Clan McKinnon

2010-06-06T23:00:00.003-04:00

2010-06-06T22:32:00.002-04:00

I will bless the Lord forever
I will trust Him at all times
He has delivered me from all fear
He has set my feet upon a rock
I will not be moved
And I'll say of the Lord

You are my shield, my strength
My portion, deliverer
My shelter, strong tower
My very present help in time of need

Hillsong's Made Me Glad

Today I was struck by this verse in a song we sang at our church gathering. God is continuing to extend my gaze beyond my own perspective. I love it! As this song was sung, I felt God say "I am not just your shield, I am your complete protection"; "I am not just your strength, I am your strength completely"; "I am your complete portion and your complete deliverer. I don't do things partially, or incompletely. I don't give you partial salvation, I give you complete salvation. I didn't just die for some of your sins, I died for the sum of your sins. I don't just protect you from some harm, I protect you from all things. I don't provide you with just what you need to scrape by, I provide you with more than enough. I am the God of "More than Enough."

All Nations Church

2010-06-06T22:25:00.002-04:00

Revelation 21:1-7; Enjoy! Pat

2010-06-01T21:17:00.004-04:00

¹Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

²I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

⁵He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"

Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

⁶He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.
⁷He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

I'm 6 years old today! :) Ali

2010-05-06T16:43:00.004-04:00

While out and about on my birthday today, Jack says he knows how old I am. I ask him, and he says "6 yrs old"!

"Jack," I say, "I'm 30 years older than you think I am buddy."

Jack looks up at me with his eyes wide and says, "But Mom, HOW did you get to be THAT OLD?!"

Funhouse Fun (Black Light) Enjoy, Ali :)

2010-04-27T10:32:00.003-04:00

Meet Mrs, Knapkin-Head -Enjoy, Ali :)

2010-04-11T19:09:00.003-04:00

Ice Cream For Abby -Enjoy, Ali :)

2010-03-09T17:53:00.004-05:00

The McKinnon's take a family car ride. Mom and Dad enjoy a coffee while each child is given their own ice cream cone to enjoy. Caleb decides he's had enough and offers the remainder of his cone to his Dad. Abigail snatches it from Caleb as he's passing it forward and proceeds to devour it greedily. Dad calls back for her to send it forward (as she's already had one!). She relents and sends it up to her Dad. She smirks cheekily and then says...

"Ya know Dad, I can give you back the REST of the ice cream, but you're gonna have to wait awhile!"

A Little Jack Fun -Enjoy, Ali :)

2010-03-06T18:07:00.002-05:00

Pita Pals -Enjoy, Ali :)

2010-03-03T06:00:00.003-05:00

Dinner got a little crazy last night... I think maybe something was in the water around here. The end result however was blog-worthy. Meet the Pita Pals...

Pita Parker

Nostrildamus

Spy-nakopita

Pita Pan

Fine Young Cannibals -Enjoy, Ali :)

2010-03-02T18:27:00.006-05:00

Today in school, Caleb's grade 6 class was having a discussion about drugs. The teacher asked if anyone knew what "Cannabis" was. One friend of Caleb's proudly put up his hand and said... "It's when one human eats another human." The whole class broke out laughing, including his teacher, who then explained that that was actually "Cannibalism!"

"The Incident" -Enjoy, Ali :)

2010-02-13T11:26:00.004-05:00

They were in the glorious depths of sleep, they needed it too. Kid #3 had been ill for the whole week... but at LONG LAST he seemed better and had gone back to school that day. We'll call what was repeatedly happening... "incidents" for those readers that have weak tummies. Ah yes the blissful state of sleep, the rest to ready one's self for the next day's adventure. It was NOT to be though -Child #3 was opening their bedroom door.

"Mommy, Daddy, I can't sleep... My bed is too dirty," said child #3.

Mommy groaned while awakening, "oh no... NOT AGAIN?! Did it happen again buddy?"

"NO! Nooooo... NOT THAT... my bed's just dirty, too dirty for me to sleep in." Child #3 seemed convincing... but the smell of the room told a MUCH different story. It SCREAMED "INCIDENT!!!"

Dad spoke for the first time, "Listen bud, I think you were sleeping while it happened... It doesn't smell like dirt to me."

"No, no, it really didn't happen again, it's NOT THAT!" Child #3 was moving towards an emotional nuclear explosion!

(During those types of moments, one sometimes feels that parenting just isn't fair!)

Dad flicked the light switch and there was Child #3 COVERED head to toe with "INCIDENT!"

(...I quit...) thought Mommy! :)

"Dude," laughed Daddy "there's NO arguing on this one... it's all over you -look!" Child #3 looks down and starts to cry.

Maybe it was his GREAT DESIRE to eat normal food again... it had been almost a week of broth, toast, crackers and juice after all! He'd also been kept away from all friends and excursions. Perhaps instead it was sleep that masked the truth of what had happened.

Either way... all such "incidents" had to be dealt with immediately and completely before any could return to the blissful state once more.

**Child #3 was not harmed in the making of this blog... but Mommy and Daddy's sleep SURE WAS!**

Been thinking about Psalm 23:1-3 this week a lot... -Enjoy, Ali

2010-02-09T18:24:00.005-05:00

The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.

Caleb's talent show 2009 -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-12-22T18:37:00.004-05:00

We are so proud of Caleb, who sang at his middle school talent show.

He was the last act of 12 acts, and was right before the Christmas dance, so the kids were pretty hyper. It was fun to hear them excited, raising their hands...but it was a bit distracting for Caleb.

Hope you enjoy!

Pat and Ali

Even Darth Vader likes a gift now and then! -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-12-19T20:17:00.002-05:00

It's Christmas Time...Enjoy, Pat :)

2009-12-03T09:51:00.004-05:00

A taste of the McKinnons:

1. Christmas tree is poised and ready to be decorated (pic above is from last year)

2. Advent Calendar is up and running

3. Greens are up

4. Charlie Brown's Christmas is playing

Hope you are all finding yourselves in the Christmas spirit!

Faith

2009-12-03T09:48:00.002-05:00

You need to see something in order to go through something...

Terence Erlenbach

How fun! Enjoy, Pat

2009-11-24T12:48:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Carla for this link

2009-11-09T20:57:00.000-05:00

An interesting discussion on parenting leaders....take a listen....

