The plans are in motion

Ohhh, the last couple of weeks have been VERY busy for us! No time for posting so this could be the last one for a while (although I will need to post some NZ pics, won't I? hmm). We've been trying to get the house ready, organize the details for going home, organize our trip to NZ, makes plans for our stop in Sydney, do some last minute sightseeing with the kids, say Good bye to friends thru BBQ's, drinks, dinners,etc, and still work!! This doesn't leave any free time for blogging so I'm not sure what posting I'll get to do before we go.

I do want to post a couple of pics of Rej and Clo's baby, Gabriel because he is too darn cute to forget! The below pics are just a few days after getting home from the hospital. Things seems to be going well in the Poirier/Belanger household! I think Rej and Clo are a bit tired but that is all part of the package and something that most new parents are aware will happen. :)

Shamus loves little babies so he was pretty excited to see Gabriel. Clo looks great!

I love a good cuddle with a new baby!! They are soooo darn cute!

Shamus was pretty happy when Clo asked if he wanted to hold Gabriel. He doesn't quite understand that babies can't hold their own head so I was a bit concerned about little Gabriel's! Shamus did well though. He had no interest in Breagha at all when she came home from the hospital but he loves all the new babies our friends are having. Very nice to see.

I hope to pop over to Rej and Clo's tomorrow and will get in some more quality time with the baby! I told Rej and Clo...it's not about them anymore!

We've been really busy on the weekends...sorting through our stuff and getting out with the kids. We asked them both what they would like to do before we leave Australia. Breagha said that she would like to see a kangaroo. Great answer! We went to Daisy Hill and saw some wallabies. And then we went to Lone Pine and even got to feed the kangaroo's!

Shamus said that he would like to go ice skating at Ice World. I don't think so! I explained that we'll get to do that in Canada for $5.00 instead of $65.00 and we can do it all the time. But, he still really wanted to go to Ice World. That isn't going to happen. :)

Love our camelpacks from Debra and Raul. They're great! Water and room for snacks!

We really enjoyed our hike at Daisy Hill. We thought it would be a good way to get the kids out before our trip to NZ. They'll be doing a lot of walking there!! They did really well - both keen as they had on new hiking shoes.

Breagha just looked too cute in her hiking gear.

Shamus putting his camera skills to work. We don't let him use the camera too much but sometimes...and he is getting better.

Brisbane is such a great city. We really love it. The family life is perfect here. But, I still love to get out of the city and enjoy the outdoors!! Just walking through the woods with Darryl and the kids was wonderful. I enjoyed it so much.

Aren't the trees here crazy?!! Look at the small bench on the left side (under the tree). It gives you an idea of the size.

Last Saturday we went to Byron Bay...one last trip to our favorite little surf town. I just love it there. We hung out on the beach, then did a bit of shopping, had dinner at the little fish n'chip shop by the water, and then we went up to the lighthouse to watch the sunset. A perfect trip.

So, we're squeezing in a lot before we go. We're getting pretty organized with our packing. This weekend we're hooking up with some of the families and teachers from the daycare. A last playgroup for the kids. And then we fly to Christchurch on Sunday morning...back Mon/Apr 12.

No idea when I'll get to post next!!! :)

I need to make it official

Hi all,

I just want to do a quick post to get everyone up to date with all that has been going on with us. I'm behind again with my posting but I'm blaming it on my cousin, Allister! He is a naughty influence on us. Keeping us up late and bringing beer and wine to the house! Poor Darryl did 3 nights in a row this week...out with coworkers and then with Allister and Sean. He's pretty tired today and so am I! But, we really enjoyed having family with us and taking him around the city. It worked out nicely as we showed Allister some of Brisbane - he's first time seeing it and probably our last! Which is the reason for the post. We're going home!!

We will be extremely sad to say good bye to our wonderful friends here and we love the way of life in Australia. But, I'm very excited to get home and see family and old friends. We were hoping to move home by July-ish so this is a bit earlier than we thought. But, we can't complain! Darryl started looking about a month ago and things moved very quicky after that. We'll be flying home the end of April and Darryl will start work with Ubisoft in Montreal the 10th of May. We are still getting to do our trip to New Zealand and we hope to stop in Sydney for a couple of days before we fly out.

And that is the MacPurdy update! I've been meaning to do an update for over a week now and can't seem to get the time on the computer. Sorry to everyone that has emailed in the last week or so....I promise, I always reply, I'm just behind! We have had a lot of things to sort out before we go and we also want to do a few things with the kids before we go....so not much computer time!

Farewell BBQ's and Birthday Dinners! :)

So, I am a bit behind with blogging as I took a couple of weeks off. And I was already behind before then! But, I do need to live my life and not just write about it! Right?! :) I do enjoy my little breaks as I really am not that into computers. I do what I need to on them and that is it. I don't "surf the web", read other blogs (unless it's friends/family), I don't chat on Facebook or Twitter, and I don't even know what else is out there these days! But, I do enjoy the computer for blogging as it keeps family and friends up to date on what we've been up to. I am still old fashion and enjoy a good phone call!! (that's right Steve, the phone!)

