Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Long time no update

Yes, we are quite aware that it has been a while since last updated. The time seems to go quickly these days. Who would have thought that weddings would require so much planning? On top of this we both have been writting final papers and exams. In one word, busy.
Well, the wedding is just a little over two and a half weeks away and we still have quite a few loose ends to tie up. It has come together suprisingly well. By that I mean without too many headaches or stressful moments. I know Christine would attribute that to her impressive organisational skills but I would attribute it as well to my uncanny ability to multi-task. I have already told Christine that if I were a dinosaur in some other time I would have been a "multi-task-o-saurus." Since we did things at a slower pace we were able to spread the wedding work as it were over many months. This has proved to be quite the genius idea. Less stress = happier David and Christine. This weekend Christine is having her Stagette at Rachel's cottage or as people in Manitoba say "at the lake." I think the plan is to watch girl type movies, talk about boys, and paint each others nails or whatever girls do when they get together in groups.

In other news, we got an apartment, a cat, and a whole lot a sunshine here in the Peg. We take over the apartment on May 1st and that means that I will be moving in before the wedding so as to make sure the cat doesn't die. We will give out the address in due time. As for the sunshine, it isn't that often that Winnipeg can boast that it is the hot spot of Canada in April. Therefore, especially after a brutal beginning to the month, we are basking in the suns wonderful warming warmth. For me it feels even better when we get better weather than Southern Ontario. So often they are the envy of the rest of the country with their beautiful falls and perfect springs but this year we got one up on them! Chalk one up for Winnipeg.


Since I don't have any pictures to share regarding the wedding I thought I would post one of the most bizarre things we have seen in a while. A GIANT RABBIT!

A picture beyond all description

Monday, March 26, 2007

Kampen Shower

The table of gifts...

David shows off our new bowl collection...


Don't mess with me- I have a high-tech potato peeler!

(Almost) all the Kampen women

Cheerful Tante Erna :)

Yesterday, we gathered at Tante Helene & Onkel Heinz' place for a (non-surprising) shower which did have a few surprises in store... my Aunt Renate flew in from Calgary! Everything was decorated with balloons (and who doesn't like balloons?), and as my Tante Helene said: "What is a shower? Gifts and food!" So we opened gifts, ate way too much cake and were merry... thank you to everyone who came and participated. We are grateful for your love and support!

Monday, March 12, 2007

French Lessons

For a few weeks now, I have been spending my Monday nights with a certain cousin of mine who is learning (??) some French from me. Unfortunately, today will be the last time for a while because he is so busy getting good at other things, like music. For those of you who are coming to the wedding, you will be able to see him playing something beautiful on the piano... Merci Julian!

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Happy Birthday, David!

His 25th year was rung in with roommates,
gluten-free cake,
and a very high fever...

Roomies: (l to r) David, Candice, Hartley, Suzi, Stef

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Meet the Bridal Party... Liam

Liam Dunn is my cousin's little (I mean big) boy. He is going to do the very important job of carrying our rings to the front of the church. Although Liam lives in Calgary with his mom, Tracy, his dad, Kevin and his baby brother Caleb, he has been to Winnipeg a few times, and I was actually at his baby shower when he was very very tiny. We are so excited to have you as part of our wedding party, Liam!!

Monday, February 12, 2007

Brand New Baby Robinson

Lucas James (Jason?) Robinson
born February 11, 2007
to Jason Robinson & Michelle Baker
brother to Britney & Lorisa
Oshawa, Ontario

Lucas and Uncle David get acquainted

Grandma Ellen

Oh my goodness... he is so cute

So much attention makes a little guy sleepy...

... very sleepy.

Friday, February 09, 2007

France revisited

Near the end of the year in France my best friend Will decided to take a break from his art gallery in Toronto to spend a little BFF time in Bordeaux. We ate delicious food in Bordeaux, took the longest train ride ever to Bilbao, Spain and played soccer in the sand in Arcachon, France. Truly it was a BFF time. Here are a few pics.



Will tries to hold my hand. "I'm taken," I had to keep telling him over and over.


One of the best things one can find in Bordeaux, Potato doner.


Will in front of the Gugenheim in Bilbao, Spain.

