Chomp & Bean Bean: a photo journal of our family

2010-10-04T22:08:00.001-04:00

Once again it's been a year since we've posted anything. The two monkey's are getting bigger and bigger.

Here they are at our yearly camping trip to Algonquin.

2009-09-04T23:26:00.004-04:00

Summer camping and daytrips

Tristan enjoys a boat ride at Centre Island. We went with Matthew, a good buddy from church.

Camping at Algonquin Park. The kings were waiting for dinner and roasted marshmellows from dad, and Roald Dahl stories from mom.

Graydon's best friend Aaron was at the campsite right across. They got to spend a lot of time at the beach together monopolizing the sand.

2009-09-04T22:48:00.009-04:00

Disney Trip with Grandma/Grandpa, Florida 2009

Fighting bad guys together with Buzz at Disney earlier in 2009. Prior to the trip, the boys didn't know too much about the many different Disney characters. Afterwards, Tristan was constantly saying "the magic of Disney" and asking to go back. Graydon conquered his fear of roller coasters and told Clem that he loved feeling "like he's gonna die".

Graydon was chosen to get up on stage to join the Jedi training academy. They used cool light saber techniques and the force to defeat Darth Vader. This was the best part of Disney for Graydon.

Graydon is holding up a planet and got to experience how it feels to launch a space shuttle.

Tristan got to eat breakfast at the Crystal Palace with Pooh and the gang. He asked daddy to explain why Piglet was so big in real life. The chance to meet Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and co. was the best part of Tristan's trip.

Thanks for the wonderful trip grandma & grandpa!

2008-07-17T21:55:00.002-04:00

Serious family photo at cottage.

Funny & sad family faces at cottage.

Monkey see, monkey do.

Hocus pokus alimagocus.

Brotherly love & hugs. Graydon tells us that he loves us 100, but loves his brother 300. God is at infinity. Tristan has started asking why he can't see God. I can't even remember what I thought about at 2 years old.

2008-07-10T22:14:00.002-04:00

Convincing the boys that meat and protein will give them strong muscles.

Dress up time for Tristan. Even lions get hungry.

Mommy & the boys.

Graydon was the only one to catch a fish at the cottage. 2 for 2 now (Algonquin last year & Georgian Bay this year)

2007-12-11T21:29:00.000-05:00

Graydon lounging in his new red sports car.

2007-12-11T21:28:00.000-05:00

Tristan playing chef with a pastry brush.

2007-12-11T21:26:00.000-05:00

Tristan going for the nerdy look.

2007-12-11T21:23:00.000-05:00

Graydon on a fall hike in the woods.

2007-12-11T21:20:00.000-05:00

Tristan likes to eat the chocolate off of a cookie and leave the rest for mom and dad.

2007-08-18T00:59:00.000-04:00

Graydon playing goal at soccer camp.

2007-08-18T00:52:00.000-04:00

Tristan trying out Koon's shades.

2007-08-18T00:51:00.000-04:00

The family posing on a really big chair at Center Island.

2007-08-18T00:46:00.000-04:00

Graydon practicing his driving skills at Centerville.

2007-07-07T22:29:00.000-04:00

Tristan loves wearing his yellow boots. Even when it's 34 degrees outside, he insists on wearing them vs. his sandals. My mom and dad think it's his vanity coming out, but they keep encouraging him by taking pictures.

2007-07-07T22:23:00.000-04:00

Graydon has recently developed interest in the Ninja turtles and Transformers (thanks to the influence of school). He has also developed a name for his own superhero identity: Speed Hawk. According to him, Graydon Lee is his secret identity. At the Church Fair, he asked the face painter to draw a picture of "walking underwear" on his hand. Of course, the children's pastor thought this was hilarious and very original. (his other friends asked for flowers)

2007-07-07T22:21:00.000-04:00

Mommy and bean at the Church Fair. The (not so) little one seems to always be eating...

2007-07-07T22:18:00.000-04:00

We found out that Edward will be in the same SK class as Graydon next year. Yea!!! They both get to stay with Mrs. Young. Unfortunately, four of his friends have been shipped to another class. We always have the playground.

2007-07-07T22:13:00.000-04:00

Swimming with daddy at Douglas Snow. Next time it's mommy's turn.

2007-07-07T22:06:00.000-04:00

Graydon at his school concert. JK was a fun and full year for all of us!

