In the last few weeks of winter we had really great snow falls followed by very mild temperatures leading to great SNOW. One of those days was a gorgeous weekend Saturday. That day Robert and I didn't want to come inside. First we made an awesome snowman, then we went sledding down our little hill in front of our house. Then we recruited Alex (Daddy) and Jakub to build forts and we threw snowballs at each other protected only by our wicked forts. FUN FUN FUN!!!!!!

Now with three boys in the family, we need more space. Maybe not yet, but soon each kid will want his own room - and of course we need an office. So our small bungalow was not big enough. Option #1 - move to a bigger home. This we didn't want to do, because we love our neighbourhood (in the forest with the lake near by), the school Jakub just started to attend, the neighbours. Option #2: Build an extension. That is what we chose - building up our house - a second floor. There will be three extra bedrooms upstairs plus a washroom. A few more weeks, and we'll have our wish. Here are the pictures of the progress of the build.

We went to Sherbrooke to visit our friends (Beata and her daughter Karolina). We took our other friends along (Asia, Jurek, Amelka, Natalka). It was supposed to rain, but the weather changed, and it turned out to be a great day. Here are some pictures from the trip, a little hike we did, and then a swim in their ultra clean pool. I love to go visit Beata - there's always so much to do.

Finally the weather is nice. Spring is here. We decide to go to the library by walking, about 4K round trip. Jakub wants to take his bike. If he succeeds, this will be by far the furthest distance he will have crossed by bike.

We start off with Robert on the bike, because he insisted. His feet scarcely touch the pedals and he doesn't quite get the steering, but he has a good time being pull by his balloon string.

Then comes Jakub. He still remembers how to ride, but not at 100% efficiency. He especially doesn't remember how to stop and there was one scare when he kept on rolling almost into the street. Luckily he bailed into someone's lawn.

Jakub proved that he had the stamina, if not pride enough to keep a short spell of whining inside.

This last Friday, in the early morning (Jan. 23, 2009), my favorite Grandma (Babcia Marysia) passed away in her home in Warsaw. I am full of sadness, but also I am happy that she is finally at peace. Everybody dies eventually, and she had a most wonderful and fullfilling life, full of joy, sadness, and full of LOVE.

Babcia was the most loving person I know. I can't imagine her angry, or impatient with anyone. She was always joking around, always happy, laughing. She was humble in the way she lived, she never really needed anything more than to chat with her daughter, her son, her grandchildren and of course her neighbours (for the most up to date gossip).

My first memory of my Grandma was when she came over to see me when I was sick as a little child (probably 3 or 4 years old). She made the best ham sandwiches, which obviously made me 100% better.

Then I remember staying with her and Grandpa when my Mother went for a month to Canada to visit my Father. I remember their little appartment, with the huge round table, in the living room, sitting around it, eating either the best food or some sweats my Grandma served. This was the tradition - come over, sit around the table, eat, chat, chat some more. Once in a while, she would read cards to me, predicting my very exciting future.

I always watched Dynasty with my Grandma. We would make fun of all the extravagant cloths, the jewelery, and she would always catch me up if I ever missed an episode. Then she would pull out a chocolate bar, or some candy or cookies out of her big cabinet, and she would say... "I saved this just for you, but don't tell anyone." She would always have secrets with me. For instance, she would pull out some major money out of some secret hiding place (usually a jar or an empty wine glass) and give me the money saying... "Go buy yourself a present, but don't tell your grandpa, or your uncle where you got the money from..." I'm sure she did this with all her grandkids, but she just made me feel so special.

I remember her hair... her curling iron (still warming it up on the gas of her stove), her lipstick, all her creams (favorite being NIVEA), and her awesome skin which was the softest you can imagine. She always had to make herself up for pictures (put on her red lipstick and some colour in her cheeks); she never smiled for pictures, but when I think of her, that is the only way I can remember her... smiling, or laughing.

She was so excited for me when I met Alex. She really wanted to see a picture of him, and as soon as she did, she told me how handsom he was. Her words ment so much to me, so when she saw Alex, and approved, I was all the more in love with him, saw another side of him... So when we came to see her, Alex in person with our brand new baby Jakub, she was in love, with Alex and Jakub. As always, she made the best food, the best conversation, and the best "secrets".

My grandma was the perfect grandma... I will miss you!

Once again, the Hexa-Trex puzzles got published in the Games Magazine - the the February 2009 issue (out now in your local magazine store). They're on page 40 of the magazine in the pencil-wise section. Have fun!

If you want to try some online, I post a Hexa-Trex puzzle everyday. Also you can purchase a book full of these puzzles from the Nucleus Learning Store or on Amazon.com.

A little late, but here are the pictures and stories from our camping trip to La Vérendrye Reserve. You can click on the slide-show to get a full-screen version.

