Good bye Nana & Papa!

In early June my parents left to go back to Medicine Hat, Alberta…. to be reunited with their home and my sister and her family. It was a long journey we all took together while my Dad had treatment for his prostate cancer in BC and we supported my Mom with her health.

I would like to think that we did a good thing for my parents and the deepened relationship between the kids and their grandparents made it all worth it. I also feel that my Dad had the best care that he could possibly get from the BC Cancer Agency in Victoria. He had a great team of doctors treating him and we supported him with comfort, healthy food and lots of socializing. He has to have lots of follow up appointments and will come back in one year for an appointment with his oncologist. We were lucky that he was in BC since Alberta turned down Brachytherapy, which increased his survival odds by 30%! BC granted him the procedure and Dad did great through it all. Through it all we shared some great laughs!

Saying good bye was tough but having our home back was a nice perk. Our home isn’t that big and with one washroom, I have to say I am amazed we made it!

Love you Mom & Dad/ Nana & Papa ♥

 

  

PS… if you are wondering what Claire is doing to Pap’s elbow…for some reason she liked tugging on the loose skin he has there and he thought it was funny. ha ha…kids are hilarious.

Beacon Hill drive in with Nana & Papa

One of our favorite summer activities is to visit Beacon Hill drive in. A staple from Jimmy’s childhood growing up in James Bay 🙂 We had to visit there with Nana & Papa because they were departing shortly to go back home AND my Mom LOVES ice cream. It is her kryptonite 😉

 

Victoria Highland Games

There is a highland games in Victoria each year in May. With my parents in town and my cousin coming from Nanaimo with her highland dancer daughters it seemed like a great year to attend.

I played the bagpipes in my youth and I always enjoy a highland games with the heavy events, bagpipe competitions and dancing. With years of competing at these events and my parents helping it was nice to all go again and reminisce. This was Claire & Rhys first time attending an event. It was a beautiful sunny day and we had a great time.

massed bands

Caithlin’s grade 12 graduation!

My niece Caithlin, who is also my godchild, graduated this June! They do things a little differently in Medicine Hat, AB … her graduation ceremony and prom was in May. Since my parents were still living with us in Victoria and my Dad was unable to travel, I flew to Medicine Hat to celebrate the wonderful lady that my niece is.

We are so proud of her. I spent some really wonderful quality time with Caithlin that I will treasure. Her group of friends were pretty amazing too. I love Caithlin’s personality and funky nature. I mean she wore red converse high tops to her graduation ceremony & prom. She is way cooler than me.

Congratulations Caithlin!

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Airport good-bye:

Caithlin & her Mom- my sister Sarah:

pre-ceremony celebration at Caithlin’s home (top right= my nephew Ethan & Caithlin, bottom left= Caithlin & step-mom Amanda, bottom right= Caithlin & her grandparents):

Police Point park- my favorite park in Medicine Hat, AB:

Graduation:

Prom:

 

Art fair!

Claire & Rhys are very creative. One day while hanging out at home they decided to create art for sale to make some extra money. They worked so diligently and made a pretty fantastic set-up. Nana & Papa were still staying with us so when it came time to sell their art they made some pretty good money from all of us 🙂