Avery Richard McClees

Chillin with Mom and Dad

Meeting Grandpa for the first time

Big Brothers

First Avery and Now Caelan

Caelan Ethan Floyd

6 pounds 9 ounces/19.5 inches

July 5th 2008 10:40 PM

Things don't always go as planned and little Caelan Floyd had his own plan for when he would come into this world. The short version (since it is late and I need to go to sleep) is that Sue was scheduled for a C-section on Tuesday the 8th. Well today Sue was feeling off all day and wasn't feeling him move around as much as normal. So to be on the safe side they decided to go into the hospital to have things checked out. Sue's blood pressure was high and after an hour or so of her on monitors they decided to go ahead with the C-section. Turned out baby Caelan was not moving as much today because he had managed to wrap the cord around his neck. Thank the Lord Susan went in to the hospital tonight. All is good, baby is good. Caelan Ethan Floyd, 6 pounds 9 ounces. Another post to follow with more details and pictures when I have them.

What a GREAT day. July 5th, two new babies in the family. I couldn't be more excited. Christmas can't come soon enough.

Welcome to the world Caelan, we can't wait to meet you.

He's Here....

Avery Richard McClees

8 pounds 5 ounces/19 inches

July 5 2008 4:49 AM

Avery took a little longer to get here than expected. He was born this morning at 4:59am. I don't blame him, I wouldn't want to come out either. Welcome to the world Avery, Uncle Chris and I can't wait to meet you.

Baby Extravaganza

For those of you who don't know, Chris and I have 4 nephews. 2 from his brother (Gavin and Trevor) and 2 from my brother (Austin and Braeden).We love our nephews a lot. So much in fact we spoil the heck out of them at the holidays. Well around Christmas last year we found out that both sister in laws were pregnant. Immediately visions of little girls were dancing in every ones heads. But we soon found out that apparently Susan and Andrea are not capable of producing girls. Another 2 nephews it would be. And they are almost here, and we are so excited. My sister in law Andrea in the black shirt in the photo below(Chris's brothers wife) is off to the hospital back in Seattle where she will be induced this evening and little Avery Richard McClees will be here sometime in the next 24 hours. My other sister in law Susan in the tank top below (my brothers wife) will be having a c-section on the morning of the 8th and little Caelan Ethan Floyd will be here. YAY!We are very excited and can't wait till we get to meet both these little guys at Christmas time.

Running for Grandpa

On Fathers Day my brother and my two nephews did a 5k in Edmonton for Prostate Cancer with my dad. For those of you who don't know, my dad has early stage prostate cancer and is very treatable. Add that to the fact he loves to run it made sense for him to participate. My brother and the boys decided to join him. Well they didn't exactly all run together, my dad was off on his own and Austin and Braeden were at a slower pace with my brother. Although Austin did really well and ran most of it much to every ones surprise. Dave hung back with Braeden and even had to carry him on his shoulders for some of it. For a 5 year old he did a great job. Craig MacTavish, former NHL player and current head coach of the Edmonton Oilers was the chairman of the run. Austin of course recognized him right away and him and Braeden got their picture taken with MacT. I have to admit, I'm a little jealous:)

Dear really really annoying girl at Panera Bread,

When we went for lunch yesterday at Panera Bread we went there with the intentions of enjoying a couple of super yummy chicken ceasar salads in peace. Instead we enjoyed our yummy chicken ceasar salads to a loud piercing and very annoying sound. That sound was YOUR voice. What was more bothersome than anything else as you stood at the booth next to us going on and on about the boy you liked and how you want to own a house, car, be married and have a great job before you have kids was that you were an employee. How about the fact you were rambling about how when you take customers orders you like to play dumb and talk like a valley girl. Funny thing is I am pretty sure this is NOT an act. Maybe you were on your break, maybe not. But my guess is that if you were on your break perhaps you should have taken your apron and hat off so that when you went on and on at the top of your lungs about everything and anything in your life you wouldn't have made Panera Bread look bad. Perhaps you could have clued in that not everyone wants to know what gorgeous eyes this boy you are crushing on has. Maybe you could have lowered that annoying high pitched voice of yours. What I hope is that at some point during the rest of your shift that you were reprimanded for your rudeness and stupidity. I get that your probably only 18 or so but still, get a clue.

