Schroeder Newsletter: SNL 2009

I have posted these in random order. And I thank each and everyone for sending in your contribution to the SNL.

Meaghan & Jason:
Hello all!
A ton has changed in the last year! I guess we'll start with our biggest news, the birth of our daughter, Jewel Marie Kennedy, on April 9th.

She was a tiny little thing weighing in at 6lbs 13oz. She's still itty bitty and very advanced, sitting on her own at 4 months, crawling by 6 months and hasn't stopped walking sinc new years eve. She even taught herself to safely slid off the couch feet first when she was eight months. Ah yes, the bragging is the best part of parenting!

After Jewel was born, our big bitch gave birth to 6 mastiff pups. Needless to say sleeping was not an option for most of the month. The litter was healthy and beautiful. We kept one of the males and named him Tank. He's living up to his name being that he's 9 months 31 inches tall and at least 150 lbs. He's a beautiful red color.

In June we decided (very suddenly) to make a move from the less than desirable area we were living in and buy property in the boonies, Garson, that is. We've been out here since September and haven't looked back. We have 10 acres of land. Big enough for the dogs, a dirt bike and rally racing track and more space than the kids could ever need. It's paradise, we're very fortunate!

Portia started in a new country school, where the kids get dirty and ride quads and like being outside! She made friends right away and has been excelling in everything especially math and spelling (yes, a Grande that can spell!) She took part in her first spelling bee last week and did so well. She swims in Selkirk now and is in level 7, and is so fast its amazing to watch. Jewel has also started her first swimming lesson.

Jason is beginning his 16th year at the HSC and still loves caring for sick babies and toddlers at Children's Hospital. I have married superman and appreciate him more every day. He's in heaven living out here since the true love of his life (I realized long ago I had to share him) is motocross. He rides right out of our garage to his track in our back back nine:)

I'm content being at home with the kids and animals. I walk in our yard for hours and plan where the garden and pool will go.

We are completely snowed in today, could be stuck inside for a couple days, there is a four foot snowdrift outside our front door and its only supposed to get worse. Love the country life! We will be having a house warming party in the spring and everyone is invited! I'll be sending out invitations:)

Hope everyone else is doing fantastic!
Happy 2010!

Love Jason, Maeghan, Portia, Jewel, J.D., China, Tank and Alaska.

Linda and Ron:

Photos 1- Ron, Jenna and Linda at Montmorency Falls
2- Ron at Patagonia Lake Arizona
3. Linda hiking in the Chiricahua Mountains Arizona

Hello from B.C.- where right now Olympic fever is everywhere; even at the bakeshop in our little town, where you can buy cookies shaped like an Inukshuk!

This year Ron's dad died on March 31, in his 89th year, in Grimsby Ontario. He passed away within an hour of our arrival, I guess he was just waiting for us to get there.

We had a mini family reunion last summer, when Jody, Ken, Cooper and Paige visited Glen and Michelle in Edmonton the same time as we did, and we all had a wonderful time. Later in the summer we took Jenna on a trip for her tenth birthday, to any place in Canada that she wanted to go. She chose Quebec, so we visited Montreal, Quebec City and then finally ended up in Ottawa. We had a wonderful time with her, she is an amazing kid, and we enjoyed getting to know her better.

Once again this year, we spent time in Arizona, only this time for 6 weeks. We rented a house in Green Valley, which is south of Tucson, from November 1st to December 15th and did lots of golfing and hiking, with friends from Qualicum Beach who also go there.

This was a big year for Ron and I as we celebrated?? our official entry into the world of Old Farts with our 65th birthdays this September.

What better way to mark the occasion than a trip to Las Vegas...but only I went with some friends from Winnipeg and left Ron at home. Not having been there for 35 years, I could not believe it was the same place. I finally saw the Grand Canyon for the first time too. Don't feel sorry for Ron though, he goes fly fishing to Fernie B.C. every year for a week!

It was our year to spend Christmas with Glen and Michelle, and I think it was one of the nicest we've had with them. Although the drive to Edmonton from Arizona was quite exhausting! In two months we put 11, 000 km on our car.

We hope to visit Winnipeg this June, and look forward to seeing you then.
Linda and Ron

Terry & Evelyn:

Happy New Year to the Schroeder Clan:

All is well with the Torwart family. Terry just turned 59 and like many looking forward to retirement and to enjoy his many hobbies and do the things you can't do while working. He is planning on working for one more school year and and then off to bigger and better things.

