Sweet Early Bird Presents!

23 Just keeps getting better and better! The day has not even come, but I have been given really amazing things that I am so excited about! My friends and family must really love me :) The stuff I am about to show off are gifts I have been given so far that are very personal gifts, bought with me in mind! That makes me feel very loved :)

This is my getup of the day - NEW UGG BOOTS from my grandparents, a gorgeous silky scarf from Calea, and my CRITTER TOQUE from Marika and Natasha that matches my mittens!

Close up on the UGG's - Jon and Grandpa's comments on this was "well if you can wear them two different ways, do you have to pay for them twice?" Yes, that is the funny guys that surround me!

This gift totally made me laugh and made me SO happy! A new toque to match my favorite mittens! Girls, you are amazing!
Just very pleased with my outfit!

Also, I have gotten my new curling iron from Tim and Lois (which I was not able to wear, and didnt have time to curl my hair for the pic!), and Shayna gave me a beautiful painting from Korea that spells my name, and jewellery from China!!! What a great best friend :)

I love all of you! Thanks for loving me, and making 23 the best birthday so far!

Birthday Party for me!

My 23rd birthday is fast approaching, and Jon threw me a birthday party with our Victoria friends before we left for Alberta. The night started with Tim and Lois taking us out for dinner to Fifth Street, and their present to me (along with dinner!) was a SUPER sweet curling iron from the salon that I have been wanting! I was very excited to say the least! (maybe now that means I will shower more and potentially do something with my long crazy hair?!). Then we came home, and friends came over and we played games and celebrated my birth!

He even bought an ice cream cake - my favorite!

Becky and Kirk came and brought Bohnanza, my new favorite game!
Miss Marika came too!

Jon and Natasha always have a good time together! Lots of laughs

Jon and Nate cheering my birth! YAY!

Cute boys!

Jon hanging out with Maelle!

It was a really fun night, and I felt very loved! So far, 23 is looking pretty spectacular!

Life at the Zoo

We only have two pets (and a fish, but he is pretty tame and mostly just swims in his bowl!) but on my word they are CRAZY! I feel like lately we live in a zoo - Jon calls himself a zookeepers, which I think is funny. These animals are NUTS - Henrik is a ball of energy, always tearin around and knocking things over, and Jake follows behind him, wagging his tail, and knocking over the things that Henrik has missed. They also are starting to play together, which is super cute, and REALLY funny. Henrik bits Jake and rolls around all over him, but Jake is gentle and just lets him - but when Jake does decide to swat back, Henrik goes flying because he is so small! Life in the zoo is pretty funny, most of the time! The exception being the middle of the night when we are trying to sleep and we can hear Henrik causing a hurricane and Jake starts to whine at him. Not so funny then!

Here they are snuggling together... or more like Henrik has forced Jake to snuggle with him, and Jake for once is just tolerating it!

This would be the shoe rack in my room - he has taken all that stuff OFF the rack, in a loud crashing manner, and then plays with the stuff, and then decides he is tired and takes a nap. There is currently only 3 shoes left on my shoe rack - he has decided that the rest are better off on the floor.

A walk on Dallas Road

We have spent the last two fridays looking after this little munchin. Care works in the mornings, so we Kenna from when she woke up until lunchtime both days. Last friday, we bundled up and took her for a walk on Dallas Road, so Jake could come and run around with all the other dogs. It was lots of fun watching Makenna get excited about all the dogs, and watching Jake attempt to make friends, but his shyness just gets in the way! (He is such a timid dog!!)

Here she is, all dressed up and ready to go - silly as always

She only wanted to hold my hand - it was really cute!
Walking across th fence - not an easy feat for someone so small! But I helped her along, and she laughed the whole time, and was really proud of herself when we got to the end!

Looking at the ocean. Very pretty

Shoulder ride with uncle Jon!

Ryan, Courtney and Maelle visit

I am a bit behind here, but I wanted to make sure that I posted some of these adorable pictures! Two weekends ago the Denninger's came up and stayed with us for a night. We had such a great time walking around camp, hanging out playin games, and chatting. Ryan and Court are really special friends, and amazingly great people, and we love spending time with them! And Maelle is just the cutest little thing... happiest baby EVER! All three of them are really such a joy to be around! We had a really fun weekend.

Their cute little family when we were out for a walk

Happy girls
Maelle chillin in the hammock and looking very happy about it!!