Sincerely,

Really, really, annoyed in Boston!!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Our favorite baseball team the Seattle Mariners were in Boston this past weekend for a 3 game series against the Boston Red Sox. We bought tickets on eBay and went to the game on Sunday. We decided to show up early to watch batting practice. We stood along the left field line and watched and waited to try and get a ball. Finally after almost an hour JJ Putz (Mariners closer) came over and handed us a ball. What a great souvenir. An actual MLB baseball with grass stain and all. Fun times. The heat! Oh, the heat. It was 98 degrees Sunday afternoon but with the humidity the temperature felt well in the 100's. It was gross. Not quite as hot as one of the games we went to down in Baltimore last year, but hot regardless.

The Mariners of course lost the game 2-1. It was a little disappointing that they couldn't pull it out but at the same time it isn't surprising. They are the worst team in baseball this season, nothing is going right for them. But we had fun going out and supporting them anyways. We had great seats and sat by nice people and not obnoxious fans which is always a bonus.

This is Belle and Canela playing when Canela was over for the weekend. Fun times! Sorry the lighting is not all that great.

Wipeout

A while back Chris and I were driving when we came up to a street where we needed to turn right. There was a guy on a skateboard coming down the street so Chris stopped to let him go by us before we turned the corner. Well the guy (and it was a guy probably late 20's, not a teen) hit a rock or something and he biffed it. It was pretty funny and I made sure not to laugh until we had driven away. I figured he would just gather up his board and be on his way. He did but not before he did he stopped to stare right in our front windshield and flip us off. Then I laughed. I was like how exactly is it our fault you fell off your stupid skateboard? Chris made the point that he was probably just embarrassed and that is why he did that. Either way it was funny.

Gone to the Dogs

Belle has another doggie friend over this weekend. Canela is one of the dogs I walk and her owners are away in Seattle until Tuesday so she is staying with us. They are having lots of fun playing. Only one problem though, they won't stop kissing!! We have decided to call them Hahn and Torres.

Let's Go To The Movies

I love movies. All kinds of movies in fact. I have never been the type to like only one genre. If it is good film making and a good acting performance then there is a good chance I will enjoy it regardless of the story. When I watch a movie I want the film making and the acting to make me feel like it is real. I want to feel like I am the one living the story that is being told on the screen.

If I had the opportunity I could watch a movie every night. Curled up on the couch and escaping to someone else's life for a while. Sadly Chris does not share this daily desire to watch movies so I settle for weekend movie watching. One thing I am thankful for is that Chris also shares the view that a movie can be good regardless of the storyline if it is made well and the acting is good. I don't have to argue with him over what to go see or rent. Usually we can always find something we will both enjoy.

The last handful of movies I have watched I have totally loved. That is a pretty good streak if you ask me. Usually I will run into 1 every 2 or 3 that just doesn't capture me. Since I have been lacking in things to blog about lately I thought I would take this opportunity to ramble a bit and tell you about the movies we have been watching.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe--I realize we are a little behind the times on this one. There is really no good reason that it took us so long getting around to watch, we just never did. We finally watched it last weekend and it was outstanding. This was just the kind of movie that made me feel like I was in a totally different place and time. It made me feel like a kid again and remember the imagination I used to have. The actors in this movie were so good. For kids they managed to captivate the audience and make their story believable. Chris and I can't wait to go see Prince Caspian in theatres when we get the chance.

