at home with the Patons

Winter snowfall

2008-11-30T09:55:00.000-08:00

Yes that is Tanner!

Roxie loves the snow

Random pics

2008-11-20T16:38:00.000-08:00

New Family Members

2008-10-05T06:30:00.001-07:00

Tabias and Georgie have come to live at Paton Manor....haven't asked Tanner and Roxie how they feel about it yet!

Final thoughts

2008-09-10T19:46:00.000-07:00

Really, the lure was really HUGE.......really really!
Matt....hanging out
So that was our trip to Temagami.......houseboating is definitely an adventure!

Fishing, camping, fires...smores......sunflower seeds....docking the boats...hiking through the woods.....finding hidden treasures....enjoying nature....loosing lures...finding lures...carrying rocks for my baby.....falling in the water....maybe getting pushed in the water.....

Water fights with the kids at Sandy Inlet.....my brother in law Grant and Lisa and their two little ones Patience and Clay.....

It really is a chance to just be with the ones that matter the most.....family.

T

Final day.....till next year Temagami

2008-09-10T19:43:00.000-07:00

it just doesn't get any better then this

Copper mine cabin

2008-09-10T19:40:00.001-07:00

early morning.....

2008-09-10T19:37:00.000-07:00

A hike to the falls on the way to the copper mine

2008-09-08T17:11:00.000-07:00

Day at Sandy Inlet

2008-09-08T17:08:00.000-07:00

Day at Sandy Inlet

2008-09-08T17:02:00.000-07:00

some more houseboating

2008-09-07T06:32:00.000-07:00

Josh Driving
houseboat on the lake
kids on a rock
sammich irons campfire style
I claim this island in the name of John Deere

Lake Temagami Houseboating

2008-09-07T06:27:00.000-07:00

kids getting ready
Lisa and Grant
2 boys in a boat
Lisa, Patience and Clay
first site

We have rainbows too!

2008-08-18T15:26:00.001-07:00

some of our rainbows....

1973 Javelin......wow boy!

2008-08-18T15:22:00.001-07:00

Our friend Paul stopped by with his 1973...we blew the dust off the back roads....the car...SHE GO FAST!

Horses and the shop

2008-07-19T12:03:00.000-07:00

gives new meaning to hitting the broad side of a barn..LOL

Inside..check out that tub!!

2008-07-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

NORMAN!!

the new toy - thanks Grandma P!!!

2008-07-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

the new digs

2008-07-19T11:48:00.000-07:00

Tessa's Birthday Cake

2008-05-21T15:27:00.000-07:00

dirt cake..mmmm
jelly worms..gross!

Some nice memories

2008-05-21T15:21:00.000-07:00

New toy

2008-05-02T15:12:00.000-07:00

check this thing out...we are sooooo going to build two of these things for the yard...YA BABY!!!

Just like Grandma's house....LOL

2008-05-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

The new digs...
Well, it's a start, and it's country!

The Kitchen(s)

2008-05-02T15:05:00.000-07:00

what we started with
what we ended with
and the what where we thinking?!!

More Roxy

2008-03-12T16:47:00.000-07:00

Soooooo...impress me why don't you!!
Love you Mommy!!
We need a Bigger couch....

ROXY

2008-03-09T16:06:00.000-07:00

Roxy

2008-03-09T15:40:00.000-07:00

so this is Roxy.

We got her from a couple in St. Isodore, which by the way is almost Ottawa...and we had to go get her on the WORST weekend all winter, our supposedly 4.5 hour drive to Cardinal turned into a two day adventure.

We stayed in a little hick town called Brighton the first night, a small motel that was freezing cold and sub standard to say the least, but the manager was a very nice gentleman and sold us his last 4 beers...almost worth it after a 7 hour drive, 2 of them through Toronto in a blizzard,rush hour(s) and hideous conditions. We decided to stop there after seeing our 3rd or 4rth transport upside down in the ditch, and we had a moment ourselves...so it was off the road now, wherever now was! We were treated to coffee in a styrofoam cup and powdered creamer...mmm mmm good.

