~AUGUST~

AUGUST - Wow and summer is nearing it's end of course...all good things come to an end. If only the weather had cooperated.

We left Calgary at the end of July on a family adventure we are not soon to forget. I grew up camping and traveling to BC every year as a child and still as we left on this adventure I got just as excited if not more so to be returning to Beautiful BC with my family in tow excited to share our own new adventures and memories made there.

Our trip started off ready to take on the 10hr drive to Vancouver. We left bright and early, 5am to be exact. The girls both slept almost all the way to Revelstoke where we stopped for a coffee at Tim's and a walk through the cemetary where my grandpa Lennard and great-grandpa and great-grandma are all buried. Though it is nothing like the cemetery's in France it was still beautiful surrounded by mountains, lichen on the headstones and a peaceful presence as we walked through. The girls found it very interesting and we stopped at many graves taken back at how far back history took us there.

It was only a brief stop before we all got back into the Journey and just like our vehicle started back at our journey. From Revelstoke we drove to Sky Trek Adventures and put on our brave faces to go up and do the 50ft plunge. The tower was a huge swing much like a bungee that pulls you way up with a partner and then drops you 50ft before you swing out into the massive trees of the Enchanted Forest. It was so exhilerating and all of us really enjoyed ourselves. We would all do it again and plan to stop next summer to spend a little more time at Sky Trek Adventures to do all the different rope courses and zip lines and so much more. This stop was really just to wake us up and stretch our legs and that it surely did!

Once again we were back on the road and this time to settle in for the long drive to Vancouver. Both Jason and I were very happy that we had gotten the dual headrest dvd players in the Journey because it sure kept the girls busy during the drive. It past much quicker than I would have imagined and I couldn't help but just enjoy all the amazing scenery. Before we knew it we were pulling into the heavy traffic of Vancouver and pulling into the Coast Plaza Hotel.

Our hotel was lovely, the girls swam and we went for a really great dinner at Brown's I do believe it was called. My dinner a chicken ceaser salad with avacado was to die for, so yummy! That night we ended up getting our room switched because the window to our room had no lock and being at the back of the hotel made us a little uncomfortable so we were moved up a level and just across the hall from my parents who by the way were treated as Coast Plaza Hotel's special guests and got a free room upgrade! Now that was a nice room...too bad they had the Becker's across the hall...we banged on their door to announce they had new neighbors ;)


The following morning it was back to another early morning...6am we were off and hurrying to catch our ferry in Twassan across to Horse Shoe Bay in Nanimo. The ferry was very neat for all of us, so big and lots to see. The girls saw seals, but despite watching close they did not see any Killer Whales. None of us could get over how windy it was on the upper deck...

Finally we had made it...off the ferry we were onto our last short drive to Parksville...first stop...lunch! We were famished and had a full day ahead of us. After checking out Parksville we stopped at the beach to hunt for crabs and beachcomb. Both girls loved the crabs under the rocks and squeeled with each rock turned over. There was never ending crabs everywhere! The shells were very cool finds as well. That was the better part of the day for us until we found a sand castle contest. The sand castles were made with extreme detail and very impressive. We took our time strolling through and then stopped at the map where all visitors got to mark where they all came from to be there.



At last....we made it to the resort...the girls went swimming, we went fishing...we packed a ton into that day! Our room was not exactly accomodating to a family of 4 with barely a queen bed and single pull out couch but we made due..it just meant early mornings and long packed days.



The weather was amazing! Man had we lucked out on our two adventures, in Florida and then Parksville...and we deserved it after the weather back home in Calgary. It was beginning to remind me a lot of gloomy rainy Vancouver.

Each day was spent beach combing, fishing, swimming, strolling. We went to the marina to see all the boats, and did a little bumper boating hehe....The Murray's took us to Nanimo where Dan taught all of us how to fish for crabs with a crab trap. The girls LOVED hauling it up and down and seeing the much bigger crabs. We found star fish too! While crabbing...a mother seal and her baby came within 2 ft of the girls for a better view...it was incredible...right from the depths below us they swam up and came nose to nose with the girls. I'm sure that was a memory and once in a lifetime chance to get that up close with nature. We enjoyed seafood on the pier...what else...fish and chips!! What a feast!

While in Parksville we found Sand Dollar beach too thanks to Dan. There were thousands of sand dollars! The girls filled buckets, we even found live sand dollars. One evening while walking along the shore we came across a jelly fish...and then another...and a few steps more and we saw more...they were coming in with the tide by the hundreds. This added to our adventures and became a very educational trip since we googled and researched everything from the crabs we caught (and why they are different colors, difference between males and females), to the type of jelly fish we found (Moon Jelly fish), to the fish we caught, the star fish we found...you name it!



