Friday, Saturday

On Friday we went to Ikea. We spent hours there, and bought all new stuff for the kids' room. We're still setting it up and then I'll have pictures! The kids loved Ikea. Angelina had such a blast playing in the kids' room section. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera!

Roman with one of his new dolls

My sweet little muffin

Check out this studly duo in their matching shirts

Aunty Sam and Uncle Lee!

I took this picture because Roman started out sitting in the curvey part at the front of the picture, then scooted on his bum all the way to where he is.

Thursday

We had the same incredible lunch as last year at this great little restaurant in the park
Although we saw lots of our friends, we never thought to get them to take a picture of all of us
Aww, look at my little baby in the big boy highchair
The kids loved the aquarium! Well, Roman loves everything.
Cruisin' with Kermit

Wednesday

What an awesome vacation, our first one as a whole family. It didn't rain, we didn't overschedule, and the kids were enthralled by all the new people and stuff to do and see. These pictures are from the first day, when we went to Stanley Park.

This is how Angelina slept the first night, in the spare room.

Hey guys

"Those goats like to lick the blue ball!"

Yay, petting zoo!

A fun train ride around Stanley Park

Saturday

Hey Key...welcome to rainy Vancouver.....it's suppose to get better starting this afternoon.....so we'll see.

Let's get together Saturday...let's say 10:30am??? We're free all day. Where do you want to meet, What do you want to do?? Call my cell phone or home phone....I'm not home tonight til 9:30(ish). Do you have your cell with you? Same number??

Very excited for you guys about Ontario, keep us posted.

Van

Sorry for the delay Sam! Let's do dinner Friday or Anything Saturday. The weather is supposed to be about 15 degrees with no rain the whole time... let's hope that's true!

We are staying at Matt's parents' again. We're actually trading condos with them for the week. June worked out perfect last year; nice(ish) weather but not too crouded with tourists.

As for Ontario, when we get back Matt will have a meeting at work about it... it could be as late as winter or early spring. I'll let you know when we know more... hopefully soon!

We want to see you guys!!

Hey Key...why you coming to Vancouver next week??? When are you moving to Ontario??

Lee and I would love to see you and the kids - here's our schedule let me know if anything works:
Tuesday free after 6pm
Wednesday - Lee has soccer in Vancouver if its sunny you should join me to watch it, there's a BBQ afterwards
Thursday free after 6pm
Friday free after 4:30pm
Saturday free all day
Sunday - Busy all day :(

Are you guys staying in Surrey at Matt's moms place again??

Hope everyone else is doing well!! Talk to you soon.

Let's Get Together

Ang, this weekend would be perfect for us, either day, and that sounds fun.


The following weekend we'll be in Vancouver! We hope to see all you Vancouverites... it may be the last time we see each other for a very, very long time since we are planning to move to Ontario. We'll be coming in to Surrey late Tuesday night and leaving Sunday.

In his cute outfit from Erin, hanging out with his bear-twin.

Wedding

On the weekend we went to my uncle Mike's wedding, waaaay up in the mountains at a camping resort. It was our first family camping trip, and it couldn't have gone better. The kids loved every minute! Angelina loves weddings. Last year at Ang and Bryce's wedding she was barely more than one and she stayed up and partied until midnight and walked for the first time. This time we made her come inside and go to bed at about 10:30, but she was laughing and talking and having a blast. A party animal already... I'm having visions of the future. Roman, of course, was thrilled to be passed around and played with by so many different people.

Uncle Mike and Carolyne, who we hadn't met before. She seems very happy and fun; way to go, uncle Mike! What a beautiful setting. This is the third time in as many years that we have seen this wedding commissioner. She married Ang and Bryce last year and Kirsten and Drew almost three years ago.
Hanging out in our cabin...
...and goofing around.
We got her this cool blow-up travel bed. Good thing, since we'll be sleeping away from home lots in the next couple of months.
A view from our window at a random time. There were 50-60 people at the wedding, and our cabin was right where the action was.

Wedding cont....

Goofing around by the campfire. Angelina had so much fun at the party. Drunk strangers kept coming up and grabbing her and dancing with her and taking her bear and stuff, but she just thought it was hillarious! She talked later about the "Two mommies dance and wear pink shoes". Two of my aunts were wearing pink Crocs and dancing the twist and the monkey with her.
There were lots of dogs there. Angelina said "the big dog is the mommy dog and the little dog is the baby dog". And then we saw this giant mofo, and she said, "Oh, it's a great big dog! He must be the daddy dog".
Taking a breather. Teddy bear is dancing on the log. Roman slept through the whole thing. Even though he's a poor sleeper, he always goes to sleep at the exact same time every night... blaring music or not!
The next morning, at breakfast. Roman slept way better on the camping trip than at home. Was it the fresh air and all the fun? Probably it was because I let him sleep in our bed... he's such a snuggler, he loves it! I'm such a light sleeper, I don't!
Angelina and Kaidyn playing with Angelina's new bubble machine. Remember that line from Knocked Up? "I wish I got as excited about anything, as kids get about bubbles" or something like that. Well, these two don't look that excited, but generally it's true!

Lets get together!!!

Do you guys have anytime coming up in the next couple of weeks when we can get together again?? Weekends are best for us. Just let us know what works for you and I will see if I am working... Bryce has most of his weekends off. I know Sammi wants to see you guys again soon... and we want to see Roman and Angelina all grown up... he was just little little when we went for brunch last time. K well talk to you soon.

Eastern Promises

Yup, we're still planning to move to Ontario. I hesitate to say it's a sure thing yet becuase we haven't got all the details. Matt still has that job offer, only without enough details. When he gets them we will decide whether to take that one or look for another. It's happening incredibly slowly, but meanwhile we're definately here for one more beautiful summer. Robin, I have been meaning to ask, what's a GRE?