The Réserve Faunique La Vérendrye is huge, covering over 12,000 square km with 4,000+ lakes in it and 800km of defined and maintained canoe camping circuits. We started at the serviced entry point, Le Domain on Saturday of the Labour Day weekend. Out intent was to spend two days and one night, avoiding the traffic of the entire North Western quadrant of Quebec being serviced by a two lane highway running through many small towns.

Saturday

We arrive shortly before noon, purchase our park entry ($7/night) and fishing license ($12/day inside the reserve), and pack the canoe.  Everything fits.  Put-in and take-out are on a great sandy beach where the kids played until we left.

Last year we found an excellent campsite and we hoped to get the same one again.  It was the sole site on a very small island with a great view; very successful for our family and the Altons with the dog and kid entourage.  Unfortunately we deduced that our target campsite was taken because we saw two canoes charging full steam to the island it was on. Our idea was stolen by a quicker Quebecer.

Campsites are marked on the map as a number, and on the shore with bright yellow diamond signs visible from a distance.  The number tells you how many tents fit on a site.  We wanted one with only 1 or 2 so we wouldn't have to share and could the dogs and kids run free.  Our new target became a "2" site on the point of a moon-shaped island about 4 kms away.  The nearest other site was completely on the other side of the island.  We chose our side because it was close to other islands, which we thought would provide good swimming, fishing and viewing opportunities.

Success:  The site was vacant and it was gorgeous.  We covered the sign with a lifejacket indicating that we were there.  Canoe unloading and tent set-up followed.

It was late afternoon by this point and I wanted to get a swim in before evening.  Jakub and I, along with the dogs, swam about 100m to a tiny island.  The water was chilly but we had no problems, not even Jakub since he was wearing a lifejacket.  He is turning out to be a champion swimmer.  I decided to take Robert as well by towing his lifejacket.  Fantastic fun at first until a couple of waves wet his face and he started to fuss.  Of course the fussing meant that Robert turned over, got more water on his head, swallowed some, and generally thought that he was going to die.  No danger of course since he was completely secured in his life jacket, but he stopped having fun.  We got to the island and decided to come back because Mommy was the cure for near-death anguish caused by Daddy  Back we went.

Then came dinner:  A yummy pasta, fire-browned marshmallows for desert and tea. One of the great things about this park is that you can harvest wood from the forest, which means big fires for us.  We burned a tree and a half -- don't worry, they were deadfall and not that huge.

At dusk, between dinner and desert, we did a little fishing.  It was very exciting because, although we ultimately got nothing, we saw fish coming to take our bait at least five times.  Bogusia even got a full bite, but it got off before she brought it in.  Jakub lost his fishing rod in the water but cried like it was a leg he'd lost.

Sunday

On Sunday the view from the campsite was breathtaking.  Perfectly calm water upon which floated a slight mist puncuated by the sound of loons exactly like in those Canadian nature commercials I remember.  I did a little more fishing before breakfast, again with no luck.  We caught a leech and sentenced it to be bait this time instead of the fake grubs.

Breakfast was ichiban au eggs and maple sausage.  Delicious and filling.

We headed off fairly early so that we could see something interesting around the lake.  Our tour took us up a little stream to another lake, and past some of the scenery and other islands, until we finally reach a beautiful shallow beach where we ate lunch and played for over an hour.  Since it was close to the take out, maybe 2 km, we decided the dogs could wade that far or chase us on shore.  It worked great except when it got deep and the dogs tried to swim several hundred metres. They were no Phelps doggies and we had to send them back to shore.

That's it.  Take-out, jump in the car and head home.  We did hit some traffic, but it was due to construction not Labour Day jams.  Have a look at the slide show. You can click on it to get a full-screen version.

At the beginning of Summer, I took the kids to Calgary. I wanted to take advantage, one more time, of Robert going on the airplane for free (under two years olds get to fly for free). The journey was hard, especially because we had a stop-over in Winnipeg, and the kids (especially Robert) didn't appreciate the second leg of our flight. My brother was waiting for me at the airport, and my Mom came rushing in at the very last moment, before we were about to leave (traffic in Calgary is a killer). She then took us to her place (the Ranch where she lives in Porcupine Hills).

Here is a recap of our trip. I'll use the photos to help me recall all the fun things we did in Alberta!

We woke up, and right away my mom told us that she needs to go out and feed her baby cow "Fred". Somehow he got lost without a mother, and therefore needed someone to feed him. My mom filled that void. He would lick himself so hard when he saw my mom coming every morning.

Then of course the kids had to ride on the tractor.

Robert turned 2 that day, but because I we didn't feel like driving all the way to a store for a cake, I decided to try my baking abilities. I baked a pretty delicious cake for Robert, although the icing didn't turn out as I had hoped (good first try though). Robert loved the cake, and especially the candles which he had to blow out.

