Catching Up

It has been a crazy few months...and I have been terrible about documenting it on our blog.  Since the end of January, we have:

• enjoyed a February visit from my Nanna and Grampy
• taken our first boat ride around Bermuda
• made a traditional Bermuda kite
• vacationed in Florida...this time for Easter
• celebrated Jim's birthday
• had the traditional Somersfield events such as character day, sports day and the Spring Fair

...and, of course...traveled across Canada a couple of times that led to us taking jobs in VANCOUVER!  We are so excited about our next adventure that will see us move from Bermuda on July 3rd, enjoy some family time in Ontario for a few weeks and then settle in Vancouver in early August.

In an attempt to "catch up", the next few blog posts will share some highlights...enjoy!

Our little musician

After years of going to piano recitals as a performer, I was very excited (and somewhat emotional) to attend a recital for my little boy today. After only a few months of lessons with his teacher Miss C., Morgan impressed us thoroughly with his performance of "Haunted Mouse". Hopefully this is the first of many more recitals to come.

Surprising Portland

According to the Globe and Mail, Portland, Oregon is the model for 21st century cities. We didn't even know this when we made a pre-emptive strike there in late October so that Rheanne could attend a training session with the Rubicon software corporation on their Atlas curriculum mapping system.

While she worked and learned and spent her days in the lap of luxury in the Rubicon headquarters, Morgan, Quinn and I explored this gem of the Pacific Northwest.

We spent terrific days at the Oregon Zoo, the Science Centre, Forestry Museum, Children's Museum and a boring (except for Dad) Maritime exhibit. Rheanne joined us every evening for a wrap up of the day's events and a dinner at one of the area's funky restaurants. It was a great visit and a lovely taste of autumn weather (we returned to humid 25C conditions in Bermuda). Our next stop after Portland was Vancouver. The topic of our next blog!

Happy Halloween!

First Day -- Last Year

Today was a banner day for our family as we started our last full school year in Bermuda and for the first time, Quinn joined Morgan in full Somersfield uniform. It is amazing to us that when we came to Bermuda, Morgan was in P1, the way Quinn is now. We are so proud of both of our boys and we can't quite believe how fast time is flying by.

Party Hopping: Phase 2

Birthday weekend continued with a "moveable feast" in honour of Quinn's 5th birthday. We began the day at the beach at the Fairmont Southampton with Quinny's posse (Ty, Ayden, Finnley, and Neil) along with major domo Morgan. Next move was to the Cabana beach bistro for chicken tenders and ice cream sandwiches and then up the cliff by trolley to the slide pool at the hotel. Three hours later, the guests were sated and sun drenched and we moved into family party mode, staying the night at the hotel enjoying dinner overlooking the sea followed by birthday cake delivered by room service. The most painless party ever, and a holiday to boot!

(A little slideshow of Quinn's year -- don't forget to turn on your sound)

Swimming with the Fishes

Our July birthday celebrations began in earnest this weekend with the first of two back to back parties for the boys. On Saturday we ventured out by ferry to Dockyard with Morgan's great friend Pete to experience "Dolphin Dip", a half an hour in the water with a dolphin, in this case Bailey. Morgan and Pete got her to do tricks, rubbed her tummy and even got a kiss (Morgan) and a dance (Pete). What a memorable experience!