WWE Allstars

Jimmy really enjoys wrestling now.

Turbo

I went with Gramma, Emily and Reilly to see Turbo.  While we were in line for popcorn the power went out. There was a very sudden storm with lightning and thunder and eventually hail later in the day.  Not big hail, hail the size of skittles.  The power outage didn't last more than 10 minutes and we did eventually get to see Turbo.  It was OK - it didn't suck nor was it great.  If I were I would wait to rent it or see it on Netflix.

I'm up to 160 StreetPass tags.  I get a new one every couple days it seems.  I was actually hoping to have more but I don't go out as much as I probably should.  Aunt Kristine and your cousins last day of their visit it tomorrow.


Oh, I forgot, Sunday's Mass would have interested you.  The Bishop of Guana was visiting and gave the homily: he spoke of witchcraft and dealing with African Tribal beliefs in his dioceses- extremely interesting stuff.

Hmmmm

Today Aunt Kathie, Uncle Peter and Bryan are coming for dinner that Aunt Kristine is making.  Papa invited someone over for brunch tomorrow - someone from Halifax who I never met.

I went out with my friend Jason the other night.  He's Declan's godfather who lives in Hong Kong.   He has been visiting his family the last couple weeks.  He was telling me since being in Ottawa he has seen Bjork, Mastadon, The Black Keys, Rush, and Weezer.  He apparently went alone to each one not knowing I was in town at the same time and I could have gone with him.  I'm not sure I would have gone to all those and would have picked just one - but I am not sure which one!  Truth is they were all outdoor concerts and I don't enjoy them as much as indoor shows - plus I am not liking crowds lately.  Still, seeing Mastadon would have been special (or any of the others).

Did I mention that Aunt Kristine and Aunt Kathie went to see the Tragically Hip a couple weeks ago too?   Big concerts happen all the time in Ottawa - especially in the summer when there are plenty of festivals.   Taylor Swift was here just before I arrived - Reilly and Emily are going to see her in Chicago in August.

I am looking forward to seeing the Gatineau Balloon festival this September - a festival that can be enjoyed from home!

New "More Stuff"

Today I uploaded some clothes for Animal Crossing and stored them on a page that you can access from the "More Stuff" Links.   Or you can just click this link: http://3636km.blogspot.com/p/new-leaf-qr-codes.html

Monsters University

I went to see Monsters University with your cousins yesterday.  The consensus was positive but only Emily thought it was better than Monsters Inc.  There is a Lego movie coming out next year that looks hilarious.

Today, I declined an invitation to go the Zoo.

I know you're camping for the next few days;  I'll still try to post stuff regardless.

The last few days

Hi Kids!

The last few days have been pretty "busy" here.  I cannot say I have done much because I have not; its just that there have been visitors three days in the row and this is the first day since Friday that there hasn't been. And I did nothing today, just tried to relax but the truth is I couldn't.  I have not been sleeping well.

On Saturday this house hosted the annual Turpin family picnic.  There were so many people here; though I know many of them there were still people I was meeting for the first time!  There was plenty of food - I actually found myself overwhelmed (and I had to find a quiet spot for myself to relax from time to time).  On Sunday, my uncle Erwin, cousin Chris, cousin Jen and her kids Mark and Amanda stopped by for most of the day - as did Kathie but I don't recall Peter and Bryan coming by.  Yesterday my cousin Jen and her kids spent the day here.   I know you guys often do not like to visit family, but you should try your best to enjoy them every time you get a chance - there will come a time when you want to see family and you cannot.

I was going to go to Monsters University with your cousins today but Jimmy's nap lasted too long - hopefully another day.   Lately going to cinema is all I am really up for.  They went to a Stars Wars exhibit today at the National Aviation Museum but I choose not to go.


I really want you to hook up your Wii.  Gramma is now addicted to Animal Crossing City Folk

Kingston

As I mentioned in a previous post, I went to Kingston with Papa.  Its on the Lake Ontario (which I think is the smallest of the Great Lakes).  Its also the last lake that feeds the St. Lawrence before being emptied into the ocean.   Its quite impressive.   I don't recall if you guys ever went to Kingston before or not.

