OUR ROUTINE RETURNS.

Following a couple of really busy weeks, our routine has returned in earnest.  The wedding is behind us, family and friends have returned to their routines and, as a result of that, so has ours.

Ready to close the slides.

Hitchin' and heading to the RV service centre nearby.

After our company left and we cleaned up the fiver, I made arrangements to have a local RV service centre re-pack the bearings and check the brakes.  By 10:00 am, last Tuesday, it was at the RV centre and, two hours later, the rig was back home and stored in its spot along the side of our home.  The bearings and brakes were in great condition.  Yeah to that!  Cost?  $202.00 - taxes included. 

Jeanette and Mariette @ the Botanical Garden

Jeanette and friend headed to the Botanical Garden, at the University of British Columbia, last Wednesday. 

Interesting way to view the botanical gardens

Mariette looking up towards Jeanette.

Easton came to spend the day on Thursday.

Easton's mom was under the weather - suffering from a cold - so we took him off of her hands for the day.  He got to play with Nana and Grand Papa while Ginette was home working off the chills.

When on his back, Easton flips over to his stomach and works his way around quite well. 

It''s just a matter of time before Easton is crawling and getting into cupboards.  Jeanette and I will have to baby proof some of those kitchen cabinet doors and drawers.

Nan and Easton enjoyed the beautiful outdoor weather.

Deni and Courtney returned from a few days away on Galiano Island.  They joined a group of friends (Jeanette joined in too) for a day at the Vancouver Aquarium. Kids of all ages can't help but enjoy the multitude of fish, whales, otters and more.

So many fish species to see!

Anticipating the beluga whale....

.....popping out of the water and washing down his/her handlers.

Stunning golf course.....and most unforgiving too!

I returned to our men's golf group on Wednesday afternoon.  Not having played in a couple of weeks, the irons felt a bit odd in my hands and that resulted in a higher than expected score.  I made up for that lapse when playing with a friend, this past Friday at the more difficult Redwoods Golf Course in Langley.

The evening had us join Courtney and Deni at Courtney's mom's home for a family barbecue.  Deni and Courtney headed back for Edmonton, Alberta on Saturday morning.

We failed to take photos of that evening dinner but we sure enjoyed the fun and food.  Doug did a great job with the barbecued chicken and, along with Barb, they were wonderful hosts.  Thanks!  It was fun to spend more time with Deni and Courtney before they headed back for their Edmonton home.

View of Vancouver harbour and the city from the 8th floor of the Vancouver General Hospital

Saturday saw Jeanette and I drive into Vancouver to visit my 89 yr. old aunt who is recovering from surgery.  She is really improving quickly and is already anxious to get back to her own home.   I can only hope I have her genetic traits!

My aunt's hospital room faced the helicopter landing area on the 7th floor.

 And that pretty much returned us back to our more normal routine.

Our fall weather continues to impress.  Nice warm days are hanging in - certainly for now - but we know that the typical fall rains are soon to come.  We're taking advantage of it for now though.

I headed off to our Sunday morning 'Open Mike' coffee session in White Rock this morning.  It was a perfect day to motorcycle out through all of the back roads in this area.  Once back, I had to catch up and follow the PGA Ryder Cup to its conclusion on television.   The USA failed to beat the Europeans.....when they well should have considering the good lead they had going into today's final individual matches.  Oh well.....there is always the re-match two years from now!  2012 Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Illinois, U.S.A. - RyderCup.com

Thank you for all of the nice  blogger comments (private email too) about our recent wedding related activities.  The entire event - and activities that led and/or followed it - went smoothly.  No hick ups.....no problems!

Thanks for dropping by.

The 2nd BIG EVENT In Our Lives This Year!

By way of explanation, the title for this blog reflects our son and new daughter in law's wedding, this past Friday, September 21.  The first big event of the year was the birth of our first grandchild, Easton Biro, this past April 10, 2012.

Courtney and Deni  -  September 21, 2012 

 

Easton - Born April 10, 2012

We have a lot to be thankful for!

