Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Another Annual Greeting

It is clear to see who is in charge of the family


Well hello to you all one and all where ever / when ever you may be reading this.

It has been more than a year since my last post so I thought I better send out an update especially as there have been a few bits to fill in recently. 

So what have I/we been keep ourselves busy with over the past year or so.  Myself, I try and get out one evening a week for some basketball and if possible sometimes a bike ride on the weekend with friends.  I also try and squeeze in a lunch time yoga when possible, which means if I am able to get all of that in I am doing really well for myself.  At work I recently took on a new role as Director, Technology delivery; I guess the best way to describe what I do day to day is help colleagues around the globe increase their business with the use of the wide variety of technology products/solutions available within the company. I still work from home and am really enjoying the role.

At the moment Niamh is looking to set up her own business, which is in the space of helping people with their problems.  She has studied Nutrition, Reiki and is in the middle of a Meditation course and she is hoping to combine these and other therapies to offer a holistic type of consulting, both online and in person. She is just getting started but already I am very proud of what she has achieved and it is great to see her doing something she really enjoys.

Amelia is doing really well, she is evolving into a fun / loving little person who surprises us all the time with what she has to say for herself.  She attends a play school 5 days a week and will for the next year before she starts Big school (as we like to call it) next year.  She enjoys getting out for bike rides, swimming and most definitely turns a bit crazy at the site of anything chocolate.

We as a family have only just got back from more than 2 week holiday back in Canada.  The first week we were able to catch up with many friends and family in Brandon MB,  where I grew up.  There were a few family events where Dad and Mom's side got together which is always nice to see everyone at the same time.  I managed a quick lunch with a few old buds from school days which was short but great to at least say hey. There were a few we didn't manage to catch this time but not to worry there will be a next.
Scott D and fam
James L

Jamie B
Catching up with Aunty Bertha
Catching up with the Berry side of the family
Catching up with the Berry side of the family
Catching up with the Berry side of the family
Old Atchison family photo, I'm in the middle
Chocolate treat around the fire
Catching up with the Atchison side of the family
Catching up with the Atchison side of the family 
Visiting the Hatch's (relation) farm
Amelia driving a tractor
City folks in a country setting
City Slicker
Great Grandma
Family photo at the lake
After all the talk about riding in Gma and Gpa's boat at the lake was a bit of a let down as it was to windy to get out on the lake.  As we were only there for 2 nights we simply went for a swim instead and sat around the camp fire telling stories.

The second week we headed off out west to Alberta where we spent some time with Ma, Pa, Jarod, Krusty and Janelle/Steve.   Some highlights were Amelia's birth day at the Calgary Heritage museum where we spent the day walking around the reenactment of an old town with heritage buildings etc.  It was a great day out with old time rides and steam engine train and load to see and do.

Train ride
Train ride
Old time refrigerator
B day ice cream
Auntie kisses
Big ride with aunties
Ride with Gpa
Gma and Gpa
A real Canadian Mounty
Main street of the heritage town

We also headed up to Jared's place in Red Deer for a few nights as well.  From there we went to Drumheller where they have an amazing Dinosaur museum with a real T Rex etc. 

Riding Dino
Inside museum
T Rex
Measuring up
Uncle Jared and Amelia
Fam shot
Leaving Uncle J's
From Jared's we then made our way to the Rocky Mountains were stayed for 3 nights.  Krystal hooked us up with a sweet place to stay through a work connection which even had an outdoor pool and hot tub with mountain views.  We enjoyed the outdoors doing some hiking around and one day rented a pontoon boat which you can tell by the pictures was a great day out.  

Waterfall hike
Family hike
More hiking

On the boat with Jared
Janelle and Steve

Driving the boat
Cool shades


Tubing
Ice cream
Last meal together
Snap shots
All in all it was a great trip and Amelia got more than enough attention and presents.  We managed a full two weeks of quality time with the Berry's which was nice as we don't get to see them in person as much as we would like given the distance.