And they even brought us Special K with berries - our very favorite cereal! You guys are awesome!

This Post Is for Sharon!

So it has come to my attention that I have... once again.... been a huge slacker when it comes to blogging! It seems that I have been enjoying sitting at home at night, with my warm fire on, cuddled up with Jon, watching Christmas movies too much to write!! But that is NO excuse to not keep up the blog (right Sharon?!!). Therefore, I have decided to write this entry dedicated all to my wonderful neighbour that I adore!

Here is a picture of us together at camp this summer! Pretty good lookin pair eh?! I think so!

Since the Burdge's have been away on their holiday, I have realized how much I love and appreciate this woman! Here are the top 10 reasons why:

1. She always lets me talk as much as I want, even if that means I just keep telling one story after the other!

2. She is the MOST giving person I have ever known - one time she even gave me a carrot peeler because she knew mine was so awful

3. Because she listens incredibly well when I am having a breakdown

4. Because she has this uncanny way of getting me to spill all my emotions to tell her (which we know is NOT an easy feat... I sometimes think that emotions just need to be shoved back down where they came from!)

5. Because when we are just hanging out together, we can laugh and laugh and make the other one just feel good and happy

6. Because we can have two conversations happening at the same tie (she is having one, and I am having one) and it ALWAYS takes us quite a long time to figure out that we are actually talking about different things... funny everytime!!!

7. Moving has been hard, and pretty lonely, and she makes Jon and I feel as though we matter, and as if we are a part of their family (which is a pretty sweet family if I do say so myself!).

8. She waits for me. Even though it probably hurts her, and sometimes really sucks, she waits for me. I love you so much for that Sharon - your waiting is appreciated!!!!

9. She motivates me to do whatever it is I think I can do - she encourages me to reach past anything I think I am capable of and find the potential that lies there.

10. Because she is loyal - like I mean LOYAL!!! This girl makes a friend, a deep real friend, and that person is her friend for life. What an incredible quality!!!

I miss you friend!!! But I know your having a sweet time, and I can't wait to sit and chat with you under our blankets by the fire!! Good friends are super hard to find, and yet sometimes the Lord just provides you with exactly what you need in the shape of a friend when you need it most! I really truly believe that you have been my answer to prayer! Thanks for being you :) Now go eat an Inn and Out burger for me!!!

Jacob's Baptism!!!

Last night we had the priviledge of watching Jacob get baptized!!! His youth pastor "dunked" him at his youth group church of First Baptist in Nanaimo! We picked up Marika and Natasha at the bus terminal and they came as well! It was sooo awesome watching Jacob take this step, and make this declaration of faith. He is SUCH a great kid, who has a heart that is bigger than life, and he seeks after the Lord in a very real way. I have learned a LOT from Jacob, and we were just so proud to be sitting there, watching him get baptized into the family of faith!!!! Listening to his testimony brought tears to my eyes, and seeing how stoked he was afterwards just made my heart swell!! After the baptism, his parents had a party for him at their house, which was SO fun! He has a wonderful family, and is just so surrrouned by love all around! Jacob we are so happy we shared in this day with you! We love you!!!!

Just about to go down!

A group of kids that we love SO much - you guys are just really special!

You boys are so silly and great!

And you girls are crazy beautiful, inside and out!

What a sweet moment! These two are so funny together, and just have such a sweet bond!

Staff Christmas Party

For our staff Christmas party we went to Chemanius theatre for dinner, which was delicious, minus the crazy nut allergy attack that I had (the nuts were hiding in small pieces in the CHEESECAKE - sad!). But Jon was able to run the grocery store and buy me some drugs and save the day. Then we went to Harry and Jinny's and did a chinese gift exchange, which was lots of fun! I went home with a 10 dollar Tim's gift card and large bar of chocolate, and Jon got a who wants to be a millionaire and deal or no deal game! In the "unwanted household" item gift exchange, we went home with a BRAND NEW MEC thermos (whaaaat! how was that unwanted??!) and a scented oil thing that smells kind of like the ocean - however it needs to be "wafted" and not "inhaled" - I learned my lesson there! haha. Pretty good overall I would say!!

A shot of all unopened gifts

Sharon had a sick boy at home and wasnt able to come, so we skyped her in! Here is me talking to her! I liked her being "right beside me!"
I love this couple so much! Jinny and Harry are always so encouraging and loving! Thanks for opening your home to us :)

Chris temporarily won disco earrings! Lookin good!

