Almost Forgot!

I had the pleasure of enjoying a visit from the delightful Miss Heike from Germany at the end of May. :) For those who don't know... Heike and I went to school together in New Zealand and she came to visit me and a bunch of other lucky ducks in the States.

It was fun catching up with this pretty lady again; and showing off Vancouver. We just had the weekend, but she was an easy guest, willing to see and do anything. We enjoyed more than one picnic and we were even able to catch a concert! HOLLA. Anberlin and Taking Back Sunday. It was REALLY loud cause we were standing right next to the speakers, but we still had a blast. I'm sure I will be cursing myself when I'm old and unable to hear though.

We got some deliiiicious Thai food on her last night here too and watched the sunset at the Spanish Banks and had a good chat. Love the overseas visitors. SO sweet when they come all the way here. :) :)


Anyways, this last pic I just really liked, and I think Danny took it when Heike was here. I have a "thing" for vines. I honestly LOVE when buildings are covered with greenery. I want to live in a house that's covered!

Just another Crazy May

Well what do you know I'm late at posting, AGAIN! Honestly, if blogspot didn't take so long to upload photos this post would have been up at least 2 weeks ago. :) Feels like years since May happened! I'm even a little shaky as to what all we did in May. But let me give it a go.


May was, if I remember correctly, an awesome, awesome month. For starters we had the lovely and crazy Josh, James and Rich visiting us from Edmonton for a week. You may recognize them as the youth who came with us to Africa. But now, these boys are all grown-up, college students, with real jobs. (I think they even make more money then I do-ha) Anyways, as per usual, we had such a blast with these crazies, as they are probably the funniest trio that I am aware of. We took them down to Seattle one day and we had an exceptional time.


The tulip festival was alive and kickin on our way to Seattle. We had to stop as these boys LOVE flowers. Okay maybe not. But I just happen to LOVE tulips. They are without a doubt my most favorite flower, and I missed out on the festival last year. So this little detour may have been for me. But because these boys are so great, they made the best of it.



Then we went to the Outlets on the way, did a little bit of shopping, and then headed on down to Seattle. Pike Place Market was seriously out of control bursting with tulips. I was in HEAVEN. But its too annoying truckin tulips around with me all day, so I just took pictures.



After the market we sporadically opted to watch a game of baseball at the Saeco field where the Mariners play. I'm not big into baseball, but I love watching any kind of sports live so off we went.



The place was packed. Man Americans love to support their teams. The theme of the night was "Blast from the Past" too or something, so everything was old-school...the announcer had one of those old fashioned microphones, and was dressed up old-school, and the big screen was all crackly and looked like an old movie. I loved it. Sometimes I honestly wish I was born in the 40's or 50's. Man!



The same day the boys left, Danny left for Montreal! Lucky duck. His good friend Jeff was having his stag there, and so because Danny couldn't go to his wedding in Kentucky, he went to the stag in Montreal. I loved some of the photos he took so I thought I would post a couple up on here. I have wanted to go to Montreal for years now. And I think I would move there in a heartbeat. It looks so romantic and beautiful. And I love the French language. BUT for now Vancouver will do.





The month finished off with the greatest backyard wedding EVER. My Uncle Robert and his girlfriend Stephanie decided to get married in the most chill, relaxed atmosphere ever. They asked Danny to perform the ceremony and of course he was all over it.



The wedding was on the island in Cowichan Bay, at my Auntie Pip and Uncle Bob's house in their backyard. There were probably about 60 people and it was just one giant love-fest party. Literally.


Everyone just piled in the backyard and we all watched as they walked down the aisle together...well actually they danced. And it was really funny/sweet.



Here is our family shot. I think this was our goofy one. But if you saw the regular ones too, I mean they all kind of look goofy.




One thing that you will know the moment you meet my Uncle, is that he is all about puffy love. He is your modern day hippie...an amazing artist, and musician. So of course there was one big giant jam session for a couple hours during the potluck reception. Just grab an instrument and "play what you feel". :)





This last photo is one of my Mama and Papa. Dancing. They are seriously the greatest, most in-love older couple that I've ever seen. They still crack up at each other, and I mean, how cool is it that they are the only ones dancing. GOTTA LOVE THEM!

