And here are a few pics from last weekend....We went out for brunch with Jolyne, Denis, Paul, and Julie. Always nice to see everyone. And then we took the scenic route home. We drove along the Lachine Canal and Lakeshore...very pretty.

Darryl calls this his "Paparazzi Picture"...He's just photo happy with the new camera...lots of pics!

Yeap. We actually got Darryl in a picture. Proof that he was with us!

Shamus on the prowl.

Darryl working his camera magic. See the reflections off the water....new camera touch. I have no idea how he did it. I still can't figure out how to take a regular picture.

And one last camera touch....Darryl figured out how to make the background blury. So, just Breagha is in focus. Pretty cool I think.

And Mr Shamus.

Just a side note - We took Shamus skating last night....more pics to come....and he loved it. He did really well too! We were surprised at how comfortable he seemed. So, of course he didn't want to come off the ice and kept asking today to go skating. We're going to try to take him pretty often but we're doing swimming too so we may have to cut something out. The kiddie schedule is getting busy. Swimming on Monday night and lessons on Saturday morning. Storytime on Friday. And now skating is on Wednesdays. And he's only 2!! Now I know why Duane and Cathy are always so busy!!

Did You Know...

it's only 49 days until Christmas?

I know, I can't wait! I've always loved Christmas. We were pretty lucky growing up - we were never deprived in the gift department. Santa Claus and Mom and Dad were very generous. But, as an adult- Christmas became more than just gifts. I just love the preparation of Christmas...making the list, starting the shopping, buying the Christmas cards and wrapping paper, and getting some new Christmas CD's!

So, of course I was at the mall last weekend. And there's Christmas stuff everywhere! It was so exciting! And it's always fun to shop for a new season so of course I had to buy a couple of new hats for myself, mitts and hats for the kids...and 2 new Christmas CD's! And Darryl was kind enough to let me listen to the CD that day. I didn't have to wait until December 1 (that's the general rule)

I just enjoy the Christmas holidays. For me, it's a happy time of year. Christmas music just makes me smile. I think it's because my Mom always had the music cranked when I was a kid. It brings back good memories! I enjoy doing up Christmas cards while listening to the holiday music. And I know that the holiday season means being around family. Eating lots of turkey, pies, drinking wine and beer, and more eating!! Good times.

So, Happy Pre-Christmas and hope everyone is getting ready for the busy season ahead!!!

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Nothing to do with Christmas....I finished the "Cars" blanket for Shamus. It turned out well...Mom, you'd be proud!

Halloween Pics....

Ok, first of all....No, I don't have Darryl's "Blogging Humour". I don't know where he comes up with his witty writing, but I really don't have that skill!

So, I'm just going to Blog...

This week was a bit busy. The kids and I are still sick so lots of sneezing, coughing, and runny noses. But, we did manage to squeeze in a good time for Halloween. Shamus loved it and didn't want to come home. We would go to one house on the street, he would get his candy, and then he would say, "Let's go to another house Mom!" Oh, he knew what was coming! He loved it. It was pretty cute.

Breagha The Devil.

Shamus The Dinosaur.

So, I managed to get Shamus home by bribing him with all the candy he just received. And of course Breagha got a touch of the goodies.

Oh yeah, they didn't move. Just snacked on the goods.

It's a lot of fun with the kids. Shamus understood the whole idea of Halloween this year so he was into it. Can't wait for Christmas!! I already bought some Xmas cards and can't wait to start playing good ol' Kenny and Dolly!

MOOOOHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!!!!

Greetings from the dark places of this world ... or the next. Moooohahahaha. Yes, it has been one week since last we communicated. This week we prepared for halloween. That is right ... the dark lords of the night have summoned us forth to somewhat accurately represent their evil doing in a very scary yet age appropiate manner.

It has been an interesting week. We started with some last minute costume and trick r' treat shopping. Threw in a dash of Breagha learning to stand and walk, a sprinkle of family pumkin picking, a speck of jack O' lantern carving, three toad's warts, some bat toenails, a newts eye and finished it off with some pneumonia for our youngest. Yes, Breagha has a mild case of pneumonia ... she is being medicated and the doctors don't seem alarmed. She may be prone to stuff like this as a result of her prematurity. I wanted to have the video of Breagha walking here but for some reason I can't log into youtube to upload it. Please be patient I will find a way to get it up here.

I'm not going to make this a long post ... check out the pics below.

Tractor ride to the pumpkin field.

Has anyone seen my car keys? I think I left them by that pumkin.
Shamus was pretty worried that the tractor was going to leave without me.
You see this here dad ... this is your focal point. If this doesn't look right then the whole jack O' lantern is a waste.
Now, long easy strokes dad. Take your time and just feel it out.
Shamus said that this was not bad but the proportions were a little off.

this was Shamus' portrait of daddy.

