Weekend Summary

After considerable turmoil over whether or not we would get the H1N1 vaccine, we finally went as a family and all got the shot.



After that, I thought it would be nice to cheer the kids up by taking them to the motorcycle shop where we saw, for the first time, the balck version of Moto Guzzi's V7 Classic.



On Saturday we met Uncle Jeremy and the boys at Heritage Park for the opening day of Christmas Celebrations. We felt bad that Oscar wasn't feeling well but it was great to see them. Thanks Uncle Jeremy for the candy.



In the morning the kids go back to school and I have to write an exam at work. Already we are looking forward to next weekend!



- C

Instead of attending Stake Conference

Last weekend we went down South and, as usual, the Hardys were awesome hosts and spoiled all of us. It was nice to tag along to sacrament meeting with them as well; Heather and I were shocked to realize that, in all this time, we had never been to church with them.

Definitely the most exciting thing about the trip was meeting our new cousin Nathan. It was nice to see how proud of him his parents and siblings are. He spent most of the time sleeping, which I totally respect seeing as he is too young for video games right now anyways.



We brought Haku down, mostly because I couldn't face the prospect of being met at the door by Brooklyn and having to tell her, yet again, that I didn't bring him. All of the kids liked him so much that we had to place limits on the number of holding sessions.



It was great to see everyone. I wish that I would have used our time together better. We can't wait until Nathan's baby blessing.

- C

Deacon's Eyes

When we first brought him home, I noticed that Deacon had odd coloured eyes. It is not very drastic, but the shade and uniformity is definitely different. So far they haven't changed, so I'm thinking that he might be like this permanently. I think it's cool.

If a cat has odd eyes, it will be deaf in the ear on the blue-eye side. But Deacon will likely have some sort of extra ability rather than a deficiency. For example, maybe he will be able to hear peoples' innermost thoughts in the ear on his mottled-eye side.

At the very least, it will make for a good bit of trivia if he ever has to play one of those "guess who this is talking about" get-to-know-you games.

- C

Remembrance Day

This morning the boys and I walked down to the cenotaph for the town's remembrance day ceremonies. Ella was already there because she and some girls from church had been invited to participate along with the local cadet corp.



The kids did a great job and even Tyson was able to maintain the two minute's of silence (first time I have seen that). As we were walking home, the chilly wind drove us into a restaurant for some hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.

After supper we all went in and visited mom and dad's grave.





I mostly wanted to share the poem that was read at the ceremony:


IT IS THE SOLDIER

It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

©Copyright 1970, 2005 by Charles M. Province





- C

Nathan Randall Hardy - Welcome To The World!

CHEMTD would like to officially welcome you as our newest cousin - it's not very often that we get a new member in the family. We can't wait for the chance to meet you, and are positive that we will be best of friends. Born November 1st eh? 11-1; I like your style.

On this date in 1952, nuclear fusion occurred on Earth for the very first time with the detonation of a hydrogen bomb on Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific. I guess now, nuclear fusion will have to share the day with something of even greater power and awesomeness. We would have loved you regardless, but the fact that you're another Lone Wolf makes it even more special.

Unfortunately, we couldn't be down there right now so I don't have a photo of you to include with this post. But here is one that I took of Deacon a couple of days ago; he is the closest to you in age and, hopefully, will prove to be a worthy conspirator in the pursuit of "tomfoolery":



We hope your mom is doing well and we are so happy for her and your dad. You are lucky to have such a good brother and sisters to look up to.

We look forward to meeting you soon. Until then, love,

- CHEMTD