I am still at the College and plan to stay till I am 60 which is a little better than 2 years. Brett and Ian are well. Brett is still at Manitoba Telephone and Ian is at Victoria Hospital. The boys moved out in September and so far everything is going okay. Ian is moving to a new location because his dog was not allowed at the house they were renting. Brett is staying in the house and Ian will be moving in with a friend in Waverley Heights. We are dog sitting till Ian gets settled into his new place.

Sadie is just over a year old and she is a British Lab -- she is a very cuddly puppy but certainly can use some obedience classes.

We have done some home renovations and now that we are empty nesters, we have reclaimed our basement and actually our whole house. We have done some major clean up -- Terry has done a lot of purging of his stuff. The house is seeming much larger and it is staying cleaner -- imagine that!

Not a lot to say -- hope everyone is in good health -- drop in when you are in the area. Take care Torwart Family

Frances and Murray:

I don’t really have any news about me or Murray. Murray’s still a health care aide and I’m still a social worker. I’m still living at the same address and Murray’s still living at the same address. The best news I have is that Murray’s health is slowly and steadily improving. He had a bad time with anxiety and panic attacks in November. Now he seems to be holding his own and as I say, slowly and steadily improving. We just keep plugging along, trying to do the best we can. My dog, Abby, doesn’t have any new news either. She’s still the most affectionate and loving dog I’ve known and the hairiest.

Lisa & Jordan:
Hello all!

First off I'd like to say congrats to you aunty Joan on your retirement! Which I'm sure is well deserved! Now you and my dad are both retired... Boy I feel old!!!

I am still working at the Pan Am Clinic as the Medico-Legal Correspondent. I will be further educating myself in the fall with a 2 year distance ed course in Health Information Management through the Canadian Health care Association.

We are still in our little house on Ashburn Street and continue to make improvements as time allows. We been "working" on the basement for about a year now... I have come to realize that not every man is handy. We will leave it at that.

Jordan is still working for Manitoba Public Insurance as an insurance adjuster, and just recently found out he will be moving over to the King Edward location which will be great for him! Nice and close to home.

Mom and Dad are doing well. Dad is currently getting cortisone injections in his knee which should alleviate some of his pain as well as help him walk. He passes the long winter days with good ol Archie and Veronica as well as his 52" T.V. with pretty much every movie channel Shaw has to offer. He is eagerly awaiting the summer months so he can tear around the neighbourhood on his scooter.

Mom is in the beginning stages of foster care. She began her classes this month and they wrap up next month. After the classes wrap up she will be a foster parent for emergency short term care. I will be doing respite for her as well.

That's all for now!

Glen & Michelle:

Welcome back from the Blogosphere. Here on Earth, Edmonton to be exact we are settled in and I have started work after a 5 month sabbatical. Okay well I quit my job and didn't do much-wholesale auto auction and that was it from Sept. through Christmas. I am at Calmont Leasing as an account manager, a salesman really but account manager sounds more corporate I guess. All we sell and lease are trucks and highway tractors... and since I dislike cars unless they have 400HP or more, its a perfect fit I hope.

Michelle is busy working and taking care of her indigent husband and kids, wishing she could make more time for scrapbooking about the kids. She is awesome but don't tell her I said so, she might get a swelled head.

The kids are big and doing well, in school and otherwise. Hockey is Jeremy's obsession- other than any other activity involving video games. Still plays piano, and is getting pretty good for a fidgety boy. The time off allowed me to build a great skating rink 18'x28' in the backyard, only would have been better is if the house wasn't built on a lot the size if a postage stamp and I could have made it bigger. Jenna is more of the computer kid, has read more books in 10 years than I read in 40, and also loves the video games...so does Dad. School, that necessary evil, is going well and I think they could conspire against us in French now if they were so inclined or that cooperative with each other.

Holidays this year may be limited by the new job and the fact we took the plunge and finished the basement. No, no jacuzzi's indoor pools, spas, pool tables etc. just a bedroom and bathroom. 2010 is supposed to be the year we spend our summer vacation out west and spend part of it mooching off the West Coast grandparents and Christmas 2010 is mooching off the Wpg grandparents. We'll see how it works out this year...new job and all. Hopefully this time I can see a few SNL relatives...

