A Very Merry Christmas....

Here are some pictures of Christmas 2010. We had a great holiday, party hopping and spending time with friends and family....


Christmas Eve dinner


Opening gifts Christmas morning


The Fam


The WHOLE fam/ funny faces :)


All dressed up for bowling night with family friends. Peter took 2nd place of all 25 bowlers! Yay Pete! And Dan won the costume contest! Yay Dan!

2010. The Best Year. Ever.

Like most of you, our 2010 is ending with the typical cliche, "where did it go?" Luckily, this year, I might be able to tell you where it went this time. 2010 will always be a year close to my heart because of our wonderful friends and family who we have shared it with. I never thought that such a mellow start to the New Year (sitting around our table playing Catch Phrase) would amount to one of the best years so far... and so it goes....

After our rather uneventful New Years, the rest of 2010 carried on with fireworks. Literally. In February, the Olympics opened up in Vancouver and we were swept away in a whirlwind of patriotism, spirit and an amazing display of camaraderie as the world watched. We danced, we drank, we cheered, we sang. The perfect celebration in a vibrant city alive with people from all over the world. Everywhere we looked, people smiled like idiots and it was good. Very good. My parents came up and we had a blast together watching the torch run by and seeing a few US hockey games. Not only did I get to see a bunch of live events like pairs figure skating, speed skating and a few hockey games, Pete and I were lucky enough to be at the game when Team Canada won Gold in Vancouver surrounded by his whole family. We capped off the night at the Closing Ceremony and then danced the rest of it away at the Molson Hockey House. We were so busy playing in Vancouver everyday that we almost forgot about one very special creature. By the end of it all, I looked down at our little Ernestine and noticed how fat she got in just 2 weeks. Luckily spring was around the corner and so were plenty of long walks on the dyke.



March and April flew by and so did my youth ;) On Easter Sunday I turned 27 in Portland, Oregon where we saw the Michael Buble concert and watched the Vancouver Giant's in the playoffs. Pete's Gramma Liz threw me a beautiful bridal shower that my mom even came up for. I continued to stay busy planning our big day. Sadly the Giant's hockey season ended too quickly in the Spring, but to make up for it, Pete's buddies surprised him with a trip to Palm Springs for his Bachelor Party. My lovely bridesmaids threw me a truly unforgettable party in San Francisco, and my mom's friends put together a lovely bridal shower for me as well. It was incredible to feel that much love for an entire weekend!





Finally June 19th arrived and we got married. Definitely the best day of our lives together and I am so selfishly pleased to still hear people talking about it. Thank you to everyone who helped make it so much fun. Love is a special thing, and lucky for us we get to watch some of our best friends tie the knot this upcoming year. We can't wait to celebrate!



A few short days after our wedding, 2010 swept us away to seven African countries. A blissful five week honeymoon disappeared all too quickly, but like everywhere else we've been, Africa made a lasting impression on our heats. Nine nights of tents in the bush, one ferry ride, a few too many busses, nine flights and even one plunge off a bridge... we made it home safe and happy. We were so lucky to start our marriage off with our dream trip of a lifetime. That and our continuing good health was probably the greatest gift of 2010.



We came back from Africa with half of a summer left to soak up the sun and skimboard with Ernie. Pete went on his annual fishing trip... and we still have salmon coming out of our ears. Hockey season started and fall brought Thanksgiving in both Canada and the States. We had a short-lived but beautiful snowfall. Just recently I made a trip to the States for Battle in Seattle where I got to see a whole bunch of fellow Gonzaga alumni and hang out just like old times. That weekend ended back in Vancouver with a play and dinner with the family. It has been a great end to a great year.



On Wednesday Ernie and I will be making the journey down to California (via airplane) and Pete will join us on Thursday. All three of us are excited to take a break from the rain and spend time with my family. It's the first time since the wedding Pete will be with the Hurst clan all together.

Happy Holidays! And thank you 2010. You are surely one for the books...

