It's been a wonderful, busy summer, and we really should tell you all about it sometime soon. We will.

...But not in this post.

Instead, this is to let everyone know that we have finally got a photo gallery back online for everyone to view! We expect it will get updated quite regularly, since we take photos quite often and uploading them for everyone else to see is really easy. I (Jon) hope to get more of our older photos uploaded soon.

In the "Recent Updates to Jon and Beth's Gallery" section of our blog here you will see the latest five albums in our gallery that have had anything new put in them, and the date when that happened. Click a link to go straight to the album.

If you want to be notified automatically about new updates to our photo gallery, go to the main gallery page and click on the big "Subscribe to Updates" button in the upper right corner. This will add an automatically updating subscription to our gallery in your web browser that will let you see at a glance when something is updated.

Elena's Easter!

We had a wonderful Easter this year. Though this was Elena's second Easter technically, she was only a few months old last time so this was her first Easter where she could actually do the egg hunt and everything. We dressed her up in a strawberry dress her Grandparents Moskowitz gave her and she LOVED the dress. As you can see she enjoyed standing in front of the mirror and spinning around to watch her dress spin. She also had fun running down the halls of our condo building. After our Easter morning, we had Easter dinner at her Grandparents Stovell's house with the Stovell family. As you can see in some of the pictures, she had fun riding on her Uncle Garrett's back while he did push-ups. She also had fun finding chocolate easter eggs all over the living room and spent about half an hour playing a game of giving the eggs to each of us and then putting them back in her container and giving them to someone else. It was FUN!

On another note, Beth has officially finished her first year of her PhD! She wrote her last paper yesterday and turned it in. She's feeling very relaxed now. Jon is still finishing his last papers this week, but will be done soon.

Elena's Snow Day!

We took some pictures a few weeks ago that we thought you'd like to see: Elena having her first day in the snow!! We had a really great time!

Hello All,

We just wanted to correct an oversight. In all our busyness with moving this summer, we forgot to mention our visit from my Aunt Julie Wilgen this past June. Aunt Julie visited us at our apartment in Vancouver. She stayed in a lovely bed and breakfast within walking distance of our place which made it easy to take walks together down to Commercial Drive for several lovely meals. Aunt Julie is Beth's aunt (one of her mother's sisters). Aunt Julie and Beth have always shared a special bond as Aunt Julie is a professor at the University of Delaware. Both Aunt Julie and Uncle Michael have given us much encouragement as we pursue our academic careers which has been so special!

During Aunt Julie's trip, she and Beth got a chance to see a performance of Romeo and Juliet at Bard on the Beach. The play took place under a tent on a beach in Vanier Park. The play took place at sunset and we could see the sun setting behind the actors as they performed. It was quite amazing! She also spent time with our little Elena. In the picture, Aunt Julie took us out to one of our favorite restaurants. Vancouverites will recognize Fetz immediately by the crazy murals of the Rolling Stones behind us.



Elena is SOO little in this picture! We are looking forward to another visit from Aunt Julie this August to our new place in Ontario!

Love to all,
The Stovells

Happy Holidays to all our wonderful family and friends!

We have been so busy over the past few months that we haven't had much time to keeping up with blogging. Elena has been changing from a little baby to a little girl right under our noses.

In September, we started our first semester as PhD students as McMaster Divinity College. We also began our new jobs as teaching/research assistants. Jon and I have been really enjoyed our work. Jon's job has included editing for publication, research, and grading while my position has included more teaching. We both have enjoyed the profs we work for and the classes we have been taking. Our first semester has been a time of great transition as we got back into academic life, but it has been a joy to be reading, writing, and researching again.

Thanksgiving

In October, we travelled to New Brunswick for Thanksgiving and got to spend time with Jon's mom, his brothers, and Jon's new step-dad Rex. Elena loved seeing her family and also loved meeting all the people at the big thanksgiving dinner hosted by Jon's mom. The little kids especially enjoyed playing with her.

Halloween

Beth and Elena both dressed up for Elena's first Halloween. Beth dressed as a purple haired Goth girl and Elena was a pink baby cheetah. Dave and Ovelina surprised Elena with a "first Halloween" gift: a Fisherprice phone that teaches numbers, letters, and songs.




Visiting with Auntie Erin

Elena had the joy of seeing her godmother Erin Morgan (Auntie Erin) two times this semester in October and December. She and her Auntie had a wonderful time playing together and reading books.



Elena's first birthday!! Times 2!!

November 16th Elena turned ONE! We celebrated her birthday twice. On Nov 16, we spent the afternoon at Elena's Great-Grandma Gwen and Great Grandpa Bruce's condo (Jon's maternal grandparents). Jon's mom Debbie and step-dad Rex and Beth's mom and dad travelled out to see Elena on her big day as did Jon's brother David Noah and his girlfriend Chrissy.







We also had a party on November 16th at Dave and Ovelina's (Jon's dad and stepmom) place. Dave, Ovelina, Grandma Beulah, Beth's mom and Dad, Gary (Jon's step-brother), Crystal (Jon's step-sister), David Brophy (Crystal's then fiance now husband), David Noah, and Chrissy all attended. Beth made a monkey cake in honor of the occasion (since we call Elena our "little monkey"). Elena loved both of her wonderful parties very much!




Beth's Parents' Visit

From November 14-November 27, Jon, Beth, and Elena had the joy of seeing Beth's parents. It was a great time to be with the Moskowitz family again!

Elena's Grandpa Steve taught her a funny game where she grabs her head and shakes it back and forth when he says, "Oy Vay!" It's hilarious!

Stovell Family Tree Decorating

Before Christmas, we helped decorate the tree at Dave and Ovelina's house (Jon's dad and step-mom) in a night of family fun and merriment.