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

My Tree - by Chris Rice

2009-11-04T09:04:00.003-05:00

On a hill far away stands a tall mighty tree
Where a boy and girl used to take
turns pushing the tire swing
I remember the pocketknife in hand
And her name in my heart
And thinkin' there ain't no way for a boy to contain
The love that he feels inside
So I carved her name into my tree
Then I carved a heart around her name
Then I carved an arrow through the heart
Just to say "I love you"
Now on a hill far away stood an old rugged cross
The emblem of suffering and shame
I remember the nails through my hands
And your name in my heart
And how in their wordless way the nails explain
The love that I feel inside
As they carved your name into my tree
Where I wrapped my heart around your name
Then I took your arrow through my heart
Just to say, "I love you"
Just to say, "I love you"
Now I can never forget how much you mean to me
'Cause I will always remember whenever I see
Where I carved your name into my tree
Where I wrapped my heart around your name
Then I took your arrow through my heart
Just to say, "I love you"
Just to say, "I love you"

Enduring faith is one quality Christ demonstrated as he walked through those lonely hours from the olive garden of Gethsemane (lit. translated "oil press") to Golgotha, (lit. "the place of skulls"). In the garden of Gethsemane, he prayed and anguished so hard that he was sweating, and sweating blood. And, that was just the beginning of his endurance. He endured more hardship than many of us in western civilization could ever imagine -being whipped and tortured, abandoned by his closest friends, mocked by a whole city, bruised and beaten and then hung on a cross for all to see.

Through all of this, Hebrews indicates "for the joy set before him, he endured the cross..." In the midst of all this mockery and brutality, the Son of God had in his mind all of us, and his Father. He had me, he had you, at the forefront of his thoughts. It was for you and me that he was being tortured, whipped and forsaken. He saw the joy of knowing that we could be in close relationship with God, his Father, because of the cross. He was full of joy knowing that his life sacrifice was enough once and for all to make us right before God.

There are many things we can take from this enduring faith Christ demonstrated. Is it that I need to have the same enduring, joy-filled faith in God for a situation, knowing what is coming on the other side? Or, is it that I need to see God's plan for my life more clearly so the situations I encounter are only viewed through the glasses of God's plan for me? Or, is it that I haven't yet encountered Christ, the one who can make any situation an opportunity to be joyful?

Whatever you take, talk to Jesus about it. He's on the other side of the hardship, filled with joy to know you and I can talk to him about anything and he'll understand.

The power of forgiveness

2009-10-27T23:23:00.002-04:00

2 Corinthians 2:10
If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake"

Tonight at the Marriage Course, the topic was forgiveness. It was a wonderful time to reflect on the power forgiveness has in our lives.

The power to forgive someone who has wronged you, and be forgiven for wrongs you have committed to others, is significant. The release that comes with forgiveness can be likened to cutting off shackles because when we don't forgive, or ask for forgiveness, we are the ones who become bogged down/burdened/embittered. So, forgiveness is choosing to let something not affect you any longer. Resentment is remembering a hurt done to you again and again. Forgiveness is the opposite.

I am so grateful that forgiveness is in our vocabulary. And, so much more grateful that I know what true forgiveness is. It is easy to forgive others when you remember how many times you have been forgiven.

2009-10-26T19:10:00.002-04:00

C.S. Lewis:

Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.

Anne Rice

2009-10-22T09:08:00.002-04:00

I was most pleased to find out today (don't know how it took me this long to find this out - but what a pleasant surprise) that Anne Rice, famous author of the Interview with a Vampire series, gave her heart to Jesus in 1998.

There are many points to which this is of interest to me:
1. The weekend I became a Christian I was in fact reading Interview with a Vampire and was coming to a realization that what the book subscribed to was a glorification of something that stood in direct opposition to Christ - to be eternally damned on this earth, devoid of all light, empty of community, destined to feed off the life of others till their destruction...It's amazing to consider how much I was hungering for the supernatural in my life at that time, and Interview with a Vampire was so powerfully set aside in favour of eternal life.
2. God is a redemptive God. Anne's history is a childhood in a Christian home, with a 38 hiatus from the Lord. She called herself an agnostic during that time, and she relates her books deeply spiritual and supernatural bent to her own search for meaning in a dark time. Praise God that he brought Anne to the crossroads of faith once again.
3. She has not renounced her books (click here for her essay on this), which I believe is not wrong. I look at all those who read these books - they are obviously hungering for something more than the natural, as I was, and are happy to consume literature that offers something more to consider. I myself am grateful because even as I was reading her book back at the end of the 80s, early 90s, I was so hungry for eternal purposes. I'm just so grateful that she, and I, didn't relent until we found the eternal God. And, those avid readers of the Vampire Chronicles are poised to read the rest of her works, which are filled with faith, and redemption. What an opportunity!

Too Funny! Enjoy. Pat

2009-10-22T08:53:00.002-04:00

I saw this video on my friend Gene's blog, and I thought it quite funny so wanted to share! There are days when I feel like this myself but I don't have any excuses as to why!!!

Is it time for school????

2009-10-22T08:43:00.002-04:00

Let's just say that today, of all days, I truly empathize with Calvin's parents. Sheesh - you'd think my kids had lead in their behinds for all the cajolling it too for Ali and I to get them out the door. I'm sure I'll miss them, but for now I'll just have a good laugh at Calvin and Hobbes whilst I enjoy my cup of coffee.

Poor Fellow - my empathy is in overdrive. Pat :)

2009-10-14T09:10:00.003-04:00

So, my friend Brian said his wife was searching Craig's List (a popular online classifieds website) for some furniture and found this posting yesterday:

"Beautiful light blue couch camel-back style. Virtually unused. Why are we selling this couch? Because of the inexplicable vagaries of the female taste. We agonized over the style, the fabric, the pattern--finally made our decision and ordered this custom-made couch from the factory. Unfortunately, once it arrived it was not apparently what she anticipated. Thus it entered our home as in intruder, mocking her sense of style until finally the ultimatum was issed--the couch or me. I love my wife. Please save our marriage. This couch has no wear, no tear, no fading, no stains--why would it? It's never been sat on. I paid a huge amount of money for this piece of furniture and have been storing it for you, I guess. If we were a retail business we would be bankrupt operating like this. Buy high and sell low, that's our motto."

Laughter - a solid tool!

