HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!

A quick note to wish the best family ever a very Happy New Year!
Can you believe it's been 10 years since we were warned about the new millennium?

So much has happened in the past 10 years.
Let's each make a list of what has happened in our lives since the year 2000.

I'll start...

Mom (1999) and Dad (1998) passed away more than 10 years ago but it still seems like yesterday.

Lisa had some serious health issues and multiple surgeries - the worst time of my life! Can't remember the dates (think it's a mental block).

We went on a cruise in 2000 - the best vacation ever!

Jim retired (2003), bought Maxx (2004) and we moved to Belleville (2005) - bought a house, sold a house, bought a condo.

A couple of family weddings and many precious additions (and expected additions) to our 3rd generation but I will let each of you post those details.

Can't think of anything else for Jim and I directly. Lots of day to day changes but nothing significant or life changing.
Look forward to reading all of yours.
Love to you all and Hoping 2010 will bring you Good Health and Everything you have ever wished for in a very big way!
xoxo

I know, I know...

Hello my dearest family,

Glad to hear Christmas was a lot of fun- I'm really sorry I missed it - I think it's an important time to get together and I relaly enjoy it every year!  There's a lot going on at the end of the 401 though that prevented me from coming....my car isn't running very well at all, and I still had lots to do for my move this weekend. At the time of planning, I also thought I would be at my old job still, and getting two weeks holidays.

Next year, I promise! I'm hoping to be up sometime in January or early February to see everyone again - especially Baby Reid, who I hear is just adorable!!

Jason and I have moved over four car loads already and I find myself wondering where I am going to put it all.  My apartment is pretty tiny! I have a second bedroom to use as a dressing room, so it will be awesome to finally have a closet that will hold all my clothes (there are a lot of them!).

I've realised that my perpetual need for "serving dishes" is crazy- not only do I not have room for them all, I rarely serve anything at all! LOL...I'll have to get creative with some storage solutions or start cooking some people dinner :)

We are finishing the move on Saturday (new couch being delivered!) so I am very excited to say the least!

Sierrah got totally spoiled for Christmas, we had to practically force her to open the next present because she was so consumed with the previous one!  She was very cute though and I can't believe how much she is talking these days.  Lately she;s been saying stuff liek "I had a very busy day" or "I'm very tired" and it's just too funny!

Tyler I heard you had a hot date last Sunday! How was it-- Will she be attending Christmas 2010 :) Everyone wants to know!

Anyways I am off to bed but I love you all and hope to see you guys soon! Remember, you are all welcome here anytime!  Love ya's!

xoxo
Sarah

Thanks Everyone

Thanks to everyine for a great time Sunday, we thuroughly enjoyed having everyine over. We are sorry that non of the London crew made it but it is understandable as you guys seem to always be the ones travelling....one of these days we will come to you. We were also sorry that Unlce Norm and the crew were unable to make it but our thoughts are with you and hope that you are feeling better soon.
I am sitting here on my laptop killing time in hopes that the power is restored before I go to bed so that I can turn everything off. You should have seen the sparks and the arcing that was happening as it was flashing on and off it was like aliens had landed.
It was very nice to meet our new addition to the family Mr. Reid Allan Dustin he is sooooo cute we are all very proud of you Tim and Stacey you have been very strong thru everything.
It is only 362 more days until christmas now so whom ever is planning to have this 2010s please speak up so that we can make arrangements lol.
We hope everyone has a fabulas New Years and makes lots of resulutions to keep and a few to break also.
We love you all very much,
the Phillips Clan + Mom

Merry Christmas to All!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

The day the little ones have been waiting for is finally here....try and I might to cancel Christmas, it just didn't happen this year, since a little blonde cutie pie strolled back into the country!

Sierrah and Jackie were over last night and Sierrah really wantd nothing other than a stocking full of french fries so I guess I wasted my money on all those toys , clothes and books! LOL I could have spent $2.69 and given her the Christmas she's been dreaming of!  She is coming back later this morning to open her presents from Nana and Aunt Sarah, should be awesome!

Hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas day so far and enjoying the company of your loved ones!

xoxox see you all soon!
Sarah 

Home for the Holidays

The day finally arrived . . . Reid was discharged from the hospital early this morning! Oh happy day. He was great on the ride home & has been sleeping well all day. Reid has had visits from Nana, Grampy, Aunt Tina & Uncle Lee today. Aunt Norma is due in the next hour or so. Jack has been well behaved all day so we are off to a great start in that dept.

Thanks for all the congrats msgs. I will do my best to post pictures & stay in better touch once we work out a routine around here.

Tim & I decided that we will take each day as it comes so not 100% sure what our Xmas plans will be yet but hope to see you all very soon.

xoxoxo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARB & BRENDA!

Wishing a very Happy Birthday to 2 very special ladies in our family!
Hope you both have a wonderful day!
Love ya,
Lorraine & Jim

Christmas times a comin'.......

Good Morning all,

I hope this little note finds everyone ready for Christmas and if not you had better hurry up because you are WAY behind lol.
I just wanted to update everyone on the Christmas get together on the 27th of december. Everyone is welcome anytime here anytime after 3pm, unless the power goes out again and i have not showered yet lol.
If everyone could bring some sort of a dish that would be great. I think that i will be making a taco dip (that is what stacey normally brings so i am making for her so that she can concentrate on that little bundle of joy) and a hot crab dip in a bread bowl. oh and ashley is not able to make it so there will be meatballs made by wade.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone.
Hope you all have a great Christmas.
Love you all very much
The Phillips Clan

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom!
Hope this year is the best yet!
Have a wonderful day!
With lots of love today and always,
Kyle and Lisa
xo

The boy

Reid

Lock up your daughters there a new man in town

Just home to do some laundry and I thought I would officially announce that at seven forty Dec 7 Reid Allan Dustin came into our lives and he's perfect. He weighed in at four pounds ten ounces and although he's the smallest baby in the nursery he's definatley the cutest! Although Reids a premy He doesn't have any health problems and as soon as he figures out how to feed properly he'll be coming home. From what we've been told it will be a week at the earliest. Stacey may be in the hospital until Saturday but they jut tell us day by day, I think she prefers to be there as even if they discharge her we still have to go back ever three hours for his feedings so why not stay there where she can focus on him. Thanks for all your love and I'll try to keep you posted but we will be pretty busy running to and fro . Signed The happiest proudest dad in belleville!

Welcome Baby Dustin

What an awsome Christmas present for all of us! Congratulations Tim and Stacey! I guess today would be the beginning of the rest of your lives....
I can't wait to meet him and hold him in my arms. I am so happy for all three of you.
If you ever need a babysitter for a short time feel free to call on me. I can provide you with good references.
Love to all of you.
xoxo

Early Christmas Gift!

Congratulations to Stacey and Tim on the safe arrival of their baby boy!
My guess is this little guy was getting tired of having his picture taken - another ultrasound scheduled for last night. He decided he would make an appearance in person instead and deliver the best gift ever to his Mom and Dad and family!
OK you two - now it's time to give this precious little guy a name!
Love to you all,
Lorraine
xo

Labour Day in December!?!

Alright folks, labour has started!
Last update: contractions were 5 mins. apart. The doctor was coming back to check the progress at dinner time tonight.
Looks like we might have another family member sooner than later!
Any guesses on when Baby Dustin will make his appearance?
My guess...
Tuesday December 8, 2009 at 3:42 a.m.
We are thinking of you guys and sending positive thoughts and lots of love! Congratulations everyone... truth be told, our family makes beautiful babies!

5 weeks to go!

Welcome to the blog Tyler! Glad to FINALLY see you on here. Now you just have to remember to give as an update every once in a while.

Sorry to hear about the job Ashley. I hope things start to improve w/ Blake in the New Year.

Uncle Kevin must be recovered from his surgery as I hear he was off to Tyler's hockey tournament this weekend. I also hear he may be bringing my baby bedding back w/ him??

Angela I hear you had a 2nd interview. I hope you get some good news back from that.

Michael came home to Mom's on Friday & I hear Jaclyn & Sierrah are due back tomorrow. So hopefully we will all see the 3 of them @ Wade & Angela's on the 27th.

Steven & Tim were working on the baby's room again this weekend. Michael was also helping w/ the painting. Still some work to do but the end is now in sight. I refuse to bring out Xmas stuff until this baby stuff can all be put away. I am a little worried we may not decorate for a 2nd year in a row.

