800 channels down to 1

Ever get the feeling that you've got 800 channels yet nothing is on? We have made the bold step to cancel our satellite, well actually Jess and I talked about it briefly then I went ahead and cut the cord. It's amazing how much money you toss into this entertainment without any question. We were well over $100 a month with our PVR rental and HD channels and I know I'm going to miss my hockey this season but I think we can put our money towards better things and still survive.

We are now running on Potato vision thanks to Eoin and Barb for showing us this great trick. You stick the end of your cable wire into a potato and it works like a sweet antenna, I guess you just need to remember to change it once in awhile. So far we get the CBC and that's great for me. The kids just realized it today when the asked if they could watch one of their shows and they took it harder then I expected but have already seemed to get over it. Friends of ours have said that doing this has changed their lives and I can already see the benefits as I'm reading more and Jess and I seem to have more time together in the evenings.

Rec Camps for the boys and I'm a bit lost

Aidan has started a hockey camp this week and tells me he enjoys the dryland training the most, we might have an Ironman on our hands! Riley is in a Sports/Arts camp and is having a grand old time and I've got to admit that the house is a bit too quite.

Don't get me wrong there's lots to do as Jessica has reminded me, oddly enough when we booked this week it was supposed to be some "Bryan" time to go fishing, hiking, biking or whatever else I wanted to do before the school year started. It has now turned into "your going to your sisters wedding for 5days so you better get some things done around the house time". I think I liked the first option better.

I should be rejoicing with the time I have but this morning when I dropped them off I felt a bit like I did when they went to daycare. I miss not having the little buggers hanging around.

Well enough of that I better finish the recycling, take out the garbage, take something out for supper, finish the laundry, clean the bathrooms, organize the garage, call a sitter for Jess so she can go out to ladies night on Thursday, walk the dog...

Just the boys hit the road

During our trip at Dino Park Jessica mentioned that since we have the trailer hooked up and stocked perhaps I should take the boys out for a few days before it gets too busy, so I did.

The boys thought this was awesome and we camped from Mon-Thur then returned Friday with Mom. The weather was not the greatest but we found ways to stay amused with games and some crazy toys called Toobers and Zots. We had some fun times on the canoe and are slowly turning Pepper into a fishing Dog. The fishing was slow for the first couple of times but Aidan and I got lucky on the last day and caught 9 fish between us in 30mins! Most of these we wee little fish but Aidan caught a good size one that he was proud to take home and provide lunch for us.

I kinda liked the fact that it rained as the boys and I spent some good one on one time in the trailer and it was nice to have some quite time at night to get caught up on my reading. Although we had a blast hanging with the boys we were happy to have Mom join us on the weekend!

Fossil and mosquito hunting in Dino Prov Park

What an amazing place in the middle of the freaking prairies! Can you think what it would have been like for a lone cowboy just a givn er through the prairie and then coming up to the edge of the badlands. I bet you he might have done some cussing.

Of course as the story goes the badlands were fist discovered by French Canadians looking for new trapping routes and farm lands to settle, I knew this area called to me!

Anywho the campsite, facilities,programs and tours were topnotch unfortunately our trip was cut short due to the fact that the had a record amount of mosquito hatching and we couldn't stay outside for longer than 5mins. It was fine in the actual badlands but in the campsite and around the facilities it was unbearable. I mean I would take Sturgeon in the top of the blackfly season over this any day. At one point when I was trying to hook up the trailer they were all over me and I jumped in the truck and told Jessica that it felt like I was in some crazy Steven King novel.

Can you beleive RiGuy is 5!

It's hard to believe that our little guy just turned 5, I know it's not 16 or anything but wow where did the time go.

We put on an outdoor "Fun in the Sun" birthday party with water balloons, squirt guns, pinata and a pool cake. Riley is starting to get quite the group of friends and everyone got along which made it easier for me.

Talk about your lucky kid he got to have three birthday cakes, one shared with his Pepere as there dates are one day apart, one at home and then we met Uncle Matt and "soon to be" Aunt Tina at Montana's for a great family meal.

