The Best of 2014

Here's the best of 2014:



For full screen slideshow, click this link: The Best of 2014

Happy Mother's Day and hospital visits.

All in all 2014 has been a tough year for the family, especially when it comes to health. With Papa and Uncle Glen in the hospital our days are filled with a lot of ups and downs. We really have to hang on to the bits of good news that pepper our lives. Most recently, uncle Glen's scope showed the total eradication of the tumor, now that's substantial. The radiation and chemo has done its job; however, now it's all about the recovery. As for Papa, we did hear some good news albeit small. He's fighting a new infection and the antibiotics after two days have had a significant impact. The doctor was worried about how he would respond, especially in light of all his other issues. We just have to keep his spirits up, today marks his fourth month in the hospital. I know that some days he feels like he'll never get home, we're all still hopeful. Here are some shots I took with some black and white Kodak Tri-x film.

Mother's Day

I wish I could say that Mother's Day is a day where we all have warm and fuzzy feelings. This is the second year in a row where the kids weren't necessarily on their best behaviour. The family had plans to go out for breakfast and this year even Gomo and Carol came along. Grandma decided to go and visit Papa at the hospital, as part of her usual morning. Tracey, Roger and the kids did have a surprise for her when she came back. They got her a zero gravity chair for outside. Now she's able to sit outside in the good weather and enjoy some rays. She admitted today that she even dozed off for a while, testament to the comfort of the chair no less.

Life goes on...

Sad news, Papa is still in the hospital. Now he's just shy of four months. It's hard to imagine that he's been out of the house for that long. Grandma still goes up to visit him everyday, most days are good, but in truth the family is really just playing this long waiting game with no end in sight. The recent bout with pneumonia seems under control, but now there's word of another infection. We need him to get stronger, eat more and eventually move around so he can regain some of that strength.

In other news the kids are well, they still fight like cats and dogs, but from the sound of things that's pretty normal. Most days Roger and Tracey have to referee and keep them separated in order to have some peace and quiet in the house.

Now that it's May the school year is winding down. Malcolm is doing well in most subjects, especially his writing and reading. Roger and Tracey have been trying to work on improving his math, but most days are a struggle to get the extra work in. I think through their efforts there has been some improvement, albeit incremental.

 We're coming up on Mother's Day this Sunday. I'm not sure what's planned, but again with Papa in the hospital things have been difficult. Here are some pictures from Malcolm's baseball games and some film shots Roger has taken during March and April. He loves that Mamiya RZ67 camera.

Status quo...

There's nothing really new to report. Papa is still in the hospital, today actually marks 8 weeks. Today we didn't get very good news either, he's got three blood clots in his lung. So, the doctors and nurses are working very hard to treat the situation. We're still keeping our fingers crossed that he can come home soon. The medical staff is confident that everything will be fine in time, so that's good news. Uncle Glen's treatment is going well. It's going to be a long haul, but as the doctor mentioned, this will be a cure to his condition.

For the past few days Roger has also been feeling sick with some sort of stomach bug. Man, we just can't catch a break. The family is gearing up for their trip to Palm Springs in a week. Tracey is still on the fence about leaving the folks.

Here are some film images Roger took over the past few weeks.

Back to work, back to school.

It has been a really fun winter break for the family. It's hard to believe that it's all over, Christmas, New Years', and time off of school. It's back to the grind of normal life again tomorrow. Lunches have to be packed, the kids have to be hustled off to school, and Roger and Tracey are off to work. Cousin Eun Yeop's arrival adds some more excitement for the family. She's a very sweet girl. We all hope that she learns a lot in the 5 short months she'll be in Vancouver. There was a bit of a scare today as she got lost a few blocks from home. Not to fret everything turned out fine, she just got a little turned around. She starts her English program at Harbour Centre tomorrow morning, we wish her much luck. I'm sure time will go very fast for her. The kids really like her, they've been very accepting that she's part of the family.

 The kids are still battling colds, with Roger also feeling under the weather these days. Malcolm's cough is going on three weeks! Fingers crossed the family is all on the mend. Here are some pictures from the past few days with cousin Eun Yeop front and centre at Granville Island and English Bay:
 

Starting the 2nd Grade.

What a difference a year makes. Last year we had a lot of tears and anxiety to start the first grade. This year he got dropped off at school and it was no big deal at all. It's a combination of him growing up and getting used to exploring things on his own. He's been involved with a number of different activities where he's there to fend for himself, reading camp, science camp, trampoline, swimming, and skating. 

It's difficult to see children grow when you see them everyday, but it's the changes, the growth, the development you notice afterwards make all the difference. We're still dealing with the sibling rivalry and from time to time he and his sister fight like cats and dogs. However, when they do get along, it's a sweet to watch. Here's to you Malcolm in starting the 2nd grade. Good luck my boy, make us proud. Hard to believe that this was just a year ago: grade 1.

Summer is winding down for sure...

Well we've been spoiled for sure regarding the warm and sunny weather. If the recent camping trip was any indication; fall is definitely right around the corner. The family got pretty wet in their tents on the second day. After enjoying many weeks of sunshine the weather in Vancouver is definitely changing. The family recently went on two trips, one to Harrison Hot Springs and the camping trip to Cultus Lake. Both trips were with multiple families which has really enriched the experience for all. The family spent a lot of time in the pool at Harrison Hot Springs, and luckily the kids all got along very well. Roger even ran into some friends from elementary and high school. Camping was fun, it's actually the first time Roger and Tracey have gone camping since having kids. Can you believe they waited almost 7 years! Here are some pictures from Harrison Hot Springs and Cultus Lake: