Pre-Ottawa summer shenanigans!

Is it seeeeeeriously already September? Well, I better hike up my socks and begin the binge blogging because MAN do I have pictures to share, stories to tell, projects to show off, and adorable children to brag about.

So, let's begin this 'Pre-Ottawa' post with the arrival of Marc & Kylie's baby Levi... not just in Lethbridge, but into the world. You can read Kylie's post about his entertaining arrival here, but let me sum up. Two weeks before Levi's due date, Marc & Kylie were en route to Lethbridge (where they planned to birth the babe) when Levi decided that he wanted to be a BC resident like his brothers, and made his appearance in random Revelstoke, BC. After a brief hospital stay (like, I'm talking 5 hours here, folks), the newly expanded G clan left the hospital and met my parents in Golden, BC where Nana & Papa collected big bros Ty & Zeke to bring to Lethbridge. Meanwhile, Marc, Kylie & Levi headed to Canmore for the most relaxing/luxurious night one can possibly have with an under 24-hour old child. DO check out Kylie's version of the events. After all, she IS the mom and she was in fact there.

 

When Marc & Kylie initially mentioned the possibility of birthing the babe in Lethbridge, I attempted to further sway their decision with the promise/bribe of cake pops. While technically they didn't hold up their end of the bargain, I still delivered. Ladies and gentlemen, straight from the recesses of my somewhat twisted brain... boobie pops. And in an effort to confirm that they are totally non-sexual boobie pops, they are displayed on a diaper cake.

heeheehee. In the event that you needed a visual.

Zekie was really only content when he was double fisting the cake pops AND had one in his mouth.

See? He doesn't have one in his mouth here, so he's not completely satisfied.

Extra cake pops sans nipples were re-purposed into faces.

The kids LOVED them.

 As did the adults.

This one is our "don't do drugs" pop.

Boobie/face pops aside, much fun was had with the G clan. Playhouse! Sand box! Parks! Dog runs! Canada Day festivities! Bike rides! Tree climbing! Oh the fun.

Papa and his guitar are always a huge hit with the grandkids!

Fraser admiring sleeping baby zebra cousin on the table.

Cousins Ty & Fraser being adorable.

Nana helping Zeke & Stefan with the slides.

Zekie had the eye sticker on his forehead for- no joke- three solid days.

Tree climbing with Uncle Marc!

These two took turns giving each other zerberts (look it up, it's an actual word) foreeeeever.

Stefan got himself trapped in this chair and thought it was pretty hilarious!

Canada Day!

Park fun with cousin Olivia!

Can you count all the people in this picture? Sneaky sneaky!

Yes, that's a Bounce sheet on Stef's back. Rumour has it that those suckers deter mosquitoes!

En route to the DOG RUN! Just as much a little-boy-run I'd say.

June also brought a T family get-together as we gathered to celebrate Elise's dedication with Ryan and Julie Anne.

Elise with Pastor George.

The sky started doing super cool things, and the kids were all fantastically cute... so obviously the camera had to make an appearance.

Stefan was the only one who clearly did not understand the very important concept of candy bribery.

Emily & Fraser storm chasing!

We don't usually plop our kids in the middle of the highway and take pictures... only in semi-deserted hamlets with the bribery of fuzzy peaches to never go on the road without grown-ups.

We have super beautiful nieces, as you will notice...

I love this because it is such a typical and realistic family shot. Parents flashing beautiful pearly whites while the kids... are busy being kids! haha

And with that gargantuous collection of photos,  pre-Ottawa family fun time is done. Now to dust off my brain cells and dive into 'post-Ottawa' and other bits and bobs!

The end of an era!

1974: Dad graduated from medical school. The hottie of the med program to be sure.

I'll just go right ahead and say it... MAN I have good genes!

1975:  Began practising medicine in Nigeria...

June 27, 1976: Survived a horrific motorcycle crash then returned to Canada to complete his recovery...

This is wheel-chaired Daddio with my super awesome Grandma G aiding his recovery.

January 1977: Finished up another year or so in Nigeria, then headed home with baby Marc in Mom's tummy...

Mom: "I had about two maternity outfits... and this was one of them." haha.

This was the other one. FYI.

June 27, 1978 (two years to the day after the motor bike accident), Marc James was born!

Shortly after Marc's arrival, the tiny G family moved to Lethbridge where my Dad began his Family Practise.

August 8, 2014: Dad is retiring his practise after 36 years with his clinic. And still looking mighty handsome if I do say so myself...

Dad with adoring grandson Fraser. When asked what he wants to do when he grows up, Fraser replies "work at the hospital with Papa and the doctors." When asked what he will do with the doctors, he clarifies, "I will play toys with the doctors." Well then. That's enough to make any mama proud!

Off for his last day of work!

Over the years, I have been approached countless times by my Dad's patients, his patients' families, and even his colleagues... and it's unanimous, folks. My Dad has been a wise, compassionate, patient-centred, go-the-extra-mile kind of doctor over the past 40 years. He even went beyond the call of duty and secured a successor doctor for his patients (a local super capable doc that I grew up/graduated with... Samuel D for you curious minds). It has been an emotional process for Dad as he bids farewell to the patients he has bonded with for decades, and also looks forward to the golden years with his woman (aka my mama). If you ask him, however, he's not retiring. He's "moving to part time" as he intends to continue on with long term care patients as well as cover a locum here and there.

Dad worked hard to build a successful practise, but managed to maintain a healthy work/family balance. Despite being crazy busy, he was a very present dad. He was always home for supper (then frequently returned to the office to finish up after us kiddies were tucked into bed). He helped around the house/yard (doing dishes has always been his forte), took us on dates, attended our sporting/extracurricular events, was always eager to toss balls around or go for a bike ride, planned family holidays, took a zillion pictures and made us each several photo albums, and just took time to be with us. My mom has been an amazing partner for my Dad throughout the years- staying home and providing a wonderful home life for us kids while supporting Dad in his career. I love, respect and admire these two so much individually and also as the most amazing team ever. You guys have done us proud!

Enjoy this big step towards retirement, Dad. You deserve it, Mom is PUMPED, and I know of a few little hooligans who can hardly wait to see more of Papa!

Photo cred: Rachel Joyce Photography