The next morning the weather broke enough for us to make it to Cardinal and pick up Roxy, we had a very good breakfast, those truck stop people know how to fry an egg I tell ya!
Roxy took to us right away, actually jumped into the van and sat down, looked at us as if to say, what's the hold up, let's go... We started back on the road and quickly decided to stay in Brockville at a Travel Lodge, pet friendly and most pleasant! That day was spent with Michelle in the hotel room getting acquainted with Roxy and myself out and about shopping for clothes for us as we were very, very unprepared for two days out...initially it was supposed to be go and come back the same day....so two days in a van under very stressed driving conditions...might I say ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!

I got some killer deals at the local Zellers...yippie...and did quit well according to my baby, I'm a good shopper! Toothpaste, deodarant, and some shampoo, comfy sweaters and track pants, I'm a good shopper according to my baby!!!

We spent the rest of the day in the room with Roxy, she was a great, until it was time to go to bed. She decided that she needed half of the bed, and I needed the half of the bed so that left...well that left a little piece of bed for Michelle...until Michelle decided she had had enough!!!
Then there was little bed for Terry and Roxy...but it was all good!

We got up on Sunday, and made a bee line for home....started off terrible but the closer we got to home the better the roads became, and we made it home in record time, thanks to our Garmin, the best christmas present I ever got!! That little GPS system is the best, although the voice telling you to "turn right, turn right now" got to be a little annoying!

So we are all home now and getting aquainted, and it's busy, but it's good, I know that Roxy is going to be very good for Tanner, he needs a BIG sister...

Now....I saw this GORGEOUS Redbone Coonhound.....

Our latest addition, because we just weren't busy enough!!!

2008-03-09T15:34:00.000-07:00

This is Roxy, she's a pure bred meathead...errrrrrrr I mean Boxer, a most welcome addition to our family....and Michelle gets what Michelle wants!!

Our Trip

2008-01-30T07:25:00.000-08:00

Well, I must apologize for the very lengthy delay inbetween our posts, we have neglected to keep current to say the least, but I am happy to say I am committed to getting us back on track! ( Michelle just thinks I should be comitted)!

We had an absolutely wonderful time in Punta Cana with our friends kevin and Teresa, from the moment we arrived in the Punta Cana airport...thanks guys for keeping me from going crazy...the 3 flights landing at once and the free for all to find your luggage, people shoulder to shoulder, 3 or 4 belts all going at once, no idea where your luggage was...ah fun fun fun!

Then the bus ride to the resort, arrive late, near 11pm I think, and the chaos to get your bags checked...but then the relaxaion, the realization that you don't have to worry about a thing for the next 7 days...everything being catered to...it was phenominal. The food was amazing, the resort was beautiful, the people were great and the experiance, for me, was amazing!

Our little excurtions on the ATV ride, being 1 and a half hours late getting to a 10 minute destination, only to be told we were not able to leave after as the land owner closed the gates, complete with armed guards and barb wire fence, the ensuing ATV ride through the jungle and across beach front to get out, the trip into town and the remarkable bartering ability of my honey, the cute little towels made into the most remarkable things from the maids, the mama juana (dominican drink)!!, the dominican children in the school we went too, a million other things that I could write about, it could very well turn into a book.

But the most treasured memory I will carry with me forever is watching as my wife explored the beach, relaxed in the sun, took in the Domincican culture, had fun at the bar, laughed and was wowed at the entertainment at night...and saw her eyes light up like nothing I have ever saw before...and to have my breath taken away like that...to be so totally overtaken....
It was the trip of a lifetime!

I don't know if we will be back to the Domincan so soon, there is so much more out there to see and do, but what I do know is that I will be doing it with my baby, where ever, when ever!

You and me 'chelle, taken on the world!!

Dominican Posts...more fun in the sun!!

2008-01-30T07:15:00.001-08:00

Hard Rock, 80 bucks, 3 burgs and 4 drinks!!! ah but the ambiance..whatever!!
ah..the Clappy Clappy..makes Michelle happy happy!
The pool...
the grounds
and the donkey or the jack .....well, it's our good friend KEVIN!!

