Cali's First Birthday Party

Today was Cali's 1st Birthday Party... the whole family was there! All the 4 cousins were together for the first time (below are random pictures from the party)!

The birthday girl crawling around in her new dress Cali getting her birthday Cake

Aaron, Lilah, Cali and I looking at the cake and cupcakes I made for Cali's birthday

Lilah with her Party Princess cupcake... she specifically asked for the one in the blue dress! Cali with her party princess cupcake!

Lilah jumped in to help cousin Cali open her gifts!

Aaron with new son Declan

Katie and baby Aaron

Everyone watching the present opening!

Stepahine with her new son Declan

All the cousins together for the first time! L-R Aaron, Cali, Lilah and Declan

Me and Cali

Dad with his grandson Aaron

Party Princess Cupcakes

Pictures of my "Party Princess Cupcakes" that I made for Cali's 1st Birthday... they turned out super cute!

Baby sitting Cali

I got to spend Sunday night baby sitting Cali while Julie and Greg went to a hockey game! We had a good time... she laughed at me when I had to change her poopy diaper (good sense of humor!) and it took me an hour and a half to get her to bed, but over all... went really well!

A Valentine's Baby by 1 minute!

Baby Declan was born at 11:59pm on Valentine's Day! I think he looks like his daddy! Congrats Aaron, Stephanie and big sister Lilah.

Valentine's in Kelowna

On Friday (yesterday) Brian and I drove up to Kelowna to pick up his new car! Its a very nice Jetta... I am jelous! We went for a nice dinner and this morning we had breakfast with Brian's dad and stepsister Lorissa. Anyhow, that was our Valentine's Experience... we had a good time!As you can see the roads were not bad... lots of snow on the sides, but the roads were clear. It was much better than what I was thinking it was going to be!

Look Who's Crawling Now!

I drove out to Abbotsford today to pick up a new BlackBerry I bought on craig's list (super cool!!) and visited Mom and Tag (of course)... then I called Julie because I just had to see Cali crawl for myself! She just started a few days ago and is doing very well!

Planning the Princesses

So I am making Cali's 1st Birthday Cake... I have been preparing to make little princesses from my cupcake book and I am going to have to do them a little different than what they say.... but it should be pretty cool still! (Glad I planned it early though! Some of the items were hard to find) Katie and Ian took me to a Cake Decorating shop in Victoria when I was there on the weekend and I found a few extra things to help make things pretty neat....

This is what the princesses should look like (something similar anyhow)


Supplies!! Sprinkles galor.... rolled fondant, pink chocolate curlz, etc etc etc... (I am having fun!)

Nanaimo Shopping!

Day 3 After dropping Brian off at his job site, I sat in a line up a 1/2 hour long to get my car washed (see below) I dont think it has ever been this dirty before! After I decided to go to Nanaimo and do some shopping as there was not much else to do! 2pm I picked Brian up and we rushed to the ferry and just barely made it on the 3pm sailing (I think we were about 5th to last!) It was nice to go on Brian's trip with him and see what he goes through... definately not as fun as I thought!! But, I would go again!!

A few more Baby Aaron Pictures

Look who is giving a big smile!

We discovered that Baby Aaron has a perfect little 'heart' belly button (its pretty cute)

Kick Kick Kick!

Sorry Katie! Had to steal your picture as I don't have any of me with Aaron! Thanks again for the fun visit!

Visit with the Vaino's in Victoria

Day 2 I drove the 150km to Victoria from Parksville to spend the day visiting Katie, Ian and baby Aaron! It was very nice to have such a long visit with everyone. Aaron has gotten to be such a big baby so quickly! He is such a happy little guy too, I was lucky to see him during his 'awake' time and get to see him do some kicking and smiling on the floor!

Qualicum Beach

Still Day 1 of the trip... This is Qualicum Beach. I went to Coombs, Qualicum Beach, Parksville, and any where in the surrounding area and there was nothing to do at this time of year! Definately nice scenery, but kinda boring by yourself!!

Friday in Parksville

Day 1 of me joining Brian on his work trip was pretty much me driving around by myself looking desperately for something to do! This is Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville... I can't even tell you how cold and windy it was!

See? Very cold... I wore my hood!

How did a car accident turn into a trip to the Island for me?

Brian was on his way to Parksville this morning and unfortunately rear ended another vehicle. Everyone is ok... the car, not so much. So now that my car is the only one we have out of 3 that is operational... haha... I will be going to Parksville for the weekend with Brian! Yippie, my first work trip with Brian. And, I am going to go visit Ian, Katie and baby Aaron!

Payroll Fundamentals 1 Mid-Term...

I got 88%!! That's an 'A'!

Mid-Term this week...

I am so close to becoming a Certified Payroll Practitioner I can taste it (only one more course after I complete my current one)! I have a mid-term this week which I am sure I will do well on. The course is going good even though it feels like alot of information to take on at once. I am still really enjoying the fact the courses are 'online' some how it makes it easier to take things at your own pace (with specified times for tests). Anyhow, wish me luck!

Awaiting another new nephew!

Today I got to do Aaron and Stephanie's Maternity photo's for baby boy Trickett! The pictures turned out very well, as always, Aaron and Stephanie are naturals at posing! (I have probably taken more pictures of them as a couple over the years than anyone else, thanks for all the work you two!)

A couple sneak peeks of the pictures... talk to Aaron & Stephanie about seeing the rest!Lilah helping out with my light disc... She seemed very excited by my big camera and photography equipment, I am looking forward to her being old enough to teach her a few things!

Peek-A-Boo in the curtains

A Night at the River Rock Casino

Brian and I went with Mom and Elliott for their Christmas present to see Norm MacDonald (comedian) last night. His opening act, the Farley Brothers, weren't that great (I think Chris had all the talent in that family). Norm put on a good show! Very funny!

A Night at the Red Robinson Show Theatre

Last night was Trailer Park Boys show... my gift to Brian and Dad & Jeanie's Christmas gift. It was a fun night Trailer Park Style!

**WARNING** the video clip has a bit of bad language (but what do you expect!)

Happy New Year

2009 is here! Mom made a nice new year's eve dinner for family last night at Julie & Greg's place and today we head to Dad's for a new year's day dinner! (Check out my fun cupcakes I made for everyone last night! Thanks to Jeanie for finding a terrific book!)