!!

Another One

Missy Addy wanted another Elf video... so here it is :-)

Addy as an elf...

Heeeeeres Addy....


http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/EpXGM5x3JFXITc4rTv8G

Well its about time!!!

Our flights are finally booked and the countdown is on!!!!

We land in YYC on Dec 18 and we will depart YYC on Dec 28.

See ya'll soon!!!

More of Brynne

Spoke to Addy today. She has informed me Brynne sleeps all nite, so I asked if Addy was sleeping all nite.....NO. She's still busy keeping Mom and Dad up half the nite.

The World Welcomes Brynne Kimberly Renaud

Baby has finally arrived. Officially she was born November 8th at 5:04 a.m. and weighs 7 lbs. 12 ozs. She is absolutely gorgeous! Addyson loves her and gives her a million kisses everyday. Kim and Bill are very fortunate to have been blessed with two adorable healthy daughters.

In case anyone is wondering, Kim worked until the last day. She had to attend an afternoon meeting and then go shopping for boots for Addyson (which she didn't get) and just when she thought she would put her feet up....poke, poke, poke....11 p.m. and she tells Bill it's time to head to The General Hospital. I guess the day's not done! Not wasting any time Bill calls Brett to come over to watch Addy while they get winter coats on and makes tracks in the newly fallen snow. Brynne arrives right on time and bright and early. Whew! Mom's plan was to work until Thursday. Could have made it with a couple sick days. Lets see, Brynne is born Tuesday morning, back home on Wednesday....Thursday would be pushing it. LOL. Kim is now officially on Mat Leave. They are getting spoiled cause Brynne is the best baby ever. She is so content. Practically sleeping thru the nite already.

Addy & Ice Cream

What a great combination! Addyson looks like Trouble with a capital "T". Did she share with you Lori? Looks pretty yummy.

Parrots in your backyard.....what's wrong with that? I know, it's not my yard. They sure seem to blend in. So do they sing or are they just pretty and noisy?

Addy & Ice Cream

Yaaaah!

Yah!!!  Thanks for the pics!  Love to see Miss Addy.  Funny how she wants to smile for the camera but has a hard time looking directly at it.  Silly girl. I can't wait to see her!  Less than two months away :-)

The house looks nice!

Here are some new pics of parrots in the trees behind my condo.  I've been hearing them like twice a day for the last few weeks.  I guess it's parrot season in Playa.  This is just soooo cool to see from my balcony.  Also saw two flamingos fly by the other day!!! soooo cool!!

Princess Addyson

Kim, Addy & I went to the Pumpkin Patch in Lumsden. They were having a Princess Pageant at the same time.

Our New House

Well, not really. Just our old house with new exterior.

November

Lori, pretty cool pictures. Glad the hurricane advisory turned into a tropical storm instead. I see you were well prepared. Was the Corona part of experiment? Did you get to drink it or did it topple off the railing? Either way, the important thing is your safe and back in business.....I see new wedding pictures. Holidays haven't hampered your talent.

Spoke to Addy tonite. Kim was catching a quick nap. Still no baby.

Darin and Andrea are busy with wedding plans and work.

And Connie tells me she's working hard, but I hear she was at a Hallowe'en party. Kim's costume sounded pretty original, "Speed Bump" with an arrow pointing to baby. Hilarious!

While I'm at it...

I haven't posted wedding pics in a while.  Mainly cause I haven't been working... ahhaha.  Well, here are some of my favorites from my last wedding.  This one was cancelled because of the hurricane but luckily they were able to reschedule before their guests left.

"Hurricane" Rina

Preparations for the storm.  Moved everything in from the patio and "away from the windows".

My survival box

Bored... waiting for the storm...

Preparations around Akoya

She's coming...

Then it got dark... here is a video during the storm.  There is a bit of wind noise in here... but the rest is a constant roar of thunder...

And after.  It was downgraded to a tropical storm.  It came around 10pm and was done in like an hour or so.  Rain and thunder during the night on and off... but nothing serious.

any pics??

