Summer Vacation

Before I get going on the Summer Vacation photos,

I thought I should post this one first.

Dann bought this ride-a-long bike for Emma and they love going out biking together.

Dann loves it because he can take Emma anywhere at his speed and if she gets a bit tired, he can do all the work.

Dann's niece Krista was getting married in Kelowna this summer, thus it was our first stop on vacation.  

We stayed 5 nights and took in some sights.

We always enjoy a day at City Park.

Here we are at the Sails.

My dear friend Cheryl came from North Vancouver for the day to visit us.  She brought her new baby "Sophia" to meet us.  Sophia is a sweet natured little girl and we hardly heard a peep out of her, other than a few "goo's" here and there.

Unfortunately Cheryl's hubby Steve could not make the journey due to work commitments.

Ethan & Emma ate baby Sophia up!  

Emma was like a Mommy, catering to Sophia's every need and Ethan just wanted to squeeze the heck out of his new girlfriend.

We had to visit the water park on our adventure.  

It is always a favorite with the kids.

I love Emma's face in this photo!

Krista asked Emma to be the Flower Girl for her wedding and Emma was up for the task.

The day of the wedding started early, with an 8:30 a.m. hair appointment for all the bridal party.

Emma felt pretty special getting her hair done with all her "older" cousins.

Emma did very well, as she had rollers in first and then the stylist re-curled every curled piece before putting it all up in clips.

The end result was gorgeous 

I will post a wedding album, but here are a few shots of the wedding.  Keep in mind, the photographer had every one's attention, so our photos are very candid.

As you can see, being a Flower Girl is very hard work!!

Emma had a little rest beside cousin Kim's feet during the ceremony. 

"The Happy Couple"

Krista and Goose had grins from ear-to-ear on all day.

Krista's dress was stunning!

The photo below was taken in between shots with the photographer.

It was screaming hot out that day, so everyone was feeling the heat in their fancy dresses etc.  

Emma still managed to put on her best smile when she was asked to by the photographer.

Mom & Elson with their Granddaughter.

Emma melts my heart in these photos... 

It makes me forget how naughty she's been lately.

(she is so ready for school to start)

The reception was on the hotel's roof top.  It was beautiful up there, over looking Kelowna, but is was some hot.

Emma lost her formal dress for something a bit cooler.

Ethan was on day 3 without any afternoon naps (he usually sleeps 3 hours each day), so by 9:00 p.m. he was a bit grumpy.

I went back to the room with Ethan and Dann stayed with Emma at the dance.

(life with kids).

Emma posing with her three cousins.

She danced up a storm until midnight!

Here's a photo of Auntie Phyllis getting her "little boy" fill with Ethan.

Ethan was giggling so loud... he loved the alone time without Emma competing for Philly's attention

(Emma was at a sleep over with her old friend Sarina... Hazel & Willa too).

After Kelowna we headed towards the mountains.

We stopped at Mara Lake Provincial Park for a picnic.

I loved this lake growing up and the kids had fun exploring & playing.

The water was so warm.

I love Ethan's expression in the photo below.

Emma digging in the sand.

Dann made a pit stop for Ice Cream at 

"D Dutchman Dairy"

We went through the barns to see all the farm animals.

Next little stop on our adventure was the Enchanted Forrest.

I remember it being one of my favorite places to visit, but I could not tell Dann what exactly was inside the gates.

We had fun exploring and would recommend anyone with kids between 2-8 to stop.

We overnighted at Three Valley Gap.

We enjoyed our stay, it was really beautiful.

The kids were a bit of a handful and we ended up not touring the Ghost Town... 

traveling with youngsters can be exhausting.

The Hotel

We headed out the next morning.

We saw these big dudes outside of Golden.

We stayed with our good friends, Jennilyn & Adam.  

We met them in PR years ago.  

Just like us, they seem to transfer around a lot, and they recently settled in Southern Alberta

Little Marin is not so little anymore and is darn cute!

It was like time has stood still for Emma & Calli.

The two picked up right where they left off 4 years ago.

The girls decided to stay up until midnight talking in Calli's room and then got up at 6:00 a.m. to prepare breakfast in bed for all of us.

It was very sweet but they were a tad grumpy for the zoo trip...

not that these photos show how tired they were.

We also spent some time with Jamie & Brock.

Emma & Ethan loved seeing Reese & Taryn again.  

The weather was great, so Brock pulled out this little number for the kids to play with.

The two photos below crack me up.

Reese & Emma

Ethan

I think everyone should have a pair of these glasses kicking around for laughs & entertainment.

We always have the potty in the back of the van for emergencies.

I guess Ethan felt it was an emergency!

I loved this house so I took a picture of it.

Once we got to Grandma & Grandpa's, the kids were a lot more settled.

Ethan was enjoying his new Monster Trucks

(Dann was too).

We decided to come home a few days early from vacation.. just to relax etc.

Emma was happy because she got one more - all day - play in with Darby before she moved away.

(this might have something to do with Emma's poor behaviour).

That's all for now.