This is an attempt to take a pic of Wind Turbines.  Clearly, my camera on the iPod is not the best quality because I think you 'll just have to trust me there are wind turbines in this picture.  Ontario has tonnes of wind turbines.

Beautiful beach on the fresh water lake.

 Lots of sailing going on today.

This is Murney Tower.

I believe this is Sir John A. MacDonald who is buried in Kingston - Canada's first Prime Minister.  Kingston was once briefly the capital of (Upper) Canada.

Downtown market.

I like the brick streets.

Kingston is not far from Ottawa - a very short trip - there and back in a day - just like Montreal.  However Toronto would be more of a weekend trip.

Calypso

Here are just a couple pictures of Calypso.  Its not exactly the best place to have a camera.

We'll start with the end of the day.  We're picking up Aunt Kristine and your cousins at the gate.

These are the "toilet bowl" slides - do you remember these.  These are the ones where you shoot out and spin aruond the rims until eventually you are flushed down the center.  Jimmy was hypnotized by these - there is an observation deck to just watch picture in the bowls.

This didn't exist when we went - this is the Kongo Adventure and specifically this is just Jimmy standing on the beach at the end of the trip.  Its basically like the lazy river but its tubing - there are rough spots where there are waves.  In fact at one point I was so scared because Reilly got swept away by a big wave and all I saw was her tube - I didn't see her - but she was alright.

Kingston Penitentiary

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_Penitentiary

As I mentioned, yesterday I went with Papa to his MRI in Kingston.  I passed by the famous Kingston Pen (pictured above).  Creepy!  It was built in 1835 - its older than Canada.

I have other pictures I took in Kingston while Papa was getting his MRI done.  I will post them soon.

Love Dad.

Calypso

Was at Calypso with your cousins today.  I didn't burn this time but I still have trouble being outside in the sun - I didn't do much yet I'm beyond done.  I'm heading to Kingston tomorrow with Papa because he's going to have an MRI.  Look it up and tell me what MRI stands for.  (For the record, Papa is okay and its nothing to worry about, he is just having his back looked at because he's sore all the time lately).

More MarioKart fun!

Aunt Kathie is playin too

Well I guess something did happen today

Accomplished nothing

A day where nothing happened.  And it felt good!  However I didn't go to Mass this morning as I had so much trouble sleeping last night - I was waking up every hour or so it seemed.  I actually wanted to nap today but couldn't - but not for lack of trying.

I definitely want to start playing Animal Crossing: City Folk again.   Gramma has a character now;  Emily, Reilly and Aunt Kristine are back into it; they tell me that Uncle Jim plays as well.   I posted Friend Codes which you can find here or you will notice a link at the side under "More Stuff".   I want your friend codes to give to Gramma!  Also, the codes for the Judds (on their Chicago Wii) will have changed - that is, the ones you have no longer work.   When I get them I will post them for you.  

What I suspect is that you guys can now have two villages - one on your Wii and you can create a new one on your Wii U!  Please don't call the village the same name and think of something else - call it Hyrule or something funky - NOT RUDE. 

Of course I still play New Leaf and look forward to playing with you guys in your individual towns.

I was shocked to talk to you today Darby!  I wasn't expecting it at all as you told me you'd be gone for a couple days - and then to see you in a sling!   I still don't understand your story so please have your mom email the details.

Not too exciting

Gramma started playing Animal Crossing.  I will post her Friend Code soon.  (I actually don't know it)

And about the most exciting thing that happened to me today is that I got a new battery for my watch.  Woo hoo.  I was going to to go for a bike ride but it was really really really sunny - I couldn't find sunscreen I liked so I opted not to go - remember the last time I got a burn!  I hate the evil sun!  I just got back from buying sunscreen so I will go for a ride tomorrow.   Its been cloudy for the past couple weeks, I miss the clouds.

Actually, I shouldn't say nothing exciting happened: Papa made some Mongolian Stir Fry for dinner.

Happy birthday Gramma

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Darby and Ella!

