Kicking back

Well here we are in lovely Saskatchewan... and man, is it good to be here. Bob and I are having a really wonderful visit, with lots of time and space to catch up with friends and family. Over the past year, we acquired a new niece, Lalli, who is the sweetest baby in the world! Her big sister, Xochi, has grown up immensely and started her first day of kindergarten on Thursday. Steve and Sheri have a brand new little guy, Slate, who is the cutest little baby boy we've ever seen! Saren, Slate's big sister, is almost 2 1/2 now, and is a beautiful little bundle of energy and sweetness! We realize that, although a lot has changed for both Bob and I over the past year, more has changed with the people we love... new babies, new jobs, new homes, new dreams... it's been awesome to catch up with everyone and watch our loved ones grow.

We're in Lemberg and have been here for about a week. We're hesitant to leave, because we're having such a great time visiting with everyone! It's been heartwarming to have many of our friends come to Lemberg to visit... Dave, Sigrid, and Alex; Clair (we're waiting for new entries Clair!! ... check out her awesomely interesting and witty blog at Invincible Summer); Ron and Jenna (who, I must add, we would like to thank for keeping up with our travels along the way!); Andy; Byron, Pat, and Nikki; Uncle Rick; and of course all of the Lembergers who we love so much - Bill and Marianne; Sarah, Fabian, Xochi, and Lalli; Jim; the Eislers; Steve, Sheri, Saren, and Slate; Shayne; and Grampa Fowler. It's been fantastic!


And, we've reunited with Oliver! He's had the most amazing year here in Lemberg surrounded by people who love him so much and who are hesitant to let him go... which we understand, completely. He's got a wonderful way of winning hearts! I was stopped in the grocery store the other morning and questioned by an elderly lady I'd never met who was determined to find out if Oliver still remembered and liked me, with the underlying tone that I should not take him away with me... I had to reassure her that next time we come to Lemberg, I'll be sure to bring him over for a visit...

We're having a wonderful time here, but, like all things in life, our time here must come to a close in the near-ish future... we've got a Gramma waiting for a visit in Prince Albert, my girlfriends and their babies to see, my sister's pregnant tummy to feel for baby boy kicks, my mom to hug, and cousins to take swimming. We know we're going to have a wonderful trip! And... we're both happy to know that it won't be too long before we see everyone again... we're only a short plane ride away in Vancouver, we've got some visiting time at Xmas, AND... we'll be going to Saskatoon for 4 months next summer to start our Masters program. So, this time around it's only a maximum of 8 months before we see everyone again!

Lastly, and this is a big one, thank you so much to Steve and Sheri for being such die-hard fans of our China blog! It is so awesome to come home and chat with people who have been keeping up to date with all of our adventures... it's just like they've traveled alongside us from beginning to end. Steve and Sheri - you guys rock! :)

Well, I'm off... to kick back some more and enjoy the lazy life! :)

Musique du jour: The Kinks - Holiday