coming on 3 years

so - as a family, we have not really been that good at keeping up this blog..

So we are coming up on our 3rd year here in Ville de Quebec.  So I have to ask myself...what has changed?  Whats better?  Whats worse?

Nothing major seems to have changed that much.  Work, school - still same places.  Activities are generally the same.  We have mostly have kept the same circle of friends and acquaintances... a few more new people seem to join the anglo community... at the same time a few have also left.  Health is generally the same... I'm pretty sure I have some new cavities :(

We have been finding more activities to do... R, K2 and D2 have joined the Ecole de Cirque Quebec.  They seem to be having alot of fun with this, I am considering trying some of the evening classes next year.  K1 is graduating high school this year and going to Cegep next september... scary.

I'm looking forward to a couple of summer trips this year.  I'd really like to visit the Maritimes or possible NY or Boston.  Apparently there alot of nice trips that can be made into Maine and New Hampshire as well.

I'm so glad that winter is really over... or at least it feels like it now... even though there are still the odd cold days, mostly on account of the wind.

finally, a post!  I should back fill some posts with pictures from previous years... don't hold me to it ;)

getting caught behind with the entries

ok - so, lots of things happening that we haven't gotten around to writing about... the rest of the fams have forgotten about this. I think now that the weather, endless yardwork and all the other really fun day to day chores we've not been perched in front of the pcs as much. I suppose thats good.

May 30th - k&k had a Vivaldi concert at le Grande Theatre du Quebec. Here are some photos from the event: http://www.flickr.com/photos/danvargas/4677785290/in/set-72157624220741240/

June 5th - We also caught Festival Encore in Trois Rivieres. Andrea was performing there with Tri-tone productions. Groovaloos were there too as well as whole other bunch of performers of all different styles of dance at various venues in the city. I've only uploaded a few pics from the event.... I'll do more later.... maybe.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danvargas/4677820188/

I really can't tell if I'm picking up french that much better than before...I am starting to understand random conversations, radio and news a bit better but its really hard to tell. There seems to be no end of stuff to learn. I don't mind that - I just wish I learned faster.

:d

Thats all for now.

St.Patricks Day in QC

So apparently this is the first time, in 80 years, that a St.Patricks day parade was held in the city of Quebec. We were able to get a spot on Turnbull Ave and St-Jean St. just as the parade was approaching.

Interesting to see so many Irish folks from within the city... many of whom seem to have no trace of Quebecois accent whatsoever.

Here are a few pics from the event:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danvargas/sets/72157623590277701/

La Pocatiere

It seems as though spring has sprung early in QC. Everyone keeps saying that this not the norm... but a pleasant surprise. I like to think we brought some Vancity weather with us ;)

Big K had a vball tourney at a school a couple hours east (along the south shore) of QC. Fun little trip. Learned that all the Tim-Ho's along that highway have anglo-speaking servers, as there are so many people travelling along to NB, NS, NL, PEI and the states as well.

Dante had so much fun 'practising' with the girls he worked up quite a sweat! (pics forthcoming - from Big K's cam)

Took some photos of the old buildings and local belle vues... I put the photos on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danvargas/sets/72157623636359520/

:d

ps. hey fams, how abouts some entries, eh?

Carnival!

Winter Carnival, that is! Ya need one of these ephogees to do all the 'cool' things - aha.

The ice castle was neat.

innertubing down a big hill is always fun. (Bokeh effect from a snowflake - I couldn't get rid of it so I drew a pattern on it)

...ya need a sled to go down the ice slide.

or you can 'chill out' with the penguins.

Il fasait fraites

Parade was nICE.

The BonneHomme is like a cross of the Michelin Man and the Marshmallow man... except that this one smelled like caribou whiskey

nice cake :)

WoodStove Anyone?

I think we are going to have to say good-bye to this guy. He is sitting in our basement - its unlikely that anything will be burned here anytime soon.