Happy weekend everyone! Nothing too crazy going on in the Ferris household this week... the weather continues to be pretty iffy, had some snow the other day, but it quickly melted.

This will probably be Neil's last golf free weekend for the rest of the summer.... hopefully!!! His club is opening next weekend, and he's really looking forward to it.

I have a couple of rides this weekend with my bike team, which I would be more enthused about if it weren't so firkin cold out there!!

Neil and I have booked our plane tickets to go see Collin and Nona and meet Ella on May long weekend.... we are really looking forward to the visit!

Well, for the rest of the day, I'm going out to get tortured on a cold bike ride, and then Neil and I have date-night tonight :) I believe supper and a movie are on the agenda!

Have a good weekend,
Love
Tara

Introducing Ella Beth Fae Ferris.

Here she is!!! the newest addition of the Ferris Family. Ella Beth Fae Ferris. I picked the name Fae, for Iris, I changed the spelling, so that it was spelled like my middle name Jae. The name Beth is for my Mom. Her name is Elizabeth, everyone calls her Betty, but she always wished that she was called Beth. The name Ella, well it just came to me one day. I didn't even know it was a "popular" name right now. Also if you look up the names, both Ella and Fae mean fairy, or elf, and I kinda thought that was cute too. She is our little elfin fairy.

The video is just after she was born and cleaned up...notice her hat is coming off. That is because she has a BIG Ferris Head!!! Needless to say I will be paying for that one for a while.

This one is the first ride in the car seat. I think she looks like her daddy.

I will post more later. going to feed the little critter and go to bed.

Love Collin and Nona

Happy is the easter that---------

Brings such a terrific surprise! Way to go, nona & Collin. Waiting to see pictures and hear details. Hope everyone is doing great.

Happy Easter!!... Orrrr... Happy new BABY!!

Congratulations to Nona and Collin, who welcomed Ella-Beth (spelling??) at 8:20 am this morning... we can't wait to see some pictures!!!!

Good work on the blog post Aunt Linda... very impressed... now that you know how to, we expect to hear from you every week or so!!! :))

And yes, I owe you two recipes.... the trip to Vegas had erased that from my memory, so thanks for the prod!!

Cheers,
Tara

Hi everyone!!!

Tara and I have lost a lot to cancer over the last couple of years, along with everyone in the family.... I wanted to feel like I'm doing something to fight back, so that's what this is all about!!

On Sunday, June 19, 2011 I will be participating in a very special and significant event. I will be joining hundreds of people for Alberta’s 1st annual Joe’s Team Triathlon in support of the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.

I am actually doing the Duathlon instead of the triathlon, in the interest of not drowning!! :) My personal goal for fundraising is $2500, and I'm already at $1600, so it's going well so far!

If anyone would like to make a donation, it would be more than welcome. They are all tax-decuctible and every little bit helps... ignore the fact that my co-workers have been donating massive amounts... they makes lots, they can afford it.... hahahaha.... this is not a competition about who can donate more!!

Thanks all... I will blog the photos of me actually running and biking and running this race... i'm really looking forward to it!! 

Neil

http://albertacancer.ca/neilferris

Dumb student

My first attempt- Tara your lesson was good but I finally had to get Barry to get me set up. So here goes.

First we had an awesome time in Alberta- really enjoyed seeing where everyone had moved to since we were last there. The company, food, and activity was awesome. But i am still waiting for some recipes- Aaron I would like to try your whole wheat bread recipe- I now have 2 bread makers (thanks Tracy) so one of them must be able to do the job And in case I have to make a birthday cake that pina colado was very tasty. I suspect the cook is the secret there, so Tara keep practising! I know Neil thinks we need card skills and we will certainly be working on those. And tell the boys we will be increasing our outdoor activity and won`t be so easy to catch in the tag game! That is if we ever get summer- today was one of the nicer- I think it got to 10 or so. We are high and dry here- not so lucky in some areas of our municipality and a lot of road closures- the pike lake highway is still open but down to one lane and that is going through water but nearly all the snow is melted now so hopefully will stay open.

