It's Official:

After 10 days of being away, staying at the homes (or cabins) of some of our best friends, being fed & entertained and licenced to RELAX--no to-do lists, no obligations, no attention paid to the clock... we have become the laziest people on earth.

We had such a great time with Joel's brother & family at their awesome cabin (two bathrooms, dishwasher & dial-up)... and even though the weather was pretty crappy, we had such a great time, got on our manditory "Patti & Nathan vacation schedule", which is staying up until 2am playing games and then sleeping until 10 or so. The cousins had a blast playing together and got in as much wakeboarding as the weather would allow. Thanks sooooo much "Nathans'" for another incredible week of being made to feel very at home in your home-away-from-home!!

After a week at the cabin we made our way to Calgary for two nights and stayed with the Taubensees for some good catching up/tennis/IKEA/settlers/eating -- they do a mean B & B! We were also so happy to visit the church they have helped start... even in summer mode, we could cleary see that this is a group of people who are, and intend to continue to, living lives of love and truth in Calgary. It was awesome to be there and get to see what we'd been hearing about -- I'm so excited for what God is and will do through this group of servants in their community. Dan & Cathy & girls... we love you like crazy and are "with you" in the adventures ahead, whatever they may be!

Another highlight--a visit with the Birkby family... good friends from way back in Joel's "Coopers & Lybrand" days... the last time we saw this great couple was at their wedding 7 years ago... after which they headed to Bermuda for 6 years and have gone through cancer & 2 kids since we'd seen them last. So great to connect with them, visit their gorgeous home in Calgary, see their beautiful babes, and hang out with a friend who's never strayed far from my thoughts in all these years! Love ya guys!

So, now we're home, sitting on "the deck" with our respective laptops, ready for a sudoku match, facing a day that is a blank slate---SUCH A RARITY! I'm so happy to have Joel here at home, without the pressure to be "trying to get stuff done"---except beat me at Sudoku... which is highly unlikely!

OH! We also celebrated our 15th anniversary at the cabin... it was a very memorable day... starting with a tea and muffin from the "WAYCUP CAFE" --- Wabamun's finest coffee establishment... and then, well, it kind of went downhill from there--- basically I got to visit my mom-in-law while Joel played volleyball. I hear this will all be made up to me sometime this week. I'll keep you posted.