tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60052409318365778792024-03-13T06:55:35.026-04:00Spring Roll and DumplingSusanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-4839860731132968552012-04-03T14:54:00.000-04:002012-04-05T14:57:26.249-04:00A glorious day in history!9 years ago, Gordie and I becme parents to a beautiful one year old baby girl, Qin Li Cui from Hepu, Guangxi. What a fantastic day it was!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tw_So6fyOhs/T33q_4lnkJI/AAAAAAAADGg/ri0Sui3_XTY/s1600/Referral1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tw_So6fyOhs/T33q_4lnkJI/AAAAAAAADGg/ri0Sui3_XTY/s400/Referral1.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-65321267418098981342012-03-31T23:44:00.038-04:002012-04-05T14:53:26.567-04:00Party Time!Part of the excitement of celebrating a birthday around our house is actually figuring out what kind of party we will have. This year, no great thoughts came to mind so pajama party it was. In fact, it was a great idea! Cara-Li enjoyed it tremndously! 10 girls for her 10th birthday!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_a408V7jc0w/T33cbTYQICI/AAAAAAAADE4/I84Ap7uu3JQ/s1600/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_a408V7jc0w/T33cbTYQICI/AAAAAAAADE4/I84Ap7uu3JQ/s400/photo1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Home made birthday banner in the party colours.</div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9UtAMkvAhq8/T33ceJi-wWI/AAAAAAAADFA/6hdCw8jaOJA/s1600/photo2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9UtAMkvAhq8/T33ceJi-wWI/AAAAAAAADFA/6hdCw8jaOJA/s400/photo2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Potted veggies and dip.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bNsRAaOKJRc/T33cggBRDwI/AAAAAAAADFI/HsmoAmB3S6Y/s1600/photo3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bNsRAaOKJRc/T33cggBRDwI/AAAAAAAADFI/HsmoAmB3S6Y/s400/photo3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Girls decorated their our fluffy slippers with foam flowers.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WOfYowVraAk/T33gvxRsXeI/AAAAAAAADFw/SVRjplTpbKY/s1600/photo4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WOfYowVraAk/T33gvxRsXeI/AAAAAAAADFw/SVRjplTpbKY/s400/photo4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I needn't cook as they made their own pizzas!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cake pops for the dessert bar.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dessert bar = fruit skewers, cake pops and 'smores cookies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WvVfLwTmrcw/T33cnv7Jg2I/AAAAAAAADFo/Y2tAh40SIrY/s1600/photo7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WvVfLwTmrcw/T33cnv7Jg2I/AAAAAAAADFo/Y2tAh40SIrY/s640/photo7.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The birthday girl with the birthday cake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Opening present is always fun!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They're staying!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbTQKKMrCgM/T33hNpD430I/AAAAAAAADGA/3zWk4nB-EqU/s1600/photo9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbTQKKMrCgM/T33hNpD430I/AAAAAAAADGA/3zWk4nB-EqU/s640/photo9.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6 girls left behind to sleep. It was not quiet!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fruit platter for the morning after.</div><br />
<a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-19570623322336109962012-03-26T13:35:00.004-04:002012-04-05T13:44:08.353-04:00The Big TenSomeone I know turned 10 years old today. That someone is my baby, Cara-Li! Hope that this landmark birthday lives up to her every expectations. Love you, Cara-Li! Enjoy your day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-87HA1w9r02I/T33YDTEFdrI/AAAAAAAADEo/SyVtpz_ANtk/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-87HA1w9r02I/T33YDTEFdrI/AAAAAAAADEo/SyVtpz_ANtk/s640/photo.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-83641357420245793662012-03-24T23:38:00.008-04:002012-04-05T13:44:29.913-04:00And the celebrations begin...Tonight we celebrated a couple of birthdays. SQ who turned 9 on the 21st and Cara-Li who turns 10 on the 26th. The cool part of their relationship is that they are from the same orphanage and were both adopted one year apart by 2 Montreal families. So we always make a point to be part of each others lives and frankly, we've done a great job! We see each other all the time and are always there for each other's important landmarks (and other stuff too!). This happened to be an impromptu dinner at the cottage and a grand time was had by all!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7uSklBzJY0/T33ZmdcVRtI/AAAAAAAADEw/6kKGoT4HKdw/s1600/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v7uSklBzJY0/T33ZmdcVRtI/AAAAAAAADEw/6kKGoT4HKdw/s640/photo1.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-56267318689740455642012-03-22T10:44:00.001-04:002012-03-22T10:53:07.664-04:00A tributeIt has taken me until now to muster up the energy to come back to this blog. You see, one week ago, we celebrated the life of my dear brother-in-law who was taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age on Sunday, March 11th. Since then, we have been going through the motions of what we call normal life, but man, this has proven to be extremely tough. I am fragile, emotionally fragile. But it is not about me. It is about a wife, 2 sons, parents and 4 siblings he has left behind. How do they go on without Gary in their lives? Without ever seeing his smile, hearing his laughter, seeing him react to things in his usual nonchalant way. Gary has left a huge hole in our lives and in our hearts which will take an extremely long time to heal. Thankfully we have many, many wonderful memories of this gentle and kind man that was put on this earth to enrich all of our lives. For this, I am thankful. I am thankful that he was part of my life. My sweet Gary, may you rest in peace... until we meet again. I love you with all my heart!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hyYKptLPrCw/T2s523wYR5I/AAAAAAAADEg/FmeqO-4BKb8/s1600/Gary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hyYKptLPrCw/T2s523wYR5I/AAAAAAAADEg/FmeqO-4BKb8/s640/Gary.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-79530068283963896812012-03-06T10:38:00.000-05:002012-03-06T10:38:09.763-05:00February blahs...I just noticed that we are already into the month of March and that the February blues are still upon me. The weather has been great considering we are still winter. But I don't know what it is. It happens every year so this year I tried to keep busy during February, at least during the weekends with lots of skiing and lots of friends visiting at the cottage. But no... that hasn't really worked. I have no physical energy to do anything yet I have piles of ideas and tons of little things to do. Hell, I have boxes still to unpack and we've been in our new house now for 7 months! What hasn't helped is that my dear brother in law is going through some hard times, medically that is, and I cannot help but worry about him constantly. And Gord hasn't been very present due to this. So, yeah, I guess that's why I'm feeling that I am just getting through day by day... often forgeting what needs to be done on certain days and mixing things up. It's a wonder my kids are being fed and bathed :) You know what they say: This too shall pass...<br />