I also like to write emails to friends as it is a great way to keep in touch. Evelyne and Cheryl Benoit are amazing at emailing me. Thanks ladies! I always enjoy your updates! And Jolyne writes the best emails because I can totally hear her talking to me in every letter. And they are letters!! Thanks Jo. :) I know everyone is busy so I do appreciate the emails.

Ok, where was I before I got off track. Oh yeah, my blog! So, we had a BBQ for Nick and Mariana before they headed back to California. Great time was had and lots of wonderful food.

I'm not sure what the boys were chatting about...maybe Darryl didn't want to carry Nicks' beer? Nick does not look impressed!!

We enjoyed some outside time before the BBQ.

Time to eat!

Our BIG farewell card to Nick and Mariana...

So, after the BBQ, Kate found out that Nick had not tried Vegemite since he arrived in Australia. The Aussies are not that into peanut butter and jam sandwiches. They're all about their vegemite. But, vegemite is VERY MUCH an aquired taste. Most foreigners don't enjoy a vegemite sandwich but most Aussies love them! (not a fan myself) Kate felt that Mariana just didn't get the proper Vegemite sandwich - it needs to be on toasted bread with just a bit of vegemite...not too much.

Hmmm, let's see if Mariana loved it the second time around!!

Yeah, I don't think so!!

And now onto Nick...

Oh, not lookin' good!

Nick was determined to enjoy his vegemite and after a couple of bites he was getting there!

Maybe not.

We had a great time and hope Nick and Mariana are glad to be back home. We wish them all the best of luck and hope to see them...maybe in Mexico? Oh yeah!!!!!!

** Moving along! Onto our next topic **

Sorry this is getting long but it's been awhile!

We also enjoyed a lovely dinner 2 Friday's ago with friends - to celebrate Amy's 30 birthday! She looked lovely!

She and Dan picked a great spot. A Japanese restaurant along the water. We had a really great time...it was our first time using our babysitter in about a year! So, I didn't give Darryl any choice - I wanted him sitting right next to me! Yeap. I was strict about this too. :) Just like being close to you Babe!

Kate was trying to teach me how to do this SAUCY look for a pic. Hmmm, I don't think I got the hang of it. She does it very well!

Rej enjoyed cooking up his meal on the little grill in front of him. Very cool I thought.

Ok, here is the look! Kate - 1 / Stacey - 0

Mom to be, Clo, enjoying the desert! (Gabriel has finally arrived and is supppppper cute!)

And the ladies getting ready to head out.

We had a wonderful time and thanks to Dan and Amy for inviting us along.

Happy Birthday Amy!

That's it for now. I need to give myself a day or two before I post the next update!

That Time Again...

...time to do a post!

It was nice having the last 2 weeks off. We really enjoyed the Olympics but the Aussie stations didn't show much ice hockey. We did get to see a couple of the Canada games. And we did see part of the final game - I watched it at work!! Some of my team had the chance to hear some nasty curse words leave my mouth during the game...which they never hear from me...good times! :) One of the girls in my team really got into the Olympics this year and mentioned how surprised she was with how rough most sports were. I never really thought about it until then but she raised a good point. The hockey is rough, the snowboarding and skiing is dangerous, the luge/skeleton/bobsleigh is CRAZY dangerous, the speed skating is with super long sharp crazy skates....the list goes on! So, point taken. She asked, "Have you ever seen a person fall out of a pool?" Nope, I haven't. I guess the winter Olympics are a bit more dangerous than the summer. BRING IT!

Even Shamus and Breagha got into all the sports. It was cute watching them cheer for Canada. Although Shamus did decide part way through the speed skating last weekend that he was going to cheer for the USA guy. He "just wanted to". But, when the gold medal hockey game was on he was back to cheering for Canada! He better! And the kids were sporting their new hockey jerseys so very cute!

Now, the holidays are over and back to blogging! I will do a proper post this weekend. Just wanted to let everyone know that we're still kickin' around!

On holidays...

I've decided that I'm taking a short holiday from the blog. :) Yeap. The Olympics are on!!! So, between family, work, activities, friends, and now the Olympics...there is no time for computers! I'm going to do a quick catch up on my emails and then take a little holiday from the computer.

To make time even tighter, I started a new book the weekend the Olympics started. Not very smart! Now I'm hooked up the book and can't find enough time for that either!

