Updates on the backyard project..

Starting to look a little more like a backyard (not a parking lot!)...

On our Bikes with Mel and Mike!

Another night out on the bikes in the Kananaskis Country: this time a trail out on the way to Canmore...Here's a couple of post-bike photos during the amazing sunset...We all had lots of fun--Mike and Mel are such great friends to hang out with--we will really miss them when they move to Libya!! :(

Goodbye to the "RV Pad"!!

I guess now that we're homeowners, things that are exciting to us (i.e. a trip to Home Outfitters, Canadian Tire, "Bed Bath and Beyond"--"I don't know if we'll have time!?") may not be as exciting to other people, but here you go anyway...
Today we experienced the excitement of watching "Brian's Bobcat" and crew dig out our existing "RV Pad", and fill it in so that we can lay sod, thus expanding our backyard and getting rid of what used to be a bit of an eyesore.
Our next plan is to build a fence along the back to block our view of the alleyway a bit, and then to build a garden and firepit in that corner of the yard. Here are the "before" pictures...will update with some after once things are looking in better shape!

Congrats Tara and Joe!!!

Great news from the Brewin family!!! Tara just announced that she and Joe are engaged, planning their wedding for February 2007!! We are so happy for both of you, and so looking forward to the upcoming preparations and celebrations, as well as welcoming a new member to our family! Congratulations again!! :)

Our house--so far--more!

(Front hall/kitchen)
(Patio)
(Our BEIGE Bedroom)



A few more pics...

Our house--so far--again!

(Office)
(Guest room)
(Living Room)
(Dining Room/LR)
(Downstairs--"Rumpus room" (as it was advertised!)

So we are not completely settled yet: we still need some window coverings, a bit more furniture, and to hang out pictures on the walls, but here are some photos of our new furniture (thanks to Dave and especially to our "wedding gift" from Mom and Dad!) and our new house, now that you can get a bit better perspective...

Hiking in Banff National Park (with Clairesy)

Spent the afternoon today doing a couple of brief(ish) hikes with my friend Claire (another OT). We had an amazing day, weather-wise, and saw some beautiful views. So happy to be back in the mountains after a few weeks of "city" life--makes you remember what you're here for...

We LOVE visitors!!

This week saw our first "official" visitor at our new home: Tara (Dave's sister) was in town this week for work, and stayed in our guest room: giving us a chance for a brief but fun visit. We all went to the "Talisman Centre" on Wednesday night: showing Tara where we've been working out for the past few weeks: swimming, weight training, and generally just enjoying the "athletic" atmosphere (http://www.talismancentre.com/ ). Last night we had a BBQ in our backyard: hosting a few friends to try out our newly stained deck and of course, some Brewin burgers. Sadly, Tara was off to the airport this morning, but not before treating us to breakfast at "White Spot"--a Western tradition that we've finally experienced after several failed attempts. It was so nice to have a familiar face here to visit for the past few days--great to be able to "show off" our new place, and having family here definitely made it feel a little more like home. We're looking forward to having Tara again in a few months when she returns for work. In the meantime, we'd love to have visitors any time: we already have Jim and Andrea, Karen and Blair and Rob ("Budi") booked for August long weekend (sharing accomodations with Harman and Shandra), the Jacksons (Dan and Joyce) are coming September 14-24th, and the Brewins (Sue and Barrie) are scheduled for early October. It feels so great to have a home that we can host people in, and we feel so blessed to have so many people in our lives eager to make the trek out west for a visit.

Stampede: part 2

Not a lot to comment on Stampede: we ended up getting standing room tickets for the "Chucks" (chuckwagon races) and watching the evening show on Wednesday, then spent the weekend at a couple of Stampede parties hosted by local bars...This city goes CRAZY during Stampede...but the atmosphere is nice: everyone seems to be in a good mood, much like the "holiday spirit" during the month of December, but with more drunk people and cowboy hats...If you ever get the chance, you have to come out and experience Stampede!!

Stampede: part 1!