Well, since you made it through Rina.......I guess that means your computer and equipment still work. Did you take any pics??

PS, i just had a quick chat with Bill. Update on the baby....there is no baby yet. :p

Rina - Thursday - 10pm

So far my biggest issue with the storm is that Maya doesn't want to go out for a pee.  Actually we made it out... and she'd start to squat... but retreat as soon as the wind got too loud.  hahaha.  Silly girl.  That was earlier and we've since made it out for relief.

Around 6:00 the storm started.  Started to get a little lighting show.  Well, big show!  And a constant roar of thunder.  Really.... constant!  i took some video... hope we can hear the roar on it.  That died off and the wind started.  Winds are pretty strong right now.  It's testing the flexibility of the trees behind my place.  They're bending pretty good!!

I am glad to be living in Playacar on a night like tonight.  There is so much less stuff floating around and so many less neighbours.  So don't have to worry alot about what is going to fly by my window... or into it.  Although, one of my neighbours hauled all his furniture back outside at about 3:00 this afternoon.  Apparently he doesn't know how to use the internet... or radio... Anyway... it is what it is.

The kids and i are just chilling now, thinking about bed.  If it gets any more interesting I'm sure the sounds of the wind will wake me up.  We're camped out just beside the bed (on a little cot like thing)... protected here a little more from the window.  But I don't really think it's necessary.  Everything is gonna be juuuust fine!

Looks like we are going to get rain for like another week or so after this.  Oh well.  Hope I am able to reschedule my cancelled wedding.

Thats it for now.
Tx for the update Kim.
later.

updates

Good to hear the storm is weakening and will soon pass! We've had really amazing weather here...been around 20 degrees even into early Oct. Now, we are around 10-12 degrees which is way warmer than usual.

Just giving everyone an update that I've now talked to insurance 3 times and got the same answer twice now. They said Mom and new baby are covered for anything unrelated to pregnancy and birth. The doc will have to clear us for travel too. So, there isn't really any telling yet what will happen but I guess our plan will be to go to Med Hat. If something were to happen then hopefully there is enough time to get into SK again.

That is all for now. Just going to settle in, watch a show and get some rest. I have a cold right now so the rest will make me feel better.

KAB

Wednesday 5:10 pm

Its 5pm and we've gotten the first sign of some real rain .  It's going to get dark soon and because of the hurricane all the common area lights are off.  It was super dark last night.  I will lose sight of the sky soon :-(.  It's been cool to watch it today.

Rina - Wednesday - 3:00pm

Well... yet another adventure coming up for me.  Last night I spent alot of time preparing my condo and my mind for the storm.  I moved everything inside and away from the windows.  Moved all my electronics onto a small table in the 1/2 bath... which is the only place free from windows.  Packed a survival box and charged pretty much everything i could.  I've got movies to watch, music to hear, books to read.... and blog posts to write.

The storm is supposed to hit in the early morning, like 2AM.  At this point, I think i'll go to sleep in my bed... but the back up plan is the hallway where I'm protected from all windows.  If the winds start, I will go there.  I am hearing more and more that the storm is weakening.  I hope that's true.  But what does that really mean anyway?  Weakening a super strong hurricane... is still a hurricane.  "weakening" could me alot of things.  Regardless, I am as prepared as i can be.

Oh my god... the wind just picked up... hahaha.  Now it's a light breeze.  It is actually very calm.  The calm before the storm I guess.  Maybe it sucks up all the wind... I dunno.

I just found out that even when/if the power does go out... Playacar will be the first to be restored.  Apparently the wires are underground, so there shouldn't be too much that can get destroyed.  funny I never noticed that before.

Well, Luckily, I have experience with my place flooding.  I am so ready!
K, signing off... The sun is actually out and it is perfect day for sun tannin'.

I'll be in touch as soon as I can.

It's been a while

I haven't posted in a while... Ran out of pics to post I guess.

My friend Tracy is coming to stay with me next week. I go get her at the airport on Saturday! Im so excited for that! She hasn't been here to visit me yet! She won't want to leave I'm sure.

