So, in the event we haven't updated you ... we live in California these days, and have enjoyed some truly amazing times, Northern California is filled with countless wonders - natural, human, and manmade - for us to explore. We're enjoying our new playground.
It sure has done a good job at keeping us busy - as evidenced by the complete lack of information I have shared here. Last Saturday we did sit in bed and watch videos of Ollie's previous birthdays; to celebrate our ... gulp ... seven year old - and celebrate we did.
We celebrated with his amigos at the bowling alley, then with Aba & Karl over Mexican food, before heading south to celebrate with Craig, Gretchen, & Landon around Santa Cruz and its boardwalk before wandering through the incredible beauty that surrounds the infamous highway one, enjoy:
Thanks to everyone who came to one of the celebrations, and to those that celebrated with us from afar, and of course to Craig, Gretchen & Landon for such a fun time in Santa Cruz - we continue to be very blessed with amazing friends the world over.
the pile of footage in the "to do" pile - is incredibly large ... and growing - but know we are having fun and we hope you are too. Here's the dynamic duo exploring the bunkers around the Marin headlands just north of the GoldenGate:
2.9.2013
Monday, November 05, 2012
And now for the extended Halloween video - which still isn't great ... but life's a little busy!
Ok so this is very close to a re-post but I really wasn't happy with the video from last week and never did actually share it out, so I added some more images of Halloween fun and am posting it here. First though these shots are from a fun little lesson that Karli and i led with Ollie's class in California learning about Dia de los Muertos from his class in Puerto Vallarta. It was a fun day and getting the class together was a great experience on both ends that we hope to continue a couple more times this year. Here are some shots:
We have really been enjoying the change of seasons for the first time in a very long time and being treated to a successful pennant run by los gigantes was an absolute blast.
Monday, October 22, 2012
So the world has turned and shaken our family pretty well since my last post. As the dust settles (a little) we find ourselves living in California and continuing to enjoy life, smiling through all the new experiences and challenges that come our way. There continues to be much that we are thankful for and we acknowledge that we are truly blessed.
How's that for an undersell?
Regardless, one of the wonderful things that we bring with us is our family traditions, we continue to get outside together whenever we can and are loving the new adventures that the Californian countryside afford us. Another tradition we have brought is our annual pumpkin cutting party, which has been an event that started many moons ago in Brantford, and one we've enjoyed hosting since Oliver entered our lives.
(i removed the video as its just the first 90 seconds of the one here)
Now in its 7th year and third country the day was a great success. There are lots of new faces in this video; we miss our friends from the DR and Mexico, while we are looking forward to many more good times with the new friends we are meeting here.
So spring has sprung here in Vallarta, the mercury begins its ascent and the wind picks up. Of course it also means that another year has flown by with Ella, we are so lucky she lets us hang out with her. We were graced with a visit from Granny and Boppy and of course did it up right, enjoy:
note: Karli and i have a lot of guilt over the animal show at the waterpark we don't believe in this kind of treatment of animals, to be clear we went for the slides not the show and it is hard to say no to a four year old. They are amazing and beautiful creatures - to say the show wasn't enjoyable would be a lie, they are incredible creatures. We have taken the chance since to talk to the kids about the animals, their treatment, and debate around these types of shows. If you're an adult watch the Cove (warning the images will haunt you forever), and consider the facts of dolphin captivity (story) when you make this call. Everyone needs to make their own decisions (this postscript is about our guilt not about judging anyone); for us we can't do the dolphin experience ... although so much of us want the opportunity to interact more closely with these amazing creatures.
Sunday, March 04, 2012
Givelod Manis
For three years now the pre-school at ASPV has sponsored Givelod through the Children of Haiti Project. The biggest fund raiser is the annual Trike-A-Thon. The day is a lot of fun for everyone and we appreciate all the work that the pre-school staff does to promote service learning in our youngest students. Ollie and Ella raised a lot of money thanks to some generous donators, thank you all very much.
Dad had fun with his new GoPro too:
video from last year (about the 4:30 mark in the video)
from two years ago
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Ollie changed his restaurant of choice at the last minute from a taco stand to Lukumbe becuase: "they do a really good job of celebrating birthdays." He's right.
Well its official ... Ollie's six.
As I spent today playing with his new Star Wars and Hot Wheels toys (he was there too) i realized...perhaps i should still be six. Goodtimes.
There's a marked change for sure. He does the putting together now, I have been relegated to couch coach (and a proud one). He loves lego and has amazed us with what he has made. He tries hard, is a great brother, a happy guy, and cool dude.
We are very blessed.
We celebrated the big day with our family and then Friday had the real fiesta at PeterPiperPizza (gringoes think Chucky Cheese) where games, pizza, piñata, and great friends made for lots of laughs and had us sleeping soundly last night.
