And....... August 28,2009

Hello all,

Just thought I would pop in and share some exciting news. Our summer has been filled with many activities one main one being selling our house. It was a tough decision but we made and were going to stick with it. It has been a long journey to get were we are today. I just wanted to say a big thank you to our families and especially our fabulous Real Estate agent.

On a side note we have not located a new residence so if you love your nieghbourhood

and could handle us as your neighbour let us know!

Belated Celebration for Darren's Birthday August 26,2009

Last night we had a fantastic dinner in honor of Darren's birthday. Not only has the month been an exceptionally busy one but Darren also was working on his birthday. So we choose a night that he could enjoy being surround by the ones he loves. We had a fabulous dinner including, salmon(with dill sauce), roasted potatoes, salad & corn on the cob. I baked a butter cake and constructed a strawberry shortcake. Mom & Dad were kind enough to bring the corn on the cob and a lovely chocolate ice cream desert. MORE FOTOS

Long overdue update August 24,2009pi

Oh where or where have I been... well no great excuse except that life has been a bit crazy around our neck of the woods. I will elaborate in another post. Just thought I would leave you with a few post of our morning at the beach. I love the beach! If I could know that the weather was as good as it was the day we were there I would love to have you all there to see the joy and well capture a few pictures too!

Hope this finds you all enjoying the remaining part of our summer!

Delicious quick Cake! August 10,2009

Sam & I whipped up this little but tasty cake the other day for our desert! We used our frozen raspberries as that is what we had on hand. I think this is a good go to recipe if you have guest coming. We truly enjoyed it!

Recipe Source from

RASPBERRY BUTTERMILK CAKE

SERVES6

• ACTIVE TIME:15 MIN
• START TO FINISH:1 HR

JUNE 2009

Simple, tender buttermilk cake topped with a nice, sugary crunch: We like it as it is, full of raspberries, but you could easily substitute any sweet, juicy berries you pick up at the farmers market.

View more of our favorite recipes from this issue.

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk
• 1 cup fresh raspberries (about 5 oz)

• Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
• Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Beat butter and 2/3 cup sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then beat in vanilla. Add egg and beat well.
• At low speed, mix in flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour, and mixing until just combined.
• Spoon batter into cake pan, smoothing top. Scatter raspberries evenly over top and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 Tbsp sugar.
• Bake until cake is golden and a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool to warm, 10 to 15 minutes more. Invert onto a plate.

RECIPE BY MELISSA ROBERTS

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROMULO YANES

Days away August 4-7,2009d

After Aiden's birthday Darren had a few days off so we decided to head out for a few days of camping. We mentioned this to Grandpa & Honey and they said the were in! So we packed like crazy people and headed out the next day. We were in such hast to get a spot during this hectic season that we didn't even stop at Costco, this was big! Well we managed to wrangle a camp spot and enjoyed a few days away. Sam loved the tent and was quite a willing participant to go to bed at night! Even Bronwynne had a good time but didn't managed enough of leash time as she would have liked.

PICS

Aiden's 5th Birthday August 3,2009

Monday evening we all got together to celebrate Aiden's 5th Birthday. A BBQ of hamburgers, hot dogs, tasty salads and some scrumptious deserts were had by all. Sam enjoyed running around with the kids especially when they all had a chance to bounce on the trampoline. When all was said and done it would seem that Aiden had a terrific day.

More pics.

51' Ford visit from Grandpa August 1,2009

We had coffee with Grandpa this morning as he came over to help with a plumbing problem that we were having. Darren was only home from midnight last night to lunch this morning. So Grandpa was kind enough to come over and lend a hand with the situation. And to Sam's surprise he came in the hot rod, well we couldn't let the moment pass without taking a few snaps.

BBQ for Kyle's 15th Birthday July 30,2009e

We(Sam & I) were invited over to Grandpa & Honey's place to help celebrate Kyle's 15th Birthday. Darren was working and was not able to attend and Dave & his family were still on vacation. A wonderful and tasty dinner was eaten followed by a delicious frozen cake with of coarse 15 candles. We were celebrating a few days early as they will be away for his actual day. Sam had a great time with his cousins running and playing a bit of soccer. Kyle seem to enjoy all of his gifts and was grateful for the gathering.

