Happy Canada Day!

My boys!

Five alarm funk was amazing!!

Bennett's

Watching the parade

Uncle Cookie representing the ice crew for the Canucks

Out of control and loving it!

My MIL treats all the girls in the Bennett family to the Life Women's Conference each year. It's always a highlight for me. This year its safe to say I was rocked to the core. Lisa Bevere was one of the guest speakers. As I sat in my seat listening to her challenge the women, I was constantly moved to tears or deeply inspired. I connected with her on so many levels. I hope to be half as cool as she is when I'm a G-Momma!

I've been reading her book 'Out of Control and loving it!' It's awesome! I've been so inspired by this book. I would encourage everyone to pick up a copy of it. It's a great summer read!

Love is patient

On June 19th 2010 Tyler Bennett patiently waited at the front of a quiet church for his bride. The music crescendo and the audience arose. Tyler shifted nervously. Finally the doors swung open and there she was. Stacie was radiant! She was smiling from ear to ear. Gentle tears fell down Ty's cheeks as God's promises were brought to life in that moment!

As a bridesmaid and a close observer of the day, my heart jumped for joy as I watched Tyler. Tyler is my brother in law but he was first a very dear friend/older brother. 13 years ago I met Tyler Bennett. He was outgoing, carefree and brought dozens of handsome boys (including my husband) into my house. It didn't matter if Ty and I were planning a children's event for CLA or cruising White Rock I was always guaranteed a good time with him!! As the years passed one by one our friends got married. Even though this was hard for Ty; he was patient. He knew his Mom, PP, Chad & I and many, many others were praying for his bride. He never complained just carried on.

It has been amazing for me watching Tyler fall in love with Stacie! I know he has all the tools to be an amazing husband and father one day. So, Tyler and Stacie my prayer for you is to always seek Jesus for direction! You've probably heard this a lot. Just know that life and relationships get really hard. However, the moment you take it to Jesus, everything gets a lot simpler. Have a lot of fun together in every area of your marriage. Never stop trying new things or just being silly together. Know that Chad & I are always here for you! We love you so much and are grateful we're family.

If you're tired and you know it clap your hands...*CLAP, CLAP*

The time honored tradition know as the stagette, bachelorette party or hen party. For most of us it brings up great memories of our own wedding. All the laughter and fun we shared with our team of excited bridesmaids and friends. We celebrated my sister in law to be last night!

We started off with a surprise lingerie shower at my house. This was definitely memorable thanks to our 2 surprise guests. Oh gosh! From there Stacie and some of her bridesmaids all headed out for pedicures. Then it was back to my house to get ready to go downtown.

Now that I'm a stay at home mom I had spent the night before preparing for the lingerie shower. I stayed up baking and cleaning til 1 AM to make sure everything was perfect. I hadn't thought for a moment what I'd wear to the stagette. As I walked into my closet yesterday a slight panic settled over me. A quick glance over my shoulder confirmed that all my sister in laws looked hot...I mean HOT! OK don't panic Trisha, after all you're on day 3 of Jillian Michael's Shred. You're not totally a desperate housewife you can still roll with these girls. I quickly grabbed my 4 inch heels and assembled my outfit. Confirming nods from the sisters tell me my outfit is ok. Phewf!

It was such a beautiful night and as we cruised into the city I knew it was going to be a great night! The fabulous Angela was the event planner for the city fun. We all hoped into cabs and headed over to a very artistic Caribbean restaurant. The food was delicious and we were all having a great time! Stacie looked beautiful as always. From there we headed to Honey's for some dancing. That's when the panic returned. Don't get me wrong I LOVE to dance! Secretly I feel like a pea size Beyonce lives inside of me. However, I have a child, I don't go out dancing. I'll work it at the occasional wedding or maybe by myself in my car. The panic quickly turns to full blown fear when I remember "Oh crap, I'm wearing 4 inch heels." Thankfully, the DJ was AMAZING! It was like he took my ipod and went through my play list. The pea size Beyonce inside me sprung to action and I was dancing! The dancing turned to glowing which then turned to full on sweating. It wasn't pretty but man was it fun!!!

