Sarah + Tim

Let it Snow

2006-12-02T13:54:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday, it began to snow in Vancouver and by Monday morning we had received over a foot of snow. Not content to leave the snow undisturbed Saturday night, we bundled up and strolled through the snow. We shook baby trees and got covered in snow, threw snowballs and made a snow man at Kensington Park. But not just any snowman. As you can see he is sitting on the park bench, has arms and legs, a big smile, and a heart.

Unfortunately our snow friend met an early demise. By Monday morning, Tim went toboganning with my family and he was no more. Punk kids... On with the memories!

Stanley Park Excursion

2006-10-08T20:46:00.000-07:00

Something you can't not do during the summer in Vancouver is go for a jaunt around the seawall. And half the fun is getting there! Stephanie bought some fashionable sunglasses in Prague which allowed one to capture their reflection in them. Thoroughly amusing I thought.

En route to Stanley Park, I sat next to Stephanie we took a bunch of pictures in the car including this one of her biting me...

Rather reminiscent of our earlier days, don't you think?

On to the park! Tim and I rented a tandem bicycle to ride around. They say that if a couple can get around the seawall on a tandem bike alright, it will determine whether or not you will stay together. We got by without a hitch! (This may have been because Tim was doing much of the work -- exhibit A! -- as I took these pictures!)

This is the Lions Gate Bridge:

It took us until Siwash Rock (going counter-clockwise) to catch up with Mom, Saundra, Steph & Joe (who clearly weren't renting). This is Joe getting a free ride near the end...

Near the journey's end:

Pool Time!

2006-10-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

Whenever we had the chance, we would find our way to Kitsilano Pool to escape the humid Vancouver heat.

These visits often consisted of coaxing Joe into the water -- in the end, he was always glad he jumped in.
I would often judge who made the biggest splash, or the littlest splash, or the most creative entrance into the water. It's hard to document the best part of a splash on film, so we have not added any splash photos.

The most rewarding aspect of our pool visits? The suntans we got to take home. No more farmers tan for Tim!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-10-08T18:41:00.000-07:00

We have thought of our marriage as a merger of sorts between our two countries, one benefit being being we get to celebrate Thanksgiving twice (any excuse to have more turkey, cranberry sauce & stuffing!). While we will be celebrating with my family Monday evening, Tim & I decided to make a mini-Thanksgiving meal of our own, just to prove that we could. Since there's only two of us, we decided to get a baby turkey (apparently called a chicken), as well as Stove Top stuffing, potatoes, yams, carrots, cranberries and brussell sprouts. At the end of it all, we had a fabulous and filling meal! We even made our own gravy & cranberry sauce! Turns out that cooking a bird is one of the simplest meals you can make -- spice it, stuff it, and cook it for an hour and a half. Still left to do... successfully complete a pumpkin pie.

Happy Thanksgiving!

July Memories

2006-09-24T18:41:00.000-07:00

On June 17th, Tim's brother Peter Funk married Paige Gillespie in the Denver, Colorado temple. Although we were unable to attend the actual wedding itself, the Funks hosted a reception in their honor on July 1st which our family attended. Here is a photo of Paige, Pete, and the parents.

They had prepared these great party favors -- they were 2 pear shaped cookes with a tag that said "Pete and Paige -- the perfect pair." Awww... Pete and Paige met at Brigham Young University where they were both going to school. Paige had recently sent off a missionary, and was actually preparing for a mission herself (much like me!) when Pete swept her off her feet, proposed in a parking lot over Christmas with a beautiful princess cut, and the rest is history.

Every summer, Vancouver has fireworks in English Bay and draws nearly one million people from all over. The fireworks have been something I've avoided for several years because it's so incredible crowded, but this year we had the generous offer from a lady named Ellen to watch the fireworks from her roof. Her apartment building, situated right across the street from English Bay, was the perfect place to take in the magnificent display of light.

Here are more photos of our view from the top...

June Memories

2006-09-17T20:43:00.000-07:00

What a summer we've had!