2009-10-11T22:06:00.003-04:00

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. ~Victor Borge

One of the great things I am also thankful for is laughter. I am particularly thankful for is my wife's joie de vivre (spelling?). She loves to laugh, and it is infectious. Other people love to laugh at Ali's laugh. I love to hear her laugh. It has a neat effect in that it draws out of people a sense of connection- an opportunity to share a connection. Her laughter builds memories with people: "Remember that night we played the dice game at Pat and Ali's - that was so much fun." or "Remember when we saw that movie with Ali - it was unreal how giddy she got." I love it. It gives me pleasure to see Ali full of laughter and joy - it's infectious. Tonight we shared dinner with some friends and then played some games. All through the night we laughed a lot, at even the smallest of things such as our children's zany antics/habits, and at quirks we have ourselves. And, the more one of us laughed, the more the rest of us joined in.

I particularly love having a meal with my children and in the midst of the meal all six of us find ourselves laughing heartily at something one of us has said or done. We just get caught up in the moment and finish the meal with persistent giggles and a sense of family connection.

Have you taken them time to laugh today - really laugh? If you haven't, I would invite you to ask God to help you. Ask Him to open your eyes to the things around you that you see that are opportunities to laugh. Why? Because in these days when people are consumed with their lives - laughter can be a great tool to help foster a better perspective, a right frame of reference and a welcome interruption. It's hard to worry or have tunnel-vision when you are laughing. So, take the time to laugh and make mirth - people will be happy for the interruption. Laughter begets laughter.

A little perspective...

2009-10-11T01:03:00.002-04:00

¹⁶"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (NLT)

Oh how much I have to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian Friends!

2009-10-11T00:51:00.001-04:00

The Fish In The Sea -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-09-30T16:27:00.004-04:00

Mommy asks Jack... "Jack, what do people eat that live in the sea?"

"Fish" says Jack.

Mommy questions... "Then what do the fish eat?"

"Smaller ones!" Jack rolls his eyes at this EASY quiz.

Mommy replies... "Yes, Jack... that's very clever! Lots of fish eat other fish... Like the shark! He eats fish!"

"No Mum... not the shark!" scolds Jack. "He doesn't eat fish -silly!"

"Okay, then WHAT DOES the shark eat Jack?!" Mommy questions.

"PEOPLE!!" Jack declares!

(Mom laughs.) "Yes Jack... that's true too!"

Lovely Happenings @ Bedtime... -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-09-27T00:04:00.002-04:00

It's bed time and Mama Spider creeps giggling into a little fly's room...

"Ah ha ha ha... I'm a Mama Spider and you're a fly" she says to little Jack. "Do you know what the Spider said to the fly Jack?" says Mama Spider.

"What?!" says the little fly.

"Mmmm... I smell DINNER!!! Mwhahahahaaaaaa!!!!!"

"Wait! WAIT! Stop! STOP MAMA!" (Little Jack commands then continues -whispering...) "I wanted to be your little baby fly."

Mama smiles in the dark, "Okay then, you can be my baby fly instead". Mama is concerned her game went too far and scared her Jacker.

Jack reaches up, wraps his little arms around Mama and yells, "NOW YOU CAN HAVE YOUR DINNER MAMA!!!" Mama laughs out loud, Jack (sounding remarkably like his mother) laughs too, and then pulls her even tighter into his lovely little hug. "Dat's funny Mama?!" (Mama is still laughing...)

Then he says something she knows she will never forget. Holding her close he whispers into her ear, "I'll keep you Mama... I'll keep you... and YOU, you can keep me."

Old Lady -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-09-26T12:21:00.007-04:00

On my dresser beside my mirror, there is a photo of our wedding day. I am standing in front of the mirror putting mascara on. Garrett stands to my right looking intently back and forth from the photo to my reflection in the mirror.

"Mommy?" Garrett questions, "Are you an old lady now?"

"No dear... not yet, but I'm working on it!" I answer, smiling.

I make a mental note to NEVER take him when I go dress shopping, for FEAR of what his answer will be if I ask how I look in my dress! OY VEY!

Habakkuk 3:19

2009-09-22T08:50:00.002-04:00

¹⁹ The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.

Back Online!

2009-09-21T09:03:00.012-04:00

Well, after a long summer away, I suspect we will be back online this week. We have had a very full time this summer, but probably one of our best summers so far. I started a new job, which has been going really well. And, we took a few weeks to visit my family in Nova Scotia. After lots of restaurant fare, hotel stays and ice cream every day (why not when for a family of six we could get huge amounts for 8 dollars! See below for example of a SMALL cone!), we have returned to a nice fall. Three kids in school, one at home - it feels like we have regained a semblance of freedom with our time. Running errands with one instead of two during the day makes all the difference in the world!

So, here are a few pics that summarize our summer:

New Brunswick Botanical Gardens

PEI Sunset - my fave!

Summerside PEI - quaint little town

Couldn't go east and not get a shot of a Lighthouse!

Ali's favourite flavour - bubblegum! Yuck!

Our hotel in Lunenburg, NS - The King Mariner Inn - great place!

Hermit Crabs - so fun! (but not for Ali and Jack who don't like small things that move in the water)

A great shot Ali took of Garrett and Jack's shoes when they ran out of them on the beach

Camping at Bon Echo Provincial Park, ON

Funny moment this morning....Enjoy, Pat

2009-08-11T13:15:00.003-04:00

Confession time.

So, I have a few phrases that I use to divert questions from the kids. When I was a child, and I asked Dad what was for dinner, he always said, "Pig's feet and dandelions." Drove me crazy, but makes me laugh now in recollection. So, to carry on McKinnon tradition but add my own slant, I say "Pickles and chicken." Makes the kids, and me, giggle (not sure about Ali since she sometimes rolls her eyes)....

And, another phrase that I use to divert questioning is (don't call Children's Aid please...) - "If I tell you, then I'd have to kill you" as if I were a covert agent....The kids always giggle. It helps to divert questioning when we are trying to surprise the kids on an adventure, or if I don't know the answer yet...

So, this morning, I overheard a funny exchange between Jack and Garrett that made me giggle. Jack called out from his bedroom, "Daddoo, wha's for bweaffast?" (translated, "Dad - what's for breakfast?") To which Garrett piped up from another room, "Jack, you know if he tells you, he'll have to kill you, don't you? But you already know - it's Pickles and Chicken!" At which point Jack yells, "Yay!!!"

...There I am in the kitchen, making coffee, falling on the ground laughing, all the while thinking, "Oh my goodness, what would the neighbours say?"