The second day we decided to go to the Rockies (as I love them so much). We met Alex's mom in Canmore for a lunch, and then continued to Banff to do the Tunnel mountain hike. Jakub was a true hiker, but Robert got tired right away and needed to be carried most of the way. We took turns as to who would carry him.

We tired ourselves out and took to relax at the Banff Hot Springs. Robert absolutely loved the hot water, and didn't want to ever leave.

Instead of heading straight back to the farm, we did a night stop-over at my brother's house in Calgary. He took us in graciously, although wasn't really prepared, and my mom was annoyed, as he didn't have any tea (my mom's true addiction). We showed him the pictures from the day's trip, and he decided to zoom in onto my huge bum, so that it filled the whole TV screen (love between me and my brother is so so strong, just like the old days).

But don't worry, I got back at him. Check out my brother's fantastic physique:

When we got back to the farm, we went on many hikes/walks around the fields and found many beautiful wild flowers. Jakub really liked to collect a bouquet every time. Robert liked to be carried, but whenever we stopped, he had the most energy and wanted to play. Very cute!

And of course we had to go visit Nanton's greatest attraction: the Model Train Museum. Jakub remembered from previous years and was showing Robert all the ins and outs of the model trains. Robert was in awe, and absolutely loved it.

Jakub is fascinated and obsessed wtih dinosaurs, so when he got a present from his grandma (babcia Bozenka) a Disney movie: The Dinosaur, he had to watch it at least once a day (usually when Robert went to sleep during the day.

Also, for this reason, we absolutely had to go to Drumheller - the hub of dinosaur digging in Alberta (if not in all of Canada). They also have a huge dinosaur museum there.

After the museum, we went on a walk in the Hoo Doo mountains - kind of a dessert like area with cactuses all around, and these strange mountainess configurations. Jakub thought we would find some dinosaur bones, but the closest we got was finding rocks that we said were "dinosaur eggs", which of course we had to take home with us to Montreal.

On the way back to Calgary (still in the town of Drumheller), we stopped at a small water park with a humungous T-Rex. The kids loved it.

We also went to the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth - the Calgary Stampede, and enjoyed a free stampede breakfast. Unfortunately the day was really cold, and we got caught by a great hail storm on the way home.

The next day I left the kids with grandma, and went to visit my friend in Edmonton. She just had a baby, and I couldn't wait and see her new born and her being a mother for the first time. I had a great visit and Trina, my friend, was the calmest and most relaxed mother I know. (Congratulations Trina!)

After our short stay in Calgary with Alex's Mom, we came back to the farm and Jakub wanted to learn how to take photographs. Here is a sample of his photography. Kind of shows what he sees. Not bad, eh?

While we were at my mom's place on the farm, she found an old slide/swing set. The kids liked that a lot.

Many times, when I put the kids to sleep (in their separate beds), they still wanted to play together. Then one day, when I came down to check up on them, they were sleeping together, hugging... so so cute!

Since I really miss the Rockies the most from Alberta, we again decided to go on a hike to Beaver Pond in Kananaskis (a provincial park close to Banff filled with many trails), and we had a great picnic there.

Near the end of the trip, Tomoko came to visit me at the farm, with her husband Rob and her little cute son Kasper. What a great visit (and another shot by Jakub Gierus).

Jakub adors Tomoko, and didn't want to leave her side.

The last day was another fun experience. Brian, my mom's husband, arranged to have some of his cows moved to a distant field. He had his brother come and some other people to help him with the hearding of the 70 cows through the gravel roads and fields. There was also some other kids that came to watch it all unfold. We all wanted to see the procession, so we threw the six kids (including Jakub and Robert) into the back of an SUV and followed the cows and the men and women on horseback. It was quite an adventure.

Last week I had an opportunity to go one day into Jakub's daycare. He is only going to this daycare for one more week and then it's vacation time. After the summer, he will be going to a preschool. He loves his friends at his daycare (DesNeige, big Robert, Gabriella, and Shelly), and so I thought I would go in and spend a day with Jakub and Robert to take pictures and see how well they play. It was such a great and relaxing experience. The teacher, Mikaela, has a great system, and really is very easy going.

First, when we came, Mikaela was preparing the picnic table to have milk and cake (as a good-bye parting cake for Jakub). Then the kids played outside in her big backyard, running back and forth, and then they used the picnic table as their fort. After a while, we went for a walk to the park. At the playground the kids had so much fun on the swings and on the slides. We were hiding under the trees, so we didn't even realize that it was raining.

When we got back to the house, Mikaela gave the kids food, and after lunch we played play-dough. After that I had to go, but the children went to sleep anyway. It was so so so much fun. Enjoy the slideshow of the pictures I took.

Our friend Dave gave us notice, quite some time ago, that he was getting married and that we were invited to the wedding. How exciting, since we had rarely seen or heard from Dave after his move to California a number of years ago. Multiplying the excitement: His wedding would be in Florida at Walt Disney World!