My swelling got pretty bad yesterday. It looked like my one foot was going to explode. It was a little scary. The swelling has gone down today. I never thought it would drive me so crazy to be able to do nothing. I just feel like there is so much to be done & I can't do it so it is a little frustrating.

Mom & I are going to Pickering tomorrow night for a 3D/4D ultrasound app't. I am excited about it.

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend! xoxoxo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM!

A short note to wish a very Happy Birthday to Tim.
Hope you have a fantastic day!
Love ya lots,
Jim & Lorraine
xo

Well I go for a job interview tomorrow at Leon's in Trenton. I am very excited as I have been looking for a job for about 3 months now and have got nothing back. I took Blake to my Dr the other day and found out he has a speech impediment. So he will be starting therapy in Jan/ Feb sometime. I still think he has autism but the Dr said we will see how the speech therapy goes and then go from there. Makayla is doing very good in school and is in the school choir. She loves it. She will be in the Frankford Parade this weekend and thinks thats the greates thing ever. Ben has a black eye right now as he went to the bar and some guy hit him. Ben has no clue who it was or why he did it. We are going to start doing are wedding invites soon, which is very exciting. Not sure if you all know but Dad had knee surgery yesterday afternoon. It was only day sergery so hes home but is off for a bit. I like that as that means my kitchen will get finished!!! YAY!!!
Well I think that is all the updates from us. Hope everyone is doing good.
LOVE LOTS
Ashley
XoXo

FINALLY!!

well, looks like ive finally found out how to get onto the family blog, only took me like a year or something like that lol.
anyways just thought id let you all know im on here ha.
love ya all ... ttul
xo

33 weeks on Sunday!

Well the countdowns have officially started. Dec 24th is my last day of work & Jan 11th is the day they say Baby Dustin will arrive. Yep . . . still calling him Baby Dustin. I am getting really excited & really uncomfortable. Lots has got me excited . . . the baby show, the awesome baby shower, the bassinet & crib, the gift of flooring & trim & the progress being made in the baby's room. On the other hand I don't sleep well, I am losing my hair & my mind, I am clumsy & emotional, sore & heavy & all the books say this will all get worse. We went to our 1st prenatal class . . . 2 to go. Tim loved every minute of it . . . NOT! I am done w/ my monthly dr's app'ts. I see the dr again @ 34 weeks then will start going every 2 weeks. Everyone has started saying the time has gone by so quick . . . notice I am not one of them! Tim has started complaining about my sleeping habits . . . I guess I snore now. All I can say is welcome to my world.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Normy! I hope you are having a great day.

Jaclyn I am sorry that things are not working out for you in Australia. Do your best to stay positive & on the right track. You have a large family that will support you in anyway they can. Hopefully you will be home in time for Xmas.

Well I am off to bed . . . scrapbook party tomorrow @ Carm's.

Have a great weekend!

xoxoxo

Here I go again...

Well for those of you who don't know, my life is again falling apart. I wish i had good news like Sarah, congratulations by the way, but unfortunately i am stuck with yet again, sh*tty, sad news.

It looks like we are yet again, flying back to Canada. Starting from scratch. Looking for a new job, new place to live, new everything. Fortunately for Sierrah, Kim (her daycare)" always has a place for her". I think all in all, i am living absolute opposite from 'the year of Sarah'....lol. Look at us, total opposites. I will try and be home for Christmas, as it would be nice to see some loving faces and not the sad, empty one i see in the mirror.

Sorry for the downer post here. Its just not a facebook kind of status. There are a lot of things with me that need fixing right now and i am planning on dealing with those as soon as i get home.

Aunt Viv has opened her home to Sierrah and I for the past week and said she will do so until we leave. It is sooooo nice to have family here. Not sure what would have happened if she were not here. Thank you so much.

Well i guess that is all for now. No point going on about my depressing life anymore.

Love you all and cant wait to see you.

XXX

finally!

8 weeks to go!

I want to start this blog entry by saying THANKS. Thanks to Aunt Lorraine for organizing the wonderful baby shower for me last weekend. I will be 32 weeks along tomorrow and boy did I start feeling it this week. I am losing my mind & my hair, starting to get clumsy & feeling uncomfortable all around.

HEy Everyone

Looks like Christmas is going to be on the 27th of December.
We would like to make it pot luck again if possible.
Hopefully this works for everyone local cause it works for the London ladies.
There will be room for crashers of course if needed.
Please let me know if there are any questions.

Love you all,
Angela and Wade

Hello All,
Well here it is back to reality..work and sick..lol..I need to win the lottery so my family can all retire!! I was at the dr. today..I have a bad cold which I guess with all that is going around, it is a good thing..lol..I just hope it goes no further..Lisa I hope you are feeling better..Anyone else out there that is not feeling well? I hope not.
Angela, I got your message for the 27th and that sounds good..I can't guarantee it but I will do my best to be there..No one knows what the arrangements for Xmas are yet but dont wait on me..thanks for waiting this long...shit it is not too far away!!! Sarah will be for sure.
I speak to Jackie quite frequently and Sierrah has some kind of parasite. The dr. gave her cream but she had an alergic reaction to it so she has to go back..poor little thing..god I miss them..Anyways, nothing else new here..just wanted to check in and say hello..
Love you all
Donna
xoxo

Fuuny Moments

I was playing with Alister the other night trying to tire him out at 10pm.
We were stacking blocks and knocking them over he was giglling so loud that mom even heard him downstairs and had to come up to see what we were doing.
Here is the video that we took.

Hey All

Just wanted to let you know that Mom landed safely this evening- she and Garry are spending the day in Toronto tomorrow then she'll be home!

Anyone doing anything cool for Halloween? Jason and I are going to a Stag and Doe. I am dressing up as either a paper bag princess (if I can create a paper bag dress that doesn't chafe lol) or a bar maid, or maybe dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Jason is thinking he might be Ernie or Bert, but I think we should duct tape the hell outta him, put a funnel on his head and call him the tin man! We'll see!

Love yas lots,
xoxo
Sarah

ps: check out my video on my facebook page :)

Hello from Australia and Bali
First of all I would like someone to tell me how to post a blog without going to the sign in again..it gets to be a long process when you have 25 different languages here..lol]
All is well in the land downunder..my dream vacation is coming to an end quicker then I want to think about..but it is all good..Jackie and Sierrah seem to be adjusting very well in their new surroundings..It did take us a bit to get over the jet lag and a sickness on Jackie's part but we all managed..Sebi seems to be doing well with his new family also..I think it is one happy household..Jackie is wanting to change schools to a closer one..since the traffic from where they are living is bruttle to get to school..I got to see Sierrah's school too..it looks awesome..very clean and seems to be well organized..I just hope they are ready for her..lol..she is so friggin cute i tell ya..she looks more like Sarah everytime I look at her. I am so glad that I came here to see and know what life is going to be like for them..Sebi has a heart of gold..I can see he adores Jackie and Sierrah, so hopefully that will make it easier to say good bye to them on sunday..NOT!! I am so happy for Jackie and am so proud of her...she is doing excellent..
Now a bit about this journey..well my goodness I never thought it would be like it is..I have spent some wonderful time with Viv. She just had her teeth out just before I got here so she is not working...it worked out perfect..her place is very cute..hidden from the road and in the middle of a winery with about 25 race horses around always. amazing..I haven't had the chance to see Nathan yet? Not too sure why but I hope to see him before i leave on sunday. Viv called up Pat and Ron to get together for a coffee and they were going on vacation so we couldn't but they were going to Bali..perfect so are we..lol..they came to our villa and we went out for dinner on the beach..it was greatq..had a blast and they are doing wonderful..alot of travelling and hoping to come to Canada next year. We are going to their place saturday for dinner..they ssend their love to everyone!
I had the choice to hang out with the locals lol or to go to Bali...well you all know I am in Bali. What a great choice I made..lol..for once! lol This place is where we should do a girls vacation...It is incredible.everyone would love it..and I have lots of pictures to show..did I say lots I mean tons..lol
Well it is 2:30 in the morning and i better get some sleep..baby gets up early and wants to swim..she is swimming with her lifejacket and not holding on to the edge..nana is so proud of her..i have video of that...lol..and tons of pictures..lol..
Ok my love to you all..
Xmas Angela and Wade sounds wonderful and thanks for thinking of Sarah and I..I will have to let you know when I get back to reality..work...yuk...did anyone win millions yet??
Talk to you all soon
Love ya's
Donna
xo

