Wedding Bells

My sister got married on Sunday, which happened to be her 11th “dating” anniversary with her now husband. They got engaged about a year or has it been 2 years now, and I can’t believe how fast time flew. The entire day flew by in a blur. A few pictures I wanted to get, I totally forgot to take (like one alone (full length) with just hubby & I….)

The kids were adorable, Mackenzie wouldn't walk down the aisle once he saw how many people were sitting watching, Quentin and Sean ended up walking with me down the aisle. Mack hid and after we were all down in positions, my step-mother-in-law who was sitting front row, went back (it was an outside ceremony), to get him.

The music was loud, so Sean & Mack wanted to be outside the entire time during the reception, and it’s too late now, but we should have hired a babysitter, as Jamie spent the entire time outside with them (watching them on their iPods). I was inside with Quentin, who was either eating at the table, using his iPod at the table or dancing with me on the dance floor. I didn't get to eat the main meal, but had the salad and entrees before that. By the time I got back to the table, the meal (salmon) was ice cold and hard as a rock).

We got home late and the kids went to bed around midnight and slept past 1030 am the next morning so I kept them home the next day from camp & daycare.

Now I know why I don’t bring my kids to weddings. We got invited to one in May where the kids were actually invited, but we opted to get a babysitter and go without them. I’ll do this one more time when my brother gets married one day, but depending on the ages of the kids, I might hire a babysitter to come along to the wedding so that I can actually enjoy the wedding and not have to chase around or keep an eye on my kids. I guess it’s also different when you’re in the wedding party and you have to be around for pictures, etc. I was the Matron of Honor (my sister had her best friend as her Maid of Honor as well, and 2 friends as bridesmaids) and Jamie was one of the groomsmen.

Alright, so you want to see pictures! I know that’s why you came to this post… Here they are!

The boys were excellent during the picture taking before the ceremony.

My dress fit me nicely, and was very elegant looking. I love this portrait of my family.

I managed to get a photo with each of my boys.

My handsome 4 boys!

A silly shot the photography took. I have no idea what I was doing.

And the 1st dance.

A Rushed Weekend

This past weekend Jamie and I were supposed to have a relaxing weekend away in Boston, without the kids (!!!) in honor of my friends wedding. However our weekend, didn't go as planned (though we did manage to get away). We were supposed to leave at noon on Friday, drive down, have dinner, and then meet up with the soon-to-be Bride for drinks at the hotel bar. Friday morning, Jamie got a call that one of our two stores that we own got robbed the night before and he had to take care of that (with police & insurance) and getting our store back up & running before we even thought about taking off for the weekend. The burglars took all our merchandise - though were nice and didn't kick over counters or ruin anything else (except for the safe). They had cut the alarm wire, and entered into the lot next to ours, (which was empty being renovated for the soon-to-be new tenants) and got into our store through the wall! It must have been professionals, because they knew what they were doing. It's absolutely sad that we live in a world with people like this.

Jamie finally got home from work, it was well after 9pm. We decided what the heck, let's go to Boston now instead of going to bed, waking up early, sitting in a car for 6+ hours to not feel relaxed at the wedding that night. We finally got on the road it was LATE! My parents already had the kids. My mom had Quentin since 11 am Friday morning. We were supposed to leave around noon, had our day gone as planned. My mom was to put Quentin down for an early nap after feeding him lunch, and then pick up the older 2 boys and take all 3 to their mid-afternoon swimming lesson (I have all 3 at the same time - miraculously!) My mom still went on her day as planned, and as the afternoon unfolded, we just didn't know what was going on, so I told my mom to keep the kids just in case we decided to leave tonight. (And my hair was already done for the wedding (blow dried straight)... no way I was going to go swimming in the afternoon!)

At one point on Friday, I seriously walked around my house and said "Now what?" The dishes were done, the laundry was done, folded & put away... there was nothing to do. I didn't know what to do with myself! I did some photo editing from pictures from the last few weeks (I had fallen behind), and watched some TV and even did a bit of knitting.

