Canada, oh Canada

Hello my dears and friends,
Today was the first day of our trip and so far we have had a great time. Dan and I managed to leave only an hour later than we planned to and still arrived almost two hours earlier than we needed to. We are going to have to get better at stopping to smell the roses on this trip.

We started out with a little rain, but after a couple of hours it cleared up. Not quite to sunshine, except for about ten minutes, but to decent driving weather.

It was fun watching the navigator as we got closer to the border. Once we made it through, and it only took about 15 minutes, the map simply stopped. No roads, names, or anything. Very weird.

Also we are staying in an area of Langley that is quite commercial. Like a hotel right in the middle of downtown industrial/commercial south Seattle. There are tons of shope and resteraunts to choose from.

We had a 6:30 apt. at the temple and it is only about 10 minutes away from the hotel. It is a beautiful, little Temple and we really enjoyed seeing it. It also has a beautiful font for baptisms. The Asst. Matron was on hand to show us through and was very kind and informative.

After the session was over we stopped at Red Robin to eat dinner. A little different menu than we are used to, but pretty much the same. No tortilla soup though. I had French Onion. Dan had a hamburger.

We are back in our room and planning to leave pretty early tomorrow for your dads seminar in Vancouver.

So, more news tomorrow. We love you and wish every one a Good Night!

A Little Catching Up To Do

I have heard the phrase "it's been a loooooong time since you have updated anything on your blog" so I will start catching up with the current news.
Of course starting at Christmas, where I left off.
Trying to be creative with the picture this year we decided to do an "ugly sweater" picture. The funny story about that is that Dan was so excited and said "Oh I have just the sweater for that picture", and out of his dresser came the sweater he is wearing. Not so funny when he realised I gave him that sweater just a couple of Christmas's ago. I wish I could have captured his expression at that moment.
After the picture we went for the traditional dinner to Red Robin and enjoyed the funny looks and coments we got on the outfits.
Christmas day was Amazing Fun! We had a lazy breakfast and took the morning to open presents. It was fun to have Aaron back home with us. And we are grateful for all the cheer and fun we have together. Wishing more of you were here so we could share the day with everyone.

A New Baby Boy! Thomas has arrived.

After a surprising emergency C-section the wonderful arrival of a healthy,new baby is a celebration.

Absolute sweetness coming through in these pictures. I can't wait to hold him and hug Adam and Colleen for doing such a good job!

For more pictures and story, visit conlinchaos@blogspot.com to see the great job Colleen has done blogging the tale.

The other boys are doing great and loving this new little one.

I love them all and can't wait to visit!

Elder Conlin has entered the building

Here we are after two long years waiting at the airport with friends and family for our Elder to return. Some of us got there very early (1/2 hour isn't that bad! I was anxious) and we waited and wondered if everyone would make it. Ryan picked up sushi on the way because Aaron had asked for it. It was such a nice thought and we had plenty of time to sample some of it before Aaron even got there.

And here he is!!! Looking older, taller and bigger than when he left. Amazing things happen to young men in two years. What a fun experience to welcome him home.

And here he is home again, released, and still not comfortable without his "missionary uniform" on. His tie didn't come off for about another hour until after the Schweikarts came over to visit and Kris walked over and just took it off him. It was very funny!

The poor guy hardly knew what happened to him for the week. He spoke in Church on Sunday and was on a plane to go back to Weber State College in Ogden Utah. One short week from mission to class. What a whirl wind week (say that 3 times fast, I dare ya).

We love him tons, are glad he is home safe and sound, and that he is happy and doing well at school.

And One More Time!

Dan was enjoying the evening and caught the sunset being spectacular one more time. We love watching the always changing view and would love to share it with all of you.

Love you all
Nic

Never Gets Old

Ashley and I had the opportunity of snapping away at the sunset again last night. People ask if we ever get tired of the view and we always tell em "Never have, never will". We love the view and wanted to share.

Love you all. Ma and Nic

Birthday Bash

We had so much fun for my birthday this year. An evening at PF Changs one of my favorite meals. We had Alea and Zach and baby Camden, Loya and Sara, Ryan, Ashley, Dan and I enjoying tons of food and conversation at the dinner table. We wish many more of you could join us.

Love you all,

Nic and Ma