Darby and I at Greens Creek

He's the spec at the bottom

My new favourite thing

Went for a walk

in Little Italy last night while Darby was at boxing.  This seems new; at least I don't recall this being there before.

Dad's 2014 jack'o'lantern

Mmmmmmmm

Well I'm having a good time

Skype

Ella, I never see you on skype or facebook anymore.  I thought with the boys here you'd have more computer time.  What's up?  I'd love to hear from you.

I want to visit your village soon too!

Love Dad.

Ella

Please call and tell me how your first day of school went.

Master Labyrinth

Declan finished his homework in time to challenge his gramma and I in a game of Master Labyrinth.

If only ...

... they had their own 3DSs, they would not have use mine. And we could play together!

Serious computer issues

Hi,

I really want to make sure this site is updated regularly but we are continually experiencing computer issues.  Its a hardware problem: Windows absolutely refuses to run and I have tried two different versions of Linux.  Linux works until it doesn't and blames the hardware.   I've order parts, and I am having a computer built but it won't be ready for 2 weeks.  Until then, posting pictures which I really want to do, will still hopefully happen but it will be difficult and ask your patience if it doesn't happen as often as you'd expect.  

This also means availability on Skype and Facebook will be sporadic until the new computer is built.  I am currently posting this from my computer but I expect it to crash any minute :(   I hope Ella understands that these problems are making it difficult for us to connect with her on the computer - the problems will be fixed soon!

Message for Ella

Hi Ella,

I noticed that you tried a number of times to call yesterday using Skype and that you sent me facebook messages.  I'm sorry I was not around to answer.   Yesterday and today, the boys and I are running around doing plenty of errands getting them ready for school.   What I will do later today is call you on the telephone if I don't see you online.   I hope you visit "The Adventures of Declan and Darby in Ottawa" page often as I am going to try to update it everyday so you know what the boys are up to.

I hope you start to use the Wii U more.  There is an app on the Wii U called Wii U Chat.   Next time we speak I am going to suggest we try that because there is a camera so we can see each other.

Love Dad

Class of 2020

They give all grade sevens a graduation class shirt. He loves it!

They Arrived

Big change coming.

The purpose of this blog is going to change slightly.   Declan and Darby arrive in Ottawa tomorrow.   But Ella is staying in Powell River :(

So this will be used to keep family in Powell River up to date on the going ons of the boys in Ottawa.  Or might just create a new blog for that purpose - I haven't decided.

Granny does not look impressed

Special ice cream for Granny's birthday

DQ

Michigan Rummy time

Wii U fun

More game & Wario

Game & Wario

Just a Friday; nothing special.

Well we discovered a new game on the Wii U that Gramma likes today.  She likes the Animal Crossing game in NintendoLand.  The one called Sweet Day.   I'm sure she looks forward to playing it with you in the future.

Not much happened.  Just hung out.  Watched Gremlins in the evening.

Oh, as Darby knows, Jimmy came downstairs while we were playing Black Ops 2.   We all know the game is not for him, even Jimmy knows it, but he loved watching it - even later asking me if he can watch me play it again.

I'm looking forward to watching the RedBlacks playing in Hamilton tomorrow.  Go Ottawa!

Another Risk night

Greek potatoes on the grill

Special lunch for me today

Trying to decide if tonight is Risky

Snow cones apparently

I don't recall being offered any!

National Anthems being sung before the match

Soccer Hooligans crossing the canal

Grandmas birthday Cake

Fury

Me and 15000 friends are getting ready for the first home game in the new Stadium (TD Place). Go Ottawa Fury FC!

Evil Ella

Pool time

Emmy making a dream catcher

Jake Bugg

And finally this is the last concert I went to at Bluesfest!

Well I saw bits and pieces of a bunch of others:  a couple Styx songs, a few Foreigner, and some more here and there.  I'm pretty sure I just laid out most of the acts I saw the whole concert for.

Jenny Lewis

This was another concert I saw at Bluesfest. I bet Ella likes this:

 

Caitlyn Rose

Tokyo Police Club crowd

Pretty big eh? Here's one of their videos

Queens of the Stone Age

Blues fear 2014

Just noticed that Ron Weasley is in Clue

Ever since Prof. Plum went missing

Rainy Day Activity

Carcassonne night

Papa caught a skunk

He didn't mean to, he meant to catch a groundhog

Caribbean Pepper Pot Soup

I made this soup that I think you would like despite the ingredients perhaps not sounding appealing to you guys:

Acorn squash
Red kidney beans
Tomatoes
Coconut milk
Cilantro
Onions
Serrano peppers
And boatload of spices

When making it I made a huge mistake.  When I was cutting the peppers, which happen to be among the hottest peppers available, I did something stupid.  I rubbed my face and eyes. IT HURT SO BAD. My eyes burned.  I couldn't open them without them burning.  I had to stick my head in the shower to rinse them out but it barely helped.  I had to sit with my closed and a wet towel on them for what seemed like forever until the burning stopped.   It was crazy.  I had gramma research online what I was supposed to do - well next time I have to cut those peppers I am wearing gloves - that is for sure.

The best bacon!!!!

Double smoked back bacon - yummy

Video games

Now that you guys have the internet back remember I can play the following games with you:

On the Wii U

• Assassin's Creed Black Flag
• Trine 2

I'd love it if you guys got Mario Kart 8!!!

Or  Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate!

On the 3DS

• Animal Crossing New Leaf
• Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
• MarioKart 7

Almost done

Ready for RedBlacks Season

...but the first home game is sold out :(

My birthday hat

Gramma Grinding Glass

Gramma has started her new hobby: stained glass. 

Homemade chips on a stick

Unfortunately, it was too late when I noticed these being sold.  I was FULL.  But these chips on a stick looked delicious and once I noticed them, it seemed like everyone was having them.  I wish I had multiple stomachs.

Long lines at Ribfest

 This past Saturday, I went to Ribfest with Rafy.  I wish I could take a sample of the smell and post it because it was awesome.  Sparks Street was packed with booths and people with lines at all the booths.  Ribs were being smoked and grilled with various concoctions of BBQ sauce.  It was awesome.

Easter hors d'oeuvres

Truly a heavenly occasion - bacon wrapped scallops!!!


Yum

Senators blanket

Now I can use the Canuck one for toilet paper.

Easter

The bunny came!

Bryan's BIrthday Dinner

We all went out for Bryan's birthday dinner at Tuckers restaurant in the Byward Market.  It was me, Gramma, Papa, Kathie, Peter and of course Bryan.   It was an excellent place to eat - it had so much food that it would make it even easy to feed the pickiest of people!  I'm thinking of you Ella :)

Senators game with TJ!

Only people with better seats than us were the players!

A short video - sound is terrible but it was way better live!

Bryan and I rocking on the sabbath with Black Sabbath!

I wish my iPod took better pictures but this is the best I have!!!!   Like objects in the mirror we are closer then we appear.  The show was great and the seats were fantastic - not that people sat in seats.

Flamed

I went to game today with TJ. Seats were awesome-behind the bench. Tomorrow against the Hurricanes we'll be behind the Senators bench!