Happy Birthday Weekend

Well this is certainly not a vacation but I thought I would take this blog chance to wish my husband a wonderful happy birthday!
Officially if things work out the way we hope, Don is now one year from retirement from Alberta Transportation.  He started his employment with them January 1980 as a surveyor, and has been a prospector now since 1995.  Many bosses, many cubic yards of gravel, and many memories. He is not sure exactly when he will retire, and hopes to continue as a consultant, but it is approaching fast.
We had a nice but busy weekend.  On Saturday we went to Edmonton to watch Emerson swim and keep Blake company, as Cal was with Em swimming.  Tracy is the Vice President of the Therapist Assistant Association of Alberta and Saturday was their education day and AGM.  We went back to their house and then babysat Em while Cal and Blake were at hockey.  Blake managed almost the whole practice this time without the helping walker, and just his hockey stick.
After Cal and Blake got home we went to an 80th Birthday party for Lloyd Deslisle in Edmonton.  Lloyd was Don’s first boss with the government in 1980.  He and his wife were also great friends for us, Gloria helping me learn the ropes of parenthood (they had 5 children) as well as adjusting to being a wife of a never home transportation guy.  Gloria is great at getting folks together and hosted a wonderful party.
Then we were running back home as we had a surprise visit from my Uncle Michael and Aunt Doreen.  These are my closest and most special relatives I have.  They are a great positive couple and I love to hear of their travels.  Cannot believe they are 65 and 70 years old.  We went to Boston Pizza and had a great meal and visit.  It was nice to go out as we have cut back on that since I no longer work.
Then today we went to Warren and Cherie’s for a quick coffee and good bye to Michael and Doreen and back home to prepare for Don’s birthday supper.  Blake and Em said it was his party!  They were so very cute singing happy birthday to grandpa!!!  Blake could barely contain himself before the cake.  And Em was excited as soon as she saw the ice cream container.  After a bit more playing it was bath time and goodbyes!  I think Don’s highlight was Blake riding the quad with him, as they put them away in storage for the winter.
Have a great week everyone and I’ll drop a line again soon.