Playland in pictures

Someone was so close to going on rides without mommy! Next year she'll be going on with her big sisters.

Trying to take off her seatbelt!

 Me and Lexie on the log ride.

The big swing was Olivia and Lexie's favourite ride.

Me and Olivia on the Corkscrew Rollercoaster.

Whirlwind visit in Kelowna

We spent the long weekend up in Kelowna celebrating my Grandma's life. We stayed at my dad and Joyce's place but spent most of our time down at my aunt and uncles place on the lake. It used to be my Gram and Gramp's place. I spent weeks there in the summer and it holds a special place in my heart b/c of the wonderful people there. My aunt Betty and uncle Willy have always said to me that me and my family are always welcome there and they truly mean it. They are the most amazing hosts you could ever have. Last summer as we were getting out of the car the girls trampled some bushes but they were both like "Oh don't worry about it! It's just bushes. Here step over these ones too!" They've always had young children around so they  know stuff happens. We spent three days in a row with them- just now realizing that I need to send a nice thank you gift. We're like the tasmanian devil everywhere we go- so much movement and full of strange sounds.

 

 Cassidy was riding my aunt's little ceramic donkey. Couldn't capture her actually on it though.

 The girls spent so much time in the water. Olivia was determined to catch a fish and worked so hard at it. The minnows were so tiny and hard to catch but she eventually did it!

 Cassidy loves being naked. It was pretty warm up there so I let her.

 We needed some time out of the sun so we went to a place called EnergyPlex. It was really cool and the girls had so much fun!

 Lexie lost her hair clip and it was a cute butterfly one that matches a gymboree outfit. I went in looking for it. It seemed like an impossible task but I found it!

 Me with Dad and Joyce. Umm...I'm not that fat in person I think. I seriously need a new hairdo. And color.

 I got to go tubing! This is me with Olivia and M. Lexie was supposed to go but got a little afraid.
Then when we left she started to cry b/c she wanted to go!

 Lexie on the boat before her tube ride.


Lexie finally got her turn!

 Uncle Mike met us up there too. He helped the girls catch some minnows.

 My aunt Betty- finally getting to relax.

 The reason we were all there- Reita Evelyn Knox. I loved looking at the old photos of her. Seeing her with my Grampa brought back so many memories of him too. I need to get those photos scanned onto my computer.

 The girls at the fake palm tree. They rarely get to be up when it's dark. It was a real treat for them.

 My aunt and uncle have a little frog that hangs around their patio.

Sharing a bed with Cassidy. She loves having stories read and requests them every night.

We were up in Kelowna such a short time. The lack of sleep is hard on Dan and I so maybe next year when Cassidy doesn't need a nap and can sleep with her sisters we'll stay longer.

Lexie's birthday wish

                                                                "I wish I could fly."

Hop Skip and a Jump to Portland

So we got back from Portland on July 24th. Since then Lexie turned 5, Dan and I had our 9th anniversary and we've come and gone to Kelowna. But I started this blog post already so I'll do this first and then the others will come.

When I tell people we're going to Portland they usually make a comment about how far away it is. But we've done it so many times and we have our favourite stops so it doesn't feel too long. (Target, Costco, rest stops for the girls to play in) We got Nexus this year so that shaved some time off.

Here are some photos:

Oregon Zoo

OMG- as we're coming up to the farm animals Cassidy (who had been really grumpy that morning) threw up a little bit! Lexie and Olivia had both thrown up a week before we left for Oregon so I was terrified that she had the same stomache bug. But that was the end of that. She was pretty good after that.

We didn't take anymore pictures b/c as you can imagine we just don't have the time to! We stayed at the Embassy Suites again and actually stayed in the exact same suite as last year. The favourite part of the trip for the girls was the hotel pool. We spent alot of the time in and around the hotel. Cassidy wanted nothing to do with the playpen so she slept with Dan and I. It was not ideal. The first night I seriously felt like I got no sleep. The next nights were better but I woke up several times a night to either thumb sucking, Cassidy calling my name or feet in my side. Fun times!!!! Breakfast was fun though- the buffet is huge with lots of choices. We picked up a bunch of school supplies and the next year's worth of shoes for the girls. Next place Olivia (and I) want to go for vacation: Hawaii! Long shot for us to go there but not impossible.