In June, my sister Stephanie returned home from Prague where she's been studying communications for the last year. In the Czech Republic, apparently foreigners are unable to hold student and working visas at the same time, so she came home to work for the summer. When Tim and the scouts went camping on Vancouver Island in August, Stephanie moved in and we had a blast. When the scouts were rained out and came home earlier than expected, we were disappointed that our bonding time was cut short. Stephanie flew for Prague on Wednesday but hopefully will transfer for UBC in 2007.

Our birthdays are 2 days apart (Stephanie - June 17, me - June 19), so we often had joint birthday parties growing up. For old times' sake we celebrated our birthdays with another joint bday party! Joe and Tim masterfully prepared a cake for us, but put the whipping cream on while the cake was still warm from the oven, so it began to melt! It was still delicious, of course. We cut the cake, and then Stephanie unceremonioiusly smashed it in my face...

To celebrate my birthday, Tim and I rented a car and drove up to Whistler for a few relaxing days. We found a great hotel in Penticton which is a few minutes out of Whistler and stayed there. Tim made me breakfast on my birthday, then we drove out to Whistler where we wandered lazily through the village, walked along the trails and bought books. We bought marinated chicken shiskabobs, ribs and caesar salad, then took it back to the hotel and BBQ'd our dinner poolside. It was absolutely delicious!

More to come!

Our Garden

2006-06-04T20:05:00.000-07:00

We spent Mothers' Day at Grandma's up in the Okanagan this year. Tim had the idea of planting some flowers in her garden, so we sneakily found out from Grandma that she only liked perrenials & wanted some yellow irises. We found just that & planted them for her so she can celebrate Mothers' Day all year.

Well, we were inspired and when we came home, found time to hit Home Depot and build our own garden on our patio.

The finished products

The previous owner of our apartment laid down these tiles on our patio without properly sealing them. We decided we liked it better without them.

The materials

Our beautiful calla lillies

Getting our hands dirty.

Steven's Farewell

2006-06-04T19:41:00.000-07:00

On May 22nd, my not-so-little brother Steven reported to the Missionary Training Centre in Utah. For the next two years, Steven will be known as "Elder Ward" & will be serving in the Toronto West mission.

Mom's glad he'll be so close to home :)

The night before he left, we all went out for some sushi

On Monday, family came to see Steven off.

The cousins, Catie, Dallin & Nolan made Steven some cute cards.

One of the messages was "Don't die" :)

Steven with Gung Gung & Popo, Mum's parents

Backstage with the Voice Killerz (& friends) before their show

Mark Wilburn provided the vocals for "I Believe in a Thing Called Love"

This message has been brought to you by Sarah & Tim, and the letter B!

Voice Killerz - May 10th, 2006

2006-05-10T23:21:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, May 10th, the Voice Killerz hosted a private show featuring Cry of Silence & Screeching Pygmies at the Tom Lee Music Hall. Tired of playing battle of the band shows all the time, they decided to create a new venue for themselves & their friends.

These are some of the photos.

Enjoy.

Some of our Favorite People

2006-05-06T23:05:00.000-07:00

These are some fun photos of our favorite people who were instrumental with our wedding planning & execution last summer.

Note: the order of pictures does not connote any order of favor!

Cousin Catie Akune & Saundra Ward

Angela Backeberg & Alyson Gordon-Smith

Ma & Pa Funk

Stephanie!

Joe "Fez"

Pops & Mom Ward

Charlie "Ward" Shin -- largely responsible for many of the wonderful photos!

Lowell Smith & Jennifer Wood -- We had such hopes that they would hook up!

Steven

Not pictured: Sabina!

Flamenco

2006-04-28T23:27:00.000-07:00

The photo below was taken by Jennifer Wood at Mozaico Flamenco's quarterly El Jaleo, where I had the opportunity to perform a solo -- Solea. In flamenco, each dance gives you a chance to express an emotion. For Solea, it is sadness & solitude.

This is one of my favorite flamenco photos. Kudos to Jen!

Oregon Open House

2006-04-26T20:35:00.000-07:00

On August 23rd, the Funks hosted an open house in our honor. We all drove down (incl. Charlie Shin, Angela Backeberg, Alyson Gordon-Smith w/bridesmaids Jennifer Wood & Stephanie Ward) ... Tim's roommates from school drove up, also.