Juno--LOVED this movie. It was funny in all the right ways. It moved you in its own way. Ellen Page was excellent. My favorite line in the whole movie was when she told her dad she was pregnant and he said "next time I see that boy I am going to punch him in the wiener!" Too funny. Juno goes through the motions as she adjusts to life as a pregnant teen and sets out on her own to find the perfect people to adopt her baby. I have really taken a liking to the indie type film and this one definitely did not let me down.

There Will Be Blood--I really wasn't sure if I was going to like this movie or not. Looking back I am not sure I can say I loved the story itself. This movie for me is the prime example of enjoying a movie regardless of the storyline if the acting is there. Daniel Day-Lewis was amazing. There is a reason he won the best actor award at this years Oscars. His performance was compelling and he had me wrapped around his fingers from the opening scene to the very last scene. Paul Dano was also amazing in this movie. His character was all sorts of weird and creepy and he played it perfectly.

Freedom Writers--This was truly one of those feel good movies that makes you believe in the good in everyone out there regardless of their background. The reality of the lives of a lot of these teens is sad. They grow up surrounded by drugs and violence. They fear for their lives on a daily basis. They wake up every morning wondering if that will be the day they are gunned down when they walk out their front doors. It is heartbreaking to realize this kind of stuff is real in this world. Since this movie was based on actual events it really changed the way I think of a lot of things when it comes to teens just like the ones in this movie. I really suggest taking a couple of hours to watch this movie and allow yourself to see life from their eyes.

Other movies of note we have watched lately that I don't feel like talking about right now but that you should check out...

On Broadway
Elizabethtown
Blood Diamond
Gone Baby Gone
The Last King of Scotland

So what about you? What movies have you been popping in your DVD players these days? How about your favorite movies? My favorite movie of all time is no contest. The Princess Bride. I can recite the entire movie word for word I have watched it so many times. It never gets old.

Rainy Days

Another rainy day here in Massachusetts. Seems like during the week it if fine but as soon as the weekend arrives, here comes the rain. It kind of makes it hard for us to get some much needed yard work done. Walking Belle in this weather is no fun either. Mostly because she is a wuss and doesn't like being out in the rain. In fact, we usually have to force her to even go to the bathroom.

Sometimes rainy days like this remind of the times back in the day when my friends and I would go camping out at my friend Michelle's family cabin on a lake out in Saskatchewan. On days when it rained we would sit inside and play games all day long. Or back when I worked at camp and there would be nights when we would have crazy rain storms. We would stay inside in our comfy clothes and talk into the night about whatever guy we were dating or had a crush on as the rain rhythmically pelted against against the windows. Those were good times.

Not much going on around here this weekend. It is already 7 pm and Chris is still working. Tonight seems like a great night for comfy socks, candles, movies and takeout. There is this great little cafe down near our place that has great pasta.

Who knows, maybe I can convince Chris to take me out for breakfast tomorrow. Last week he went to this little hole in the wall place with his softball that he said was outstanding. Maybe he will take me there.

A few years ago when we still lived in Seattle, we went to visit my family up in Edmonton. We drove through Montana and after driving all night we were in this little town in the middle of nowhere. We were both hungry but it looked hopeless as we were driving down "main" street. There was literally 2 or 3 buildings and a gas station. We spotted a little cafe that was open and decided it was our only option. Talk about a hole in the wall. It was so tiny, there was only 1 guy working there. He played the part of host, waiter, cook and bus boy. There was maybe 1 or 2 other customers in there and our table was practically in the kitchen. I will tell you what though, what a find that place was because it was the best bacon and eggs I have ever had. I love when that happens. Just go to show you that you really can't judge a book by it's cover.

Was that enough rambling for tonight? Come back tomorrow and I just might have more.

How cute is she?

Belle's "boyfriend" Wrigley is here spending the weekend with us while his owners are away in Iowa. When Belle and Wrigley are together it is WRESTLE MANIA! They wrestle and play NON-STOP. It is great for Belle to have another dog around to socialize like that with and we know they have so much fun. I just wish they didn't drink so much water when they are playing because we end up having to take them out a gazillion times a day to pee. Here are some pictures of them in action.