Winter is well on it's way

i am sitting at my kitchen table doing some work and staring out the window and watching all the leaves fall off the trees (into my gutters and onto my roof...more work for me) and thinking that pretty soon it will all be covered with snow and my propane bill will soon be arriving again lol.
Our little family is doing well...i can not believe that stacey only has 12 weeks left to go where did that time go?? Alister is getting to be a little man now, he is on the move. He has not gotten up on his knees yet but that has not stopped him from figuring out how to do the wounded soldier drag. At least i can still catch him right now.
We did wood the weekend that just passed and wade and i sat back looking at all our hard work and we are very proud of ourselves this year i thinkthat we may just be warm for the winter.
Declan went to school today and got to be the Special Person!! He gets to help the teacher with a bunch of stuff and gets to bring something for show and tell, so last night we picked out 2 tractors to take and i went to put them in a little baggie and he started to cry (cought me completely off guard) saying that is was not a good bag they will guess too quickly??? it took me a few sobs to get him to calm down and get out of him that the show and tell is a secret and people have to guess. LOL. well we got him a non-see thru bag and all was good again. When we got to school today he was so excited it was very cute. He is enjoying school very much i am happy to report.
well i guess i should get back to work now that Alilster is sleeping.
I hope that everyone has a great weekend.
Love Angela

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVEN!

Wishing Steven a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY with love,
Jim & Lorraine
xo
I couldn't find a picture of him :(

12 weeks to go!

It is 6:18AM & I have been up since 3:30AM. I started this new thing . . . if I lay in bed awake for an hour & can't fall back asleep it is time to get up. Middle of the night pee breaks are no fun (and either is putting on nylons when you are 28lbs heavier than normal!). Tim will be happy when he finally gets up because I actually put some wood in the fire . . . something I don't seem to take my turn @. I am 28 weeks along today. I have started feeling big & awkward this week. Baby has been pretty active for the past 2 weeks. The weekend of the Survivor Party Tim felt him move & said to me "no wonder you can't sleep!" - it was pretty funny! We have no name yet. I did find bedding this week. It is Baby Gund Woodles & very cute. Thanks Mom for buying it & Sarah for picking it up! Tim is working away on the drywall in the baby's room. Hopefully it is done soon because Aunt Tina is spoiling Baby Boy Dustin already (brought a truckload home again last night) & I am going to need some place to put all this stuff! Mom & I went into Fabricland yesterday . . . she is sewing me a bassinet set . . . it is very cute & she is off to a great start. I am sure I will get a call today to come & check out her progress. It is great living so close to them, we see a lot more of each other than we did in the past. The game plan right now is that my last day of work will be Xmas Eve. Can't wait! I am glad Wade has decided to do a Xmas get together. I agree that it does not matter if we were all just together we are family & it is Xmas. So let us know what date & time you decide & what we can bring. I talked to Aunt Donna this morning. They are off to Bali for a week. She has some really great photos posted on Facebook if you have not already looked @ them. Think I am going to make another tea (decaf of course) & pay some bills. Enjoy what is left of the weekend. xoxoxo

Thank you!

Hey Everyone,

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I just wanted to thank you all for being such a wonderful family. It's so nice to know that there is always an ear to listen, a bed to crash in, or someone to get wasted with (usually Tim)!

We've all had struggles in the past little while and it's important to have people around you to help you get through them. Even though we're physically far apart, I'm thankful to know that no one is ever too far away.

Love you all lots and I hope your day, however you spend it, is awesome. Don't forget to leave time for a nap ;)

xoxo
Sarah

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello everyone, just wanted to take a minute to wish all a happy Thanksgiving, where ever it may find us. Also we wanted to start making preparations for Christmas plans. Just to put it out there, we are more than happy to have everyone for Christmas this year, just need to find a date that works for everyone, and since Donna and Sarah have the furthest to come, let us know what works for you guys, and we can work around it. It was mentioned that since we just had a family get together, that we may not need to have one at Christmas and I think that is a horrible idea! So we will offer up our place, and we can go from there.
Love you all, have a great Thanksgiving day!

Team Cheers

Missing Idol!

Aunt Norma is trying to track down the Immunity Idol she created for our Survivor Day.
If anyone knows the whereabouts, please let us know.
I'm thinking Donna might have worn it for her date with the Australian aboriginals?
Would it need its own passport?
xo

the eagles have landed!

Hey all,

Just an FYI that everyone landed safely - Mom messaged me this morning and might be online tonight if you're looking for her!

Love ya
Sarah

up, up and away!

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to let you all know that Mom, Jackie and Sierrah got off just fine this morning - a little late and rushed, but we all know that the two of them wouldn't have it any other way! LOL...it feels much different this time because I think it's actually for real now, but my mind is more at ease since Jackie is going with a clearer head and Mom is there to help out if she's needed. It's going to be a big adjustment!

Anyways I hope you are all well and I will let you know when they have landed safely. Love you all lots!

xoxo
Sarah

He aint heavy He's my brother

Survivor was a riot. Thanks to all who pitched in on planning, decorating and most of all cleaning up. We'll definitely have to do it again. Although the outcome had been planned since about 1:30 that afternoon. Let me explain . . . The teams were set and I was eyeing up my team, the Plainfield Eleven, thinking of who would have to go and who was capable of sticking with me when out of nowhere Wade calls Jason and I to the side. We got this you guys he says. He then empties his pockets and shows us his survival kit which includes: dental floss, chalk, band aids, paperclips, a multi tool and elecrtrical tape . . . there was more I just can't remember. I looked at Jason and he was definitely as impressed as I was. In the next few minutes the alliance was set with just one thing in common, not one ounce of McKown blood ran through any of us, we aligned to take this family down! We enlisted Lorraine and Angela and gained majority vote so even before we lost the next competition we would know who would be going home. It was a slick operation we took apart our team one member at a time and always seemed to be on the same page working together to have a true survivor (one that could claim the victory not only for himself but his outsider brothers as well) Things went great until somehow we lost Jason to the other team and got a drunken Donna in return who we quickly disposed of. Wade and I kept planning for the merger knowing all the while that our brother was waiting for us on the other team but the plan backfired. There was no merger and we were forced to compete against each other, taking Wade out was like eating the last chocolate in the pot of gold box. It was so good up to there then he was gone. My life partner for the day, my brother and I had left him sitting cross legged on the lawn wondering what happened. But my other brother Jason was there with open arms and Angela and another old pal Steven as well. We quickly rid the team of Jimmy and Sarah and set our sights for Carla. Then disaster happened . . . right after the banana hop Steven had fallen to a mysterious illness that took him not only out of the game but right into the passengers seat of Barbs car for a nap. In the meantime the numbers had changed because Angela and Carla had noticed that Jason and I were determined to win so they secretly chatted and plotted against us. Carla won Immunity and it was clear Ang had to go. I got cocky and told her to pack her bags before the vote even happened. She asked who shall I vote for and without even thinking I volunteered my name . At the vote we tied at two votes apiece then someone tied a pair of nylons around my waist and then she kicked my ass in the orange golf. In the end I was thankful not to have to dance in front of everyone and my brother Jason took it home. As he said his acceptance speech I looked across the fire and I thought I saw a tear in Wade's eye and it was clear we were both thinking the same thing . . . That's our boy we're so proud. Then I got Donna super drunk and it was awesome (sorry Garry its tradition).

recovery mode

Hey Everyone!

I don't know about you guys, but I am experiencing extreme exhaustion since Saturday! It was a really fun day and I'm so glad most of you made it out to join us! Stacey and Tim, thanks so much for opening up your home to us as always :)

Stacey, you did an awesome job organizing the competitions - and to everyone else who pitched in with immunity idols, decorations, etc...way to go! I think we need to do something similar again next year!

Jason was very proud of himself for taking home the victory - there was a gutsy quote he made, I'll have to ask him to refresh my memory!

Hope everyone has recovered from the weekend!!

Happy Birthday to Ashley - she turns 24 today! Hope you have an amazing day!!

Love you all bunches,

Sarah
xoxo

Just some photos of the night that almost killed some of us!!