Here is 6-tastic*:
The holiday season is always a busy one, and we made the most out of it this year! It included Posadas, Fiestas, concerts, gingerbread, countless piñatas, and lots of skype time with loved family and friends around the globe.
Some highlights of our time:
the editing on this one leaves much to be desired - my apologies. hey but at least it isn't months and months after the fact!
our vacation also included a trip to Guanjuato which was previously posted.
Sunday, January 01, 2012
We spent the first part of our December holiday doing a little exploring in Mexico. Despite living here for three years we have seen very little outside of Bahia Banderas (Karli travelled extensively in Mexico some moons ago). We decided to go to Guanajuato (as well as nearby Dolores Hidalgo and San Miguel de Allende) which had received rave reviews from our friends - it did not disappoint.
Guanajuato is a gorgeous city nestled in a valley with colorful houses that cascade down the hillsides. It is extremely old and the mines that surround the city continue to pull out rich deposits of silver, which was the main reason the UNESCO world heritage site was settled. Many of the streets are not wide enough to allow for car traffic and instead wind in and around the homes and up the hillsides; those that do allow cars, are one lane and there is a complex network of tunnels that keep much of the traffic underground. With a thriving university campus there is a youthful pulse to the city and an abundance of art (Diego Rivera was born here), music, and great things to see, do, and of course eat. The family survived its first two overnight bus rides and i am thankful that the kids coped so well ... as i know it will lead to continued adventures (its in their blood).
In short, Guanajuato was a fantastic and rich trip that we highly recommend. (lonely planet)
Some of our adventures:
Our holiday was great and there is more great stuff to come (more traditionally Christmas) so stay tooned...
Much of this video could use some further explanation, we'd love to sit and share it with you: (some explanations/memories)
(3:50) While walking into the main plaza in Dolores Hidalgo (the birth place of Mexican Independence) a funeral past with the mariachi's playing behind. It was truly beautiful. Karli made me promise to get a mariachi band for her funeral, so if I check out first .... you know.
The doors and the street art in Guanajuato were absolutely amazing (photo gallery)
(6:14) This long "poster" is a chronological history of the world...from Adam and Eve. It was absolutely fascinating and unlike anything I have ever heard of or seen before. It was tucked away in a room we easily could have missed at the mine and was a true surprise highlight of the trip.
(0:48) 2007 Scorpions world tour ticket ... nuff said.
Friday, December 09, 2011
From December 1st through 12th our neighborhood gets pretty loud; we truly don't mind, indeed we feel thankful to live so close to such a beautiful and culturally rich celebration. Fiestas de Guadalupe:
This past weekend we did a swap with friends of ours who live just north of Vallarta. It was incredible, Karli and I have long been proponents of trading rather than getting new stuff when it comes to the kids...it seems the same invigorating energy that accompanies a new* toy works with adults too.
We had an amazing time; and spent hours chasing roosters, playing in the waves, on the beach, and in the hammocks.
(click images to see them larger)
Thank you thank you thank you ROEL for sharing your life with us for the weekend, we look forward to playing together soon...
So its American Thanksgiving*. I have much to be thankful for. More than I could ever state. First and foremost, for Karli.
November is quite the month for Karli and I. We "met" in November, we were married in November thus we have lots to celebrate and have been doing so.
i am thankful that on our anniversary weekend away my wife wanted to cancel our dinner reservations at the "nice place" to go back to the incredible fish taco joint we happened upon the night before ... con champagne - que fancy.
* AKA thanksgiving to my American friends and family.
Thursday, November 03, 2011
If you are a lover of the variety of celebrations that take place at this time of year, and you have never been to Mexico for them, you really need to get that on your list. Around these parts these celebrations last weeks and they truly know how to do this time of year right. It involves the youngest children through to the very old - and indeed the long ago deceased; it involves celebration, dancing, spirituality, personal reflection and memories. It is one of the most photogenic and beautiful holidays that i have ever witnessed.
As has been said many times before: death, is Mexico's favorite toy. I was moved last year when a colleague of mine who has many years experience working in the country said to a group of newer teachers "Growing up where i did, i used to think that if i didn't smoke and wore my seatbelt in the car that death would never bother me, but Mexican's don't see it that way - they truly understand that its just another part of life." Living the last two years in the heart* of the local celebration I have seen this to be true; even just tonight I was moved to watch some skeleton clad teens dance in remembrance of loved ones, not as a part of a show - but because they were remembering. Nobel Prize-winning Mexican writer and poet Octavio Paz has famously quipped that Mexicans don't mind getting up close and personal with death; in fact, the Mexican "....chases after it [death], mocks it, courts it, hugs it, sleeps with it; it is his favorite plaything and his most lasting love." Ironically, the Day of the Dead in Mexico is a celebration of life, an acknowledgement of death as a fact, and a culmination, of life (taken: here).