That's about all I have to say about life...keep healthy and keep smiling....

Tonyeah and Bonyeah:
HI ALL
Joan just threatened me if I don’t send her something>>> she said she would come down here if I didn’t so I am writing veeery fast..

We just spent the day on Saguaro Lake with my cousin Bob Grande and his wife Charlene >>> I enclosed a few pictures Its one of 4 lakes within an hour of here...I lucked on to the first boat ive seen like it....a 32 ft party boat by Tracker .....we have had 8 and 9 friends out on our first 2 trips.....it has a little cabin and like most things in AZ it is air conditioned.

We were in Winnipeg for the big blizzard.....glad to be back though..returning to Winnipeg around the 18th for another doc app.

hard to be away from our 4 great grand kids not great just grand whatever.........boat naming contest is about to close with Grand Eh? in the lead........
possibly our last year at Lake of the woods ...house is listed...........really hope we have another summer there with the kids and dogs.

Linda and Ron visited on there way home from Green Valley......and had some fun with them and Bob and Char although I don’t remember much so must have been good eh?

We spent a week at peorto Penasko Mexico with bob and char it is a little over 3 hours from here on Bay of Cortez which is formed by the Baja Peninsula.

Planning to see Phil and Joan Killeen our long time friends...they are wintering in Las Vegas
best of all....Melissa Hal Kaedyn and Teagan are coming in less than 2 weeks.......yippy
and Bonnies sister Laurie and Tim after that.....

We are renting here this winter so don’t know what next year will bring....but will always return as long as we can.

Just got another bike.....a Harley V Rod......a little too sporty for me but very quick......plan to quit riding when I get old........don’t hold yer breath lol

WISH YOU ALL A HEALTHY 2010
BONNIE AND TONY

Melissa & Halden

Hi everybody! 2009 was a very busy year for us. It started with finding out in January that we were (surprise!) pregnant again! Pregnancy with a one year old was an interesting experience; I was VERY sick and tired the first few months. So aside from preparing for baby number two, we were very busy with Kaedyn, who started the year beginning to walk, then starting talking...and talking... and talking.

He is barely over two and speaks in complete sentences, his vocabulary includes hundreds and hundreds of words, knows how to use all the different pronouns - you, me, he she etc. He knows the difference between a bulldozer and a backhoe, is crazy about playing with cars, and his favourite people in the world are his Grandma Bonnie and Grandpa Tony. Kaedyn is sweetest and funniest boy in the world, and he's such a charmer. I can't believe he's already two!

Kaedyn's year was plagued with some very strange illnesses, though. Early in the year, he had a very serious stomach virus, which had him throwing up all day for nearly a week. In the summer, he had hand, foot and mouth disease, and was litterly covered in huge hives. He got chicken pox over Thanksgiving, and then the worst one came a couple days after his 2nd birthday. He developed Impetego, and he had these big, red oozing itchy sores all over his body. But what made it so bad is he got an infection on top of it, and then an allergic reaction to the infection! He got spots on his hands and feet, and face. He had sores in his mouth, so he couldn't eat. He did nothing but cry for days. He could barely sleep he was so itchy. He was on two different meds, plus Benedryl. All the skin on his hands and feet died and peeled off, and all of his finger and toe nails died, and are still in the process of falling off, TWO months later. It was the scariest and saddest thing he has ever gone through. My poor baby.

Hal spent a very busy year at Pacific Motors, where he has become very successful as their business manager. We took a couple weeks off in the summer to spend at my parents' at the lake, where Kaedyn discovered tubing behind Grandpa's boat and feeding the ducks. Aside from that, Hal's been working diligently working to finish our basement, which is almost ready for painting. I spent most of the year pregnant, and had a very rough time near the end, with a lot of pain, so I was very relieved on September 18 when our little girl was born two weeks early!

After about 13 hours of labour, little Teagan Anaya was born perfect and healthy, weighing a teeny 6 lbs 7 oz. She spent most of her first day in the intermediate care nursery because of some breathing problems, but came back to us soon enough. Teagan has been such a joy, we love her so much! She did have a rough first few months, with some stomach issues, some colic, and a LOT of crying. But we are past all of that now! She just started rolling over, and is laughing all the time now. Kaedyn adores his sister, loves to talk to her and give her hugs. He likes to help mommy with her diaper changes (he gets a new diaper and throws the old one out!). We are so blessed with our two little ones! So that was our year.