Every single one of the girls there had big smiles on their faces and we truly celebrated with Stacie. From there we headed to Earls for some yummy treats and then walked back to my in laws house for a slumber party.

When I woke up this morning after my solid 4 hours of sleep, I glanced at myself in the mirror and wondered if hemorrhoid cream really did shrink bags? That was one tired mommy starring back at me. :) Even now, as the clock on the computer reads 8:17 I'm seriously hoping in 15 minutes I'll be tucked in bed.

It was a fabulous night! I'm so excited for their wedding. 6 more days!!! YEAH!

Mother's Day

Mother's day why can't you be once a month? It's just such a wonderful day and I love what we're celebrating. Probably because now that I have my own baby I appreciate my Mom, Mother in law, Nana, Aunts and everyone else who's a Mommy out there so much more. I understand your exhaustion, frustration, never ending joy and fear. Basically I understand your hearts! It's so wonderful to get together with my family and Chad's family and just honor our Mothers.

We celebrated my MIL at Ang's house down in Kits. Ang made the most amazing brunch!! It was so relaxing sitting in the garden talking about life and just enjoying each other. When our tummies were all full we decided to take a walk down to the beach. Chase played and explored while we all sat in the sun (got to work on that tan...summer is just around the corner) and listened intently to Ang's adventures in the city and all Tyler & Stacie's wedding plans. The afternoon ended with ice cream. The perfect ending to our time together.

Chase loves to sweep!

Mother's day brunch

My FIL has had some problems with his teeth. Couldn't resist putting up this picture! HA!

Mom B has always LOVED Chase's feet.

So her gift this year was his footprint and my Mom got his hand print.

Loving the beach...

and the birds!

Ty made a friend.

The original 5

Our wonderful family!

I think that was the only bite Ang got of her ice cream. Chase ate everything else! Sorry Ang!

Then we packed up Chase and headed to my Mom's house for dinner! The house was filled with laughter and conversation the minute we walked through the door. My Mom's side of the family is all very outgoing and fun. Mom made an incredible salmon dinner and my Nana made her famous cheesecake! Why is it that I eat my way through EVERY holiday? The Canucks game was on but they won so all was well in the world. :) My Nana had commented about a month ago how she wanted to go to see Michael Buble in concert but his tickets were sold out. The following week I heard on the radio they had added another day. I quickly jumped on the chance to get her tickets. Watching her open the tickets was the highlight of the day! She screamed with delight and was so shocked. Every so often you find that perfect gift and the reaction is the best part. Once again, I enjoyed my day! So thankful to be a mommy to my amazing son. He brings me joy everyday!

Lions, Tigers & Bears

Chad was away in Arizona last week for 4 days with work. It was a busy couple of days for Chase and I but I wouldn't have it any other way. Chase & I went and saw a movie. The next day we had the wedding shower. Then on the Friday morning we were up early to go to the zoo! The weather was so beautiful and the company perfect. All the kids were having so much fun together. I'm truly blessed to have such wonderful friends.

Little man is working on his last 2 eye teeth. It's a bit tough to take a picture without his fingers in his mouth these days. Oh well, at least he's happy!

Ty & Stacie's Shower

Angela & I decided to do a Mexican themed shower for Tyler & Stacie. It was such a thrill to finally host a wedding shower for Tyler! He's always been so supportive of all of us through the years and now it's his turn. The theme was perfect for these 2. They love to eat, drink and be merry. So that's exactly what we did!!!

The groom, Paul & Sean

Love these girls!

Runners up for A&F male model of the year and Miss Lady Smith 2009

Of course we had a pinata!!!!

Ty was a natural

The guests were excited about the treats inside!