2007-03-08T17:32:00.000-05:00

Tristan loves eating "nanahs"

2007-03-08T17:31:00.000-05:00

Snowfort building in the back yard

2007-03-08T17:29:00.000-05:00

Tristan wanting to run free in the forest

2007-03-08T17:28:00.000-05:00

Graydon enjoying romping through the woods

2007-03-08T17:27:00.000-05:00

Tristan with some crazy hair

2007-03-08T17:26:00.000-05:00

Graydon as "Kid Canada"

2007-02-21T22:49:00.000-05:00

2007-02-16T23:36:00.000-05:00

"ROAR!!!"

2007-01-15T00:25:00.000-05:00

Dinner at the Leung's.

2007-01-15T00:23:00.001-05:00

The cousins playing together.

2007-01-15T00:23:00.000-05:00

Graydon's woe is me pose.

2007-01-15T00:22:00.001-05:00

Bean and his pig snout pose.

2007-01-15T00:22:00.000-05:00

Bean the attention seeker.

2007-01-15T00:21:00.000-05:00

Graydon making pizza at Aaron's place.

2007-01-15T00:16:00.000-05:00

Graydon's new pet.

2006-12-28T22:54:00.000-05:00

Graydon in the Christmas pageant. I think he was a shepherd...who lost his shoe while walking to the stage.

2006-12-28T22:53:00.000-05:00

Tristan says mama, baba, paw paw (grandma), mao mao (cat), ball, more, daw daw (brother), mum mum (food), nigh (milk), bye bye, may, adeline, bac (grandpa), yeh yeh (paternal grandpa), and men (amen). He signs quite a bit too. He loves attention, maybe even more so than his brother.

2006-12-28T22:47:00.000-05:00

Graydon tells his brother that he loves him so much when Tristan voluntarily joins him on the stairs for a time-out.

2006-12-28T22:45:00.000-05:00

Graydon was sitting on the stairs for a time-out so Tristan went over to sit with his brother to comfort him. Graydon tells Tristan that he needs his help to defeat daddy, and they scheme together to topple the big people.

2006-12-28T22:43:00.000-05:00

Bean opening up his own presents.

2006-12-28T22:42:00.000-05:00

Graydon trying out his new pirate telescope.

2006-12-23T22:10:00.000-05:00

Another year is almost over and I am so thankful to God for His rich blessings in my life. He is truly the Shepherd that the Psalmist describes. He guides my path, knows when I need rest and provides me with so much more than I need or deserve. My two boys fill my heart with pride and joy. Their hugs, kisses and declarations of love are priceless. I have the most wonderful husband who takes care of us with the patience and understanding that only God can grant. We are surrounded by family and friends, by people who care enough to pray for our family. God is so good!

With all this, I still have a nagging question that I ask myself...did we do more harm than good to the ones we left behind? Those were some of the best times in my life and I still care so much about the three. We really treated and saw them as our own. But within the past 6 months, we've been finding out about the hurt and resentment they feel. This kills me. It keeps me up at night and eats away inside me. I've tried reaching out. I've tried explaining. It feels like they will always consider it a betrayal, an abandonment.

I don't ask for understanding or forgiveness. God, I just ask that this hurt doesn't get in the way of their relationship with you. I can accept being written off. And I know that there are many who have supported us and shown their appreciation. Thank you for keeping in touch and allowing us to continue to share in your lives.

2006-12-19T22:47:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-19T22:40:00.000-05:00

Graydon playing with his magnetix. They're stuck onto every surface possible around the house. We just have to make sure that Tristan doesn't swallow them.

2006-11-26T23:21:00.000-05:00

Halloween with daddy. Graydon dresses up as a black hound and is excited about the impending candy.

2006-11-26T23:19:00.001-05:00

Tristan blowing into a hollow tube and discovering sound.

2006-11-26T23:19:00.000-05:00

Mommy reading Graydon and Tristan their nightly bible story.

2006-10-31T21:09:00.000-05:00

Halloween Graydonisms:
Graydon wipes the imaginary sweat off his brow and tells us that he's "feeding the children" after giving out some Halloween treats. Then proceeds to explain to us that "managing people is hard work!"

2006-10-30T23:28:00.000-05:00

Tristan drumming up a storm.

2006-10-30T23:27:00.000-05:00

Tristan trying on daddy's hat.

2006-10-30T23:25:00.000-05:00

Graydon trying on his hockey equipment

2006-10-30T23:24:00.000-05:00

Blue freezie tongues

2006-10-30T23:22:00.000-05:00

Mild mannered Clark Kent...err, I mean Graydon Lee....

2006-09-30T22:55:00.000-04:00

Graydon wearing a deflated ball as a hat and having a laughing fit.

2006-09-30T22:48:00.000-04:00

Tristan is growing up so fast...almost one year old. He's saying and understanding quite a bit, but has a nasty temper! He is turning out to be the most active volcano of the entire family...and we thought that Graydon was the "energetic" one.

