AWESOMETOWN

We've dubbed our little 10-unit Townhouse complex "Awesometown" because well, it's awesome! How did that name come to be? Well, during our yearly owner's meeting, Michelle asked the group what the name of our complex actually was since it is a bit of a mystery and before anyone could say anything, I blurted out "Awesometown". People laughed but sure enough the name stuck and more and more folks are using the moniker to describe our living situation.

But a name alone does not make a town awesome, a town must be awesome to truly deserve the name Awesometown. Take yesterday for instance, a few of us were hanging out in the courtyard letting the dogs run rampant when Tom suggested we have a big BBQ, everyone who was there said "sure" and just like that a feast of epic neighbourly proportions was underway. Within a few hours we were eating, drinking and laughing while filling our bellies to no bounds.

Let me get into the extremely tasty foody specifics: we provided 2 types of baked Chicken Wings (18 Roasted Garlic & Herbs and 18 Brown Sugar, Red Salt & Chili), a large Summer Grape Tomato Salad, Grilled Sausages and Michelle's highly-coveted homemade Chocolate/Espresso Cookies. Tom & Angela created smoked/pulled Beef Brisket Sammiches, Corn & Blue Cheese Salad and mustardy rustic Potato Salad. Teri provided the Roasted Garlic Wild Rice and Portobello Mushroom Burgers. Mike & Carla gave us the Ginger Soy BBQ Salmon, the Arugula Summer Salad, fresh Bruschetta, Olives & Cheese. How's that for awesome???

4 units pitched in for the food, 2 other units made cameo appearances and a good time was had by all. Sangria, Wine, Beer and Scotch were shared and again we got to know our neighbours who are all cool people and this quick impromptu BBQ turned into a memorable night. It's funny, when we lived in Deep Cove, over the course of a year we met our neighbours once or twice and never "broke bread" with them, I bet you I wouldn't recognize them on the street if I saw them. But here it's different, a lot of us hang out, go out on the town or have everyone over for a meal or a drink, it's great.

I love AWESOMETOWN.

PNE: YEAH YOU KNOW ME

It's PNE time again and here's our day in a nutshell...

* If all they are doing is taking tickets, why does it take so long to get in?
* Why are the four different kinds of Shammy Stalls in the market place?
* 3 Darts for $10... really?
* Why is the pig race a 6-second Pig sprint?
* Have you tried that kick ass salsa yet?
* One Superdogs show between 11am and 5pm? Is that really enough Superdogs?
* Why isn't this year's Dream Home that dreamy?
* Don't you think "those little donuts" should be around all year?
* Has the PNE come and gone already?

Time flies... check out our August 2008 pics HERE!!!

JASON & SAISHA'S WEDDING

If it's August, it must be time for another wedding and what a wedding it was. On Friday morning, Michelle and I drove up to Kelowna to celebrate the union of our good friends JASON & SAISHA who decided to tie the knot after five years together.

Most of the guests stayed at the EL DORADO while the festivities took place at the SUMMERHILL PYRAMID WINERY. The weather was great, the ceremony was fantastic and both Jason and Saisha looked out of this world.

There was non-stop food, booze, games (yes games!), dancing, cigars and laughter and between Michelle and I, we took over 1000 photos of the event (after looking through them, 700 made the cut) which we will gladly pass along to the happy couple. It was a great day, a great weekend and a wonderful wedding which we were both pleased to be a part of. Congrats to you both, we love ya!

Check out a few pics from the event HERE!!!

UPDATE TIME

We celebrated a couple birthdays this week, our friend LESLEY and our Neice SOFIA. Both celebrations were a great, great time!!! I also added some more restaurant reviews to VANCOUVER EATS... check them out! THE REEF, THE SHORE CLUB and THE BANANA LEAF!

BYE BYE MINI

Well after a five year lease and a host of problems with the car (read about my radiator HERE), I have finally turned in the MINI COOPER. Although I complained incessantly about the car, it was still fun and Michelle especially loved to drive it. Now we are a true one car family... Michelle sold her truck, I got rid of the Mini and now we drive the HONDA FIT, it's a big change but a good one, I've even started walking to/from work (35 minutes) which is great during the summer but may have to change come winter.

Thanks for the memories little Velvet Red Mini Cooper, despite our problems with each other, I will fondly look back at the good times and smile since I don't have to pay for you anymore.

CLINT & ANDREA'S WEDDING

This weekend saw the long awaited union between our friends CLINT & ANDREA with a great, intimate backyard ceremony in North Vancouver. Clint's cousin Eric opened his home to friends and family for the day, with an outdoor ceremony, under-the-tent dinner and indoor dancing. The laughter and good times carried on into the wee hours of the morning and through it all, Clint and Andrea were enjoying their day to the fullest. Congrats guys, we love you.

Pics of the wedding can be seen HERE

AUGUST LONG WEEKEND

Happy BC Day everyone!And on that joyous note, we lucky British Columbians recieved a long weekend to help celebrate our fair Province and celebrate it we did with a cavalcade of festivities the like of which no one could dare reproduce. As friends like Sean & Lea arrived in town for next weekend nuptuals between Clint & Andrea, we met for dinner and many a laugh. The next afternoon saw the troop down at Hastings Park wagering on the Ponies. That evening, Michelle and I met up with the extended Delong Family to help celebrate the first birthday of little Murdoch (has it been a year already?). Finally on Monday, Michelle and I hiked through Lynn Headwaters with Carmine & Laverne, both dogs did great. See? We celebrated the birth of our Province by celebrating what's best about our Province: Nature, Friends, Family & Fun... and gambling.

See pics of the weekend HERE