Maiko's 40th bday

Jim, Maiko and Chibi were up visiting from San Diego.

We celebrated Maiko's 40th birthday!

Chibi was quite excited about it, as you can see.

Summer vibes

It's summer and it's hot. Noodlebox is the best, when you don't want to cook. Which for me is like, always.

It's nice to meet up in the park to eat and play Connect Four.

Ahh, summer!

Mario Suratos Memorial Scholarship

Last night, my mom, sisters and I attended the St. Andrew's Elementary School graduation dinner and ceremony.

We don't know anyone at the school graduating, but the school and parish have played a big part in our lives. It's where we all went to school, it's where my Pa sang in the choir, where we had his service, and where my mom and sis still attend church.

Last night we gave away the first ever Mario Suratos Memorial Scholarship to this cutie.

His name is Ervin.

The prize awarded yearly to a graduating student for excellence in academics, math, and kindness towards his fellow classmates and staff. I'm sure my Pa is smiling, somewhere.

Father's Day

Father's Day was bittersweet again this year, without Pa, but we did get to take my father in law John out for dinner. Here he is with my hubs:

Hats for AJ

I made a couple of crocheted hats for my cousin's baby girl.

They will match her stroller blanket nicely.

St. Andrew's Spring Fair

This past weekend, St. Andrew's had their Spring Fair. Even though I grew up in this area and even went to this school for my elementary years, I have never been to their Spring Fair.

I went with my mom and sister. They had a great silent auction, games, bouncy castles, and food.

Here I say mom and the CWL ladies, who were holding a bake sale.

My mom and my auntie Grace!

My lunch!

And here is a lovely Kahlua set that I almost bid on but resisted. I have enough booze!

It was a great time. Next year I'll see if I can donate an item or help out. 

Happy Mother's Day

To all the moms out there! Especially mine!

My mom with her grandkids. Noah is such a ham!

Leyna's First Communion

Leyna had her first communion yesterday!

I'm not very church-y, but it was nice to see her all dolled up.

The whole fam-jam came.

And we had a nice big barbecue after :)

Happy Easter

We had Easter dinner at my sister's house on the weekend. They have an accordion!

Me and Noah wish you a happy day.

And a happy easter!

For Dee

Today I am remembering Dee, my dear mother in law who passed away one year ago.

It's hard to believe a year has passed, and I so miss seeing her smiling face. Here she is with my mom, the night before we got married back in 2006. I will always her like this: happy, smiling, with a nice glass of white wine in hand!

It's sad to remember her but also happy to remember the time we had with her. I hope she is resting in peace, having some wine, somewhere with my Pa. 

Funky Beibs

I figured out how to upload videos to this blog - does this thing work?! Here is a quick video of us on Christmas. We usually sing songs with the family after we've stuffed ourselves. My bro-in-law had an accordion, for some reason. It was pretty easy to plunk out a tune, we chose Justin Beiber. Enjoy!

Crescendo

Over the weekend, my niece Brianna hosted this event, Crescendo.

I organized the silent auction prizes.

It was very well done and well attended - just a night of sharing talent and listening to good music, all for a great cause.

Selfie time! Me and the hubs sang a song together (him on guitar) and he accompanied Bri for one song (on piano).

I supervised this hooligan, who is hoping to make her stage debut soon - ha!

Here we are with the lady of the hour. It was a really great event!

Christmas 2016

Our first one without Pa. We smiled, laughed, sang, and lifted a glass for him.

The kids are growing up!

But they still love to tear into their gifts.

Me and mumsie.

Slippers from my sis!

My other sis wanted the ones with glasses so I got - different slippers from my sis!

Dessert. I will look longingly at this picture once my tummy stops aching.

Noah got some cyber glasses games thingy? I dunno what it is, but he had hours of fun with it.

Merry Christmas all!

Mother's Tea 2016

Another year, another Mother's Tea at my nephew's Noah's school.

This year, only two sisters could attend, and my mom. I ate their share of goodies.

The gym was all decked out, as usual. They really do put on a great event. And I got to chat with my old friend Daryl, who is one of the assistant principal's at the school.

And of course, I ate a lot of cupcakes and drank a lot of coffee, and also bid on a few silent auction items.

And then we watched the grade 5 boys sing a couple of songs. I made Noah and his buddy laugh by making funny faces at them in the audience. Count on me to be professional!