A Jolly Holiday

Building sandcastles with Nana and Grandpa.



Brigham with what he called "girl ears".



Playing on the hammock.



The birthday boy and Auntie Janine at the Pirate Party. "ARRRRRRRR!"



Blowing out the candles. Who's more excited: Brigham or Ivy?



Off for an explore on the lake.



Together: our favourite place to be.



"Look Mom! Fish!"



Outside the aquarium.

We just got back from B.C yesterday after a grueling eighteen hours in the car (hooray for Jason who drove all the way!). Favourite moments include:

1. Ben and Brigham's giddy excitement to see EVERYTHING at the Vancouver Aquarium.
2. Watching Jason play with the boys at the spray park at Stanley Park.
3. Shooting pirate cannons at the Science Center.
4. Celebrating Brigham's third birthday with the family in Osoyoos.
5. Watching all the kids whack the heck out of the pinata.
6. Going for a canoe ride with Dad, Ben, Brigham and Isaac.
7. Reading in the hammock.
8. Laughing over Jason, Neen, Elena, and Pete's swan dives off the dock.
9. The fresh cherries and peaches.
10.Catching up with our friends the Harris', particularly my old classmate Brooke.
11.Grandpa teaching Ben to swim in the lake.
12.Enjoying time both as a nuclear and extended family.

Tomorrow is a big day: we venture out on our very first, official family vacation! As sad as this might sound, especially after nearly six years of marriage, we are all pretty excited (although not for the fourteen hour drive it will take for us to get there). Usually when we have time off these days, living up in the isolated North we take the opportunity to go visit friends and family*. Also, during past summers Jason has worked slavish hours in landscaping, so that any vacations were usually taken by just me and the kids.
The fact that we all get to go on a vacation together is thrilling. I think that Ben and Brigham are starting to grasp the idea; yesterday they played "Going on Vacation" several times. After meticulously packing my old recorder case full of essentials (aka toys) they would embark for such exotic locales as San Francisco, or even to a different library!
Our trip to B.C should be an adventure. Stayed tuned.

*Please note that you are all welcome to make the trip in the opposite direction and pay us a visit as well.

Belated Tribute to Dads

To all the Dads in my life, you rock!