Saturday, March 12, 2011

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!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

A January Hike!

Deja and I decided to start by headin' up Chadburn Lake Road.
Instead of following the road down, we crossed the road...
...and kept climbing.
The higher...
we hiked...
the better...
the view!
Deja and I like to watch the birds surf off the edge of the cliff! 
Schwatka Lake and...
the surrounding mountains!
Snow-covered, wind-swept clay cliffs
Time for a roll in the snow!
A winter wonderland
On the decline, there is an opening in the trees that gives us an amazing view of the lake!
I'm not sure of the correct term for this, but I call it "para-ice skiing"!
Deja patiently waiting for me
Headin' down toward the Fish Ladder.
We made it just as the sun was beginning to set.
Mike greeted us at the door.  Check out of the clinging mini-snowballs Deja brought home with her!

New Year's Eve!

We thought we'd share some of our New Year's Eve photos!  We went to the Maguire house, and Cheryl and Keith cooked us another delicious turkey dinner! (We were definitely spoiled over the holidays!)

Of course, Josh was the first in the kitchen fillin' up his plate.  He made it to the dinner table before anyone else.

Cheryl dishing up Helen's portion.






After dinner, we found the boys playing Wii games...

...and the girls playing air hockey!
I spent a portion of the evening helping Helene and Mia dress and primp their barbies for the midnight celebration!


Camron, Helene and Mia didn't want to miss an episode of "Wipe Out," even if it was New Year's Eve. 

We all watched it together and had a few good chuckles at the participants' expense!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 2011 is going to ROCK!!!