We're moving into a very busy time right now, Hal and I are both going to the gym regularly again, Hal finishing the basement, and we're both getting really involved in our church, Church of the Rock, which we've been going to for a year now, which we love. And of course, the kids keep us always moving. Hope you all had a great year too, and we hope to see you soon!Love,Melissa, Halden, Kaedyn, and Teagan(sorry it's so long!)

Kelly:
Hi Auntie Joan, Sorry it took me forever to write my update, Not having a computer really stinks!!I have been doing pretty good since our last SNL. I have now moved out YAY!!!! My boyfriend Steve and I have are now renting a house out in Transcona, We have been there since June, We have also have 2 new addition's to our little family, No no babies for those who like to speculate :) just kidding. We have 2 fantastic dogs Steve's dog Tio is about 2 years old and part lab part Sheppard and in July we got Dexter a Terrier/chihuahua who is now about a year and a half. They are so great, Im really sorry I have no pictures but I can always send some when I get my computer. But other then the house and what not there isn't really anything much new I Steve does Commercial installation full time. That's all for me for now, hope the rest of the family is doing well :) Peace and Love Kelly

TIM & DARLENE:
Well you know Kelly is our pride and joy. She continues to work at Donwood Personal care home in the recreation program. She is absolutely amazing with the elderly and they love her to bits. Kelly just moved out in June of last year with her boyfriend, Steve. At 25 it was time for her to stretch her wings. So since June, Tim and I have been empty nesters. It’s was strange at first not having Kelly around, but we are used to it now and quite enjoying it. Steve is a really nice guy. He works in the trades and loves “fishing”. They make a very cute couple. Since June, they have rented a house in Transcona and have two dogs. Teo and Dexter. I guess you can say that Tim and I have “grand puppies”. Kelly and Steve send along their love.

I not sure if you heard that I lost my oldest brother Dave last year in June. Dave lived in Comox, on the Vancouver Island. It was a tough time for our family. He just turned 65 in May and lost his battle with cancer in June. Dave’s favorite hobby was working with disabled skiers on Mount Washington. He was really looking forward to the Olympics in Vancouver. He did so much for the community and really enjoyed his time on the mountain with the disabled skiers. My sister-in-law has just been asked to be a torch runner in Victoria for the Para Olympics in his memory and there will be a special trophy awarded this year in Dave’s memory. He will be greatly missed.

During this time, Tim was off work for the month of June with a very severe case of Vertigo. This was a very sudden and strange attack. He was in bed for almost 2 solid weeks and it still isn’t completely resolved. Getting older really does suck sometimes. For the most part he is coping with the ongoing dizzy spells. I can’t believe that he will be turning 60 next week (Feb 19th). Where do the years go and go and go. He is still working for the cabinet company Norcraft and quite enjoys it.

We had 1 family wedding, my niece in Calgary and my Mom has her 13th Great grandchild born in November. My Mom is starting to put pressure on all of her grandchildren to get married soon. She keeps telling them, she could go to more than 1 family wedding a year as she is going to be around forever.

I thank God everyday for my amazing Mom. In October she turned 90 years young. She is still living independently and for the most part is doing very well. She has stiff joints and needs a bit more help getting around, but overall loves living in her apartment. The family helps her with weekly banking and shopping, but for the most part she is doing very well.

Now what is going on with Darlene? I am keeping busy working and keeping up with life in general. I don’t travel for work anymore, so I am home and still trying to lose weight! My goal is to work out at least 4 times a week, but seems lately I am not as consistent as I would like. As of April 1st of this year I will be with Great West Life 30 years. WHERE DOES THE TIME GO!

I wanted to send along a family pic, but unfortunately our computer crashed at Christmas and I have lost most of them. I will try and send a couple along at a later date. So Joan that is the latest from our family and we all send our love and special thoughts to everyone.

Jody Ken Cooper & Paige

Well this year has been another learning time for us. Paige has learned that toy cars with moving wheels should not go near her hair. Cooper has learned that telling your sister to put a car with moving wheels close to her hair will result in some serious time in his room. Ken has learned that parenting is challenging and rewarding. Jody has learned that she used to color her hair for fun, and now she colors her hair for need.