Well, we arrived back in Calgary to full-blown Stampede craziness! Had a nice (but brief!) visit with Leslie and Heather (OT girls) on Monday who had been in town for Stampede with Claire and Kelly (sorry girls--the photo didn't work out--I will have to resend it!). Dave and I finally headed down to "Ranchmans" for lunch today, and were greeted by some fun country music and Alberta Beef sandwiches. We're hoping to catch some of the actual Stampede later this week: some Chuckwagon Races or Rodeos hopefully. Will keep you up to date!

Andrea and Jim's Wedding!!!

Jim and Andrea had an amazing day for their wedding at the Kingbridge Centre in King City: hot and humid but perfect for an outdoor ceremony with a patio cocktail reception afterwards by the pool! It was so great to see friends from all over the country and to catch up with all of our friends from back home. Everyone had a blast, and Andrea and Jim both looked absolutely ecstatic. Congratulations!

Home (Ontario) for a visit

Came home on June 29th to spend 10 days in Ontario visiting friends and family and preparing for Jim and Andrea's wedding. We were lucky enough to see Amy, Joel and Janet and Mom and Dad's place in Bobcaygeon, and got caught up with lots of photos from recent trips to Newfoundland (Mom and Dad), Italy (Joel and Janet), Spain (Amy and Jason), and Amy and Jay's wedding. The Bobcaygeon neighbours also stopped by for an impromptu 60th Birthday party for Dad.

Homeowners!

Moving Day went smoothly (other than getting the truck stuck--another story!) and we are now getting settled in our new house....getting settled for the past 48hrs that is, and then off to Ontario for 9 days: to visit friends and family and celebrate the Gorbailios wedding next weekend!! New furniture has been purchased, to arrive when we return, but we already have our guest room set up and it is ready for visitors ASAP!! :)

Mini Vacation #3: Banff and Lake Minnewanka

We headed out to Banff for our third "mini-vacation"--stopping at Lake Minnewanka for a fun (but challenging) mountain-bike ride along the lake, and up and down the mountain! Great weather, great views and great company (as well as a few mountain goats!) made for a perfect ride; we then treated ourselves to a dip in the Banff Hot Springs pool (where my parents met 35 (?!) years ago!) and a well-deserved steak dinner! Loving the opportunity to have these fun little day trips just outside the city (Banff is about an hour from Calg).

My new job!

Just in case there wasn't enough going on, I found out yesterday that I have been offered a job at Providence Children's Centre: a preschool program for children with disabilities. It doesn't start until the end of August, but I'm really excited about the organization! See www.providencechildren.com Now we just have to figure out a way to pay the mortgage until I start work!! :)

Mini Vacation #2: Kananaskis!

Sunday, we headed out for a mountain bike ride in the Kananaskis with friends from Guelph Sean and Lauren: a bit muddy after many days of rain, but lots of fun!

Mini Vacation #1: Drumheller!

Last weekend we took our first (of many I'm sure!) "mini-vacation" to see what Alberta has to offer: we drove through some pretty threatening prairie skies to Drumheller and the Tyrell Dinosaur Museum for a day trip to explore the badlands and see the dinosaurs. I was here last 5 years ago, and Dave hasn't been here since he was a kid. Pretty amazing scenery--feels like you've arrived on another planet or are in the middle of the desert! The museum itself is pretty amazing--lots to see and do, and more dinosaur information than I could ever keep track of! Next trip: biking in the Kananaskis! :)

Our house (so far!)

Here are just a few photos of the new place (these are just from the MLS listing: will provide updated photos once we're in there!).

First 3 weeks...

Time is flying: hard to believe we've been here almost 3 weeks now! Seems like so much has happened these last few weeks that in some ways it feels like we've been here a lot longer. At the same time, it still feels a bit like we're on vacation, especially knowing that we will be back in Ontario in just a couple of weeks!
To keep you in the loop, we bought our house last week, and the last few days we have been working with our mortgage guy, lawyer and real estate agent to get all the technical stuff out of the way so that we can move in next friday, June 23rd! It seems like a quick turnaround, but we are both eager to get into a more "permanent" place where we are not living out of boxes, and where we have more than 3 (camping!) dishes. The next update will have to include our house photos once we have the official "sold" sign up! Hope you are all doing well!