Survivor burn out

Well Richard, we had the perfect plan and yet it was the junior man that brought it home for the big win. Here we thought we would send him away when we were at three, and he persevered, quite impressive in that pack of wolves that was left. Kudos to Jason, he did a great job, and as was eluded to, the three and a half hour drive with Sarah might have been the preparation needed to be the sole survivor. Stacey, it was a fantastic fun day, can not wait to do another one. I hope that Steve is feeling well this morning, you were a champ, just getting through the sit ups on a full belly of booze, it would appear that the banana hop was just too much though. I must congratulate my lovely wife as well, making it the furthest of all the McKowns.
Lorraine, I hope that you are okay today, I felt horrible seeing you bounce off the tree, I just wanted that win so bad! Anyways, we have lots of pictures to post, lots of which I am sure can be photo shopped in some way before the next family get together/competition.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!!

Just wanted to wish this handsome guy a very Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Michael!

Hope you have a fabulous day!

Look forward to seeing you at Survivor Plainfield!

Lots of Love

Uncle Jim & Aunt Lorraine

xo

no more richard now I'm lee harvey

Just like when JFK was assassinated there may have been another shooter on the grassy knoll. If you look closely Sarah and I are innocently sitting there posing for the picture as the real shooter covers her face to avoid capture. I WAS SET UP!!! Through the knowledge I have obtained by reading Stacey's private investigator textbooks and a few fiction novels I have been able to identify this person by the shirt she's wearing compared to the pic in the last post.

We should have paid attention!!

Look!

This InTIMidator / RahRahSaRAH alliance started last Christmas while we were all watching!

Happy Birthday Kevin!!

Taking time away from the Survivor banter to wish Kevin a very Happy Birthday!

Hope to see you Saturday!

Love ya Lots,

Jim & Lorraine

xo

From Kyle

I have been silent long enough...
I have been using my time away from family functions to figure out the minds of all of you...
My data is flawless, my game is brilliant, and my smile is lethal...
Okay... it's really from me!
You are all going down... one by one by one by one... I am starting with the age group 5 and under. Then the over 45's... then.... and only then will I become victorious. My alliance has been carefully crafted. We all know our parts. It's up to the rest of you to try and figure it out.
Good luck survivors... you're gonna need it....
With love,
Lisa the LEO... that's right, like Lion.... KING OF THE JUNGLE
insert survivor theme here...
xo

It would appear that we have a couple of people in our midst who think they are witty. I believe that they are half right. This will be my only post on this subject. Bring it on.

Have fun

Just wanted to say have fun everyone!!!! and play NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Loev Ash

Don't mess with Richard

Well well looks like mission accomplished. I set out to stir the pot and you all took the bait. I have read through your comments and using my Dick Tracy code detector I was able to determine most of your gameplans and a couple who plan to align themselves beside The InTIMinater. But there is one thing I'm concerned about... its the silent ones Norma, Angela, Barb, Steven why so quiet? Are we playing too rough for you? Maybe everyone will be a little gentle with these folks on game day or maybe we are separating the men from the boys already. As for you Jim just like Diane Fossey from the movie "Gorrillas In The Mist" you've been in the jungle too long and I'm the the cat driving the bulldozer ready to knock down the rainforest. And who's this Dominatrix Donna is this the same girl who thought she was gonna trade insults with me the last time she was down only she realized she was outmatched while messing with the radio only to find her song was already playing- A Girl With A Problem by The Northern Pikes. I don't remember hearing much from her after that. And the girl from the private art school no worries ive saved a special moment from the scrap booking weekend when you got boiled and i recorded you with the video camera in my phone.Your husband and family members will be so proud! And to anyone i missed just get ready to hear this- Please bring me your torch the tribe has spoken...loser

Warning from Jungle Jim

I have read all of your comments and have carefully considered who I will be taking to the final 2 with me. I know my strategy will get me there.
Too late to suck up to me now, I have made my decision...
I also have a little white beast, who will be at the spa that day, but he has been scoping the terrain with me after dark. We have been there through the night and you and your little beast haven't detected us Richard.
For years I have been known as Jungle Jim, long before you wore big boy pants and before the birth of the little white beasts.
I have been training all summer, living on white rice and maggots. I spent a few days at Krusher Kevin's cottage and added raw fish and pine cones to my regimen. I'm leaner and meaner than ever!
Survivor Plainfield will be a piece of cake compared to marshalling at Black Bear!
Bring your 'A' game, there's no prize for 2nd best.
Looking forward to seeing you all. I will bring the girly drinks...
Jungle Jim

Get your game on!

I'm the new Richard Hatch

Ive been hearing rumours that some of you cats are preparing, training and even making secret alliances way before the game even starts. I thought i should let u know I'm way ahead of you. First of all this isn't survivor Africa or Gabon or Guatelmala its survivor Plainfield and Ive been here almost a year doing research and planning how I am going to win it all. I have studied the terrain, know all the vegitation and have even befriended the little white beast who prowls the area looking for intruders. Ive passed out I mean slept in the elements and last weekend i went to a party with all my neighbors whoops i mean the aboriginals who have laid claim to the land way before i was here. And if that wasn't enough I'm doing the host Stacey Probst. She's promised to make it look good but you guys are done. The only thing left to do is decide who I will take to the final two with me. I'm thinkin Sarah cause she's small and when the food gets low I won't have to share as much. Plus she's damn funny and those last desparate days when i'm fading away from malnourishment at least we can make fun of each other to pass the time by. There is some definate threats out there though. If it came down to Barb and I in the final two then wow I can't even imagine. I heard that a spoiled young lady who went to a private art school is in the contest as well I'd tell you what I have in store for her but i don't want to scare her off.
On a more serious note last Saturday i was mowing the lawn and damn was it hot. I peeled my shirt off then did a few more laps and i couldn't take it anymore so i went to the fridge opened it up and to my horror there was no beer. How could this have happened i thought when way in the back hidden with the girly drinks (mikes hard lemonade...sorry Jim) was a Bud light lime. Was this a mirage no its true Donna had left it behind on her last visit. So i popped the top and man was it refreshing but after the first drink I began to realize the problem was still there this was the last beer. I thought about it for a minute and decided the only way to enjoy it was to pretend that it was Donna's last beer instead of mine and it worked great i even giggled as i took the last sip . Well i think ive stirred up enough shit for today, can't wait to see you all.

Hello everyone...

For those of you who do not know what is going on down here with Sierrah and I..... I have been clean for over 3 weeks now! Doing well and I have adjusted my friends to fit a "no pill" environment. Happy to say that Ashley has been doing the same thing too, so good for her too.

Now for the big news... We have our "second chance" approaching. On Oct 5th, Sierrah and I will be flying back to Perth to give my relationship with Sebi a real chance. I believe that i made a lot of bad choices and they brought me back to Canada along with a few so called "friends". He is willing to forget all that has happened and start off fresh. I cant believe how lucky i am to have him. I know i will be missing a lot......Stacey and Lisa both having\recieving babies..... but with a little luck you never know what can happen.

We are coming to the Survivor weekend in 2 weeks..(i think) so i think that might be when i say my goodbyes. Again..... But i dont want to cry again so lets keep it on the DL. Lol

Anyway, we love and miss you all and look forward to seeing you soon!

XXX

i'm old!

Hey Everyone!

Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes! It was a great weekend, and I spent about half of it nursing two hangovers :( ....self-inflicted though, so I am not looking for any sympathy!

My 24th year has gotten of to a good start - I have been hired on contract at work! This is a big raise, but it comes with some kinda crappy news- Sharon, who works with us and was set to retire in December, has been in the hospital with appendicitis and complications from it. We think she'll choose to take her retirement "early" (she's over 65!) so unless she comes back before december, it looks like I've got a real job! LOL...

I hope everyone is doing well - I've been so busy with work and Jason moving that I am typing this frantically because I want to get some work done before the office fills up! I am very excited for Survivor weekend and Jason is going to come also!

Love you all bunches and can't wait to see you in a couple weeks!

xoxox
Sarah

Although Declan attended the Belleville Montessori School last year, Tuesday was his very first official day in the school system. He started Jr. Kindergarden with a bang or at least with a cry.

His first day was "awesome" (his exact words) and he learned his first french sentence "commet ca vas?" (how are you?) and when i picked him up at 230 in the afternoon to when i put him to bed at 830 at night he asked it every chance he got!! I know that he will pick up the french very quickly but i hope that he enjoys it also.

