Well done you guys!!!

That is so awesome that you got a house...and it sounds phenominal!! It was nice to have that quick visit with you when I came to drop off the arbor...we need to get together more often....phone us sometime... So ya, when do you get to move in???

I love the pic of Angelina the night of our wedding!! She looked so riled up... she had a lot of fun playing with Carly and vice versa...

Other than working, we are still trying to get our house back in order... we had it spotless and believe it or not, clutter free before the wedding and then the decorations and presents took over... I have been so busy with figuring out our pictures and trying desperatly to get all of our thank you cards out...by the way... I have one for you guys!!! :) (at least yours is done)...

I thought I wouldn't know what to do with my time after the wedding, but I guess I was wrong... for a while anyways. Did you take any pictures Keira??? if so, can I get your copies?? either through email, or on a CD... Thanks!

Hey Garcia Family

It was so great to see you at Ang and Bryce's wedding although our visit was not long enough. You all look great and congrats on the pregnancy as well as your new house. When do you get to move in? Angelina looks adorable in all of the pictures, so must be so much fun to play with and quite entertaining.

I am back in the Okanagan at least for another 2 years. I got accepted to UBCO for their elementary education program and will be moving to Kelowna later this summer. As for now I am staying with my parents.

Hopefully sometime soon we can all get together and catch up. I'd love to hear all your news and of course see Angelina again.

Take care,
Lindsay

Long time no speak

Heya,

WOW Keira, you have A LOT of exciting news that I did not know about!! I still check this blog about once a week and I never post because honestly I lead a boring life. Especially compared to yours!! WOW a new baby!!! :D are you guys gonna find out the sex before it's born or wait? I know you guys were torn between this last time.

I am still just working at NONA almost full time, which I LOVE btw, and hanging out with the gang, drinking margaritas and so on.

OMG Angelina seems so awesome!! She is sooo big and can do so much it astounds me!!

AND OMG you guys bought a house?!! Awesome! And it's in Winfield! I know how much you really loved it there! I'll have to come and go to the beach with you guys one day :P that's great news to hear!

We all just celebrated Hailey's first bday yesterday! It was so great! I will send you guys pictures on here soon of her and her chocolate cake! She doesn't like to get dirty that much, so she was hesitant at first, but grandma (my mom) helped her out and smeared it around, and then Hailey started to really like it! Before she started to cry a bit :P well anyway, she got TONS of great gifts (and I went WAY overboard) and it was a great time!

I hope all is well with everyone else! And I'll keep reading for news on here! PS. Keira, I'm not a fan of facebook because nothing is private anymore and that really bothers me, but a lot of others are doing it.

More!

As if yesterday wasn't already the coolest day ever becuase of the ultrasound, we also bought our first home. I didn't mention it before becuase it wasn't finalized yet.

Last week we decided to think about possibly buying. Then on Saturday we went to an open house, then back on Sunday, saw the mortgage broker on Monday, made an offer Tuesday (rejected), made a bigger offer Wednesday, signed the papers Thursday. Wow.

So now we are the proud owners of an awesome home in Winfield. Ah Winfield, we've missed you. The place is brand, brand new, and the building isn't even finished yet. It has enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, stainless steel appliances, and a bunch more spiffy nice features. The best part is that it is right beside an enormous beach and park, bigger and nicer even than Paddlewheel.

So yesterday was one smokin' awesome day.

I know I should get onto that Facebook. Even the other parents in our gang use it to organize get-togethers. I did finally go check it out and even signed up, but that's as far as I got really. It doesn't seem that great but it must be, it's so popular. Do you all use Facebook?

Two Wonderful

Yes, in case there's anyone out there who still doesn't know, I am halfway through my second pregnancy! In fact I had my ultrasound today and confirmed that I am more pregnant than I thought. My due date is now December 3rd.

Here is my baby's beautiful face, facing the camera and slightly upward. The top of the head is the left side. The short, thick white straight line is the outline of baby's nose. This looks like Matt's nose, not Angelina's and mine! Eyes are to either side of the top of the nose. The two line things below (to the right of, in this picture) baby's head are the little arms with hands tucked under the chin; this is one of the only pictures of the baby not sucking on fingers!

What a gorgeous creature. Now that I've seen it I can't wait to meet my new baby, snuggle that tiny body and kiss those sweet cheeks.

