Domo Arigato, Ruby Roboto....

We got bored one day and there was an empty mini wheat box- so what would any self-respecting mother do?

Oh you know...


Isn't she the cutest robot ever?
It took a lot of coaxing to get her to actually wear the costume.
She didn't want to be a robot she wanted to be a super hero.
So we met in the middle and she became a super robot.

All she needed was a cape and she was happy!
Plus the pink paper that I added may have helped a smidgen....
Here she is doing 'the robot'

And it is also pretty common to hear Ruby speaking robot.
Apparently she is 'from another galaxy'

And, you didn't think I forgot did you?
HAPPY CANDLEMAS!!!
The Candlemas celebration has been postponed but rest assured I already have a new piece of Candlemas entertainment prepared!!
It is going to be epic.
So just prepare yourself!!

One Is The Oldest Number This Kid's Ever Seen...

Today marks the momentous occasion of our little Noni turning one.
He is a one year old.
It is shocking to the motherly system.
He is marking this occasion by doing his best to become a walker today.
If he keeps practicing and stops dive bombing to his destination I could see it happening.
But I'm ok with him being a crawler for a little longer.
My motherly system can only take so much.
He is becoming quite the little guy though.
He has always been a charmer and still is.
He does his best to fit in with the older kids- but still cries when his crawling doesn't keep up with their running and they lap him.
He does this really cute high pitched yell when he is happy to see you.
Mostly Justin gets it because he is the one who leaves for work and comes home but I have had the 'Noni Welcome' a few times and how sweet it is!
Last week we were at play group and Noni had 2 folding tables that were leaning against the wall fall on him and he only got squished in half a little bit- and only cried for a few minutes- so he's pretty strong.
Noni is a chunk.  He has got the rollie pollie belly, the ravioli hands and feet, the puffy cheeks, and I don't even want to get started on the size of his legs!  As for his bum- lets just say that many a person has been tricked into thinking he has a full diaper when in fact it has been empty and clean...  He is only a few pounds away from Ruby and going strong- need I say more?
Noni has the most wonderful dimples EVER.  He gets them from his dad- and I love them!
He has the tiniest ears ever- we aren't sure where he gets those- but they are still cute.
Myers loves to learn and is always learning new tricks.
His favorite food is mandarin oranges.  He loves them.  And really who can blame him?  Easy to peel, no one looks at you weird when you eat 2 or three at a time, they fit in your pocket, they can substitute for a ball if needed and of course they are delicious- I think I have convinced myself that they are now my favorite food...
Noni loves Ruby and as far as I can tell the love goes both ways.
Infact I am pretty sure every one loves Noni, What's not to love?

He is such a wonderful little guy....

Hello, Was It Me You're Looking for?

I'm sure it was.
I must apologize for the radio silence on my end for the past monthish.
At least you were privileged with some Justin posts while I was absent.
I know we all love those!
It is truly amazing how moving, vacationing, driving, Christmas, reconnecting with family and friends, and laziness can affect the blog post output.
Not to mention the new Nokia N8s that Justin and I got.
So blogging has been sparse but really I wouldn't have it any other way.
Things should pick up here soon though- so no need to worry.
I hear your plea for more SNELLDOGS and I am ready to do something about it.
Once I get settled in at my parents house.
Yes we are in Medicine Hat enjoying free rent.
And loving it.
Happy 2011!

Kiddies at the grandparent's house

Here are some pictures I took of the kids with my new phone. This is Justin by the way. I'm testing how easy it is to do a blog post from the phone. I know, I'm a nerd. But where would all you cool people be if you didn't have us nerd-o's around to make you look good? Anyways, enjoy the photos and a merry Christmas to all!

We Are Here, We Are Here!!!

We, the Snelldogs, are back in Alberta.
We are back.
For good.
Well as far as we know.
We are excited to be back but we will miss our good friends in Utah.
I will really miss JOANN.  And of course, JC Penny.
Not to mention our mexican friend Cafe Rio.
And our oddly named friend who always seemed to have everything we needed whenever we needed it.  TARGET.
They will all be greatly missed.
But it is good to be back with family and for Ruby to be reacquainted with her cousins and for Myers to actually meet and get to know them!
Let the FAMILY FESTIVITIES BEGIN!
I guess saying goodbye to certain friends is worth it.
Farewell Utah....

How I would use a Nokia N8 this holiday season!

We have to make a big road trip home to Canada from the USA this Christmas season (me, my wife, and two kids).  If I had a nice shiny N8 on hand I could use Ovi Maps to guide us home and take pictures and videos of the beautiful landscapes along the way with the 12MP camera and 720p video recording.  It would also be nice to have the built-in FM transmitter to play our tunes as we drive.  I'm sure there will also be times when the kids would appreciate watching a little cartoon on the phone.  At the hotel, I could use the HDMI (or TV) out to watch shows or play games on the hotel TV.  I'm sure I'll be customizing it and downloading apps along the way as well.  It would also be great to have at Christmas to takes pictures and videos of the kids opening their presents.  As we are going to be travelling a lot this Christmas season, the N8 would be a perfect tool to keep up to date with my emails, facebook, and twitter.  In short, this phone would help make our Christmas GREAT!

