It's been ten years since...

high school! We had our ten-year high school reunion this weekend. Unfortunately, only 17 out of 90 grads showed up for the Saturday brunch, and only 25 gals showed up the night before at Opus Lounge. I went to an all-girl school, so I thought more gals would show up....

Nonetheless, having brunch at our alma mater was a trip down memory lane as we walked through the old hallways, posing in front of our old grade 8 lockers. The school still smells the same! But the school recently added a new wing which is pretty impressive.

Here's Monika and I in the old grade 8 halls.


Here's some of my girlfriends who I still keep in touch with. Yeah, it was pretty sad that we didn't really mingle with those who we didn't keep in touch with these past ten years. Maybe in our twenty-year reunion...it'll be different?!



Here's the tiling in the foyer of our school's new wing. SSA stands for Sisters of St. Ann. As skylight was placed above it which is symbolic. The school's motto is Ad Lucem (to the light).



Here's the grotto in the centre yard. It used to be by the convent and Foundress Hall before those two buildings were torn down to make room for the new wing of the school.



Here's a part of the library where students can sit and read. Man, I wish the library was like this when I went to school at Little Flower Academy. Yes, that was the name of our school!


To be honest, I wished our reunion could have had more attendees. Two of our old classmates were getting married; others don't live in Vancouver anymore; two sadly passed on due to tragic accidents (We gave them a toast during grace.). However, it was still nice seeing our old school and how it has progressed into a more modern campus to cater to students of today. It was like walking through a museum.

From a twosome to foursome...(a reflection of our lives on our three-year anniversary)

From two...

to four....

Our family multiplied in the span of three years! My, how things changed! Three years ago, our idea of waking up early was before noon. Now, the idea of waking up after 8 am is considered late! Things are certainly different now, but, most of the time, this different life is quite fun! Of course, our idea of fun has changed as well!

Yesterday was our three-anniversary. Again, we had a family-filled anniversary. Ray took the day off, and we went to have lunch at the Marriott where we had our wedding reception. Then, thanks to my mom, we had dinner at The Keg. Afterwards, my mom babysat, so Ray and I can watch Iron Man in an actual movie theatre and not the drive-in. All in all, we had great times, and I look forward to having a lifetime of anniversaries with Ray and spending them with the family.

Kids and the City (thanks to Erika for the title)

This weekend, we went to Downtown Vancouver twice! It's so weird saying this; Ray and I were saying that, before the children, a trip to Downtown was as nothing out of the ordinary. But now, it's a family day trip! We met up with my SIL, Erika, and Dan both days and felt like suburban tourists (or at least Ray and I did).

On Saturday, we went around downtown (The stroller is our new BFF!) and had some yummy crepes (nutella and banana...yum!). I guess, it is safe to say that Karch is feeling much better. His energy and appetite are back at full force. On Saturday night, Ray and I, while Karch was sleeping and Tessa was eating, went to watch The Hulk at the drive-in. It was such a cool experience, going on a sort-of-date with the kids.






The next day (Sunday), we went to the Greek Festival in the westend of Vancouver. In honour of our 3 year wedding anniversary, we felt like reliving our Greek honeymoon by eating some gyros, listening to Greek music, and drinking some frappes (yummy!)! Karch loved the gyros...maybe it was because Karch was also in Greece with us. I was already two months pregnant when we went to Greece in August 2005.



This weekend was an awesome weekend. Not only was the weather cooperating with us, but it was just nice to have some quality family time!

Problem of the week

No, these are not the problems I had to do in Math class. Last week, Karch didn't take his naps. We solved that problem by driving him around until he fell asleep. Yes, him napping is worth the high gas prices. Then, roseloa has entered our home. Karch had a high fever from Thursday to Saturday, vomitted on Saturday, had diarrhea from Sunday to today, and then had rashes today. I changed a total of 11 diapers today (Tessa and Karch combined)! I finally went to the doctor today, and he was diagnosed with roseloa. I hope Tessa doesn't get it, or I hope Tessa already got it. She did show some mild symptoms last week. Stay tuned for next week's problem. Gee, I swear, I'm missing those Math problems from high school...of course, just at this moment.

Here comes the sun!

Finally, after two weeks of "unJunelike" weather, the sun came out for Father's Day. Ray got to do some gardening, finally! We actually got a headstart with the frontyard because someone helped us with the weeding which was A LOT of work! Karch, after having a stomach flu, got slightly better and was able to come out and enjoy the sun as well. He helped Daddy mow the lawn. It was an awesome Father's Day. We just relaxed and had some family fun in the sun :-)

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Birthday, Tita Lycette!

Napless in Vancouver

I don't know what it is, but it's been three days that Karch has skipped his one and only afternoon nap! Thank goodness, Tessa is still napping regularly. Lately, all I've been doing is putting Karch down in his room, while I lay next to him. I end up falling asleep, and he ends up playing with his pillows! Do you think this is the end of his naps?! Oh gosh, help me! I should have ferberized him when I had the chance. Oh well, at least, I'm able to nap, while he has his "down time."

On a side note, we just wanted to thank Gabriela and Ed for the pasta from Italy that they sent to us. K & T loved it!

A Happy Day

Not only did Karch and Tessa's third cousin (I guess?!), Pablo, turned two and Aby (my SIL) graduated today, but Tessa also turned eight months today! My baby girl is growing up!

Wow, despite the yucky rain (AGAIN!), here in Vancouver, it was a happy day in all coasts today!

Seattle Sunday

Today, we took a day trip to Seattle to meet Ray's cousin, Apple. This is the first time K & T have seen their Tita Apple, so it was nice for them to meet her. So, not only did K meet who he calls, "Apple Juice," but he also got to go on his first ride at the fair by the Space Needle. As well, Tessa and Karch got to experience their first train ride, courtesy of Seattle's Monorail.

It was a tiring trip; I tell ya, taking two children, 2 and under, to any trip is quite an ordeal. Thank goodness, my mom came with us and drove most of the way to and from Vancouver. Nonetheless, it was great seeing Apple on our sporadic trip to Seattle!

SATC...finally!

After waiting a whole week, I finally got a two-hour dose of SATC. I watched the movie today, and it was everything a fan like me could ask for! The fashion was amazing! The storyline was exactly what a fan would want for the foursome! It was worth all the jazz! Okay, obviously, since I'm ending my sentences with exclamations, you can tell that I loved, loved, loved the movie! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh...that was totally worth all the rainy days this week, stuck at home with the kids, watching Nemo, and just going crazy and waiting for Saturday to come. Thanks to Mon for waiting to watch it with me.

For those SATC fans who haven't seen it, go see it....NOW!

Birthdays and Goodbyes

Today, we celebrated Jaevon's birthday (our friends, Caryl and Terence's son) with an art- gallery-themed-party. It was a fun-filled brunch where the kids got to paint, sculpt, play, and eat sweets. Thanks, Caryl and Terence for hosting an awesome party!

We also celebrated Anton's last days here in the 604. We went to Tsawwassen, had some OP (Ocean Palace...yummy Chinese food) and cake, and just hung out.

It was a busy and tiring day, but it was time well-spent with friends and family.