The Wedding:     The previous blog focused on the pre-wedding events and a bit on the wedding itself.  This blog will focus on the wedding and post wedding events.  There are numerous photos in this blog.....and, trust me, I did edit several hundred out!.

So many family and friends came to share Deni and Courtney's special day.  The Vancouver waterfront was an idyllic location.  History | Brock House Restaurant

Exchanging vows!

 Two families merge. 

The Masters of Ceremony:  Cara and Brad (from Edmonton, Alberta)

With her father's recent passing and her mom's inability to travel, Jeanette's parents were present - with this photograph at our table.

The reception, held at the Brock House restaurant, included a sit down dinner.  Each guest was offered one of three entrées.  The food  presentation and quality was top class.

Deni and Courtney express their sentiments and thank yous.

MC's, Cara and Brad kept things moving along - with humour and tact.

Deni, Ginette and Trevor

Brad, Jamie and Darlene.

Sisters, Deb and Jeanette.

Good friends:  Rick, Denis and Odette

Good friends:  Mariette and Lorne (hidden from view)

Deni's boss, Jim and his wife, traveled from Edmonton for the occasion.

Aline and Garry made good on the MC's directive to get the bride and groom to kiss.

To get the bride and groom to kiss, guests had to come up front and emulate the method.  That was great fun.....and Aline and Garry stole the show!

The example!

The emulation!

Deb, Deni, Bob and Jonathon (Aunt, uncle and cousin from Calgary, Alberta)

Life long friends & former neighbours - David, Deni and Chris

Life long friend, Jesse

Deni with mom and family friend, Aline

R-L   Lorne, Gwen, Steve, Garry and Aline

Son & mother dance

Life long friends:  Steve, Deni and Gwen

Coutney & Deni take to the floor

Deni & sister, Ginette lead a dance number

Taking a break from the action.

The photos tell the story so there is little to add in writing.  Suffice it to say that it was a great evening of fun, friendship and celebration.  The 130 attendees were a joy to have join us to share this fine day.

About ready to leave the event.

THE DAY AFTER: An Open House

Jonathon looks in on his dad, Bob, as he prepares some libation for the crowd to come.

R-L:  Karen, Tina, Shania and Deb pitched in to prepare food trays for guests.

Karen, Jared and Tina prepared some nice trays.

Brad worked his magic with a watermelon, after Jeanette detailed how she wanted it carved!  Deb, Darlene and Jared keep a watchful eye on his work.

The result of all that cooperative work.

Ready for guests.

From 1:00 pm onwards, on Saturday, September 22, family, friends, neighbours and more dropped by to share some time with Deni and Courtney. It was an informal affair.

Deni exchanges banter with his cousin, Brad.

Long time former neighbours, Al (L) and Joan (2nd from right) got to meet Courtney and share some time with Deni too.

Fairly relaxed group

The renovated sun room came in handy too.

Late in the day, Deni and Courtney loaded up in preparation for their Gulf Islands trip to Galiano Island for a few days or R&R.

My sister, Paulette, spent some one on one time with Easton.

Sunday, Sept. 23, was spent lazying around the house, followed by a short drive to White Rock beach for a walk along the seaside.  Sister Suzie, Tina and sister Paulette enjoy a relaxed stroll.

Jonathon, Ginette, Trevor (pushing Easton) Karen and Jared enjoy the promenade on White Rock beach.

A view taken from the long pier that dots out from White Rock beach,

While some of us were walking the beach, Jeanette and her sister Deb were preparing this salmon and other goodies for the barbecue dinner we would be serving that evening.

Monday morning saw the last of our visitors leave for their respective flights back to their homes.  Jeanette and I started the cleanup process with large mounds of laundry calling for a washing machine and dryer.

While she was managing the indoor stuff, I cleaned and straightened up the 5th wheel and stowed those items that need stowing.  I made arrangements to take the 5th wheel to the local RV service centre this Thursday to have the bearings re-packed and the brakes checked out.  Following that, it will be returned to its hiding place next to our home. We are planning our snow birding adventure and anticipate leaving this December 30th, once our Christmas duties are completed.

Thanks for dropping by.