I'm trying to win a phone! (This is Justin BTW)

Hi friends and fellow blog-readers.  This is Justin doing all the hard blog-post-creating today.  I decided to give Cheryl a little break.  She works so hard to keep everyone updated on our goings-on.  All from this little 10" netbook with tiny little keys to type on!  You should all give her a virtual pat on the back (or real one if you are close to her back in the near future).  Anyway, the reason for my taking the initiative to make a post is a little bit (completely) self-serving.  So sit back and I will unfold the mystery to you before your very eyes.  (Now that you're all captivated I wish I could make one of those scary faces pop up on your computer screens and scare you all).  Anyways, back to my story:  You may or may not know that I fancy cell phones, especially those of the 'smart' persuasion.  Well, I've started entering contests to win various smartphones because I like smartphones and I like winning things, so it only stands to reason that I would like winning smartphones.  The one I currently have my eye on - (my right eye that is, it's my dominant eye) - is none other than the Nokia N8.  It's pretty and you all know how I like pretty things (like Cheryl).  Well to make a mid-length story a bit longer, there is a little competition that Nokia is putting on where they are asking regular Joe's (such as myself) to write a blog post explaining what I would do with a Nokia N8 for the holiday season.  If I am chosen (like the little green aliens on Toy Story) they will lend me an N8 for the holidays, and if I make a second blog post at the end detailing what I did with said phone, they may let me keep it!  So the next post will be a short detailing of what I plan to do if they lend me this phone.  I'm excited!  On a side note: Go Christmas!

A True Likeness

Remember how we went and took family photos recently?
Well just the other night I was flabbergasted to realize that all of the hard work that went into that was unneeded.
Why you ask?
Well, because Ruby drew this:

 A closer view for you...

Yup- that's us.

It is such a true likeness I think we are just going to use this as our family photos.

And she didn't stop there- she went on to draw all of the cousins.

Isn't she amazing?
She even got everyones arms and legs in.  (well she tried at least...)
She is quite the artist.
And the same rule applies for her as it does for the tripod.
If you would like a one of a kind family drawing- Ruby would be glad to do it.
For a fee.  Of course.
You don't even have to be here for her to do it.
I'll just describe to her what you look like and she will draw it.
And we will mail the picture to you.
If you act now she can get it done before those Christmas cards have to go out!!

I love my little artist.

The Little Guy is Growing Up.

This post is for those of you who haven't seen Myers in a while.

Which is pretty much everyone.

You wouldn't believe how much he has grown up!

He can even get his own food out of the fridge now.  (But only if Ruby opens the door for him)

We are going to start putting him on the 'making supper' schedule.

He can make a mess so large that one could only assume someone much older and larger than him must have made it.

He is amazing at building things...

(He always builds better with his shirt off)

But don't take my word for it take his-

He is 'SO BIG'

Though he is large in stature and mental ability he is still quite humble- and when asked nicely- he will be sure to give you a one-of-a-kind high five...

And isn't he just the cutest thing you ever did see?

Wanna Race?

Today marks a moment in history that must be remembered.
Well... at least by me.
I ran my first ever race as an adult.
It was a 5K, it was to raise money for the Utah Food Bank, it was hard, and it was COLD.
It was -13C.  I know that doesn't seem super cold to those of you living in Alberta right now, but remember- I am a cold weather weenie, and I couldn't wear a huge warm winter coat.  It was cold!
Luckily running warms you up.
That was my one motivation to KEEP RUNNING.
Next time I am going to get those hand warmer things- now that is a genius idea.
Race details you ask?
There isn't much to say- it was my first race so my time wasn't awesome- but I will say that I did run the whole way.  There was NO walking for me.  Not even for a second.  And I feel awesome.
I feel motivated to run more and to be more active and I feel like I actually accomplished something.
I think with some training I could be awesome!
I am going to keep on running and will assuredly get better and faster.
Justin says that next time he will come along and run with me.
I told him he could- as long as he doesn't hold me back- you know?
I will say it was a little lonely since I left Justin home with the kids and I couldn't find another running partner.
So the only proof I have that I actually ran it is this picture.

(I made sure it was an action shot so it would be easier for you to visualize)

Technically this picture wouldn't hold up in a court of law as evidence...
But you all believe me right?
The only other evidence that I have is the shirt I got and the shape my body is in right now- SO SORE.
I should have stretched- but as I have always said- stretching is for wussies.
And I stick by that.
I can't wait to find another 5k to compete in.  It is going to be awesome!!
Now we are off to enjoy some Thanksgiving dinner!
I will say this two Thanksgiving things has something to it.
And tomorrow- Black Friday Shopping.
Oh yeah- we are doing it!