Zoom's last night at our house

He celebrated a little but because he's now hearing back to the north pole.

Zoom makes a friend

No better way to make friends than to share some candy, and no better person to share candy with than OmNom...

Zoom's weekend events

This weekend has been pretty filled with activities so I haven't had a chance to post.

Hrmm... and I missed the shot of him sleeping in the stocking Dean had when he was a baby.  Oh well.

So Zoom had played some video games (funny we didn't hear the TV as it was turned up kind of loud) and he killed the batteries in the game pad.

And then this morning... we don't know if he was meaning to write his own letter to Santa, or convince Dean to write one (he still hasn't yet).

We show off the extractinator in Terraria

So, I have to admit to getting addicted to Terraria (much prefer it over Minecraft).

The latest update added some new things, but when you start a new world after the update - a bunch of new things and ores.

One of the new things was the Extractinator.  You're to place Slush and Silt into it and it'll extract useful stuff (like ores or coins).  Pretty neat.

Took me a while to figure it out.

Dean built a hotel/castle in Minecraft

He was so proud of this ... he kept saying "have you ever heard of a castle that's a hotel too?".

An elf in the Nativity

Hrmm... that's not how I remember the story being told.

(also, bonus points if you can tell what piece is missing)

Zoom wanted to get all the gumballs

 that Zoom...

tsk tsk

How did he get in there in the first place?

Zoom wants to try out the skate park

There's one close to our house... dunno if it's up yet; but with Dean's skates near the front door, I guess Zoom wants to be ready.

Think he might have a hard time getting a snug fit.

Zoom wants some affection

So... the lore of the "Elf on the Shelf" is that if he is touched by the child, he would lose all his power.  So, who's he expecting the kiss from?

Three days of Zoom

I've missed out on posting on Zoom (man, the trip home from Kenora is definitely a tale for the ages).

Zoom was sitting on Dean's advent calendar, just over the number he was to open.

Wee... going for a ride

Well that answers that question - how do elves brush their teeth?  With a candy cane of course.

Dauntless Zoom

So I just watched Divergent last night and those daredevil dauntless folks were always climbing stuff.

I guess Zoom wants to join their faction.

Photo was taken by Dean on his phone and sent to me via Hangouts as I am still in Kenora

Zoom tries something healthy

I guess all that sugary stuff can take its toll

He's gone after all the sweets, now he's after...

... our spare change?  (you can see there isn't much)

Tsk tsk, Zoom.  Tsk tsk!

Zoom crosses the line and goes after Dean's cereal

Yeah, Dean thought some things were funny, but he was a little upset this morning as Zoom was trying to go after his cereal.

Dean loves that cereal (especially tragic as you can't get the cereal in Canada, and can only get it when relatives come back from a trip to the US).

Dean and I play Terraria and meet Santa (and get gifts)

Dean loves making videos ... I have to figure out how to cool down the volume in the game so it doesn't overpower us talking.

But the latest update for Terraria has a Christmas theme, and Santa Claus moves in and now the bad guys are starting to leave behind gifts for us to open!

Who doesn't love a gingerbread house?

Of course Zoom loves gingerbread houses... So much candy everywhere

Zoom wants to help decorate Dean had taken...

Ryan Moore Zoom wants to help decorate Dean had taken down the underwear that Zoom had put on already. View or comment on Ryan Moore's photo »

Dark chocolate and Candy Canes for Zoom

Well he's having Candy Canes, that's one of their 4 food groups.  I don't know how chocolate fits in ...

RIP Uncle Gord

So, my uncle Gord was laid to rest today.  I'm not one for emotional outpourings or anything, and I'm usually very quiet and solemn at these events.

But I wanted to share my memory of Uncle Gord with everybody in my own way.  I didn't get to know Uncle Gord as well as others had, and that's a shame; but what I do remember is that as early as I can remember I had some pretty big impressions of the guy.

I recall being young enough and learning that Gord had served in the army.  I didn't know anybody who had, so that was pretty significant to a young boy.  That, and he had not only served front line, but had parachuted ... and not only that he had been shot.  Nobody I know had done those things. He must have been invincible. Then the story of how he had even fallen off Mount MacKay without any broken bones.

I remember thinking that this was a strong, unbreakable man that I shouldn't mess with.

It's a shame to have lost him.

RIP

---

Sponchia, Robert "Bob or Gord"

Published:  

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

We announce the death of Robert (Bob or Gord) Sponchia on Sunday November 23, 2014 of Thunder Bay, Ontario leaving behind wife Violet Sponchia (Bemko), son Randy Sponchia, daughter Shelly R. Ladouceur and son-in-law Jason Ladouceur, as well as family Eddie, Frank, Richard, Danny, Billy, Donny, Norman, his sister Barbara and their significant others, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Janice Lessy, those who contributed to his comfort during his time of need and Charmane Stout (Moore) with her family from Utah. He will be greeted in heaven by David (brother), Mary (mother), Carl (father), numerous other friends and family and fellow Comrades in Arms. He lived his life for those he loved by doing what he loved which included truck driving, serving his country in the Canadian Armed Forces, attending the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, spending time with his Robin’s Donuts buddies and of course blueberry picking. Robert will be interred at Mountain View Cemetery on Thursday, December 4, 2:00pm. Fruit baskets in lieu of flowers or a donation to the Thunder Bay Canadian Red Cross HELP program would be appreciated. 

Zoom brings us ice cream

On the 4th day of Zoom-mas, our little elf brought for us... a tub of candy cane ice cream.

Tho', I don't know if he was bringing it or just got caught before he was going to eat his own snack.  He is rather mischevious.

So Zoom (Thunderstruck the 1st) was trying...

So Zoom (Thunderstruck the 1st) was trying to find his rhythm this morning. View or comment on Ryan Moore's photo » Google+ makes sharing on the web more like sharing in real life. Learn more. Join Google+

Zoom Strikes Again at the Moore residence

Yup, it's December, which means that our little fanciful Elf has come back to monitor the preceedings and goings on at our house (so he can tell the BIG ELF not only what Dean wants for Christmas, but if he's been good enough).

This year, Dean has given Zoom the moniker "Thunderstruck" as he forgot his name and was thinking of a new name for him.

Zoom Thunderstruck the First, if I recall correctly.  (does that mean we're getting more?)

So for the 1st day we were late in catching him, I think he had to get there extra quick so he used a TARDIS.

And then this morning he didn't really travel far  but was checking out the ride-ability of the elephant statue.

Probably why he didn't get far