A Visit to Kamloops!

Decided to fly to Kamloops to visit Grams, Eileen and Daddio!  Found this heart stuck under the airplane window next to my seat.  Took it as a good sign!

Four hour layover in the Vancouver airport!  Ate dinner at the Monk's Grill. Delicious!

A couple hours went by before they posted the departure gate: C32!

This is the tile in one of the washrooms. I hand some extra time on my hands, but I truly enjoyed myself! Then it was time to board the plane and the flight was a blink!

Dad, Eileen and Grams greeted me at the airport with shamrock garlands and shades: Happy St. Patty's Day!!!

Green Tea instead of Green Beer this year!

The well-known Harley ridin', controversial country rock artisit, Kamloops Gord, stopped by the house, and we invited him to dinner.  He accepted!

Eileen's homemade Greek salad, Grams scalloped potatoes and Dad's roast chicken = YUM!

Eileen, the photographer

Mexican art

Dad and Eileen's living room is so welcoming.  Warm and cozy...

My favourite window in the house

We convinced Kamloops Gord to stay for a game of Scrabble!

Grams in her element

By the end of this game, Eileen made the rest of us look "inept." In our defense, she is a professor.

Big brains and a little luck of the Irish!

Robbed or robbing?

An awesome mural found behind The Grind

Tea and snacks at The Grind

Eileen, Dad and Grams

Grams is "green" even though "they didn't have the green thing back in her day."

Cuddled up watching The Big Lebowski

Dad making dinner

This is how Dad cools off spaghetti noodles before testing them.

Organic, veggie pasta sauce with whole wheat noodles and bakery bread

Another epic Scrabble game

Thumbs up from Eileen

My last night in Kamloops...

filled with laughter...

and love!

Jaylene, the All Star Basketball Player!

Jay was on the F.H. Warriors junior girls grade 9/10 basketball team this year.  

They won GOLD and Jay was named an All Star!

Here are some photos of Jay in action against the Porter Creek Rams!

Jay takes a shot!

Watch out Lanigan! Here comes Jay!

Defense!

Jaylene driving by

Jay surrounded by Rams! Can you say "Foul"?

All eyes are on Jay

A competitor who still plays with a smile

Jay about to "take off"

Grabbin' the rebound

Jaylene on the break out!

Just one stride ahead

Jay entering Ram territory

Jaylene drives by, protecting the ball.

Jay defending Warriors territory

Jay knows when it's time to pass!

"Catch me if you can!"

Jay taking another shot!

Love is in the Air!

First, Mike and I celebrated Valentine's Day with Josh and Jay!

We surprised each other with Valentine's gifts and cards throughout the day!

Less than a month later, it was our first wedding anniversary - March 10th!  (By the way, first year wedding anniversary gifts = paper...) We started our anniversary date by going to the hair salon together to get haircuts and a little colouring, while our hairdresser showed us photos from her recent wedding. It was a lot of fun!

We went home to change before going out for dinner.  I walked into the living room to find Mike's gifts waiting for me on the couch!

Mike bought me a new clay mug to replace the one I recently broke, a unique leather change pouch for my purse, a bracelet made from parts of recycled stainless steel spoons...

and a beautiful piece of local art titled "New Beginnings."

However, my favourite part of his gift was the beautiful poem and card he wrote for me!  I love that he can still surprise me!                      We were both famished and decided to leave Mike's gifts until after dinner.  We had an incredibly delicious three course meal at the Skyy hotel restaurant - blanketed brie to start; Mike had the New York Steak with mushrooms and I had the Maple Glazed Salmon; both came with garlic mashed potatoes and various veggies (asparagus, beats, peas in a pod, and carrots); for dessert we shared a piece of blueberry cheesecake.

Mike was so stuffed (and cold) when we got home that he immediately changed into comfy clothes and cuddled up in front of the electric fireplace.

This is where he opened his gifts: an array of magazines,

a water bottle with a picture of us on the beach in Mexico,

A wedding photo to fill the custom-made frame I bought him last year,

and a card I made him with

a poem inside.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Deja opened all of the gifts with us.  Isn't she adorable?

The next day was the F.H. Collins Annual Talent Show.  I only had time to snap a few shots during preparation.  This is Martin, with Cam in the background (from the band Psychic Weatherman), setting up their band equipment before the sound check.

Samantha helping with decorations

Our M.C.s - Alex and Tanner

Annie having way too much fun decorating, shooting behind-the-scenes footage, and simply goofin' around!

Wai Fung:    our new lighting techie,  definitely one tech-savvy grade 8er!

Stephanie giving stage directions to Teagyn, Christa and Kenedi. (Sorry the photo is so dark.)

Two of our talented grade 8 students!  Henry, who can play "Blackbird" behind his back, and one of the members of the band Zip-Line!  (We had more grade 8 talent show participants this year than ever before!)  It was one rockin' event! Definitely a great send-off before our March Break!