L to R: John, Brett, Jeff, Tim, Lowell & Tim's bro, Pete (since engaged!)

A little playtime

The In-Laws!
David & Jean Funk w/Jean & Steve Ward.
They get along famously.

L to R: Jef, Pete, David, Jean, Tim, Sarah, Stephanie, Jean, Steven, Joseph, Steven. Seated: Mary & Saundra. (Missing from photo: Jennie, Jon & Mark)

Many, many more photos to come...

Dave & Grace - August 20th, 2005

2006-04-24T23:22:00.000-07:00

On August 20th, 2005, my uncle David married the lovely Grace. Here are some photos from their memorable day at Van Dusen Gardens.

Dave & Grace with cousin Catie

Gung Gung & Popo w/G+D

Because of Chinese tradition, I am the only one missing from this otherwise complete family photo! Because Tim & I were getting married within the month, we weren't able to attend the actual ceremony.

Fantastic photos care of Charlie Shin, our favorite Korean friend in Hawaii.

Reception Slideshow

2006-04-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

As a surprise, our parents decided to assemble a photo slideshow to share with everyone at our wedding reception. Enclosed are some of our favorites -- we hope you'll enjoy them!

This was the last time we saw each other for 2 years before Tim left for his mission in Santiago, summer of 2002.

A Funk / Ward reunion summer 2004 at Chateau Ward

The weekend we were engaged, summer 2005

Our wedding announcement photo, care of Stephanie

Reception Slideshow - Tim

2006-04-16T14:24:00.000-07:00

Tiny Tim

"We got to eat snacks..."

Tim loved attention as a child

Tim with the baby cow (who wanted to come inside) & Mark

On the Funk Farm with Mark

Christmas

Being eaten by a tree

Running from the camera

Reception Slideshow - Tim 2

2006-04-16T14:11:00.000-07:00

In Washington with Honest Abe

Junior High

Scout Camp

In Moab, Utah with little Mary

Tim's senior year picture

Tim with Buster

In the MTC (missionary training centre) celebrating best friend Lowell's birthday

As a missionary in Chile

Reception Slideshow - Sarah

2006-04-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

At my first birthday party with Dad & James Van Nen

At Popo & Gung Gung's house

Christmas with Stephanie (if you look carefully, you can see an itty bitty Steven in the background)

Tubing with the McLeans in Vernon

Our drama performance class (spot cute Steph in the middle)

with baby Saundra

Our Japanese friend, Koichi

Summertime with best friend Rena

Reception Slideshow - Sarah 2

2006-04-16T13:30:00.001-07:00

The year we won the Scripture Bowl.

This is our poster... that didn't win.

The Ward girls

w/Steven & Joe (during their shorter years) @ Whistler

with Saundra at her children's art exhibit

with the Christmas tree, Pedro

At the YSA "Academy Awards" winning best actress in "Dating Metaphore"
From L to R: Paul Hermann, Stephanie, Sarah, Bryce Bezooyyen & Matt Vicklund.

4 of the 5 Dolce
Stephanie, Sarah, Becky Brotherston & Jennifer Wood (Diana Wong is serving in Taiwan)

Clavapalooza

Voice Killerz

2006-04-11T21:46:00.000-07:00

Allow me to introduce you to Voice Killerz, a Vancouver-based band consisting of Steven & Joseph Ward (vocals & guitar), Sam Holley (bass) & Tim Funk. The boys started playing everyone else's music, but have been composing their own music, recording & playing gigs! Here are some photos we captured from a recent performance...

Sam

Joe

Steven

Tim

If you'd like to take a listen, check them out on myspace. They'd love it!

Christmas

2006-04-10T23:25:00.000-07:00

Boxing Day with the Choos, Akunes, Scotts, Wards & Funks.

A lifesize Nativity on display at The Bay in Downtown Vancouver.

The Christmas Creche display at church.

Painting ornaments on Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning 2005 at the Wards.