For all of you who are wishing my blog was updated a bit more frequently (like the old days) this should keep you going for a few days. There are a lot of photos, so maybe you will want to read/view it in 2-3 parts.
We had a great vacation, even though it rained a lot and the temperature was a bit cooler than we would have liked. We still had a blast and were able to relax as well.
Here we are on the ferry to Powell River.
I sure do not miss BC Ferries.
I must say since pregnancy, I am far more susceptible to motion sickness...
We arrived safe & sound and made a surprise visit to Dr. Rossouw. We miss our favorite doctor something awful and it is always a treat to see him.
Hard to believe he delivered Emma (when you see her stand next to him now).
He will always be very special to us... are you sure you don't want to move back to Northern Alberta Peiter??
The sea wall is always a wonderful walk!
(below)
We had a great visit with Harley & Helen and they were very good hosts during our stay.
Emma loved having Max the dog around, and walked him every chance she got (even picked up his poop, no questions asked).
Papa Harley enjoyed having all the kiddies around too and took them walking around the area.
We managed to have one hot, sunny day in PR and Emma & Ethan loved playing in the pool. Emma is quite the little poser here!
Emma loved Max so much, she thought she should tie him up to the red shelf in the photo. Max does not enjoy being "tied up" and he tried to get off his leash. The shelf tumbled over and so did all the plants on it.
This photo was taken after Helen & I started cleaning up the mess (after the huge crash @ 8:00 a.m.). I am sure every retired person was out on their door step saying "what the hell was that!"
I gave a few of the old boys in the neighbourhood a show when I bent over to clean up the dirt in my short pj's... oh well, what the hell, I don't live there anymore... lol!
Emma has taken to photography and she is getting pretty good at capturing the moment. She took this photo of Helen & I while we were walking along the trail.
Just a few family shots...
We checked out the "open air market" on Saturday morning... just like old times. Emma heard there were "Pony Rides" and she could not get there fast enough. All we heard in the early a.m. was, "when are we leaving for the market?" We actually stood up Dr. Rossouw for a visit because of our daughter's excitement... sorry Peiter, hope you forgive us!
There is always so much to do in such a small time frame!
The kids loved the "pony" and went for a few rides!
A good friend of ours (Shelly) got married while we were visiting in Powell River.
She looked fabulous and it was great to see her smile & laugh again.
We clean up pretty good still (after 10 years).
Grandma Helen spoiled the kids rotten and they loved it. Ethan warmed up to her and then there was no turning back. Every rule was broken, including sitting up on the counter at breaky time (who needs a high chair when you have grandma Helen around).
Yummy muffins hey Ethan!
After the wedding we headed to Parksville for our second week of vacation.
The beach is always a treat in Parksville and the kids had fun exploring for sea life & shells. When it is low tide, the beach goes out for miles, as you can see from the photos.
Another family photo...
the scenery & location is a perfect setting.
Rowena really enjoyed herself as well.
We rented a cottage at a local resort (Oceanside Resort), and it was wonderful. We loved the location and it was a cute little A-frame cottage with a loft. It had every luxury of home, including a pool.
One day we invited all our old friends from PR over for a Bar-B-Que, and it was great to see everyone.
Ethan was trying out different ideas for Halloween costumes... here he is going as a case of "Coors Light". It was pretty funny watching him run around with this on his head.
(in the background, Bob is flippin' burgers, Scott is supervising and Marg & I are indulging in a glass of wine).
Kirstin is so grown up now... time flies!
And little Mackenzie is not so little anymore!
Here's Dar with little Lilah and Scott with Magnus.
The twins were so sweet...
I never got a photo of Rob, Lee-Ann, Hannah & Jackson
(they hid from the camera).
It has been 10 years since our last family photo so we decided to monopolize on the fact that the family was all together.
We had a photographer come out to Dean & Claudia's place to capture the moment.
There are a lot of candid shots of us hangin' out while the photographer was busy doing his thing.
All the gals with a special little boy hanging on Mamma's hip!
(it was close to nap time)
The boys down by the creek.
The whole gang on the bridge @ the farm.
Dann getting some lovin' from his boy!
The photos in the barley field turned out awesome!
Great shots of mom & dad!
All the grandkids with Grandma & Papa
Ethan & me just hangin'
Dean's family
Auntie Claudia with Emma & Richelle
I love black & whites!
Claudia's dad, Fritz, built this chapel on the property a few years ago. It is very beautiful and the detail is amazing.
One day we took Rowena to Victoria to show her around. We were excited to be able to show her a different part of Canada and she loved it. She said Victoria was the most beautiful city she has ever been to.
Emma had fun looking at all the boats.
We invested in a boat while we were away... lol!
(in our dreams).
Parliament is always beautiful covered in flowers etc. Ethan & Emma liked running around on all the green grass.
I miss the hydrangeas... they are breath-taking
(one of my fav's).
Of course a visit to Victoria would not be complete without a trip to Butchart Gardens. They make gardening look so easy!
Rowena was very impressed with all the different flowers and their beauty.
Dann got creative with his photography skills as well.
(Emma comes by it naturally). Here he & Emma are looking into a garden ball and took a photo of their reflection.
After driving by this attraction many times throughout the years, we decided it was time to take in "Butterfly World" just outside of Coombs, BC.
It was like we entered a tropical rain forest and there were butterflies fluttering around everywhere. The kids loved it!
Ethan is very taken with dinosaurs and when he saw this creature, he thought it was one of his toy dinos. It was very cute!
There was a mini golf beside our resort, which went over well with Emma.
Cousin Chandler & Richelle met Emma for a round. She loved to see her older cousins and still talks about them (they are growing up so quickly too).
The trip came to a close with a final farewell breakfast at Whitespot in Parksville.
Yummy eggs & coffee with great conversation.
Thanks to everyone who made our trip to the west coast so memorable... it was great seeing everyone...
(miss you)!
