Skating on Thin Ice!

Today our grandson Cameron had a skating party. Originally Pappa and Nanny were going to look after the 3 little ones at home while Cathy went along, but Cameron asked if his Pappa was going to come to. That settled it, so Pappa and Mommy went and I held down the fort. Which totally consisted of having Catie fall asleep to the left of me, Coco fall asleep on me and the last little hold out Caroline followed suit on my right! The three of them looked so darn cute. My only complaint: the remote was elsewhere so I got to see what comes on Treehouse TV in the afternoon! I decided Dora the Explorer is my least favourite! But I really liked Mr. Maker and envy him his craftroom!

Meanwhile at the ice arena, Cathy who hasn't been on "skaters" probably since after high school did really well according to her Daddy! Here are a few pictures from this afternoon.

(We think Cameron hadn't been on skates for a few years either, but by the time the session was over he'd regained his form)



Lookin' good momma!




This picture was taken when Cameron was in Kindergarten
And today, same helmet and wonderful smile, but growing into such a handsome, lanky young man.

Winter Wordless Wednesday

New Year's Eve Nonsense

You'd think after spending 46 New Year's together, it would be getting old, this celebrating New Year's. I'm glad to report -- not yet anyway.

My beloved and I spent a quiet night at home. It started out a typical night at the old homestead in The Grove, my beloved watching the US/Canada hockey game and me playing games on Facebook. Then we made coffee, had a Bailey's or two, made dinner, brought out the bubbly and took silly pictures. Had a few technical difficulties, returned party hats to heads, made dip, drank scotch and 7, ate a few goodies, watched this funny Brit movie, The Baker (worth renting for the hilarious love scene) and cheered in 2009 with noise makers, blowers and hats (all recycled from April and Nick's move a year and a bit back). A fun night with a fun guy.

Cliffie, I love my new black sweater!


Exhibit A

Exhibit D


Note tacky butter dish ruining scene!

An instant party!





Say no more!


Uh-oh, what's this?


Taps are loose and ready to fall off-Dickie to the rescue. I even got to purge and reorganize in my altered state!

Our pitiful attempt at The Moore speciality-taking pictures of our selves!

I look like an elf with a silver beard, now I don't need to see my sister the electrologist! I love this picture of us.

You two are definitely cut off!

I'm sure you'll agree, they should NEVER, EVER, allow over 60 year olds loose with a digital camera. They can't handle it!

2009 started out great - I hope your's did too! Happy New Year everyone.

It's Going To Be Fine in 2000 and 9!

In a few short hours, 2008 will roll away. It was a year of great joy and deep sadness. Love lost and love found.

I believe I always start the year with optimism but usually by February the optimism turns to mush and in the case of 2008, a lot of snow, and reality sets in. Perhaps the party hats, and twislers that had been put away, were put away too soon. Maybe that would have boosted up the good vibes had I blown them a little while longer.

When last year shined its' happy beams, we had no idea that we would help friend's celebrate their 40th in Osoyoos, or that my beloved and I would go on a cruise and a visit to Vegas. We hadn't anticipated that Valentine's day would mark the knowledge that our dear friend Earl's cancer had returned with even more of a vengence than the first bout. We grieve for Silvana, Cliff, Cathy and their children. We hadn't expected the wonderful news, when we needed it the most, that we were to be grandparents again in March-this was our 41st Anniversary present. Sadly this little angel Baby wasn't to be and we grieved the loss for April and Nick and Abby and for the rest of our family. And on that very sad, same day, we received the most wonderful news, Tyler had proposed to our daughter Amy! We celebrate that joy with Amy and Tyler, love found and a promise is made.

2008 also brought via Facebook connections to old friends and new. From cousins in Rupert, Calgary, Winnipeg and The Netherlands to friends from our Richmond days who we seldom see. It has been wonderful to share our stories and pictures, our thoughts and their responses to mine have been supportive, affirmative, uplifting, giggly, and crazy.

