HE DID IT!!!

On Saturday, June 21st and Sunday, June 22nd, Bryan participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer. There was close to 3000 participants who raised approximately 14 million dollars. This was over a 200km bike ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls. The first day was from Toronto to Hamilton (Mohawk College) and the second day was from Hamilton to Niagara Falls.

DAY 1
Bryan was up bright and early Saturday morning to be in Toronto for 6:30am. He originally signed up with our brother-in-law Mike, but Mike, unfortunately, injured his leg playing baseball, 4 days before the ride. Bryan ended up riding with Mike's friend, J.D. and Alisha, whom Bryan met a couple weeks earlier in a 70km bike ride - training. The three of them stuck together throughout the two day bike ride and ended up having a lot of fun together.

A couple days before the ride, we found out that the route would take them through the village where we live. Not only that....it was written down to be one of the cheering stations. So Bryan was able to call us about 1/2 hour before he figured he would be here, so we and some of our friends in the neighbourhood could go and see them. So our friends, Sandy, Jason and his two kids, and Jill went to meet him as well.

After meeting him, by our house. The kids and I went to a plaza where they were going to meet up with Mike, Karen and the kids. After a brief pit stop, we then went on a ways with Karen and Mike to cheer them on at another spot. At that point they only had a couple kms left until they completed their first day. Yea!!!!!!

Bryan and Alisha
Day 2 - Bryan's birthday!!!!
The three of them started their ride at approximately 8am. Meanwhile, Mom Z and I dropped Cassandra off at my parents for the day, and met up with Mike and Karen and drove caravan to locate a spot where we could cheer them on again. We found a great spot and waited for awhile, meanwhile the kids could stretch their legs and cheer for the other bikers.

It was great to see they were all in good spirits! Lots of energy left! We then took the supposed "quick way" to Niagara Fall to meet them at the finish line. Niagara Falls on a sunny, Sunday afternoon with family/friends arriving to cheer their riders meant it was BUSY!!!! We did, however, find some parking close by (we won't mention how much it cost!!!) It was exciting to be at the finish line. What a 'high' for these bikers to bike down the last stretch, surrounded by hundreds of people cheering!!
J.D, Bryan and Alisha


HE DID IT!!

OUR SWEET, 'ANGELIC' CHILD

I have a few stories about this sweet 'angel' of ours. Ones that I am scared I am going to forget. I know that there are many more...but these are ones that I have not yet forgotten.

When Breanna was 3.5, she had taken a marker and preceeded to colour on her arms, face and clothes! I was trying to not laugh...but also tried to think of a way to teach her not to colour on her clothes!! So I brought her downstairs to the laundry area and gave her the clothes, I put some soap on it and gave her a brush to try and clean them.... Well...after a minute, she said to me...."Mommy.....why are you treating me like Cinderella?" I suppose it's worked because she has never done that since! Too funny!

This picture is when she was around 3.5 playing dress-up in her Cinderella dress.

This was her bedroom....
The kids were in bed....so we thought....and Bryan and I were outside doing some work in the front....when all of a sudden, I realize that her blinds are open and Breanna's not sleeping! So I went back in the house, sat on the chair with Breanna (she was around 3.5) and reminded her that we are not allowed to touch the roll down blinds because they were very expensive and we did not want to buy new ones. I then asked her what we should do to make sure that she does not do that again. So she sat sitting on my lap thinking. She then proceeded to tell me that she should "pray about it". I then had to keep a straight face, while she prayed..."Dear Lord....please help Satan to never make me touch my blinds again...we know that they are very expensive...." I tucked her back into bed and couldn't get outside quick enough to tell Bryan! Too cute!!!

Another funny thing, that just has happened recently. Every week for school, she learns a new Bible verse. I often wonder how much she actually retains. Does she remember them after that week?

Well..... there is a new boy in school and he seems to be acting like a 'little bully'. He often acts mean to everyone...not sure what the issue is....but anyways....I had a talk with Breanna and said that "he may be having a hard time adjusting to a new school, and is scared". I then said "even though he may be mean to you, you shouldn't be mean to him". Breanna's comment...."I know, I know...you shouldn't repay evil with evil".

Another "angelic" moment happened this past week. I was asking Breanna to help me clean up the toys and she said "sure mom....I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"! Bryan and I are wondering who's child she actually is! :)

This is a picture taken a couple Sunday's ago. She had her face painted at the church picnic.

Wacky Hair Day at school, this past winter. Just thought the picture suited the stories. :)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO...

Papa!!

The kids LOVE serving breakfast in bed! They brought Bryan a coffee, bacon/egg on a bagel and a banana. Breanna often asks when she will be old enough to have breakfast in bed! :)

Then the gifts...we gave him some clothes and a new Canadian flag for our pole in the backyard (which we hope to move to the front yard some day)

This is the card Zachary made for Bryan.

Breanna made this at school for Bryan. She was soooo proud of it. When Bryan was reading the answers she had given....she just knew she had them all right!!! :) She had the cutest grin!

Happy Father's Day to my Dad (Opa)

We went for a visit Sunday afternoon. The whole family was able to make it...which was a lot of fun....especially for the kids...they love playing with their cousins!

THE NEW SOCCER PLAYER IN OUR FAMILY

Breanna has started her first season of soccer on Tuesday nights and she loves it. She just received her uniform at the game last night and was quite excited about it! She's a "real soccer player now"! It's quite a coincidence, because all through Bryan's years of playing soccer (from age 7ish - 29), he's always been number 8. We all thought that was pretty neat!

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MOON*IN*JUNE

Bryan ran the Moon*In*June this past Saturday night. At least the evening cooled a bit. Temperatures had been in the 30's but cooled slightly, especially by the lake. He did the 5km in 23:03.

SATURDAY CHORES....I MEAN...SATURDAY FUN!

This is often what the scene is, when Bryan cuts the grass at our house. Breanna and Zachary love to take turns 'cutting the grass'.

Poor Cassandra....not quite old enough to help yet....

but still has fun watching from the safety of the house.

Zachary
Breanna

What a helper he is! By the way, Zachary was a 'big boy' on this day.
He picked out his clothes and got dressed all by himself.

Note the following:

• the vest :)
• the vest on inside out
• the pants that were taken off his 'too small' pile
• the pants on backwards (I know this because his back pocket is hanging out the front)
• how cute he is :)