Hola, from the Dominican, or Michelle's favourite, position da Clappy Clappy!!!

2008-01-30T06:57:00.000-08:00

Me and my Baby
Nice pic of the trees
Pizza Delivery Guy Extra-ordinare Kevin!

Hey, did you happen to see the most beautiful girl in the world?

Remembrance Day

2007-12-23T05:11:00.000-08:00

remembrance day parade
Josh and Taylor
more parade

some new stuff

2007-10-24T13:57:00.000-07:00

Can you see the face?
Sarah's art in the school hallway
spiderMatt
Tessa all dressed up
Our visitor, scary moment for the fish

London Knight Girl

2007-10-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

So, this last week Tessa won 2 tickets to the London Knights, She won for going above and beyond with her school work, home work and just general attitude at school, as voted by her fellow students. Very cool. Good work Tessa, we're proud of you!
T

2007-10-01T06:15:00.000-07:00

It's starting to take shape!

Save the tree!!
Heights + terry = a big scaredy cat.

Soldier boy

2007-09-26T06:29:00.000-07:00

Joshua has joined cadet's!!
I want to join, they get to do all this cool stuff!

We're at it again!!!

2007-09-26T06:20:00.001-07:00

just some shots of the house before and during mass destruction!!!

I know, REDNECK eavestrough, but it worked in the short term!
Paton Manor before, and after soon to come!

more updates and stuff

2007-09-17T15:09:00.001-07:00

Josh and Tanner
Tessa being Tessa...
from Josh's last soccer game

Update

2007-09-09T15:47:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since we have updated the blog. Michelle has been working nights (GROSS) from Sunday night to Thursday night, 11pm to 7am, so we have had to make some lifestyle adjustments. Here's hoping she gets to return to days SOON.
It's been pretty busy since we returned from Manitoba, just trying to get things done, adding steps to the deck, getting the kids all ready for school, birthday parties, taking Sarah up to Toronto to get her ready for college, end of summer stuff, you know, life.
Just letting you all know that things are good here in the Paton manor, business as usual.
Miss y'all
T

Family picnic day

2007-09-09T15:42:00.000-07:00

Our day at Wildwood conservation area, it was a good day for picnic

Morpeth

2007-07-01T08:03:00.001-07:00

We took the oppertunity to spend the day with my family, the entire Paton clan, 21 of us, at the Morpeth Zoo. It started out as a small bird santuary and has since grown into a fairly substantial zoo, complete with lions and jaguars, monkeys, baboons, lots of goats, zebras, deer, etc, etc.
There is a minature shakesperean village, I am told it is a close replicant to the real thing. The play and pic nic area is very large, trampolines, zip line, splash pad, basketball hoops, pic nic tables and bbq pits, enough to go around. If you get hungry they have a little restaurant and the food is edible. You can buy animal food from the concessions to feed the little guys when you do the zoo part as well. All in all it is a fun and very affordable day.

More Morpeth

2007-07-01T07:57:00.000-07:00

A few more photos from the day

Father's Day at Morpeth

2007-07-01T07:37:00.000-07:00

Just hanging out
Matt and Christopher on the zip line

We want a little goat

More pond and flowers

2007-07-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

The sound of Music - Tessa's Play

2007-06-03T15:08:00.001-07:00

Tessa played the part of Marta in her school's play of the Sound of Music, very well done.

more backyard addtions

2007-05-24T03:29:00.000-07:00

it's all starting to take shape
so we don't get lost
one of our most favourite destinations, miss you guys
lovely plant
different view

More Killarney Park

2007-05-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

These are all along the Granite Ridge Trail, a very picturesque and beautiful area, originally a settled farm that has since overgrown
If you look really close you can see me in the hollow of the overturned root
cool car, it's a dodge, there is the remnants of chevy behind it, but only the frame remains
someone built this happy face, cool

Killarney Park

2007-05-19T11:12:00.000-07:00

Killarney outfitters, where we got our canoe
The Yurt, a canvass heated tent, yep, we were roughing it baby.
the inside of the Yurt, fully loaded and very comfy
Michelle's early morning photo of George lake, almost as beautiful as her
entrance to Killarney park, made out of Quartz rock, cool

New wheels for the Paton's

2007-05-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

We had to retire the Lumina, she was tired, so now we got the new Montana Extended, lot's of room and double sliding doors. We love it.