Not doing much- waiting to get warm enough to paint the outside of the house. I got a saddle all cleaned up and tried out kijiji- posted it Sat and in 24 hours had 72 hits and sold it at suppertime sunday. Barry asked how many more of them i have!! So he got the 5th wheel out and is cleaning it up and will probably post it too- we just don`t seem to have a use for it anymore. Were saving it to go to Alaska but booked a bus tour in June instead. Figured with a tour guide we won`t have to do so much reading.

Went to our first political rally last week- Harper came to town so went to see him in person. Got seated really close. Have never seen a prime minister in real life so now can cross that off the bucket list. Last time the Queen came here we went to see her too.

Having a quiet day today- I have a good case of cold/flu so tomorrow it better be better. Hope you are all well and the Easter bunny pays a visit.

Going to try and attach a picture of Tracy`s house in Ponoka.

Waiting for news Nona!!!!

Thats it for now Linda & Barry

Water, Water, Everywhere!!! Bring your life jackets.

Hi Everyone,

Things are getting pretty hairy out here. They have opened the diversion as much as Collin has ever seen it. The bridge is closed on 227, the water will likely go over the bridge, the water is touching the bridge at 240, and a hiho is on standby to make sure there are no ice jams to back up the water. The Highways guys said that there is likely to be even more water let through, so lots of flooding from the Assiniboine river. The fields shockingly are starting to dry...at least until the diversion overflows and floods everywhere.

I have attached some pictures and a video so you can check it out.

The bridge on 227

The Diversion


the bridge on 240


a video of the water coming over the diversion


Things are getting scary, no water in the house yet, which is good. I am hoping it does not get that bad, however there is really a lot of water. I am a bit concerned for Tony and Astrid, and Mark and Unera, the water is up to the berm across from their houses.

On the happy side of things, lots of hawks and wildlife around, the snow is almost gone, we had a snow "shower" on Friday and everything melted on Saturday. Not great for the flooding, but good for the snow melt. Tulips, crocuses, and daffodils are coming up...no blooms yet, but soon I am sure. Spring is here.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Love Collin and Nona

Hello Everyone

Well - I guess I've been busy lately and didn't see all the birthday wishes until just now. Thanks everyone! I had a busy birthday with classes, meetings at the boys' school and work. Friday was Tate's party so Thursday and Friday were spent cleaning, cooking and baking. Four of Tate's classmates came so he was happy. The boys made and raced Lego cars, played hide and seek, ate cake and opened gifts.

Sorry for bugging you Nona about the babe's arrival date. We will be happy with whatever day she decides to come. That's good that you might get some time off work before she comes.

Yes, we are getting MORE snow. I think we'll get more snow in April then any other month this fall/winter/spring. One day we are riding our bikes and the next we are making snowmen. Enough already!

We had a good visit last weekend with Barry and Linda. Tara and Linda planned a surprise birthday party for Tate and I on Sunday so that was really nice. It was actually good weather - the boys even played in the park.

The next two weeks are exams for me so I guess I better open some books.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Laurel and Tate,

Hope you had a happy day. Laurel called this morning to check and see if they would have to share their birthday's with another, but alas...much to my dismay...no baby today. If she is anything like Collin and I she will be late. My sister thinks she will come on May 2nd, then all of us will have birthdays on the 2nd of the month. who knows, the little monster has a timetable of her own.

My last day of work is Friday, so I will be a lady of leisure after that...well maybe not...I hear extreme house cleaning brings on labour, so starting Saturday, look out house, you won't know what hit you...Yikes that is pretty bad, I am willing to scrub my house to bring on labour...shows you how much I want this kid out. Well at least the house will be clean when you come out to visit. Yes, that is an invitation, to everyone.
We miss you and are looking forward to seeing you.

Love Collin and Nona...and again, Happy birthday Laurel and Tate.

Happy birthday!! This picture is from the weekend little celebration we had. Had a wonderful weekend, Aunt Linda and Uncle Barry came down to visit!

We had a great time hanging out, playing card games, watching the masters and playing with the boys...

On Monday, I headed out to the mountains and had a nice ski day with a couple of friends!

ok, well, that's me leaning on my skis, drinking a beer... but lots of skiing DID get done!

I have night shift tonight, then Neil and I leave for Las Vegas bright and early tomorrow morning! I have a race that I am doing over the weekend, and Neil is taking his golf clubs with him. Supposed to be hot and sunny, so we are REALLY looking forward to it... because it is supposed to snow all weekend AGAIN... which i'm sure lots of you are getting, as well!!