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<a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-39948729525154947762012-02-05T22:32:00.000-05:002012-02-05T22:32:33.625-05:00The end of an era...It's 1987. I was in my second year of Hotel and Restaurant Management at Lasalle College and I was 19 years old. I was working on a year long project with 4 other girls and we were building a (pretend) hotel from the ground up. We were at the point where we were working on the restaurants, most specifically the kitchens. I was the purchasing manager thus in charge of collecting any information on all the kitchen equipment. Since my family is in the espresso machine business, we always did the yearly Hotel and Restaurant Suppliers Association (HRSA) show and so since I would be there anyway working the booth, it was a no brainer for me to get all this information. While at the show, I looked around to see where I would grab some catalogues and lo and behold, in the booth just next to ours was this very good looking guy selling all sorts of kitchen equipment. So I meander over and strike up conversation with him and manage to get all I needed to complete my project. After several days at the show, this same fellow asked me out for drink which I graciously declined since I was already involved with someone else. <br />
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Fast forward five years and it's 1992. Same show, same guy, same girl. Except this time when the guy asked the girl out again, the girl said yes. Happened to be that she was now single. Of course, the rest is history. Gord and I were married two years later and we certainly were the talk of the show. And it seemed very fitting that we would get the call from China for Cara-Li during the 2003 show. Once again, we caused quite the stir around us.<br />
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We met, we married, we had our first child at this show. It is now exactly 20 years since our first date. And this is the first year that the show has been cancelled. What a shame! We were supposed to have our first grandchild there...<br />
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</a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-37149283663435924882012-01-24T14:10:00.000-05:002012-01-24T14:10:52.900-05:00The 'Girls'A cute photo taken last night at our Chinese New Year's dinner. Aren't they all the most beautifuls girls you have EVER seen?<br />
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<div align="left"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4-Thd5E5Gt4/Tx8BskmnmtI/AAAAAAAADEM/sAP-2l--EBQ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="476" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4-Thd5E5Gt4/Tx8BskmnmtI/AAAAAAAADEM/sAP-2l--EBQ/s640/photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-72025559676827957512012-01-23T10:08:00.000-05:002012-01-23T10:08:49.281-05:00Xin Nian Kuai Le!<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> Happy Chinese New Year to all!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">May the dragon bring you all good fortune and health!</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iofvC2awKlQ/Tx1ywT2h33I/AAAAAAAADEA/xoBn8uyCvYk/s1600/2012_Year_of_the_Dragon_material_05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" nfa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iofvC2awKlQ/Tx1ywT2h33I/AAAAAAAADEA/xoBn8uyCvYk/s320/2012_Year_of_the_Dragon_material_05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-42894527518529957682012-01-04T15:05:00.103-05:002012-01-16T22:25:26.905-05:00What we've been up to<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Did you notice in my last post, 'Happy New Year', the Mickey Mouse fireworks? Go see...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, that's because that's where we've been for the last few days! Some months ago, I thought it would be a fabulous idea for us girls to tag along to Florida with Gord between Christmas and New Year's. You see, he had to been in Fort Lauderdale for business as of January 3rd so we decided that we would finally take Alexia to Disney for her very first time. Cara-Li, well... she's been spoiled having been there already three times. So we were extremely lucky to have spent 4 glorious days (with about a gazillion other people!) on Disney's lovely properties. Yeah, this time of year, it's a little busy at Disney. So we were up and at it extremely early in the morning (that's 6AM to make a 7AM shuttle!) till sometimes quite late at night (make that midnight!). Cara-Li, well, she had no problem being the non-sleeper of the family. She is always raring to go and never wants to sleep for fear of missing something (sounds like someone I know...). Alexia was a real trooper, grabbing a nap whenever she could and then waking up to join us without being grumpy. Good thing I made all our restaurant reservations some months ago as well as with all those people down there, getting a bite to eat could have been a problem. We had a real great time, not a relaxing time, but a great time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">DAY 1: Animal Kingdom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We love this park. It has lots a rides, the big Mount Everest, and lots of fun stuff to do like safaris where you get to see all sorts of animals. Highlight: 'The Lion King' show, a show that is just like on Broadway. This is also where we discovered that Cara-Li is a thrill seeker... love them big, fast (and oh so scary!) rides. Gord was the lucky one to accompany her on all of them while I stayed behind with Alexia enjoying the smaller rides and lots of snacks. But, whenever Alexia made the height requirements, she was in there and that also meant that I had to grin and bear it. The girls had a grand time making fun of me, I'll tell you! Lunch was with Mickey, Goofy, Donald Duck et al and dinner was a nice sit down restaurant where we gulped down a bunch of beer :) A well-deserved reward!