Camping

Once hard core backcountry campers, Emmett and Oscar's parents are now embracing car camping, as they introduce the next generation to the wonders of sleeping in a tent.

 

 

 

 

 

Out. And he slept almost all night, waking once at 4am for a feed, and then to start his day at 6:30am.

Traffic calming device

This is what they do for fun...

 

Atop Nana's Mountain

Snow angels and shots of Glayva atop Nana's Mountain (aka Tunnel Mountain) is how Emmett, Oscar, their parents and Auntie Clare remembered Nana yesterday. Oscar caught a ride on his Dad's back, while Emmett hiked the entire mountain almost by himself. They've been hiking up this mountain on March 30th for the past three years in honour of her, to remember her laughter and catch a glimpse of her spirit from high up on a cold winter's day. 

We sure do miss you, Nana. 

4 weeks and 2 lbs later

He's been on the planet exactly four weeks, and has put on two full pounds, bringing his weight up to 9 lbs 7 oz. Must be all the food he is getting from his Mommy, Auntie Clare, Daddy and Emmett.

Underwater photography II

Apparently, giving equal airtime to both the elder sibling and the soon-to-be-new baby is important.

Buddy Burger ain't yo friend

Despite struggling through the effects of a hangover after a late-night A&W run, Emmett ekes out some fun at the second annual StranMcCann PaddleFest. The Wagon Wheel-induced spike in blood sugar helps considerably.

Doing our part

We couldn't get out to volunteer with the thousands of other folks who showed up at McMahon stadium today. Emmett doesn't meet the age requirement (18) and his Mom...well, carrying a 24 week old fetus is a pretty good reason for exemption. But we're doing our part by taking 2 minute showers, reusing our cups, avoiding the washing machine, walking instead of driving, staying off the phone, making cookies for police officers and working from home. Emmett's Dad went to work, even though it was closed, to be part of a skeletal crew to answer calls from frantic students. Emmett and his Mom stayed home...Emmett's downtown daycare was closed, and fortunately, his Mom's employer advised her to work from home.

The rain has stopped - for now- although there are thunderstorms in the forecast, and Auntie Clare reported another 12 cm in the mountains today. The rivers have crested and are starting to recede. The Elbow River (right next to where we used to live) has gone down significantly, and the Bow (1 km south of where we currently live) is going down gradually. There are power outages in several parts of the city, and about 65,000 Calgarians who were evacuated were allowed to go home today. Not to livable abodes, mind you. That will still take some time...

Bend it like Emmett

Despite a 9-week training camp replete with snow, rain, and mosquitos, Emmett reaches the pinnacle of his soccer season with the year-end U4 tournament.

After a few shifts playing wingman to a Christine Sinclair-like striker...

Emmett's mom takes him aside and talks psychological strategy which leads to...

 

Emmett taunting the opposing team from the sidelines by exposing his huge gut, a tactic...

which culminates in a red card and ejection from the remainder of the game.  Given that the sidelines happened to be where the ice cream bars were stored, Emmett still gets to chalk this one up as a 'Win'.

Special thanks to our friend, David Pugh, for the stunning photography!

Father's Day 2013

Happy Father's Day, Emmett and Folj'r's Dad.

Celebrating at A&W* with bacon an' eggers after a morning Father's Day run in honour of Dad.

(*hey, don't knock it! That's what the man of the day wanted, AND we had a coupon...)

25 years later

Emmett's dad was a mere teenager when he landed in Calgary to watch the 1988 Winter Olympics. He caught the fever back then, and it was ignited again as the city celebrated the 25th anniversary. Emmett and his parents headed to the Olympic Oval for the celebrations, which included speed skating, pin trading, looking for Howdy and Hidy (or as Emmett called them, "Howdy and Nasty") and meeting up with some...er...characters from the past.

One of the 250 square dancers who performed in the opening ceremonies.

Future Olympian?

The cauldron on fire again.

Five minute major for unsportsmanlike conduct

Though he has now largely recovered from it, Emmett's NHL lockout-induced rink rage was caught on camera a couple of weeks ago.  The good news is, the only casualty was his equipment.

Things that go bump in the night II

Emmett skims Biscuit Finds a Friend while demonstrating a key camping/emergency preparedness skill.  Technique is near-perfect, just need to work on the tension on the headlamp strap.

Antibiotic resistant parrot

Thanks to a recent bacterial infection of the ear and eye, Emmett channels his inner pharmacist and (with a little help) utters his most impressive words yet.  Cool party trick, just in time for the holiday season.

Stampede 2012 - 100 years and counting

"Emmett, did you like the Parade?"
"Yup."
"What was your favourite part?"
"I like the firetrucks and the cleaners! I LOOOOVE the firetrucks and the street cleaners!"
(And yes, just to clarify, Emmett is referring to the street cleaners who follow the horses, cleaning up their poo).

Pancake Breakfast with the University of Waterloo Alumni

Keeping a two year old entertained for two hours while waiting for the parade to start is no easy feat...

Stampede Caesar. Yes, that is bacon. No, Emmett's parents did not quaff these back at 9 in the morning.

StranMcCann at the end of the parade. Which cowboy is just a littttle tired?