Then I also temporarily had the earrings!

It was a fun night

Crazy Day

Today was a buuusy day! We worked in the morning, and then we went into Duncan, because we had coffee date set with Jim Badke. However, Henrik has been having "issues" with his butt - constipation issues! I admire my husband even more for the very graceful way he is dealing with the kitten's "issues" despite his distain for cats! So that meant I had to take te poor little guy to the vet - again. So I dropped Jon off at the coffee shop in Duncan to meet with Jim, and then drove to Cobble Hill to drop Henrik off. They told me he would be a while, so I decided to go pick up Jake, who was getting his hair cut just down the road. But finding this place was awful!! It was a hidden little store that you cant see from the road, so I was frusterated and driving around, until I finally asked someone! Then I picked up my handsome looking freshly cut dog (except for the fact that they didnt cut any of his tail and it looks silly, so I argued with them about it, and got a 10% discount) and went BACK to the vet to get Henrik, who was in the midst of getting an ENIMA! So needless to say, he wasnt ready to go yet. So I went back into Duncan and chatted with Jim and Jon for a bit, and then Jon and I went back into Cobble Hill to pick up the cat. He was finally ready to go home, after being severely violated. At least this time in the car he sat nice in his box and didnt really move, as opposed to when we first drove there and he was trying to climb everywhere... Then we drove from Cobble Hill back to our wonderful home in Mesachie Lake :)
Then this made it all better!...

We ate dinner together as per usual, and then Jon went sledding with Chris, Isaac, and Elliott, while I drank a margarita with Sharon (the deliciousness showen above!) and chatted about things. It was a great night, and even better now that I am laying all cozy in my favorite purple afgan, watching friends, and feeling the heat from our fire, while Jon is drinking a hot chocolate made for him by Sharon. Ahhh this is the life!

We love our neice!

This past weekend Luke, Care, Makenna, and Calea came up to camp for a few days. Luke brought up the senior high boys basketball team that he helps coach (the girls senior team came too!) and that meant that we got to spend lots of time with Makenna! Having her around always makes for a busy, but so fun weekend!! Watching her grow is amazing, and she sure is funny! Here are some Makenna highlights from the weekend:

Here she is putting her blanket on Jake, and trying to make him play with her. The lazy dog mostly just sits there and ignores her, and lets her do what she wants!

This is her "laying down like Jake". I thought this was super funny!! He is just chewing his bone, with her blanket on him, while she is having a great time playing "with" him!
"Show me your teeth Kenna!!" "EEEEEE"

This is us rocking out to some Taylor Swift. She got wild, I was laughing so hard at her! She was flipping her hair around like a rockstar and laughing at me singing all the words to her!

She LOVED Henrik. She followed him around all day long. It was SO cute.

Still following Henrik around, having a great time! I just LOVE this smile, it makes my heart melt! She is such a good little girl, and just absolutely adorable!!

Makenna, I hope you always know how loved you are by Auntie Mel and Uncle Jon!!!! I cant wait to keep watching you grow, and see what kind of wonderful person you become!!!

A day at home hanging out with our pets!

Today Jon and I both had the day off together! We hosted on the weekend, so we got to make up the time today and tomorrow! It was sooo nice to have a SUPER lazy day! Here are some shots of our lovely day at home:

The pets were right into the lazy day - Jake is cuddling with his new teddy bear and Henrik is loving his life by the fire!

This is how Henrik spent most of the day... curled up on the rocking chair...

...directly in front of the fire! This kitten SO belongs in my family - he loves the heat just like his owner! LOL

Today Jon also hung up the hammock that he bought for me in Mexico - he even made a wooden thing to go in it to make it into a chair! Here he is cuddling with the kitten

And it didnt take long for Jake to get jealous and come right over, wanting to be shown some love as well! This is also a better view of the hammock and the wooden thing Jon made for it! Very cool, and really comfy!

I love days like these - when we just get to hang out and be together, talking, cooking, playing games! Jon also watched a Canucks game later in the afternoon while I napped on the couch. Great day!