When i was driving him to school today however he told me that he did not want to go that it was not as fun as the Montessori school as they did not get to play as much at this school. I told him good-bye and that i loved him and skipped back to the car lol.

When i picked him today i was quite excited to know what he had learned in french and he told me that he had learned nothing all day lol. i do not think that ever changes. as much as parents always say that they are sad to see there kids go to their first day of school i was not. i am not sure if that seems uncaring but mostly i am just excited to see what he has to say when i pick him up and to know that every day he is becoming his own new person (see now that makes me tear up lol).

Well this ends yet another exciting day in the life of the Phillips Family.

It's a BOY!

Well as most of you already know we had our second ultrasound last week & found out we are having a boy. Tim is thrilled. I am 22 weeks now & have gained about 19 lbs . . . yikes! I am getting my energy back & feeling somewhat normal again. I actually felt the baby move on the outside of my belly this week . . . pretty amazing!

We had a 40th Anniversary party to go to last weekend for my Aunt Vickie & Uncle Dave. Jaclyn & Sierrah came down for it too stayed over Sat night. It was great to see them both. Sierrah is just too cute!

We are on holidays this week. Tim is planning on starting the renovations on the baby's room. Mom came over one day this week & painted my hallway (THANKS again Mom!). So things will look a little different around here yet again.

I have had 16 people confirm for the Survivor Party but still have not heard from some of you . . . please let me know if you can or can't come as we need to know numbers.

I hope everyone has a great long weekend!

Happy Birthday Grampy...we know that you are watching over us.

Well we all know that it is not very often that i get on here to actually make a post so i will try to rememebr to get everything in this time that has happen in the last few weeks.

we have had a rgeat summer, wade has been posted close to home for most of the summer (although he has been travelling for the union business that he is now involved in) we have enjoyed haiving him home. we have gone to the peterborough zoo, the toronto zoo, niagra falls, canada day here in belleville and a trip to ottawa.

school starts for Declan on tuesday the 8th of september and he is very excited. he will be attending St. Michaels Catholic School in the french emersion program. i am very excited for him and i hope that he enjoys it.

I can not believe that Alister will be 7 months old in only 10 days the time has gone by oh so very fast. He has become a much easier child except for the sleeping but when he is well rested he is a happy baby. much better in the car also.

ashley that is a very cool picture of brittney, i am glad to hear that you enjoyed yourself. i can not wait to be able to do overnight stuff without kids attached lol ( i love them with all my heart but time apart does well too)

stacey you are on holidays nextw eek so you had better call me and we can hang out at least one day please wade goes to montreal for a few days so we can make salmon for dinner lol

well i think that is all that i have to say today i am posting our summer fun pictures on facebook for more veiwing if you would like

i love you all

Amazing Coincidence???

Last night Jim was sweeping the patio and found this heart in the pile of debris!

Today, September 1, would have been Dad's (Grampy's) 90th birthday! Can't believe he has been gone 11 years.

Do you think he was sending us all a message through this heart? I like to believe he did...

Love to you all - from Dad / Grampy!

xo

Just wants to upload a pic for you all to see. We were SUPER close to her. I had SO much fun and it was very nice to get away for 2 days with NO kids but it's good to be back with them

(all 3 ) Hope everyone has a good week!!!!

Love Ash

XoXo

Hello All..
As most of you know Norma and Declan were here for a few days this week..We had a very busy few days..Declan got to sit in a fire truck and was full of questions..too cute..I will post some pics when i can get the camera to work properly..lol..we went to the beach, to the park for a picnic. It was sure a busy time but it was great..we all had fun..Norma and I spent a nana day with Sierrah and Declan at the African Lion Safari..good times..Once my other sisters have their grand babies we cant have a sisters and nana day..cant wait..other then that not much new here..The kids are all fine and so is Garry..life is but a dream...lol..
Miss you all
Love ya!

BRITNEY!!!!!!!

Well I leave Friday to go to Kingston and pick up my best friend Holly and then we are going to Ottawa to go see Britney Spears!!!!! I can't wait I'm so excited but so scared because I HATE driving on the highway!!!! We also have to drop off my cat to her new owner :( I dont want to get rid of her because she amazing with kids but Ben wants her gone.... so....
Nothing else is really new here with us. Makayla has about 3 or 4 loose teeth so I'm just waiting for those to fall out. And as hers fall out Blake's are coming in. He's getting his 2yr molars right now which is NOT fun. Plus he's STILL not sleeping through the night for me! Ben should be home around 1 or 2 am tonight from work. He was in North Carolina. We are planning on going up to Dad and Brenda's cottage next weekend because we have only ever been up once and that was last year. So it will be nice to just have a weekend with just us and them.
Still trying to find a good DJ for the wedding as well as a good place for the invitations. Other than that everything else is pretty much done. Mom just got my favors the other day for us so I was happy as that was one thing off the list.
Well talk to you all later
Love Ash XoXo

HAPPY 11th ANNIVERSARY!!

to our darling daughter Lisa & "son" Kyle.
Although your anniversary is not until the 22nd, by then you will be enjoying your long overdue honeymoon and will hopefully not have access to the internet to read this.

So much has happened in your married life - a lot of which you certainly did not sign up for 11 years ago! Through it all, your love has continued to grow and we are so proud of the couple you have become together. Can't wait until your little Lauryn arrives to complete your home and celebrate many more anniversaries with you. You will be amazing parents!
We wish you a safe trip, fabulous vacation and completely stress free time away.
Make sure you cross as many things as you can from your bucket list!

Have a BLAST!!
Love you lots!!!
Mom & Dad
xoxo

Yet another year goes by

Well here i am 33 years old (i know this cause my loving husband told me the other week when i told him i was 32 and he corrected me...thanks honey love you) and my little precious child just turn 4 years old today. Where has the time gone? I know that i do not come on here very often but lets face it i do not get on the computer very often, but it is nice to see everyone is doing well. Aunt donna you must be looking forward to having my little darling come your way for a week he should give you some laughs i know he cracks us up.

The birthday party went very well and everyone left hot but happy for having had such a good time even Tyler and his friend enjoyed themselves (check out the photo provided) he is such a good sport when it come to Declan. He and Erica never dissappoint and always show him a good time. it is nice to have such great kids in our family i hope declan turns out just like them.

well i am off to get some beauty sleep i ahve to take mom to the train station tomorrow morning early. i hope everyone had a great weekend.

Save the Date . . . September 26th

Hello all. Well since I only had a few comments re: mother daughter weekend I decided to have a Survivor Party @ my place instead. So mark your calendars & get ready for a day of fun!

Aruba, Jamaica, oooh I wanna take ya, Bermuda...

What's the next word from the song lyric in the title...
BAHAMAS, come on pretty mama!

Hello family,
How's my peeps? From what I hear everything is fine with everyone! That's great news.
Well, I thought I would write you all to tell you how impulsive and crazy Kyle and I are.
As some of you know on August 22, we will celebrate another year of wedded bliss...
What are our plans you ask? Well... please go to the following link...
http://www.sandals.com/main/bahamian/ba-home.cfm
DO YOU BELIEVE IT?
We are crazy and impulsive and I don't even know what to call it!
We are NEVER going to get a chance to do something like this when our darling daughter comes from China.
If we wait until we can afford it, it will NEVER happen!
We never got a proper honeymoon..... so....... look out Bahamas.... here come the Thomson's!
Sorry Aunt Donna, Sarah, Jackie and Sue, we are unable to come to London this weekend... we will be in the Bahamas!
Holy Smokes!
Love you all!
xo

Hello Family,
It is nice to see everyones comments on here..There really is not a whole lot happening here that you all dont already know about..lol..Jackie and Sierrah are home..that is the best thing ever..I for one am over the moon that they are back..Sue and I have been talking and she has decided to sell her place in the spring to move into an apartment..I myself think that it is a good idea but the only thing is..dam I am moving again!! Will it ever end!! I am not too sure what my plan of action is? I do know that I am not going to buy anything and that I will rent a place but not sure where? They won't put me into an instituion cause I am not totally insane yet..you never know maybe by the spring?? lol..
I must say it has been wonderful to see so many of you in London..Jim included..lol..over the last year and a half I think you have all been here for a visit..except Tim of course..lol..keep it coming..i love to have you here!! Not too sure when i will make it Belleville way again..I hear the girls are trying to get a weekend going for the sisters..I will do my best to get it off..unfortunately my boss is a dick..lol..
I am still hanging out with Garry..we went to Long Point for the August long weekend..had a blast..dreamed of the million dollar cottages that I couldn't afford in this lifetime..but they sure were pretty to look at..lol..
Ok well I am done for today..must get ready to go to the beach..it is my day off and Jackie and Sierrah and I are heading to meet up with a friend of mine and her 2 grandbabies..it is going to be a blast..wanna come??? anyone??
Love you all
miss you!!!
Donna

Long Weekend Schenanigans

Hey there!

