summer loves

Well holy it's been a very long time since I've spoken to you all. Life just seemed to take over and there was barely time to eat and sleep. But wow have we had fun!!! Our son Nick and his wife and 3 Chinese students have been visiting since the beginning of July!! To get caught up I am just going to post some photos and get reconnected with you all again.

silence, tacos, and zip

I was sitting there with Sam and she told me "there's no guilt allowed when you're too busy living life to post."
~ thank you for those words. I'll let go of it, post a few and move forward.

1 An early morning ride into work with Mr P. We chat some but mostly just enjoy sitting side by side sharing the same space.
2 When I arrive home from work there's a houseful of my favourite people. Nick has requested tacos so it's a combination of soft and hard shells, and an assortment of innards,tomatoes, onions, lettuce, refried beans, cheesy rice, more cheeses and salsas!
3 The days are sunny and bright but the weather itself if cold and windy. I'm tricked by it all and end up going out without a warm enough jacket. Thankfully it was a quick run to and from the shops.

Knox Mountain Hike with my lovies

the last six days

1 Mr P is packed up and ready to head home. It's a long drive. Sixteen hours, so he'll do it in two days.
2 We chit chat over the phone and find him the perfect out of the way place to stay. It's plain and simple, but clean and with a continental breakfast.
3 I make a big dent on my Christmas gift wrapping and gift making!
4 The idealistic me wants to make all sorts of things for everyone, but the practical side of me tells me to think real. I narrow down my selections and feel relief instantly.
5 Making a gingerbread house with Izzy. I love how she says, "I just love Grampa so much."

6 While we are making the gingerbread house, Kesler has found the train Christmas tree ornament along with little village we've put up. He meticulously checks each one out, carefully put one away before taking a new one.
7 It's time for a kitty. We have mice in our basement and they are not welcome!
8 The grandkidlets have a sleepover and in the morning are bursting with energy. Soon the hats, coats, gloves and boots are on and they're exploring the front yard.
9 Izzy finds the sand pile and soon both kids are wielding shovels and pails.
10 I'm glad there's no snow. It's nice to enjoy warmer weather after the long bitter cold snap we just had.
11 Grampa and Izzy get busy making pine cones for the birds. Lots of effort goes into getting the right amount of peanut butter and seeds as well as choosing the perfect length of string for hanging.
12 Mr P has patience. He hasn't been around kids a lot, never had any of his own, so it's a new and sometimes overwhelming experience for him. Still, he has patience.
13 Kes does really quite well despite being overwhelmed with sights and sounds from the busy Christmas morning. He's not ready to face the world yet, and hides his face in mommy and then daddy's shoulders.
14 Our Christmas dinner, well the turkey part is created and boned and served by the one and only Mr P. He follows the directions perfectly and it's a lovely golden brown and the stuffing - delicious!
15 Santa brought Izzy and Kes a few things in their stockings at our home. They each got a battery operated guitar! Kes loves music. Kesler carefully touches each button to hear the sounds. Izzy touches them all at once and dances all over the living room in complete abandon.
15a Chris had taken Izzy to the Dollar Store for Christmas shopping. She was so excited for each gift that she had chosen and each gift was perfect for the person. I'm amazed at the perceptiveness for a four and a half year old.
16 Izzy catches us smooching, grins and says, "You're married. Come on over here and dance. Rock it you guys."
16a Bath time for the little ones after dinner brings the energy level down a notch or two. At least for a little bit. Soon it's time for pumpkin pie and topping and we ride the sugar high.

17 After dinner we talk online with Nick and Sara. They look amazing, happy, cozy and we all get nostalgic. We show them the old home videos of Nick and Chris as toddlers and everyone has a good laugh.
18 Sara and Izzy sing songs to each other. Izzy chose a song from Frozen and Sara sang a Chinese lullaby to her.I look at the screen when Izzy is singing and see tears streaming down Sara's face and she's biting her bottom lip. They are lovely together.
19 The house is slowly being set to normal. The boxes are being filled with ornaments, gifts put away and baking goes into the freezer. All we have left are lights on the house and some turkey in the refrigerator.
20 Mr P likes his wifi weather station. He's putting it up and having fun playing with the install and putting the app on his phone.
21 It's quiet here. Just the sounds of the birds, the whirring of a washing machine down the hall and the sound of the keyboard.

stat, about my sister, and all together again

1 Monday is a holiday! Happy BC Day!
2 My sister is from a very small town so when she comes here visiting it's a big deal. This is the first time she's ever stayed at my home in all the years we've been adults. Either I've lived too far away or we lived close by and there was no need to. So I have the opportunity to share my home with her, share our food and share the fun. And yes, we did share a box of wine!
3 The family was all here. We filled up a tub and the kids splashed about, then we sat down to a family BBQ dinner and lastly we Skyped with Nick and Sara. So great to have us all together ~ best loves ~

 

three beautiful things

1 I'm grateful for the opportunity to live in the sunny and hot Okanagan close to our family and friends. We came from an island to the desert in the span of three months and we aren't looking back. 
2. I am grateful for the fire fighters, emergency responders and everyone involved in helping to keep us safe when it’s fire season. Their dedication and willingness to put their lives on the line are greatly appreciated.
3 I'm grateful to have two sons, Christopher and Nick, who without a doubt, have become amazing men who are considerate, loving, and who always take time to be there for me, for each other and for their families. 

black is back, birthday box, and different styles

1 It's like this, sometimes a plan works perfectly and sometimes it just doesn't come together at all. Case in point, the coffee table redo. First it didn't take the gel stain, then it needed to be sanded but instead it bit my toe, and then finally today I re-stained it and it came out spotty. It's time for Plan B. Paint it black and put it downstairs in the family room. It should match the entertainment center perfectly!
2 Who doesn't like treats? Well, today was my lucky day to go into the Bulk Barn. I couldn't believe how row after row of bulk candy met me as I walked through the front door. I picked up some special candies for our Nick's birthday package. He'll particularly be happy to get the root beer gummies and the lego candies for his students.
3 We had an impromptu dinner of rice smothered with sauteed zucchini, onions, peppers and turkey sausage. Mr P gobbled his down with a spoon while I delicately ate mine with chopsticks.