2006-09-30T22:46:00.000-04:00

The three cousins practising "tummy time" at grandma's house.

2006-09-30T22:44:00.000-04:00

Graydon's creation at the Ontario Science Centre.

2006-09-30T22:42:00.000-04:00

Bean cracking up at Graydon.

2006-09-12T21:11:00.000-04:00

Our family celebrating Graydon's fourth birthday.

2006-09-12T21:10:00.000-04:00

Graydon got to celebrate his birthday by going crazy with his best friend Aaron.

2006-09-12T21:09:00.000-04:00

Graydon enjoying his electric guitar and singing his self-written songs.

2006-09-12T21:07:00.000-04:00

Daddy made Graydon a Knight's Kingdom outfit for his birthday (the armor). He loves it!

2006-09-12T21:06:00.000-04:00

Tristan wants to be just like his brother, always going after his toys.

2006-09-06T20:36:00.000-04:00

Pretending to be a dinosaur like the ones Uncles Steve bought for me.

2006-09-06T20:35:00.001-04:00

Practising hockey stick handling skills.

2006-09-06T20:35:00.000-04:00

Older son falls asleep with screwdriver...younger one with spatula.

2006-09-06T20:34:00.002-04:00

Digging for dinosaur bones.

2006-09-06T20:34:00.001-04:00

Trying on knight's armor at the ROM

2006-09-06T20:34:00.000-04:00

Graydon grows his own watermelon.

2006-08-18T23:04:00.000-04:00

Graydon looking out the window at 18 months.

2006-08-18T23:03:00.000-04:00

Tristan looking out the window at 10 months.

2006-08-18T22:56:00.001-04:00

Tristan in his red room being his usual happy self!

2006-08-18T22:56:00.000-04:00

Graydon went to day camp for 2 weeks and loved it. During circus day, he requested a bat during face painting and begged us not to wash it off until the next day...we let him keep it until bedtime.

2006-08-18T22:53:00.001-04:00

Following after my brother's footsteps.

2006-08-18T22:53:00.000-04:00

Peek a boo. My brother used to play on this railing too when he was my age.

2006-08-18T22:51:00.000-04:00

This one's for Uncle Ron.

2006-08-18T22:47:00.000-04:00

Auntie May is having just as much fun as Graydon is on the rides.

2006-08-18T22:45:00.000-04:00

Auntie May took Graydon to Chuck-e-Cheese for a treat!

2006-08-08T23:31:00.001-04:00

Tristan bonding with grandpa.

2006-08-08T23:31:00.000-04:00

Graydon loves riding his bike fast, just like daddy.

2006-08-08T23:28:00.000-04:00

Crawling up the stairs and cruising... I'm catching up to everyone else.

2006-08-08T23:27:00.000-04:00

My first haircut.

2006-08-08T23:26:00.001-04:00

Riding the hippo with my friends and brother.

2006-08-08T23:26:00.000-04:00

Fun at the zoo's splash pad.

2006-08-08T23:25:00.000-04:00

Graydon shooting his "bum cannon" creation at daddy.

2006-07-16T17:25:00.000-04:00

Family nap time...bean has tired everyone out...Outlast, outwit, outplay

2006-07-16T17:24:00.000-04:00

Graydon playing with bean...what a great brother.

2006-07-16T17:23:00.001-04:00

Tristan's 2 lower teeth.

2006-07-16T17:23:00.000-04:00

Even Graydon took a long nap after playing all day at Centre Island.

2006-07-16T17:22:00.000-04:00

Napping in the car after a long day at Centre Island.

2006-07-16T17:21:00.000-04:00

Don't worry bean. You'll be able to go on the rides soon.

2006-07-16T17:20:00.001-04:00

Pony rides...just like mommy when she was a kid.

2006-07-16T17:20:00.000-04:00

Graydon rode the car ride 3 times. It's his favourite!

2006-07-16T17:19:00.000-04:00

Graydon and his friends at Centre Island

2006-06-28T00:25:00.000-04:00

Graydon had a great weekend with Aaron at the cottage in Huntsville! We played at the beach, went fishing, read knight's kingdom and watched a bug's life.

2006-06-28T00:23:00.000-04:00

Graydon's first fish...a rock bass.

2006-06-28T00:22:00.000-04:00

Tristan and Bethany playing together

2006-06-28T00:21:00.000-04:00

Reading bible stories with Aaron, his best bud.

2006-06-28T00:20:00.000-04:00

Swimming at the beach in Huntsville

2006-06-19T15:41:00.001-04:00

All smiles for daddy!