~ Mom's Visit to McBride ~

I finally got a chance to give Mom a tour of McBride on Monday. First stop, the Whistle Stop Gallery and Beanery coffee shop. As we walked out of the train station this is what we viewed. I have never seen an entire rainbow! We witnessed not just one end, but both. Sadly, we were unable to see the pot of gold!

Next stop, Dunster. This is Mom outside the train station.

Then we were off to the West Twin Old Growth Recreation Trail. It's a 1.5km trail through an old growth forest. It was amazing and so beautiful. Hard to believe it was just along the side of the highway.

Next on our tour was Horseshoe Lake, with it's birdwatching gazebo.

My Mom came for her first of many visits (hint, hint) to McBride this August. She made it up on the 22nd, just in time for Lennah's 3rd Birthday party, that post to follow. We had a very busy 4 day visit. After the birthday on Saturday, I hosted a very successful Undercover Wear party - you're welcome Mom! Then, as you can see from the photos, we kept ourselves busy touring around the immediate area. I didn't even mention that the whole household came down with a cold while Mom was here - sorry 'bout that! We're so glad you could make it up to visit us Grandma.

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~ White Rock ~

Grandma with the girls at the White Rock

This would have been a great photo of Charley without my behind as the backdrop!

Charley's first steps in the ocean. Dontcha just love those booties? Thank you to Nana.

Here we are in the actual ocean, not just the rivulet into the ocean.

Awww, squishy in the barefeet.

On my last visit to the coast this September, Mom and I took the girls to the ocean at White Rock beach. It wasn't Lennah's first visit to the ocean, she went to Crescent Beach when she was about 8 months old with Nana and Auntie Ju. But it was Charley's first time. We had a lot of fun. We walked the promenade all the way to the Rock, past it to the pier and back for fish and chips lunch. The kids played for about a half hour in the water and again, they went home sans pants and shoes in their panties and diaper!

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~ Truck Got Smucked ~

If you look closely you can see where the Ford Taurus is impaled on my trailer hitch. He attempted to drive away, the car was in reverse while we were talking to him, but because of the trailer hitch, he was unable to go anywhere!

I took this photo aiming straight ahead, the way my truck had been parked! He moved it over approximately 3 1/2 feet.

On top of, and resting beside my Mom's Jimmy.

On Sunday night as Mom and I were watching the news in our PJ's when a crash loud enough outside the livingroom window to literally scare us off the the couch could be heard. Neighbors came as far away as three and four houses down the street. One thought a BBQ had blown up! No, it was only a Ford Taurus that had crashed into my truck, pushing it into and ontop of my Mom's truck. My 8000lb diesel truck was pushed sideways that far!!! Thankfully no one, including the driver was hurt. Between my Mom and I, we've got approximately $10 000 worth of damage to our vehicles. Just when I was getting ready to head home to McBride and settle in to our new digs. Oh well, we'll be there next week some time.

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~ The Visit ~

So hard to pick a favourite shot. The kids are gorgeous, Grandma's beautiful, and Nathan with Addison and Charley is awesome!

Watching the Berenstain Bears before bed in their matching Spiderman PJ's that Grandma got them.

Grandma with Eric and Lennah with the RCMP plane, the Turbo Beaver. It's beached directly in front of our house.

I think this would be Nathan's dream job. Not only with the Force, but flying a plane, too!


Lennah wouldn't get on the plane, maybe next time ...


Eric, future pilot? How cute is this.


Just after Lennah fell in the lake. Poor thing, she recovered very quickly and walked back home from the beach. When we got there we realized that she had walked home with her rubber boots full of water! Never complained once - that's my girl.

These are the flowers Lennah picked for me when Grandma and Auntie Sheri took her for a walk down to the beach.

Lennah, "rocking the clogs". Thanks Nana.

I couldn't wait to put this Mac jacket on Charley. I loved it on Lennah and was delighted when it was raining and I could dress Charley in it. I can't wait for the bear hat to fit her, either. What a beautiful little girl.

Playing with the Red Rocket.

We had a wonderful week with my Mom and sister Sheri. They came up to visit us, see where we live and celebrate Lennah's 2nd birthday. Unfortunately the weather didn't co-operate and Nathan was unusually busy with work, but it was all about the visit with family.

~ Lennah's 2nd Birthday ~

Lennah's Birthday "cake" after Grandma rescued it! Gotta love cool whip and sprinkles.

This is how it started out. For some reason, not only did it stick to the pan. But, when my mom was trying to ice it, it also stuck to the plate and fell apart. Since none of us bake, we decided to blame it on the high altitude.

Lennah knew exactly what to do, she even waited until we finished singing "Happy Birthday".

Ummm, good. And it was! She especially liked the police car paper plates.

Giving Grandma a thank you hug for the twins baby playset.

Us girls and Eric

We celebrated Lennah's 2nd Birthday, here in Takla Landing. We were so lucky that Grandma, Auntie Sheri, and cousins Eric and Addison could be here with us. We also fired up the webcam so Nana, Nona, Papa and Uncle Dan could be with us, as well.

We weren't sure she was going to get a cake, as the power had been out since Wednesday night and didn't come back on until Thursday afternoon, just in time to bake her "cake". But all in all, Lennah had a very special day. Happy Birthday Kiddo!!!

~ Gardening with Grandma ~

Lennah and I spent this past weekend at my Mom's house. We stayed in all day Saturday and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Lennah had a great time helping Grandma Nelson garden. She was so happy to just fill up container after container with dirt - and rearrange the lawn ornaments!

~ Mother's Day Lunch ~

Me, Lennah, Grandma and Addison

Happy Birthday to You! 3 Ice Creams for the 3 year old.

Only Eric's 2nd ice cream cone ever.

On Monday the 12th, my sister Sheri, my Mom and best friend Deanna celebrated a belated Mother's Day at Montana's. We also celebrated an early birthday for cousin Eric. He turns 3 on the 16th.