I wonder what they are going to say to their children when they grow up - that is as long as I haven't "killed" them before then. ;)

ok I lied - here's something I saw that I wanted to share - enjoy. Pat :)

2009-07-27T21:10:00.001-04:00

Summer Update from Pat

2009-07-25T10:26:00.002-04:00

Well, sorry for not letting you know earlier - we McKinnons will be somewhat ex-communicato (spelling?) for the summer. What with children's activities, me needing our computer for his new job(till we buy another one!), Ali giving herself to home renos (what a woman!), we need to sign off for the summer. We hope you all have a great summer, and we may share periodically, but expect to hear from us regularly when September comes...

Until then, those of you parents will likely appreciate the following:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAT! Love, Ali, Caleb, Abby, Garrett and Jack :)

2009-07-02T11:55:00.000-04:00

Garrett and his "BEST day ever's!" -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-06-27T14:27:00.004-04:00

Pat has had to reprimand Garrett concerning something (I don't even recall...) and so Garrett is fighting back tears with regret of upsetting his father... Two minutes later, the McKinnons are sitting down to the dinner table to eat. With Mom on Garrett's right and Dad on Garrett's left, Garrett looks left -then right and exclaims with glee...

"This is the BEST day of my life EVER, because I am eating between my Mommy and Daddy!"

(Mommy and Daddy giggle... CLEARLY Garrett has gotten over the negative emotions of his bad choice!)

Actually... Garrett has had COUNTLESS "BEST day ever's" (pardon the terrible grammar!). He has said this phrase a billion times (pardon the exaggeration!) If you take Garrett to the grocery store and you buy him chocolate milk... he's liable to exclaim that "it's his best day EVER!" If you take him for a walk, or to the park, or for a ride on the city bus, or to his favorite mall (that has a big water fountain with pennies)... you've given Garrett his "best day ever!"

If you could have a best day ever today... what would you do?

Do you know... you COULD plan it... or just go and DO it!
:)

Caterpillar Update -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-06-15T16:36:00.002-04:00

It is with GREAT DISGUST, dear readers, that I tell you that we have found one of Abby's lost caterpillars. I found it this past Thursday night as I was crawling into our bed. I don't know WHERE I actually stepped on it, but it was en route from the bathroom to our room. I was barefoot and UTTERLY disgusted to find it smooshed on the bottom of one of my feet! There is no remedy for one's emotions at a moment like that... one must just ride out the waves of nausea that they feel knowing that the flattened little beast is on one's foot.

Creepy little crawly! OH heavenly days... SAY that that was the ONLY ONE!
:(

Be demonstrators of love -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-06-11T10:37:00.006-04:00

Be active demonstrators of the love that you have! Don't just feel it, and think it; say it, show it, demonstrate how you feel through your actions. It's precious to have someone demonstrate their love! It's so wonderful to walk through out your day knowing that someone's thinking of you! Be generous with your love! Tell people how important they are to you. Do special things to show them, whatever it takes to get your message across.
Take a moment, and think of someone that you can do this for... Then go do it!

Romans 5:8 (NIV) -But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

A note to God -By Abigail McKinnon :)

2009-06-10T11:50:00.002-04:00

Abby's Pet Caterpillars -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-06-08T12:40:00.003-04:00

Abigail spent some time outside this weekend. She found some caterpillars in the garden and made a little home for them out of a plastic strawberry container. She filled it with a broken sparkly headband and some things she found in the garden. Once finished she proudly placed her caterpillar pets in their new plastic apartment and brought them with pride to her room. Mom and Dad were oblivious to her new pets until Pat discovered them the next day. He found a plastic container with leaves etc in it... He asked Abby what it was for.

"Oh Daddy," she said "THAT is for my new pet caterpillars!"

"Caterpillars??" Pat said with growing dread...

"Yes Daddy, my new pets!" she said OOZING excitement!

"Abby... "Pat replied "there ARE no caterpillars in this thing. You can't keep them in because it has all kinds of slits in the top that are big enough for them to crawl out of!"

"Daddy..." she said with disdain "I FILLED the holes with grass so they COULDN'T get out!"

"ABIGAIL! Caterpillars EAT grass!!!" Pat smirked.

"Oh..." Abby said wearing her pondering face.

The search for caterpillars -continues... It's next to IMPOSSIBLE to walk through her room in the dark with out wincing!

I wonder if this is only "Mom funny" -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-06-04T09:33:00.001-04:00

Abigail's Marvelous Miniatures -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-05-28T11:46:00.002-04:00

Now, if I were this guy... I'd come out with a new mug too! Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-05-22T15:46:00.001-04:00

Next one - equally fun! Enjoy, Pat! :)

2009-05-17T09:27:00.000-04:00

So great! I laughed so hard. Enjoy, Pat. :)

2009-05-16T21:24:00.001-04:00

5 Stars -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-05-13T10:29:00.003-04:00

Our son Garrett is a boy full of excitement. Most of us endeavor to enjoy every minute of our life but Garrett, naturally, enjoys every SECOND. As a result, he usually bounces from point A to point B. I love that about him, but it sometimes makes it difficult for his teacher at school to teach him. He's totally capable of calming down... I've seen him do it a million times. He's trying his best to do that at school now. The teacher has divided his day into 5 portions to help him do this. If he does his best at his work and calmly follows the progression of each segment of the day he will get a star for each one. IF he gets 5 stars his reward is to enjoy some computer time at home here. He's been doing this for over two (or more) months now and he's gotten 5 stars twice. Some days he makes 4 -some days only 2. Today I had an important moment with him, one that I will always remember.

I told him that whenever he get's 5 stars I will join him in the pride of his accomplishment. We'll celebrate over a computer game together. I also told him that no matter how many he stars he gets in his day, I will ALWAYS love him. He can get 5, he can get 2 or none at all, and I will STILL adore him with all my heart. I told him I want him to make good choices, but if he doesn't it does NOT change how I feel about him. He will always be my treasure. I said that If he makes the WORST choice in the whole world, I will STILL love him. I actually said that it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to stop loving him! TOTALLY IMPOSSIBLE! It's just NOT in me (He grinned ear to ear)! I told him I love him this way, simply because he's mine.

