The Adventures of Blake and Erin: July 2008

Friends

We spent a weekend at Jenn and Jordan's cottage. Blake and I were so happy to get in on the tradition of a couple's weekend away. This weekend last summer was cause for some intense homesickness! Jenn and Jordan are the furthest couple to the left in the picture and they are also the good friends that we're kidnapping and taking with us to Korea this next year.

Picture order: Jordan, Jenn, Megan, Caleb, Chris, Amy, Erin, Blake

Mom and Dad's 30th Wedding Anniversary

We thought that 30 years of being married is good cause for a little celebration, so, we planned a little party! Mom and Dad aren't into those big celebrations when they're the center of attention so we just had a small gathering of some couples that they've been close to over the years and had a barbq. Even though Mom has a sixth sense for knowing what's going on and can detect a secret from a mile away...we managed to pull it off as a surprise. We also put our pennies together and are sending them to the musical 'Sound of Music' in October. I think they're a little excited!

Below: Mom very surprised!

Below: 30 years ago!

Cute moment cutting the cake!

Above and Below: My ever photogenic father!

Below: Yes, I think we are some very sick people. We found it so amusing to torture our poor dogs by tying helium balloons to the collars. Personally I think they liked being the 'celebration puppies.'

Cottage

One of the events that we've been looking forward to this summer has been a week at a cottage. It was such a beautiful setting on Chandos Lake near Apsley. Here are the photos!

(Above) Mom making a bouquet of flowers. I'd say she looks relaxed!
(Below) Dad fishing.

Mom and Dad getting quite competitive playing go-nad golf!

(Above) Blake getting ready to knee-board.

(Below) Good friend Mark came to visit.

(Below) Blake showing some sweet moves. Looks like a natural!

Above: Blake and Marky

Below: Beth and Erin. Yes...if you remember from previous posts...this is the same Beth from Korea! She lives in Ontario too and we finished our contracts at the same time. Funny how it took going to Korea to meet when we even have some mutual friends! It was so good to have my family and some friends meet her because she's a big part of what made Korea so great for us!

Mmmmm Shish-Kabob.

Dad relaxing perhaps a little TOO much!

My photogenic father again ruins an otherwise great photo!

Joel's Graduation

My little brother Joel...sorry, let's be honest... my not so little brother graduated from high school this past June. We couldn't have been more proud of him! He got the top marks award for the school and also raked in some other math and chemistry awards. I'm a little partial I know, but this kid is a genius! And yes...I retain bragging rights! :)

(Below) This is the face for: "I just got five awards and I'm so excited to see how much money is inside so I can come to Korea to visit my big sister!" It was surprisingly disappointing considering the prestige of all the awards! I think Blake was the most disappointed of all. He remarked with disgust, "It doesn't pay to be smart!"

(Below) This is Joel and his good friend Etienne. They are ever so excited and feel they are ready and mature for the adventure and challenge of post-secondary!

(Below) A sweet one of Joel and Blake. It is such a rare find to come across a photo where they're standing beside each other smiling. Normally they're on the floor wrestling and punching and calling it some form of male bonding.

(Below) Dad didn't get the memo about this camera :)

(Below) "Big brother" Tim sharing in the excitement.

Amy's Wedding

June 7th was an absolutely beautiful day! Despite the drama leading up to the day, everything went so incredible smooth. The couple looked smashingly gorgeous, we had a lot of fun and they got married (most importantly)!