Heather's Shower

Colleen and I went to a shower for my niece, Heather.

A Day in the Park

Colleen and Scott took Christian to the park today. He tried some real "big boy" stuff.

Off to a Good Start

Is that wine all for me?

Fonthill Hike

Yesterday, Lydia and I went with the Bruce Trail Club for a hike in the Fonthill area. Not many plants are up yet, but we saw these skunk cabbages, plus a few scyllas and snowdrops.

Easter Dinner

Here we are having an early dinner before Brendan and Amie have to go back to Ottawa.

Brock Alumni Curling Team

On March 31, Brendan and his friends competed in a Curling Tournament at Brock University.

The won a prize for best costumes.

Brendan, Baby and Bunny

Here's Christian with Uncle Brendan and the Easter Bunny.

April Snow

We woke up this morning to a light covering of snow. I hope my early tulips don't mind.

Christian in his Jolly Jumper

My co-worker, Heather, loaned us a Jolly Jumper that her son no longer needs. Christian loved it right from the start.

It's hard to believe that he is only a bit over four months old.

If you want to see him in action, click here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KvUr54NAk8

Grimsby Author Series

First some wine and some snacks (provided by Vineland Estates) Here are Wendy, Irmgard and Ruth.





Then some music performed by "Quarter Past Two"

Then the main event. C. S. Richardson spoke about his new book: The End of the Alphabet, and Wayson Choy spoke about his career and read from his last book: All That Matters. Here they are autographing their books.

Niagara Parks Greenhouse

Here's a nice patch of Schizanthus, part of a display of spring flowers at the Niagara Parks Greenhouse.

I've missed a couple of weeks!

Here's Christian when he was at my place on March 12. He's coming again today, so maybe there will be some more pictures soon!

Canada Blooms

Yesterday, Eb and I went to Toronto to see the big garden show.

The high point for me was seing Rick Mercer and his TV crew making a segment about the show. Here he is talking to a fan.

Christian at three and a half months

Here's the little guy somewhat slipping down into his overalls.

Colleen sent me this one today, and it is so cute I had to put it on

Christian and his Grandma

Here I am with Christian at his house. I am still wearing my "work clothes" because I often go to Niagara Falls directly from the library.

Finally, a new video of Christian

Christian on his Winnie the Pooh playmat

Icewine Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake

A snowy day didn't stop the crowds!

The star of the show was the set- up for making icewine martinis. The vodka and icewine are poured through a tunnel of ice into the awaiting glass of the taster. Better than the sum of the parts.

Cara at play

Visiting Leslie and Isaac

On Saturday, Colleen and I took Christian out to visit Leslie and Isaac. He was quite sociable, and then slept all through our shopping trip to Toys r' Us.

Christian and Isaac video

Grimsby Author Series

Last night, I saw and heard three great Canadian authors, Dennis Bock (shown here), Rosemary Sullivan and Camilla Gibb. Now I really MUST finish Bock's The Communist's Daughter.

More of Christian

I know.... this blog is starting to look like a fan site for Christian. But this picture was just too cute! Colleen took it last week, so he is about 7 weeks old.

Another video of Christian

More baby pictures

I took this one!

And Colleen took this one

Colleen at about the same age. She may want this to come off my blog!

Grandcats at Christmas

Cara (top), Maggie, and Gus. Lucy is absent (ie. sleeping downstairs)

Brendan took this. I didn't get any good people pictures at Christmas, because I was too sick with a cold.

Christian meets his Uncle

Brendan is home for Christmas, and finally met his nephew.

Video of Christian

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUCSBHMlmdk

More Pictures of Christian

Do I have to be awake for this?

Like my hat?

Me and Jolt

Quick trip to Toronto

On Thursday, we went to the Hummingbird Centre to see the Radio City Christmas show. Very colourful. I was impressed by the precision of the dancing, particularly in the wooden soldiers number.

On Friday morning, we got up VERY early to go across to the CBC building to see Andy Barrie live. He was doing a special programme called Sounds of the Season to raise money for the Food Bank. We were lucky to get seats because there were hundreds of people there.

More baby pix

Welcome, Christian Tophen

Here's my first grandson, born at 8:45 pm on my birthday.

Here's the happy family!

House Tour

On Sunday, we did the St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation's House Tour. Here is the Honsberger Estate in Jordan.

Colleen's baby shower

Scott's family held a baby shower for Colleen this afternoon.

Here is Colleen opening one of the many beautiful gifts.

That baby will have EVERYTHING!

The required silly hat.

My Surprise Birthday Party

Colleen and Brendan completely surprised me with an early birthday party. I thought I was going out to brunch! Here I am looking at all the dorky pictures of my younger years. This was put together by Keitha and Michael. Looking on are Sean, (Heather's ) Scott, and Brendan.

Branch Sendoff for Colleen

Colleen will be going on maternity leave at the end of next week.
Here's some of the gang at her sendoff at the Cafe Amore. It was hard to get a good picture because we were so crowded.








Here's Colleen with her card, gift certificate and board book of the Very Hungry Caterpillar.