One thing both Jon and I have really grown to appreciate is the friendship we have with our siblings. We don't get to spend a lot of time with my brother and sister-in-law, Craig & Jen, because they live in Saskatchewan, but we always enjoy our time with them whenever we get the chance to see them. And unfortunately, we rarely see my sister and brother-in-law, Viv & Rich, (even though they live in Chilliwack) because they both work shift work and always seem to be off when we aren't. :) Nevertheless, we're never short on laughs & good times when we do actually get to spend a little time with them.

But we have been lucky to have Jon's siblings around and available for lots of hang out time. We usually all end up at Erich & Naomi's house, simply because they have the biggest place and are the only ones with kids, so it makes it easier on everyone. A couple of weeks ago, we all got together for a "raclette" & games night (I'm not sure if I spelled that right). Neither Jon or I had ever had raclette, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Half the fun is just socializing around the table as you prepare your food on a hot stone grill-- but the food was delicious too. Here's everyone awaiting their yummy dinner...

L-R: Susanne, Juergen, Jon, Erich & Naomi

Mmmmm.... tasty goodness...

We finished off the evening with a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit and some of Naomi's DELICIOUS homemade Mocha Oreo ice-cream. Sooooo good :)

Last Sunday, Jon and I were able to spend the afternoon in Vancouver with my parents. They took us out for lunch to The Old Spaghetti Factory in Gastown and then we spent some time walking around the beautiful streets in the area. Vancouver certainly is gorgeous in autumn...

Next we headed over to Queen Elizabeth Park. Here is the view from the hilltop look-out...

Jon had taken us to Queen Elizabeth Park when I first moved out to BC in 2005, but we hadn't been inside the atrium that they have there. We decided to see what it was like and spent some time perusing the warm, tropical walkways of this little "indoor oasis." The parrots and other birds just fly around freely and are quite comfortable with the many touring humans. Jon and Dad were pretty fascinated with this little yellow bird. I think it was actually a peacock...

This particular parrot was especially comfortable and I was able to catch some of his "confidence" on camera. Such a show off... :)

And right after work today, I'm heading down to Redmond, Washington for my first CMS Worship Conference. All the team leaders from our church are going down for Friday & Saturday's conference and I'm really looking forward to a time of learning & reflecting. It will be a busy and tiring weekend but it should be lots of fun. See you when I get back!