Horrible Self Promotion

Hello cyberspace,
I apologize upfront for this post. Nobody may care about this but ... too bad for you ;)

I have been working in the entertainment industry for about nine years now. When I started out I was a bit of a "jack-of-all-trades", doing some 3d modeling, texturing, compositing, layout, rigging and animating. In the past 5 years or so I have narrowed my focus to animating (with a sub focus on the character animation side). Now this might not mean anything to you (the one or two of you that read this blog) but the one thing that you will understand is that it has taken until the ninth year for me to finally work on a project that I am proud to recommend to my family and friends. Yes nine years!!! Now I have worked on some fun projects and for some great companies but as many folks in this industry know: rarely ever do the sum of the individual parts add up to be an amazing whole and complete package.

This year I have had the opportunity and pleasure to work on, not one, but two projects that I am excited about. The first is not as glamorous as some "big budget hollywood blockbusters" but it is for a company that I have the utmost respect for and have loved since I was a little child. The name of the project is SEA MONSTERS: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE and the client is National Geographic. My role on this project was Lead Animator. It was my first time doing serious creature animation. I had always focused on character animation of humanoids mostly. On this project I found that I realy enjoyed creature work. It is a 3D IMAX movie and is playing at quite a few theatres around the world. Here is the website: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/seamonsters/ Check it out if you are near a theatre.

The next project I am psyched about is a little more well known. Somewhat of a household name, so to speak ( if you live with a male age 12 to 35). The project is called HALO 3.

I was lucky to be a character animator on the cinematics team. I got to work with a lot of very talented animators on this project. BUNGIE (the company that created Halo) wanted to push the cinematics to another level with this iteration of the franchise and because their small, in-house animation team was swamped with mostly game content we were fortunate to get a chance to be a part of this amazing property. I must say it turned out pretty good. So if you have an XBOX 360 you should try this game (who am I kidding...if you have an XBOX 360 then, I would bet, you already have this game).

Anyways that is it .... I can't wait to see what project I work on in 2016. Until then keep coloring between the lines.

ciao

Darryl

Shamus' Room...Ca-Chow!!

Darryl painted Shamus' room about a month ago...finally found the time to snap a couple of pictures and get them posted! Of course the theme is "CARS"...the movie.

Darryl painted the top section of the wall a light blue (about a third of the way down) and the bottom of the wall a bright blue. I like the idea. Not seen very often.

This is the outline of Shamus...I didn't think he was so tall! And he did all the wonderful artwork inside the cutout.

If you saw Shamus' room before...the whole room was pale blue. All of it...the doors, the trim, the walls...yeah. EEeeekkk. So, the doors and trim and now nice and white! And of course there's a picture of Lightning and Mater!

The wall stickers were from Grammie Rosie. Shamus loves them. And of course the bed sheets are Lightning and Mater. And I'm in the process of making a blanket for his bed. It's the same picture of Mater and Lightning ad what is on his sheet. So it should be cute when it gets finished. As long as I don't make a big mistake!!

Not sure when we'll get another room done. It's tough to find the time...it's hard to work when the kids are sleeping...don't want to wake them...but it's impossible to do it when they're around!

Darryl did a super job! Shamus is pretty happy with the CARS room.

Ok, trying to get back on track...

Yeah, I'm trying to get back on track!

There's been no pictures for a while and I'm getting harassed! I'm not going to make everyone suffer and post 50 pictures...so just a few quick pics of the last couple of weeks.

Here is Jolyne and Alexandre. This is at Evelyne's place in Thetford Mines (outside Quebec City). Their spot is beautiful...

You guys look too cute!

And Eric took Shamus for a ride on the 4 wheeler. He was a little nervous at first but got over it quickly!


And some shots of the kids at swimming class....

Dad and Breagha. She was pretty darn cute!

The instructors are great. They do alot of different things so it keeps the kids busy...no chance to get bored.

Shamus was pretty proud of himself..."swimming" on his own!

He's darn cute too!

And of course we're still making lots of trips to the park!! Darryl took last Friday off...so he could spend the day with us before he headed for NS. The weather was amazing. We took the train into downtown. Shamus was pumped. You couldn't wipe the smile of his face when the train started moving. Pretty adorable. And we spent the morning downtown, had some lunch, did some shopping. And then back to Pointe Claire for a visit to the park...

Breagha has had her cranky moments over the last week or so. I think it was because I was away for 3-4 days....she was obsessed with me when I got back. But she has been improving this week. Now Darryl is away so she'll probably become obsessed with me again!

The boys relaxing....

Darryl was trying to show Shamus how to roll down the hill. Quite entertaining to watch...Shamus hasn't quite figured it out yet.

Lots of leaves are falling off the trees. Fall is beautiful. I really enjoy every season. It always gives you something to look forward to....like shopping! Bought a new fall jacket...that's always fun!

Shamus the DareDevil.
Relaxing before heading home. I don't know how many nice days are left. But, we're making the most of it.

So, Darryl is in Antigonish and enjoying his time with family. Sorry to the Halifax gang. It's a quick trip to see his sisters and parents. No time to make pitstops!!

We spent Thanksgiving in Ottawa. Of course the food was delicious and there was too much of it! Shamus didn't want to go home. It was pretty cute. He has a blast with his cousins. And Calli and HannaRose love to "take care" of Breagha. They're going to be super babysitters!

We miss Darryl and can't wait for him to come home!