more Giselle, because I can

We're finally meeting our new little neice tomorrow and I'm super excited. We bought her lots of essentials (nappies, towels, wet wipes, onesies etc) so we'll travel to the coast tomorrow and hang out with my sis and the baby for the morning. Then hopefully we'll get in for new haircuts. We're both in dire need of a haircut.

Here's a new piccie of little GiselleAnd here's a new piccie of the happy little family!

the readeroutes

During the course of our planning to relocate to Vancouver we discovered that my friends Chris and Lisa, residents of downtown Vancouver, were planning a post-wedding 7 month tour of the world and were on the lookout for reliable tenants for that period - oh my goodness, timing!! Chris and Lisa were married in June and their backpacking adventure begins tomorrow! Check out their beautiful wedding pics here.

We are super excited to rent the Readeroutes' awesome apartment, and we are so grateful to them for offering us their home. Knowing we don't have to stay in a hostel for the first few weeks and, further, that we'll be collected from the airport by our mutual friend who will hand over their keys and drive us "home", has been an enormous relief. I had a telephone conversation with Lisa recently (so cool to hear her voice after over a year!) and we agree that the timing of it all is great for the both us, however the downside is that we have to wait 'til the end of February next year to hang out together!

Zanne and I send our very best vibes and wishes to Chris and Lisa - happy and safe travels! We're looking very much to hearing your travel stories over a few drinks and some Olympic Games action in February.

Shan

PS. By the by, if you're wondering "why Vancouver?", you can kinda read a bit about that here.

82 years and 9 months - just a phase

Our friend Kylie forwarded me this pic last week - isn't it awesome?!

Shan

life is a mix up

August 9: It was a lazy Sunday afternoon with my bros - backyard cricket, a new puppy and chewing the fat.

Here we are at my brother Kris' house. My brother Steven is pictured with Kris' new puppy, Mambo (fyi Steven is Noah's Dad).

Some randoms at The Beat last night told me that my brothers are the biggest names in our home town (it's a long, odd, very random story). I had no idea I was related to celebrities - pfft!

August 8: Fun, fun, fun! We had our goodbye party at The Beat (the best gay bar in Bris Vegas), following pre-drinks at Marie and King Luka's apartment.

I don't know what to say really, it was an awesome night but it was sad to say goodbye to our peeps - even though many of them told us we suck (for leaving, I assume). I'll let the photos speak for themselves I think.

(click on this collage of drunken images to enlarge)

August 7: Here is Zanne and I following my "goodbye" work drinks.

Today was supposed to be my last day of work however my replacement has had some family issues and needs a week off. As a favour to my co-ordinator I agreed to another week of work.

I'm very fond of my co-ordinator so I'm happy to help, but I admit I'm pouting a little on the inside - I was really excited about finishing work. Not to worry.

Shan

Gisellikins

Little Giselle already has a nickname - Gisellikins. She doesn't know that yet, but we're sure she's going to love it.

Sally and Giselle will be going home from the hospital today, which I'm sure Brandt is really excited for. We know they'll all enjoy being at home together as a family.

Sal sent us this picture of Giselle on Wednesday afternoon. How adorable is she?!

And this one came through last night. I told Shan it looks like Giselle is holding on tight saying "this is my mummy!" Sal said she's feeling better and more confident today. I guess nothing can ever really prepare you for the first time you have your tiny newborn in your arms and you have to work out what to do with them. I know Sal is going to be a great/cool mum!

This new little niece has Shan and I looking for donors, houses and high-paying yet family-friendly jobs in Vancouver...

small and wise

August 6: Today my workplace threw me a "goodbye morning tea". There was catering, speeches and gifts. It was all very unexpected, especially considering I've only worked here for 6 months! My bosses gave me a scarf and a brooch. My workmates had a collection and gave me the cash in Canadian dollars - score!

It was a lovely morning, I felt very lucky.

August 5: Today was Zanne's last day at work. We celebrated in fabulous style at Ric's.

Note Zanne's use of her bargain tissues in the top right photograph - read about the bargain tissues here. Also note the lovely couple in the bottom right photograph - we met them at some point during the night. They were cool, so we invited them to stay with us in Vancouver.

Shan

the continuing story of bungalow bill

August 4: Two for One Tuesdays at Gerties.

Tonight we had dinner with our friends Erika & Nick and Cassie & Milena.

Erika & Nick aren't able to attend our goodbye parties but they couldn't escape having dinner with us mwa-ha!

August 3: I babysat our nephew Noah today. Here he is making his phone calls... He dials then walks around the house while chatting. Occasionally he leans against the wall (or the microwave as pictured here) while he attends to his very important business of "babblebabblebabblebabble"

Shan