Crystal and Dave's Wedding

Jon's step-sister Crystal was married to Dave Brophy on December 8. The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was so much fun! Elena was the "baby of honor" and had a little dress that matched the wedding party.






Gingerbread Weekend with David Noah and Chrissy

We visited David Noah and Chrissy's place from December 15-17 and had a gingerbread/Christmas dessert making weekend. Jon and David Noah made a replica of a Stars Wars Star Destroyer. You may recognize it from the opening scene of the "first" Star Wars (New Hope).



Christmas 2007

We had two different Christmas celebrations. First, Jon, Elena, and Beth all had a cozy Christmas at home on Christmas morning. Then later in the day they visited Dave and Ovelina's place for a big family Christmas. (These pictures just represent the early morning, more will be added later).





Note: There are more Christmas pictures on their way soon.

OUR NEW HOME: THE STOVELL FAMILY IN HAMILTON (AND HOW THEY GOT THERE!)

This blog promises to be full of stories and pictures from our recent cross Canada trip.

FROM VANCOUVER TO CALGARY

Jon, Elena, and I left Vancouver on June 30 and travelled across BC and into Calgary, AB on our first day. We spent Canada weekend with our friends the Kern Family.

Elena enjoys seeing the mountains in Banff.
Wow, Daddy, those mountains are really tall!!
While in Calgary, the people at the table next to us at a family restaurant we were eating at decided to win Elena a stuffed bull "just because she is SO CUTE!" (they said). Here she is playing with her bull and eating lunch.
Here are part of the lovely Kern family who we visited for two days.
This was a common sight looking in our backseat. Elena loved her new carseat and slept fantastically (and she was so adorable!)
This was also a common sight: Our Happy Elena!
Elena had a great time playing with her Uncle Kevin. Kev is a friend that Jon and I made while at Regent. He now lives in Calgary where we visited him. Kev has been like a big brother to me.
After a while, Elena decided she had this whole driving thing figured out and she should take a shift! : )

ACROSS THE PRAIRIES

All of us really enjoyed our time in Saskatchewan. Here Jon and Elena take in the beautiful view from our campsite.
We were struck by the beauty of the expansive sky in the Prairies. In Saskatchewan, we had an adventure. When we went to set up camp at 9pm at night, we realized that we left our tent poles in Vancouver so we decided to sleep under the stars. That was just fine until around 3am when a storm blew in and almost drenched us. We took down camp quickly and decided to start our drive to Manitoba early.
We were one of the only cars on that Saskatchewan road at 4am! But, WHAT A SUNRISE!!
In Manitoba, the park we camped in had a beach right beside it so our little monkey Elena had fun learning about sand.
One morning Elena decided she wanted to sleep in and snuggle with her daddy. Jon was so happy that "it was her idea!"

NORTHERN ONTARIO

Travelling into Northern Ontario, Jon realized that we would be driving past his godmother's house in Sioux Lookout, ON. Jon hadn't seen Harriet since he was little. It was such a gift to be able to spend time with her and her family. Here Harriet holds Elena on her deck.
As we continued along our way in Northern Ontario, we found a beautiful little rest stop with rapids.At first Elena was afraid of the rapids, but after Mommy and Daddy showed her it was okay, she had fun splashing in them.

SOUTHERN ONTARIO (AKA VISITING WITH FAMILY)

As part of our trip into Southern Ontario, we took a chance to see the places that Jon grew up. Here Jon and Elena spend time at Boiler Beach in Kincardine, ON.When we visited another hometown of Jon's, Paisley, there happened to be a tornado storm that ripped through nearby and we caught some pictures along the way.
While in Kincardine, we stayed with friends of Jon's mom, Josie and Bill.
Jon's brother, David Noah and his girlfriend Chrissy were nice enough to let us stay with them at their new house in Welland, ON while we apartment hunted and visited family in Hamilton. Elena really loves her Uncle Dave!
Elena also loved spending time with her Aunt Chrissy.
Jon's Dad (Dave, AKA Grandpa) was very excited to see his little granddaughter and she was SO happy to spend time with him!
Jon's StepMom (Ovelina, AKA Grandma) loved playing with Elena and making her giggle and laugh.
Elena even got to see her GREAT Grandma Beulah!Elena also got to visit her GREAT Grandpa Bruce...
and her GREAT Grandma Gwen (Jon's maternal grandparents). We are so excited that we will be living so close to so much family!

VISITING NEW BRUNSWICK (AKA VISITING FAMILY)

From Ontario we travelled to New Brunswick to visit Jon's mom and brothers. Elena had fun learning how to swim (which for Elena meant splashing her arms and legs around and putting her head under water.) Elena had fun with her Uncle Zac.
Elena and her Gram (Jon's mom Debbie) had tons of fun swimming and playing together.
Elena was our Hawaiian bathing beauty with a flower behind her ear.
Elena's Uncle Nathan spent lots of time looking after her. Thanks, Nate!

COMING BACK TO HAMILTON

After our trip to New Brunswick, we returned to Ontario in time to visit the Stovell Family Reunion in Northern Ontario. We will add pictures of that event later (we haven't processed them yet). Then we spent a few days with Jon's step sister Crystal and her fiance Dave. On August 15, after a month and a half of travelling we finally moved into our new apartment in Hamilton. School starts in a few weeks as well as our new jobs. We have had a wonderful summer visiting with so many friends and so much family. We LOVE Y'ALL!! Thank you to everyone who provided us with a place to stay. We are very grateful!

We are looking forward to this new adventure here in Hamilton, but a little nervous as well. We will keep you updated as this adventure unfolds.