The Last Thursday of November

Even though I am officially a resident of Canada (and I happened to be pretty excited they won the gold medal last year at the Olympics), I am not a complete and total traitor (yes, contrary to popular belief, I did actually feel sad that the US had to lose in order for Canada to get the gold-- but that's water under the bridge now). In my heart, Thanksgiving for me will always be the last Thursday in November, AND it isn't the Christmas season until the day after. Is there anyone else out there who really can't stand the fact that the radio is flooded by Christmas music BEFORE Thanksgiving nowadays? What's wrong with enjoying one holiday at a time? Especially a holiday dedicated to eating. Why are we always in such a rush to get to the next thing?

Anyways, like the rest of you, today I am thinking about everything I am thankful for. I will even be celebrating Thanksgiving with a turkey and pumpkin pie up here in the great white north. So, in tribute to the last Thursday of November and the timeless American tradition of too much turkey, in no particular order, here is my list of what I am especially thankful for today:

1. my girlfriends... need I say more?
2. red wine... it goes great with chocolate!
3. my dog... even when she packs a punch that clears a room
4. Pete... I almost forgot
5. my sanity... when I have it ;)
6. my mom... without her, I'd have no one else to blame for my imperfections
7. my dad... well, mom's got to have someone to blame
8. my brother... he's actually too nice for my sarcasm
9. baseball... great pants. The Giant's winning the World Series was pretty good too
10. Anthropologie... for explaining that last credit card statement.
11. travel... proof indeed that North America is fat
12. yoga... I have matured into a woman who no longer giggles out loud when someone farts in class
13. my entire family... new and old
14. red wine... it helps with number 13, so what if it's a repeat
15. the basics... love, life and happiness. Cheers!

But seriously, there is so much to be thankful for, even when life feels like one giant kurfuffle and nothing is going right. We are so lucky simply to be living with so much excess and so much to give. And as corny as it sounds... wishing everyone a warm home, a happy heart and many days full of love and laughter!

Update on the condo....

To keep you in the loop here's some more pictures of our home in progress...........

We have cabinets and even counter tops in the master bathroom. So exciting!


view of snowy golf course from unit across the hall


white color scheme master bath unit across the hall (we have brown)


our master bath cabinets with counter tops (kitchen will match)

SNOW!

We had our first snow of the winter... well I guess it was more like the first snowfall in 2 winters. (We all remember the ironically sunny and warm Olympic February) The last time both E and I saw snow up here was in 2008, when she was only a few months old. We have conveniently been in California when the white stuff comes down. Not to say that I don't like snow... I LOVE the snow. And actually, so does Ernie. It began coming down Friday night at about 10:30pm as we were leaving the Giants game. As soon as I got back, we (as in me and Ernie) both bundled up and went outside... Ernie was jumping around like a little bunny rabbit and eating the snow. I think it tickled her nose, which made her act all gooofy as she ran around with snow all over her face and her tail tucked under. Pete got home after me, and we played outside on and off until about 12:30 a.m. Of course the next day, we let her loose again and snapped some pictures.




hmmm, another lawn to muck up...

Foster Parents

...for dogs! I have taken my obsession with puppies one step farther and Pete and I are now fosters for the local SPCA. It's pretty much the best gig ever. The shelter we work with doesn't have the facilities for overnight boarding, so Pete or myself go and pick up the dogs around 6pm and bring them back the next afternoon for adoption viewing. Many of the dogs we get are puppies which sweetens the deal a little more. A few weeks ago we had 3 eight week old puppies. Ernie seems a little unsure of our house guests at first but by the end of their visit, I think she really enjoys running around and playing with them. Here's some pics of the puppies we had:

Trick or Treat... Happy Halloween....

...or as they say in Korea... Happy Hallowinday!

Today is special because....

...it has been two years since little Ernie came into our lives.

On October 30, 2008 I went to the airport to pick up the puppy we bought from a breeder in Alberta. Yes, we paid with paypal and yes, the breeder had knocked $200 off the selling price. Furthermore, she was being shipped out via airplane. (I know, I know this sounds worrisome but I spoke with the breeder, his vet and another lady who purchased a pup from the previous litter several times. Plus he was from Alberta, and I have a rather trusting attitude toward Canadians.) And even though I had a lot of faith in this guy, driving up to the airport I was a little unsure if there would actually be a little puppy arriving on the plane for me. Sure enough, a few other future pet owners were waiting for their special delivery from Alberta as well. As soon as the crate appeared, three little faces popped up and I knew instantly which one was our girl. Right there I fell in love. She was just so tiny. I think Petey may have been in shock the first few hours, but when I arrived home from the Madonna concert late that night, I found them both snuggled on the couch together. That was just the beginning....