Now we are back to reality, trying to find a minder for Amelia so Niamh can focus more time on her business.  I am working from home, which means most days it is a busy house of activity.  

There are a few things to look forward to in coming months such as attending the Ruby World Cup to watch Ireland VS Canada in Wales.  I am heading over with a few friends from Dublin, I am just not sure which team I will be cheering on given I have both passports and all.  

Niamh is also turning 40 in Sept, so we will try and do a few special events around that time. She is going to head away with some friends to Amsterdam which will be a nice adventure for her.


Much love to you and yours,

G

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Finally Some Time to Gather My Thoughts

I knew it was some time since my last post but didn't realise it was so long back. There were a few times I planned on sitting down in order to keep the blog moving but it isn't easy finding time to myself these days especially when there is a 2 1/2 year old looking to play every waking moment.

Obviously a lot to think back on over that time so will do my best to highlight some of the key events in our lives. Last year we kept the family holidays local within Ireland over the summer with a short weekend break over to London.

In London the main objective was to see as many friends as possible and we made a go of it over the few days we were in town.  Phil and Nadia put us up for the weekend and helped organise meeting as many people as possible with a few key events for people to drop into.
Rooftop lunch with Nads, Phil, Fan, Simone and Sara

Sanjuro crew Glen, Suzie, and Nads 
Kara and her munchkins
Lunch with Barb's and Mark
Barb's and Amelia
 We headed out west towards Sligo where Niamh spent much of her youth.  The first few days we went to a holiday home near Sligo town.  There were some nice drives up to the coast along with a few visits with some of Niamh's family (Great Granny BB) along with Friends (Hazel and Andrew).

The later part of the holiday was a few days at Crumlin Lodge for Jenn and Neil's Wedding (Niamh's sister).  Really nice and scenic venue which was where all parts of the wedding took place.  Amelia was the only little one in attendance so obviously got her fair share of attention.  Everyone commented on her lovely white shoes, which clearly had an impression on her as she continued to show off these special shoes to anyone and everyone until the day her feet didn't squeeze in any more.

The photographer was Eric Savo from Canada, who actually did our wedding as well.  It was great to see him again and he even managed to get a few family shots with our not so little addition since we last saw him. Here are a few of his wonderful shots!


Straight after the wedding we headed back to Dublin so that I could catch a flight over to Australia.  I had a work conference on the Gold Coast which is just south of Brisbane.  Quite handy really as it gave me the opportunity to catch up with a few good old friends (Grant, Brooks and Rupert). Was great to be able to get in a short catch up even though it was brief to see the gang and their families.
Rupert and his ever smiling family
Singing lesson with Grant and Eliot  
Brooksy coaching some B Ball
Next up was Christmas holidays back in Canada for a bit of Arctic Freeze.  It was obviously so nice to see the family and friends back in Canada once again.  Amelia got spoiled with lots of love and attention as well as presents.  She also enjoyed the opportunity to do some sledding (in her new Canada boots) along with build gingerbread trains and many cups of pretend tea.  We managed to get in the a day for the Berry's side along with one with the Atchison's which allowed us to catch almost everyone.


The airline managed to temporarily lose our bags for 3 days on the way over so that wasn't exactly helpful.  Then on the way home we got delayed by 2 nights as the Arctic Freeze descended on North America and Chicago airport closed. We did have a bit of insurance so all ended well.

We are now looking forward to summer 2014 and hoping to have some of the Canadian relations make it over to Europe to visit either in Ireland or elsewhere.

On a personal level I managed to get Irish Citizenship, which means now I have two passports.  Not a lot changes other than I can now vote and get into the quick passport line at border control.

Amelia is constantly surprising us day to day on her progress as she develops into a little girl.  She is great fun but also becoming challenging to say the least.  One example is how she wanted something from me while sitting at the kitchen table, I said I would share it if she had one more drink of juice. As she reached over she pushed the juice further away (as to say no chance).... I have to keep on my toes these days to say the least.

All the best,

Garnet