Woodn't it be nice...

Here's the new woodshed on our old homestead, before and after stacking and stocking. Steve and Jonathan whipped up this cunning little shelter, as we continue to await the completion and submission to the municipality ("the muni" as Steve calls it, perhaps bespeaking a kind of insider intimacy that would guarantee instant approval) of all the architectural/engineering drawings required for the building permit (yes, this is the same permit Steve hoped to have in place by May 15th) for Raven's Nest. It really looks more like Raven's Mess lately (with the exception of the fine structure you see here)... The renovation drawings of the house should be finalized later this week (or early next): someday our prints will come!

Happy Father's Day 2010!

This is Steve's first Dad's Day with TWO girls (Cousin Janie"s photo, taken the day Aurora was born--almost three weeks ago already!)... A prince among papas!

Aurora Lily at the lily pond

Friends Kat, Rodney, and Jon (the photographer, hence not in this pic) joined us for a festive outdoor BBQ lunch at the cabin (while Miranda happily escaped for a playdate at Ainslie's house). The pond is around back--apparently becomes a skating rink most winters. Temperatures are significantly colder this part of the island (i.e. more snow and ice come January) due to being inland and at a higher altitude. Maybe that's why the king of the woods (the bear) likes it here, even in the summer...Fortunately, we had Rod & Kat's dog Kona to ward him off, temporarily at least!

Fair ladies

Ainslie and Miranda (photo by Penny, Ainslie's mom, who accompanied these lovely socialites) spent a fun afternoon at the Family Place annual country fair here on the island. I had good intentions of getting some housework done while the baby slept, but couldn't resist the chance of reading and napping on the couch for a few hours!

Sleeping Beauty arrives in style

Name: Aurora Lily Forster

DOB: May 31, 2010 @ 0816 hrs.

Vital Stats: 7.1 lbs., 20 inches long

Birth: at BC Women's Hospital, scheduled c-section

Arrival Home: June 2, 2010

Favourite Place to Sleep: her "bathinette" (our innovation of a plastic bathtub with suitable padding and blankets--we have two of the more traditional kind, but of course she does not prefer them!)

Favourite Saying (this is what she seems to be saying when she cries):
"A lie! A lie!"

e.g.
Dad: "You seem to be a little tired, sweetie. Maybe you'd like a cuddle with Daddy."
Aurora: "A lie! A lie!"

Miranda: "You are such a cute little sister."
Aurora: "A lie!"

Mom (hopefully, desperately): "A little milk drink will calm you down, I think."
Aurora: "A lie!"

The Truth: she doesn't cry much--knock on wood--we just like to tease her 'cause she's so darn cute.