Happy Birthday Kyle! Hope you have a fantastic year. Enjoy!

A few more pics.

Quick trip to see good friends July 20-25,2009

I had a phone call last week from a good friend of ours out east saying she had a couple of weeks off and was wondering if Sam & I wanted to come for a visit. Well a day and a half later, we were packed and ready to go on a red eye flight that Daddy was operating. Our dear friend met us with a big hug and a smile. Yay for us! Sam & I had the best visit ever we played, went to a museum, gained more confidence swimming, tried a water slide, and just plain hung out! Can you tell we had oodles of fun!THANK YOU!

As usual more photos of our great time!

A drive with A/C July 16,2009

To escape the heat the other day we all piled in the car, I know this seems very unlikely but, the car has A/C. We decided to take a drive across the line for a few dairy products and have a little lunch. We headed for the Aldergrove crossing because there is a dairy farm just a bit after you cross and do they have good ice cream and cheese. But before that stop we drove just a bit farther and grab a lovely lunch in Lynden. Even Bronwynn enjoyed herself!

Sarah's Crazy 8 Birthday Party July 12,2009

Sam & I had the honor of attending Sarah's Crazy 8 Birthday Party. We found everyone at the local park. A lot of fun was had and most importantly the birthday girl had a great day surrounded by all of her friends.

PICTURES

Lighting Lake July 6-9,2009

We managed to get away for a few more days up to Manning Park. We headed to lighting lake for a few days. I have to say that I hadn't been there since I was quite young. The park was a beautiful and peaceful as I remember it. Sam had a great time, we managed to get a few hikes in, Bronwynne loved the lake for swimming but don't tell anyone. On the last day the sun finally made a full showing so we rented a canoe and headed out for a few hours it was fantastic. If you have the chance to go I would highly recommend it.

Celebrating Sarah's 8th BIrthday July 4,2009

As summer becomes increasingly hectic, Karen planned to celebrate Sarah's 8th birthday early. We were invited over for a BBQ in Sarah's honor. Good food, drinks and the birthday girl made for a great evening.

O Canada July 1,2009

Sam & I spent the day with friends enjoying the sunshine. We headed off to one of the newest parks in Langley and had a wonderful day. The kids ran from the playground to the water park the whole time we were there. Sam was slightly hesitant but once Shannon gave him a boat to float down the "river" he was hooked. We all brought something so we had a wonderful array of goodies and food to enjoy!

Thanks everyone!

More pics in the Flickr

Strawberry Time June 29/30,2009

Darren is doing red-eyes all month so I thought instead of getting involved in major task through out the day and sending him off to work we would just take it easy. We headed off to Krause Farm to pick up some strawberries. We had a good bit in our garden but not enough to make a batch or two of jam. Well to my surprise we did get a flat but the berries were much smaller than last year. And to count myself lucky my parents had gone the day after and there were no more berries.

So yesterday Sam & I headed to the store to load up on pectin and sugar to make a batch. It turn out nicely and Sam & I enjoyed some warm jam on a piece of rye bread together. Yummy!

Celebration of Nicholas's 4th Bday June 27,2009

Sam & I were invited to help celebrate Nicholas's 4th Birthday today. Sam was so excited he kept say on Saturday, but hey today was Saturday! Yay! Off we went and we tried something new being on time. I have to say I was alway a punctual person before Sam's arrive and well lets just say not so much but I do try. And guess what were were the first there, well if you don't count grandparents(sorry Mr & Mrs. S). Shortly after our arrival Orson was there with Hugo & Mya. Sam & Hugo hung out with the digger at the playground before the remainder of the guests arrived.

The weather couldn't have been any better the kids were running around having a great time. Michelle planned some great games for all the kids to participate in. A sensational time was had by all!