Friends I Follow

Tuesday, May 24, 2011
This week we got some fabulous presents, and I even made one too!

For those of you that don't know I call Joel Go Go Gadget, because of his extremely long arms. Seriously this guy can reach to heights you can not even imagine. What I never realized before is how much Joel looks like Inspector Gadget. Maybe not in this picture but when he has long hair and wears a hat it is very similar. So I laughed so hard when our friend Habib sent Joel this shirt. It is perfect!


Then yesterday we got a surprise package in the mail from Joel's parents. 
I love mail!


Sophie loves them too. She is that black blur in front of my leg jumping like crazy. 


Waiting patiently to see what was in side (after scratching my legs all up).


She just knew there were treats for her.


And treats for us!


So many delicious treats.


Like Joel's favourites, pretzel M & M's 


And mine, York Peppermint Patties.


It took me about a minute before I couldn't resist any more. 


They seem to send packages full of snacks right after we run out. How do they know?!
This is some energy food for Joel's long study days, which there are not many left of. He will be home in 2 months and 22 days! With only 2 more sets of block exams and then finals he is soooo close to be done! 

Yesterday while he was writing exams I was making presents.
A reversible bag.
Do you like?



I was really impressed with how easy it was to put together. It only took me a couple hours while even fitting in some eating and socializing. Because that is what happens at a sewing party. I think I am going to have to start these up at home with my friends. Anyone interested??
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Since my last post I have not been up to much. Just working and starting yesterday I got back into sewing! Wow have I missed that. We even got new fabulous machines that I am not giving back till I leave. I have so much I want to do. So hopefully in the next week or so I will have pictures to share. 

Oh and I started applying for jobs in Winnipeg. Booo! I don't want to leave but Joel asked nicely so I am going to leave him be. He has a big test and we all know how loud and distracting I can be so I am coming home. If anyone hears of any jobs they think I might be interested in please send me an e-mail!

I didn't take pictures of anything interesting this week but I realized I did not tell you about my time in Italy and Paris. So let's go back in time to the middle of March. 

I love Italy. So much so I have been there 3 times in the last 3 years. Every spring I seem to make my way over to hang with my bestie, my sister. One of the reasons I love staying with her is the food. Oh can Luca and Ellen cook. Let's take a look at the feast we had for Luca's birthday...






It is no surprise I come home weighing more then when I left. But how do you pass on any of it? Seriously if you know how to say no to delicious food please let me know! 

The ladies waiting to enjoy the afternoon in the sun eating way too much food. 


Obviously we had to do some shopping. 
We went to the market in town and did a little shopping and chased Emma through stalls. 




Then the highlight of the trip. Italia in Miniatura!!! Yep that's right miniature Italy! Ellen and I have been wanting to go since last spring. Emma was too little so this year we had to go. She loved to push all the buttons and watch the little trains and cars move. 


Thumbs up for Rome! 


See how little everything is. Super fun!


The rest of the trip was filled with walks, playing at the park, trips to Ikea, and a lot of laughing. I took on my role of Nanny Annie again and cuddled babies, changed diapers, helped with bath time and did some dishes. At least this time Emma knew may name, well Auntie Auntie is close to Auntie Annie right?

After one last new baby cuddle and a cute I love you from Emma I headed to Paris.
Paris is beautiful and so are all the people living there. 
It was a little lonely sight seeing by myself so I guess I will have to go back. 
But I did do the things everyone should.

1. Eat croissants (yes multiple)



2. Visit the Eiffel Tower


3. Enjoy the beautiful parks and architecture



Half of one day was not nearly enough time to really see everything I wanted to but I did love what I saw! 
Sorry for the delay on this half of the trip.
Hope you enjoyed my quick review! 

Saturday, April 30, 2011
Are you ready for some picture overload?!
I'm going to share a picture recap of our island hopping adventure.

First stop, Anguilla BWI. The long, "flat" (as Angela would say, but she has never been to the prairies) island with 33 white sandy beaches. 
At this point we had no idea how much fun we were about to have.

(L to R: Steve, Ashley, Nathan, Angela, Joel and me)


We rented a villa since there were 6 (and at one point 7) of us. It came with this little view.


With access to the water


Not to shabby


The next day we headed to the #1 beach on the island. 
Shoal Bay East

Ready!


Set!


YAY! We love it here! 


We had lunch at a beachside grill and then took an afternoon siesta, of course in a hammock.


Our little hammock village


Joel taking in the beautiful island. Looking like a model in my books. 



Joel and his nice set of coconuts


The next day we decided to take a tour of the island. 
We just happened to stop at the beautiful Viceroy when it started to rain so we had to have a drink.
It was gorgeous! They even gave us warm towels since it was a little chilly out. 


When planning the next day Nathan was determined that we needed to do all the things people come to Anguilla for so we headed over to Sandy Island. A small island that you can see right behind me in this picture.


We took a little boat, had a LONG lunch and did some snorkelling. 


Next stop, Rendezvous Beach for a picnic lunch, long walks on the beach, starfish, swimming and suntanning.




We were told we had to go to Little Bay from our friend Leslie. 
Boy she was not wrong that place was fantastic. 


A little hard to get to, but beautiful. 


The cooler with the beer and lunch had an adventure of it's own to get to the beach



 We went cliff jumping


First Joel.


Then me.


And after a little coaxing and a bribe we got Angela to. 


It's nice to see the boys so happy and relaxed. 



That night we went back to Shoal Bay East to watch the sunset. 
I don't know what is prettier the sunset or us.




Then was the day the boys were really waiting for.
Spearfishing with some locals.


They did well. 




Kissing fish


Who's the boss in this relationship?


And of course we feasted! 


We thought our haul was good then we went to the Festival del Mar where they had a deep sea fishing competition. Wowza! 



The next day was Easter so of course we went to church. And since we were with a bunch of Maritimers we had to find the only Catholic church on the British island. Very aptly names St. Gerard's (the same name as my elementary school). 


Being our last night on beautiful Anguilla we decided to cap it of with drinks at the gorgeous Cap Juluca



We were having such a great time we didn't really want to leave. But we were heading to St. Barths. So we packed up said goodbye to Anguilla and hello to beautiful St. Barths. Definitely an island for the rich and famous. The villas and yachts were amazing.



We only had a few days but we managed to drive every road, eat good food, do a lot of shopping and hit some beautiful beaches. 
Like Shell Beach, and it is just that, full of shells. Angela and I did some hunting.

They were all so pretty. 


The next day the boys lucked out and were able to rent surf boards. Nathan, being the only one who actually surfs, took the boys out at 5:30 am to face the waves. 
Lorient beach was minutes from our hotel and was perfect for beginners.




It was also great for a pictures.


We all wanted to stay longer but our budget and the plane schedules did not allow it. So we took our private plane back to St. Maarten. Who needs to charter planes when you can book a regular flight and be the only ones on it. That's just how we roll. 


And now we are back to reality and still dreaming of our lazy days on the beaches....