Thanksgiving 2009

Here's a shot of our dinner for Thanksgiving, which we had on Sunday, Oct. 11. It's a composite so I could get both sides in. L-R: Margery, Colin, Nick, Naomi, Russell, Finn, Jane (attending the youngster), David, Ros, Winnie.

My crazy grandson Finnegann, at a party at the Buker-Adams' on Saturday, Oct. 10. The other, somewhat less dizzy, young dancer is his cousin Elliott. This was shot in low light, so the picture is a bit washed out, but you can see the twirling. He may have a career as a whirling dervish.

Both Nick (at left) and Naomi (at right) were pictured in local papers - Georgia Straight and Vancouver Courier - in accounts of the bike polo tournament.

Naomi at the end of the game tapping mallets with other players.

Here was Naomi's team in a bike polo tournament in East Vancouver, with her friends Valley (furthest from camera) and Cornelia (in black). They did quite well, coming in fourth of about ten teams. This is how the game begins.

Nick and Naomi opening their loot... I mean gifts... after the wedding.

I should mention the wedding included a procession on bicycles, too and from the park. Nick is at left, Ros in the middle telling all and sundry that her daughter was getting married. This was Nigel's photo.

I haven't blogged any pictures of Naomi and Nick's wedding. Instead I've put them on my Flickr website. This great picture was taken by their good friend (and fellow bike polo player) Polly. The wedding took place at Saxe Point Park in Esquimalt, near Victoria, BC on Aug. 23. Family friend - who married Ros and me - Herbie O'Driscoll was the priest. It was great. Do go see the pictures.

Finnegann reading with great-granny Margery. He's a smart kid (what else would I say?)

Here's the grandkid during a recent visit playing with a toy his grandmother bought. He prefers pushing to being pushed.

Here we all are working away from the press box at GM Place. The woman nearest the camera is the US team's attaché, I think. The man at centre standing up is Richard, who was the boss. I actually was working as a photographer's assistant, but there weren't a lot of photographers to assist.

I volunteered as a "press assistant" a pre-Olympic event, a women's hockey tournament. I worked in the press box, not doing a lot, but enjoying the view of the rink from way, way overhead. The national teams from Canada, the US, Finland and Sweden played. The US beat Canada a couple of times. It was fun, and I got to learn my way around GM Place, home of the Canucks. During the Olympics, though, I won't be working there, but at the curling rinks at Little Mountain.

Translink's Cycling Bridge

The new cycling bridge over the north arm of the Fraser under the new Skytrain line from Vancouver to Richmond. A nice wide pathway. It will be very useful.

Very corny kid... Finnegann

The Aquabus ferries at Granville Island in Vancouver, which go across False Creek. This neat shot was taken by Rosalind.

Finn presents Mother with flowers

Ros took some very nice video of Finnegann, our grandson.

KiteFestival

Kite festival at Vanier Park. Finnegann tried it too... I expect a big future for this kid, my grandson.

Jane and Finnegann... the boy is growing up!

Our very late snowfall, March 8--well, maybe not that late--covered a few crocuses that have come out.

Finnegan is one, presented with his cake by his father. He loves berries.

Granny's fridge. I really like this collection.

Christmas 2008 was fun

Christmas 2008, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Here are Nick, Christopher, Naomi and David at the gift opening at Granny's. Later we played what Nigel called "Greed" which involved opening presents and taking previously opened ones... lots of fun. For more pictures of Christmas they're on flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/nealea/sets/72157611673900719/

Santa and Rudolph

Christmas 2008, originally uploaded by NealeA.

A.K.A. Russell and Nick. This was at our house where we had a gift opening before going over to Granny's

Christmas 2008 Dinner

Christmas 2008, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Here we are around the Christmas dinner table for turkey (of course).

Christmas 2008 group picture

Christmas 2008, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Here we all are at Margery's on Christmas Day getting ready for the group picture. Jane unfortunately is behind Finn, who is beside David and Katy (standing). Second row is Catherine, Margery, Ros, Leslie, Jeannine. Standing are Russell, Naomi, Darlene, Nick (on knees), Nigel, and Geneve. For the formal shot (which includes me) go to my ("NealeA") flickr page.

Buker-Adams family in snow

Christmas 2008, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Finnegann isn't quite sure what to make of the snow. This was taken in Margery's back yard on Christmas Day, 2008.

It's been a heck of a December

Christmas 2008, originally uploaded by NealeA.

This nice picture was taken by Naomi after one of many snowfalls we've had. Once every few decades cold air from up north gets stuck at the coast and the moist air off the Pacific dumps lots of snow on us. Happened this year.

Here I am as a bishop - a walk on in role - in a production of Saint Nicolas by Benjamin Britten that was put on at Christ Church Cathedral on November 3. The tenor Benjamin Butterfield played the part of Nicolas. I was one of about ten bishops who were part of a Council of Nicea scene. With me here are Bert Allsop, Howard Teasley, and Graham Rawlings

The Baptism

_BYS4387, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Jim makes the sign of the cross on a squirming Finnegan. At left are the new godparents.

Finnegan's baptism

_BYS4388, originally uploaded by NealeA.

These wonderful pictures of were taken by Bayne Stanley, who is a professional photographer (as you can see), and who graciously gave them to the people being baptized or their families.

FinnbySofa

FinnbySofa, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Up to no good, of course.

JaneAware

JaneAware, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Momma Jane is pretty busy these days. Glad she can relax a bit when the family comes over.

FinnandJam

FinnandJam, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Trying a little bread and jam on a visit to the grandparents. It was Neale's home baked bread so it had to be good.

FinnandtheMohawkMan

FinnandtheMohawkMan, originally uploaded by NealeA.

The awesome pair, Finnegan and Russell. Russell got this haircut for the baptism.

Ros-FollowsThough

Ros-FollowsThough, originally uploaded by NealeA.

One thing my dear wife is good at in hockey is follow through!

RosOutofGoal

RosOutofGoal, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Charging out after a short corner. Unfortunately the team lost.

RosOutfoxedHer

RosOutfoxedHer, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Ros got the ball behind the defender. Game on Nov. 9.