We've been keeping busy...

Okay Everyone I will warn everyone now, this is going to be a long post...but I promise if you stick it out you will see lots of pictures. We've been busy but have had a lot of fun these past few weeks!

Thanksgiving 2007...Okay so we did Thanksgiving as I mentioned before at my parents home the week before Thanksgiving, so on the real day we headed over to be with my In-Laws. I was super excited for this meal because mama Bing is an amazing cook. I always like to describe her as another Martha Stewart, and as you can see from the table decor she is quite talented. We had a delicious meal and I don't think anyone went home hungry, I know I didn't! Laureen's sweet potatoes are to die for...yummy! I was also happy because I was able to meet more of Brandon's family. His Uncle John and Aunt Gail were unfortunately unable to make it to our wedding, but we were excited to see them for Meaghan's.I had a wonderful afternoon chatting with Laureen and Gail in the kitchen. It was really nice to visit and get to know her more, she showed us beautiful shots of their cottage and of her cute grand kids. We also found out that we have a common interest and that is Dancing with the Stars...we had a great chat about it, and we were going to watch it together but Brandon and I had to leave. We had to leave because we were bringing home our finished furniture from my parents place with the help of Meaghan and Jason...it's so great to have it in the apartment, and there will be picture up on another blog. The pictures below are a few from the day...there is my father-in-law peter and my sister-in-law Brittany and then there is one of the happy couple Meaghan and Jason...under one week until their wedding!

Thursday night I headed over to The Bing's again for a big family dinner. Peter picked me up, and in the car were two more of his sisters, Phyllis and Audrey. They had just arrived, so I got to meet more family and it was wonderful. They were both so sweet and I got to learn all about their families. Phyllis lives on a cattle farm and they have over 500 cattle...crazy, but cool! I think it was my first time there without Brandon, but it was totally great. Jason's parents and grandparents were also there tonight for dinner, so we all got to meet them and know them better. They are very sweet people, and will be great in-laws for Meaghan!

Tidal Bore Rafting...was the next day on Friday and I would have to recommend it to EVERYONE! We met at the Bing's Friday morning and figured out the carpooling situation and then we were on the way...There were 15 of us in total rafting and then Jason's grandmother, sister, her husband and their kids met us up there later. The place that we went was super cute and has really beautiful cottages. We got in and were suited up in rain pants and survival jackets and they we headed down to the boats. I was in one with my In-Laws, Brittany my sister-in-law and of course Brandon. They took our three boats out to the middle of the river and left us on a sand bank to wait for the tide to come in. So while we were waiting of course the boys got silly and started throwing people in...Jason and Peter were first...then it went down hill from there, and all the girls were thrown in. Chelsey and I were thrown in together as we were trying to save each other. It's funny looking back now we were all saying how cold we were, but it really didn't matter because we got SOOOOOO much colder. I would recommend to anyone who is going to try this out, it is a great ride but go in the summer on a hot hot day because we FROZE!! It was probably the wildest thing I've ever done, I was holding on for dear life but it was a great rush. We were going into so many waves I didn't know how the boat stayed floating...at one point the whole boat was filled up to out knees. Brandon fell out twice, the first time was on purpose and the second was due to the crazy waves... I came close a few times but was determined to hold on tight. Brandon was shocked to see the wave go right over him and his father and splash us. We were all kinda blue when we finally docked again, and Brittany and I couldn't feel out feet as we walked up, but it was amazing. I have never been so excited to get in a hot hot shower...my feet didn't fully defrost until later that evening, but I can't complain. Afterwards we had a BBQ and Meaghan and Jason presented their parents with beautiful gifts of Thanks for all they've done for the wedding. Brandon and I swung by the church book store on the way home and then he crashed since he had worked until 7am and then went rafting! It was a Great day and a fun bonding experience with my new extended family!