They like to get things started by singing some songs together

Finally after a good warm up they are good to go

They just look so vicious

Wrigley using his go to move--biting Belle's feet when she isn't paying attention to him

Finally winding things down

Hugs after a long and hard match

Welcome to my weekend:)

Are You Kidding Me?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24530214/?GT1=43001

The dog was THIRTEEN POUNDS!! Good grief!

Peter Rabbit

We live in a basement suite so we don't have windows that Belle can look out. This makes me a little sad because she LOVES to look out the window. What dog doesn't, she could sit there for hours. So this past weekend our landlords were out of town and we were taking care of their dogs. Since we were up and down the stairs taking them to the bathroom and feeding them we decided to just go ahead and leave the door separating our places open. Belle of course took the opportunity to spend as much time as she could looking out the windows upstairs.

We have lived in this apartment for almost 4 years and I have NEVER seen any rabbits anywhere around here. But of course the weekend my dog has window access for extended periods of time there is a rabbit (or rabbits) in the yard ALL weekend long. He tormented her. I was certain she was going to have a mental breakdown. Of course I had to take a picture of him.

Test Your Awareness: Do The Test

Watch this video..... I saw this on Ellen the other day. Funny!

You can call me TV for short...

At least that's what little Grant Brown has decided my name is. I spent Thursday afternoon with my friend Carolynne and her little guy Grant. He can say my name just fine. You tell him to say Evey and he says Evey. No problem. But wait two mins and ask my name again and he says Tevey instead of Evey. Cute.

Quick, Everyone Get Divorced!!!

After seeing this headline at msn.com I have realized that Chris and I should just have the divorce papers drawn up ASAP.

Beyonce and Jay-Z Heard Bickering

This is why the media and ALL those rag mags are SO lame. Bickering? Are you kidding?

Ladies, PLEASE............

...put on a bra. Seriously! No one needs to see what you share with the world when you don't wear one. I mean why would you not wear won? Does it not just feel gross? Do you enjoy flowing freely for all the world to see?

Speaking of bras...is it just me or do NONE of them offer any real support?

Evey's Special Day

That's what Chris called it because I was so excited to go, just like a little kid:)

We had a great day. The weather was beautiful in the 70's most of the day. The drive was so pretty. We had never been to Vermont before and scenery was so pretty. Although Chris did make a good point that it will probably be much prettier once summer arrives and everything is in full bloom and green.

The drive up there took us a little over 3 hours. We stopped on the way though to have a picnic lunch. It was great to sit outside and eat with the sun shining and looking out at the green mountains. Not quite the mountains I am used to back home in Alberta but they were mountains regardless even if they were mini.

The factory itself was fun. The tour was only 30 mins long and was a bit of a bummer because they weren't actually making ice cream that day. We did get to see the big ole room where they do everything though and that was neat. I just wish there had actually been people working and we could have seen the ice cream on the conveyor belts and stuff. Oh well, maybe next time. We got to sample some YUMMY mint chocolate chunk ice cream. Chris of course pushed to the front of the line with all the little kids. We tried to assure him the ice cream in the back tasted the same as the ones in the front. He didn't seem to care, he wanted the ones in the front. And I'm the little kid? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!!!

After we left Ben and Jerry's we hit up a cute little cheese shop--Cabot Cheese. We ate LOTS of cheese samples and bought some goodies. After that we decided to take a drive through the state capital of Vermont--Montpelier. Chris commented that growing up he never would have imagined himself driving through Montpelier, Vermont. I have to agree with him, one of those random places you never think you will go. Especially with my being from Western Canada and him the Western USA. Just goes to show that you never know where life will take you.

Off To the Ice Cream Factory

Chris and I are taking a day trip up to Vermont to go to Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory. YAY! I have been excited about this for weeks. Yippee!

