Family comes first - cake enjoyment from our visit home

So, after joining Tiffany for her birthday party yesterday, Jordan and Joe hosted a party of their own at Jordan's old house (movers come tomorrow). We enjoyed home made burgers, BBQ'd chicken, and gourmet sausages ... all cooked to perfection. Followed, of course, by cake.

Joe and Jordan enjoy their own slices

Not a crumb was wasted

Once cake was eaten ... it was time to open the wrapped treasures that scattered the room. Turns out that Joe was not all that interested in "opening" the presents ... but once opened that was another story. He seems to be quite content to leave the paper on the boxes ... no desire to rip and tear ... not that that is a bad thing. Either way ... mom and dad did their best to help out. Thanks to everyone. The toys will drive us nuts but the cloths will help us out ... we just need find places for it all.

[Thanks Krishen for the photos today - Absent minded Dad brought the camera with no memory card and a low battery - gah!]

Tiffany opens gifts while an anxious crowd overlooks

Happy Birthday Tiffany ... the first of our group of three has now turned 1, which means the others are not far behind. We joined Tiffany and her parents for a wonderful birthday celebration this afternoon with presents, games, and cake - a great time for all.

Joe and Jordan will be hosting their party tomorrow today - who really parties on a Tuesday anyways. It should be fun ... though last minute planning has left a few strings untied. If you can make it your more than welcome - just give us a call for directions :)

Potty training milestone: on April 29, 2006 (362 days), Joe completed a full day with a dry diaper. They grow up so quickly!

On tuesday I arrived home ... alone. The house is empty ... the contents of my bags are scattered all over the house ... the cupboards are empty ... and I really need to get my act in gear - Melissa and Joe will be home soon.

We had a really great visit with family. We miss you all so much.

On Sunday we took a short trip out of the prairies and into the hills. Just west of Calgary lies the rocky mountains. As you make your way towards British Columbia, Canmore is your first real stop in the hills. If you were to continue to drive to Vancouver, the next 5 hours of your trip would be through some of the most beautiful country-sides in the world. This is what I really miss - once you visit here it is really hard to ever go back to where your from. This is home!

Take a look at our shots of the day.

Lorne and Bernice Hemphill - Grandpa and Grandma

Last night we enjoyed grandpa's 90th birthday celebration. Done in a western theme that saw us getting up and line dancing and swing dancing - man it was a blast. This was the reason we came home ... and I am really glad I did. You can just see the pleasure on grandpa's face.

Joe even got in on the fun ... with the help of his grandpa.

This morning we woke up to a light snowfall. Enough to get a soft covering of white on the grass and a chill in your bones. So Joe and I went out to have a little fun ... he really just took it all in stride as if it was nothing new ... guess it is in the blood!

By noon all traces were gone from the ground - though a light dusting still falls in place of rain. The last of old man winter ... and hints of things we miss.

Morning coffee with grandma

Visits with great Oma

Cousins were very helpful

STARS visit

Got a tour of the STARS facility today - cool stuff!

STARS provided some flight training

Calgary Zoo

We visited the zoo today (click for pics)

Joe integrates into the local culture

IKEA - a play area for all

Entertainment included

This trip is just full of birthdays. On the 14th it was my Dad's ... who is still holding onto his "21" status.

Happy Birthday Dad / Grandpa

Any final packing required

You could almost count all of yesterday part of today - we started on only 3hrs (or less) of sleep after we finished packing and cleaning. Then, when we arrived at the airport we were told that we did not have Joe's ticket ... JOE'S TICKET. Melissa was fine ... but Joe required a paper ticket that was mailed to him - except that it wasn't. Well, before we changed days they sent one out to the wrong address - which was returned. They called Joe yesterday to inform him that his ticket was returned and would be at the counter - it wasn't. Then we were told that the birth cert. was not required - it was preferred. So, we had to buy ANOTHER ticket for Joe on the spot ... because apparently Continental does not have systems capable of looking up a previously purchased ticket.

Well ... we finally got on the plane.

Flight time logged: +6hrs -- worry was apparently for not

The plane rides themselves were quite relaxed. The first flight of the day Joe ended up sleeping almost the whole flight under the seat in front of us ... so we got a nap in too! The second flight he was up, smiling, and playful up until the last 30 minutes - when he found a row of empty seats and slept. I must say, the flight staff was extremely nice which made the trip really enjoyable ... and our neighbours stayed happy with us too.

Great Grandma and Joe took a stroll

Now that we are here we can settle in to visiting with family. Ahhh ... it is so good to be home.

Grandpa ... what does this do??

... and I bring hugs!

It is 11:48pm ... emails have been sent to those at work who need the info. The bags are packed. The house is almost clean - one run to the rubbish bins left.

3:30am is going to come WAY too soon!

Quite frankly, in the last few weeks (months) we have not been able to get together as often as we would like. So, when it comes we take it and run. Pad Thai take-out feeds the belly and the kids keep us entertained ... what better way to spend a Monday night.

Well, this past Sunday was a holiday in Portugal. One in which tradition apparently states that any godmothers should be bestowed flowers ... so Joe did just that. We also took Patricia out for dinner to thank her for the many times she has taken Joe and allowed Melissa and I a couple hours to ourselves. Thank you!

Yet, that was not all ... Jae and Cynthia were back in town so we all got together for lunch and playtime at the park. It was really good seeing everyone again ... we need to do that again .. hey .. how about tonight :)

It is summer time once again. Proven by the fact that we all went swimming after work yesterday ... it was warm and we could see. So ... more golf games are expected :) Funny thing was that I almost felt like the summer was coming to an end while on the course Sunday. Felt like August ... and to think - she has only just begun.

Good news though ... snowbirds are going home and the courses are emptying. Which means one thing ... discounts. In desperation to get people playing during the summers almost all the courses drop their rates significantly, and discount cards are available for even more savings. Oh, the benefits of summer.

"I hope this is not a symbol of things to come!"