Spring Break 2012

Spring Break here got off to a baaaaad start!  The weather was horrible!  It poured for the first week and a half!  We had planned a camping trip with some friends of ours and we were getting mighty nervous about camping in the weather, BUT, we ended up getting the BEST weather possible!  The nights were chilly but the days were gorgeous!  It reached a balmy 18* celcius for us.  The kids even had a bit of a sunburn!  We thoroughly enjoyed a break from the rain and the routine of life!  We camped close to home in the beautiful Ft. Langley. We were only a quick drive from home, a Starbucks and a movie theatre (for a surprise we took all the kids to see The Lorax). We had a wonderful time relaxing, walking to town and visiting. Our trailer's an oldie, but we sure love it!  We have made some wonderful memories with it!

Easter 2012

We had a busy, but great, Easter Weekend.   I worked like a mad dog on the Thursday before Good Friday to get my 2 days worth of work into one.  Easter seems to be just as busy a season as Christmas is at the church!  Thursday evening a bunch of the hubsters headed out to the auto show in Vancouver to drool over look at their dream vehicles.  The girls came over and we baked Paska together.  Friday morning both of our brothers came out to join us for our traditional Good Friday breakfast and service at church.  The guys always put on an amazing breakfast spread for our church and this year didn't disappoint!  We enjoyed the service, and Rob and I had our first experience serving communion.  It was a special time and we were humbled to serve and pray with our dear church family.  Friday evening we headed to my parents place for a wonderful dinner made by Mom.  The kids had a great time searching for eggs in the yard and their Grandparents and Uncle 'Pid' spoiled them rotten.  We had such a special time as a family.

Saturday I made another batch of Paska and we spent the day getting a few things done around the house.   We enjoyed dinner at the home of our friends 'The Rachs' and had a great time catching up on life while watching our home boys, the Canucks, win the President's cup! (GO NUCKS GO!)

Sunday I packed up the paska and headed to church for a lovely continental breakfast.  We enjoyed a great church service.  Monday was a gorgeous sunny day here and a few of my peeps planned a last minute get together.  Just a few hours, a little window shopping and a lovely glass of wine on the sunny patio was enough to complete a busy but wonderful weekend!  

What's with the Tim Horton's cups?  Well, every time Timmy's has their 'roll up the rim' contest, my Dad (who just happens to love Timmy's) saves his cups for the kids until he's got a huge stack.  Once he's ready, or the kids have bugged him enough, he lines them all up and lets the kids take turns rolling up rims!  None of us can understand how he can save them.  We all have to roll ours up right away!  Dad's always been a patient and kind man...this is no exception.  The kids had a hoot...

Sure signs of spring...

Our yard can seem so overwhelming at times...but we do the best we can. There is so much old growth and weeds that need removal, and the rest of it needs constant care. I enjoy working in the yard..I'm not by any means an avid gardener, but it's therapeutic. My favorite days in the yard are when Rob is with me and we can work together and visit at the same time. We have some of our best chats when we're working together. I love our yard, but it isn't my priority in life. I don't stake my reputation on it. Instead, I do what I can, choosing to make my family my focus, and enjoy the beauty of it whatever stage it's at. Here are a few pics of what's happening in the yard right now...the colours are beautiful!

Easter...

We had a great Easter weekend! It involved lots of baking, family time together, Easter egg hunts and Church services. Good Friday we went to our service in the morning where we remembered the sacrifice made by Christ for each of us. Our church does a 'Journey to the Cross' where artists are encouraged to express their feelings about their faith through art. The morning starts off with a beautiful breakfast, followed by a walk, or journey, through these exhibits. The journey ends with the cross and what it represents to all mankind. The service followed with beautiful worship music and readings from scripture. Friday evening we had an Easter gathering. Saturday was baseball and family time. Saturday night I baked Paska so it would be fresh to take to church on Sunday for the continental breakfast. Sunday we had Easter services celebrating the resurrection of Christ! We brought the puppies to church for the kids because their lesson was on new life....it was easier than bringing one of the calves!!! After church we had a nice afternoon together and then off to an Easter family gathering with my family. Monday was a low key day. The kids had no school but Rob had to work, but it was still nice to relax. We ended the day with our usual Monday night dinner with our brother Ken. Great weekend...hope yours was great too!

From a Friend...

Just wanted to share this lovely flower arrangement given to me by Cindy. Thanks Cindy...you've always been such a thoughtful friend! P.S....it smells heavenly!

A Special Gift...

I know, I know...long time no post. I've been down with a 'doozer' of a cold. It's been 1.5 weeks and I'm still waiting to feel better. I ended up taking a day off work last week to come home and crawl into bed...and I NEVER do that! I have lots I should be blogging about...updates on my village quilt, a certain somebody's 5th B-day amongst other things, but those will have to wait. Today is a quick post on something that makes me smile. I have always loved daffodils. They are one of my favorite flowers. I grew up in Bradner, B.C., which is about 5 minutes north of where I live now. Bradner is known for it's beautiful daffodil fields and it's annual flower show. Once the daffs hit the roadside stands I always seem to find a reason to stop and pick up a few bunches for someone. Now it's waaaaaay too early for daffs to be blooming around here, but they are! The weather has been amazing, and winter has been missing in action. A couple of weeks ago my girls stopped in at my work with my mom and each presented me with a bunch of daffs. The flowers instantly made my day better! I enjoyed them all week! Thanks girls...and thanks Mom!

Sign of Spring...

The last two days here have been beautiful and today is no exception! 'They' say its not going to last but I'm not going to let that spoil my day! Yesterday I started off the day with a nice walk with Kim. We both had capri's and flip flops on to welcome the warm weather. I spent some time outside with the kids, enjoying the warm, beautiful sun and decided to snap a few pics for you to enjoy. Wherever you are I hope you're enjoying your day and hopefully the sun is shining!