We had a very smooth ride. We had my dad's Lexus (not sure the model) - which is a really nice car. It parks itself! You can even set the cruise control to slow down 1, 2 or 3 car lengths when there is a car in front, it's sick. When border control asked who the car belonged to and Jamie said it was his father-in-laws car, he asked "he just let you take his car?" Jamie then said "we traded 3 kids and a mini van for this car" and the guy laughed and said "what a good trade, welcome to America." He was in a good mood for pretty much midnight on a Friday night/Saturday morning.

We got into Boston after 4 am. Jamie drove the entire way. I kept passing out in the passengers seat (which was mighty comfortable if you ask me). I kept asking him if he wanted me to take over and drive, though I'm not sure I would have been able to keep awake. We got into the hotel, and both of us caught a second wind. We finally fell asleep and woke up about 4 hours later to have breakfast. Then we came back to the room and took a nap. In the afternoon we ended up at Walmart (I needed pantyhose for the wedding) and I picked up some fat quarters as well. To my surprise, one packet of fat quarters was on serious liquidation. (I only noticed after we left Walmart, and I was looking at my receipt). If I had realized, I might have bought more from that company in different colors. (8 fat quarters for 2$!!!) (Photographs to come).

(The room we stayed in was GORGEOUS). We had a nice King size bed and it was clean & stylish. I definitely would stay at the Quincy Marriott again.

I did not make it to Faneuil Hall. I wanted to go there for lunch on Saturday, but it just didn't work out. I wanted to go see this artist whom we have artwork from in our house - to update a picture that we have of our family, with Quentin in it. Oh well - next time. We have 2 pieces from this artist - one of Jamie & I with our wedding date on it (dressed up in wedding gear) and another one of our family of 4, before Quentin was in the picture. Both are pieces my parents have gotten for us. It's really cute, they're cartoon pictures. I also wanted to go to JoAnn Fabric, Target, Michaels, and Snow Goose Yarns. (All carefully planned out last week). None of that happened either.

Chilling at the hotel waiting for Jamie to get ready. I was cold, hence my sweater over my dress.

Jamie and I at the wedding.

With the Bride & Groom!

Beautiful New England drive home. (We drove across, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Quebec). The drive home was beautiful - it's my favorite time of the year with the leaves falling. I started the drive home & Jamie took over and I got to knit - the first time all weekend. I'm now about 2.5" of 5" into my Linen Stitch Scarf.

We made it back to Montreal (and sat in traffic on the bridge, hence why I was able to get such a great shot of our skyline) just after the boys were fed dinner. Quentin was super excited to see me, Sean was practically waiting by the door with his jacket on to go home (though he had a great time at my parents house this weekend, my brother even took him to hockey practice both days) and Mackenzie.... he didn't want to leave my parents house & threw a fit! He seriously didnt want to go home. He just loves his Bubbie & Papa (my parents).

While we got to get away... the entire weekend felt rushed and not very relaxing. I told Jamie I need to go away with him on a one week all inclusive (if my parents will take all 3 boys for a week??) and actually relax, with no plans, no where to be, nothing to do but relax and read a book, swim, tan, etc... One day... For now, I'll keep dreaming. (We figure maybe next year, once Quentin is walking/easier to manage and 100% sleeping through the night - because he's still not).

10.09.10 :: 29 weeks pregnant

29 weeks pregnant today.
I'm now starting to feel like I'm carrying around a watermelon or basketball.

Saturday (late) morning cartoons. GLUED to the tv.

This afternoon (into evening) we had a wedding to attend. My in-laws came and babysat my kids, with my step-niece and a relative from Toronto that wanted to see the kids and is staying at my in-laws place. They had quite the slew of babysitters tonight!

The wedding was for a co-worker of Jamie's (whom used to be my co-worker way back when). I've known the groom for a good 14 years, if not more. It was a really lovely small wedding. We had a nice evening.

Jamie and I tonight at the wedding.
I really can't wait to have baby boy, as I'm ready to reclaim my body back as my own.