Meaghan and Jason's Big Day... was the following day and I don't know about them but Brandon and I were both quite sore from rafting. The day started off early as I went out and got my hair done..i needed a little change so I got a shorter cute new due and got my make-up done too. I should mention now that you won't be seeing any of pictures of the happy couple together because due to Jason's profession pictures of him in his work uniform cannot be posted...which is sucky but what can you do, it's his safety. I didn't want everyone to think we didn't like Jason, because we all love him and he's a great addition to the family. Him and Meaghan are so cute together, so happy and in love!!! So the wedding was at 4pm at the Halifax Chapel...it was a short ceremony but it was so beautiful, Bishop Pilling did a great job and brought tears to many peoples eyes. Meaghan's bridesmaids were so elegant and beautiful, and little Akayjah was an adorable flower girl. Meaghan was stunning as she walked down the isle on her father's arm. One funny moment was when they were being pronounced as husband and wife, there was a name slip up, as he called her Meaghan Chelsey instead of Meaghan Ashley...Chelsey is her sister...it was cute. After the ceremony there was an hour for mingling and snacks while the family headed to the public gardens for pictures...It was a cold day but the weather cleared up nicely for pictures. There were two other weddings there too which was funny. I aired the grounds at the Gardens with my heels...I kept getting stuck. They both looked sooooo beautiful and there were so many beautiful pictures taken...The family picture looked great, I want to get one for the apartment. Meaghan's dress was perfect for her, she has a smaller frame so it suited her so much. The layers on the dress are lace and the dress was also covered in lace with the right amount of sparkle. Her veil was simple but stunning and her hair was so beautiful. Her flowers were from My Mother's Bloomer's located in my mall...Nevil did an amazing job, the colors were beautiful and perfect for a fall wedding. They had five people each in their wedding party...Jason's guys were great and super funny and Meaghan's girls were too cute. Her Maid of Honour was Celine, and then her bridesmaids were Elyss, Stacey, Chelsey and Brittany. I took a tonne of pictures, so if anyone wants to fully see the wedding pictures come visit when I get them developed because they were beautiful. The reception was at the Prince George in downtown Halifax. The room looked beautiful and all of Meaghan's hard work paid off because everything looked great. The center pieces were designed by Nevil, and were surrounded by candles and rose petals. Her favours were beautifully put together, what they did...each guest was given a little Chinese take out box that was tied with either a gold or red ribbon, and they had a wax stamp of the letter S on the front. Inside wrapped in tulle was a little tin that held Red and Gold M&M's and they all said Meaghan and Jason...and their wedding date...which was too cool...I don't want to eat mine because they are so neat. Chelsey and Brittany did a beautiful musical number, which I believe was Cannon in D...I have some very talented sister-in-laws. Dinner was delicious and we had a great table...Brandon's three aunts and his uncle John...Nathan the videographer and family friend and also two of Chelsey's friends. We laughed and joked so much, I think John took just as many pictures as I did. He was too cute, he wanted to get a picture of the Happy couple kissing, so he went out and stood in front of them and looked over at the table to get us to ring the bell...it was hilarious. What was great about their kissing game was that in order to get the couple to kiss, guests could make a donation to curing Breast Cancer...they had little cans on the table to put the donation and this is what it said...or close to it...

"You Can Make a Difference it's as Easy as a Kiss!

At Every Wedding, as Tradition, Guests Clink their Wine Glasses Anticipating A Kiss From The Bride and The Groom To Follow.

Today, Instead of Clinking Glasses We Make The Bride and Groom They Ask a Donation To The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation."