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rM2PMU7VsfY/TxSDthvXnvI/AAAAAAAADA0/pKXrh6VQd4I/s1600/IMG_4455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rM2PMU7VsfY/TxSDthvXnvI/AAAAAAAADA0/pKXrh6VQd4I/s400/IMG_4455.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a nice little ride that Mom was able to sit in the backseat to snap this picture.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QX4-8QZqdy0/TxSD_zmsGoI/AAAAAAAADA8/ixHBcMWxQ1k/s1600/IMG_4481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QX4-8QZqdy0/TxSD_zmsGoI/AAAAAAAADA8/ixHBcMWxQ1k/s400/IMG_4481.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few giraffes seen on our safari.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FkGjXONwdcw/TxSEdunQKOI/AAAAAAAADBE/xsshvazUmPk/s1600/IMG_4490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FkGjXONwdcw/TxSEdunQKOI/AAAAAAAADBE/xsshvazUmPk/s640/IMG_4490.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Along with an elephant.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ho1zjwpdJKw/TxSEvpbYtjI/AAAAAAAADBM/WrDa3Co6XBE/s1600/IMG_4511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ho1zjwpdJKw/TxSEvpbYtjI/AAAAAAAADBM/WrDa3Co6XBE/s400/IMG_4511.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Lion King show.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">DAY 2: Magic Kingdom and New Year's Eve</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Everyone and their mother's thought it was a fantabulous idea to be at Magic Kingdom on New Year's Eve! Including us. The park reached its capacity of 100,000 by 10:30AM which if you weren't in at this point, you weren't going to be. The park rarely ever shuts down... that goes to show you how many people where there! But we were there when the park opened and so we were in front of the crowds. And for as long as you stayed in front of the crowds, managed your Fastpasses (keep collecting them as soon as you can get them) and ride all the non-Fastpass rides early in the day, you can ride all the Fastpass rides in the afternoon when the lineups are huge. There is a huge satisfaction in walking right to the front of the line at some of the biggest rides at Disney. This also left time in the afternoon for all the parades and shows and character greetings. Breakfast was at Cinderella's Castle where we dined with all of her friends. Dinner was at The Plaza where Gord had one of the best Angus beef burgers ever! Our gang was just a little to tired to make it till midnight for the special fireworks but we did see the Holiday Wishes fireworks before making our way home.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7XrY8k180A/TxSE7pfXzgI/AAAAAAAADBU/fn4X-HOdeAs/s1600/IMG_4596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D7XrY8k180A/TxSE7pfXzgI/AAAAAAAADBU/fn4X-HOdeAs/s640/IMG_4596.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A crowd favorite... the Mad Tea Cups. Cara-Li is trying to spin that cup right off it axle and trying to get her Mom to barf!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BPI-fUIg7AY/TxSFBuUzbiI/AAAAAAAADBc/o9j8vgYKbRk/s1600/Scan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BPI-fUIg7AY/TxSFBuUzbiI/AAAAAAAADBc/o9j8vgYKbRk/s640/Scan.jpeg" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cinderella and the gang... our gang at the Castle.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMt-7tKfm20/TxSFSTfSFfI/AAAAAAAADBk/sa9LzmVpsyY/s1600/IMG_4618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMt-7tKfm20/TxSFSTfSFfI/AAAAAAAADBk/sa9LzmVpsyY/s640/IMG_4618.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inside Cindy's Castle after breakfast.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ID5k_-uX2bc/TxSI31zVcwI/AAAAAAAADB0/IVi9mVGrgUc/s1600/IMG_4664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ID5k_-uX2bc/TxSI31zVcwI/AAAAAAAADB0/IVi9mVGrgUc/s640/IMG_4664.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The special Christmas show. It was so hot and there were all wearing coats, mitts and hats. Too funny!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WYdMJFjPJNg/TxSJKeH2REI/AAAAAAAADB8/tmNiG3ql-bs/s1600/IMG_4665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WYdMJFjPJNg/TxSJKeH2REI/AAAAAAAADB8/tmNiG3ql-bs/s640/IMG_4665.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Castle. There is something magical about it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-REGTtXBwmlI/TxSJmYpCrBI/AAAAAAAADCE/xsOfIxnK_uw/s1600/IMG_8999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-REGTtXBwmlI/TxSJmYpCrBI/AAAAAAAADCE/xsOfIxnK_uw/s400/IMG_8999.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cinderella and her Prince riding in their carriage in the parade.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mt8CL_Au_YQ/TxSJ1IwUpLI/AAAAAAAADCM/j0TXg47tmCQ/s1600/IMG_9024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mt8CL_Au_YQ/TxSJ1IwUpLI/AAAAAAAADCM/j0TXg47tmCQ/s640/IMG_9024.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the day would not be complete if we didn't have a one on one meeting with Mickey Mouse.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w8XWo4MFo0s/TxSKMg_QfKI/AAAAAAAADCU/4VIZYNDdX7E/s1600/IMG_4727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w8XWo4MFo0s/TxSKMg_QfKI/AAAAAAAADCU/4VIZYNDdX7E/s640/IMG_4727.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, yes. And let's not forget about the firework. Wow!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">DAY 3: Epcot</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I personally love Epcot. It's like 2 parks in one. The first part, Future World, where you have all the rides, namely 'Soarin', one of the best rides ever. And then there's the World Showcase, a total of 11 pavilions representing the world. Each pavilion has great exhibits, shows, shopping and dining. And also, lots of beers, wines and champagnes. Yummy! Since we had a dry New Year's Eve at Magic Kingdom (there is no alcohol at Magic Kingdom), we made up for it here by tasting and enjoying all the above beverages :) The girls had fun getting their Epcot passports stamped and by day's end, they could say that they were around the world. We had a great dinner at the Japanese restaurant at the teppanyaki grill followed by the evening's fireworks which are very similar to the ones here at La Ronde... fireworks and music right over the lake.