Just livin life in April

"I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing."

-- Agatha Christie

April. Good month. SO many fun things to do... when is life going to slow down and get boring?! Danny was still in Edmonton for the first week of April though, so the month started out solo for me...but not so solo with the help of my sis. Kyla and I decided to rendezvous to the island to visit family for the weekend. Holla. ROAD TRIP! Well not really. We took the bus, and the ferry... but still... travel was involved. And so was the road.


I love the island. I always feel better after visiting there. Family time is so rewarding, and it has that small town feel that I secretly love with my entire being. I keep thinking there is the chance I am a small town gal stuck in a big city body. (whatever that means...ha! i know what i mean) We will see what the future holds! But I love going to a place that just feels small. Anyways... we chatted and enjoyed life as we walked around town and the market, listened to the live 30-piece band at the gazebo, Kyla found a lego boyfriend, we window-shopped, and took photos. Ideal Saturday. Pure bliss.


Breakfast at Mama and Papa's is ALWAYS delicious. Honestly, Mama makes these apple pancakes that are UNREAL. We usually eat breakfast for at least an hour. They had also bought this amazing cheese that cracked me up... I have never seen a cheese ball so big in my entire life - here is Uncle Bob modeling it for me.


Kyla and I took some random shots in the field by Mama and Papa's. I accidentally cut her head off in this one, but I really like it. ha.


On our last day there, Kyla and I explored Cowichan Bay (for the 20th time in my life)...walked the docks, looked at boats, bought pop rocks (yum), and went to Merridale Cidery with Mama and Papa. I love it there. Delicious cider...and I love the countryside.



After an amazing weekend...Danny came home from his surgery!! It was simply lovely. Although gimped and sore, one of our fave bands was coming to town just 2 days after, and we decided to go to their show on a whim...crutches and all. Thankfully there was a lone stool just waiting for us when we walked in, so I leaned on Danny's crutches from the balcony as he sat and watched and took in the show. Friendly Fires + White Lies. Both put on an amazing show...the lead singer of Friendly Fires has dance moves that I have never seen before. I literally laughed for the entire first song...because it was just so hilarious/amazing!



A friend of mine (Michelle) is due to have a baby boy any day now so a couple of us threw her at Garden Party High Tea Baby Shower. April was a beautiful month, so heck why not enjoy the sun. Love Andrea's patio lanterns...from China Town.




Danny, Kyla and I were shopping in West Van a couple weeks ago on a Friday night, and Kyla had never seen the area before... so Danny and I decided to show her around. As we were driving, we saw these lights in the middle of nowhere so we decided to go check it out. It was a carnival! Kyla and I started screaming "We're going to the carnival! We're going to the carnival!" Like a couple of kids. And off we went.


We pretty much just walked around. Went on the rides, and people watched. Oh and we got 'mini donuts' too. OF COURSE.






The next day we headed off to Danny's cousins wedding in Langley. Met his parents and Gma there, and it was such a good day.



The ring bearers were adorable... Danny's second cousins. Too cute with the high five's at the end of the aisle.




The next day I threw a bridal shower for Lani in our small group with the help of Yukari and Carllee. Danny will be marrying Lani and Chris on June 6th. Should be a rad day...especially since the reception is on the top of Grouse Mountain!


I snuck into the grape juice. What a party animal.



Kyla's 22nd birthday was on the 28th so Danny and I suprised her with a picnic and night of Vancouver delights. I picked Kyla up and brought her to the park where Danny was waiting for us...


As part of Kyla's birthday present we went to the Ting Tings concert earlier in the month too, which was really awesome. For dessert for our lovely picnic, Danny and I went to Butter, a delicious bakery that is soooo stinkin adorable on the inside. Vintage looking. Love love love it. GOOD cupcakes too.







The beauty and joys of Vancouver have still not faded for me. I am loving every minute in the city, soaking up the sumptuous green grass along with the cherry blossoms and tulips, and lovin the sunshine! Honestly, what city is better?