Party On ...

June 4, 2017

The gangs all here ... even Mike made it back from Mossleigh ...

Nathan was busy grilling up the burgers and smokies ...

and finally taking time to get his dinner ...

After dinner ... Alana and the kids went inside to tend to the cake ...

James and Ella were busy putting on the candles ... 

placing them far apart ...!!!

James lit all the candles then Alana carried down the stairs ...

as everyone sang “Happy Birthday” 

Nathan had to take a deep breath to blow out all those candles .. hahaha !!!

Nathan loved the “Oilers hockey colours” 

All the kids were by his side ... waiting patiently for a piece of birthday cake ...

Nathan continued to open his gifts ...

Later on ... it was time to sit back and relax ...

sitting around the campfire and toasting marshmallows ...

Craig and James dug up a Time Capsule ...

they buried it in the yard ... 

They were eager to open it up to see what was inside ...

It was funny because they had totally forgotten what they had buried ...

and commented that they had been looking for a couple of the items ...

 

It was a wonderful weekend ...

Mike and I headed home after the party ...

 

Happy Birthday Nathan

June 4, 2017

Today is Nathan’s birthday ... a beautiful day for a party ...

Mike was at his shooting tournament ... 

and I was spending the weekend with kids ...

The kids were excited when they heard the chimes of the Ice Cream truck ...

They quickly ran outside to stop the truck so we could get some ice cream ...

After we finished our ice cream ... it was time for Nathan to open his gifts ...

Nathan was touched by the cards that the children created ...

Nathan then read Alana’s card ... he loved her card ... 

it was soooo beautiful ... it made me emotional ...

He then proceeded to open up Alana’s gift ... the children were waiting to see as well ...

Nathan was surprised to receive this gift ...

An amazing ultra modern new watch ... !!!

Nathan was overwhelmed and needed to take a few minutes to relax ... haha ...

The boys decided they would join him ... 

they sure love getting hugs from dad ...!!!

Okay ... enough relaxing ... 

it was time to get things set up for the party ...

It was a beautiful ... sunny warm day for a party ... The families started to arrive in the afternoon ... All the kids were excited when Alana brought out the balloons ... for the kids to have a water balloon fight ... 

They had a lot of fun ... with lots of screaming ...

and laughing ...!!!

 

Tom’s 40th Birthday ...

June 2, 2017

We arrived at Alana’s brothers 40th birthday party ... 

oh my goodness ... everyone was dressed up in costumes ...

from the 60’s...!!!

Tom was dressed up as Elvis ... and he played the part well ...

Alana was looking pretty cool ...

Not quite sure who Nathan was ... but it was a hoot ... the kids wanted to try on daddy’s wig and beard ...

They were hilarious ...!!!

We had brought flowers for Alana ... congratulating her on graduating from college ...

Elvis was having a great time with the kids ...

Alana’s family posing for pictures ...

Oh oh ... looks like Elvis got into trouble ...

The families were having a blast ... posing for pictures ...

The kids and I stayed for dinner ... and the gift opening ... 

It took a few people to keep Elvis busy in the house ... so that the gift could be brought outside ...

and for Elizabeth (who was dressed up in a shark costume) to climb into the box ...

Colynne and Jessica-Lee managed to keep things well hidden ...

Tom wasn’t sure what was going on ... when he came outside ...

Elvis decided to play a few tunes before the shark jumped up out of the box ...

 

He was bombarded with silly string ... everyone was laughing and clapping ...

He was still unsure of what was happening ... until he was given an envelop with a letter inside ...

While reading the letter ... he all of a sudden stopped ... he was in shock ...

He was given a trip to be up close and personal with “SHARKS” ...

He was so surprised ...

 

It wasn’t long until we were all singing Happy Birthday and the “shark theme” cake was served ...

This party crowd was getting a little rowdy ...

The kids and I decided that it was time to head back to the house ...

and we would have our own party there ... playing games ...

watching movies and munching on popcorn ...!!!

 

 

 

Let’s Surf ...