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EEn-B9Qh4Fc/TxSKiNmhEZI/AAAAAAAADCc/evVLoBk1rdI/s1600/IMG_4744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EEn-B9Qh4Fc/TxSKiNmhEZI/AAAAAAAADCc/evVLoBk1rdI/s640/IMG_4744.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally hunted Minnie Mouse down. She was a tough one!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ztAbdwOluoc/TxSLNy3x7SI/AAAAAAAADCk/S6WwaBiRp30/s1600/IMG_4759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ztAbdwOluoc/TxSLNy3x7SI/AAAAAAAADCk/S6WwaBiRp30/s640/IMG_4759.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Met Mulan at the Chinese pavilion and she was by far the best princess. She took the time to speak to the girls about being strong ladies just like her and giving them some great advice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">DAY 4: Magic Kingdom (again!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This time it was much quieter. If I could use that term, quieter. By no stretch was it quiet but definitely much more so than on New Year's Eve. Since we had done most of the park the last time, we were able to spend some time chasing down the characters. The girls were on a mission on getting the most autographs possible. I think they got close to 30! Also, we spent the day going back to the rides that we most enjoyed on our last visit. Lunch was on the streets which consisted of corn dogs and jumbo turkey legs. Dinner was more civilized at The Crystal Palace with Winnie The Pooh and his friends. And since it was our last night, we took our time and enjoyed our meal. We also spent a good part of our day chasing day our friends M & T and their kids from Montreal. Finally, met up with them for the fireworks. And because the girls didn't want to leave after the fireworks, we continued on with our rides for a little longer. No one wanted to leave in fact. But we had to. And until next time, Disney! Thanks for the wonderful memories!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_AE1PIHnOo/TxSLinLppUI/AAAAAAAADCs/aZjLuKARI7k/s1600/IMG_4808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_AE1PIHnOo/TxSLinLppUI/AAAAAAAADCs/aZjLuKARI7k/s640/IMG_4808.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tinkerbell. Wow! Is she ever chatty... A match for Alexia!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YXQFFVSTGk8/TxSLxFj0D8I/AAAAAAAADC0/H82jrzuqa6c/s1600/IMG_4621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YXQFFVSTGk8/TxSLxFj0D8I/AAAAAAAADC0/H82jrzuqa6c/s400/IMG_4621.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By far the funniest characters... Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters. They were a hoot!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDQSf1PPhns/TxSM5f1trzI/AAAAAAAADC8/XIBQQUP6Y-U/s1600/IMG_4829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDQSf1PPhns/TxSM5f1trzI/AAAAAAAADC8/XIBQQUP6Y-U/s400/IMG_4829.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h79Ni5hnyko/TxSNH0Du1TI/AAAAAAAADDE/K-bsKgw3fDI/s1600/IMG_4833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h79Ni5hnyko/TxSNH0Du1TI/AAAAAAAADDE/K-bsKgw3fDI/s400/IMG_4833.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Classic Carrousel.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BRJoTUJoPrE/TxSNeTkvP-I/AAAAAAAADDM/942VA2_NC-w/s1600/IMG_4858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BRJoTUJoPrE/TxSNeTkvP-I/AAAAAAAADDM/942VA2_NC-w/s640/IMG_4858.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mickey and Minnie in the afternoon parade.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ykgw6A1G0-4/TxSOcjnBKzI/AAAAAAAADDU/fZPYmCzG04E/s1600/IMG_4954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ykgw6A1G0-4/TxSOcjnBKzI/AAAAAAAADDU/fZPYmCzG04E/s640/IMG_4954.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And our favorite Hundred Acre Woods friend, Piglet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kqac9qKZBQ/TxSOpxkClMI/AAAAAAAADDc/l7o4TTr9amk/s1600/IMG_4960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kqac9qKZBQ/TxSOpxkClMI/AAAAAAAADDc/l7o4TTr9amk/s400/IMG_4960.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The happiest girls at Disney.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CNW8C3yep9k/TxSRCXC0_pI/AAAAAAAADDs/M1L9blBFlPY/s1600/IMG_4935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CNW8C3yep9k/TxSRCXC0_pI/AAAAAAAADDs/M1L9blBFlPY/s640/IMG_4935.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Castle at night... crazy stuff!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-58858260005893708152012-01-01T00:01:00.001-05:002012-01-05T09:28:49.678-05:00Happy New Year!<div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May this New Year bring you all lots of joy and happiness!</span></strong></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3Adm07hkXw/Tvt_KWd8hBI/AAAAAAAAC_w/E0qgGAEM5dw/s1600/CMO-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3Adm07hkXw/Tvt_KWd8hBI/AAAAAAAAC_w/E0qgGAEM5dw/s400/CMO-01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-65393588188870339002011-12-28T20:06:00.000-05:002012-01-13T14:28:39.149-05:00Christmas in ReviewIt was our turn to host the Christmas Eve dinner with Gord's brother and his family. That was great as we wanted to have them over to see the new house and what a wonderful way to do it, with some holiday cheer! As for my family, we have always had lunch on Christmas Day at my parents' house. We decided to stir things up a little this year. I suggested that they all came to our house instead therefore making it easier on my parents. Lord behold... they agreed! The only thing I didn't think of was the back to back dinners. Yikes! That made for some minor diasters around the house! But it all worked out and it was quite nice. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Here are some of my favorite photos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4e-j7PrfuIg/TwZJPKJxJgI/AAAAAAAAC_8/Lw7VdQVmaOg/s1600/IMG_4441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4e-j7PrfuIg/TwZJPKJxJgI/AAAAAAAAC_8/Lw7VdQVmaOg/s640/IMG_4441.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kUrCtJK5W0M/TwZJW-OQNQI/AAAAAAAADAE/8ccDEUxM6aA/s1600/IMG_4446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kUrCtJK5W0M/TwZJW-OQNQI/AAAAAAAADAE/8ccDEUxM6aA/s640/IMG_4446.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yVWYjG_VLyc/TwZJeX6BhXI/AAAAAAAADAM/_kgjEPEpSlY/s1600/IMG_8905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yVWYjG_VLyc/TwZJeX6BhXI/AAAAAAAADAM/_kgjEPEpSlY/s640/IMG_8905.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-84322326950995599872011-12-25T07:58:00.009-05:002011-12-28T15:37:16.941-05:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For our family to yours...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sEPNy0nVovM/TvMpYKI3AEI/AAAAAAAAC-g/iXQGn47psnw/s1600/xmascard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sEPNy0nVovM/TvMpYKI3AEI/AAAAAAAAC-g/iXQGn47psnw/s400/xmascard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-77957450158580991642011-12-21T23:26:00.001-05:002011-12-22T14:41:36.681-05:005th Annual Cookie ExchangeMy all-time favorite party of the year is my Cookie Exchange party. This year we were 8 bakers, and Gord, our waiter. We, the ladies, provided all the sweets and Gord made sure we had lots of appetizers and drinks in hand. We all ate, drank and exchange our goodies. Enough cookies to get us through the holidays and to keep us in good spirits.<br />