The strangest thing happened to us just before 9pm. We didn't think anything of it, as the waiters that were there (whom were practically useless anyhow, as it was a buffet style dinner), started to clear EVERYTHING from our table. One of the waiters brought over a plastic cup, and asked Jamie to pour his wine into it, so he could take away the wine glass. WHAT?! For real? He wanted Jamie to drink his wine out of a plastic cup? Jamie gave the guy a piece of his mind, and poured himself more wine into the wine glass. He told the guy, that when he was done, he could have the wine glass. The guy said that he was cleaning up, and as they were packing up. At 9pm? The wedding was no where near over. (We had no intentions of staying late, but we weren't leaving that second). Jamie said that their job was to serve the guests until the wedding was over, and that the wedding was clearly not over. The dancing on the dance floor had JUST begun even. The guy huffed a little and then walked away. About 5 minutes later another waiter came over and asked Jamie to pour his wine glass into the plastic cup so he could take the wine glass away. At this point, I think Jamie was half laughing and half furious! We couldn't believe it! And they were VERY quick to take away your cake plate once you were done your slice. Almost as if they were hunched over you watching and took the plate away before you even put down your fork from the last bite. I took the catering company's card that was on our table as a reminder to NEVER hire them for any which reason. (The waiters and catering company were from the same company).

I think my mom got a really funny photo of Jamie and I from tonight, but I'll have to wait until tomorrow to get a copy of the digital photo. There was also some family photos taken, but those were on my sister's camera. And a table photo was taken, which apparently will be on the photographer's website soon as well, so I'll post all these as I receive them. Since the groom works for my dad, (since we're in the family business), and my brother & sister work there too - we were all invited to the wedding. Our table tonight consisted of all my immediate family, plus Jamie, my sister's boyfriend and my brother's date, who was fun to sit next to. I've never really talked to her much before, but my brother's known her for years from school.

05.30.10

This morning my in-laws came over to babysit the kids. I was invited (with Jamie) to my friend’s 40th birthday bash. I met this friend in a mom & tot group last summer. Her son is just a few months younger than Mack. We’ve gotten close over the last year. I’ve actually known her sister-in-law (pictured above with me) for almost 15 years or so. We were really close back in high school (though we didn’t go to the same high school). We’ve kept in touch over the years. She’s now living in Toronto, but back in for the weekend for her sister-in-law’s 40th birthday party. It was really nice to see her. I’m really upset, but I don’t think I have a single photo of myself with the birthday girl. Damn it.

After my friend’s 40th birthday bash, we headed home to change & pack a bag for the boys. They were being picked up to sleep at my parents’ house after my cousin’s son’s 3rd birthday party, which my parents took them to. We had my in-laws on the morning shift and my parents doing the evening shift. Jamie & I changed and ran into the city for one of his best friend’s weddings. Jamie was an usher in the wedding party, so we had to be there early for photos.

 
Unfortunately the bride’s dad was rushed to the hospital just before the ceremony was about to start, so her sister gave her away. We were updated during the evening that he’s in stable condition and doing better.


The ceremony was just gorgeous.

 
The bride was gorgeous & the groom was handsome.
They make a lovely couple.

Jamie got to see a bunch of friends that he hasn’t seen in years. We’re talking since high school years. Some people we got to see we haven’t seen in ages, and it was nice to see them again. Weddings are so much fun. We don’t get to go to many, but the ones we do go to – we have a lot of fun. Jamie has one more friend to hopefully get married that he’ll be most probably the best man at the wedding. Other than that, until my siblings marry off, we only have one wedding in the fall that I just remembered about. Can’t wait.

It’s been a super long day. The kids are at my parents house, but no sleeping in for me, Sean’s got swimming in the morning.

june twenty-eight :: 30 Months Old & 130 weeks old

Sean is 130 weeks old today as well as exactly 30 Months Old - which is 2 and a half. Two and a half! I can't believe he'll be 3 before I know it!

This morning I went to a local salon to redeem a gift certificate that I had from my birthday last year, to get a manicure and pedicure for tonight's wedding.

I love this shade of red that I chose. I always go with red.

This afternoon as I was getting ready for the wedding, Sean decided he needed to try on some of my heels. Apparently this is completely normal for a boy to want to try on his mother's heels. Too cute. Had to take pictures. He'll for sure kill me one day when I show these to his future girlfriends.