Now, I do not claim to be an expert on dia de los muertos (but i'm fascinated and learning**), nor on Halloween (although I did try join a friend in trick or treating a couple days early in the hopes of scoring a little more candy one year) - but I can tell you quite simply that the cultural beauty that surrounds me is of a type that defies explanation, and that you should see one day.
Ok enough of fascinating and beautiful culture, what about the ongoing adventures of KOEm? No worries they have been real busy this week...
Well there really hasn't been too many posts here lately. Its not that we aren't having fun, it isn't that we don't have the footage, life just seems to be ... well ... busy.
So I still owe at least a summer 2010 and a spring 2011 post ... but in an effort to not fall further behind I present to you: Summer 2011!
Be fairly warned: this is by far the longest movie we've ever made, so long in fact YouTube won't play it. Which is a bummer because they did accept the HD version of this video (which is really nice), its their loss, because this was a fantastic summer - truly mind blowing. We were treated and spoiled and toured by great people through beautiful places and can only hope to one day repay the incredible generosity which we have received. We missed many and will hope to catch them on our next tour and as always you're welcome here with us.
If you don't watch it or make it through it all we totally understand, in fact if you DO then we kinda think there must be something wrong with you too - must be why we get along.
In other, more recent, news: Karli is a Kinder Teacher, Ollie is a Kinder Student, and Ella comes here full time now too. We are thankful to go to, and return from, one location together each day. Vallarta is hot and wet in August and September but we are enjoying the pool, the house, the beach, and getting back into the swing of things while continuing our rigorous pursuit of having as much fun as we possibly can.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
so I thought as I am once again buried with cool images, great times, and wonderful stories that I would try and get away from the big big posts and post more regularly ... the little things.
This was Ollie's art show at work this morning:
more good stuff is coming so stay tuned...
Friday, April 15, 2011
Ella Turns THREE!!!
It was a day filled with princesses, pizza, & chocolate cake - just what the birthday girl ordered. We all had an incredible time. We were so lucky to share it with great friends here in Vallarta and Granny & Boppy during their visit.
Ella is an incredible sweetheart of a little girl, kind, caring, a real beauty, and funny as anything. All of these great traits were on display.
In February we were treated to a visit from Ian, Liz, and our new niece and cousin Anna (aka AnnaBot). It was a wonderful visit and we were lucky that they were here for some great events including Ella's first day of school, Ollie's second Trike-A-Thon, some birthdays, and lots of smiles, laughs, and fun.
A HUGE thank you to the people who made Oliver the highest sponsored rider in his
class (two years running*): Aba, Granny & Boppy, Ian & Liz, Geoffrey, GGB (GreatGrandmaBond), The Hugheses, John & Nina, Tia Amanda, and Tia Nancy. Thanks you for your incredible generosity. I am happy to let you know that thanks in large part to you, Givelod Manis a beautiful girl from Haiti will go to school and receive two meals a day for another year. Thank-You so much.
There is lots more footage from the days as they fly past me that i will try to share with you here as soon as possible.
* denotes father bragging
Monday, February 21, 2011
So this morning as I put the finishing touches on his birthday video Ollie got a star of the week award from Pre-K (picture). Congrats Ollie, we're proud of you.
The real reason for the post is to mention what happened last Wednesday. Ollie had some friends over to celebrate his fifth birthday. Everything was going well and people were having fun but then an evil villain (the DarkShark) broke into our house and of all the low down dirty things....stole his birthday cake! Ollie and his friends went through a gauntlet of tests and before anyone realized turned themselves into SuperHeroes! They found the clues that led to the cake and a major crisis was averted. Enjoy:
In other, unrelated news...Ollie continues to work really hard twice a week in his art classes and I wanted to share some of the work he's produced in his dinosaur collection:
Thursday, February 03, 2011
So i know i always start this way, talking about how behind i am, but this one is particularly rough. I really have no idea what to say. I was almost done the summer video (in October) when my computer crashed. Sifting through so much great footage of time with family, friends, their new babies, weddings (on both sides of the continent) allowed me to relive a summer that was incredibly fun! As great as it was to go through these digital memories it involved an enormous amount of time and losing all this work was painful. I tried to re-start a couple of times but there was so much...I just felt buried.
I still want to re-do the summer video as well as to share some of our fall fun & adventures but i blinked, and months had passed. The number of images were growing - we continue to be blessed with a wonderful life - and now it is 2011. So i am using the whole holiday update bit to push the reset button with the hope that i will get to the videos from an epic summer and wonderful autumn one day.