May 19, 2017

Daigen and Nixon couldn’t wait to hit the waves ...

Ian and Kendall decided to take the boys surfing for the weekend ...

with the Waves of Impact group ...

It was also Kendall’s birthday so they decided to celebrate it with the boys ...

in Galveston ...

The boys had a great time surfing ...

Chilling out on the deck with mom & dad ...

after an awesome day of surfing and playing in the water ...

 

Happy Birthday Kendall ...

happy you were enjoying your weekend ... !!!

 

On Route 66 ...

March 7, 2017

Well ... we were back on the road again ...

heading to Williams, Arizona ... 

It was a beautiful drive ... we couldn't believe the amount of snow ...

on the mountains ...

We were getting closer to our destination ... driving thru Flagstaff ...

We arrived in Williams ... got settled into our rooms ...

then went for a walk thru the downtown ...

on Route 66 ...

There were signs of "Route 66" ... everywhere ...

We stopped by the Barrel & Bottle Historic Brewing Company ...

It was a uninque place ... a quick visit and a beer ... 

we decided to come back later to have dinner here ...

Once we had toured the townsite ...

we made our way back to the Inn ...

We relaxed out at the outdoor common area ... having a few drinks ...

and staying warm by the fire ...

It was a little breezy and cool ...

It was time for dinner ... so we ventured back to the brewing company ...

the gang tried a few of different kinds of beer ...

before having a board dinner ...

with a variety of meats ... pickles ... cheese ... and breads ...

Topping off the meal with a caramel/chocolat homemade ice cream Sundae ...

mmmmmmm 

After dinner ... Dave and Linda went to their room ...

it was too chilly for them to sit outside ...

Mike & I had the place to ourselves ... the Hostess came out ... to start up the fire in the fireplace ...

We enjoyed chatting with her while she was on a break ...

Mike decided to get a big cigar and sip on a can of Chelada  ... that's Clamto juice and beer ...

Eventually we turned in ... for a good night's sleep ... as we were on the road again ... to our next destination ... the Grande Canyon ...!!!

May 29, 2017

 Dad's Birthday today ... May 29, 1926 

Remembering my dad on his Birthday ...

he loved his family, music ... 

and spending time outdoors ...

 in our hearts ... always ...

and in our thoughts ...

Miss you Dad ...!

 

   

 

 

   

Mike's Birthday ...

February 17, 2017

 

We decided to go outside to enjoy this warm sunny afternoon ...

putting on our snowshoes and venturing out to the field ...

Even with our snowshoes on ... it was difficult making our way at times ...

there was so much snow covering our earlier tracks ...

It was still a lovely hike ...

and soon Nathan and Alana would arrive to celebrate Mike's birthday ...

 

Mike had received a bottle of Tequila and some mini Cuban Cigars ...

and my gift was a bottle of pure Vanilla Extract ...

from Nathan and Alana from their trip to Mexico ... a few weeks ago ...

This was the perfect opportunity to crack open the Tequila ...

to celebrate Mike's birthday ...

After enjoying a delicious dinner of chicken ... veggies and baked spatzle with cheese ...

it was time to serve Mike a piece of his birthday cake topped with whipped cream ...

it was "Crazy Cake" made with Stevia ... and he was delighted to have chocolate cake ...

all to himself ...

As the picture indicates ... I think he was surprised that it was really just for him ...

We sang a rendition of "Happy Birthday" and then Mike made a wish ...

and blew out his lone candle ...

Mike was so surprised with all his gifts ...

especially because they were all for his new hobby ... Trap & Skeet Shooting ...

(shotgun shells ... sporting clays ... carrying pouch ... Beretta hearing protectors ...

clay thrower ... and the perfect plaque ...)

 

We had a lovely evening ... celebrating ... talking ... telling stories ... laughing ...

with a few shots of Tequila ... a few Martinis ...

then ... Mike and Nathan went out to the shop for cigars ...

The guys were excited for the morning to arrive ...

so they could shoot a few rounds of their shotguns ...

before they go to the shooting range on Sunday ...