These are the high heels I wore to the wedding tonight. Not sure how, but he managed to walk in them around my bedroom. I'm impressed! These pictures make me laugh.

Tonight we had my cousin's wedding. My in-laws came over to babysit my kids.

Our cozy little table at the wedding. Good times were had.

It was a bad idea putting us next to the bar. We ended up reaching over and serving ourselves since the wine was just "left" there...!

My siblings and I being our goofy selves. Our mother wanted a nice photos. When she says nice we say goofy. We start off by smiling and then when she's about to take the picture, we make faces...!

Amy and I!


And since Jamie barely likes to be in pictures, I made him take some with me tonight.
Especially since I'm all dressed up.
I've got to show off my new body (36 lbs lost!) Come on!

When we got in, Sean was "waiting" for us in the den. My in-laws were watching TV in the playroom and Sean was on the couch (our den faces the garage door). He had his blankets and his pillow and his stuffed animals with him on the couch. He didn't want to "go to sleep" (he was fast asleep when we got in) until we got home. We don't usually have issues with him with babysitters, this is the first time he was "waiting" for us. Weird. I hope it's not something he'll continue to do when there is a babysitter (whether it's family or not).

I had a great time at the wedding tonight. It is fun to dress up and go out! I don't get to do it often, so it's definitely a treat.

March 23-25 of 31

What a weekend!

Where to start?

First off - I have the best son in the world. What kid sleeps an ENTIRE car ride from Montreal to New Jersey, not making a peep? Sean really was a trooper there and back - sleeping the entire time. The only time he got up was when we stopped to eat lunch both ways, and 20 minutes before arriving at the hotel on Friday he woke up hungry. So I fed him a bottle in the car, strapped in his seat - he wasn't too happy about that - but at least he got to eat!

He was handsome in his suits both for the dinner Friday night, and at the wedding Saturday night. (Pictures to follow). Sean threw up all over the carpet as the bride was about to walk down the aisle. Yeah - that was interesting. There was an aisle down the middle for the bride to walk down, and we were sitting on the "groom's side" and on the outside aisle - so the bride had no idea this happened - thank goodness! Everyone in the wedding party saw though - lol - and everyone sitting in front of us and the few rows behind us saw. It got on my new dress (more about my new dress shortly) but the dress was made out of material that doesn't absorb liquids - so a quick run to the bathroom with Sean - and the puke wiped off my dress quite easily - thank goodness.

Since I wasn't driving or leaving the hotel - (I wasn't a driver on the car that we rented) I decided to enjoy some red wine.... yeah - I was a little tipsy Sat night! That was fun though~! I love a good glass of red wine. Even an 11$ glass at the hotel bar before the wedding started was good. (11$?! That's mad!)

We had a good time in Jersey, and I love the store called Century 21. I got an awesome dress that I ended up wearing Sat night to the wedding, Sean got a ton of clothes, and I even found a nice shirt for Jamie there. The biggest one is in Manhattan, and they're only in NJ and NY I was told by the cashier. The shirt for Jamie was to replace the blue Tommy Hilfiger button down that I somehow managed to loose. I'm telling you - It'll turn up one day when we're packing to move to our next house (I don't plan on being in this house when Sean starts Kindergarten). I think the cats ate the shirt - but anyhow! Oh - and guess what?? THERE WAS A YARN SHOP DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM OUR HOTEL. How great is that?

How a baby sleeps through BLASTING music even my suitcase on the 9th floor heard it - I don't know. I was in contact on Saturday night via text message, and found out the Habs won 4-1 over Washington. What a great game. I'm going to the hockey game on Tuesday night with my sister - and we've possibly got tickets for Saturday night - so it looks like those tickets on Tuesday weren't exactly my last ones! Whoot! I love hockey games. I think I'm going to purchase my jersey tomorrow night - I really want one that actually fits. The one i have now is WAY too big, as it used to belong to someone else - and now I have it.