Backyardagain

2007-05-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

Just various stages of the pond, we got fishy's in there now, and some frogs and hopefully what will be tadpoles

Young-uns

2007-04-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

Clay
Kyle
Havana

Patience

Todays activities...

2007-04-17T11:39:00.000-07:00

Finally got decals on my very cool car!!! Still waiting for the completion of Terry's and Matt's VERY COOL CARS...

Got the earth moved to accomodate "side by side" parking at the back door!

...and of course... Tanner... as usual, in the middle of it all

Working out on the yard

2007-04-16T08:09:00.000-07:00

We dug our pond over the weekend

You can see the shed we put up a few weekends ago - AWESOME!! And we are putting up a fence so Mr. Tanner can run around and not tangle himself up on his chain...

2007-04-04T15:32:00.000-07:00

I got it, I got it
ah c'mon ref

2007-04-04T15:25:00.000-07:00

Joshua, soccer super star
c'mon, pass the ball I'm open
lining up for the coach

...At home on the weekend...

2007-03-27T13:06:00.000-07:00

VERY early morning disturbance...

2007-03-27T13:00:00.000-07:00

Even in town, in Ingersoll...we have critters...

Sorry for the delay

2007-03-26T14:39:00.000-07:00

Happy baby Clay, even happier Michelle

awwwwww, best friends
Hey man, who squeezed the lemon juice in my drink........Josh
Tessa and little Havana getting a drink

New family member... Tanner

2007-01-27T11:33:00.000-08:00

Here's Tanner... our two month old baby boy... min pin/fox terrier cross pup.
Even Sarah is liking this little guy...

New things...

2007-01-08T03:29:00.000-08:00

okay, here's our latest pet... thought the boys would like this one, but I was wrong! The girls absolutely love Daisy...!
We finally finished our Dining room table, and it turned out GREAT!!!
The outside boards are from wood my Dad cut at home in Manitoba, and the center board is from our home here in Ingersoll.

chistmas morning

2006-12-29T11:09:00.000-08:00

our christmas tree
Mr. Clay Boyd
Joshua hamming it up for the camera!!
at Grandma Paton's house christmas day

update: a pirate birthday, catching some Z's, our christmas tree, and saying hello

2006-12-11T12:45:00.000-08:00

Trick or Treat???

2006-11-11T09:16:00.000-08:00

Halloween preparations

2006-10-29T09:22:00.000-08:00

This is our weekend project this weekend... we just hung out with the kids, and carved pumpkins, made candy apples and drank apple cider... I saved the pumpkin seeds and dried them and the kids loved that snack too! Was nice just to relax... Christopher joined us Sunday after attending "Acquire the Fire" in Hamilton with the youth.

Dining Room... before during and after

2006-10-08T09:01:00.000-07:00

Lovely pink primer, huh... I managed to shock Terry a little having the primer on when he walked in after work one day!
Theres a space in there... great place for a built-in china cupboard...
same wall as above... with built-in cubby...

Living room... before and after

2006-10-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

We wouldn't want to forget the wallpaper - no wonder Archie kept falling off the wall... too hideous!!!
AHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, that's much better!
Export Packer maintenance crew to the rescue here... Thank you so much for aiding in fixing our cracked beam
I thought I was done with panelling...

Our Bedroom - before and after

2006-10-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

cold and drab... THE WALLS!!!
Liquidation World to the rescue to furnish our awesome new bedroom...

for the first year, this was our box wall...

2006-10-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

The girls room... of course Orlando and Johnnie are present here...
Maggie... supervising the whole renovation
This is the hat box we found in the ceiling of our bedroom...perhaps a hiding spot at one time... alas... no money
The greatest boys room wall EVER!!! (I think we are all Toronto fans now...)

Unhappy Events...