I DID have a wonderful long weekend! Jason and I also went up to Aunt Brenda and Uncle Kevin's cottage for the weekend, and brought along Jason's dog Marshall! Him and Horton had a slow start but were best buds by the time we left! Tim and Stacey came up for a visit - we played some cards, did some boating, and had a few drinks by the fire.

Stacey - you're right about Aunt Brenda's cooking - I haven't ate that well in a while, and I could really get used to that. Mom?? LOL.....

Tyler was a pro on the wakeboard- me and Jason gave tubing a shot on Monday before we left and are still feeling some of the "lasting memories", as Uncle Kevin put it :)

Again, we had a spectacular time, thanks again Aunt Brenda and Uncle Kevin! Erica is in camp this week so we only had a short & sweet visit with her. Once her and Aunt Brenda get on here, I'm sure they will have lots to tell you about their trip out west!

Anyways its back to work time for me - lunch is over :( Love you all bunches! xoxox

ps: Stacey, what about the last weekend in August since I was heading up there anyways :) Works for me?!

Love Sarah

Visit to the Cottage & Mother/Daughter Weekend

I hope everyone had a good long weekend.

Tim & I went to Uncle Kevin & Aunt Brenda's cottage on Sunday. It was nice. Uncle Kevin took us out on the boat . . . got to watch Tyler do his tricks on the wakeboard (very cool!). Aunt Brenda cooked us a wonderful dinner. Lots of changes to the cottage since we were there about a year ago. It looks great. You can tell Aunt Brenda has added her womanly touch now. I was bugging them about not being on the blog yet. I told them I would invite them again but now I don't have their email addresses. Aunt Lorraine can you help me out (again, sorry)?

So I was thinking today & I have not heard anyone mention our mother/daughter weekend this year. Are we skipping it? Summer is 1/2 over already. Let me know your thoughts.

I had lunch with a phone under your bed because big bird said to and he's my leader!

I found this email to be so funny.... really hilarious in fact! Please play along and post your answers as comments!

Type out the sentence you end up with in the subject line and forward to your friends... Pick the month you were born:
January-------I kicked
February------I loved
March--------I karate chopped
April----------I licked
May----------I jumped on
June ----------I smelled
July-----------I did the Macarena With
August--------I had lunch with
September----I danced with
October-------I sang to
November-----I yelled at
December-----I ran over

Pick the day (number) you were born on:
1-------a birdbath
2-------a monster
3-------a phone
4-------a fork
5-------a snowman
6-------a gangster
7-------my mobile phone
8-------my dog
9-------my best friends' boyfriend
10-------my neighbour
11-------my science teacher
12-------a banana
13-------a fireman
14-------a stuffed animal
15-------a goat
16-------a pickle
17-------your mom
18-------a spoon
19------ - a smurf
20-------a baseball bat
21-------a ninja
22-------Chuck Norris
23-------a noodle
24-------a squirrel
25-------a football player
26-------my sister
27-------my brother
28-------an iPod
29-------a surfer
30-------a homeless guy
31-------a llama
What is the last number of the year you were born :
1 --------- In my car
2 --------- On your car
3 ----------- In a hole
4 ----------- Under your bed
5 ----------- Riding a Motercycle
6 --------- sliding down a hill
7 --------- in an elevator
8 ---------- at the dinner table
9 -------- In line at the bank
0 -------- in your bathroom

Pick the colour of shirt you are wearing:
White---------because I'm cool like that
Black---------because that's how I roll.
Pink-----------because I'm NOT crazy.
Red-----------because the voices told me to.
Blue-----------because I'm sexy and I do what I want
Green---------because I think I need some serious help.
Purple---------because I'm AWESOME!
Gray----------because Big Bird said to and he's my leader.
Yellow--------because someone offered me 1,000,000 dollars
Orange --------because my family thinks I'm stupid anyway.
Brown---------because I can.
Other----------because I'm a Ninja!
None----------because I can't control myself!

Now type out the sentence you made! Leave it in the comments!

Deep Thoughts

Whenever I mow the lawn deep thoughts swim around in my brain. It takes me a good hour to do it and after fifteen minutes or so i get bored... then my mind travels. Tonight it took me back to 1998, Stacey and I were living in Oshawa and she was working with Lorraine in Mississauga. She forced me to attend a christmas party at a place called Jonny O's in Brampton. We arrived and I was surprised to see the resturant was closed for everyone but us. The night was good and everyone was super nice but I felt kind of out classed. Staceys boss was telling me he had just pre ordered a porche boxter another lady was a flight attendant who had just flew in from somewhere and was heading back out shortly. They asked me about my job and I told them I drove truck which i was kind of embarassed about. They drank scotch and wine and I was drinking beer. They looked like money and Stacey and I barely had enough to put gas in the car to get there. After the meal and some drinks Stacey and I ended up a one of the reps house named Peter. He had a beautiful house and we were downstairs drinking with him and his cat. After a few whiskeys we talked and he told us a story about how things went down with his life. He had put ten or twelve years in at CP or CN and then they had a massive restucture and he was laid off. To make things better his wife had divorced him and he blew threw his severance to the point where he was'nt sure if he could feed both himself and the cat. His friend (Staceys boss) then offered him a job and he had built his way back out of the gutter. His story was amazing but he was not telling us because he was looking for sympathy, he told us because he saw our wide eyes and empty wallets and said just keep working hard and it will come to you. Tonight I was out front mowing away and I admired at our house, then the two fine automobiles dressed in black in the driveway. Then I saw the smokin hot redhead in window waving at me, my demon child growing in her belly, my best friend Jack laying on the steps watching my every move... How does life get any better than this? Then the lawn was cut end of story.

Anyone need a VISA?

P.S. VISA blitz on this week (again) . . . free gift for applying & your name will be entered into a draw for a prize . . . VISA anyone??

16 weeks & still tired!

Well I am now 16 weeks along & 12 lbs heavier! Last dr's app't went well. Was able to hear the heartbeat again & it was normal. Blood tests all came back good, had more taken. Next ultrasound is not until 20-22 weeks which of course seems way to far away.

I was up in Oshawa visiting Lisa the other weekend. We hit IKEA & another great store she discovered . . . it was like a more expensive Pier 1 if you can imagine that. Anyway she motivated me to finally clean up my 2 spare rooms. So I now have a larger, more organized scrapbook room. Lisa also gave me the Grey's season 1 & 2 . . . way too easy to get sucked into . . . very good.

Angela & family (minus Wade) were out last weekend & Alister is looking like a little Declan again . . . very cute little boys!

Our laptop finally died on us so we went to get a new one on the weekend. I am now back on MSN. We can burn music too. Any ideas on what program to use besides limewire? I caught up on facebook over the weekend . . . Jaclyn you seem to be writing some pretty disturbing stuff . . . you should post to the blog & let us know how you are doing & how we can reach you.

Another long weekend on the way . . . anyone have any exciting plans?

Just Checkin' In

Good Morning Family,
Just thought I would post a note to say hi.
It seems that some of our kids are getting tired of hearing "don't worry, it could be worse, it will get better".
Well, I do get it but fortunately it is true. We all seem to be having crappy days lately - days when we question "could it get any worse?"
I don't want to sound like a cheerleader but we really do need to count our blessings...
We are all in good health (relatively speaking) and we have this huge family for support and encouragement. You can call any of us, any time and you know we will listen and sympathize and try to help. We will even offer advice if you want that.
I know our daily dramas seem to be the worst thing that could possibly happen. Step back and look around and you will count your blessings.
No, I am not suddenly a follower of Benny Hinn or the Dali Lama LOL but just wanted to put in my 2 cents worth and remind you all how grateful I am for all of you!
Now could one of you PLEASE win the lottery!
Love ya lots,
Lorraine
xo

Howdy Ya'll!

