"This Year. . ." Winter 08/Early Spring 09

This year during the holidays we got to visit with Kim's dear friend Laura and her family. We all went to the Royal Ontario Museum! The ROM is always fun.

This year for Christmas, Uncle Brian gave Alec and Dana Christmas money and they decided they wanted to buy more pets to love. So we added two new pets to the family - hamsters named Cookie and Fluffy.

Happy Holidays!

This blog needs serious updating, which will happen in mid-January when Kim is finished her major comprehensive exam. We will update with photos for Hallowe'en and other cool stuff, like the first snow, new judo belts, etc. Until then, however, here is a Christmas family news letter for 2008.


HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS FROM DAVE, KIM, ALEC AND DANA

Our family is looking forward to the holidays this year, as we have all been so busy. In 2008, Dave left the company Atlantis to work for L3 Wescam, and has since been traveling all over the world, to the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand. Back home, Kim successfully finished her first year of a Ph.D. program at McMaster University and is now into year two. Alec and Dana, who are growing way too fast, switched schools to Norwood Park, a French Immersion school.

In between the busy-ness of work and school, Dave, Alec and Dana won many medals in judo competitions throughout the year. We are taking advantage of all that S. Ontario has to offer, and the whole family has been enjoying the nearby conservation areas. We've had some nice trips this year, from Disney World in May to a family reunion camping trip with Kim's family in June. You can always check in on our fun family adventures through our web log at: http://theprodgerfamily.blogspot.com

We miss all of our fantastic friends and family across the miles during
this special season, and we wish everyone a wonderful holiday and a
healthy, happy new year in 2009.

August-September Fitness Fun

In July and August the kids spent time at a summer day camp centred around gymnastics. They learned a lot and had tons of fun. More recently, on 13 Sep 08, Dave, Alec and Dana participated in another judo tournament. Dave and Dana both took a bronze medal, and Alec came away with a silver. Way to go Prodgers!!!

First Day of School 2008

On 2 September, 2008, Alec and Dana began school at Norwood Park, a local French Immersion school. Previous to attending this school they had been attending fully French Public schools in SK and here in ON. We made the switch with the hope of a broader learning experience at a school that has recently won awards for its curriculum. We are looking forward to a bright and adventurous year at Norwood Park.

OSC

In August we spent a fabulous day at the Ontario Science Centre. There were some awesome exhibits, like Facing Mars, and the kids had a chance to participate in an educational game show that was riotous fun. We also took in an IMAX movie. We've been to three different Science Centres in Canada now, and I think this was our favourite so far.

Eramosa Karst Conservation Area is Close to Home

We have been patiently awaiting the opening of a Hamilton Conservation Area very near our home. It is called the Emarosa Karst Conservation Area, and it has these really cool karst caves that are cut out of stone in the ground (not on the sides of cliffs). It opened a couple of weekends ago, and we finally got a chance to walk the beautiful trails today. Kim, in particular, has been awaiting these trails, because it now gives her a safe place to walk and jog in order to conserve her sanity. Conservation is not just about conserving the environment :)

If you want to have more information on karst caves or the entire conservation area, you can follow the link below:

Beek Family Reunion

 

On 28-29 June we drove to Hay Bay, Ontario, a lovely camping area outside of Prince Edward County, for a Beek Family Reunion. Not all the Beeks were there, but it was amazing to see some of my family again!!! Alec and Dana had an absolute ball, and Bobbi-Jo, Chad and Deb and their families taught my kids a little bit of the joys of "County" living. The kids fished, paddle boated, swam, and played themselves out. There was a family talent show and a kids' fishing derby (we weren't there long enough for the fishing derby though). But most importantly, I got to catch up with some of my family, and my kids got to know my relatives a little better. It was an awesome way to start the summer.

Walking With Dinosaurs

 

On 22 June we drove into Toronto to see Walking With Dinosaurs. It was a really cool production that made you feel as if you could reach out and touch dinosaurs interacting with the 'ecosystem' the show producers created. The sights and sounds were fantastic. Afterward we looked around Toronto's harbour area for supper before heading home.

Disney World Vacation

Another wonderful Disney World family vacation was had by all from 11 - 18 May 08. We went to all four major theme parks, as well as Typhoon Lagoon and Disney Quest. I have posted a slide show on the side bar of this blog page with all the photos. As you can see from the pics, we had a GREAT time!!! Here are some videos:



In the video above, Alec was chosen to become a Jedi Padawan while at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Here he fights the dark side. . . and wins!



In the video above, Dana and Alec are grooving with Disney's High School Musical kids, who put on a show at Disney's Hollywood Studios.



Lastly, in the video above, Kim and Dave have an 18th anniversary dance while attending a Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Disney's Polynesian Resort. It was very romantic :)

May - Finally

Kim has been so busy that she didn't have time to blog for February, March or April. With her first year of doctoral studies completed, and spring warming up Southern Ontario, it's time to catch up.

We survived a ton of snow shoveling this winter, and discovered that the pond behind our house makes a great skating rink!! Aside from the usual winter weather causing the usual havoc, the season passed by quickly. Dana lost at least three teeth, including her two top middle teeth, and Alec started to fill out more - they are growing fast!! Alec, Dana and Dave all continued to participate in judo, earning the next level of belt, and also winning some medals and trophies at tournaments. Dana turned 7 on 30 March and Dave turned another year older on 11 April. The extended Prodger family celebrated all of the spring birthdays with many cakes.

Dave has started to look for a new company where he can spread his wings a little more as a Project Manager, or perhaps return to flying again. In the midst of reconsidering jobs, he continued to work on the house, making it a beautiful home. Kim, well, she was chained to her desk reading, researching, and writing. Her first year went very well with straight "A"s in her coursework and rankings of "Excellent" from her Ph.D. advisory committee. She is looking forward to the summer break for some less intense individual study before heading into year 2 in September.

We are doing a lot of bird watching, and have been following the adventures of a family of geese who just had goslings in the pond behind our house. There is so much to do and discover in this area that we are really looking forward to our summer vacation. And now that May is here, we are looking forward to a family vacation to Disney World next week - there will be lots of pictures posted :) Until then, take care!

January 08 - Remembering Ontario Winters

January went by very quickly, and it's hard to remember the Christmas holidays. We had a fantastic holiday season with lots of friends and family visiting us. And to tell the truth, we weren't exactly looking forward to going back to school. We got used to spending our days as we liked. . . .swimming, judo, bowling, a trip to the Toronto Zoo. We spent the New Year with our family/neighbors next door. And around January 2, Dana lost her first top tooth. The holiday was great. And then we had to go back to reality. But this time, reality came with an Ontario winter, which is something Dave and I had forgotten about. Sure it's warm, but it's also very gray. Even the kids are feeling a bit antsy. So we're happy to see February, and we are wondering what the groundhog will say about spring tomorrow - early or later? Today marks 100 days until we go to Disney World, and we're all getting excited about that. We hope that by May we have more sunshine and full-on spring here in Hamilton. . . .and grass in our yard would be nice too :)