Our dead grass saw more antics than it bargained for when my charming brother, darling sister, her awesome boyfriend and his super-cool lil boy showed up last weekend. I couldn't have asked for a sweeter or sillier bunch to help make the time fly by (time slowing down daily as the 4 week count-down to baby begins).

I was almost sad to see Emily's funny loose tooth go tonite, until she showed me her new smile!

Would the owners of these forgotten articles please return for another visit as soon as possible...

Thanks.

Also, would they kindly email me some pics so that I can make a proper post concerning the events of last weekend...

Thanks.

Holy Generousness! Our friends next door gave Emily some amazing costumes the other day.

We spent our 12th anniversary amusing ourselves on what I consider a to be a haunted beach. Those starfish make me nervous.

All we wanted was a nice anniversary shot of us on our date with this gorgeous view behind us but instead we end up with a bunch of goony close-ups with my stupid bargain sunglasses. It was a fun and sweet and memorable evening all the same. Love you baby.

We had the pleasure of my Mom and Ruben's company for a week and a half before they returned to their Ontario home. They absolutely LOVE BC and it was so cute to see them 'on tour' together. I miss them soooooooo much already. Some cool memories not pictured below...
Emily laughing out of control while watching her grandparents play her Godzilla video game against each other.
Waking up from my birthday afternoon nap to find our driveway gorgeously adorned with newly planted flowers and a hanging flower basket thanks to my sweet mom and daughter.
Tommy practically leaping out of my arms whenever he noticed Ruben's lap was free to sit on.
Emily mentioning to me one afternoon: "I really like your mom, mom, I mean, I really like her".
Ruben's favorable response when introduced by Steve to his favorite band: "The Pixies" and a household staple film around here: "The Big Lebowski".

Emily ran her new kite from Papa Ruben around the yard day after day, waiting impatiently for the slightest hint of a breeze to find it's way to the baking hot coast last week.

Canada Day at the Farmer's Market. Bannock covered sausage for Steve and the kids. Chili smothered in curry relish and other heartburn inducers for me and my mom. Live music for Ruben. I really adored listening to the Johnny Cash wanna-be.

Fairly self-explanatory. One evening at dusk, Ruben and Steve tried their hand at fly-fishing, but it was Emily, in her single-mindedness, that would bring home something for mommy to freak out about. The vile frog and overgrown tadpoles spent a couple of days in our pool before the frog became hungry and his younger counter-parts disappeared-SIIIIIIICK. He was given back to nature and the pool scrubbed vigorously shortly there-after.

Thank-you to my husband, my daughter, my son, my mom, Ruben and The Guangdong Middle School Experimental Choir from China for making my 30th birthday a day to remember. Emmy and I got dressed up while Steve stayed home with Tommy so the rest of us could browse shops "hands free" all morning. The neighbor kids brought me a flower that Em made into a painting. I mentioned that my mom and Emily went to great lengths to beautify my once ugly driveway. Later Steve brought home a perfect feast that I enjoyed looking at mostly because my prego heartburn was making my head explode. Then Steve and I left for the Arena where we were entertained and stirred by these beautiful faces and voices at Powell River's International Choir Festival.