When I finished chatting with him I left a little boy beaming like he'd just found out the most incredible thing in the world! Of course I thought about God. I thought about how he feels the same way about us. Whether we've had a 5 star day or a 2 star day, his unfailing love always remains. It's IMPOSSIBLE for him to stop loving us. He loves us -even when we're unlovely! If one decides they choose to no longer love God, EVEN THEN he still remains, like he always has loving his child. It's the true nature of a parent to love their children, with every breath and until their last one! Considering the everlasting nature of God... he's going to be loving you for a VERY VERY long time.

Happy Birthday Darling! Love, Pattie

2009-05-06T17:36:00.005-04:00

Anonymous
When I have a birthday I take the day off. But when my wife has a birthday, she takes a year or two off.

Erma Bombeck
A friend never defends a husband who gets his wife an electric skillet for her birthday.

Mary Schmich
Like many women my age, I am 28 years old.

Robert Frost
A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age.

Jack's 3rd Birthday -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-05-05T23:26:00.005-04:00

Jack and his camera face...

...yet AGAIN with the camera face... (BIG SHOCKER!!)

Jack's BLACK cake with WHITE icing... (he INSISTED... so I delivered)

Jack! Cake goes in the MOUTH and NOT up the nose (wish it was my first time giving that instruction!!)

In full PARTY mode... a 3 year old BIG boy in his glory!

Way to GO Caleb! -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-04-29T09:58:00.003-04:00

We just arrived home from the kids school. Today Caleb stood in front of his entire school (with hands in his pockets) and sang in a talent show. He sang "My Place In This World" by Michael W. Smith and he sang it SO GREAT! When he finished a teacher standing beside his Nana said "I LOVE that kid!" to which Nana responded "That's MY GRANDSON!". You are FANTASTIC Caleb, we knew you'd do well!

Saw this and brought back memories... ;) Pat

2009-04-27T19:08:00.002-04:00

It's ALL about your perspective! -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-04-27T15:14:00.008-04:00

Pat's brother recently passed on an old CD player to us. It's in good shape and he figured someone here could use it. We set it up on our kitchen counter until it could find a home.
Nana McKinnon also gave us some groceries that day and a few were left (yet to be put away) on the counter as well, one being a box of cereal. The following went down...

Caleb walks into the kitchen and sees the BIG CD player. He stops dead in his tracks and says "WHOAH!!! SO COOOOOL!!!"

Garrett who happens by right after him (and wanting to be JUST like his big brother) walks over beside Caleb and stands to his right. He (not even LOOKING at the CD player) looks at a large box of Frosted Flakes cereal and says "WHOAH!!! SO COOOOOOL!!!" It really IS all about one's perspective!

Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-04-23T10:06:00.001-04:00

Mark Twain:

It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare.

The LEGO Pizza Joint -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-04-19T16:33:00.004-04:00

If you are looking for a great place to eat dinner, why not come out to the LEGO Pizza Joint here in the McKinnon's living room?! There plenty of parking and the prices are next to nothing!

How can you say no to a face like this???....Pat :)

2009-04-18T22:35:00.001-04:00

Jack VS The Bunny -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-04-14T10:07:00.008-04:00

It's Easter Sunday and the McKinnons are at an outdoor Easter Egg Hunt at a farm. The family who runs the place have talked some poor chap into putting on a bunny suit. This bunny has decided he will be mischievous and sneak eggs FROM children's baskets! It only took ONCE for the bunny to take it from the Jacker, to make the Jacker leary of the rascally rabbit!

Mama and Jack are finished getting their eggs and head back down the path to get a prize for a hunt well done. Just when they are rounding the final bend Jacker stops dead in his tracks, frowns and points ahead of him. It's the bunny, who waves and folds his arms -just DARING the little kid to try to pass him with all his eggs. Mama looks down at Jack who is NOT LOOKING IMPRESSED!!! She tells him to just tell the Bunny to stop it and then he will go away!

The two walk down the path together (basket in hand) and as the Bunny steps close to take an egg from Jack's stash, he looks up into his whiskers and stares at him for a half second.

"BUNNY!" Jack says sternly, "You NO dake EGGS!!!"

The Bunny steps backwards for a moment, shrugs, waves goodbye and hops away.

The Jacker whirls around to face his Mama and proclaims, "Id WORG Mom! Id WORG!!! He no dake no EGGS!!!"

At the reward table (in which Jack greedily gobbles down his candy eggs) The Bunny and Jacker high five and are friends again.... All is right again down on the bunny trail.

Musical walk anyone? -Enjoy Ali :)

2009-04-13T19:30:00.006-04:00

Pat: "Children... come on guys, we're going for a little walk this evening."

Caleb: "Dad??? Can I bring my recorder to play as we walk?"

Garrett: "Oooooo!!! Daddy -he's REALLY good!!! You should let him!"

Pat: "I know Garrett, but I don't feel like taking a walk with the Pied Piper of Hamelin!"

Congratulations...

2009-04-08T23:03:00.005-04:00

Well, today Nana and Papa, or to some Joe and Gayle, and to others Bart and and Gayle celebrate 42 yrs of marriage...
A few gray hairs later (they have their kids and grandkids to thank for that) they are still a lovely married couple - a testimony to marriage.

We love you and hope you had a great day today!

"We only regard those unions as real examples of love and real marriages in which a fixed and unalterable decision has been taken. If men or women contemplate an escape, they do not collect all their powers for the task. In none of the serious and important tasks of life do we arrange such a "getaway." We cannot love and be limited."

Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-04-05T18:04:00.001-04:00

Let us treat men and women well; treat them as if they were real. Perhaps they are.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I giggled... -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-04-04T12:02:00.004-04:00

“He that but looketh on a plate of ham and eggs to lust after it hath already committed breakfast with it in his heart” -C.S. Lewis

Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-04-03T11:41:00.006-04:00

We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers -- but never blame yourself. It's never your fault. But it's always your fault, because if you wanted to change you're the one who has got to change.
-- Katherine Hepburn.

Jeremiah 17:7&8 (NIV) -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-04-02T15:33:00.006-04:00

“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit."

Make time to smile -this will get you started today... -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-04-01T08:50:00.001-04:00

Lost in Jack Translation -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-03-30T20:02:00.004-04:00

Jack McKinnon's comment...

"Woooo doggies! Diz Doke is villy bicy!"

(Translation...)

"Woooo doggies! This Coke is really spicy!"

(Comment made after his first float... tried to get him to pick orange or root beer... but he wouldn't have it!! Kept saying "Doke!")

