Some pics

Well, we haven't posted pictures in a while and I probably will not post them in perfect chronological order as well. But here is a bit of what we have been up to lately. Stace and I have been walking a bit more lately. Which is really nice. Aside from the "keeping active" side, walking it is something we used to do in Pointe Claire a fair bit in the summer evenings.  Just take the kids and enjoy the evening air. It is summer-like weather here most of the year so why not take advantage of it. It also gives Stace and I a quiet, relaxing time to just "shoot the shit", so to speak. 

It's hot here in the summer so Breagha and Shamus will go in just their undies in the house. Breagha couldn't understand why if it was ok indoors ... why not outside as well. We were just taking a zoom around the block so we said why not.  We've also been catching up on some beach time.   Now that people are laid off there is lots of free time to go swimming and body boarding :P

Now some people may look at the photo above and think "We can categorize these people men and women..."  but I see them as being "employed or not employed".  You guess whose who.

No cheating.  Of course Breagha is in the "not employed" category.  FOR NOW!!!

Oh, the beach wears you out!

We have to stay ... Breagha may have a shot at going pro!

So this is how it usually ends.  Spend the day at the beach... everyone bring some food... grab a BBQ and cook some supper.... before heading home.

Bhavya's 4th Birthday

It was Shamus' friend from daycare's birthday on the weekend.  They had the party at a spot called Little Tigrrs.  It's a indoor play structure and cafe similar to Fundo Mundo's in Montreal where we had Shamus' 3rd birthday.  Bhavya is one of the "three amigos".  At daycare, Shamus, Joshua and Bhavya are pretty much inseparable.  So needless to say Shamus was pretty excited for Bhavya's party.

The Birthday boy!

The other two of the "three amigos".  Sadly the group will not last much longer.  Joshua and his family are moving back to Korea this week for a year.  And it look as though we will be leaving Brisbane.  We can't help but feel a little sad for Bhavya.  But the party was a good send off... I'm sure it will be the stuff of legends at the Fortitude Valley ABC Learning Center for years to come.

A little slide action.

All she needs is a soap box and a worthy cause.

This is the best picture we could get of Joshua, Bhavya and Shamus.  They would not stop long enough to take a picture.  Nobody wanted cake or anything.  The just wanted to run and play.  By the end of it they were soaked in sweat.  

Take care everyone.

Daddy Daycare

It has been a long time since we last posted something.  Sorry for the delay and the lack of pictures.  In case there are a few people who are not aware ... it is official now ... Pandemic Studios Australia has been closed.  It's sad really because there are a lot of very talented people who are without jobs now.  Although video games is not my first love, in my field of work (I am a sucker for films), I will say that in the ten plus years I have worked in this industry, I have never had this much confidence in a team.  It's too bad that EA couldn't have seen how well run this team was.  But that's life.  There are a lot of other good people all over the globe feeling the same things, I'm sure.  Tough times.  

So what is next you may ask... well... for the time being I have the role of "stay at home dad/job hunter".  The kids are going to daycare only one day a week now.  I get to spend time with them the other four days now.  It's really nice. They are both at a very fun age now... and frustrating age as well.  But that can be part of the fun. 

On the job side... I know that some of you are secretly (or not so secretly) hoping we will have to move home but Stace and I have talked and we still want to stay a while longer.  I have a couple options here that may pan out.  Sorry.  

As a celebration for losing our jobs, myself and four other ex-pandemites rented a beach house last week for four days in Byron Bay.  We spent the time body boarding and drinking cold beers.  The girls and the kids came down to meet us for the weekend.  If you want to get over losing your job than Byron is the place to do it!  The weather could have been better but it was still a great time.

Next post I will catch up on some pics.  Later!

A brief update....

So, I know there are a lot of people at home wondering what is going on with us these days....and are we safe with all that is happening in Australia right now...lots of questions.  I figured that I should do a quick update!