The only issue was that the snow had started to fall again ...

 

 

Early Birthday Gift ...

February 12, 2017

Mike received his birthday gift early ...

A new shotgun for his new hobby ...

of Trap & Skeet Shooting ...

He was so excited when he went into town to pick it up ...

Bringing it home ... and giving it a full inspection ...

hoping if the snow stopped falling ...

that he would be able to go shooting on Sunday ...

 

Guess we'll have to get some Clay Pigeons ...

a thrower and some shotgun shells ... oh and some heavy duty hearing protection ...

for Mike to practice out here at the house ...

He's one happy guy ... !!!

 

 

Big Day for Nixon ...

 

This was Nixon's first visit to the dentist ... We're proud of him as well ...

Kendall attached this note with the picture ...

"Nixon had his first cleaning. 

Perfect teeth no cavities and did most of his cleaning without me in there room. 

Was so polite and acted like a big boy. No problems, so happy. Xo"

Nixon had his Birthday on January 10 ... 

but his celebration with his friends was held on January 21 ...

Looks like they had a great day for the party ... and lots of fun ...

Nixon and his dog Brutus ...

enjoying a walk along the shores in Galveston ...

 

Birthday Wishes ...

December 5, 2016

 

We hope you have a wonderful day ...

and that your year ahead will be filled with love ... health ... happiness ...

and all the great things that you desire ...

Sending our love ... always ...

mom & dad

 

 

Another Year Older ...

December 1, 2016

 

Today was my special day ... my birthday ...

my morning started with a lovely breakfast ... made by Mike ...

It was snowing ... the trees and ground were blanketed in white ...

Gifts were given to me to open ... also received many cards ... phone calls ... emails ... texts ...

from friends and family ...

Love my gifts from Mike ... a new curling iron for my hair ... chocolate ...

a pair of jeans and two new tops ...

( I had picked out when I went shopping with mom )...

Mom had bought me a new outfit as well ...

A knitted purple top with leggings ... and my favourite ... a package of Liquorice Allsorts ...

All this was done before our guests were arriving today ...

 

Mark and Sandy drove from Castlegar ... to come for a visit ... and deliver my gift in person ...

Sandy had started paintings ... a while back ...

and decided to create one for me for my birthday ...

This painting is her "Tree of Life" ...

Mark and Sandy had lived out here over 25 years ago ...

and now reside in Castlegar ...

Our friendship goes back to our school days ...

back in Sarnia, Ontario ...

We had a lovely evening ... Mike and Mark celebrated my birthday ...

with Mike's famous martini ...

We enjoyed a Halibut dinner ... (my choice) with pan fries and sauted vegetables ...

then Peach Crisp for dessert ...

We spent the evening chatting ... reminiscing of days gone by ... with lots of laughter ...

and visiting with family and friends on FaceTime ...

We couldn't believe how quick the evening went by ...

we talked until the wee hours of the morning ...

 

 

December 2, 2016

 

After a short night's sleep ... we enjoyed having breakfast ...

of fresh fruit ... waffles and freshly brewed coffee ...

Mark and Sandy were heading home this afternoon ...

but before they left ...

we hopped into the truck and drove them around ...

to see how much this area had changed over the last 25 years

Mike and I will plan a trip over to Castlegar ...

sometime in the New Year ... to visit them and their family ...

Thank you to everyone ...

for my Happy Birthday wishes ...!!!

 

Happy Birthday Oma...

November 24, 2016

We went to pick up Oma and Joe at Joseph Creek Village ... to take them out for dinner ...

All Oma wanted for her birthday ...

was to go have a Prime Rib dinner at Frank's Steak & Schnitzel Haus ...

We were all surprised at the large plate set before her ...

wondering how in the world would she be able to eat all that ... !!!

All of us ended up asking for a take out box ... to take home our leftovers ...

The portions were so large ... that we will all have an extra meal ...

Oma was surprised to have received a piece of Birthday cake ...

and the staff coming over to sing Happy Birthday ...

We had a lovely time being together ...