Clean Green Goblin -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-03-25T12:52:00.003-04:00

Because dinner has finished, each child is clearing off their spot at the table. The whole process goes smoothly. The dishwasher is open and awaiting dishes. Dad and Mom are in the receiving line in front of it, taking each set of dishes as they come and placing them into the dishwasher. As each child drops their stuff off they file out of the kitchen and up the stairs to brush their teeth and complete their bedtime routine. Mom and Dad are focused on the dishes they are putting away. Dad's just taken Jack's final dish and is putting it in the top rack when they hear scampering feet run back to the table and a little hand places something else inside the appliance. It's the Green Goblin, and apparently Jack has decided he needs a shower today. Mom and Dad look at each other puzzled and then Mom calls out to her fleeing son (who is giggling madly) something that perhaps NO ONE else has ever said before or will ever say again...

"JACK!!! GREEN GOBLIN does NOT belong in the DISHWASHER!"

Caleb Gets His Dinner. (A Caleb story -as was requested... xoxo) -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-03-24T14:10:00.010-04:00

It's supper time... Mom and Dad decide to take the whole clan to East Side Mario's for a pizza night! Everyone jumps up and down, smiling and singing their way to their seats in the car. Caleb has had an especially nice day as he's just returned from a visit with a friend across the street. Coming home just in time, he joins the crew in the vehicle.

The van pulls up to the restaurant, and after everyone gets in the front door, the waitress leads them to their table. Mom thinks to herself that walking through the restaurant with four kids always feels like a parade, she smiles and nods to onlookers who are busy munching their meals.

The kids are OVER THE MOON with excitement at just being in public. Garrett grins ear to ear (well really that's normal...), Abby has donned 5 layers of lip gloss to look her best and Jack is literally skipping so hard that for a moment Mom wonders if his boots are going to fly off. Caleb (who ADORES eating out) is UNUSUALLY quiet, pensive almost.

They all take their seats in the booth and flip through their menus. As is custom at East Side, soon a fresh loaf of bread arrives accompanied by a big salad. Mom gives each child a portion of salad, while Dad cuts the loaf. Each child gets a little piece of bread that's really no bigger than a cracker wide. Pizza is ordered and on it's way.

The feast is ON!!! Lettuce is devoured like it was candy and bread like it hadn't been available for years. Yes, the feast is on, well for MOST of the clan. Caleb is pushing his food round and around the plate. Mom watches him... wondering...

Dad delivers another morsel of bread to each plate, but when he tries to put it on Caleb's, it is refused. The two parents are shocked! This is AFTER ALL one of their BEST "eaters"! A parental glance of knowing is exchanged and then the two grin.

"Caleb?" Mom asks, "Did they give you snacks when you were visiting across the street earlier tonight?"

His eyes look down at his uneaten food. "Yes" he sighs. It's apparent that something else of the truth is still absent from the conversation... Both parents are openly snickering now though...

"Caleb, did you already eat dinner tonight?!" Really, considering he's eaten a leaf of lettuce and a bite of beautiful bread... the truth has already outed itself.

"Yes, I did" he grins sheepishly. "I'm TOTALLY stuffed!"

The table breaks out in hysterics now... Dad is trying to hold back his laughs on account of being in public, but to no avail! Mom is tearing up she's laughing so hard. People are staring now!

Caleb is clearly NOT impressed that his parents find this amusing... "WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?! This is NOT funny!!"

"Oh Caleb, we're sorry, but this is EXTREMELY funny!! We can't help it!"

"Am I in trouble?" he asks.

"TROUBLE? Oh no... this is TOO PERFECT! You won't be in any trouble from us! You're learning on your own here why telling Mom and Dad the truth is important!"

The giggles subside a bit when Dad asks Caleb, "Just out of curiosity, what did they serve you across the street?"

Caleb closes his eyes for a moment and like it's a curse, whispers... "pizza... and you KNOW what it does to me... I can't help it... I can't stop eating it... I had three pieces!"

Laughter overtakes his parents again... He's getting his "just desserts" and they haven't even ORDERED it yet!!!

The pizza arrives, the rest of the meal is moments of quiet, fits of laughter and a poor green-faced young man vowing to tell the truth from this dinner forward!

SHAMWOW BARBIE -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-03-18T19:29:00.009-04:00

If you've seen the Shamwow commercials, you know that the cloth promises to suck up every drop of spill that you throw at it. My kids LOVE the idea of this product... MANY times, they have seen the commercial and come RUNNING into the kitchen looking for a pen and paper, to write the precious telephone number down. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHY CHILDREN ARE NOT GIVEN CREDIT CARDS!!! Anyhow, for SOME reason Shamwow comes up OFTEN in their conversations... ha ha ha... This week during one of our family conversations we were discussing Shamwow (AGAIN...) and one of us came up with the brilliant idea of making the "Shamwow Barbie"... It set into motion many giggles around the table... You could play AND clean up spills at the SAME TIME!!! We DID in the end decide that one thing you should NEVER DO with your Shamwow Barbie is take her into the bathtub! A poor unsuspecting soul would plunge her into the water and instantly find themselves pinned to the side of the tub by the MASSIVE growth of her hair... It'd take the jaws of life to free a person from that!

A Snow McKinnon -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-03-17T11:42:00.005-04:00

About 2 weeks ago the kids constructed this snowman out front... The snow has melted a lot since then, though we still have a good deal left to melt. I thought I would post this guy before winter gives way to spring.

Girls day out... -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-03-16T16:01:00.003-04:00

Babs and I hit the streets to celebrate her 8th birthday this Saturday. We went out to lunch together where I got a chance to make a list of facts about Miss Abigail... Here's my list...

~If Abby could visit ANY country in the world, she would just stay here in Canada and visit with all her different relatives in different Canadian cities.
~Abby wants to be a police woman when she gets older (or an "Iiiiiirrrrrr Iiiiirrrr" as she calls it!).
~Abby says her favorite colour is black (though she wanted to list 4 colours here!!)
~Abby wants 2 children... a girl named Annabelle... and a boy named Charles (she says they will call him Charlie mostly).
~Abby's favorite book is Robert Munch's "Mortimer"... which is TOTALLY Abigail!! Ha ha ha...
~Her favorite food is pasta (which is usually what she orders in a restaurant... ).
~Her favorite treat is brownies :)
~When she is a parent, she is going to buy her girl a "butterfly barbie" and her boy a nerf gun.
~I want to add here that Abigail always notices the things that others don't... she's an outside the box sort of person (to say the LEAST!!!). Below is a picture of her and I walking home... she noticed that holding hands, our shadows made our family initial "M".

