Rocky Mountaineer I

Some of you may have already read about this adventure on the O blog.  The story is the same but the pictures are mine :)  

Two weeks ago today, on a Thursday, we were blessed to go as an extended family on the Rocky Mountaineer train to Whistler and back.  It was a gift from Gramma that gave us wonderful memories (and lots of pictures!)  Thanks Gramma!!!  We stayed overnight in North Vancouver and headed out early in the morning to the train station.  The kids were very excited!  It was a blessing to be able to go with everyone, even Carolyn, Brody and Clayton!  A few highlights of our trip there (more to come of Whistler and the return trip).

We prepared for rain but were blessed to stay dry and even warm enough!

We were welcomed with red carpet, patriotic flags, and cute children :)

 

Gramma was happy to spend time with her American son-in-law and grandson.

 

The first feature we passed was the Lion's Gate bridge and Stanley Park.

 The open air car was breezy but exciting to be in.  This car used to be part of the Royal Hudson, which I went on as a kid with my mom's family!

 Whiskey Jack falls - we were told if we got wet, we'd be ten years younger!  How would that apply to 3 year old Chelsie?!

 The kids loved looking out of the open air car.  

Chelsie and Clayton

 

While it looks like we were speeding along, we didn't go very fast.  The scenery was important.

 

Extra snuggles with Gramps.  She had a nice nap on his lap shortly after this shot.

 

Brian enjoying the family time.

 We had many beautiful views of the Ocean, mountains, and God's greatness in His Creation.

 

Three lovely ladies.

 Trestle bridges over amazing canyons with rushing rivers...

 This bridge curved so we could easily see the front of the train from the open air car - a very neat experience!

 You can see how high up we were and what an amazing bridge this was!

 

I kept getting Krista's head in my pictures so I finally yelled for her to turn around and wave :)

 Steve showing two kids the view from the back car.

 

Most of the family in our train car.  We were thankful to be given the back part of a car - we could somewhat contain the kids this way.

 Enjoying pictures already taken.

 

The youngest grandchild (until August, dv :)) playing on the seat with Daddy.

Cheesy girl

 

The open air car seen from the outside.

 

We were brought by bus to Whistler's centre - these girls enjoyed sharing the back seat.

More to come...many pictures taken that day!

Victoria Day

I have a lot of pictures of our last few weeks, so look for several posts (hopefully!) over the new few days :)

This is Monday, Victoria Day.  We spent an afternoon together with Daddy at Harrison Lake, one of our all time favourite spots, starting back when we were dating.  Both girls loved it.  It was not a warm day, but we built a sandcastle and walked around the lagoon before enjoying Wildcat fare for dinner.

Breaking out the sand toys

 Learning about sand :)  She quite liked the feel of it in her fingers, but notice the curled toes?

 The building begins...Chelsie getting lessons from a master builder on how it's done

While the building continued, Brynlie was eating sand,

 waving at strangers,

 staring at the nearby action, and generally enjoying herself, although the sand-eating I did not encourage!

 This little girl had a bucket of fish to show Chelsie...fish she'd caught in the lake.  After 'petting' them, holding them and watching them, here they're about to free them.  I'm sure these fish were glad to be set free.

 Showing off the finished sand castle :)  It even has roads in and a bridge over the moat!

 And quickly filling up the moat...

 Thanks, Daddy, that was fun!

 As the little girl watches, having been moved into the stroller for sand-eating reasons.

 Washing off in the lake.  Still at the age when stripping off her pants to get clean in

her under-broekies was not a concern ;)

 Smiles from a dirty pipsqueak :)

 And the sandcastle...looked so big close up but so small in the greater scheme of things. (on the left)

Then, the next day, we checked the recently set mouse traps.  We've come up with a way to successfully catch mice - in our home at least.  A new package of suet with one corner opened up is put against a wall in a well-travelled area as noted by the mouse droppings...3 mouse traps are set around the suet.  And we caught 8 mice in 8 days...and none for the past 5.  We hope they're all gone.  Note: the suet hasn't been touched!

Mouse disposer extraordinaire - Chelsie loves helping Daddy check the traps and get rid of any mice found in them.  Notice the thumbs up?!  While older people (namely her mom and auntie) are not too delighted with mice, she loves to help Daddy with this.  What a kid!

Regular days

Can be so lovely!  Life has been busy with landscaping, seeding the front lawn, wrapping up some activities, and just enjoying normal routines, pajama time, baking time, play time, giggling time, bath time...

Enjoy the pictures :)

 Playing under the table - Brynlie's wiggling around, and Chelsie thought she'd found a great place to play!

 Making cream puffs with my helper - the best part is licking the beater, of course!  And then the chocolate spoon later :)

 Chelsie loves playing with Brynlie - you can tell by the grin that Brynlie loves it just as much!

 Auntie Krista reminded us that once she's crawling, pictures will be harder...so we took some in the sunshine.

This series made me laugh when I saw it later.  I didn't notice what she was doing as I took them!

 Use small pinchers to grab a pebble....put it in my mouth (like everything)...look at mom while sucking on it!

 A new favorite activity - shoulder rides!

 Chelsie was helping Daddy lay irrigation, I was planting bulbs, and Brynlie was eating rocks...so we put her in this rubbermaid and she played with pieces of pipe for almost an hour!  Perfect solution.  (Note:  When I tried this the next day, she managed to tip it and rolled out into the dirt :S)

 

While helping Daddy, Chelsie borrowed his wrench and was going to fix it nose...she's sneaking up on him in the right picture to get him! :)

 My mother's day was special.  I went away on Friday night with some young ladies from youth, and returned Saturday night to find a beautiful new window box on our front window.  I get to enjoy it from outside and in - it's right outside the office window.  My three planters had also been filled - what a nice surprise!

 Early morning sunshine makes the fuzzy hair glow :)

Bath time for Brynlie (when she's in the sink) is highly entertaining.  It's a way for me to multi task as she helps me wash my floor, cabinets, fridge, microwave, and anything else within splashing distance.  The sink baths may be numbered - the bathtub is just easier!!

 

 Notice the drips on the window ledge behind her, and rolling down her face!  And...action!

 See the puddle on the floor?!  I soaked 3 tea towels washing up after her!  But the delight is unmistakeable :)

One of the latest tricks - see you next time!