I haven't wrote much on here - mostly because nothing is new!

I woke up this morning to see my drivers window smashed in and glass everywhere. Nothing was stolen (thank god, I couldn't bear to lose my black patent peep-toe pumps that were in the back seat!) but it sure got the day off to a crappy start!

Work is going ok, the pay still isn't quite where it should be though. Hopefully, God will look down on me soon and say, "Sarah...you've had a rough year - here's a big fat raise, a new window and this week's winning lottery numbers" ...... to which I'll reply "ITS ABOUT DAMN TIME!"

Anyways, not much else is new really - some friends and I are having a yard sale this weekend so hopefully it turns out to be a success! They're calling for rain though :(

Glad to hear everyone is doing well - I love you all bunches and I hope we really keep up with the blogging - and FYI, I dont use the email s_browning@rogers.com, I am just using sarahbrowning_21@hotmail.com

Love you all, talk to ya's soon!

xoxo

Sarah

My turn..

Hello my family..I haven't written on the blog in a bit so i figured i would before someone called me and yelled at me. It was wonderful to see you guys last weekend..especially you Jim..was the drive really that bad? lol.. when are you all coming back?? we would love to have you all again. the more the merrier. Well to start off I didn't get my old job back..They decided to go with new blood which really is fine with me..I still get the same pay without the bullshit..money is not everything! So I have been plugging along all week with my tail between my legs wondering what is next..Everything happens for a reason..I have yet to find that reason..but on a lighter note..I was up in Port Franks for a couple days this week on a house boat..the weather was great and I actually went swimming in Lake Huron..me swimming in a lake these days is not too likely but it was numbing and refreshing at the same time..Definately worked on my tan. The weather was great where i was but London had rain..and i was only an hour away..lol..I start my holidays this Thursday with a concert in the park...Ya the Hip...Sue and I are hoping to get close enough to get some pics..i will post them if i get close enough..a few drinks and i will be on stage..haha..not! then the rest of my vacation...well not too sure..hopefully spend some time with Garry and then during the week i might head Belleville way and make the rounds..I will have to see where the funds are at before i commit..but bingo if i am there..lol..Garry and I are heading to Fenolon Falls camping on the Aug. 1st long weekend with Sue and Scott..so that should be a good way to end the holidays..And that is about all that is happening in my neck of the woods..Miss my Jackie and Sierrah more then anything..but Skype is the best thing they have ever come out with..you all should download it even to talk to each other..lol..anyways my love to all of you...hope to see you soon..
Love Donna

Little Miss Lauryn!

Hello everyone!
Jackie... we are patiently (not so much!) waiting for any news. The last news we heard was that files have been reviewed through August 31, 2007, and babies are matched through March 21, 2006.... The CCAA (Chinese Centre for Adoption Affairs) seems to be reviewing 3 months worth of files every 30 days. Hopefully our file will be out of review by Christmas! This would be amazing. After our file is reviewed, we wait to be matched. Kyle thinks that we will hear something early next year and travel next year. I am not as optimistic! I think that we will bring her home in about 18 months! According to research, 18 months is even optimistic. We will just have to wait and see! The wait has been long. VERY long. Just like everything else, she will be worth the wait.
For a more in depth update why don't you go to www.waitingforlauryn.blogspot.com YOU SHOULD ALL become members... I just did an upgrade to our blog. It's pretty great if I do say so myself.
I am glad to hear you are settling in. I am sorry I missed your call on Saturday! Those pictures of Sierrah in Perth are beautiful... keep them coming!
Keep us posted on your journey! Any chance Sebi will move to Canada? Hope so!
Alright family, have a wonderful day.
Lots of love to you all. Wish Stacey and I luck at IKEA...we are going on Saturday. This has proven to be a pretty dangerous trip for us in the past. Great for the economy, bad for us!!
Love to you all.
xo

Little Miss Lauren

I am just wondering if there have been any updates on when we are getting our little addition? It seems like it has been forever and I am patiently waiting over here as i am sure you all are too. Wouldnt it be awesome if Stacey and Lisa had their babies close to eachother? That would be awesome. I know you are tired Stacey, but it will get better. I loved being pregnant. Just wait until you can see elbows and feet protruding out of your belly! Its amazing.

Well just a short note. We are fine over here in Perth. Saw Aunt Viv the other day and just got off the phone with her. SHe is tired...lol. She changed her hair...kind of like Aunt Norma but not as dark. Looks great! Its amazing how much i can see all of you in her (all of my aunts and uncles).

Well shower time. Love you all :)

Tired . . . Only all the Time!

I have been told by many that feeling tired is a symptom that will go away after the 1st trimester. Well the 1st trimester has come & gone & here I am feeling exhausted almost every day still! I know I should be thankful I am not feeling sick on top of it but I am getting really tired of it (& I think Tim is too!)

Mom & I went to Guelph to visit Michael on Saturday. He seems to be doing well. We had a good visit. Hopefully he will sign onto the blog in the near future & give you all his own update. He has signed up for email recently so while we were there I gave him the blog address & sent him an invite later that day. While we were there Michael wanted to go to Timmy's to get a coffee & I lucked out . . . there was a Little Ceasar's close by. I LOVE crazy bread & there has not been a Little Ceasar's in Belleville for years! Yum!

As Aunt Lorraine already mentioned we ended up staying the night in London. It was great to meet the "friends" while we were there. Thanks to Jaclyn for all the hand me downs & to Aunt Donna & Sarah for the trip involved to make it happen.

While we were @ Aunt Donna's we were talking to Jaclyn & Sierrah on Skype. It is a program you can download & you use a web cam to view one another. Anyway it feels like they are right there instead of way across the world. If you have a web cam I suggest you download it . . . pretty cool.

I am off to Oshawa this weekend for a sleepover @ Lisa's. We are taking a trip to IKEA.

Have a great week everyone. And to all the BB fans. Enjoy the show tonight!

Hi Everyone

Good morning, I thought I better add a little to let you all know that I am still kicking. I really don't have a lot of news for you. I was happy to hear that Jackie and Sierrah arrived safely and are starting their new adventure. Good luck to you, be happy!! Donna, I'm sure it must be difficult, hang in there girl. Have you booked your flight yet? lol
Well, my "Nanny pad" will be quiet for a few days, Angela and Wade and the boys have taken a vacation for a few days and I am babysitting Pete and Suzie. I hope they have a wonderful time and a load of fun.
I plan to take some vacation time in August, I was going to go to Florida for 2 weeks but have cancelled the trip. I will be taking the time off but not going anywhere special....maybe a few "day trips" but mostly just hanging around the house. Since I went back to work I don't have many Nanny days with Declan, so, maybe we can spend some time doing fun things while I am off. Alister is so adorable, he giggles and goooos and is so cute.....but still a little too young for a full Nanny day...I guess I will need 2 car seats next year for Nanny days.
My new job is stressful, takes up way too much of my time, and pays me way too little money. Initially I would work the day and come home and go to bed any time between 6 and 8....I am over that now and able to stay up to watch that reality TV crap....and yes, Big Brother is one of them. Speaking of work, I am there right now, so I guess I better get back to earning my salt!
Love to all of you. Hopefully see you soon.

Great weekend...

