The long con:

The long con:
Supper had finished, but Nate and James were still debating something at the table as I cleaned up. I didn't give it much thought, but a couple minutes later I noticed James appeared to be on the verge of tears. "What's going on?" I asked. James blubbered out, "Nate says I'm not the most normal." Me sternly, "Nate!" Nate instantly and jubilantly, "OK!!" Whispers in James' ear. James perks up and happily announces, "Nate said I could be the most normal because he's the best!"

Advent traditions with Oma McGrath's advent calendar.

Advent traditions with Oma McGrath's advent calendar.
https://goo.gl/photos/pKoVjTaPfawLkMQh8

Christmas Tree Hunt and Set Up

https://goo.gl/photos/QF1CQYauchgR7bBx7

Elle and Liam helping me in the kitchen.

Elle and Liam helping me in the kitchen.

Thought this was pretty neat.

Thought this was pretty neat.
https://www.familybreakfinder.co.uk/holidays/map-every-countrys-tourism-slogan/

An allegory for life...

An allegory for life...

Nevermind, I'm going all in today.

Nevermind, I'm going all in today. Love the parts usage here. Round bricks for the honeycomb effect, dinner plates for weapons, and skis for thruster coverings.
http://www.brothers-brick.com/2016/09/22/s-s-helios-reporting-what-are-your-orders/

I don't normally do the re-post, but this build is just so good.

I don't normally do the re-post, but this build is just so good.
http://www.brothers-brick.com/2016/09/22/gothic-magnificence-in-brick-the-library-of-parliament-in-ottawa-canada/

You know your son is an avid reader when he picks reading books by himself to video games.

It's that town where the train goes around!

It's that town where the train goes around!

The boys were using Elle's sippy in the van, and complaining that it was to hard to drink from.

The boys were using Elle's sippy in the van, and complaining that it was to hard to drink from. Sara, "Suck it up, boys!"

Well, it's been a week since we've been back.

Well, it's been a week since we've been back. We spent the midpoint of our trip at the family farm in Napanee, which I believe was the highlight for everyone (it was certainly mine). After that, we booked it back to Winnipeg through the States, with a lot less photos and stops in Indiana, Mall of America, and Fargo.

Thanks to all that graciously hosted our frenzy of a family.
https://goo.gl/photos/ZgNQnPXaJiDmADDQ8

Family Road Trip 2016 - Part 4

Family Road Trip 2016 - Part 4
All you can eat sushi with friends
https://goo.gl/photos/BNR76LwCTZBSu8E76

Family Road Trip 2016 - Part 3

Family Road Trip 2016 - Part 3
Biodome and water taxi to old Montreal for dinner at 3 Brasseurs
https://goo.gl/photos/HqK3PfpN1knqujk76

Family Road Trip 2016 - Part 2

Family Road Trip 2016 - Part 2
Day 5 - Elle turns 1! Pool party, pizza, and muffins.
Day 6 - LEGOLAND and then too busy catching up with good friends, Theresa and David (and now Dominique), to take pictures
Day 7 - Montreal with Brian, Veronica, Vincent, and Beckie
https://goo.gl/photos/DtfzBQouyHy7ALZT7

Family Road Trip 2016 - photo dump 1

Family Road Trip 2016 - photo dump 1
Day 1 - Kakabeka Falls
Day 2 & 3 - Marathon + family
Day 4 - Elliott Lake

https://goo.gl/photos/ioxWCh69ZE2PjH936

"Gardening Fun" album, or as Sara suggested "Mum gardens while Dad watches kids..."

"Gardening Fun" album, or as Sara suggested "Mum gardens while Dad watches kids..."
https://goo.gl/photos/bqK7rupEz5dX5vNa8

Photos from the weekend.

Photos from the weekend.

James and his duplo creation.

James and his duplo creation.

For Stephen Epp

For Stephen Epp

Originally shared by The Brothers Brick

Considered to be one of the greatest strategy game franchises ever, as well as being an undisputed classic, the Age of Empires series has been entertaining players since its initial release back in 1997. While their gameplay is rightfully touted, the…
http://www.brothers-brick.com/2016/04/12/age-of-lego-a-build-fit-for-kings/

One of the best parenting moments for me yet has been watching Nate begin to read.

One of the best parenting moments for me yet has been watching Nate begin to read. It seems like only a few months ago he was beginning to pick up words in all sorts of unlikely places. "Dad, why does it say, 'free', on that package? Did we get it for free?" "No, it's just gluten free. It means it doesn't have any gluten in it." "That bag says 'Lower prices every day'. That means if you go to the store tomorrow, it'll be even cheaper." "No, that just means their prices are lower than other store prices every day."

Friday of last week we had "student led" conferences at school. Afterwards, as a treat we offered to buy him a book from the book fair. He picked one of the Geronimo Stilton chapter books, and looking at the book noted it was meant for a Grade 4 reading level. I guess he likes challenges, because over the weekend he read through the entire book on his own, and then declared he liked the book so much he'd read it again and is now working his way through it again. I guess we now officially have another book worm in the family.

Realized, I haven't posted in a while.

Realized, I haven't posted in a while.

Nate's missing some teeth. Elle is adorable. The boys go sledding. Elle and Liam wear cool hats. Elle eats a neon pink hat that would have matched Stephen Epp and my matching neon hats, that Sara for undiscernible reasons wouldn't let me buy. The boys build a robotic Lego T-Rex that you can drive.