The kids, as usual, are amazing. Now Angelina is starting to READ. I feel weird telling that becuase I don't want anyone to think that I push her. She's barely two for heaven's sake. She just picks it up so fast! She knows all her phonics and recognizes lots of words whether they are in print or handwriting.Stuff like "house", "thank you", "I love you", "teddy bear"... and on and on. I've seen her recognize and/or spell probably 30 words, so who knows how many more she knows.

Roman can drink with a sippy cup and feed himself with a spoon, pretty impressive I think. He is such a joy to be around. If Angelina is anywhere near him, he is so happy, and if she pays him attention he laughs his adorable deep laugh. He still gets up all night, but remains cheerful most of the time anyway. He is such a wonderful little guy.

May Long

How wonderful the weather is finally warming up. Our view is so pretty now, with the grass and flowering trees and pool. Angelina loves soccer, something we discovered last year watching Lee play. Luckily, we live right next to a huge park with about 6 soccer fields and there are always games going on, every day. The kids are doing some crazy stuff; more about that later.

Taking a break from playing to give Roman a kiss. What a wonderful sister.
Me and Gigi Bear
Hanging out by the pool
Pool boys

Where's Waldo?

Is it summer yet??

Hello everyone....hope you guys/gals are doing wonderful!! I'm doing good super busy but good....the last 3 weekends in a row I've been out of town for stagette's, weddings, and big birthday bashes and had my parents in town....this upcoming weekend is going to be spent local and mostly at home and I've looking forward to it. But I have to ask...where did the nice weather go?? This past weekend I was in Nanaimo/Ladysmith for a wedding and it was freaking gorgeous and warm....Lee was up in Vernon for soccer with his dad and came back looking like a lobster (and for the family that is in Vernon he didn't have time to visit, sorry!)....and this week has been rain, thunder & lightning and just plain gloomy....I think I need to write Mother Nature a letter and let her know I'm ready for summer on a full-time basis.

In other news....Lee and I have postponed moving in together (again) and we're hopefully looking at September 1st but we'll see how it goes....things are great between us and we hit our 2 year mark next month so why fix something that isn't broken right??? We've managed this long in my 680 sq.ft house why not longer! LOL

So for you Vernon/Kelowna and in between folk...we've booked our time off to come up and we're going to spend most of our time at the Keough family cabin but are open to other things as well....We'll be up from July 25 - August 4. Mark it on your calendars!!

Key - the recent pictures of the kids are adorable!! Excellent work with Angelina's birthday cake it looks amazing and from the sounds of it, Gina thought it tasted even better!! You've got a chocolate lover on your hands - be careful! The picture of Roman (your new fav) is priceless...look at those cheeks.....he makes me think of my cabbage patch doll...so cute and cuddly. Have you guys decided if/when you're moving to Ontario yet??

Kirsten - how's pregnancy going??? You showing yet? How's the puppies?? Did you keep them all?

To Everyone else - Hello!!

P.S. Sammy - Sex & the City comes out in 8 days!!

My Favourite New Picture

Big Birthday Bash

Its hard to take pictures with the kids and commotion! At future parties I'll try to get more pictures of all the people; they'll befun to look at years down the road.

The cake. I made the animals and trees out of chocolate. It was labour intensive, but lots of fun! I'm happy to have an excuse to do this kind of stuff now.

Opening a million presents.
Snacktime. Angelina has never liked cake, but as it turns out, that's because she never had chocolate cake! Me and matt don't like chocolate but this little girl really does.
Later, in her adorable new ladybug jammies and with a new doll.

Playing with her beautiful new doll house

Braids

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Yes, Tuesday was Angelina's birthday and now she is two! I can hardly believe it. She's a wonderful, cool, sweet, smart, fun little kid. We're having a big party on Saturday. Oh, I have waited so long for her to be old enough to bake with! Here she is making gingerbread cookies. So much fun!
My baby loooves that ride at the mall. She talks about the "big red dog ride" all the time.
Swinging on the big girl swing. She also loves the big, high tire swing, which makes me so nervous!
This is what Roman usually does at the park. Oh, how I love that big fat chin!
Feed me, please.

Angelina Rose is TWO!!!!

Wow, can't believe Angelina turned 2 yesterday!! Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Key are you having a birthday party for her this weekend?? Is there a theme?? Send my love to Gina and give her a big belated birthday hug and kiss for me. How's the family doing? By the recent posted pictures I'd say the kids are growing like weeds and are happy/doing very well. Lee and I will be up that way July 25 - Aug 4 hopefully in that time I can meet Roman and we can get a visit in with you four.

I have quite a lot to report but not a lot of time right now as I am at work....it's 8:30 and I've been here for an hour already, I wish I was still in bed. I'll write back in a few days, hope everyone is doing well.

Babes in Toyland

Roman's baby shower was so much fun! Roman got to do his favourite thing in the world, socialize, and Angelina got to play with his new toys and model his new clothes.

We'll get to do that stuff again at Angelina's birthday party next weekend. I can't believe she is almost 2! She is smat as a whip these days, and getting more and more fun. The other day we made cookies actually together; she poured the ingredients in and stirred them and stuff. And she has such an amazing imagination. Recently she had a whole conversation with herself in front of the mirror, like this:

"What is this pig's name?"
"I don't know."
"Yes, you do know. His name is Ortman!"

And she has great logic skills. She was telling Matt about her day yesterday and she had gone on that merry-go-round ride in the mall. She said to Matt (without my ever having said it) "Baby Roman is too small for the ride. It's just for kids."

Trying on mommy's new shoes

Hanging out, haha

figuring out how to crawl

With great-grandma at the shower