a tReAt fOr the gRanDpas aNd gRanDmas....

Can I just say how much I love and adore 

my two cute girls. 

They make me smile and laugh every single day!! 

I can't imagine my life without them...

even on the craziest of days. 

Here's a cute little video of each of them...

Cici as our little giggler and Ilie as a "fairy" 

on our hike on the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton 

(you'll get a good laugh at her CREATIVE outfit...

       some horrible Mom forgot her warm coat!!)

tHe SHEPHERD fAm viSits sCoTia lAnd...

We just wanted to tell our fam (Dad, Mom and Shelby) thanks for coming to visit us!! We had way too much fun and we're pretty sad that's it's all over. We went on many adventures:

First, we headed to Annapolis Valley for some festive apple and pumpkin picking.

Then on Monday we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving and my birthday with a trip to Peggy's Cove and a yummy bite at Lonestar (mmmm....my favorite!!)

We also had a fun trip to Dal to visit Mark in action. We showed the fam around and they got to see where Mark spends most of his time playing dentist. Of course we had to end the day with a trip to the "Stache" (our favorite pub/restaurant downtown).

Then we headed to Crystal Crescent Beach and it was a perfect day (besides the fact that they had locked the gaits so we had to push the "bus" stroller all the way in!!) But we were the only ones on the beach and it was warm and beautiful...so well worth the trek!! That night we officially initiated my fam into the wonderful dining of lobsters. I think they loved it (minus the icky green goop...they weren't too fond of that!)

Next, was our trek up to Cape Breton. We left Thursday morning (after running around to the rental car shop because someone decided to hit our van and not tell us about it...how nice, eh!!)

Then we hit the road, and SIX hours later we arrived in Ingonish and ate at a cute little restaurant on the Cabot Trail. Then we headed to our cottage and I have to give a little recommenation on this spot:

It was absolutely fabulous, it is called Lantern Hill and Hollow in Ingonish. They were little cottages on the beach (and I mean like ten feet from the sand...we could hear the waves crashing all night!) And the grounds were beautiful and the cottages were really nice and clean and new and the owner (Susan) was awesome. It was such a cute spot. I definitely recommend it for the summertime. It would be so nice to hang on the beach when it was warmer and spend a lot of time there. 

OK...back to the trip!! We spent the next day seeing waterfalls, soaking in the GORGEOUS fall leaves, driving the Cabot Trail, checking out the beaches and hiking the Skyline Trail. It was the most beautiful time to visit the Island...a little cold at times, but still GREAT!! 

It was a great week and thanks again Dad, Mom and Shel for everything, we sure had fun and we hope you did too (minus the sleeping on the lovely hard futon bunkbeds!!)

(I posted the pics on two slide shows...because there were too many!!)

(Cape Breton pics...)

a TRIBUTE to my sweet Grandpa...

So how do I even begin to pay tribute 

to a person who sculpted

such a huge part of who I am today?

My Grandpa, Russell Dean Shepherd, was a man of 

extreme TALENT,

immense LOVE,

witty HUMOR

& quiet, firm TESTIMONY. 

 

 

I will be forever grateful that he gave me the 

eyes to see the 

beauty, expression and vibrance of the art world 

and the ears to hear 

Mr. Miles Davis and the world of Jazz.

 

I will miss the "LOOPTIE-DOOS" on his lap, 

the lunches every Tuesday afternoon, 

 pouring over his paintings and the checking out the latest "masterpiece under construction",

laughing at his "under the radar" humor 

(while trying to talk him out of his talk radio philosophies)

& most of all his sweet kisses and hugs!!

My Grandpa touched my life in about every way possible and even in his passing he continued to do so. He had been writing a life history for quite sometime and he finished it not too long before he died. On the last page he wrote his last words and a little bit of advice for each of us. I first read these words at his viewing and I absolutely broke down. I was touched beyond words, because his words were perfect!! I could just hear him reciting them, with his cute little grin and his baby-blue eyes a' shinin'. The words were absolutely what I needed to hear. I needed that message...right then...at that moment, I needed those words for MY LIFE!! Some how, my Grandpa wrote the words that I needed. His life continues to bless my own, even when he is gone from my sight. Thank you Grandpa. I love you and I can't wait for the day when I will get that last hug that I missed.

I thought I would share his last words with you, for I know there is lifetime of wisdom and love behind them. Hopefully they will touch you as they have forever changed me...

"To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.

A time to blow your chorus

and a time to put your horn away.

A time to paint your masterpiece

and a time to put your brushes away.

A time to be born

 and a time to die.

I, Russell Dean Shepherd, realizing that I have reached the ending of my life do lay my pen aside and make an end to my writings. Peace be with you my friend, and I will see you in a season or so. In the meantime, some advice...

LOVE thyself.

You cannot LOVE someone else if you cannot love thyself.

  LOVE your loved ones with an unconditional and charitable LOVE and care for one another.

Family is your most prized possession. 

LOVE your fellow men.

And LOVE the gospel of Jesus Christ and make it an important part of your life.

LOVE IS THE SECRET!

Click your Heels,  pull the curtain, & put out the light.

I am out of here!

This the last day, my friend!

...I THOUGHT THEY WOULD NEVER END!"