My Grandpa's 85

It was my Grandpa's 85th birthday last Friday, so my mum, dad, brother and I made the trip out to Fruitvale (about a six hour drive) to visit him and his wife, Yvonne. The part that I don't like about the trip, is the getting up at five because we're leaving at six.

Saturday we toured the Columbia Gardens Vineyard and Winery. It was nice to get a little bit of sun while being in such a beautiful location (I forgot my camera back at the house, but took some photos with my mum's camera that I will add at a later date). Then we went back inside and sampled. Normally I'm a white wine kind of gal, but the Merlot really spoke to me this time, so I snapped up a bottle. Also got a bottle of their dessert wine (they don't think it's worth the money to be certified to make ice wine), that I planning on having the night of the wedding - just Justin and I.

The weather was really hot, about 35 degrees and humid. Plus, the BBQ was on, cooking our ham supper, some of the time we were sitting on the poarch which added to the heat. Yvonne really likes the heat, and enjoys every minute of it (which makes me surprised she'd live somewhere that gets winter - wouldn't you move to, say Nevada?).

On the way home we stopped at one of the fruit stands in Creston and I took some pictures while I waited for my parents to be finished. I could easily live there, it's a mini Kelowna to me. I love the mix between buildings (buisnesses and houses) and orchards. It's something that looks both out of the ordinary and natural all at the same time.

I find it really funny that Justin doesn't like surprises. His mum's been wondering what he wants for his birthday (August 16 - five days before the wedding), so I've been sending her suggestion texts whenever another idea comes to me. Today I texted her some Saucy Ladies (a company here in town) jarred goods. The next thing I know, Sandy's calling me to say that she dropped a jar of antipasto in the box of the truck (at Justin's work) and for me to let him know to move it inside before he drives so it doesn't break. She called it a "birthday teaser."

When I called Justin to let him know, I wanted to surprise him, so I just said there's something in the truck box that has to get moved. He was begging me to find out what Sandy had dropped of for him. Finally I said that I didn't know what it was; there was a pause, then Justin said "your lying to me." I laughed so hard; I love that Justin knows when I'm not telling the truth - keeps me on the straight and narrow!

Here's a couple pictures from the one month date, last Wednesday. I was a little disappointed that we don't look better in them; we both look worn out and a little gross looking! I later realized that's our life right now: I've been working out to look more toned and lose a couple pounds (eight to be exact, the number I gained back after eating really badly the week when Justin's Grandpa was in the hospital), and Justin's been working diligently on the yard (building the fences, installing the underground sprinklers, leveling the yard and adding topsoil). Why wouldn't I like a photo that discribes our life so clearly a month before our wedding!

P.S. It's way too crazy around here lately to think about scrapbooking, which is kind of sad. When life gets back to normal once again after the honeymoon, it'll be "balls to the walls" for that!