We stayed at the "All-Star Movies Resort", a basic on-site hotel. There are three "All-Star" resorts situated together and each is a set of three storey, motel-style buildings decorated in Disney themes. Our room was in the Mighty Ducks section.

Day 1
We arrived and settled in. The Disney Magical Express took us and our luggage from the airport. Bogusia was on a different flight so Daddy and the kids checked in and waited the few hours for her to arrive. Then we headed to the excellent pool to start taking advantage of the Disney experience.

The on-site gastronomy consisted of a food court. Bleh. Cafeteria food for dinner. Afterwards we took a walk around the area. We found a few playgrounds, lots of Disney theming, and a McDonald's for a milkshake.

Day 2 - Animal Kingdom
Our Internet advice was to get an early start. Get to the parks just as they open. This is good advice. We got to the Animal Kingdom before the gates opened. There is a store at the gate where you can get last minute essentials. $30 gets you sunscreen and 4 batteries at this bargain-hunters paradise.

The first ride was the 3D Bug's Life movie, which scared Jakub and Robert witless. We immediately went to the African Safari afterwards, which was a great success. The day consisted of the Dinosaur Bones Digging Park, The Dinosaur Ride, White Water ride, The Yeti Rollercoaster, Petting Zoo, Train Ride, Excellent Thai Restaurant. Highlight: Alex got a picture with Pocahontas. We had a great time here and were able to get on many rides with hardly any waiting. The kids loved the late afternoon parade.

When we came back to the hotel, we didn't even have a chance to go to the pool, since the kids were over tired and fell asleep instantly. The Animal Kingdom is awesome for little children.

Day 3 - Magic Kingdom
Arrived early again. This time a greater volume of the horde arrived with us. You must ride Dumbo first if you want to ride it at all. Even making a beeline we still had to wait 20 minutes. Jakub had a bit of malhumour and had to sit out. When he was cured we hit Winnie the Pooh, Teacups, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, and Stitch.

The rest of the day was a bit of an ordeal. Lots of lines, many rides that our kids could not ride, heat, and crowds. We eventually gave up on the rides and stuck to exploring the park on the trains and boats.

We wanted to go to somewhere nice for lunch, perhaps the Crystal Palace. Apparently you have to reserve four months in advance. We were lucky enough to just show up and wait 30 minutes for a place. It was worth it because Winnie the Pooh and his friends were hanging out in there.

Sunset brought the Spectro-Magic Parade in which all the floats and characters are lit up in the darkness. Immediately following that were the famous fireworks overtop the castle. By the time these were finished so were we. The kids didn't even make it home before passing out.

Day 4 - The Beach

We rented a car and GPS and got out of Disney. We started off to Atlantic and stopped for breakfast just outside of Disney in the real world. The waitress told us that the Atlantic had rip currents so perhaps we should go to the Gulf. Since both were the same distance we took her advice.

Clearwater Beach was EXCELLENT! The kids and adults loved it. White sand, warm water, not too many people. The weather threatened but never followed through. Dinner was at some seafood place, not that great, and then we headed home at night.

Day 5 - The Wedding
Dave's Wedding was like none I'd been to. The ceremony itself was in a chapel overlooking a lake with the stage backed by a window framing the Magic Kingdom Castle. We passed under the Disney monorail to get there, and upon entering we received Mickey shaped fans printed with a guest list.

The procession began with the priest laying down the rules, followed shortly by the handsome groom. I've never even seen Dave in a tie before so he looked very top drawer in his tuxedo. Dave's wife-to-be followed. The priest said all the things that priests say at weddings and the two were quickly married. Then there were pictures, executed with Disney precision and speed. It took at most 30 minutes to snap every possible combination before transportation beckoned. We blew bubbles over the bride and groom on the way out before hopping on a bus to the reception.

Passing through a back-door VIP entrance we ended up in a room with one wall that was a giant aquarium. The newlyweds entered to much fanfare, included a scuba diving Mickey Mouse. The food was great and, although there was no alcohol, the DJ got us all dancing. He was so good that Mickey and Minnie joined the party. By 4pm it was over and we were let loose.

One of the wedding guests was a long-lost friend named Juraj, who came with his girlfriend. We spent the afternoon and evening at the pool and in "downtown" Disney looking at Lego stores and taking free rides on the water taxi.

Day 6 - The Return
Uneventful at Disney. We got the bill; it was huge. We boarded the Magic Express bus and off to the airport. Bogusia took one an hour earlier for her flight whilst the kids and I played at the playground one last time. The flights left on time, but unfortunately they did not arrive on time. Mine was diverted to Toronto due to "weather" over Washington, making us about 2 hrs late. Bogusia's was diverted to Philadelphia and she was perhaps 7 hours late.