This past weekend was a lot of fun. We finally met Cam and got to catch up with Alana. We had a nice supper on Friday night and got to hang out on the deck outside for hours and hours because the weather was perfect, finally. Cam is super nice and down to earth. He was really great with my grandmother as well, which was really cute to watch. So my cousin has done quite well for herself indeed. Your mama would be so proud Alana. The rest of the weekend was spent chilling and catching up. We were outside most of the time, lounging in bathing suits, swimming, drinking pina coladas, drinking, and so forth. Good times indeed. Here are some pictures... Patrick was there (just not in these pics) but my brother wasn't, since he was off on a canoe-camping trip that he had planned well in advance. He was disappointed he couldn't be a part of it all, but Cam did sign some things for him and promised to send him some t-shirts.

We're getting ready to receive my cousin and her boyfriend! I haven't seen Alana in about five years, and I've never met her superstar man (no exaggeration), so it's all very exciting. It was very last minute, but they will be here today, and my cousin will stay through the weekend. We are so lucky that the weather is great, and we don't have to work at the biblio.

Here's what I've been up to this morning (I'm trying to get back into the groove of taking photos. I really miss it). I've been on strict orders from Martha (a.k.a. Marge) about what needs to be done to prepare for the guests.

So I assume I'll be back sometime early next week with some new photos of the family reunited. Have a great weekend!

Another rainy morning - perfect time to get productive, when the sun is not calling you outside.

Here's what's on my to-do list today:

1. Clean bathrooms presently crusted over with ickiness.
2. Vacuum.
3. Update CV.
4. Draft emails to send to principals next week (you know, stating that I am looking for a teaching position and all).
5. Finish mini-album from Tania's wedding
6. Scrapbook other wedding albums.

I think that's all, actually. It's not as daunting as I thought it was. Actually, the last two items are leisure, meaning they're not really even on the list, so this is looking good. Time to go get busy! But first, another layout. (BTW, the person in my last layout is my brother in case you were wondering.)

Sunday morning and the sun is bright. Just finished a yoga workout, eating honey bunches of oats, and sipping my coffee. Weekend summertime mornings are easy.

So, the spa was super nice. We went on a Thursday morning, so we practically had the place to ourselves. The hot-tubs and pools are all outside, and then you go off to the saunas in little separate exterior buildings, so that was interesting. The place itself is right in the base of a mountain so you are surrounded by giant pine trees everywhere, and you can see far-off lakes and other mountains. It was all very serene. Also, it started pouring while we were in the hot-tub. Everyone else ran for shelter, but we just stayed in the hot water while huge, cold rain-drops fell on our heads. That was pretty cool. We stayed at the place for a few hours, until we got nice and relaxed and wrinkly.

Afterwards, we found a Mike's restaurant in the neighboring town of Saint-Sauveur, had a really satisfying meal, and then, lo and behold, there happened to be outlet malls all around the area. Patrick was very patient as I tried on, no exaggeration, heaps and heaps of clothing at Dynamite. I ended up getting three pairs of dress pants and three dress shirts for 80$ - score!

When we came home, we went to visit Bailey (Julie and Ken's new baby). I didn't have my camera with me, so this photo is coming courtesy of Julie from facebook (hope you won't mind, but I couldn't resist sharing this cute face with everyone).

On Friday I went to Burlington with my mom, and we shopped for about 10 hours straight, then went to eat at TGI Friday's because the Olive Garden was way too packed. We were actually pleasantly surprised by TGI's - they had a really good selection, not to mention the coffee's are huge and amazing. Purchase-wise that day, I did well: roxy jeans, dress shirt, dressy flat shoes for work, purse (10$!!), scrapbooking paper pad (Amy Butler, super cute), chipboard albums for 1$ each, school books for 2$, picture frames, and cologne for Patrick (20$ for a Drakkar Noir kit that goes for around 50$ here). Also, we went through the border without needing to pay any duty, so that was an added bonus.

Overall, it was a good trip. Plus, brace yourselves, I even tried on a wedding dress (hahaha) on a whim, since we noticed that David's Bridal was right next to Michael's, so we figured we'd go take a look just for fun. I ended up seeing a wedding dress that I liked out of tons that were super ugly and over-beaded and laced, so I asked if I could try it on. My god, they make it all official - they wanted me to speak to a consultant and get info about my "wedding", lol. I was like, sorry but I'm not even engaged yet, this is just to get an idea. So I tried it on and it looked quite nice, even though it was about 2 sizes too big. My mom says that maybe when we go back next year it'll be on the sale rack, so we'll have to see. I told Patrick all about it, don't worry, and he was mildly amused. I even had him surfing the bridal website with me, looking at which color scheme we'd like to have. I know people, isn't it amazing? No, but in all seriousness, we are not planning on getting married until at least 2011 I would think. It would be a surprise to me if it came earlier, and that's fine. This year is going to be all about getting a job and saving money before I commit to anything else. We can still plan in good fun though ;)

Alright, well I guess I should go take a shower and take in some sun while it's still out. Oh, and here's another layout from the scrap vault, as Cathy Z would say. Cheers!

Groom and bride!

Yup, another wedding over this past weekend! Ryan and Alex tied the knot at the very beautiful Gault House in Mount St-Hilaire. It was the perfect, sunny, hot day and everything ran very smoothly. The were wed by Alex's godfather against the fairy-tale backdrop of water and mountain. Here's what I'm talking about:

Overall, we had a great time - lots of good food, oh and did I mention the candy bar with all varieties of red candy that you could possibly imagine?! There was also lots of great dancing music and Pat was strutting his stuff yet again, although he had a bit of competition this time with the Y's dancing up a storm the entire night! They really kept the party going, I must say, and it was very entertaining to watch.

In other news, I am now an "auntie" to Julie and Ken's new pug Bailey, who is absolutely adorable, I can attest, after meeting him today. I will have to bring Pat to meet him soon and will remember to bring my camera next time.

Tomorrow Pat and I will be going to a spa up North for some much needed R&R (actually, more needed for him I would think after his very client-packed week and all the moving and unpacking that's been going on). Then on Friday I will most likely go to Burlington with my mom, possibly for a few days if we can get our planning act together. Entouka, the weather is nice, I am happy sunbathing and swimming in the back yard. No complaints here because it's summertime and the living's easy...