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My contribution this year were walnut horns, a buttery croissant like stuffed with walnuts and cinnamon. Extremely yummy! And all packaged in cute little glass snowmen jar complete with little blue scarves!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k5aSjvRUK9Y/TvOE9Xx9HeI/AAAAAAAAC_I/plOjoNfJdSk/s1600/IMG_8894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k5aSjvRUK9Y/TvOE9Xx9HeI/AAAAAAAAC_I/plOjoNfJdSk/s400/IMG_8894.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The band of merry snowmen.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_aPJ1l_QN0/TvOFNrTh1EI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/D9TVru4oTm8/s1600/IMG_8896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_aPJ1l_QN0/TvOFNrTh1EI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/D9TVru4oTm8/s400/IMG_8896.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The lovely assortment of taster cookies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfnndvDs9AI/TvOGISdGONI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/YEOOtxk2mVk/s1600/IMG_8898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfnndvDs9AI/TvOGISdGONI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/YEOOtxk2mVk/s400/IMG_8898.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bakers with all the pre-packaged goodies!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-64029679575102994362011-12-18T20:16:00.001-05:002011-12-22T14:26:24.122-05:00And the Christmas parties do not end there...<br />
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This time it was with our Chinese Adoptive Association. The girls call this Santa, the Chinese Santa :)<br />
A nice little Chinese buffet lunch was enjoyed by all followed by the visit from the big guy. The kids are getting older and with very few adoptions these days, we do not have that many newcomers. Too bad! Loved seeing the cute little ones just home...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RQ3O3IeZAA/TvODUijjg1I/AAAAAAAAC-8/Dqf6WeMuvd4/s1600/IMG_8890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1RQ3O3IeZAA/TvODUijjg1I/AAAAAAAAC-8/Dqf6WeMuvd4/s400/IMG_8890.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-29522425597479852672011-12-04T19:53:00.007-05:002011-12-22T14:15:08.803-05:00Babbo NataleDecember brings on many different activities that is Christmas related. The first such one is our annual Babbo Natale with our Italian Association. The Italian Santa comes by to pay all our members' children a little visit and of course, comes bearing gifts! But before that, the kids had to put togther a show for the parents. Alexia starred as an angel and Cara-Li as Mother Mary! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FsW_wYe6jMw/TvMpHLtPuMI/AAAAAAAAC-U/-avGL1Dzlho/s1600/IMG_4438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FsW_wYe6jMw/TvMpHLtPuMI/AAAAAAAAC-U/-avGL1Dzlho/s400/IMG_4438.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-80789236650811122482011-11-05T21:34:00.005-04:002011-12-21T15:28:01.167-05:00Festa delle CastagneEvery year at this time, our Italian Association puts together a fall party where all our members get together to dine and dance. As usual, a fun evening, but somewhat stressful as I am the lucky oe who gets to plan a lot of it. The being said, I don't usually get to enjoy dinner nor the dancing for that matter. But the rest of my family and guests seemed to have fun so that's all the counts! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xND8crEzDFQ/TtRGmSnklVI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/uIg7sNS168M/s1600/IMG_4370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xND8crEzDFQ/TtRGmSnklVI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/uIg7sNS168M/s400/IMG_4370.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /><span id="goog_977885170"></span><span id="goog_977885171"></span></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-42441046081467078572011-10-31T21:27:00.007-04:002011-12-21T15:24:52.884-05:00HalloweenWhat a stressful Halloween this has been! I am still jet-lagged people! These costumes were put together in minutes flat. Alexia's Little Mermaid outfit was borrowed and Cara-Li's Minnie Mouse outfit was purchased. No time to make costumes this year... But by the end of the evening, the girls were going through their stash and every one was happy. Happy Halloween!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyxrDoNJSTg/TtRD6qLdPMI/AAAAAAAAC7w/IEAjeAowXU4/s1600/photo8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LyxrDoNJSTg/TtRD6qLdPMI/AAAAAAAAC7w/IEAjeAowXU4/s400/photo8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OS--bV6Rb0w/TtRD794hZ8I/AAAAAAAAC74/Q14-Oh5Wq08/s1600/photo-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OS--bV6Rb0w/TtRD794hZ8I/AAAAAAAAC74/Q14-Oh5Wq08/s400/photo-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-72925704854561838882011-10-30T21:22:00.007-04:002011-12-21T15:21:22.705-05:00Halloween PreparationsTwas the night before Halloween, and everyone was busy carving pumpkins! Of course, if you are at our house for this task, you are entitled to a pumpkin-filled evening. Pumpkin and apple soup and pumpkin gnocchi. Oh yes, it was pumpkin all the way! Thanks for your help guys!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0DoUTQZ_EPg/TtRCRGTtuUI/AAAAAAAAC6o/B5COCdMXRK0/s1600/IMG_4318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0DoUTQZ_EPg/TtRCRGTtuUI/AAAAAAAAC6o/B5COCdMXRK0/s400/IMG_4318.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YV3GJvuudJI/TtRCW45VdPI/AAAAAAAAC6w/IG9LAmiiOT4/s1600/IMG_4319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YV3GJvuudJI/TtRCW45VdPI/AAAAAAAAC6w/IG9LAmiiOT4/s400/IMG_4319.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Alf4tdKf84c/TtRCdK-8e8I/AAAAAAAAC64/9oNte2vIzmc/s1600/IMG_4320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Alf4tdKf84c/TtRCdK-8e8I/AAAAAAAAC64/9oNte2vIzmc/s400/IMG_4320.