Christmas-Part 2

We left Don and Abbi's house just before 9:30 Christmas morning and drove 2 1/2 hours to Port Angeles to catch the ferry to Victoria to see the Leishman's. We were a little early for the ferry so we walked around the pier for a bit.

For all the TWILIGHT fans!!

Holton's first ferry ride. He really enjoyed it.

The girls enjoying the ferry.

It was cold outside but we did manage to take a few pictures with the kids.

The next day we went to a nearby beach with Sherilyn and the kids, Jay was working.

The kids all had fun looking for seashells and running through the sand. It was so different to have no snow at Christmas but we still had to dress warm.

Holton's first time at the ocean.

Peyton, what a cutie!

Cousins at the beach

When we got home Sherilyn decorated cookies with the kids.

On Sunday after church, we drove to a lookout point and took some pictures. It was freezing because of the wind and we were up so high.

I like this picture of Jay and Mckenna.

Holton got to go in Kenna's van. Notice Holton and Mckenna weren't sitting right beside each other... it was a good thing!

After the lookout we went downtown to walk around and see all the lights.

In front of the Empress Hotel

The Parliament building

The kids playing and being silly on the lawn in front of the Parliament building. Notice the GREEN grass!!

A rare picture of Cyril and I.

On Monday we took the kids swimming but I didn't take any pictures. The next day Jay wasn't working so we all went to a different beach. It turns out there wasn't much of a beach but the kids had fun. I guess in the summer the water is a lot lower. It was raining a little when we arrived but it didn't last long.

Jaidyn examining a flower

I had to bribe these two to get some pictures together but I did get a few good ones.

The Leishmans

The Miguels

After the beach Jay took us to see the castle at Royal Roads University where he is attending. The kids all had fun running around the garden.

Next we went to Fort Rodd Hill. It cost too much to go in so we just took a few pictures outside. After our busy day sight seeing we took the kids swimming again.

On Wednesday morning, Cyril and I took our kids to the Miniature Museum in downtown Victoria. Cyril and I had both been there as kids but didn't really remember it. It was so neat to see all the miniature worlds they created. We all really enjoyed it. After the museum we went back to Sherilyn and Jay's house and then decided to go swimming for the third time in 3 days. The kids all had a blast.

This was the morning before we left. I like this picture of Mckenna. What a silly girl...we miss her so much!

One more picture with their little bud. The girls really miss Peyton, he is such a funny little boy!

Holton and Mckenna giving one last hug before saying goodbye.

It was so hard to leave! Mckenna was bawling with her arms out saying "Don't leave, don't leave me!" The girls and I shed some tears as we drove away, but Holton told us "I'm not crying". He might not have been as emotional as us girls but he really misses Mckenna and Peyton. We had such a fun week with Sherilyn, Jay, Mckenna and Peyton. Thanks so much to them for putting up with us and the all the chaos. We really appreciate the time we got to spend with them and the wonderful Christmas season we shared with them. It was a special Christmas we will always remember!!

Christmas-Part 1

Christmas was really different for us this year. Cyril really wanted to go away for the Christmas break. The plan was to drive to Olympia, Washington to visit his brother and family and then take a ferry to Victoria to visit my sister and her family. We changed our mind several times during December (I wasn't overly thrilled with driving 14 hours on snowcovered highways) but decided last minute to just go. We left on Dec 21 and didn't get back until Jan 3. We had a really great time!

The first part of our trip we stayed in Olympia with Don and Abbi and their new baby girl Hannah. We took 2 days to drive to Olympia. We stayed in Spokane the first night at a hotel with a pool. We all had a fun time swimming after the long drive. Holton really surprised us with his love of the water because he used to be terrified.

Most of our time in Olympia was spent just hanging out at Don and Abbi's house and of course a bit of shopping. We also went back to a Children's museum that we went to the last time we were in Olympia that the kids loved.

The best part was seeing Hannah. The kids loved holding and playing with her. She is such a cutie!!

Christmas Eve we made a yummy turkey dinner.

Christmas morning we were up early. We opened up a few gifts, had breakfast and said goodbye.

Then we drove to Port Angeles to catch the 2 pm ferry to Victoria. We had a fun visit with Don, Abbi and Hannah. It was sad to leave, especially on Christmas day, but we were looking forward to spending time with Sherilyn, Jay and the kids.

A New Post....FINALLY!!

I know, I know it has been forever since my last post. I really have no excuse other than the days fly by and I never seem to get around to it. I plan on getting back into blogging and keeping it up to date. We'll see how it goes!!

July

It's been a fun, busy summer that has gone by way too fast! Here are some highlights...

Playing with Mckenna and Peyton before they move away

Several trips to Calaway Park

Eating 'Those Little Donuts' at the Stampede

Holton meeting all the Star Wars characters at the Stampede. He was so amazed!

Camping in Sparwood, BC

Learning all about Frankslide

Checking out the Big Titan truck in Sparwood

Having a sleepover with Elizabeth and Emma

Saying goodbye to Elder Sowchuck

A Good-bye picnic for Sherilyn, Jay and the kids

Holton figuring out how to Slip n' slide

Playdate with Jaidyn's best friend Roxy

Visiting my niece Annaliesse in the hospital after her surgery. She is doing great! What a beautiful little girl!

Going to the Koocanusa beach with Elizabeth and Emma

Jaidyn's New Smile!

A Not So Typical Day at the Zoo!

So yesterday Krista and I took the kids to the zoo since it was the first nice day this week. Elizabeth and Emma both brought a friend with them. It started out as a beautiful, warm, sunny day but that changed quickly. While we were inside looking at the stingray exhibit, it started pouring rain outside. After waiting it out for 15 mins we decided it didn't look like it was about to end anytime soon, so when the rain lightened a bit we made a run for it. At first I was trying to stay as dry as possible but quickly realized it wouldn't make any difference. We must have looked hilarious as we ran by sopping wet as most other people were under shelter. We had a blast, laughing and even splashing in the big puddles along the way since we were already so wet. It turned out to be nice and sunny again by the time we had made it to the van! There were a couple of huge puddles in the parking lot and so the crazy girls played in there for a while too. It was a trip to the zoo the girls won't soon forget!

Canada Day...in Calgary!

July 1st was different for us this year. Usually we are in Raymond with the extended family for the parade and all the other festivities there. This year we stayed for another important event. Our close family friend Rachelle was turning 40 on July 1. We have always been in Raymond for her birthday so this year we decided we should actually celebrate with her for once. It was hard for us knowing we were missing out on our usual traditions but it turned out to be a fun day.

Our Stake puts on a huge Canada Day celebration at our church each year so we went to that in the morning before the birthday party. There were tons of people there with lots of fun stuff for the kids to do. There were pony rides, face painting, a bounce house, fishing pond, mini golf, crafts, a petting zoo and other activities as well as hot dogs, cake and cotton candy to eat. The kids had lots fun!

Sitting in a firetruckJaidyn feeding a goatHolton petting a sheep Rachelle's birthday party was at a hall not far from their house. There were about 80 people there to celebrate with her. There was a playground for all the kids, a field for the older kids to throw around a football or play soccer, they had a playstation set up on a big screen for anyone to play Guitar Hero, and of course lots and lots of food! Everyone had so much fun. We didn't even get home until midnight! Rachelle's son Tyler with JaidynCyril's dad, Rachelle's son Tobias, Rachelle, Auntie Del, and Cyril's mom.Happy 40th Birthday Rachelle!! We hope you had a wonderful day!