Oh, I shot my first wedding of the season on Saturday. It was alot of fun. I feel right back into it as if I hadn't just been off for three months.

I am Redesigning my site a bit. I haven't released it yet to the public... Hahaha but I can pre-release it to U guys. Would appreciate if u have a quick minute to look at it and let me know ur thots. I need to also update my galleries but that will b in the next release. Here it is sweetfirephotography.com/index2

Enjoy! And tx!

time

Well I dont think we can make it to regina. I have no vacation time left for this year and we only have a few days offs. We have xmas day and boxing day off, then we have to go back to work. A three hours drive to med hat is feasable to us, but not a 9 hrs drive to Regina. Sorry but we wont make it if plans change now.

Satellite

We'll see what others have to say...get the feelers out now!

We have lots of satellite buying experience in Regina....we just had to buy a new Bell satellite last week. Well, that is where our experience ends though is Bell product line!
K
PS We still have your old receiver, I think???? Need that or HD?

Ok

Ya, ok, thats a good reason.

Would love to hear from everyone else on this... cause I will start watching flights to Regina instead.  And... I think Connie and Gavin haven't booked their flights yet.

If this works for everyone... I don't really care.  Oh, except I was gonna get a satellite from Calgary... but I can sort that out if necessary.

Update

Hey Lori,
Like I said in the email to you...the reason is that I nor new baby has any health insurance when travelling out of SK. Our health insurance only kicks back in shortly after Darin's wedding - depends on actual delivery date.

I only had talked to Dad so far about it. But, I thought maybe he had talked to Mom too. I'm not sure. If I don't call them this week, it sounds like they are planning to come to Regina this week.

KAB

Well

That being said, if everyone else is on board with Regina... then I will look into changing my flight to fly into Regina instead.

Not really

I'm not really on board with Xmas in Regina.  For a few reasons...

1) i already booked a flight into calgary
2) fine, i can fly into calgary still... and drive all the way to regina... but that doesn't make alot of sense to travel for 4 full days during a 10 day holiday.
3) it will be the same issue for Connie and Gavin
4) Mom says she can't get enough time off to really go anywhere
5) That will be a super extra long trip for darin & andrea as well.  That'll be 6 of us that have to travel a long long way from calgary.  Thats why Med Hat is ideal.... cause it's closer (closest) to the middle.
6) Darin & Andrea already offered to do it in Calgary and we said no for the reason that it would add alot of time onto your trip with a new born baby, & mom wouldn't get enough time off.

Unless there is a super duper REALLY good reason then I say we keep it in Med Hat.  Is there a good reason?

ps.  you can post from your ipad if you download the blogger app.

Xmas...one more time

Hi All,
Well, I now know that I cannot post to this blog via an ipad. For some reason, it won't let me into the text space where I type a big long message.

Question for the family about Christmas.....what are the chances that anyone / everyone can make a trip to Regina for Xmas this year? I've been talking to Dad about this already so I wanted to get general consensus if this would work for everyone. Lori / Con if transportation is an issue, Dad said we can likely work something out.

You can email me back questions, etc. Thanks.

KAB

Xmas2

Xmas

Oh my gosh....

I thought i was over those bad night mares i was having about those crazy critters!!!! Thanks Lor no more sleep for me for a few years. So i guess i should catch you all up to Andrea and I's busy life. We have been still working on lots of small wedding things. Also we are trying to get lots of work done on the basement so it can pass inspection. Thanks again dad for all your help with the basement so far. Dont worry there is still lots to do. Work for both of us is crazy especially Andrea, you kids, toys and xmas. all add up. We will see you all very soon. We are excited to come to med hat this year!!!!

Darin and Andrea

Critters

Aren't these the critters Darin met up with and we all thought he had one too many drinks as no one else saw them. Soon it will happen all over again.