We took a summer trip to Edmonton and did some visiting with the Craven portion of the Grande family. The kids had some really great times playing with Jeremy and Jenna. Ken and I did too. It is always a good time when you have great family to see.

Cooper turned 5 this January and will start kindergarten in September. He will be attending Winnipeg Mennonite Elementary School. So yes, we will be taking donations for tuition. We fell in love with the school after attend the open house at the beginning of February. They focus on faith based learning and being a conscious contributing member of society! Imagine that!! Cooper has finally shifted his interest from trains to Spiderman. He has suggested a name change to Peter Parker. We are considering it.

Paige will be 4 this June. She is anticipating a special party for her birthday with special guests from B.C. She is wanting to go fishing on Grandpa’s boat with Grandma, mom, and Auntie Linda. Paige started Ballet this year. It initially did not go well. Lets make this clear she was the one that wanted to do ballet - not me. First I show her the pink ballet suit. She likes it. Then I show her the pink ballet slippers. She loves them. Then I show her the pink tights... she declares her love for Judo! She has since adjusted to the tights and really likes ballet. We will try soccer next year.

Ken is still with Canada Post. He started in the Fort Gary Postal Depot this fall. It has been nice to have him working close to home. For those of you who are friends with Ken on facebook you will have noticed that Canada Post is his second job. The first being a Mafia Mogul. Must thank Glen for introducing Ken to the Mafia.

I fall asleep every night to sounds of my wonderful husband snoring. I wake up every morning to a very cute little boy staring me in the face - “morning Mom!” and precious girl who loves to cuddle a little before the day can begin. I pinch myself most days just to make sure it is all real. I ask myself “how did I did I get here?” The answer is I don’t know, but don’t much care - just enjoying the gifts I have been given.

We wish you all the best in 2010 and beyond.

JOAN & GORDON:

Jody you are hard act to follow.

We have had a pretty good year. We are in stage 2 of building our dream home on Cloutier Drive. Which means the drawings are all done, and we have sent them out to different Contractors for pricing. After that comes the hard part. I don't even want to think about it right now. I will deal that when the time comes. It will be a messy divorce...heh. They always say the true test of a marriage is if you can get through a reno or building a new house together. Now, let's just see how this goes:)

Gord turned 65 this year. He can now get a discount on his bus pass. HA. Plus some hard earned money from the Government.

I will be retiring at the end of April. Not by choice mind you. I wanted to work until October when my hard earned money from the Government kicked in. But as companies do these days when they see you sneaking up to retirement they incorporate your job with another so they don't have to worry about anything when you leave. I'm not bitter, I got a good buy out package. Plus I .........so wanted to get the hell out of there. FREE AT LAST!

I am going to learn how to bake bread, and do all the things I have never have had time to do. I sure hope I don't take the "big dirt nap" before that happens...and on my wish list, I want to buy a Houseboat. It doesn't have to go anywhere, it just has to sit docked on the river. It will be my summer vacation home.

Even though we don't have kids' we aren't short of them. Apparently our 1960's type waterbed attract them. These are our Christmas kids....Gord's family. They can't wait to get in our waterbed every year.

And every year ... they get a little heavier. This year took it's toll. It sprung a leak. This is probably our third waterbed mattress since we got married, so it was time. But we had cats in the beginning who caused a lot of the problems. Now it was just wear and tear.

At our advanced age our first thought was...okay..who pissed the bed? The leak was on Gord's side, so I went out and bought him some Adult Diapers. Just kidding I didn't buy them, but if I would have I am sure they will be handy one of these days.

LOOK WHAT SANTA BROUGHT ME!

And I thought he was just hanging around because I make good Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. I lost the diamond from my engagement ring this summer. By todays standards it was very small, and I can't believe I didn't even notice it missing...but I did because the claws hooked in my sweater one day ....and oop's ...diamond gone. Yikes. I was sad. I told Gord about it and he didn't seem very hard pressed....so it's gone...what can you do about it. Men! After that I sort of forgot about it and just wore my wedding band.

On Christmas morning when we were opening our gifts, he had mine in a rather large box, which of course went into a smaller box, then a smaller box.... I didn't get it....And when I opened it, I fell apart. It was the perfect ring that I would have chosen. I just wear this ring alone without the old band. When I go to Safeway I always try to blind the checkers with my ring. It looks so sparkley under the lights.

My backyard....I will miss it.