3 Restroom tips... -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-03-12T11:53:00.007-04:00

1/ If one finishes their dinner out at a restaurant and uses the restroom after, NO MATTER HOW HAPPY one is to be out in the world amongst adults... ALWAYS make sure that there is no one in the stalls when you begin singing!!!!

2/ Make sure that if you DO venture a song... make it a COOL one... and NOT a kids song about "jumping up and down!"

3/ If such things DO occur and it is too late to change it because someone heard you, simply stop when you hear them clear their throat (trying to make their presence known) and carry on as if it NEVER HAPPENED!

OH HOW EMBARRASSING!!!!

Passion For The Cup -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-03-10T16:40:00.010-04:00

Something is a brewing in the McKinnon household. The Jacker slides off of his spot on the couch and picks a spot at the table. A bright and cheery teacup meets him as he lets a big grin greet his mother. He's come for his teatime. If tea is an option... The Jacker is ALWAYS in!! His little fingers grasp 3 sugar cubes and he giggles as they splash into his cup and dissolve into "liquidy goodness!" A generous splosh of milk balances the flavors out perfectly, and now it calls to him!! He tips forward to embrace his drink, but decides mid-tip that he's got a BETTER more EFFICIENT way to sip his favorite beverage! Sip... sip... slurrrrp... AH... It's a perfect world...

Mr. McKinnon Potato Head -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-03-04T12:51:00.003-05:00

I found an old wrinkly potato... so I gave him a make over... He's creepy and handsome at the same time! :)

A burger labelled "Garrett" -Enjoy! Ali :)

2009-03-03T20:46:00.003-05:00

Garrett is watching TV. A Harvey's commercial is playing and concludes with it's promise of having a "burger with our name on it".

Garrett ponders the information for a moment and then exclaims with absolute WONDER... "They make burgers with MY NAME written on them?!!"

(Mom giggles to herself in the kitchen, and doesn't DARE spoil his beautiful dream!)

Tolkien's thoughts on friendship... -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-03-02T12:31:00.004-05:00

Excerpt from The Silmarillion (Chapter 9).

"It may be the part of a friend, to rebuke a friend's folly."

Doing The Chicken Dance! -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-02-27T19:47:00.003-05:00

My daughter's grade 2 class was exploring different dances for their gym period. Each child, being paired up with a partner was learning how to do the "Chicken Dance". Said my daughter to the boy she was dancing with, "Just to be CLEAR... this IS NOT a date!"

A CRAZY kid's show that made us laugh! Elijah Wood guest starred. -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-02-26T10:40:00.001-05:00

The Latest Jack Phrases -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-02-23T13:17:00.004-05:00

"I'm YIKE it!"
(means I LIKE IT!)

"I've got an YEG on my Yeg"
(means I've got an egg on my leg!)

"Jumpie HIGH!!"
(means Jumping HIGH)

Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-02-19T12:02:00.002-05:00

We can't reach our goals if we are standing in our own way.
-Author Unknown

Big Icy Nose -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-02-18T12:07:00.008-05:00

The whole McKinnon clan (and friends xoxo) attend Ottawa's Winterlude Festival. Mummers and the Jacker are walking past HUGE ice sculptures lit up by lights against the winter sky. They are GYNORMUS compared to the little Jacker. He peers up at a GIGANTIC ice head. Each ice eyeball is about the size of the Jacker's head!

The Jacker is quiet for a few moments and then turns and speaks to Mummers...

"BIG HEAD..." The Jacker says slowly in his low monotone voice...

"BIG NOSE..." The Jacker adds...

"Yes Jacker... " Mummers giggles!

"LIKE YOURS..." Jacker says (like it's no big deal!!!!).

Mummers bursts into laughter!!!!!

"DAT FUNNY MUM???!!!" The Jacker smiles...

"Well, while you're 2 it's funny Jacker!" Mummers laughs. "For the record, Mummers has a lovely nose!"

I SHOULD give him credit though, from a 2 yr old's standpoint... I probably DO have a big nose!

Favorite Brownies -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-02-12T11:14:00.003-05:00

As a kid my parents would take us to our Aunt and Uncle's farm. One of the favorite things I looked forward to was my Auntie's brownie dessert. There would be on each plate a LARGE homemade brownie, scoop of vanilla ice cream, homemade chocolate sauce drizzled over that and a single cherry to top it all off.

For all the cooking and baking I have been successful at over the years, there are two things I CAN NOT seem to make... ONE is JELLO!!! (strange I know!) and the SECOND is brownies!

WELL NO MORE for the brownie troubles, because I have found myself a FOOLPROOF recipe!

Below is the recipe along with my Auntie's chocolate syrup recipe... This might be a good Valentine's dessert for any of you out there who want something to make...

Enjoy, Ali :)

Chocolate Sauce
1/2 cup cocoa
3/4 cup warm water
3 tbsp corn syrup
1 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 tbsp butter

~Combine all ingredients exept vanilla & butter in small saucepan.
~Cook until sugar is dissolved and slightly thickened, STIRRING CONSTANTLY over med. heat.
~Remove from heat and add the vanilla & butter.

McKinnon Brownies
4 eggs
2 cup white sugar
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/3 cup flour

~Preheat oven to 350'.
~Whisk eggs and sugar together.
~Add oil and cocoa and mix thoroughly.
~Stir in vanilla, salt, baking powder and flour.
~ Bake in greased 9X13 inch pan for 20-25 mins
(or until toothpick comes out clean in center)

Proverbs 16:24 (NLT) -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-02-11T12:14:00.001-05:00

Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Proverbs 17:9 (NLT) -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-02-09T11:42:00.001-05:00

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-02-06T11:49:00.003-05:00

Hunt for the good points in others...
they have to do the same with you!
~ Author Unknown

Dear Mr. Plumber, (Enjoy, Ali)

2009-02-05T10:30:00.004-05:00

Dear Mr. Plumber,

It is with GREAT delight that I respond to your thank you letter. I know that in today's industry things are a little bit challenging. People are just holding off on MOST renovations. I KNOW that you were not expecting to get a phone call from the McKinnon's so SOON after putting in our lovely new toilets last spring. It was truy MY PLEASURE to send a little job your way this past week!! To answer your questions about how TOUGH it was for me to figure out a way to plug it... It took MANY tries with different sizes of toys to get JUST the right fit to plug the bowl. My brother Garrett and I would dedicate our mornings in the bathtub together committed to launch our test subjects over the rim and down into the toilet. It took WEEKS of me attempting this... and sneaking out of the tub to try to flush the toilet each time. COUNTLESS toys have been flushed away, because they were simply TOO small to do the job! I tried EVERYTHING... Polly Pockets... LEGO men in large clusters... plastic animals... etc. etc... THEN WHEN I THOUGHT ALL HOPE OF SUCCESS HAD BEEN LOST... It was the "Little People" firefighter that FINALLY plugged it up! I felt SUCH great joy and personal pride!

