Meet the Wedding Bunnies

There is great excitement at MapleGum this week - the Wedding Bunnies (who were conceived and created by sister Louise for our wedding way back in 1994) have discovered that they have been invited to Heidi's wedding!

1994: Waiting for our wedding to start - and
nervously keeping an eye on the cat.

1994: They were also a bit nervous of
Brian and his canister!

The bunnies have had limited opportunity to get out and about since then but are absolutely thrilled to learn that they will be going. And, not just invited, but taking a prime role at the Wish Tree table. I have never seen them so excited.

**Although "The Wedding Bunnies" have never had individual names, for some reason I have an irresistible urge to call them Marty and Helen!

Yeay! We are so happy!

They have been a bit naughty though and have been getting into everything as I get it ready to take with us.

I wish I had a bigger veil.

I want this one!

Even my fascinator was found and tried on!

Looks better on me than on Ginnie.

I got their suitcase out and, as you can see, they have started packing already - the important stuff has gone in first! Although they have lived in Alberta previously, it's been a while since they were there, so there have been lots of questions about what to take. Will their bunny fur be warm enough, do they need boots, etc?

I'm pretty sure there has been some scheming going on as well because I keep catching them deep in conversation and then they stop when they see me!

When she's not looking, we'll check out
that big box in the corner.

We've also had discussions about where they will sit in the car for the drive - of course, they think they should be in the front seat and I discovered them yesterday trying to stake out their spot! I don't think so.

Marty and Helen have asked that I share their trip back to Alberta and at experiences at the wedding with you, so you will be seeing a bit more of them over the next few weeks.

Embargo lifted!

Big news we are finally allowed to share! We are going to be grandparents! I know, I know, I did say I was no longer interested and totally over the whole idea - BUT NOW IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND I REALISE I'M NOT OVER IT - I'M SO HAPPY AND EXCITED - mostly of course for Heidi and Antoine - BUT FOR US TOO!!!! We look forward to meeting you in August little one!

We've been here more than six months!

Just realized that we have been gone from Australia over six months. And what a busy six months it has been - well, a busy year I guess with all of the pre-planning for the move as well. Apart from wedding preparations, we are almost feeling settled into some sort of routine. Still no focus on job hunting - after the wedding maybe. By default, we may end up retired!

The past few weeks have continued to focus on wedding planning (two weeks tomorrow) - I found the perfect MOB outfit so am very happy about that. I got an amazing deal on it, hence all of the matching bits as well - likely paid a third of the marked price on everything. The pile of things to take with us is growing daily. I had assured Brian that we really didn't have a lot to take...wrong! In just over a week, we will be loading Zelda again for that trip through the mountains to Alberta. We haven't told her yet!!

My fascinator (I'm channelling a private box at the Melbourne Cup!)

I have matching shoes & bag.

Last Sunday I spent the day at a Quilting Bee at a nearby community centre - the purpose was to make quilts to give to various charities - last year they produced over 100 quilts - not so many this year apparently but still a good result. It was lots of fun.

The little quilt (it's VERY bright) my group made -
I brought it home to finish the quilting and put the
binding on - it's now ready to give away.

One morning last week, Brian went to pick up one of his buddies to drive to hockey and this was the guy's car...so pretty.

After a couple of weeks of on and off rainy windy weather, we are now into some (slightly) warmer and sunny days - even sat out on the deck a couple of times this week in the sunshine which was nice. We are starting to plan what projects we want to do outside on the deck and in the garden this year. Even though it is supposed to be sunny today, the morning has begun with a pea soup fog - can't see a thing out on the water. I don't think I'd like to be a ferry captain today.

The Canadian Figure Skating Championships were held recently and I really enjoyed a few evenings watching the competitions on TV - they are so talented.