My little friend/neighbour Kayla.  She is my test subject for the underwater camera.  I'm liking the progress I'm making already.  I don't have a TTD until after xmas tho!  Oh, actually, my next one is Darin and Andrea.  So, I'm thinking of offering it to my brides at a discounted rate... just cause I'm "practising" with the new equipment.

Looking for Darin... ???

These guys stop in often... and I finally brought my camera out to capture them!!  After many times of admiring them and wanting to bring out the camera, this time I DID!  Seems they know Darin.  

Dar, they look familiar to you?

You can't tell in the picture, but this guys is sniffin.  Their nose moves back and forth.  Sorta like a dog but their whole long nose moves.  It's cute.  I should take a video!!

They're called Coaties.

Love these pics!  I'm so glad I finally got out with the camera.  They travel in a pack of about 30.

more like......

....that was a big SCREAM!! :) Funny punky!!

That was a big jump!

Correction

Ooops, that wasn't a typo... I did it wrong. So... to fix it

Kim ----> buys for dad

(that's one way to get you to finally post on the blog tho!!)

correction?

umm...well....i know that the Grinch said keep my comments to myself so...maybe I should just let her buy 2 gifts and I buy nothing!! Seriously though...who do i buy for?

Xmas

Ok, #1... Who wants to do an xmas craft?!?!?! Heehee.... I will figure something out... and have the supplies. Or at least a list of things that we need to grab from the store.

#2... the results are in:

Lori --- Buys for ----> Dad
Dad ----> Darin & Andrea
Darin & Andrea ----> Bill
Bill ----> Gavin
Gavin ---> Mom
Mom ----> Connie
Connie ----> Lori
Lori ---> Kim

If you have any questions the draw was recorded to ensure accuracy. No, it wasn't... but too bad! :-)... keep your concerns to urself!

Lemme know about the craft. Con and I "always" do one and I thought Addy would enjoy that.

Florida 2011

Cooool!!

One more :-)

Yes, she is putting her hair in her ear. Her new thing I noticed is a moustache!! And sticking it in her nose :-)

Florida

I just can't help it.... I'm working on Florida pics and when I run across something I really like... I just can't help but post it. Hope you liked the video too :-)

Tell us a story

Tell us a story Addy...

Clearwater

These are the best pictures in the world. You did awesome work Lori. I can't even pick a favorite. You captured such great expressions and action. I need a CD so I can print some up. By the way thanks for adding to the frame. Sure would be nice if others would send me pictures. Have a good one.

Clear Lake August 2011

I spy

CUTIE PIE

Isn't this the most precious child in the world? What a great picture! Sure hope you have others to share.

Here's something to share from our last visit with Addy.

We were looking at her photo albums....by the way, she still skips over the black and white page.....one picture shows Mount Rushmore and points to the heads and says, "They can't speak, they don't talk Grandma". So funny, out of the mouths of babes.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Water

Lori, your water story sounds like something on TV. I must admit it was really funny reading it from this end. I'm thinking calmness is finally becoming part of you. Make the best of a bad situation, I guess.

As horrific as this is.....standing in an inch of water deciding if you should pull the plug or not reminds me of cartoons. Really? The picture I see is sparks flying everywhere and a picture of you with a plug in your hand and long, frizzy hair standing on end....not good. Science lesson Number One, water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Rubber soles only help if the water doesn't go above or were the flip-flops so you wouldn't do the slip'n slide? Seriously though, I'm glad things weren't any worse. Thank goodness for neighbors coming to the rescue.

PS. Love the moral of the story.

Question for the family....

Cute pic of Addy!! I can't believe how big she is!!! OMG!!

Question for y'all.....whats going on for Xmas? Are we all just gonna buy whatever for whoever? or are we gonna pick names? or do stockings? any suggestions??

Callin all cuties

Does anybody recognized this cutie?  (click the pic to enlarge)

Sent Via email

I am testing a post via email.  I thought maybe this would be easier for you guys... 

That sucks!!

So, did all that water damage anything? Or did everything dry up nicely?

Funny Maya in that cat bed...that pic is hilarious.