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-52155923657147310152011-10-29T21:16:00.018-04:002011-12-21T15:19:05.926-05:00Alexia's Cupcake Birthday PartyThis year's birthday party them for Alexia's 5th birthday... a cupcake party. And since I was not in town much prior to it, off to Loblaws we went! I must say that this was my least elaborate attempt at party planning. Must get back to it next year...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edLK0QaG51o/TtRA4Uwu3nI/AAAAAAAAC54/KRcAbq79UlU/s1600/IMG_4258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edLK0QaG51o/TtRA4Uwu3nI/AAAAAAAAC54/KRcAbq79UlU/s640/IMG_4258.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">While waiting for all the guests to arrive, the kids jumped in the bouncy castle. Funny. The older kids enjoyed it as much as the little ones.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZNcimhC9QI/TtRA-ikkKxI/AAAAAAAAC6A/bmpzs14p0jU/s1600/IMG_4276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZNcimhC9QI/TtRA-ikkKxI/AAAAAAAAC6A/bmpzs14p0jU/s640/IMG_4276.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, Alexia, dressed up in her baking outfit, decorated her little cupcakes, one to eat right away and one to bring home.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The busy little bunch.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GTEzFweH5js/TtRBMr6UKII/AAAAAAAAC6Q/CDj9ySBAPto/s1600/IMG_4296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GTEzFweH5js/TtRBMr6UKII/AAAAAAAAC6Q/CDj9ySBAPto/s640/IMG_4296.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What else would you have as a cake at a cupcake party but a giant cupcake made by Auntie Loula!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtEiQUL5E38/TtRBS0sNtNI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/IF9iD0LfviM/s1600/IMG_4299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qtEiQUL5E38/TtRBS0sNtNI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/IF9iD0LfviM/s640/IMG_4299.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mommy and Daddy with the Birthday Girl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cfclHXdLF3E/TtRBZ8XvOKI/AAAAAAAAC6g/qDK6LitSRc8/s1600/IMG_4314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cfclHXdLF3E/TtRBZ8XvOKI/AAAAAAAAC6g/qDK6LitSRc8/s400/IMG_4314.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dinner that night was at Alpenhaus for fondue. Yummy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-664446492901454762011-10-27T21:08:00.005-04:002011-12-21T15:12:55.127-05:00Alexia turns 5!I made it home just in time for my little monkey's 5th birthday. Happy Birthday my sweet littel Alexia! May you always be this precious! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EodB8wK0S3c/TtRATfeaWmI/AAAAAAAAC5o/hKcIAjfC8tk/s1600/photo6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EodB8wK0S3c/TtRATfeaWmI/AAAAAAAAC5o/hKcIAjfC8tk/s640/photo6.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8MNqP0gx4M/TtRAUmNSwDI/AAAAAAAAC5w/qF0WpjCsJ_0/s1600/photo-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8MNqP0gx4M/TtRAUmNSwDI/AAAAAAAAC5w/qF0WpjCsJ_0/s640/photo-7.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-88870777029511575002011-10-25T20:47:00.030-04:002011-12-21T15:07:50.516-05:00MilanoAnd after 4 days of drinking and eating and sleepin a little, I was off once again this time to Milan. This is where the work came into play on this trip :)<br />
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I was headed off to visit a show that was geared to restaurants and hotels. My main interest was the coffee pavillions of which there were 2. And it took me 2 days to get through them. This show is huge!!! <br />
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I did take some to time to sightsee and shop of course. The Duomo is the landmark of Milan so that was stop number one. Also, a quick stop on the roof as it is amazing up there but the day I was visiting, it was raining a little so not quite as delightful as it had been 16 years ago. I also managed to get a ticket to see The Last Supper by Leonard Da Vinci. What a score! 15 minutes with the famous painting. Also visited La Scala Theatre but was not able to get any tickets for any opera. Next time. There was some art thing going on in the city. Giant painted elephants. So I had fun trying to find them as I toured around the city.<br />
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A great trip all in all, but after 10 days away from home, I was dying to get back home to my girls!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jvqtk1MBB3c/TtQ9YNLkT8I/AAAAAAAAC4I/Pbo37i_b3Qk/s1600/IMG_4166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jvqtk1MBB3c/TtQ9YNLkT8I/AAAAAAAAC4I/Pbo37i_b3Qk/s400/IMG_4166.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The Duomo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UamPOZ27Sv0/TtQ9ZarjZYI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/vxZsmXLN30A/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UamPOZ27Sv0/TtQ9ZarjZYI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/vxZsmXLN30A/s640/photo.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">On the rooftop of the Duomo</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A cool statue inside the Duomo.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Qvdk10sXjk/TtQ9lvQZj3I/AAAAAAAAC4g/X0YePs8swHg/s1600/IMG_4244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Qvdk10sXjk/TtQ9lvQZj3I/AAAAAAAAC4g/X0YePs8swHg/s400/IMG_4244.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1X9zMegIZcQ/TtQ9se-R4_I/AAAAAAAAC4o/4PxPtcK_36A/s1600/IMG_4245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1X9zMegIZcQ/TtQ9se-R4_I/AAAAAAAAC4o/4PxPtcK_36A/s400/IMG_4245.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpgvJmoKuYU/TtQ90B65JcI/AAAAAAAAC4w/mT12fgq8zME/s1600/IMG_4250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpgvJmoKuYU/TtQ90B65JcI/AAAAAAAAC4w/mT12fgq8zME/s400/IMG_4250.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtNxhkbhik0/TtQ96WNEaQI/AAAAAAAAC44/AcPpd6PUd2I/s1600/IMG_4255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtNxhkbhik0/TtQ96WNEaQI/AAAAAAAAC44/AcPpd6PUd2I/s400/IMG_4255.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8_nA9-yPEP8/TtQ-QS6RZQI/AAAAAAAAC5g/AV8pWonPSYw/s1600/photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8_nA9-yPEP8/TtQ-QS6RZQI/AAAAAAAAC5g/AV8pWonPSYw/s640/photo1.