Meet Henrik

This weekend I seen an ad for a kitten that was being given away, and the impulsive side me shone its crazy face. Within a few short hours, we were the owners of a small, 10 week old orange fluffy kitten. We named him Henrik, after Henrik Sedin, because he has red hair - how fitting! haha. Jake seems to like him - he just does NOT like that a little furry creature is getting the attention instead of him!

Playing with his string

Sleeping away in our basket of blankets!

Henrik slowly winning Jon over...

Henrik, we hope you are happy here with us!

Just some Taylor lyrics...

So no secret that I loooooove Taylor Swift. Her songs come on, and I cant control my shoulders, they just start to move, and then the rest of the body! And all of a sudden I have lost control of my lips and they are singing her lyrics loudly, while my body is dancing all around! Weird I know. But she just released a new album, and there is a song on there called "Mine" and the first time I heard it, it almost made me cry! I just feel like it is exactly the story of Jon and me (not sure how Jon feels about our life being compared to a T-Swift song...but I'm sure he must be used to it by now...). But I thought I would share the lyrics, because this is my favorite song for today! Something different will probably catch me tomorrow and it may change...

"Mine" by Taylor Swift
You were in college workin part time waitin tables
Left a small town, never looked back
I was a flight risk with a fear of fallin
Wonderin why we bother with love if it never lasts

I say "Can you believe it?"
As we're lyin on the couch
The moment I can see it
Yes, yes I can see it now

Do you remember we were sittin there by the water?
You put your arm around me for the first time
You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter
You are the best thing that's ever been mine

Flash forward and we're takin on the world together
And there's a drawer of my things at your place
You learned my secrets and you figure out why I'm guarded
You say we'll never make my parents' mistakes

But we've got bills to pay
We've got nothing figured out
When it was hard to take yes, yes
This is what I thought about

Do you remember were sitting there by the water....

Do you remember all the city lights on the water
You saw me start to believe for the first time
You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter
You are the best thing that's ever been mine

And I remember that fight at 2:30 am
You said everything was slippin right out of our hands
I ran out crying and you followed me into the street

Brace myself for the goodbye cause thats all I've never known
Then you take me by surprise
You said "I'll never leave you alone"

You said "I remember how we felt sittin by the water
And everytime I look at you it's like the first time
I fell in love with a careless man's careful daughter
She is the best thing that's ever been mine"

Do you believe it? We're gunna make it now. And I can see it

Ooooooh man i just love this song!!! Jon and I were sitting on a couch the first time he told me that he loved me - and we were also sitting on a couch the first time we ever talked about marrying each other in the future - the first time when I actually looked at him and realized that I never wanted to be with anyone else, ever. When we met, I was so jaded, and closed off, and he broke down those walls, and he made his way in. By loving me, and always staying around even when I pushed hard, he made me believe in love, believe in forever. We have NOTHING figured out, and we get overwhelmed by life and the bills that keep coming, but we are also able to look at each other and remember why we are together. He didn't make me into a rebel (probably more the other way around...) but he did help me stop being so afraid of things. He pushes me to do crazy things that I never thought I could do! He definately helped this careful girl become more carefree with the small things. We have soooo many good memories (like the night we started dating, and I fell through thin ice up to my waist because I was being such a little know-it-all!) and I would not change one thing about our life together. He convinced a girl who never believed in love that love actually exists and that she is actually capable of it, and that what we have is a forever kind of thing. And everytime he looks at me, it really is just like the first time. There is nothing more I need.

Thank you, miss Taylor Swift for all the dance parties you have provided me with - and for being so awesome and letting me have these great moments of happiness knowing that I have what you are singing about and what so many other girls are searching for. I love you Jon! You are the BEST thing that's ever been mine :)

Lomas Lake Hike - boys day of fun!

Recently, Jon and Chris decided to spend an entire day going on a crazy hike, and they invited Chris' friend Steve to come with. They wanted to do the hike and see if its something we can take the campers on this summer with the outdoor program. They hiked up to Lomas Lake - from the pictures it looked beautiful! And it was a successful day - I think Jon is going to use the hike as part of his program! Very cool :)

The three adventerous boys - Jon, Chris, and Steve

My handsome outdoorsy husband! Look at the background - beautiful!
The lake looks gorgeous! Jon was very excited about it when he got home that night.

They took Jake with them, and at first he was even out running the quad! He kept up all day, until the end, when he was so tired! He didn't want to hike anymore, he was refusing! Must be my dog... haha!

Well boys, it looks like it was a good day!