The Youngest and the Oldest, united in a hug

Stella is 11 months old this month and here she is pictured with her great grandfather, Vernon, who is also the oldest family member (at 95 years old). Within the last few weeks Stella began giving Vernon hugs that last several seconds. For an active little toddler, that is quite amazing! She has really bonded with him, her the youngest member of both Luc and my extended families, and he the oldest. The picture says it all!

Christmas Tree is up and being enjoyed!

by the two cats. This really looks like pure pleasure :)

UBCC: Useless Bay Coffee Company

. . . is anything but "useless". In the past couple of years the owners have renovated and expanded the old 2-room building into a coffee shop with a kitchen and two rooms with comfortable and surprisingly stylish seating, as well as bathrooms and upstairs offices. Also recently added outdoor amphitheater and lots of seating with umbrellas in the summer. The coffee shop is really an experience for all the senses with its wonderful heated paninis, soups, and espresso, as well as the artfully decorated interior. The outdoor seating is equally enjoyable with mostly edible plants and winding cottage stone pathways. There are really too many interesting things to look at and experience---you'll just have to go there yourself and see!

Some of the many bench seating available, as well as a view of the building.

Front entrance

Amphitheater

Espresso line

This is their extra special coffee roaster

Some of the indoor seating

Half of a panini

Even babies like the food!

Marina like to eat the sandwich unconventionally. . .

Langley holiday Parade: Ponies (I mean reindeer), two Santas, baby elf, and a pooper scooper

Santa (me, Candice) with baby Stella (my lil elf) and Caspian the pony (my reliable ol reindeer)

Santa number 2, Vicky, leading Marina who rode reindeer Joey (30 year old pony) the entire route. Marina enjoyed every moment & waving to people

Pooper scooper Owen :) What a good sport!

All ready to ride! Wool coat and all...and thinking, thinking

Marina perched upon her noble, if not big steed (thanks Nikki)

All gathered at the Langley Middle School parking lot before heading out on the parade route!!

Bow on the tail....some interesting presents come from here....

Ta DA! Look at those cute ponies, checkout their forelocks, bows and all!

Decorating the ponies with various bows, tinsel (look around their ankles), and festive blankets, including a skirt for the Christmas tree

Heading home after a long morning in the parade! And lots of fun

Praying for Little Pheobe

Pheobe and Dad Caleb, pictured at the soup box derby September 2008

Our little friend Pheobe, 3 years old just recently, was diagnosed with rapid growing brain tumor, and under went surgery this morning. She is recovering now and we are all sending her our love, well-wishes and positive thoughts! What an experience for a young child, and it hits close to my heart as we know her and her parents quite well and we also have a 3 year old. We love you Pheobe!

Langley's Christmas Lights

Langley is all lit up for the month of December. Below are some pictures I took from around town.

The Dog House

Langley Pizzeria

Above and below: Star Store

Star Store Wine department entrance

A Langley Clothing boutique

There are many decorated trees around town, above is an ornament I liked :)

Art Gallery

Candice and Marina at lighting of Langley celebration

Luc and Marina at lighting of Langley celebration

Giant candy cane lights at Dr. Prael Dentist, ironic, no?

ABOVE: Lighting of Langley Celebration, during the first week of December, with a visit from Santa and his alpaca reindeer

Fish Bowl restaurant

Another Artist gallery

See us in the Holiday Parade Saturday morning (Decmeber 6) in Langley with the ponies!

Hi everyone, here is a video of Marina riding Caspian the pony last weekend, led by Grandma Vicky (I know, you thought she was my sister). We will be in the parade this Saturday the 6th of December in Langley. Watch for us and the ponies, although you may mistake us for Santa and his perky reindeer . . .

Stella on the swing and lovin it

Stella is just so expressive. It is a lot of fun to take pictures and video of her!