What else? Oh yes, I finally cut into the huge pumpkin which was growing in our garden when we moved in...photo in one of the earlier blogs...the large one at the rear. I've made Pumpkin Muffins, Pumpkin & Mushroom Risotto & Pumpkin soup...and still there is some left! The smaller one is still decorating our kitchen so I think it can stay intact for a while longer. Amazing how long some vegetables can last.

That's likely it until after the wedding - at which time I hope to have lots to show and tell!

It's 2012 and my big sister is here!

It's amazing to have the first of my sisters here for a visit.

Christine enjoying the sights of Nanaimo.

Her first couple of days here were pretty low key as the weather was a bit rainy and I think we were all a bit pooped after the Christmas period - we did have fun though working on a 1,000 piece puzzle and movie watching. 

I went back to a warm welcome at quilting last week - they are such a wonderful group. My day was spent making wedding things which was lots of fun. I think my quilting will take a back seat for the next while. Brian has been at hockey already and enjoyed being back with his new mates.

Me in the sweatshop with Fran, my sewing buddy.

We did a drive out to Cathedral Grove to show Christine the giant Douglas Fir trees - the paths were a bit muddy after the recent rains...and it was cold.

En route we checked out Little Qualicum Falls - we've driven by the sign before but never ventured in to see it. With all of the recent rainfall, the falls were really impressive...not so "little".

We had the place to ourselves. 

As our intended lunch destination at the Coombs Markets was closed, we continued on and went to the pub Brian goes to for lunch after his Thursday hockey games. It was there I discovered THE BEST Fishermen's Chowder ever - since then, Brian has brought some home for me twice. I'm hooked.

Gloomy view of the fishing boats from the pub.

My new best friend!

Oh yes, we had another load of wood delivered.

Other sightseeing outings included a day in Victoria - checked out downtown, had lunch by the water, drove around the older upper class neighbourhoods and finished off with a tour of Craigdarroch Castle - which was more interesting than expected.

Amazing woodwork everywhere.

Pretty swish eh?

On the way to Victoria, we stopped at
this tiny railway station to remember the grandfather
of a friend of Christine's - he built a cabin
here many decades ago - couldn't find it
unfortunately but the station was a good stand in.

Loved these murals - made me look twice!

It was dark as we neared home, so we did a quick detour off the main road and through the main street of Ladysmith. They are renowned for their Christmas light displays and we were fortunate they were still on - what a pretty sight. Makes me wish we could have Christmas lights all year round.

Another day was spent exploring nearby Gabriola Island, home to about 5,000 people. I've met several people from there so was curious to check it out. The coastal scenery is spectacular.

Found another picnic spot for you. 

View of Nanaimo from the ferry.

One night Brian took Christine to see the local hockey team play - she had a great experience - including the mandatory hotdog and beer dinner prior to the start of the game. Yummy.

These banners are up at the local
ice rink - they are so cute.

Another sight at the rink - Brian ready to take a pass.

The day before Christine left (Monday this week), we awoke to find a very slight snow covering on the ground. Christine was pretty excited and more so as it snowed a little during the day. What she didn't know at the time is that the day after she left (yesterday), we would wake up to a huge snowfall! She whined and complained the whole time she was here about the cold so it was good she made her escape when she did!

After a great visit, we put Christine on a very early flight Tuesday morning - she will have another week with her daughter and grand babies in their new hometown in Minnesota before heading back to Australia...and work.

So, we are now alone again.

Some people from Newcomers recently floated the idea of a monthly euchre group so that has now been organised and 16 of us begin in a couple of weeks - enough time for Brian to teach me the rules - again!

We are expecting another snowfall tonight or tomorrow. Have to say I'm a bit over it already. One interesting thing though is that we can now see where the deer go during the night as their tracks are visible in the fresh snow. Ha!

Plans are progressing for the wedding - big decisions being made on hairstyles, outfits, hotels, speeches, etc...and that's just the parents of the bride! Imagine what the bride is going through.

No big plans over the next couple of weeks so blog updates might be meagre. Hope your year has started off well! Can you believe it's 2012?