Bright Nights...

We went to the Stanley Park Bright Nights Train Ride this past weekend.  We'd never been before and we were amazed at how nice it was!  Most of my pictures don't do the event justice but Maya LOVED the train ride, all of the lights, the numerous displays and, of course, the hot chocolate & hot pretzel that we got to snack on.  She even got to meet Frosty the Snowman!

   

Santa Claus parade...

We went to the Santa Claus parade again this year and Maya was SO excited to see Santa!  She wore her bunny costume to keep warm and her hearing protectors because the bands were too loud.  So cute!

  

Three and a half...

This past weekend, Maya had her 3 1/2 birthday.  Not that we really celebrated it with a party or anything but we made her feel extra special all day and told her that she could now say she was 3 1/2.  She seemed very impressed by that!  We looked back at the videos we posted at when she was 1 1/2 & 2 1/2, compared them to our most recent video of her at 3 1/2, and were surprised at how much she has changed.  Take a look...

One and a half

Two and a half

Three and a half

Big changes!

Hawaii again...

The day after Halloween, we jetted off to Hawaii... again...for the 2nd time this year.  We had such a good time when we were there in April that we jumped at the chance to do it again.  John was able to get us a great deal on flights and I was able to get us back in to the apartment we stayed at in Waikiki in April.  We were all looking forward to a great time!

   

   

   

  

   

Parade of Lost Souls...

On the Saturday night before each Halloween, we head out to enjoy one of East Vancouvers many festivals... The Parade of Lost Souls.  There is a secret route selected through a secret East Van community and only the home-owners along that route are told that they will be part of the route.  The starting point and starting time is only revealed on the festival website on the day of the parade.  Followers goes to the starting point during the designated time and are given a map to tell them the route to follow through the lanes and streets of the community.  We were in awe of how involved the decorations were!  Almost every house was done up with art displays, puppet shows, live bands, stilt walkers, bug plays, dancing, smoke, spooky music and so much more.  Pictures don't come close to doing it justice!  It was a wonderful event!  This year, Todd & Karin joined us with their family.  We had so much fun but left before finishing the parade, after 1.5 hours, as the kids were getting really hungry.  1.5 hours and we weren't done!! 

   

   

   

   

  

Pumpkin time...

Pumpkin time...

    

  

    

Spelling COW...

Maya has been reading since she was about 2 1/2 and can read by sight or by memory more than a dozen words.  While walking to/from school, the skytrain, sushi night, etc we practice by reading licence plates, door signs, street signs or whatever we may come across.  One day, we were walking down Commercial Drive and I was asking her What 'd-o-g' spells, What 'c-a-t' spells. What 'e-r-i-n-n' spells, and so on.  Then, I get around to What does 'm-o-m-m-y' spell?  She blurts out COW!  I start laughing so hard that I'm crying.  She starts laughing because I'm laughing but clearly doesn't know what's so funny.  A woman who had been walking in front of us turns around slightly with a confused smile and asked 'did she just say what I think she said'?.  Laughing harder now, I reply 'Yup...And if she was a few years older, I might have been offended by that response'.  She's now laughing hard, I'm laughing hard, Maya's laughing hard and I had the best moment of my day...

What a silly pair we are...

Pumpkins...

Last year, we ended up at a pumpkin farm almost by accident.  This year, we made a point of going back and had a great day for it.  Maya HAD to wear her pumpkin costume which fitted the whole mood.  Pumpkin fields, petting zoos, baby animals, popped corn, plus fabulous weather and fun friends made for a great day!

    

    

Catching up...

One of the many things that I needed to catch up on post-training was time with my peeps.  We've had many play dates with whole families that have been great.  The guys have had their boys weekends 2-3 times a year but the ladies haven't managed to get away, sans kids, for some time.   Well, 4 of us managed to get away from our fur babies & flesh babies last weekend and took off to Seattle for some estrogen filled fun and shopping.  We had such a great time that we're already talking about our next one!  Here is the only family-rated photo I can show here...

Gymnastics...

Maya is naturally quite flexible and loves flipping, spinning, rolling, jumping, balancing, etc so we decided that she may have a natural inclination for gymnastics.  The obvious next step was to sign her up for a class.  She LOVES it! 

Racing...

Last weekend, I finished my 4th triathlon in a year.  I need a break...

Sept 5, 2011 



March 6, 2011





                        

                Sept 6, 2010                                                     Apr 3, 2011

Family Pics

We had some more family photos taken last weekend and are very happy with the results.  What do you think?

Camping...

The day after Maya's hospital episode, we were due to go camping.  Weather & schedules just didn't work in our favour this year and our 1st planned camping weekend of the summer was cancelled due to rain.  This was our only opportunity to go so, stitches or not, we were going.  The previous evening's activities pushed our schedule back but we still managed to get to the campsite in time for Friday dinner.

It was a great weekend with nice-ish weather, fun friends & a nice campground so we were happy.  M just LOVES camping!  John just LOVES what I cook when we go camping.  Everyone's happy!