The hotel was gorgeous, and due to their screw ups (Jamie got short changed on Saturday night, gave the bartender a 50$US bills of my 11$ glass of wine and his beer - and got back change as if he gave a 20$ and he only realized on Sunday morning. So when he went down to the front desk - he also complained that we had a rude maid on Saturday (she waited until 4:30 pm to come clean our room while we were in the middle of getting ready to be in the lobby by 5:15 pm for family pictures. When we asked her to come back in about an hour, she told us NO. She didn't really speak much English and was really rude. And when she did clean our room she did NOT give us more kleenex or toilet paper. Was very upset with her. We were in the middle of trying to get ready, feed Sean, change Sean, get Sean dressed, and then get ourselves ready. So, the Hyatt compt us one night's stay on them. That was very nice of them. As far as Jamie's short changing - the guys from the bar from the night before couldn't be reached, so there was no way to tell if he was short changed. I am thinking of writing a letter to the Hyatt - that even though it was a gorgeous clean place to stay, their services were disgusting as well as their staff. I know it's just the "help" (cleaning staff) but still... they could be a little bit more polite. You know?

Alright - you all want to see pictures from the weekend - here they are! Drumroll please....

Sean enjoying the nice King Size bed in our hotel room - watching a little TV upon arriving...

Friday night New York City Themed dinner - Sean all dressed up like a little man! Cute, I know!

The three of us Saturday night at the wedding. I love Sean in his little tie! Too cute.

This is my new dress. I got it at Century 21 - I love this store. (At home, Century 21 is a real estate company! The one that I used to buy my house that I'm living in now!) I had brought a dress with me to wear Saturday night to the wedding, but when I saw this - and tried it on - boy it looked great - and I felt comfortable in it... I couldn't believe what size I was - so happy.... the scale is slowly starting to drop... (However, stable this weekend having been on a trip and not being able to eat 100% healthy!)

Oh - my little Sean was a stunning handsome little man this weekend. I just love his Roobez shoes too!

In our hotel I looked through some Knitting Magazines, but I am NOT impressed with any of the ones that are out right now. I say this because all the patterns are too "not my style". Too summery and short sleeve sweaters and stuff - not my thing. I honestly couldn't find a single pattern in either of these two magazines that I liked. Oh well.

This my friends is the yarn shop that was DIRECTLY across the street from my hotel! They just knew I was coming and they were there waiting for me.

I had to buy some yarn - of course. I got some Cascade Quatro in color #9438. However, they only had 3 skeins left, and I bought them, but it's not enough yardage to make Clapotis. So I think I'm going to wait. I'm going to use this yarn for something else - another project, and maybe get another Cascade colorway to make Clapotis. I definitely do not want a solid color for Clapotis - but this one is fun, cuz it's 4 colors mixed in together! I am sure I will find another project for this yarn.

On the way to Jersey and on the way back, I got a lot of knitting time in. I finished thrum mitten number one.

And started thrum mitten number two. Such a fun knit - but I don't know why it took me that many hours to work on it!? Maybe because we watched some movies in the car? We watched The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)which is with Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffith, Kim Cattrall, and Morgan Freeman. It was very good. I also watched Friends with Money (2006) with Jennifer Aniston, Joan Cusack, and Frances McDormand. It was alright. I also started watching Oliver Twist (2005) - but it wasn't really my type of movie - so I lost interest in it. On the way home we started watching The Last Casino (2004) but there was something wrong with the disc so we didn't get to see the end - which I want to - because it was really good for a Canadian film. It was even filmed in Montreal! How cool is that - I thought I recognized our casino! Factual error in the movie: Barnes says that Casinos will do anything to distract a player including sending over free booze. While this is true in the United States, the movie is set in Canada, and Canadian casinos are not permitted to "give" free alcohol. Soft drinks and coffee only! Hee hee.

I also started reading the book Knitting Under The Influence by Claire Lazebnik and so far so good. It's not the greatest so far, a little flimsy with the characters so far. We'll see how it gets as I continue reading on.

Here is the view of the gorgeous Motnreal skyline as we were arriving back onto the island from the Champlain Bridge. Gosh - it feels great to be home!