Turns out those four pounds of puppy were a lot of work. But when you're in love, it doesn't matter. She stayed up crying half the night, wailed when left alone, climbed all over everything, peed and pooped at will, chewed the rug, my shoes and who knows what else. For goodness sakes, I couldn't even shower without hearing her wail from her crate down the hall. But it didn't matter because she had tiny paws and crooked ears. Her first night with us, we had her in her crate next to our bed. Something smelled very very wrong. We were convinced she had pooped in her crate until I quietly turned on the light, and found her fast asleep in her bed. Oh my, don't tell me that was only a fart?! Unfortunately this feature was not just part of puppyhood, and we are constantly graced with scented reminders of ErnieGirl's sometimes overwhelming presence in our lives.

Somewhere in the mix of stress and sweetness that comes with raising a puppy, Ernie grew up. The pink piggy belly sprouted fuzz and polka dots.  Her crooked ears took to the sky (to this day I think they still continue to grow, seriously). She grew tall and thick, equally showing both sides of her Frenchie-Boston cross. The fog of her puppy brain lifted and she began to read our emotions. A year passed and she finally learned that, yes, it is inappropriate to take a vengeance shit under the kitchen table after having a bath. Now two years in the making, she finally gets it. Miss Ernestine is our greatest sympathizer in times of sadness or frustration. And of course she is the first one on the scene with her silly antics as we celebrate and smile during all the good times.

Ernie is the proof that big things come in small packages. Everything she does is big and done with gusto. She drags logs along the beach that are three times as long and heavy as she is. Everyone (dog or person) she meets is a friend in the making. No matter how big or how small, Ernie wants to know you. She hunts, she skateboards, she skimboards and sometimes she even sings. She is happiest when being chased, evident as she deer kicks her legs behind her as she makes her getaway. Her zest for life rivals some of the humans I have met in this world and her stubborn sass makes the package complete. Just like a teenager she tests our boundaries and asserts her independence. But when all is said and done she is always up for a snuggle, and that's why we know she loves us too...

Pumpkin Patch

Today we went to the pumpkin patch. It was an absolute zoo. It's always funny how the combination of sunshine and Sunday draw people out from hiding. Oh well, at least it wasn't like the time we went a few years ago on an overcast Monday. Ha, that was a big mistake. Not only did we stick out like idiots because we didn't have any kids, we were also some of the only people in the entire pumpkin patch. It would have been fine, until we discovered that covered wagon rides were mandatory and included a banjo player.  Try sitting through five minutes of that alone in a giant covered wagon. Top that off with a dancing corn mascot = awkward situation.  Today on the other hand, I was relieved to discover a twenty minute line up just to get into the place....

Aaaaand we have progress....

Pete and I went to check out our condo today. It has been about 2 weeks since the last time we went to look at it. And whaddya know, there's drywall! Wow, it felt real when we walked in this time. Our unit looks great and so does everything else. There's even a few stitches of grass on the new golf course and a fountain right outside Sarah's window. So pretty. Here's the photos!

View from entry

Ernie's so funny with her big mouth I couldn't resist.

Fireplace

Master Bedroom

So excited for m... I mean our closet

The windows are the perfect height

Already made herself at home...

Looking at kitchen/entry

view of golf course from unit across the hall

Canadian Thanksgiving!

 Last weekend Canada celebrated their Thanksgiving. Now that I am pretty much one of them, I also partook in this fabulous holiday. You can never have too many Thanksgivings being that it is the most delicious holiday of the year. Here are some pictures!

Turkey guy

Hopeful. Willing the turkey down from the counter.

Bec's creations. Pumpkin and apple.

Vegan pumpkin pie

Great company!