Happy Birthday big guy!

Oma visits and brings Silpada!

I know people don't believe me when I say I love my in laws and always enjoy spending time with them but I do and I'm not just saying that to impress them for a sweet Christmas present or to retain my special spot on John's bar. They are just great people.
Jessica often talks about how her parents and grand parents used to hang out together all the time and how they had such a good relationship, hopefully we can live close enough someday to do the same.

Enough about the mushy stuff.

Mary scored on a sweet deal with Westjet and recently spent a week with us. It was good timing as Jessica was still off on her vacation and she got to be here for Riley's 5th birthday.

Her time was spent hot tubing, putting on Silpada parties and drinking wine... Oh yeah there was lots of quality time with the boys just hanging out and a visit from her brother Adrian. It was pretty low key but we had lots of fun and it was nice to catch up.

PS. Jess is going to hate this pic but it's the only one I could find with Mary from her visit?

PSS. OK I found some better pics but this one stays cause what the heck I need something to get me in trouble once and awhile...

Trip to B.C

Nothing like buying a trailer and taking it for a 600km trip the next day. Yep were crazy but heck we like to live on the wild side.

We packed up the kids and the trailer and headed out to Wasa lake provincial park for a 7 day trip. This was the first time I pulled a 28ft trailer so it took awhile to get used to it and dial in the brake controller. I had one tense moment when I was passed by an 18 wheeler and got sucked into the draft but I managed to keep her steady and pull out. The truck seemed to have no issues with the weight which is good and it was a nice and comfy ride.

It's written that Wasa lake is the warmest in the interior and we had no complaints. Our days were filled with hanging on the beach, cycling, hiking, fishing and just taking it easy. Our neighbors have a cabin on the lake so we got to hang out on their beach and I docked the canoe there as well.

Jess and our neighbour Alison planned a hike to the top of a lookout which included some sketchy logging roads and gave me a chance to try out the 4x4! I think I enjoyed the drive more then the hike ;)

My new baby...

That title must have opened a few eyes!
Well it's not a baby per say but a new to me Ford f150. I found a smoking deal off of kijiji no less, that worked out great for us so we moved on it. This gentlemen was transferred to the U.S for work and needed to get out of his lease so he tossed in some cash to cover some of the remaining payments and gave us all of the after market goodies he put on the truck. I put on a sweet rack to carry the canoe and now she looks mean.

When I was posting the van forsale Jessica suggested that we try and sell our tent trailer as well and look into a travel trailer since we can tow it with "Elenor". Sure enough we had them both sold in about a week and bought a 28ft Dutchmen trailer.

The truck has been super handy and the camping for 8 days in B.C was great in the trailer and we're looking forward to getting out many times including into the fall

My parents visit from Ontario

We just had one of the most pleasant visits with my parents.
My mother had quit smoking the day before arriving and I have to say we were expecting it to be a bit rough but boy was I wrong. It's amazing how much that addiction takes a hold of your life without even knowing it, in the past Mom would be out every half hour for a smoke and coughing for the remainder of the time not to mention getting up through the night. It's no wonder why she was tired all the time. Instead we were able to have some really good conversations and outings that we just didn't do in the past.

Jess thought it would be fun to take them out to the Chucks and Grandstand show and it was definitely a hit. Mom loved betting on the horses and was like a kid cheering her favorite chuck on and teasing us. Robert had a blast too but for some reason chose the losing rig 3/4 of the time, could be cause Mom chose first every chance she could.

Robert is a master carpenter and I always love to learn from him so he helped me and the boys build Pepper a dog house. My wife is always full of compliments but felt the need to tell me the dog house looked amazing and that I couldn't have done it on my own and have it look so good. Thanks Nell...I hate it when she's right!

Technical difficulties

Howdy all,

I had my last post blow on an image download and learned a valuable lesson wrt save as you go! How many times have people heard me say "save your docs\code often", I guess I should listen to my own advice.