Angelina is the coolest, funnest, sweetest little buddy we could have and we love her so much it drives us crazy. I can't believe that soon we're going to have two! It's mind-blowing to think how much fun and happiness we'll have. I am so lucky!

Facebook has taken over!!!

Hey Cuz.....hope all is well....i have a semi-solution to the NO BLOGGING issue! lol.....FACEBOOK....i advise you to check it out....its a greater way of sharing pics, chattin with people from ur past and present.....however, i still check yours and meilssa's blog every so often.....cause i LOVE seeing updated pictures!

so...if u get the chance during one of Gina's naps...check it out...

www.facebook.com

Other then that, things are going good...keeping myself busy with the busy summer season of work....i've been out to the cabin a bunch this summer too...just a good way to relax.....i will be out there again on Sat (28th) staying till sunday (29th) and then again for the Aug long weekend.....hopefully i get a little more time in with Sam and Lee (still havn't met him) this time....as well i hope you and matt and gina can make it out a few times as well cause its always great to catch up!!! How's the pregnancy coming along?? have any belly pics? i saw a picture of Nicole's belly on her facebook site (see u totally have to join) and its super cute....do u know what you are having yet?

n e ways take care.....say hi to matt for me...and gina!

~Eryn~

Party 'til You Drop

Ang and Bryce got married Canada Day weekend. It was a wonderful wedding and Ang looked gorgeous. Anglina had a blast and stayed up all night playing with everybody. Here she is when we finally went home at midnight, ready for bed but still having fun!
She's talking like a maniac now, and learns a new word every day. I told her what a booby was once and now she always points to my chest and says "booby!" Ooops! The other day Angelina was eating lunch and I left the room for a minute. When I came back she was holding a cracker up to her teddy bear's mouth and saying "eat, eat!" She is so awesome.

Yay, thanks for posting Kirsten. Angelina is asleep right now but when she's up I'll call you and make a date! Fun fun!

I will check out that book as soon as I'm finished David Copperfield. It takes me awhile to read a book, I only squeeze in a few pages during Angelina's naps.

well ok. I"ll post

hmm, Well Drew and I have moved to a nice 2 bedroom place in lynn Valley. It has a nice fenced yard for Lola to play in.
Drew has changed his schooling and is now becoming a lawyer. thank god. LOL I don't want to work any longer. I'm so sick of having to get up and wipe asses.
I saw Matt and Keira when they came up and we had sushi and had a little visit. it was nice. I'm coming up to Armstrong tomorrow for a week. so anyone wanting to hook up leave me a message on my e-mail. kirstenanddrew@gmail.com
I really don't have much to say as I"m really quite a boring person.
but yeah. Keira I suggest you read a complicated kindness by marium towss. its very good and I think you would get a kick out of it.
but yes,
thats about it.
Kirsten

Somebody Else Blog!

For a few weeks I stopped blogging and people kept telling me to do it again becuase they like to read it. I didn't even know anybody was still reading this thing. How could I know, when nobody else leaves any posts?

It's summer, and I know you are doing stuff. What is it? Please tell me, it's boring being the only one who blogs.

We've been busy with weddings, playdates, and all kinds of fun stuff. I have about a month's worth of pictures, here are a few:

What a Trip!

We had such a wonderful trip to Vancouver! Angelina got to see all kinds of neat things and people. She also got to eat like royalty, as did we all: super fresh salmon and prawns, steak, and delicious authentic indian food. Matt and I also had lots of sushi, and man, is it ever good over there.

We had one really weird Griswold-type day, including a small car accident and stepping in swamp water, but even that day was really fun. In fact, it might be my favourite.

It was also really cool to see everybody. Most of our friends live in Van now so we got together with a different couple almost every day. It's so great to see what everybody's doing.

The best part, by far, was spending 24 hours a day together for 10 solid days. Angelina became even more of a little daddy's girl. On the last day, Matt went out to the car for a minute and Angelina was clawing at the door, crying and calling "dadaaaaaaa!" It was a hard adjustment for both of them when Matt had to go back to work.

Here are some pictures of the Aquarium, Angelina's favourite place.

A trippy aquarium playhouse for babies

Watching the dolphins

My little merbaby

Baby Beluga!

Wow!

Too Much Fun for One Post...

... so here is the zoo, suspension bridge and Lonsdale Quay market.

Wow, look at this thing!

Can we take him home?

The best critters of all

Treehouse buddies

What a handsome view!

