Snowboarding

In case anyone is still checking in here from time to time, here is a video of how the boys and I spent our winter - i.e., having a lot more fun than last year!

Ronan Gets Down With His "Bad" Self

Ronan was able to participate in this year's District 8 String Concert (along with his brother), and, as you might expect, he made his presence noticable. Having branded their own ensemble with the name "Bad Boys," Ronan and his buddies accordingly adjusted their style to live up to their moniker. The audience got a kick out of their shades and hats, as you can see from this video from last night:

Ronan Carries Rick Hansen's Man in Motion 25th Anniversary Medal

In 1986, Rick Hansen visited two schools in Saint John as he passed through in the course of his "Man in Motion" fundraising tour. Today, 25 years later to the day, these visits were repeated by members of his "Many in Motion" anniversary fundraiser in which 7,000 medal carriers are taking turns carrying a sterling silver relay medal across the country. One of these schools was Prince Charles, and when staff there were asked by Rick Hansen's team if there was some student who had been an inspiration to others, and who might be a good choice to carry the medal a little of the way, they thought of Ronan.



Activist and fundraiser Sonny Davis, who previously completed a solo run from Vancouver to Thunder Bay (where Terry Fox ended his Marathon of Hope), rolled into the school to pass the medal on to Ronan during a school assembly. It was all very cool, and a great reminder of the continuing accomplishments and impact of Rick Hansen. Ronan was thrilled to be one of only 7,000 to participate in this effort as a medal carrier (and also that he got to keep the track suit and a commemorative medal).

Way to go Ronan!

P.S.

You have to check out Hansen's appearance on the Rick Mercer Report where he bungee jumps in his wheelchair!

First set of scans come back clear!!!

Ronan had his first set of scans in Halifax last week - CT scan, abdominal ultrasound and chest x-rays. They all came back clear!! We are all relieved and astounded by the results. What a year!
Life has resumed to our normalcy - I'm crazy busy with work, Joe is looking for work, the boys are in school, music lessons, swimming lessons and Ronan and I are getting up in the mornings and running on the treadmill at the Y!

Enjoy the day!

xo

Back to School!!!

This was the most excitement we could render this morning!! Ronan started Gr. 5 today and Malcolm, Gr. 2. We had a great summer together, but ready to start the school year, and looking forward to having a much less eventful year!

xo

A Few More Photos from Maui

We are, of course, back safe and sound from Maui. Many, many thanks to the Children's Wish Foundation for this amazing opportunity. We had some wonderful experiences, and Ronan enjoyed himself immensely. Hopefully, we'll be able to post a report by Ronan himself, but for now, here are a few more pictures.

Ronan Snorkeling in Molokini


One of our most sublime experiences of the week was swimming with sea turtles in their natural habitat. Here is one coming up for air from one of the underwater caves in which they seek shelter off the southern coast of the island. Ronan described them as "majestic".


Conquered Haleakala

If you want to see a few other pictures of our trip, you are invited to view a collection on my Flickr account here.

Postcard from Maui

Here are a few pictures from an amazing week so far. Ronan has enjoyed it even more than he had expected to (as have Ali, Malcolm and I).


Malcolm at the Maui Ocean Center aquarium.


Ronan between snapping aerial pics of Maui during our helicopter tour.


Hula dancers, natch.


The four of us atop the lip of the crater of the Haleakala volcano (10,000 ft/3 km).