Sorry family....been busy lately. Gavin is going to Canada/US for 3 weeks in 2 weeks....so I'm sure I'll be finding plenty of extra time then!!

Drip.... drip... drip....

So last night, during the night, I found myself waking up an unusual amount of times. I went to the kitchen 3 times during the night for a glass of water. Last time was around 4:00AM.

So, very good... back to bed and sound asleep until 7:30 at which time the phone rings. Odd.... and the phone just happened to be on my bed.... also odd as I don't really use the phone much here but happened to be texting last night before bed.

It's my neighbour, Myrna, who lives below me. "Uh, Lori, are you having a problem with your water?". Well... I didn't know... last thing I remember I was dreaming about Prince Charming. I stepped out of bed to check it out and quickly found out.... I was definitely having a problem with the water. Stepped into about an inch of water. Walked out to the living room to realize it gets even worse!! The whole living room/kitchen is under 2 inches of water. Nearly broke an arm walking thru it to find the problem.

Turns out to be under the kitchen sink and I'm a little too panicked to get them shut off. So I call the neighbour back and her husband comes up to help. Here I am, standing in two inches of water, not knowing what to do about the electricity. Do I pull the plugs? Wait, I'm supposed to put shoes on first.... hahahah remember, this is your daughter/sister LORI.... and it's 7AM!! So I did put my flip flops on and swam over to the TV to unplug it. I stood there wondering.... "really... is it really going to help to have flip flops on while i'm standing in two inches of water?"... Well, I went with "No"... and just stood there staring at the TV.... but eventually unplugged it anyway.

At this point I haven't even considered that my brand new $2000 computer is sitting on the floor in the spare room. Oooooh fart!!! I always had a feeling I shouldn't have the computer tower on the floor where water could easily reach it.

So now I realize I had taped all the floor drains shut. The Mexicans like to wash the floor then mop the water straight down the drain buuuut.... they also don't know how to install plumbing correctly so all the sewer smells come up through the drain. That was unacceptable and I easily remedied that with some packing tape. Voila :-)!! Quickly pulled the tape off and some water trickled down slowly. It wasn't long before that drain was no longer doing anything. Turned out that the floor isn't sloped towards it and wouldn't have helped anyway.

By this time I am pushing the water out the front door with a squiggy and Maya decides this would be a great time to go for a run around the neighbourhood. Well... I've started to relax by this point and stayed surprising calm as my little bundle of joy joyfully ran down the hall and down the stairs. I calmly walked out after her and called her name and she eventually came. But it wouldn't be her last escape. Bad girl was taking advantage of her tired Mama.

Well... I had a crew of neighbours helping me out, each with a squiggy.... What am I to do when all the sguiggies are being used? When life serves me a lemon... I make LEMONAID!!! hahaha, not really....

I thought it would be a good idea to turn the A/C on to limit the humidity in the house. Don't want mold growing!! So I turn on all three. I also have a pile of clothes that got wet and decided I'd throw those in the washer. Well... I now know that 3 A/C's, 3 ceiling fans, and one washer... flips the breaker. Down I go to flip the breaker back on.

We had also moved some furniture onto the patio so we could squiggy more easily. And yes... you guessed it... it started to rain :-)... aaaaah... serenity now.

Anyway, I'm thinking the water started gushing sometime right after my last sip of water at 4AM. Dang, if only it was just a tad earlier... I may have noticed when I went for water.

The computer did get its feet wet but THANK GOD.... that was it. The computers are fine but.... normally before I lay me down for beauty sleep I read on my netbook and put it on the floor when I'm done. Last night was no exception :-(. For now, it won't turn on but we will see if a little dehumidifying will help. Hope so.

The moral of the story is listen to your mother when she tells you to pick up your things! It will save you alot of trouble (and a netbook) when the house floods. :-) Thanks Mom!!

Sorry no pictures. But I can tell you that my floor has never been so clean :-)

Silly rabbit

Heehee, look what I found... A big doggie curled up in a teeny tiny cat bed. Silly girl.