Exterior Renovations have started!

Ok... so things are starting to happen at our place! We had the official email today telling us to beware of the scaffolding going up in the next week! So of course I had to take some before pictures!! here is the front of the house... the big lump of dirt there is usually our parking spot!Here is a picture of the back of the house.. the lower half is ours and this is where the work started today. They were removing all the paving stones from our patio area... its going to be replaced with new decking for us and above for them. Glad I don't have to do any of this work! Yikes...

The shed was moved from right close to the house... it actually was about 10 feet from our door... this move was being worked on for, well, since we moved in... last weekend a huge group of guys showed up and the next thing you know, the shed was in the corner and this HUGE back yard was revealed!

I hope we get to keep the palm tree... I love that tree...

I will post more pictures as things change... its kind of exciting, I hope the landscaping happens soon also!!

Orillia, Ontario

I was unable to go back to Orillia with everyone to place Grandma and Grandpa's ashes a few weeks back. It was sad that I could not go, but I had been before. When I was 19 and living in Windsor, Grandma came out to Orillia for thanks giving with her sisters and sent a bus ticket to me so I could join them. It was the best thanks giving I ever had... here are a few pictures from that trip (sorry about the quality, this was before digital cameras so I took pictures of my pictures) Family headstone at the family cemetary.

It was really quite beautiful there in the fall... it was much more vibrant in color than this picture shows!

This was the house grandma grew up in... I hear that the new owners were nice enough to give a tour... I wonder how much it has changed (this pic was over 10 years ago now)

This was Grandma's Grandmother's house... I think there is family living there still, or there was as I do vaguely remember being inside of it!

I found this picture when going through my boxes as well... only a few years back... maybe 5 really... Julie and I went to Grandma's Otter Co-op BBQ!

Lots of fun memories... thanks Grandma!

Cycling in Fort Langley

Nadia and I took the bikes to Fort Langley and rode up to Derby Reach Provincial Park... it was an awesome ride with great views of the Fraser River! We probably did about an hour and a half ride and are going to do a longer trail next weekend.

Kamloops Trip

Brian and I went up to Kamloops and borrowed Dad's place for the weekend (last weekend). The weather was awesome and the house looked just as great as always.

We went down to the river to check things out (as we had never been before) it was really nice! There is a street with Dad's name in Kamloops!! Brian playing with his Iphone in the kitchen...

A new cup we bought at a Street Market... this one lady made really nice things, I bought a mini collander in the same style.

Me laying on the grass studying in the 33 degree heat!!

This is a trail that is behind Dad's place... I love how dry things are! I went on a small hike to take pictures of nature... it was 7 in the evening, but wow did I almost die of the heat!

On our way home on Sunday we stopped at Cold Water Creek for a quick rest, so I got out the camera again!

Ahhh... the water was soooo cold and refreshing!

Brian with the car (it was actually probably the dirtiest its ever been... it was insane how many bugs we hit!)

We stopped to say hi to tag on our way through Abbotsford... he was happy, I think Katie and Ian did a good job of taking care of him while Mom and Elliott were in Calgary!

P. C. P. Certification Complete!

So I officially finished the first level of my paroll certification on Tuesday (thanks to Nadia for proctoring again!). I got an 80% on the exam, it was extremely hard. My final mark on the course will be no less than 86% (mid term plus exam) I just dont know my grades on participation yet! Even if I get zero... I aced the course! Yay! So how about that... 30 years old and finishing my first certification!!

Canada Day BBQ at Dad's

Some random pics from the BBQ... gotta say, its hard getting pictures of babies in groups!

Cali sporting her new 'hand knit' skirt from Auntie Katie!

Belated Birthday Gift

It was just a little bit late (1 day) but I gave Brian his birthday present... a new wireless guitar for his xbox Rock Band games... he was pretty happy (he also got Guitar Hero III because it came with the guitar!)

Happy 33rd Birthday Brian!

Happy Birthday Brian! (June 30th) We went for sushi in Langley after work and then drove out to Blackie Spit (Cresent Beach, White Rock) to go for a walk and watch the sunset and of course went to starbucks on the drive back! We had a really great evening!

Rock Band 2!

Brian bought Rock Band 2 off Craig's list the other day... I came from my bike ride to find Brian rocking out to the new game, don't blame him though, its pretty fun! Anyone want to play???

Hike at Campbell Valley Park

Brian and I went on a bit of a hike through Campbell Valley park on Sunday, its nice having a park like this so close to home! When we were in the middle of the hike, we came apon a race track which ended up being the old Langley Speedway... Later Dad was telling me he used to hang out there all the time as a kid in the summer on weekends! Some guys are restoring it as its now considered a "Heritage" site. Anyhow... it was neat to see! Brian got the berry (below) all over his hand so he was tring to suck the water out of his camel pack to clean up!