My Smartypants

It's incredible how quickly Angelina is growing up. Suddenly she can say a lot of words (mama, daddy, ball, dog, baby, and more)and she understands most of what we say to her. All we have to do is show her a new skill or word a few times and she's got it down.

She even figured out all on her own how to say her name; she calls herself Nana. She says "Nana" when she's pointing to a picture of herself or something she wants, as in "give that to Nana". What a clever girl!

We're leaving tomorrow for Vancouver and scambling to get everything ready. We haven't even called anybody who lives there... but don't worry, we're there for 9 full days so there will be time to get together. We'll call ASAP! We can't wait to see everybody and to show Angelina some really cool stuff. Matt is especially looking forward to 10 whole days with his little princess... that's Angelina, not me.

The Fun Never Stops!

This baby loves to watch soccer! She also played ball with some big kids.
We were there to watch Lee's dad in a tournament

Story time

Deigan's hamming it up for the camera

Aww, the little Garcias out for a day of fun.

There's a First Time for Everything...

...and here's Angelina's first time eating sugar. Love at first bite!

Happy Birthday, Binky Bear!

Angelina's birthday was on Sunday and we had a huge barbeque dinner party. Angelina had lots of fun!

It was a nostalgic weekend for me, reliving my experiences one year ago. On Saturday morning I thought, "one year ago right now I started having contractions" Saturday night: "this is when I checked in to the hospital" and Sunday morning "this is when I gave birth to my beautiful babygirl".

What a lot has changed; one year ago Angelina was a 7-pound little thing who couldn't do anything but cry. She had no control over her little body at all and had no idea what was going on. Now she's a little girl! She's not very big but she can stand and get around on her own and communicate (even talk a little) and has such a wonderful, distinct personality. I am so proud of my little sweetheart.

And here are some pictures of the party:

We bought a castle for our little princess

Daddy's little birthday girl

"What am I supposed to do with these?"

"Daddy, my cake is on fire!"

"The party's over, but I still want to play!"

Funny Accidents

These are accidents, but I love when they happen 'cause they're so hillarious. The first one is from January and the second one is from this week.

Arty, not Wal-Marty

We had a professional photographer take Angelina's picture in the park on the weekend, and yesterday we saw the proofs and ordered the pictures. It's so exciting! The pictures are very cool and uniquely Angelina, not like you get at Wal-mart. No offense to anyone who gets their pictures done there, 'cause those can be really cute too.


The photog brought her 4-month old over yesterday and he weighs more than Angelina (that's not unusual)! Some of the pictures are of Angelina sitting in a patch of tulips and you can really see how small she is compared to them. So adorable! We will get the pictures this week and I'll post some. The photog loved Angelina and will be putting her picture on her own website as well.


Meanwhile, here are some pictures taken by little old me.

What a doll...

...and look how smart!

" We're ready to go out now!"

Angelina Ballerina

Family Pictures, Sort-of

Mama and her tiny princessWhat a lucky lady I am!

Poor daddy always gets his head cut off


Well, there are most of our faces

Good News

Matt booked the time off work for our trip to Vancouver. We will go on Saturday June 9th (evening) and then back on the 17th or 18th (oooh look at us, we're flexible!) Hopfully all you coastal folks can fit in a visit during that time! Angelina will be so grown up by then, walking and talking. Oh, I can't wait!

Also fabulous news: my mom and her boyfriend are going to Mexico for Christmas this year... so we're celebrating Christmas with her on the 17th and we only have to do two Christmases at Christmastime! Aaaah, it will be like a vacation. Just thinking about it makes me want to dance.

One more happy thing: Angelina built a tower out of blocks this morning. She is so fracking smart!

Kibbles n' Bits

Yay Robin, congrats! Is Kindale a home for mentally handicapped people? We would be up for a barbeque.

What a weekend we had; all three of us were wretchedly sick! We had to cancel Easter. Oh well, we're mostly better now (Angelina is still a bit sick). This weekend we'll go to Kelowna and buy Angelina a jungle gym and some other more age-appropriate toys since she can climb now and is just so darn smart.

We saw "The Persuit of Happyness" and they do explain why they spelled happiness wrong. Well, it's not really a good reason but at least there is one. Anyway it's quite depressing. The movie that is. And the spelling.

Also I read Freakonomics recently. What a cool book! Has anyone else read that? It's so interesting.