Way back in the middle of August, Dan took Madi and Clay down to the Celebration of Lights. It's basically a fireworks competition with competitors representing their home country. It takes place over English Bay every year, and lots and lots of people attend, as you can see. The beach is completely full.
The week before we left on holiday, Dan's mom and her husband, Gord, came to visit and Grandpa Gord took Dan, Clay and our nephew, Josh, on a fishing trip off Campbell River on the Island. They didn't catch any salmon, which is what they were hoping for, but they caught some cod and prawns and had a lot of fun riding the ferry and in the fishing boat.
Dan brought a few of the prawns home intact so the other kids could see what shrimp actually looks like before they eat the tails.
We had a lovely week with Josh around, even though he didn't get to do much and was sick as well. It was so nice to see him again though. We did get down to Whiterock Beach with him, where he found all kinds of cool shells and got to swim in the ocean. We tried to catch some crab, but never ended up with any keepers for him to try. Still, a lot of fun.
After packing up the van, we headed home to Alberta. Here is a little stop along the way up in the mountains somewhere.
And then we were finally home. It had been 13 months (but who's counting?), and we were so excited to see everyone again. Thanks to Mom and Dad for planning such a fun reunion and making our stay so enjoyable and stress free. Thanks to all my siblings for making the trip and staying around as well. We've never had such a good time together! Mal's wedding was wonderful, and Madi and Clay really enjoyed being a part of it. I have only one real picture, and I can't even see Mal or Kody! I was sitting on the side with the kids, and had a really bad angle.
Mom and Dad put so much work into the yard, and it looks beautiful. Thanks to Mal and Kody for giving us the reason to make the trip home. We thought we would just stay in BC for two years, but the week break was what we needed to rejuvenate and face the last leg of the journey.
Our trip to the Birds of Prey centre in Coaldale was a surprising highlight. The kids, and all of us adults, had a great time. Thanks, Chad, for that suggestion. I managed to get a few photos of kids holding the owls.
The guys were all excited to be the ones"chosen" to feed the hawks in the flying demo. I hope Chad enjoyed reliving that part of his childhood, only, for some reason he is the only one I don't have a picture of. Sorry, Chad!
Although the day trips were fun, I think we had the best time sitting around the fire, the boys loved going to the Lister's to play video games, and, of course, we wouldn't trade that perfect night of Sardines for anything. It's wonderful to have a family that can have fun just being together. I guess it was perfect because out here we don't have any of you close enough to enjoy those things at all. Most of what we do we do as our own little family and then share with everyone else online. It was refreshing to share such a good time with all of you in person.
Once our time in Welling was over, and that happened far too quickly, we headed to Calgary and spent the weekend at Rob and Cindy's house. We are so grateful to them for their hospitality and laughter. Saturday we went to Calaway park with Inalee and Kevin, and Rob and Janae. It was a great day. The kids are all old enough to be able to ride almost everything at least with a parent, so we went non-stop from opening to close.
The log ride was the first thing on everyone's list, and good thing because it got colder as the day went on. The four girls - Madi, Amelia, Janae and Alisha - spent all day together squishing into rides all at once.
And Spencer decided Uncle Rob was the person he wanted to take him on just about everything. Lucky Rob! Thanks for being such a good sport.
After Calaway we spent another night at the Coopers and then headed back to BC. It was a quick, fun-filled 10 days, but we wouldn't have given it up for anything else. Now it's back to the grind. 8 more months!
Oh, Dad, do you know what bird this is? We saw it in Roger's Pass on the way back and the kids want to know.
And to close with a laugh break from Dan as school starts again....
Back later with the regular entries, and maybe something new....
Love you all.
It's called a Steller's Jay. It's the Provincial bird of British Columbia. We're glad you had such a fabulous time. we surely did too.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the fishing trip to Campbell River and the trip home. The fireworks too. You're in a place where there is lots to do (free and otherwise). Enjoy all your pictures you post. Love you all.
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