I wish I was there to celebrate with you or that you were here - either one.   Its seems like forever ago we had the quintuple birthday party for Gramma, Me, Declan, Darby and Ella at my place in Powell River before I had to leave.   I hope you remember what Gramma (and Papa) and I got you for your birthdays!   - because I don't!  lol

I hope your day goes super and your birthday is full of friends and family.   Aunt Kathie, Uncle Pete, Bryan and Granny are coming over tonight for dinner and I think cupcakes afterwards.

I hope you enjoyed getting sung to by Aunt Kristine, Jimmy, Emily, Reilly and Gramma!

I will try to contact you again around 4pm your time.   Tracy said she would try to contact you as well but I am not sure when or if she'll be able to manage it.  After all this time I am still not sure how many time zones away she is.  I think it for Tracy you birthday is already over by the time I post this!

I miss you all.

Love Dad.

Interesting Yum

Well its triple birthday day and for some reason when I walked into the kitchen I saw this.  I had no idea this even existed.  Its snow cone making ingredients from the Jelly Belly company!   I'm not a snow cone fan but I just might have to give this a try.   I guess Gramma likes these on her birthday - I never knew.

Divine Infant

This is where you were baptized. All of you.

Do you remember?

This is the baseball diamond down the street from where I live/

This is the soccer field right next to it.

This is part of the park that is behind the French School.

There are plenty of basketball nets everywhere (see above and below)

In the distance you see the white fence?  that is not a white fence 

This is a water park next to the fire station and its right between thFrench school and Convent Glen Catholic Elementary.

This is the French School - Ecole des Voyageurs (That's also the street that I live on)

This Jimmy, Reilly and I think Emily is somewhere in this picture - its behind the French school.

Tonight I am thinking about going to a late late show - I am not sure I want to - There's a show on the IMAX 3D screen of Man of Steel at 10:50pm - I suspect no one will be there and I will have the cinema to myself.  At least that is my hope.  No, if you were here I would not be taking you - never to a show this late - when you're a teenager maybe you could go on your own to a show this late with your friends - MAYBE.  I would take you to an earlier show though.   The last movie I saw on an IMAX 3D screen was John Carter.  Do you remember that boys?  That was in Vancouver a couple years ago.  IMAX is the really really big screen that bends - its concave, not flat.

The house

Convent Glen Catholic School

This is where I went to school from grade 4 to grade 6.  This is also walking distance from the house but a little farther than the French school.

The Wall

This wall is walking distance from Gramma and Papa's.  Its the outside of the gym of Ecole des Voyageur (the French elementary school about 6 house down).  

On this wall I recall practicing endless when I was a kid.  I would bring either my lacrosse stick or a tennis racket.  Over and over and over and over I would practice.  Its the perfect practice wall!  I wish you guys had a wall like this :))   You don't realize how useful it is!

Strawberry rhubarb pie with cool whip and ice cream

I made the pie today.  Delicious!

Another Bike Ride

This time I went in the opposite direction.  I biked to Petrie Island.  You've all been there - we went the last time we were visiting your grandparents but we also went quite a few times when you we lived in Ottawa.  Petrie Island is actually closer to where we used to live than it is to Gramma's house.  It was a long bike ride - almost 10 km to get there so it was close to 20km altogether!  good for me right?

This marina in the winter time used to be where countless ice fishing huts were set up.  I'll be curious to see if this still happens this winter.  I've been ice fishing before - I'd like to do it again but I no longer know anyone who does it.  Hopefully I'll meet someone.

This is a view of a very sandy and clean beach - what is significant is the building in the far background.  When we left Ottawa that wasn't there - they only started to build it once we left.  They are building more.  Its crazy how many building projects are going on in Ottawa.

A better view of the same I think

This is looking downstream.  The sand is very awesome on the feet!

The life guards had gone home but there are still people swimming.  It was actually busier than I expected considering the time of evening that I went.

They have quite a few beach volley ball courts set up at the beach.  Ottawa used to host the worlds largest beach volley ball tournament - that was a decade ago - I have no idea if its still the biggest. Edit: I just looked it up [ http://www.hopehelps.com/ ] - its the largest single day event in North America.  If you follow the link, its held at the Mooney's Bay beach on the Rideau River.  That's where the city high school track meets used to be held when I was younger - I wonder if they are still there.