As we embark on 2009 our family is filled with great anticipation for the wedding of youngest daughter Amy, to her beloved, Tyler. That is all we know of 2009. As far as I'm concerned, 2009 is already a winner!

My prayer for you reading this last blog of 2008 is that even though you can't be certain about too many things, I pray that you whatever you have to face, you do so with courage, humility, grace and good humour. I will try to do the same.

A Plan "C" Christmas

In my previous blog, I stated that Plan "A" was for everyone to make it to our house for Christmas. The initial plan was to have Cliff and Cathy and the 6 Little "Cs" over for a 5:00 o'clock dinner, with Amy and Tyler arriving after their shifts for re-heats and merriment. Well, that didn't work out.

The long table, waiting for guests that would never arrive!

Plan "B" was to wait a day and see if roads improved in the neighbourhood and hold a Boxing Day dinner instead. Well, that didn't work out either.

On Christmas morning it became apparent that this was going to be a more intimate affair as Cathy, Cliff and the 6 Little Cs and Cliff's Mom Silvana, wouldn't be able to navigate their side streets. After conferring with Amy hard at work at E-Comm, we had decided to cook the turkey and all the trimmings and have just the two of them over for an 8:00 p.m. Christmas dinner, because Tyler has this 4 wheel drive truck with huge (to me) wheels that are getting them through anything and everything.

What I hadn't planned on was a Plan "C", C=Christmas?, but really it should be called Plan "M" for A Moore Merry Christmas! Our soon to be son-in-law- in a mere 28 days - suggested that he and Amy pick us up, dinner accoutrements and all, and take it to Cathy and Cliff's house. It would be late, but it would be Christmas with all of the family! That DID work out.

The little red "sleigh" all loaded with goodies!

We arrived at their home, with all of the food, presents for the little ones, wine and desserts to find their dining room adorned with white table cloths, Christmas poppers, candles and perfection. Just as if it had been in the plans to do it that way all along. It was really quite wonderful to sit down with the marjority of our family (April, St. Nick and Abby) were dining with Nick's family closer to their home (that too had been the plan, and it was most fortunate this year that it was). By about 9:00 p.m. we all sat down, said grace, and ate to our hearts content. Sharing love and laughter, proud of the 6 little Cs as they sat with us, so politely. It was as if they too appreciated what it means to be surrounded by love and family on the holiest night of the year. What a wonderful day it had been afterall!

Thankfully Amy got some pictures of the lovely table and of course the truck full of goodies so I have added them too. Also a few including the long empty table that I was about to set up when the plans changed. Other than the Grands not seeing how beautifully their Pappa fixed up the children's dining hall, I think it worked out even nicer this way. The children that were tired, Catie fell asleep first on the couch downstairs, and 2 x 2 like the animals in Noah's Ark, off they went to bed. The only little one left when we took our leave, was The Bean--she was too excited to sleep!

I had to take this picture, the star was drooping like many of us when we took our leave after a wonderful Christmas!

What a lovely day it was. So I dedicate this blog to my soon to be son number 3, Tyler, for saving the day! Did I tell you, that Tyler's truck is a reddish colour and I can't help but think of a certain someone's red Sled!

Christmas 2008

Wishing each and everyone a Blessed Christmas!

The weather outside is frightful (ly) beautiful, it will no doubt cause a lot of plans to change, but there is naught can be done about it. I remember one year we ate lasagna for Christmas not weather related, but you remember the Christmas. I am hoping Cathy, Cliff and the 6 little Grands will be here, but our street is in very bad shape. I am hoping too, that Amy and Tyler can make it in from Vancouver after their shifts tomorrow, but I'm not sure if they'll make it. Plan B: Turkey on Boxing Day. But I'd love Plan A better.

Where ever you are, whatever you do, may you find quiet moments of peace, and contentment. Merry Christmas Everyone!