Empty Nesters

Harley... our precious gift

2008-07-28T20:19:00.001-07:00

July 22, 2008 started out to be a very exciting day. Adam called me at 6:30 am to say that Erica was in labour at Surrey Memorial Hospital. I arrived at 10:00 am and waited not-so-patiently with Grace, Erica's mom in the Birthing Unit Waiting Room.

Then, at 1:46 pm, while waiting in the hallway outside their room, we heard the first faint cry of our grandchild and then a howl which was beautiful music to our ears. Adam came out soon after to bring us the news that they had a boy!!

As soon as the nursing team had cleaned up the baby and helped Erica organize herself , we were allowed in to meet our precious little grandson Harley Jeffry David Thorp. He weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. and measured 25" long.

His feet are long and slender - just like a would-be basketball player.

He is a contented, sweet baby and has totally wrapped himself around our hearts already.

Even Grampa Jim was impressed with his grandson. And he's a hard one to impress!!!

Harley had lots of visitors in the hospital, including little Auntie Rachael, Erica's 12 year sister,

Uncle Andrew and Auntie Jocelyn (Adam's big brother),

Great Grampa Bill and Irene and many more.

Erica is an amazing, relaxed mother. Harley seems to have her quiet, gentle spirit. She passed Harley to us right away so that we could bond with him as well.

Adam adores his son and is very protective of him. No more speeding tickets when Harley's in the car.

July 27, 2008 all of Adam's family and extended family were at our home to meet his son. Adam's grandma, Irene Fender met her second great grandson, little Harley that afternoon so we were able to get a 4 generation picture with her.

When everyone else is finished holding him, Grandma Marj is happy to take over. I never tire of cuddling my precious new grandson. Thank you Lord for blessing our family with such an awesome gift as Harley.

Ellingson Wedding

2008-07-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

We attended a beautiful wedding on July 12th at Peace Arch Park in White Rock. My cousin, Glen Ellingson's daughter Erica, married Jamie Rose. Fabulous British Columbia day for a wedding.

Erica pinning the bout on her groom Jamie.

Erica wore a beautiful, form-fitted lace and rhinestone gown with her mother's wedding veil pinned in her hair.

Some of the very important guests that were invited.

A wonderful buffet of appetizers. Wayne enjoyed it.

The happy couple off under an arch of sparklers!!!

2008-06-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my grandchild-to-be!!! Use your imagination.

Christmas 2007

2008-01-07T22:10:00.000-08:00

Just a few pictures taken through the Christmas season. Jim and his dad, Irene and Bill opening Birthday and Christmas gifts. Christmas Eve at Bev and Wayne's home and playing silly games with the kids. Great memories.

2007-11-12T11:40:00.000-08:00

This morning we woke up to a fierce windstorm here in Beautiful British Columbia. Our power was out so we decided to go for a brisk (no kidding!!!) walk down at the beach and then go for breakfast down there. We got our brisk walk in but the restaurants were in total darkness as their power was out too.

Summer Vacation - Vancouver Island

2007-08-26T20:01:00.000-07:00

Jim and I spent a week touring Vancouver Island; we saw Butchart Gardens and did an awesome (very difficult) hike into Cape Scott Park on the west end of Vancouver Island.

Here are some of the flowers in Butchart Gardens.

A peek through a garden gate at the previous home of the Butchart's.

This is us camping on the beach. We were pretty much all alone on this spectacular beach with the waves crashing in all night long. It was spectacular!!!

Here is my great white hunter, scavenger making dinner for us. Too bad I don't like shell fish!!!

Andrew's Birthday

2007-08-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

Andrew is celebrating his 29th Birthday soon. He loves pasta and the best place to go for pasta is Anton's in Vancouver. The wait was an hour long to get in but well worth it. Jocelyn's parents joined us as well as Adam and Erica. Way too much food!!!!

2007-08-15T14:24:00.001-07:00

Kid Time

2007-08-15T14:13:00.000-07:00

Erica and Adam arrived back safely from their Honeymoon in Europe. Shortly after their return, Jim and I took them down to White Rock for a walk on the Pier and dessert at The Boat House.

2007-08-15T14:07:00.001-07:00

Around my city

2007-08-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

Every day I travel many km around Vancouver. I see a variety of things but the ones that stand out in my mind is the sun coming up over the mountains at 6:00 am while I'm driving over the Alex Fraser Bridge, or the white-capped mountains after the first snow fall. But the one currently that catches my eye everytime I pass it is the fabulous display the City of Burnaby Nursery crew did along Marine Way. The pictures don't do them justice but they are large replicas of a salmon totally crafted out of greenery. Absolutely fabulous!!!

Theatre Under the Stars

2007-07-29T09:15:00.000-07:00

Last night we took a picnic supper to Stanley Park with Drewlos, Larsens and Scotts to watch Oklahoma at Theatre Under the Stars and then watched the Fireworks at the end of the evening. We live in the most beautiful city in the world!!!

Large Green Thumb

2007-07-26T19:42:00.000-07:00

Still learning how to blog so trying again to include two more pictures.

Large green thumb

2007-07-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

These pictures are of our tiny back yard which Jim has landscaped for us and done an absolutely beautiful job. I feel like it's my "Secret Garden" and love to have my tea out there in the morning.

Whistler Weekend

2007-07-18T22:56:00.000-07:00

After the Wedding, we celebrated our 32nd Anniversary by spending the weekend in Whistler, BC. My sister Bev and her husband Wayne came along as well as my mother, Irene who is now 85 years old. She loved being with her girls!!!!

Mr. & Mrs. Adam Thorp

2007-07-18T22:52:00.000-07:00

Naive blogger

2007-07-18T21:14:00.000-07:00

This is the reason we are now empty-nesters. Our youngest son, Adam married Erica van Veen on June 30th, 2007. So, now life will be about Jim and I!!!