back to normal

Avery will be 4 months old next week. A few days ago, my sister and my niece left Vancouver after a 2-week visit. This marked the end of a 3.5 month period where the Vandopoly was an extended family unit. First, my mom and dad stayed with us in Vancouver for 2 months; then, Josh, Avery and I stayed in Toronto at my parent's place for 5 weeks; then, my sister and my niece stayed with us in Vancouver for 2 weeks. I can't believe it's been 3.5 months since Brian, Josh, Avery and I (and Nikita) have been a family unit!

Don't get me wrong - it was really good for me to re-connect with my family the way I have. Now, I'm not just saying that because this is the internet and anyone can read it. Sure, my family has it's own share of dysfunction (I'm sure my brothers and sister are laughing at that comment!). But I think that having this time with my family has given me a second chance to appreciate what I never did the first time around. Growing up as children and teens, we never really appreciate family, do we? But now, I feel really lucky to have my family. And it has given me some insight into how I want to mold my own family unit. I guess I miss having my family close by to support me and set some of the examples by which I want my kids to grow. I just hope that I can continue to carry on some of the things that I have learned on this journey...

So now, it's just the 4 of us (plus Nikita) under one roof! It'll be interesting to see how we transition back to "normal". It's been awhile, but I think I'm ready for it! Did I mention the kick a$$ reno that I got out of the deal too?!

Anyway, I've done a few posts of our visit to Toronto. I've also posted some photos in Flickr, but you have to be family or friend to see it. So, here are some photos during my sister's visit with us here in Vancouver and Seattle. We didn't do as much as I had hoped because we got hit by the heat wave, but we definitely got to spend good quality time together (especially when it was 35 deg. C in the house and there was only one room with an air conditioner)!

Taking Nikita for a walk at McDonald Beach (the dog beach)

The stuff that quality time is made of

Avery and C...and their entourage!

This time was also about Brian re-connecting with the kids

I love this shot

Putting those chubby legs to work!

Had to get a shot of my sister in!

Joshie LOVES playing with Uncle Jonnie (my brother)

And C LOVES playing with Nikita!

In the beginning, C and Josh were like siblings that fight all the time, but by the end of the trip, they had really warmed up to each other and were more like siblings who only fight some of the time!

Cousins forever!