Mom and Kendra's Birthday

Seems like Mom and Dad are usually down here for Mom's birthday. Well this year we were lucky enought to also catch Kendra's birthday. This was a great night..the food was unbelievable!!





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Another Visit to the Petting Zoo

Continuing the tradition, when my parents are in town we always head to the petting zoo. This time we had the Kippings with us:



This is by far my favourite photo from the day:



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Niece and Softball Tournament

My sister and brother-in-law were in town for their daughter's softball tournament. Here are a few pictures:



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My New TV

What else can be said...you move into a new house, go into deep debt so what is your next step......by a big ass LCD TV.....oh yeah and pick up an AppleTV while you are at it. Here is my new Toshiba displaying the screen saver from the AppleTV:

Our First Night of Possession

My Mom and Dad were all ready in town to assist us and they joined us when we took possession. Trish's parents and sister also showed up a little while later. We enjoyed some wine and a bucket of the Quernel's Best!!



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We Take Possession - June 28th, 5:00 pm, 2007

I guess this ranks right up there with burning your mortgage papers - god that seems like it will never happen considering the mountain of debt we are now in! Regardless it felt good to accept that key:



Mike McCulloch was our realtor and I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone. He definitely has the art down pat and his low pressure approach is refreshing.

India Gives Flowers to the Queen

India's Grandpa Schiedel's work was celebrating it's 60th anniversary and decided to have a Queen impersonator come down to assist with the celebrations. India and another little girl presented the Queen with some flowers. Unfortunately some people took this little gathering a little too seriously and Trish was unable to get close enough to take a picture of the girls presenting the flowers.





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Our New House!!

Well it is finally a done deal. We take possession of our new house on June 28th. Although the house did not come cheap (with taxes it is $600,000), it is completely a move in with no need to do anything. This is exactly what we need with the new baby. We are so excited to have insuite laundry and a yard that we can hardly contain ourselves. Below is a picture of the front:



Here is a picture of the backyard:



My favourite part of the house is the kitchen:



The house also has a suite which will be a 'must-have' mortgage helper. I was able to rent it in one day! Here is a picture of the suite:





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India's First Dance Recital

Some of these pictures are from India's rehersal not the actual recital. Trish was such the show Mom and I was a little skeptical. However when India came out I was totally in tears as the proud Papa.....







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Camp Pringle Year Three

This was our third year at Camp Pringle (United Church Family Camp at lake Shawnigan). This year was the first year without rain...what a treat! The kids have so much fun at this camp. India will have such strong fun memories from these visits.



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India at the Beach with Celia

India with one of her best friends; Celia. They have so much fun together! They both talk about it each other when they are apart.



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Actual Baptism Photos

Here are the baptism photo's from May 13th. This was a fantastic day. It was so incredible to have my family here (unfortunately my sister couldn't make it).





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Another Visit to the Petting Zoo

It seems to have become a tradition with my Mom, India and Trish to go to the Petting Zoo everytime my Mom is in town. India, like all children, is fascinated with the animals.





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Amara's Baptism Day

Pucky has taken photos of the actual Baptism which I will post as soon as I have them. Here are some photos from the post baptism party and some shots from when my two bros left. What a wonderful weekend....it is impossible to say how much my family means to me....



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Mother's Day Brunch at Merridale Cidery

We did Mother's Day Brunch a day early as we had Amara's baptism the next day. This is where I thought we were going Friday night but I was surprised with a 'surprise party' at our house. The weather was wonderful at Merridale and the food was fantastic. I love this place...it is Cowichan valley at it's best.





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My Birthday - The Big 40!

Interesting to think I have officially entered middle-age. In alot of ways I feel like I haven't accomplished enough and then I think of my 2 healthy children and the feeling goes away. Children are reminders of what is truly important.....





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Walk at the Lieutenant Governor's House

This was a big weekend.....my 40th birthday and Amara's baptism. My parents arrived on Monday with my brother Dan as the surprise guest. His wife followed a couple of days later and we went for walk at the Lieutenant Governor's House.


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India at Play Group

One of the benefits of being off is that I can join in the routine that Trish and India have. Part of that routine is play group at Fairfield Community Centre. India has a blast here and her favourite thing to do is play with play-dough:

Friends and Family!

Through our first week of Amara's life our friends and family made sure that we did not have to cook dinner once. Every night of the week someone brought over dinner for us or cooked it for us at their house. It cannot be emphasized how helpful this is during this time. The last thing you feel like doing after a night and day of very little sleep is to get organized and make dinner. On Friday of last week our very dear friends Bev and Rob came over with an amazing dinner (and a quiche for the next day). Here is a picture of Bev with Amara:

My Girls!

Here are some quick picture of all my girls!! I am so outnumbered!!