Imagination - Children's Museam Everett

We were introduced to this little gem earlier this year on a trip that we took with Lisa's family.  I must admit that this was my first time going to this place because Adam and I decided to help the family out by looking for a place to have dinner the last time we were here.  Okay, I must admit . . . the Canucks were in the Stanley Cup finals and we made a deal with the ladies to take the kids so that we wouldn't miss the game.  What can I say? . . . playoff hockey . . . Canucks . . . I have been waiting for a run like this since 1994.

Help me . . . I am trapped and I can't get out!!!

Just take a little off the top and give my beard a trim.

Yo Boyyyyzzzz!  I love when your personality comes out in places like this . . . getting out of your comfort zone.

Ticket please . . . Thank you

Forever the builder.  Always focused and determined to complete a challenge.

Beep Beep, coming through!

Digging for dinosaur bones . . . at least in this picture you are not trying to slay the beast with your feet.

Perhaps daddy should fix my arm!!!  The look of serious work going on here.

I must admit that it was a mistake to show you that the microphone worked because the next ten minutes I spent telling you to stop putting your mouth all over the mic . . . "yuk, yuk Emma"

A very cool place, which was right up your mother's alley . . . imaginative play, cool rooms, lots of stuff to incorporate into your play.  You boys loved the construction zone, of course, where we built a very cool car together . . . okay, I loved this room too.  I had a lot of fun watching Emma take care of the animals (no it was not Josh and Jamie) in the animal hospital room.  A new adventure around every corner.

Centennial Beach - The Broken Chicken Wing

Well, I wish I could say that our visit to Centennial Beach was cut short because of the cold weather or because all of you were getting hungry . . . but, it happened on my watch.  Yes, my watch and your mommy loves to remind me of this when she can.  We were having a cold, but great day playing at the beach with your cousins and decided that we would head up to the playground to warm up.  Well, that is when it happened . . . my little princess fell off the ladder and broke her arm.  That feeling of helplessness and guilt as I picked you up was overwhelming . . . I have seen you and the boys fall many times and get hurt, but this was different.  I must admit that, you are one tough cookie as you had to wear a sling for three weeks . . . it didn't really slow you down as you tried to keep up with your brothers . . . we were constantly telling you to slow down.

You are starting to make me a little nervous to see you climbing higher and higher every time we go to these parks.  My little Joshy, is growing up too quickly for me.

This will be the closest thing to a motorcycle that you will ever be allowed to get on . . . so enjoy the ride!!!

My little Jim Jam . . . the smile that never quits.

This is where the "incident" happened . . . as Emma would say, "I fall down at the playground".

Here is a bit of a guilty tribute to my little Emma . . . before the fall.  You are too cute.

Exploring the Tidal Pools

The one thing that I love about trips like this is that we get to simply relax and enjoy our time together without any distractions.  I loved watching you gain more and more confidence in picking up and grabbing the different marine life that you found.  Our expert friend taught you how to grab the different types of crabs as they scurried away once the rocks were lifted along the shoreline.  You guys could of explored the tidal pools for hours at a time.

The Boys

The mighty hunters and gatherers.

We had some interesting visitors come by while we played at a local beach.  Josh, you were so excited that we did not have to pay the expensive rates that the whale watchers had to pay for such an up close look at the whales.

My little STAR!!!

My sweet little girl

Pender Island

Our first trip to Pender Island was a great hit with the kids.  We were luckily invited to join another family at their family retreat.  It was a bit of a revolving door for them as they welcomed three different families throughout the course of the ten days that they were staying up there.  The kids played great together building forts, playing Lego, exploring the local tidal pools for crabs and other interesting marine life.  A family trip of sun, sea, good friends, and lots of fun.

Our daily visitor. 

You were so excited to see the deer eating . . . I was surprised as to how close you got to it.

Always the comedians . . . you guys make me laugh all the time.

Pajo's and Screamers

One of the things that I love about living where we live is how close we are to Steveston.  We met up with Michelle's family for some Pajos fish and chips and our kids introduction to screamers.  This is one of the things that I love about being a parent is that I get to experience my firsts all over again through the eyes of my kids

Sorry Emma, but you got your dad's short legs!!

One small step for mankind, one giant leap for little Emma

I just love the way Grammy is looking at Emma.

Strawberries Galore!

Well, we headed off to the local farm to pick some strawberries.  The boys managed to pick more than enough for the few days that we were going to be in town.  Lets just say that we were eating strawberries after every meal for dessert.  It would have been helpful to teach Emma the colour red prior to going on this outing as she picked every yellow and green strawberry to put into her basket.  When she did pick a nice juicy red one, her little mitts would squish them into instant jam.

Oh Canada!

We began our summer of fun with celebrating the birthday of our great country!!  As proud Canadians, and a hockey family too, it only seemed right to start the summer off walking in the Canada Day parade with our hockey club.  After the parade, we headed off to the celebration in the park.  How else could we end the day but with a BBQ with great friends?   Great country, great friends and a truly great start to a what I know is going to be the best ever summer of fun for our family.  I'm hoping this blog will be a place to record and cherish the little moment and adventures of our family.

The girls of my life . . . I have a soft spot in my heart for the two of you!!!