Grumpy Old Man

The other day Chris and I were walking out of Starbucks and overheard an old man yelling on his cell phone.

"Who the hell does she think she is? She can drop dead!"

LOL! I don't know who he was talking to but he was mad. We couldn't help but laugh as we walked on by. Too funny!

Happy Birthday Doggie

Today is Belle's birthday. She is 5 and somehow still has more energy than Chris and I know what to do with. We got her a new toy, a new collar and a HUGE "busybone" which she has been eating for a little bit now and has barely made a dent in it. Oh and she is drooling. Funny!

Crosswalks?!?

Ok so I realize my absences around here are becoming more and more frequent. I really am sorry for that. Things just really haven't been all that exciting around here so I really haven't had much to tell you. Anything sports related goes over on our sports blog(cemcsports) so as not to bore you non sports fans. So really, that doesn't leave me with a lot to talk about on here these days.

But I think now that spring is here things will get a little more exciting. Seems when the weather is nice you get out more and have more stories to share. So with that being said I will get things started by talking to you about crosswalks.

Why crosswalks you ask? Well, let me tell you. Crosswalks are everywhere. They are on their own, sometimes they are with a flashing yellow light, sometimes they are at an actual intersection. What I have really been wondering for quite sometime is WHY do they even bother wasting the time painting those lines on the road here in Boston? Why waste the paint? Why waste the wages you will need to pay to the men to go out there and paint the lines on the road? No one bothers to stop for you when you are in a crosswalk around here so I really think they should just get rid of them all together. Save us all the hassle. I have stood at a crosswalk for 10 minutes or more because the traffic is so busy and NO ONE will stop to let me cross. I almost got hit 3 different times in one day last week whilst trying to cross the road. Do you think the mentally challenged drivers around here give a crap? Heck no. They honk at me like I have done something wrong. All I can do is shake my head and walk away. WHERE did these people get drivers licenses? Is it mandatory to be a jack ass if you are from Boston and drive a car? I guess the only logical answer to that is yes. The funny thing is that the very same jerks who almost hit you while you are in the crosswalk are the same morons who will get mad at you for not stopping for them in the crosswalk. OY VEY!!Perhaps this guy.....or this lady should come patrol the crosswalks in Boston. She...or he could get a whole crew together and kick some serious butt against all the jack ass drivers who won't let me and many other innocent citizens cross the street.
God bless Boston!!!

A-Rod Beware

For you non baseball fans let me tell you in short who Alex Rodriguez is. Mostly known as A-Rod, he is a 3rd baseman for the New York Yankees. A-Rod is probably one of the most hated players in all of baseball. He is hated greatly here in Boston since he plays for the rival Yankees. The other day a school class was having of tour of Fenway Park when a Red-Tailed Hawk (who had made it's home on a ledge, and had an egg in the nest) swooped down and attacked a young girl. Scary stuff. Yet funny when her name was released. The girls name is Alexa Rodriguez.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/04/04/teen_finds_fowl_territory_at_fenway/

I guess A-Rod better watch out when he and the Yankees come to town this season.

New Kids Are Back!!

http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2008/04/01/new_kids_are_back/

I realize it is old news. But I just finally came to the realization that it is actually true. That the band that was oh so close to my heart for so many years is reuniting. I am excited mostly for nostalgic reasons. The very thought of it brings me back to my youth. To my poster plastered bedroom. Spending my allowance on Bop and Teen Beat magazines. Singing to the top of my lungs to every single song. They were so dreamy, yes I said dreamy. I along with every other girl swore the songs were written for us. Joey was always my favorite. He was just so little and so cute. *sigh*

You can laugh at me, I don't care. I know there are those of you who won't admit that you loved them too. But I loved them and I WILL go see them on their reunion tour and I WILL love it. I will go alone if I have to. I will be there waving my hands in the air and singing

"Oh oh oh oh oh, hangin tough"

New Kids On The Block - Step by step