Have a great rest of your week everyone... I will be back next week with lots of Vegas pics!! :)

Cheers,

Tara

Happy Birthday!!

Seven years ago today Laurel shared her greatest Birthday present with me. I guess you could say it was part mine from the start. Either way great gift. I always joke that I planned it that way. Come to think of it I don't think I got her anything else that year........better stop there!!

Happy Birthday Laurel & Tate :)

Of course Laurel has to work tonight. Have to make her something special for supper. Tate opened his gifts this morning before school and on the weekend when we got to celebrate with Barry & Linda in town. Thank you Auntie Tara for the awesome cake and lunch. Really good to visit with Barry & Linda. Thank you for making the trek west.

Tate is having a Lego Party on Friday with his friends. Should be fun.

Hi all!!

Just though I'd share this pic of my cat, Seph... helping me BLOG!!! hahahaha... she usually likes to stand in front of my computer screen and meow at me.... very, very helpful!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend :)

Well spring is officially here in Manitoba...About time, not to say that we will not see more snow before summer, but Collin saw his first Robin of the season, so spring must be here.
We went out to the farm after work this afternoon to feed the cats and check up on the joint. There has been lots of snow melting over the last couple of days. The diversion is flowing, and ice is breaking up. As long as the weather stays reasonable I think the overland flooding will not be as bad as predicted, the water from the fields seems to be moving away nicely and not sticking around in any place in particular...yet. We caught 3 mice in the farmhouse today...2 in traps and one little critter drown in the new sump pit Collin put in. I have attached some photos, the first one is my 3 boys, Collin, Socks and Wyle on the south side of the shop; they were checking out the melting snow. The cats are kinda like dogs, they follow Collin around, however are truly like cats when it is time for us to put them back in the shop and go home for the evening, then they don't even know their names. My 4th little boy Calvin did not make the photo.
The second picture is of the Robin Collin saw last week...The sure sign spring is here. By the way, keep that snow in Calgary, and don't send it our way, we have had enough this winter.
...and the last picture is of my gargantuan belly. OMG it is huge, and she is a little ninja...please let her come early...like tomorrow...or even tonight...anytime soon.

Well I guess I should go and lie in bed and pretend to sleep for the night. Gotta work in the AM.
Lots of Love to everyone,
Collin and Nona

Is spring ever coming?????

Here is the view from the side of our house and out the back... we got a record 21.1 cm of snow in Calgary on Saturday.

Had a busy weekend (shocker, I know) Friday I had threshold testing with the coach from the road bike racing team that I am now part of. Basically, i get on my bike, and i cycle 20 watts harder every 3 minutes. during each three minutes, the coach took blood from my finger to test the amount of lactic acid build up... you basically go until you absolutely CANNOT go any longer... it makes for a painful last 3 to 5 minutes... fun stuff! We also had poker night on Friday, and had a pretty full poker table of 9 people... it was a great group, lots of laughs.

Saturday (that would be the day of the BIG storm) I had a race in Canmore... after a scary drive out, it was a good race. It was a winter triathlon, so I skate-skiied 5 km, mountain biked 5 km, then ran 5 km. It was pretty tough slogging the whole way as the snow was wet and heavy on the ground!! It was my first ride out on my new mountain bike. It already has its first scratch!! :) hahahaha...

I came in first in my category... which wasn't hard, since I was the only one in it!! it was a small race.... I got a cookie gold medal.. yum!

After getting back from Canmore, Neil and I went to the "Hunter's Supper" which was a get together my first partner when I first was in uniform always put on... He passed away almost two years ago now, but his widow still puts it on, and its a great time to fond memories and old friends!

Today has been a little more laid back.... had a nice lie-in and went to yoga this morning to stretch out the bruises and hurts from yesterdays race. Neil and I took a little trip to the mall and got him a new pair of jeans and some work shirts.... he has lost 20 pounds since his jaw surgery, and NOTHING fits him.... he's been reluctant to send alot of money on new clothes, but it's getting a little desperate.... with his new job he goes in every morning to work out, so I think he will probably keep quite a bit of that weight off.

We had ourselves a little bbq this evening, and just having a relaxing few hours, since we both go back to work in the morning!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Cheers

Tara