Good Morning all - Happy Monday!
Jim & I went to Windsor this weekend for the 80th birthday party of our old (no pun intended) friend Ken Brownlee. Just can't believe he is 80! Anyway, it was great to see them and their family. Their son Ken used to babysit Lisa and he is now 40! I know we're getting older but I really forget that everyone gets older too!
On the way to Windsor we stopped to see our darlin Lisa & Kyle in Oshawa and drop off Maxx. They kept him for the weekend for us. Then we went on to stay with Donna & Sarah in London Friday night. We went to Windsor Saturday and back to Donna's Saturday night.
We had a fantastic weekend although the mileage was getting to us. We did about 12oo kms and riding in the car that long is just not fun for me.
I think the drive from London to Windsor has to be the most boring strip of highway in existence - perfectly straight, perfectly flat and not one service centre open between the 2 cities.
Windsor is a beautiful city, especially along Riverside Drive, directly across from Detroit.
The bonus was we saw Barb & Stacey at Donna's in London.
Bonus # 2 was that we met Gary - Donna's friend and Jason - Sarah's friend.
Apparently neither of them are dating and both are "just friends" (so Hollywood!) - What the hell??? Regardless of their status they both seem to be really nice guys.
We all went to London's SunFest on Sunday - a beautiful sunny day in the park.
Thanks so much to Donna, Sarah & Sue for your hospitality and Lisa & Kyle for everything including having Maxx!
Hope you all had a great weekend and had a chance to get out and enjoy the amazing weather.
Love to you all,
Lorraine
xo

Well i know this is a little late, but better late then never. We have made it here...obviously...lol. Sierrah was amazing on the flight. She got a little stir crazy a few times but other then that she was just fine. I dont even think she felt the cabin pressurizing or anything like that. My ears hurt when we landed into Perth but other then that it was smooth sailing. Or flying..whatever.We did have a few problems along the way. The first thing was in Toronto. We checked out bags and tehn said our sobby goodbyes and i love yous and then we were off to the scanning of your shoes and everything that eould possibly be removed from your body. Once we were up, they sadi that we were in the wrong area and needed to get to the OTHER end of the terminal. And by then everyone had left so we made the walk with our teary eyes alone. We slept and ate snacks and slept some more on the way to Vancouver. We had to get off the plane in Vancouver but only for about 2 hours or so. Then we had the long flight from Vancouver to Sydney. You know how you fall asleep and then you wake up and you figure that you ahve about 2 or 3 hours to go? Well there were 8 more to go. That was a long flight. When i did it alone it wasnt too bad but with Sierrah it had to be on her schedule... but we made it to Sydney....finally. So we are there and i had called Air Canada like 5 times to make sure that there was fgoing to be someone available to help with our luggage because i had paid extra to have more then you are allowed and i couldnt push all like 300 pounds and Sierrah in the stroller at the same time. Well apparently, contrary to what Air Canada tells you, there is NO HELP there! I had a lady that went out of her area to help me a little. I literally had to push this f-ing cart, sweating like crazy while she pushed Sierrah who was freaking out. This 1st idiot hit the back of my heal with his cart and was very sorry. By now i am exhausted, sweating, hungry you name it. Then this 2nd idiot did it to me and i could barely stand! I turned around and yelled " The next person that hits me with their f-ing cart.... I swear to God !!!" So because of all of that crap we missed our connecting flight to Perth. So after pushing the cartt and then Sierrah OVER AND OVER.... we finally got a flight booked for about 2 hours later.At this point I had not had a smoke or a drink which I had totally forgot about on the plane....free drinks??? Who forgets about that?
So I got my smoke, had to buy "nappies" and then we were ready to board.
Wow this is long....sorry...lol.
So out of the 4 seats in the middle of the plane of course we have the middle 2. This big hairy guy behind me says " Oh thats my seat" I asked him if he would sit on the inside becaue of Sierrah and he said " i dont think so". So Sierrah sat beside him and was asking him all these questions and bugging him as i hoped she would. The stewartess (sp?) came up and offered him another seat further down the plane....asshole. Then i fell asleep and they woke me up because Sierrah had taken all her clothes off and was creating a little scene ...lol. I thought it was pretty funny. The guy on the other side was great. I guess he was talking to her and wiping her face.... good guy. Then when we landed they woke us both up and the staff said "was that guy not with you? We thought that you were a family!" He was really good to her. I had already thanked him a lot before we got off the plane.
Once we got off Sebi and Daniella were there with her baby waiting patiently for us. So all in all it was a pretty good flight.
I ave lost like 10 pounds in the last week, Sierrah keeps triping and falling off the toilet...we have now bought her this step thing with ahndles, but we are happy so far tso there is nothing to worry abo9ut. I cant wait for all of you to come and visit! We are moving a lot sooner then we thought apparently so we will have an extra room!
Well i think that is it for now. I will post some pics when i calm down a bit!
Take care everyone we love you all!

Attn: Big Brother Fans

Well July 9th has finally arrived. For those of you who just can't get enough reality TV enjoy the show! I have my snack planned . . . banana strawberry smoothie & popcorn.

Thank you

Just wanted to say Thank-You to Aunt Norma and Aunt Lorraine for making me feel much better the past few days and also for giving me lots of amazing advice . Its been really stressful!!! For those of you who don't know what I am talking about Ben and I went away this past weekend and left the kids with Ben's parents. On Saturday his mom took them to the Airshow and forgot to put sunscreen on Blake! What a mess that was. So I took him to the Dr. and he had a 2Nd degree burn on his left cheek. While I was there she let me know that she is supposed to be reporting this to CAS but couldn't do that to me because she knew it wasn't my fault. But also wanted to let me know that someone in the office that saw him still may. Thankfully nothing has happened yet. (crossing my fingers) Blake is doing really good and it doesnt seem to bother him one bit. So that's is my life up to date for all of you! Hope everyone has a great week/end.
Oh by the way Stacey, Erica doesn't have an email address and also never goes online. I have told Tyler to tell Dad and Brenda but guess I will have to tell them myself.

Love Ash

Missing McKown's (& Wade)

Well almost everyone I have invited to join our blog has accepted my invitation. But there seems to be several McKown's who have not accepted . . . Uncle Steve, Aunt Pat, Uncle Kevin, Aunt Brenda, Tyler & Erica . . . where are you??? I have sent the invites twice to these folks so if you are talking to them remind them we are all waiting to hear their family business!

Leaving on a jet plane...

Good luck Jackie and Sierrah! Have a safe trip!
Please let us know when you land safe and sound.
With lots of love and nothing but best wishes,
All your family xoxo

Hi everyone..
Well our visit was quick and somewhat short but I am glad that Jackie and Sierrah had the opportunity to get to see most of you before they leave..It was a pretty quiet ride home..both deep in thought..We always think that the situation that we are going through at the time is the hardest one that life can throw at us but to tell you the truth..the hardest for me is on the way! I know if most of us had this opportunity we wouldn't hesitate either. It is definately what everyone wants for their kids...to find someone that makes them happy and that loves them like no other..and I know that that is what Jackie has found in Sebi. We have all had the opportunity to meet him and I am sure you will agree that he adores Jackie and Sierrah. What more could a mom ask for!! Other then to live closer..lol
Time is getting close..4 days and counting..

They grow up all too fast

Hey All
Just a quick post to let everyone know that Declan has his own email address it is:
declanmphillips@hotmail.com
he is excited about recieving his own emails if anyone has the time.
angela

Hi All,
I have just added a new link - Family Album - to share some of our family photos. Obviously you all have many photos that I don't have a copy of so please email them to me & I will be sure to include them in the album. Sorry if I missed anyone in the meantime.
We're off to see Debbie & Ted this weekend. Their son Andrew is getting married in July and this weekend is their Jack & Jill.
Have a great weekend everyone & don't forget to send me pictures.
Love ya,
Lorraine
xo
PS: Looks like I'm going to have to line up to use the NANA name but I will patiently wait as long as it takes for our little one to arrive from China! I love how our family continues to grow & still stays so close! Mom & Dad would love this!

Good Morning to all Mckown's

This is such a great idea. THANKS GIRLS

I saw Stacey & Tim yesterday and am very excited for them ................... and to be a Nana!!!I think this means that now I can start to shop ...... YAHOO!I love it that they are on the next road now. I am starting to see them more often and once the baby comes it will be so convenient for us.

Michael has been in Guelph for a week and is doing his best. I spoke to him yesterday and he was feeling better than the day before. He says he feels better every day. He is very determined and very confident in his success.

Chantal just got a new job working with an insurance company and has been enrolled in courses that she will be attending throughout the year. She is very excited as she has just moved in with her boyfriend (Brian) who is an electrician. He got the family approval at Terry-Lynn and Bruce's wedding (Steven's niece) last month. We all know what that is like for someone lol

Steven is working at First Place Trailers and Powersports. (Brighton) He really likes his job. He is now into the world of games. He just stated playing a PSP. The first of many games to come I am sure........


I am just happy to be on here and to be able to catch up on what is going on with everyone. Not much happens in my house unless you want to talk about rabbits in the yard or me watering the plants. lol

Actually, tonight we are going over to Norma's for a Bar-B-Q. I just got a Nintendo DS and I plan to kick her butt in arachnoid.......LOL

(We got these games to keep our hands busy.) quitting smoking



Have a nice day everyone!

Love Ya Lots

Barb (Nana)