Sunny Summer Days

Well, it's been quite the spring and summer in the life of the Pay family.

Dirks Family Health Update:

My brief visit home in March was to visit mom in the hospital as she was undergoing chemo treatments for leukaemia, and also to visit my youngest brother Jay who had just had surgery to remove cancerous tumours from his brain.

A few months later, mom went into remission while doctors discovered more cancer in Jay's liver. Mom went home and Jay started his planned treatment. Sadly, the tumours returned in Jay's brain and were inoperable. In late August, I returned to Manitoba for Jay's funeral.

Pay Family Update:

We've been busy going to the beaches, the parks, picking and eating obscene amounts of blackberries, hanging out at the nearby playgrounds, and playing in our fabulous back yard this summer. We've gotten to know our neighbours and spent a lot of time with the kids on their bikes on our street. I think that's helped us meet the neighbours!

Erick's parents and sister (with kids) came out for a visit near the end of August. It was a fun full house for us and we can't wait to do it again. Most likely we'll pack everyone in at Christmas.

As the kids get older and more independent, our lives get just a little bit easier. As I write, Keira is having her first nap in her big girl bed. Maybe soon she'll be potty trained too! Kian is snacking away and watching the Incredibles for the 5 millianth time.

Sorry, no pictures this post, but I'll make my next post a photo extravaganza.