A quick update before my holiday from the computer:
- Shamus is doing really well at school and had his first play date, without parents! He went to a friends after school on Tuesday and Darryl picked him up after supper. He did really well.
- Breagha is enjoying daycare but still not too happy about Shamus going to school...she wants to go too!
- We've been able to have some days on the beach with friends but will be glad when the humidity goes away!! Ccccraaazy!
- Darryl and I are busy with work but squeezing in time together to watch the Olympics!! Love IT!
- We are sad to see Nick and Mariana back in California but hope everything is going well for them...I will post pics of our last BBQ together after my holidays!
- And now we're just waiting for Rej and Clo's bundle of joy to arrive. Any hour now! We had the chance to meet Rej's Mom and I think she's very excited for her first grandchild to arrive. :) Love the quilt she made for baby Gabriel.
- And we have another busy weekend planned so no time for computers!!
- Lastly, I'm super excited for my cousin, Allister to arrive!!!! He and his friend, Shawn are arriving in a couple of days and I can't wait! Oh yeah!

Ok, I have to go now! Time to read a few emails, write a few emails, watch the Olympics, and read my book! Damn, I don't think I'll get it all done tonight!!!!!

Eh, Oh, Canada Go!!!!

If you want to have a real catch up, you'll have to call or write! :)

Mabou in Kraft Hockeyville 2010!!

Hmm, did you know that it was 2 years on January 29 since we left Canada for the land down under? It's true! I don't know where the time has gone but it has been a wonderful experience.

I am starting to get excited to see home again though!!!!

And then my brother, Duane, sent me this YouTube clip on Mabou...and it realllllllllllllllllllly made me homesick!

I can't wait to play ringette and hockey again. I can't wait to see family and friends!

I can't wait to eat Pizza Delight garlic fingers and a Tim Horton's chocolate chip muffin!

I have come to the conclusion over the last month - I will forever be a true Canadian. I can't substitute anything for my love for home.

Until I get home again, I'll have to keep watching this clip on my hometown, Mabou. Population of about 1000 people and I wouldn't have it any other way! Seeing the video, with my old teachers, and old school mates, and Aunt Margie (Hockey Mom for 26years!!!), has just reminded me of how wonderful Nova Scotia is!

If you're not familiar with "Kraft Hockeyville", check it out.

And check out the short video on

"Orange Pucks in Mabou".

(the little boy they are talking about (Alec Angus) is my cousin's little boy. He was born blind but has slowly started to see....a happy ending!

Some of you that read our blog were able to visit Mabou when you came to our wedding (The Halifax crew trying to square dance will always be a fond memory! :) but the rest of you will have to plan a visit some day!

Happy 5th Birthday Shamus!!

It was Shamus' birthday on Friday so we had a nice family dinner.

Shamus' choice - tacos!!

And then we had a small cake and let Shamus open a couple of gifts. It was a really nice night and a great way to finish off his first few days of school!

We had planned a birthday party at New Market Pool but had to cancel on Sunday morning due to bad weather. A total bummer but Shamus didn't seem too concerned. I think I was more bummed out because Darryl had done up the cake (great job Babe!) and we had lots of food and the loot bags all ready! We did decide to ask a couple of Shamus' close friends to come over to our place and have a play date instead which was a great idea. We did some quick decorating and 3 of Shamus' friends arrived around 10am. It was the first time Shamus had any friends over without their parents. The boys had lots of fun together as they hadn't seen each other since they started school. And we still got to do the big cake/ice cream and gifts! Shamus was very pleased with the day and we were all exhausted by 230pm...when the last boy left! :)

The boys were really cute when they saw each other - very hyper!!! They are all in different schools around Brisbane so I guess there will be more play dates to come!

Luke, Bhayva (Shamus' best buddy), Shamus, and Alexander

I'm not sure why Shamus wanted an alien...but that was his pick for the cake. I think Darryl did a great job! The responsibility of the cake will forever lay in Darryl's capable hands - not I!

Breagha is starting to become a typical "girly girl". But, I think she'll always have a tomboy side (like her Mama) as she still enjoys all the boy stuff! She was pretty impressed with Shamus' new Optimus Prime.

Some tattoos for the boys. :) They love them for some reason!

And I think the best gift was a SpiderMan and IronMan Transformer. I didn't even know they existed!! But, the boys were pumped!

And pool Darryl is the Transformer King so it was up to him to figure out how they transform and to show the boys...

"And then you flip SpiderMan's arm down like this guys"...

Happy Birthday Shamus!

I took Monday off work so Breagha and I had the day together. Shamus was not impressed that he had to go to school while Breagha stayed home with me. But, he did well at drop off. He had his first swimming class at school today (it's mandatory to participate in the swimming class which I think is great) and really liked it. He also made a new friend so that was pretty cute - he showed me the new friend yesterday at pick up. And then next week he starts after school care. We swung by today to see how many kids were there and there were 2 from Shamus' class. So, it's nice that he'll know someone there.

Now, I think I've covered it all. - Starting school and the birthday!!!

Now, I may need at least a week off from the blog! :)