Before our trip ended the Murray's had us all over to their place in Craig Bay. As expected their home was beautiful and Sandra's decorating as wonderful as she is. I loved their home, and their patio which was made for relaxing and for company. Dan and Sandra cooked a feast made for a king...fresh crab legs, prawns, salmon, potatos, ribs, salad...oh it was all so good! We ate until we could eat no more. The evening was filled with great company, and again Dan taught us another new and exciting thing...frog fishing!!! Can you believe it? We caught a frog right from the little pond behind their house. Using a fly and a fly rod we bounced the fly on the lily pads and the frogs would let out this sound like a scream and jump at the fly. I love to fish and have caught many things in my years but never before have I ever caught a frog. It was very cool. Before we ended our Vancouver Island trip we got to visit briefly with Nathan, Tracy and their kids. Time sure flies..we've all grown up so much.



Sadly the trip came to an end...we were headed back bright and early across to Vancouver. We caught the ferry back over, and stopped in Vancouver at Lululemon before eating lunch at the neatest little restaurant. It was so retro with everything vintage cool! The meals were massive and very well priced. I think we all had left overs. After our lunch we went to the hotel with my parents to say our good-byes to the girls...they were going to stay for a couple days in Vancouver before heading to Kelowna for a week. Lucky little ladies. I have to admit I was jealous. As we said our good-byes we were off again ready to pack one last night into our trip and made our way to Rick & Jennine's to spend the night and visit before heading home.



It was a first for Jason and I to meet Rick who is soon to become part of the family. We had a great visit although short. I really miss Jeninne. She is such a blast to hang around with. As hard as we tried to stay up and get as much as we could into the visit we were bagged and needed sleep before the drive home the next morning...the Zzzzzz's hit us quick..I don't recall my head even making the pillows.

Just as our trip to Vancouver went, the ride home went quicker...the scenery past us by and made me really realize how we seriously need to spend more time in BC and allow the girls the chance to take it all in and make memories and friends of their own....I think it hit both of us the same because....when we got home we bought a Tent Trailer!

Yuppers...we finally did it. The Journey got hitched and we bought a tent trailer. We were all so excited. It was a bit of a bummer that we got it at the end of summer but we got a screaming deal and did manage to get a weekend in.

Before our camping trip though the Lagran's or at least a few came up to stay with us from Medicine Hat for a week. Tasha was in volleyball camp once again this summer so Shelly, Emily & Tasha came to stay and hang out for a week. There must be something about girls with hormones because I tell you...Robyn and Emily's age group...not fun...at least together. The moods and attitude, super ugly. I almost went nutty that week. I'm positive I was well on my way. Perhaps my girls having had a very busy summer had something to do with it all too but regardless...it was too much for any of us.

Aug.22 Jason and I treated the girls to their first concert. Black Eyed Peas! What an amazing concert and we could not have picked a better concert. Kayla and I danced the night away, and both girls sang along to every song. Our seats were excellent, we were seated to the right of the stage first balcony and so close to the Black Eyed Peas we could see everything perfectly. What a night to remember.

Robyn's 11th Birthday followed right after that on Aug.26th. Wow 11...I cannot get over how quick the girls are growing up. She was spoiled with gifts, among them she got a laptop, a cell phone, gift card to Chapter's and so much more. It was celebrated with family and friends and as soon as school starts back in and we can find a weekend that ringette doesn't overlap we will celebrate with Robyn's friends.




We got out for one weekend to Sibald Flats with the girls and Nana and Papa Becker. September long actually. The weather...not overly great but we did get some great rays. Bella and I got in an abundance of walks and the girls walked Kiedis & Thunder a lot over the duration of the weekend even with the rain. No poor weather stops us. We cooked all our meals over the camp fire and learned a lot that weekend from Nana and Papa. Nana and I made a list of things I need for the trailer and camping or at least would come in handy, Jason added his 2 cents in as well. Over all though we pretty much had the majority of the stuff we needed and those things we didn't Nana & Papa had ready for us. It was a great and short little adventure, beautiful scenery, the tree colors were great. Sibald is very treed which is great for privacy and although there are no public facilities with running water to shower or otherwise their outhouses were very clean and new and well cared for. No complaints other then maybe the walk/run after a couple drinks and the sound of rain..haha. Bella and I even got in our own little or big moment. We woke up one morning only to find 3 cows in the site next to us. Bella sure is without a doubt part heeler. She ran at those 3 cows trying to rally and herd them into a tight little group. It was all fine and dandy until the big black one chose to run at us. We were fine but I sure learned I can still run like the wind bulls-eye.

So now the trailer is all packed up, ready and waiting for next spring's adventures, our summer has come to an end and being that life has been sooooo busy I'm only just getting caught up...September is here...