Man the French were really, really short a century ago.



Anid now the wrinkliest dog EVER!

p.s. take a look at Will's gallery website. www.le-gallery.ca Whether you are interested in art or not it's worth a look.

Friday, February 02, 2007

where did that word come from, anyway?

show·er 1 (shour)
n.
1. A brief fall of precipitation, such as rain, hail, or sleet.
2. A fall of a group of objects, especially from the sky: a meteor shower; a shower of leaves.
3. An abundant flow; an outpouring: a shower of praise.
4. A party held to honor and present gifts to someone: a bridal shower.
5.
a. A bath in which the water is sprayed on the bather in fine streams from a showerhead, usually secured overhead: take a shower.
b. The stall or tub in which such a bath is taken.
v. show·ered, show·er·ing, show·ers
v.tr.
1. To pour down in a shower: showered confetti on the parade.
2. To cover with or as if with a shower. See Synonyms at barrage2.
3. To bestow abundantly or liberally.
v.intr.
1. To fall or pour down in or as if in a shower.
2. To wash oneself in a shower.

[Middle English shour, from Old English scr.]

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Our Bridal & Groomal Shower...


Getting married wouldn't be complete without having showers. (Where did that word come from anyway??) Last Sunday, my aunts got together and threw me one... complete with presents, laughter and really good cake!! Thank you to Gina for hosting and Charlotte and Lorraine for helping to plan and everyone for coming! And actually, since most of them hate wedding showers, we decided to call it "The Rempel Family Gathering with Presents." I thought that was cute.
Two of my favourite women: Andrea & Mom

The uncles: Dad, Biff (aka Stan), Paul, Herb

Jeremy: Wow. That was awkward.
Me: Good grief, Jeremy. I'm related to you. What happens when a 'real' girl kisses you?


Lauren displays her art for a captive audience (Zachary, Hillary & Lorraine)

Friday, January 12, 2007

Brrrrr freezing!




Today was the coldest day on record for this winter. Actually we have had a very mild winter. In fact, it has often felt very much like spring. Unfortunately, being spoiled with balmy weather does not prepare you for -39 degrees Celcius without the windchill. The felt temperature today was -47. David keeps asking himself why on earth people ever decided to settle here. I think imagining a lonely log cabin, a small black smudge in the blowing snow is sufficient for making us thankful for winter coats and hot chocolate. Anyway, for those of you who are basking in higher temperatures... Enjoy it!


Monday, January 08, 2007

Bingo and Bowling

What does one do on a Saturday night in Winnipeg?

BINGO AND BOWLING OF COURSE!!!


Game Time

Christine almost breaks her finger because of the 13 pound ball


Bowling = fun for all

This is how roomates bond

The Happy Cooker

This last weekend, Dave and I spent some time doing some more registering at a delightful little store on Osborne called The Happy Cooker. There are all sorts of fun gadgets there you didn't even know you needed. Go check it out:
www.thehappycooker.ca

Thursday, January 04, 2007

New Year's

Preparing some delicious desserts

Our friends Chester and Jasper

Christine holding her new best friend

Port and Jammies

Not one to miss an opportunity for a beautiful photo, Dinis goes out in his socks to capture New Year's morning.


I have never been one for big parties or going to some place like Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto or Time's Square in NY to ring in the new year. I know it may come as a big suprise to some of you but I like to stay at home and ring in the new year with a few people and just relax. Perhaps a rousing game of parchessi (the game that everyone has heard of but never played) topped off with an hour and a half game of Pictionary and finished with the movie "Elf". At around midnight we did the obligatory count down with the television, watching a rain soaked mass of people in Toronto, and toasted to the new year with Port from Portugal. It was another wonderful new years celebration.

Kampen Christmas

Yes I know Christmas is over but we didn't get around to posting these pictures until now. If you were to ask me what I think the best thing about Christmas is, I would of course reply family.


I guess Keith didn't get enough to eat. Alexander and Christine look on wondering what he will do next.

Evelyn and Melanie

Kevin "long legs" Kampen

The hosts Art and Nadine

Heinz, Helene, Oma

A nice family concert to end the evening

Followers