So enough with my drivel (more below). This video is of our holiday season, disfrutalo:
(There are many stories that could be told about these images, and they are all valuable in my selphish opinion, here are a few more details then could fit in the captions)
The mariachi is a Mexican icon that few would fail to recognize. Our new house shares a wall
with a beautiful boutique hotel. The restaurant of this hotel has a band of mariachi that play monday thru Sunday. They are truly incredible musicians, and I hope that Ollie and Ella will remember the soundtrack to their bedtime stories in the future. I won't lie; it would be nice to see some variance to their setlist - but i have nothing to complain about. Its beautiful, its Mexican, and listening to their nightly gift is a major part of this incredible dream that is our life. Back to the icon piece though, they dress - differently then many people, Karli and I have become obsessed with mariachi doing regular things. (more mexicanisms)
Hard to believe but in November Karli and I celebrated 5 years of
wedded bliss. Of so many incredible things I have to be thankful for, she is definitely numero uno. Thanks babe. Also, thanks to Granny & Boppy who took care of the kids so we could have a wonderful long weekend to celebrate.
Our new house defies description it is so beautiful, i really often think i am living in a dream. You should really come and see it.
In November Karli became an official Yogi. We are very very proud of her. It was an experience that has been life changing for her and indeed all of us. She was snapped up immediately and is now an instructor at Davanna Yoga just up the street. A huge thanks to Anna, Karli's fellow classmates, and all of her students.
The video is already very long, but really should be longer. We were very blessed to have visits from Granny, Bobby, Aba, Karl, Geoff, and Bryan this fall.
Fiestas de Guadalupe. The original clip (with the bells) goes on like that for four minutes! Living right behind the church we heard them from dawn long into the night, we were certainly not too sad when the celebration was done - but it was
beautifully rich in so many ways and we were treated to the street festival daily. I can honestly say I am looking forward to next year's festival - or at least the first few days of it.
Ollie continues to progress through school. I am so proud to say that his Spanish is very good (he regularly corrects his parents - no joke) and we are again blessed and thankful to have a wonderful group of teachers guiding him as he navigates through the treacherous waters of Pre-Kinder. He has produced some incredible things this year, loves going to school, and demonstrates new knowledge daily. Miss Katie, Miss Mary, and all the other caring teachers - we truly could never thank you enough.
Ella has worked hard at potty training, Yoga, in art classes, swimming and remains a kind, sweet, animal obsessed, ball of love & laughter. Who picks up her numbers, letters, all types of food (and lots of it), and relationships of all types staggeringly quick. She can melt you with a smile - and i have great fear for when she fully figures out how hopelessly wrapped around her finger we all all.
Both kids love to sleep together, although there isn't a whole lot of sleeping going on - but the giggling and stories they tell each other are some of the most hilarious moments in our day to day life. They are
definitely a dynamic duo who love, stick up for, and cover for each other all the time - Karli and i are in a great deal of trouble!
I started my winter holiday by jumping on the private plane (of one of my 7th graders) and flying to Baja, a land of incredible beauty for three days of kiting in the mecca of La Ventana. The wind didn't cooperate but I had some great mountain bikes through the desert and i don't think there was a better place on earth for watching the lunar eclipse on the solstice; actually flying the plane for 45 minutes was something I will never forget, nor was watching the full moonrise through the crowds as we flew over the sea of cortez. Despite not kiting for a minute, it was a great trip, and I hope to return with the family next year. Thank you to the Tron family for the invitation and opportunity.
We continue to enjoy the beauty (human, manmade & natural) of Puerto Vallarta. We go the beach a lot and have regular meetings with whales, dolphin, rays, turtles, crocodiles, beautiful birds, and much more.
So this is a lot longer than it was meant to be, but i suppose it is kinda my version of a holiday letter. We have so much to be thankful for and wish you and yours a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2011.
KOEm
(if you actually made it here you deserve a medal)
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Ollie is no longer in the youngest class at ASPV!!
with a beautiful boutique hotel. The restaurant of this hotel has a band of mariachi that play monday thru Sunday. They are truly incredible musicians, and I hope that Ollie and Ella will remember the soundtrack to their bedtime stories in the future. I won't lie; it would be nice to see some variance to their setlist - but i have nothing to complain about. Its beautiful, its Mexican, and listening to their nightly gift is a major part of this incredible dream that is our life. Back to the icon piece though, they dress - differently then many people, Karli and I have become obsessed with mariachi doing regular things. (more 
definitely a dynamic duo who love, stick up for, and cover for each other all the time - Karli and i are in a great deal of trouble!