It was a great idea for a very great cause. They were toasted man times and so many beautiful things were said about the happy couple...Celine sis a great job as she made us all cry a little when she said that Jason is very much like Meaghan's Father. It was so sweet. Both my In-Law's got up to speak and mentioned Brandon and I in their speeches and how they are so happy to have Jason and myself as new members of the family, which I thought was so sweet of them. It seems like our wedding was forever ago, even though it's only been about 3 months. They had an adorable slide show, pictures of Jason were played to "My Guy" and pictures of Meaghan were shown to " My Girl" and then the pictures of them together played to "Happy Together" which was too perfect...there was even a picture of us on our wedding day with Meaghan and Jason, it was a nice moment to remember our special day!! Meaghan and Jason also played a fun game to see their thoughts on each other. They were placed back to back and they switched shoes, the MC then asked them questions and they'd hold up whose shoe applied, it got so many laughs from all the guests... and some of the decisions were a laugh!! They got their cake from Scanway which is where ours came from and it was beautiful and delicious...it was simple with Red Flowers on it, but it was so perfect for the reception. They also had an amazing strawberry pyramid they was covered with drizzled chocolate...it was super delicious! They danced their first dance to what I think was called "Man and Women" or maybe "Man and Wife" by Michelle Featherstore which is one of the most beautiful songs that I have heard in awhile. I want to get in on disk...so if anyone owns the CD let me know because I want to borrow it badly. Meaghan and Jason danced with their parents to "What a Wonderful Life". Meaghan and Peter looked so cute dancing together...it was really great because Laureen got her dance in August with Brandon and now Peter got his turn October. Let's see, I hope everyone is still hanging in and enjoying the wedding recap. We had an amazing time partying it up as a family...I think we were all up dancing which was so great to see, such fun times with the family. It was so awesome to see everyone smiling and just having so much fun. It was also really nice to dance with my husband. We don't get nearly enough opportunity to dance together so it was wonderful to be together. We also don't get to fast dance often really ever...so this was one of the first times we were able to bust a move, which was funny. I am not a big fast dancer so I tried my best, what really matters though was that we had fun together. I loved spending time with my extended family and getting to know Brandon's aunt's and uncle more...we were given two more wedding gifts this weekend...and we used them to get a new printer and a few other things for our second bedroom. I love having a color printer...really just a printer in general because we hadn't had one in awhile! It's crazy to think that the weddings in the Bing family are all over now...what will we all do without wedding planning to do.hahha!!! What would have been great for both weddings would have been if Jaccob could have been there too, but we are so proud of him as he is out serving his mission in Nevada. He comes home this spring which will be another exciting time for the family. It will be great to have the whole family together!! Here are a few more pictures from the reception...more are on facebook as well as two videos. One is of Jason taking off the Garter...he surprised us all by doing a little strip routine...don't worry everyone is was just taking off his jacket, but it was quite funny and un-expected.

In between all the wedding, rafting, turkey fun we did work but that's nothing too fun to write about!! We bought some new bedside tables and had a nice movie night watching Transformers...Brandon didn't love it as much because he watched it growing up and he didn't like some of the changes that he made. He's been working on his cooking more. This week he made Shepherd's Pie, a Swiss Cheese Pie and Pork Cutlets and they were all pretty delicious...he surprises me sooo much...and I appreciate all the effort he puts in. I do try to do my part by keeping the apartmen clean and surprising him with my own cooking skills...I make one mean apple pie!!

Stake Conference Sunday...was today and we had a great meeting. It was really great to see so many people there. I got to see Kristine finally and her little baby bump is getting bigger, she is looking great!! It's super exciting to have a friend that I grew up with in the youth program here expecting a baby...we've had three other friends have children from our youth days but I didn't get to see them...Margot had Autumn...Hannah had Isaiah and Matt recently became a dad to an adorable little boy! So I'm excited to see Kristine grow and to meet the newest Podeszwa!! Julia was looking super cute in her new dress...I was loving it...great shopping choice and from what she said it was a super deal! We had a big family dinner tonight...everyone but Jeff and Brandon were there. Mom did an amazing job and we all left filled of roast beef. Below are a few pictures from the day... Laura's Boyfriend Cory was up for the weekend, so he got to be surrounded by all of Laura' crazy siblings. He's from a big family of 8 kids but they are all younger. He's a great guy and we love having him around. The kids were as cute as always...Georgia's two teeth are really showing now...as you can see she is still quite drooly...but she was filled with smiles today...I love when she is like this... she is so fun to cuddle with and make laugh! Kiel had his computer with him at the house today so he was showing the kids all the fun shows on there...they all watched an episode of Gummie Bears and Jake was making the funniest faces...this is a picture of just one of them...he looked so puzzled and concerned which was a riot!!!

There is not too much planned this week for the bing family...we both are working our normal amount, which is too much but what can you do. We have Friday Night off and are hoping to make it to the temple and then to hangout with The Nelson's and The Maxwell's... we are hoping to put the boys infront of a video game or something so that Nancy, Sonja and I can have some girl time together. I love hanving girl's nights, so hey gals if anything is ever going on give me a call...and if anyone ever wants to come hangout, Tuesday Nights I'm around and Brandonless since he is at work...I love visitors so let me know. Hope you enjoyed my marathon entry and hopefully you've all made it to the end of it! I give you all two thumbs up for doing it!!! Hope you all have a great week and I look forward to hearing comments from all of you and I can't wait to read all your Post's this week!!!!