Hope you had a good Easter!

"Put down that #$@&! camera and push me DAD!"

April 5, 2007 Part II

I am back again. Lets give more of an update...hmm - let's begin with Hope.

Here is a photo of Hope taken with a newly acquired medium format camera - a Zeiss Ikon 517/16 6x6 folding camera with a Nettar lens. This camera came out in 1951 (http://www.collection-appareils.com/zeiss/html/zeiss_nettar_517.php) (whoops, I got off topic) Anyway, Hope has started school! She is in Kindergarten at the school in our new neighbourhood. While Hope is still getting used to the idea (which is understandable) her teacher and other classmates are thrilled she is there. Hope is also in swimming lessons - L'il Swimmer 4 (without a life jacket, in the deep end!) She is beginning to read - I would say that she can read most words up to and including 4 letters long. She is also beginning to write as well.

Alex is doing well. He is also in swimming lessons, with dad - L'il Tots 2. He is beginning to get more quality parent time as Hope goes off to school. He is talking more and using the computer. He is starting to count and say his alphabet as well. Here he is in a photo I took at local school park. We went to King's Landing (a heritage town west of Fredericton). They had a pre season event called the Sugar Bush Festival - The kids really liked the maple syrup on the snow! (and then in their mouths ! )


Mom and Dad are doing fine. I am sort of looking for work. I have had one interview, after sending out 2 resumes. I have since sent out a few more. Although we are feeling more settled than in Jan/Feb, we are anxious to get into our house. I am spending my time with the kids at the park, taking photos, and coming up with photography business ideas. I have joined the photography club which I truly enjoy. We (the photo club) have an exhibit on for the month of April at the Fredericton Playhouse (Theater). I have purchased a couple new camera lenses - and just sold my first two items on e-bay (2 other lenses). Larissa has booked 2 shows in Halifax, and has a few Henna bookings/events so far. She is working to re-establish her business here, and expand her product offering in her online store. We have also both joined a gym. Larissa is at Curves, and I am at the YMCA. We are going about 3-5 times a week and have both lost a few pounds already.

April 5th, 2007.

I have decided to change this blog and even update it. We moved, it is mostly over and done. no more travelling stories. I suspect that this will replace our current family page - this is the way of all things internet. So this is now the Reinders Family blog!

Well, we are 25 days from moving into our new house - we can't wait. No, really - we can't wait! This tiny little apartment is getting smaller by the week. The only solace is that the weather is getting better so we can go outside and stretch - i.e. check out the parks in Fredericton. All that being said - it is zero degrees and overcast, and snowing, we expect 30 cm today.

Larissa is kicking me off the computer - so I will add more later - bye!

We made it!!

Another gap - about to be filled in ;)

Dec 26 - (Ottawa) Relaxed most of the day, at the end of the day we visited the Museum of Civilization - one photo of the great hall, and another is a close up of a Haida storypole. The kids built a snowman in the yard, you have to understande that this is a BIG deal for 2 reasons, the snow is dry in Calgary and so few snowmen are constructed there - also our trip was lush with nice weather - not much snow.

Dec 27 - (Ottawa) Went to the Science Centre / Museum , and did some shopping.

Dec 28 - Thursday: Drive to Edmundston, NB from Ottawa, ON (747 km)-

Power driving!!! We were all well rested from almost a week of little or no driving, and the weather was great! It also helped that the drivers in Quebec didn't pay much attention to the speed limit - we made great time!

Dec 29 - Friday: Drive to Fredericton, NB from Edmundston, NB (279 km) -

Yay! We made it!!! We got a warm welcome from my sister Mariecke, and her husband Randall. Their 2 kids are so cute - Aylish @ 8 mo. and Elizabeth @ 2 1/2. Photos included

After the hugs and kisses were done, we looked at a paper and called to see an apt for Sat.

Larissa like the road so much she drove back to Woodstock to get her wallet she left at a gas station in the area - about 1 hour each way ;) A credit to small town NB - the ~$150 cash was still in it!

Dec. 30 - Saturday: Saw the apt and decided to take it - first and only one we looked at A couple of photos are included. Relaxed at Mariecke's.

Dec 31 - Sunday: Relaxed at Mariecke's.

Jan 1 - Monday: Relaxed at Mariecke's. Took a walk across the Saint John river on the walking bridge. Photos included, and one of the Christ Church Cathedral from the walking bridge.

Jan 2 - Tuesday: Shopped for apt stuff, moved some of our things in, called the moving company about our belongings (we had a portion to come off early) We spent our first night in the apt.

Jan 3 - Wednesday: Continued to settle in - called the moving company again - apparently our 'stuff' is still in Calgary - aaarrgghh! - Oh well. C'est la vie. The kids' air mattress is not holding air so we borrowed a futon mattress from my sister.

Jan 4 - Thursday: Internet connection installed today!!!! Yay!!! Took 2 days and the tech was early - a bit of a contrast to Calgary! We also borrowed a couch from my sister and brother-in-law, and we are feeling a lot more settled now.....just have to get the stuff from the movers....