Our definition of 'family'

I think it is safe to say that Grant and I have a pretty clear definition of family. It is "those people we chose to consider closer than friends... and those that we have no choice to consider family, due to genetics ;) "
Those of you that keep up with this blog are likely in our family and so you would be familiar with the people that I may mention in blogs over the next year. Those of you that don't know us well, will have to get used to the fact that we have a lot of Aunties and Uncles for our children and there's no clear family tree to follow the connection.
Thanks to our family we've managed to keep some semblance of sanity; and have felt unwaivering push of momentum for the Park fundraising.
One special member of our family is Auntie Erin. She has always been a very self-motivated, creative, out-going person. So it is no surprise that she would take on some sort of unique fundraiser activity of her own, out in Victoria where she lives.
Last week her fundraiser, a Remembrance Run, took place and was by all reports complimented on the organization and great prizes. She raised $441, and with the donations she raised approx. $700! Big thanks to Auntie Erin and all her friends in B.C.!

Diversions

The reno's continue in our house. Although recently the re-decorating has taken a back seat to Park Fundraiser organizing. We have slowly finished re-decorating the basement. This initially began with removing a jetted tub, (from a room that was dedicated entirely to the tub!) to create a storage room. Then redecorating the main area - now re-named "The Man Room". Yes, that's right...Grant has a MAN ROOM!! Lucky duck eh?!
It was decided quite some time ago, that seeing as he was a minority in this house, he should have an 'escape'. A sacred spot, where there would be a distinct lack of the color pink. Thanks to my parents' move, we inherited a load of furniture and tried to design the room around the colors in the furniture. We are quite happy with how it has turned out. We also removed the old kitchen cupboard & sink, removed some press-board shelves, and re-covered the walls with tile. We still have paint touch-ups to do, as well was one obvious 'patch' to finish. You'll notice the curtains - and if you haven't seen our basement before, you may wonder - what's up with that?!
Well-to appease Grant, I also created a creative little space just off the "Man Room", for Grant to work on one of his hidden talents- SCRAPBOOKING!
ok...so that room is for me... but he usually ends up looking over my work and re-working it for me!
Grant lovingly refers to this room, as "The Cougar Cave". I'm assuming, this is referring to the fact that my girlfriends and I plan on having a few get-togethers down there, hopefully in the near future - BUT "The Cougar Cave" is still a work-in-progress.
And here are the Man Room before & after pics!

BEFORE

AFTER