2006-09-08T06:02:00.000-07:00

This is the floor in the laundry room... I had just gutted this room, so damage is minimal. We have now replaced all our taps throughout the house - MOEN of course!
Terry spent the day replacing this little puzzle... I don't know Honey... you did a pretty fine job of sautering there!

This is the ceiling in our laundry room - thankfully this is the one room which we are just starting renovations on.

Shingling the Garage at Ma and Pa Paton's

2006-09-08T05:55:00.000-07:00

Todays Kitchen.... WITH SINK IN COUNTERTOP!!!

2006-08-31T09:11:00.000-07:00

Notice the goodies already!!!

Okay, well there are a few more things that need to be done, before we can say it's totally finished, HOWEVER, we do have a sink that is functional, and I can fill my cabinets now!!! YAY!!!

Kitchen...

2006-08-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

Still a work in progress... we are still awaiting our countertop... at which time the kitchen will become a busy little place producing all sorts of yummy treats for everyone!!

Waiting for Terry... to begin our junkfood Friday!!!

2006-08-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

You'd never guess these two gals are getting psyched to go with Auntie Lisa to a country music concert tomorrow, huh...!

Fishin... for gators?

2006-08-18T05:26:00.000-07:00

Having a drink...

2006-08-18T04:51:00.000-07:00

More Florida pics... what do you do when you're on holidays? Gotta have a drink! Even Tash is cooking with wine... if you know what I mean!!

Family...

2006-08-17T05:18:00.000-07:00

Havana and Patience and little baby Kyle
The family went down to the beach to check out the sunset
Father's Day at Morpeth Zoo...
Waiting for our bus tour through the Lion Safari

May Day...

2006-08-17T04:39:00.000-07:00

This is a beach near Val and Dave's place...

Master Walsh and I

2006-08-14T18:06:00.000-07:00

Sensei Walsh received his Masters in the martial Art of Ju Jitsu, very, very cool........sigh.......someday!

ju jitsu

2006-08-14T18:03:00.000-07:00

Sensei Doug Job goes to work on some cement!!!
Goose bumps, I just get goosebumps!!!

Kitchen update

2006-08-11T04:11:00.000-07:00

Here's the kitchen this morning at 7:00 am. Look how bright it is - and no lights on! Anyone who's been here knows what I'm talking about...

IKEA - Swedish for do-it-yourself!...

2006-08-04T16:41:00.000-07:00

Did you ever realize how many parts there are to a single cabinet? It's a big puzzle, but we'll "get-r-done!!"
What a difference huh!!!

...the kitchen...

2006-07-28T05:14:00.000-07:00

Matt and Tessa found this little guy outside... so "Whitey" a little canary is our newest latest family member...
just one more window to replace and we'll be done in a jiffy!

There used to be a door on this wall... Maggie still waits to be let in there...

Some Floridian creatures we encountered...

2006-07-27T12:47:00.000-07:00

we got to see some dolphins swimming off the pier at Pensacola Beach!

This is Hyde... I think he was worn out by the end of our visit...

More Florida pics... can we go back...

2006-07-25T05:39:00.000-07:00

hmmm, what do you suppose Christopher is up to?
Hanging out on the pier at Pensacola Beach

Oh, the things you have to clean out of the pool, hey Matt!

The kitchen... present

2006-07-24T04:59:00.000-07:00

goodbye door - we'll close this one off and make one around the corner in the laundry room
Here is dinner... still cooking on the stove... and doing the dishes at the sink... not very pleasant surroundings but at least we still can!

We have just installed our new terrace door, which I am quite pleased with... (thank you Tash and Cory for convincing us this is the way to go)

The kitchen... as it was...

2006-07-24T03:53:00.000-07:00

Here's the before pictures of our latest project... the kitchen. WOW!!! Even I can't believe how UGLY it was!

Our Gulfarium experience...

2006-07-18T06:59:00.000-07:00

Waiting in line to get in...

at the beach...

2006-07-18T03:51:00.000-07:00

What do you suppose they're digging for???
Hey... that's sand, not snow!
family photo
surfin the Gulf...