Chamberlin Reunion

We have been so happy to have connected with Aaron's Oregonian Chamberlin family.  This amazing group of people have really added to our life, and we have really been grateful for how they have included us and given us such a sense of belonging.  I'm not sure how long these annual reunions have been happening, but this is our second year attending. 

We left on the Wednesday night after I got off work & caught the Coho ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles, and then drove down to Centralia for the night.  The next day we headed off to Salem and Corvallis to visit with some friends along the way.  Salem has one of our favourite Mexican restaurants, Aibertos.  We were leaving as the onion truck arrived.

We stopped in to see Colleen in Corvallis. She was very impressed with my engagement ring.

Then we headed to Eugene for the night to pick up some camping supplies at Cabela's.  The next morning was Friday & the start of the family reunion.  This year we met in Myrtle Creek, at the property of the old Chamberlin Dairy Farm, and it was a perfect location for the weekend reunion, lovely tall trees for shade, and a nice creek running right behind us.

Aaron was in a festive mood & set up some lights , which he ran off of a battery & converter.  My smart guy!

Now anyone know knows me knows I like to sleep.  I probably slept later than anyone, and it was still an early start for me, for a day away from work.

  

Everyone else was up and about & starting their activities for the day.

The kids were fishing in the creek.

The boys were hard at work building a dam...

 I was washing my hair with the hose...

And then it was time for the 'real fun' SLIP & SLIDE...
I would have been in absolute heaven as a kid, if I had been able to do this!  And honestly I'm kind of regretting that I didn't take a run at it myself.

Video of the fun will be coming soon, I am having some difficulty getting it on here, but will work on it.

Connie & Vern came & Vern took me for a spin in his 1965 Ford Falcon.  I LOVE THIS CAR! Oh how she purred...

Then Aaron I went to their place, which was nearby for a look around.

Time for some BBQ dinner!

 Then volleyball...

And nothing beats sitting around a campfire. Due to the campfire ban we couldn't have a real campfire, but this propane fire worked great.

The next morning Aaron made pancakes & Scott made eggs that his chickens had laid. Yummy!  

Aaron the Flapjack Flipper!

After breakfast we packed up & it was time to hit the road.  We had a fantastic time, and can't wait until we can do it again!!!

We got crazy & decided to try and make it the entire way home from Myrtle Creek, Oregon to Ladysmith, BC in one day. 

 

Thank goodness for air conditioning!

We had a few obstacles, such as crazy traffic & Aaron's wallet getting stolen in Portland, but we did manage to make it for the last ferry out of Port Angeles & were home by 1:00am.  A long day, but nice to sleep in our own bed.  It was well worth the trip:)

The Musical Ride

Aaron & I got the pleasure of spending an evening with my nephews Kane & Kole.  We picked them up & took them to McDonalds for dinner & then to the Musical Ride.  We had a blast!

Kole was having some fun eating his cotton candy.

It was great to see the Musical Ride again & get to see Lynn.  We saw the Musical Ride last in 2009 in Surrey.

After the show we went over to see Lynn.

Kole checking out Whimsey, Lynn's horse.  Kane wasn't so sure about the horses & getting up close.

 Aaron & Lynn:)

We had a great time & the boys were SO good!  Love those kids!

A Weekend of Travel

Well we have covered some ground this weekend.  Lots of family!!!
We started off in Sechelt on Friday to spend time with family for my brother-in-law Matt & sister-in-law Che's birthdays.  We went out to SweetWater Bistro In Gibsons for a lovely meal with them & Aaron's Mom Pat, as well as Aaron & myself.  Here are Matt & Che enjoying their birthday desserts (which I must say they kindly shared).  I also have to say I couldn't love these two any more even if they were my blood family:)

Then Saturday we were off to Port Alberni for a mini family reunion for my Dad's side of the family.  My Dad & brother & their families were not there as they were racing that night, but the majoroty of the rest of the family made it.  It was nice to see everyone, as it has been years since I've seen many of them.  And wow there was a lot of Food!

I'm not sure where my brain is lately as I haven't been bringing my camera anywhere with me & have become completely dependent on my iPhone.  Time to smarten up! I didn't take a single picture in Port Alberni.  If I manage to get my hand on any I will add them to this post at a later date.

Saturday night after the family get together, we were up to Campbell River.  When we arrived we went for a nice walk along the seawalk.  The seawalk is one of my favourite things about Campbell River.
 

Sunday was a pancake breakfast at my Dad's with Dad, Elizabeth, Ray, Kane, Kole, Aaron & myself.  Ray takes the kids there on Sundays when he is home from camp, so we invited ourselves as well & they graciously let us join them;)

Kane & Kole painting pictures for Aunti Tasha.

Aaron & Kane practicing ther soccer moves.

Kole trying to get the ball away from Ray.

Kole snuggling with Papa.

Kane showing off the wind chimes he made for his Mom Nicole.

Then we headed over to visit my Mom.  We got a planter box & some flowers to put outside her window & Aaron nicely arranged them for her.  He's a much more gifted green thumb than I am! 

Great job honey!  Mom loved them & will get some enjoyment out of the bright cheerful colours.

So we put on the miles this weekend.  Tomorrow I took a day of holidays so we will sleep in, relax, & maybe go get the kayaks out of storage so we can enjoy some time out on the ocean. Happy summer!

WE'RE ENGAGED!

Well after being together for 10 1/2 years, I will admit I did not see this coming!  On June 15, 2013 around 3pm Aaron proposed to me.  He had just arrived on a float plane to the Nanaimo Harbour (or so I thought), when in reality our friend Andrew had picked Aaron up on an earlier flight and the two of them went ring shopping.  So I was waiting in the car for Aaron when he texted me & asked me to come down to book out flights for the next day.  When I got down to the harbour (about 2 minutes later) he said it was taken care, and he wanted to go for a walk.  I was confused because we were late for his work going away party, but I confusingly said ok. 

We were walking & Aaron seemed to be on a mission, I was wondering why he was acting so strangely, so I asked him.  Funnily enough he thought he was acting perfectly cool, and had to make a quick recovery.  So we continued walking until we came across a bench facing the waterfront.  We sat down & caught up since we hadn't seen each other for a few days (this was Aaron's way of recovering from 'acting weird').   He said, "we need to talk about the wedding", I was confused as to why we would need to discuss his brother's upcoming wedding & said, "why would we need to talk about the wedding, don't we just need to show up?", Aaron replied, "no OUR wedding".  He paused and pulled out a beautiful ring.  I was so shocked I didn't know what to say, but of course I started to cry. I'm sure that the people walking by us thought he was breaking up with me.  I continued crying... He asked me to marry him & of course I said yes, and cried some more... I gave him a huge hug, and cried a little more...

Then I pulled myself together & we went to Aaron's going away party.  I will admit I was in a state of shock for the next few hours afterward.  It's just starting to hit me now. I'M ENGAGED!

I was unaware he had some help from our friends, Andrea & Andrew, & my friend Jess.  I'm really not sure how Jess managed to keep it from me, good job Jess!  Everyone has been very excited for us, and we are thrilled.  We are looking at wedding in August 2014.  

Now the wedding planning begins!