Some guy fishing - I just thought it was a nice seen so I took a picture.  I have no idea who this dude is but i did watch him catch something.  I'm not sure I would ever eat the fish from the river.  The surrounding lakes for sure, the other rivers definitely, but the Ottawa River unfortunately does have a sketchy history.  In the 50s or 60s nuclear waste material was leaked far upstream in the river - its my understanding that it was still detectable in the 80s.  I have no idea if it still is but I still wouldn't risk it!

Where Declan first played soccer

This is just at the end of the street where Aunti Tracy grew up;  her mom still lives there.  This is where Declan first played soccer.  His best buddy on the team was Owen - do you remember him Declan?

The Lone Ranger

I went to the movie matinee with Gramma today:  The Lone Ranger.   It was fun.   We went to SilverCity which is where we saw Transformers 3 last time you were in Ottawa.  I think we saw one or two more here.  And if I recall correctly this is where Declan saw his first ever film in a cinema: Treasure Planet.  I bet he doesn't remember that!

Does this help you remember?  This is just  as you walk in.  It wasn't too busy but the movie was pretty good - action packed and funny.   I am not sure its a movie Ella would like but you boys would love it.

I also got to go for free.  Because I switched my banking to ScotiaBank I was enrolled in SCENE which means I earn movies everytime I bank and do other things!   Its a good thing too because going to the movie here is allot more expensive than in Powell River.

Pizza night revisited

Well we had a Friday night pizza afterall.  Aunt Kathie, Uncle Pete and Bryan came over.  Its Uncle Jim's last night in Ottawa as he flies back to Chicago tomorrow.  Aunt Kristine, Reilly, Emily and Jimmy are stay for the rest of the month though.  I sent you a picture or two using SwapNotes.

Everyone raved about the pizza we had.  Its from Gabriel's.  Gabriel is one of three angels mentioned in the Bible by name along with Michael and Raphael; actually I guess Satan/Lucifer is an angel too so I should say one of four angels.  I didn't like it very much and found it unbelievably greasy - not heavenly like the name and the picture on the box implied!  I bet you would all like it though.  Reilly, Emily and Jimmy eat only cheese pizza just like you guys.

I had lunch with my friend Rafy today; its the first time I went out with a friend since being here.  I'm going to try to do that more but I don't feel settled yet.  Rafy is a great guy and has been a friend of mine since I attended University - Declan might remember him from when we lived in Ottawa together; you used to think he was the singer Raffi.

ALSO, I picked up MarioKart 7 for the 3DS - so there is another game we can play together online.  Let me know whenever you want a match!

Wii had fun last night!

We had a Mario Kart Wii tournament last night that included: me, Gramma, Aunt Kristine, Uncle Jim, Reilly, Emily, and even Jimmy.  Papa abstained.  There was no clear winner.  I won a couple times, Uncle Jim won a few times and Reilly won a couple times.

Afterwards Uncle Jim and I played against Reilly and Emily in Super Mario Sluggers.   Uncle Jim and I were losing most of the game but he (as Donkey Kong) hit a 3-run home run in the final inning to win to the game.

Gramma is baking Pumpkin muffins!

She just told me she actually wanted to make loaves but discovered she did not have the necessary loaf pans.  Muffins it is - makes no difference to the taste!

Other sights on my morning bike ride

These are the RCMP stables and where the musical ride is performed.  I think your cousins will be going to this sometime this month but I am not sure

The National Aviation museum is having a special Star Wars exhibit.  Don't ask me why?  The museum is on the left and I believe what is on the right is a hanger for aeroplanes of significance which are on display.  That building on the right didn't exist when we lived in Ottawa - it must have been built in the last few years.

Canoe!  That's a family out on the Ottawa River.  I wish it was us!

The happenings on the Ottawa River

Today, for the first time that I am aware it ever happening is a "smoke" warning.  There are forest fires in Quebec a long way off but its impacting the air in Ottawa.  It looks like fog.   

I came accross some people putting their kayaks in the water

Pretty sweet pathway eh?

There weren't too many boats out and about so this particular marina was full.

I guess because of the smoke it wouldn't be that much fun to fly today.