One must CELEBRATE one's little accomplishments in life!
With pride,
Master Jack McKinnon, proud toilet plugger

A message from an Apostle to his people... -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-01-17T13:24:00.002-05:00

Philippians 2:1-4 (NIV)

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-01-16T12:10:00.003-05:00

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE TO A WILLING HEART.

-John Heywood

It's like this cartoon was taken from our life! -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-01-12T18:25:00.003-05:00

To an adult... it's a bad hair day but to a kid -the PERFECT style! -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-01-09T08:30:00.004-05:00

Darth Vader Tries Out A New Mask -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-01-07T12:42:00.006-05:00

Since all is going splendidly with the Empire and the rebel's efforts at freedom are being kept under control, Darth Vader decides to take some time to update his wardrobe. He is visited by designers from all over the galaxy... a pretty young blonde has the winning look for him...

Just because one is the bad guy in the evil galactic empire, it doesn't mean that one can let ones self go...

Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-01-06T13:13:00.004-05:00

Some people regard discipline as a chore. For me, it's a kind of order that sets me free to fly.
-Julie Andrews

Adventures In Chocolate -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-01-05T17:35:00.003-05:00

Today at lunch time, I gave both Garrett and Jack two circular pieces of chocolate. They unwrapped them and I heard one of them say "look... I have new eyes!" When I turned to see them, they both had shoved the chocolate eyes over top of their own. I told them to take them off and eat. When they did I burst out laughing. This is what I saw! Neither was aware at first what had happened! :)

A letter to our school custodian -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-01-04T20:18:00.003-05:00

Dear Robert Hopkins School custodian,

We the McKinnon family wish to send our DEEPEST regrets to you. Tonight when we were preparing lunches for the first day back after Christmas holidays tomorrow, we realized we were one lunch box short. It seems our eldest son Caleb (who being LOST in Christmas excitement) forgot to pop it into his backpack before taking the bus ride home. We also regret to inform you that we can not remember exactly WHAT we sent the final day of school. We can't be sure exactly WHAT colours are growing in there!

We ask for your understanding and HOPE that you can come to terms with whatever the smell is coming from the Caleb hook area. We hope that your Christmas was filled with many OTHER, MUCH more lovely smells. Look on the bright side, Mom will have to clean it!

With respect,
The McKinnon Clan :)

"The Chair Entertainer" (It's little wonder that Pat could keep from giggling long enough to take the shots!) -Enjoy, Ali :)

2009-01-01T18:01:00.009-05:00

"JACKABEEEE???? JACK???? JACKER???!!! WHERE ARE YOU??!!" -Enjoy, Ali :)

2008-12-30T11:12:00.003-05:00

Christmas Day Fun -Enjoy, Ali :)

2008-12-25T20:30:00.004-05:00

Death by Sticky Bun...

Caution, different outcomes may result after coming into contact with Sticky Buns...

O Christmas Tree... O Christmas Tree... How lovely are thy branches!

FAME! I'm gonna live forEVER... I'm gonna learn how to FLY!

Abby displaying her "receiving a gift face"...

"How DID they get the little gums all in THERE Daddoo??!"

Caleb displaying his half bird/half pen stocking stuffer item... (what isle do they sell THOSE in?!)

A boy and his bus... coming to a floor near you!!!

Lollypop bliss... Garrett STRONGLY believes that dessert should be the MAIN COURSE of every meal!

TOLD YA!!! :)

****************MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!***************

A Bunny Short Of It's A Wonderful Life! -Enjoy, Ali :)

2008-12-24T09:20:00.004-05:00

Travel to www.angryalien.com to see a bunny rendition of "It's A Wonderful Life!"

A few shots from our family Christmas in Hamilton (Not all present in photos!!! May add a few later!) -Enjoy, Ali :)

2008-12-22T17:18:00.007-05:00

Jack, Court and Gav (my Stuey-Bob)

Garrettski a gigglin with Caleb

Gram, Pat and Jack opening various items...

The Case Of The Disappearing Gingerbread Men -Enjoy, Ali :)

2008-12-17T10:58:00.014-05:00

It was a frosty winter's day when I first heard the sounds. A small "TINKLE TINKLE" was what first caught my attention. It seemed that someone was touching the tree. When I checked the scene I found that a gingerbread man's foot had been injured in a vicious attack. There was a small trail... that led to a little blond. He denied everything (of course), but my partner and I couldn't HELP but suspect that he would give ANYTHING for another bite. We gave him a restraining order and went on our way.

The NEXT DAY... we found ourselves back at the scene of the crime. Poor "Gingie" had been attacked AGAIN! This time his friend on a nearby branch must have come to his aid... as he was attacked as well!

We interviewed our original suspect, but could NOT catch him in the act again. Three others were questioned as well... but all professed their innocence... and we were inclined to believe them. There was just SOMETHING about the little blond that spoke of his guilt! Maybe it was his cheeky smile... the one he gives whenever he puts out his BEST CHARMS. We knew that EVENTUALLY his crumby ways would call him out!

The third day was a day we would NEVER forget! We thought we heard the familiar "TINKLE TINKLE" and came running... The little blond was nowhere to be found, but the tree was still moving... and the heads of the remaining "Gingies" were dangling back and forth on their hooks! What sort of cookie loving MADMAN would do SUCH a THING?! What a gruesome discovery! We followed a trail of crumbs which lead us straight to our guy! The little blond was happily licking his chops and smelled of the sweet scents of ginger and cloves! We FINALLY GOT OUR MAN, and the case of the Disappearing Gingerbread men was FINALLY solved!