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Duomo at night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ5pdRwg9ok/TtQ98Ayc_GI/AAAAAAAAC5A/D5ohiT6tihw/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ5pdRwg9ok/TtQ98Ayc_GI/AAAAAAAAC5A/D5ohiT6tihw/s400/photo-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Area surrounding the Duomo.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iAYhMUhlGM/TtQ99nfTTrI/AAAAAAAAC5I/WaoNLXVz8Mc/s1600/photo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iAYhMUhlGM/TtQ99nfTTrI/AAAAAAAAC5I/WaoNLXVz8Mc/s640/photo3.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The Galleria (shopping mecca)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8x80hDr7Nc/TtQ9-u4lEAI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/hWxfU82LF9s/s1600/photo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8x80hDr7Nc/TtQ9-u4lEAI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/hWxfU82LF9s/s640/photo-4.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cool coffee cup display at the tradeshow</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oNFoFxKKsE/TtQ9_gKf81I/AAAAAAAAC5Y/jJse8huieEk/s1600/photo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oNFoFxKKsE/TtQ9_gKf81I/AAAAAAAAC5Y/jJse8huieEk/s640/photo-5.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A gimormous coffee roaster!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-26359789730717436282011-10-23T20:29:00.019-04:002011-12-21T14:52:37.267-05:00TrentoAfter my 2 day jaunt in Rome, I grabbed a high-speed train for a 4-hour ride and headed off to Trento in Northern Italy where all my family is. I was picked up by my cousins and whisked off to dinner. It had been a while since I last saw them so we had lots of catching up to do. Also, it was my first trip back to my parents' home town that I did not have a place to stay. We used to have my grandparents, house but that had been sold some years ago :( So I was going to spend my stay at my aunt's house. Very nice. I had my own 2 bedroom apartment! Mental note... must come back with Gord and the girls... There is something about this sleepy town of 400 people. I get sucked in everytime! I am such a country girl at heart. I would be able to live that lifestyle no problem! There is nothing wrong with waking up and seeing the Alps from your bedroom window. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CK1RIZavkQA/TtQ1tn0K3UI/AAAAAAAAC3A/kaVmuccZX_4/s1600/IMG_4011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CK1RIZavkQA/TtQ1tn0K3UI/AAAAAAAAC3A/kaVmuccZX_4/s400/IMG_4011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4AXx3r7BsM4/TtQ11DMr4LI/AAAAAAAAC3I/rq6KKlGJ2EQ/s1600/IMG_4014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4AXx3r7BsM4/TtQ11DMr4LI/AAAAAAAAC3I/rq6KKlGJ2EQ/s640/IMG_4014.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The town church</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NwRmoxsbrpY/TtQ2ALfDnFI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/7_g45zZb-gs/s1600/IMG_4038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NwRmoxsbrpY/TtQ2ALfDnFI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/7_g45zZb-gs/s640/IMG_4038.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Directions to all the neighboring towns.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TKtNsyl30n8/TtQ2HKdTF9I/AAAAAAAAC3Y/EV2Xxgzk3kU/s1600/IMG_4039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TKtNsyl30n8/TtQ2HKdTF9I/AAAAAAAAC3Y/EV2Xxgzk3kU/s400/IMG_4039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View from my bedroom</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hUieEYcecjM/TtQ2O1VmkHI/AAAAAAAAC3g/hMb0vqK5fvU/s1600/IMG_4043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hUieEYcecjM/TtQ2O1VmkHI/AAAAAAAAC3g/hMb0vqK5fvU/s400/IMG_4043.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View from the living room.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Neighboring area</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dD1i0nazDQk/TtQ2hAFLpRI/AAAAAAAAC3w/GJcshnuxI-o/s1600/IMG_4049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dD1i0nazDQk/TtQ2hAFLpRI/AAAAAAAAC3w/GJcshnuxI-o/s640/IMG_4049.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Mountain flowers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C2jfxf4nBhA/TtQ2qEBzm7I/AAAAAAAAC34/BkWKiMUHgpM/s1600/IMG_4057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C2jfxf4nBhA/TtQ2qEBzm7I/AAAAAAAAC34/BkWKiMUHgpM/s640/IMG_4057.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Castel Thun</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mn1mPsVEb7E/TtQ2xMZRwMI/AAAAAAAAC4A/zs4xBu6RNXQ/s1600/IMG_4086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mn1mPsVEb7E/TtQ2xMZRwMI/AAAAAAAAC4A/zs4xBu6RNXQ/s400/IMG_4086.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Snow!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-46348884503447286632011-10-18T20:21:00.028-04:002011-12-21T14:43:25.783-05:00RomeIt was decided very last minute that I was to go to Italy for 10 days. Poor me :) Well, in fact, I went for work purposes but seeing that I had not been there in 16 years, I went to spend some time with my family in Northern Italy. And since I had a supplier in Rome, I made a pit stop there too!<br />
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So first off, Rome for 2 days. I was picked up at the airport by my coffee supplier who then took me to visit his present factory and then his new one. He then dropped me off at my hotel to settle in but of course, I did not stay there long. I needed to get out there and explore! My hotel was just around the corner form the Colisseum so I grabbed my camera and headed off by foot. I explored the area a little and made a plan for the next day. Later that evening, I went out for a typical Roman dinner with my supplier and thenit was pass out time. Jet-lag had finally gotten the best of me. <br />
