Settling In....finally!

Wow, its been awhile since I've made an entry on this page. I think I've been keeping everyone pretty much up to date on facebook but there are still a few of you not up with the times.

In case you didn't know, we are in our new townhouse and really love it. Its a little smaller than what I was expecting so finding a home for everything has been challenging, especially in the kitchen, but its been a good way to get rid of the things I don't really use...even though I thought I did that before we moved from BC. It never ends! We miss the familiarity of BC and those of you we left behind but we really are liking Edmonton so far. The weather has been amazing. Since moving here in July I can really only think of 3 days of rain--and they weren't even full days! We had some great storms that came and went in less than an hour and, although it is sitting around 20C it is sunny and clear most of the time. There are parks EVERYWHERE and a beautiful bike trail right behind our place that leads all the way to the river where there are off-leash dog trails, picnic sites, and more trails. You should come visit!

School has begun and thankfully Annabel is really excited about her new school! She is having a great time in her new class and is making friends very quickly--not that I doubted she would but it is a huge relief that it is actually happening. She has a male teacher for the first time this year and I think that will be a nice switch. She has been very fortunate to have had really good female teachers till now but its nice to mix it up a bit. So far its going great.

Jeff and I are enjoying the new place and brainstorming on how to get out and meet new friends. THAT will be our biggest challenge I think. We are going to a "back to school" BBQ next week where we will have a chance to meet some other parents and the teachers so it may be a good outlet. Our neighbors are great people but not the "come-on-over-for-dinner" types...at least not yet.
Jeff has been working alot to help get us caught up from the expense of moving twice in the last few months and all the hook up fees x 2, etc...that stuff adds up! I am still on EI and enjoying my time to myself right now. I am still planning to do the daycare at home but I'm also keeping my options open. There is loads of work out here in whatever area you want to work. Everyone is hiring for something or other. I plan to start back after Xmas and whether I do daycare or something else there will lots to chose from when I'm ready. We need to get started on our basement though if i'm expecting to have kids here. Its gonna be a busy fall! We still manage to get out to the football games, and take a bike ride now and then. We did find a babysitter that we have yet to use. Soon though! She lives right next door! How convenient! Our anniversary is just around the corner so I we'll probably give her a go then. Our first date in AB!

So, things that are coming up for us (besides finishing the basement) are the prospect of new friends and hopefully a fall party, Hallowe'en (which should be interesting if it gets as cold as people are saying), oh and my mom is coming to visit in December! Not much else on the agenda for now. Just the regular day to day stuff. Keep thinking of us and maybe drop a comment below (just click where it says "post comment" on the blog page--its easy!) or give us a call sometime. I'll get Annabel to leave a message on her blog page soon too. She's got lots to say i'm sure!
Cheers!