Yes, we are safe.  The forest fires are around Melbourne area, which is very far from us.  Maybe a 20 hour drive...because Canadians measure distance by the hours of driving. (funny)

It's pretty horrible though and I heard today at work that it may have been a fire fighter that started the first fire.  Terrible.  We're doing some fundraising at work and people have been very generous.   It's really sad to see towns destroyed, families gone, animals gone...just horrible.

The floods are in northern Queensland (QLD is the state we live in but Brisbane is south).  They are also struggling but seem to be better than the fires.  I have just stopped reading/watching/listening to the news because it's just too darn depression. Eeeegghh, awful.

Work wise - well, I don't want to get into work on the blog.  But, it's not good.  Who knows but we could be home really soon!  Ya never know what could happen but it's not looking too good.  We're just going to ride the wave for now and see where it takes us.

You'll have to email me if you want more details!  :)

Shamus turns 4!!!

Our little man is growing up fast! Yes Shamus is now the big 04. Fittingly, in the weeks leading up to his birthday Shamus seemed to be going through a growth spurt. He seemed to be hungry all the time. I can't imagine what our grocery bill will be like when he is 16...yikes!

We had Shamus' presents wrapped a couple of days early and man did it kill him to have to wait to open them.

Shamus is growing into a great "big brother". He was very concerned that Breagha have something to open so he shared his presents with her.  Of course after the wrapping paper came off the sharing was not as abundant.   It's the thought that counts right?

We had to do the presents before the cake.  I don't think Shamus even ate any of his cake.  He was too engrossed in his new toys.  Pour thing... he had to wait a whole month since Xmas before getting new toys.  

Daddy and Shamus hard at work assembling Shamus' "Marble Racetrack" ... as he calls it.

And here is the ultimate gift.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  He thought it was great because he could take them to daycare to share with Bahvia, Joshua and Elija.  

Roma St. Parklands

I wanted to also post a few pics from a day trip we did to Roma St. Parklands.  I think we may have posted some pictures from this park in a previous post but it is such a beautiful park it warrants another look. 

The family all gathered around for a little snap

They love looking at the ducks.

This is a really interesting tree that grows throughout Queensland.  I call it the "penis tree".

This is why!

Now that's just damn cute.  This pic really shows how Shamus has shot up in height.

Here is a very common spider that is all over Brisbane.  They usually build their nests up high.  They never cause problems ... in fact I have never seen one that was not on it's web.  This guy would be a little larger than the size of my palm. 

How can you not love that face!

As I mentioned earlier, Shamus is really becoming a great big brother to Breagha.  He is quite protective of her and really looks out for her now that they are in the same center at daycare.  It makes Stace and I feel really good to see him care for B like that.  The other night I saw just how protective he can be.  

Now in case you don't know, one of Shamus' favorite movies is "Kung Fu Panda".  Most viewings of the a fore mentioned film are followed by a strict training session involving punching pillows, kicking cushions and live sparring sessions with Dad or Mom.  

The other night Breagha was giving Sas and I some grief about going to bed.  She wouldn't climb into her bed and go to sleep so Stacey and I left the room without giving her "goodnight hugs and kisses". We told her we would return when she was ready to listen and go to bed.  Well, Shamus didn't like this much and thought that we were being unfair.  So upon our return Shamus told us  " Don't do that to Breagha." then he looked me dead in the eyes and with a pointed finger said "I'll Kung Fu you Dad!".  And he was serious.  I was being called out buy a 4 year old and I'd better heed his warning because, let me tell you, he wasn't bluffing.  

1 Year Anniversary!

Ah, we made it!  One year ago today - we arrived in Australia.

Hard to believe...it's flown by!

Well, we're really happy to have had the opportunity to move here.  It's been great and Brisbane is a wonderful city.  We do miss our family and friends lots of course but we're glad we had a chance to see somewhere new.

Hmmm, Australia  - it would be impossible to not love it here!  It's a beauiful country with lots to see and do.  Just so darn far from home!  There are always things that you miss about home but we really love the life style here.  It's so relaxing. 

We're not sure how much longer we will be here...due to job issues.  But we're thankful for getting to come over, we have met some wonderful people, seen some beautiful places, and that's all we can ask for.