Sunday, September 28, 2008

Summer Highlights

Now that it's officially fall, I thought it was time to post some pictures from summer. It consisted of 3 main things which aren't surprising... Joel, family and friends. Here are some of the highlights.

TIME WITH JOEL
Joel doesn't get all summer off but took 2 weeks off to hang out with me. We went camping in Orillia where we spent some time with the Birch family and my brother and sister-in-law Jon and Adrienne and nephews Isaac and Ari. We made another short trip to Barrie and then went away to celebrate our third anniversary in Niagara-on-the-lake. We took a day trip to the falls which wasn't as exciting after having spent so much time at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, but got a kick out of some of the touristy stuff. Our vacation ended with a few days at my parents farm getting ready for a big family reunion.

At our campsite at Mara Provincial Park

Celebrating our third anniversary in style
Enjoying a bon fire at the farm


TIME WITH FAMILY

It was great to spend so much time with my family this summer. We made trips to Barrie and Huntsville to see both of my brothers and their families, as well at time at the farm with my parents. The highlight was definitely a family reunion from my mom's side of the family. As kids keep coming the family has grown too big to spend holidays together, so it was a treat to all be together at once.


With my nephews Isaac & Ari in Barrie

With my neice Jane in Huntsville celebrating birthdays

The Miller/Hardie/Williams family reunion at the farm


TIME WITH FRIENDS
I had a lot of great time connecting with old friends I don't get to see very often and getting to know new friends. Once a week a group from of girls from our homechurch had salad lunches together which was a great way to build friendships beyond Monday nights. In August I had a few days at some cottages up north with some good friends Cheryl, Kristen, Kat from B.C., and Phil, Kathy and Matty from Australia. My good friend Robin also came home for a visit from Calgary with her new baby Jake. We also got some more cottage time with Jenn, Alice, Wayne and Natalie from our homechurch. It doesn't get much better than hanging out on a dock, by the lake up north!

Weekly feasts with homechurch girls

Cottaging with the Westby's

Catching up with great friends from camp and university


I guess reflecting back, this summer was about people. We were never too farm from home, but I had so many great times with the people I love the most. It takes time to keep relationships going and I'm thankful I was able to do that this summer.

Monday, September 1, 2008

The Last Day of Summer


I've bought my whistle and am ready to go. Tomorrow I will start my new job as ESL and Phys-ed teacher and I can't wait. I love the summer, but by the end I'm always a bit antsy and craving the routine of working life again. I had fun setting up my ESL room last week and meeting a few of my colleagues. They are great and I'm looking forward to stepping into a supportive and friendly environment. This is my fifth school in five years of teaching, so I'm hoping I can stick around for awhile at this one. New beginnings also means the chance to also work on a few of the million and one changes and goals I've been thinking about this summer. Pressing the reset button is a good thing!

I'll post some pictures of summer highlights soon, but for now I'm off to celebrate my last official day of it at my first ever rib fest...and then, let the new season begin!