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The next day, I purchased a hop-on, hop-off bus pass on a double decker bus and made my way around town with that. These are some of the stops I made. My time in Rome was very short so I chose to not visit any museums or any of the sorts. Will save that for my next trip. I chose to ride the bus and just walk through all the neighborhoods and just simply hang. Loved Rome! Can't wait to go back...<br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WAHux7kG8aA/TtQz3t2Sc1I/AAAAAAAAC1g/yPNIBeAxfBI/s1600/IMG_3830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WAHux7kG8aA/TtQz3t2Sc1I/AAAAAAAAC1g/yPNIBeAxfBI/s400/IMG_3830.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Colisseum</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d1aSn-jEHQo/TtQz_nRngoI/AAAAAAAAC1o/N0mA3Tx_Wpo/s1600/IMG_3826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d1aSn-jEHQo/TtQz_nRngoI/AAAAAAAAC1o/N0mA3Tx_Wpo/s640/IMG_3826.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Colisseum area</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EUbV-AEde-o/TtQ0GYgflhI/AAAAAAAAC1w/r05D_pg7C_s/s1600/IMG_3843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EUbV-AEde-o/TtQ0GYgflhI/AAAAAAAAC1w/r05D_pg7C_s/s400/IMG_3843.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Colisseum area</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cil1cWPtQZQ/TtQ0MO_b0jI/AAAAAAAAC14/0hxDjSZhUXY/s1600/IMG_3845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cil1cWPtQZQ/TtQ0MO_b0jI/AAAAAAAAC14/0hxDjSZhUXY/s400/IMG_3845.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">St. Peter's Basilica</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The Vatican</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RdXaRPqnLek/TtQ0YXNNbDI/AAAAAAAAC2I/FwsHUBOzbn8/s1600/IMG_3890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RdXaRPqnLek/TtQ0YXNNbDI/AAAAAAAAC2I/FwsHUBOzbn8/s640/IMG_3890.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sU0bbbpvQiM/TtQ0hM6fSiI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/RTH4IJ-azHg/s1600/IMG_3902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sU0bbbpvQiM/TtQ0hM6fSiI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/RTH4IJ-azHg/s640/IMG_3902.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trevi Fountain</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1eFMZEizh4/TtQ0ppbyyOI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/QsqCFRo1WXA/s1600/IMG_3922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1eFMZEizh4/TtQ0ppbyyOI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/QsqCFRo1WXA/s640/IMG_3922.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w5USHP7LAug/TtQ0uyMMO-I/AAAAAAAAC2g/9bVKi8sNEqI/s1600/IMG_3933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w5USHP7LAug/TtQ0uyMMO-I/AAAAAAAAC2g/9bVKi8sNEqI/s400/IMG_3933.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3b06YwUbEpo/TtQ01dbS_XI/AAAAAAAAC2o/5ZCxW_R9mA8/s1600/IMG_3961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3b06YwUbEpo/TtQ01dbS_XI/AAAAAAAAC2o/5ZCxW_R9mA8/s640/IMG_3961.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Piazza Navona</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FIwL05JeBjE/TtQ08bCZhPI/AAAAAAAAC2w/xA27PXiUC8A/s1600/IMG_3971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FIwL05JeBjE/TtQ08bCZhPI/AAAAAAAAC2w/xA27PXiUC8A/s640/IMG_3971.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rckYPEQ6t00/TtQ1ExdaLJI/AAAAAAAAC24/LkkrdNJ7SoY/s1600/IMG_3974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rckYPEQ6t00/TtQ1ExdaLJI/AAAAAAAAC24/LkkrdNJ7SoY/s640/IMG_3974.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spanish Steps</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6005240931836577879.post-631024952102315882011-10-10T20:13:00.024-04:002011-12-21T14:31:16.628-05:00Thanksgiving WeekendAs we do every Thanksgiving, we go to Guelph to visit Gord's family. This year was no different. And every year, we try to find a new activity for the girls to do with their cousins. This year's activity... Marineland! I have never been so I was intrigued as well. And it was fun! Not only did we get to see a bunch of different animals, we also got to go on some rides. Namely, the Screamer. Well, I did not go on it but Gord did with Cara-Li and N, our niece. The look on their faces was priceless! Another fun activity, Aberfoyle Antique Flea Market. Love going there. So many great find on every visit. And well, we musn't forget turkey dinner with The Farrells. Fabulous as always!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiX-mWso-1E/TtQx9gO4gdI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/Uyy7xXMo8lQ/s1600/IMG_3653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jiX-mWso-1E/TtQx9gO4gdI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/Uyy7xXMo8lQ/s640/IMG_3653.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The Clan</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eOE1kwpbEsk/TtQyGpw9ZWI/AAAAAAAAC0g/iIk2fxiP2GM/s1600/IMG_3665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eOE1kwpbEsk/TtQyGpw9ZWI/AAAAAAAAC0g/iIk2fxiP2GM/s400/IMG_3665.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Girls a little skeptical about feeding the deer.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1cVIbB_Wdfc/TtQyNEtWLBI/AAAAAAAAC0o/B9DPlMB86zc/s1600/IMG_3680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1cVIbB_Wdfc/TtQyNEtWLBI/AAAAAAAAC0o/B9DPlMB86zc/s400/IMG_3680.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The dolphon show.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59zSSmdWT0Q/TtQyUG0wxqI/AAAAAAAAC0w/9v2whAdnZtM/s1600/IMG_3698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59zSSmdWT0Q/TtQyUG0wxqI/AAAAAAAAC0w/9v2whAdnZtM/s400/IMG_3698.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Killer whale</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezeBGSAA9Rs/TtQyam_s7CI/AAAAAAAAC04/-BEA8EotEyw/s1600/IMG_3735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezeBGSAA9Rs/TtQyam_s7CI/AAAAAAAAC04/-BEA8EotEyw/s400/IMG_3735.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Belugas</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EHhY1Th1lOc/TtQyhGnbxkI/AAAAAAAAC1A/Ob7OmvGBSzA/s1600/IMG_3695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EHhY1Th1lOc/TtQyhGnbxkI/AAAAAAAAC1A/Ob7OmvGBSzA/s400/IMG_3695.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alexia with her cousin C.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The girls and Gord on the screamer!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m6v-84dgfAQ/TtQywrfMynI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/4mbHGMYo81Q/s1600/IMG_3725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m6v-84dgfAQ/TtQywrfMynI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/4mbHGMYo81Q/s640/IMG_3725.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Top of The Screamer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3pgwyeshWes/TtQy3Cs37BI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/UNqznywVr5Y/s1600/IMG_3756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3pgwyeshWes/TtQy3Cs37BI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/UNqznywVr5Y/s400/IMG_3756.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Th Farrells</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/?action=view&current=Angelisiggy2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo47/bbblogdesign/Angeli/th_Angelisiggy2.jpg" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14088694225404550283noreply@blogger.com0