Mount St. Helens

One of the other day trips that we took on our camping trip was a drive to Mount St. Helens.  This was amazing to see!  Seeing how much of the mountain erupted and came crashing down through the valley below was unbelievable.  We spent some time in 2 of the visitor centers, reading about how it happened, how fast and  powerful it was and reading some of the amazing survival stories.  If you ever have the chance to see this, it is well worth the trip off the highway!

"Look, I see it over there!"

"We're up here!"

In spite of all the devestation that occured over 30 years ago there, it was very cool to see all the regeneration of life that has and is happening there now.  Many species of both plants and animals are again thriving there.  We really do serve an amazing Creator God!

A trip to Smithers

On July 2nd, I packed up the van and headed up to Smithers for a little holiday.  Kevin had the opportunity to go to Greece for a University Instructors convention and I gave him my blessing to do so.  Yes, I would have loved to have gone along, but the university would only cover his expenses not mine, so my next holiday option was Smithers! 

Our first stop along the journey was in Fraser Lake to see the VanWerkhovens.  The kids were very excited to see their cousins and their new place.  They had great fun exploring where they lived, gonig on a messy hike, feeding turkeys and just hangin' out together!  Wish we lived closer so they could play with their cousins a little more!

Cousins!

Hiking through the trees along the path . . .

. . . and in the mud!  Thanks for the piggy backs Uncle Dave!

Feeding the turkeys

Then the next stop was in Smithers at Grandma's house.  We spent just over a week there enjoying the beautiful sunshine (which we hadn't seen much of  this summer yet!), playing in lakes, playing at parks, visiting friends, going to "Grandma's Store", a day at the farm, hiking, visiting aunts and uncles, waterslides and pools at Esther's Inn . . . It was a great week there!
 Here are a few highlights!

Going for a hike up Malkow Lookout.

Kendra and Owen enjoying a view one way from the top.

The view the other way.  Mountains don't get much better than that!

Playing in Grandma's pool.  Not quite the same as Auntie Esther's but with a sprinkler beside it, it was still fun!

Jocelyn tried the whole day at the farm for the cows to come eat her handful of hay. 

Watching the last bale of hay go up the elevator into the barn.

Going for a ride on the quad with Uncle Al . . .

going for a walk with mommy. . .

going for a ride on the dog!

Playing at the beach at Tyee Lake

Stopping for lunch at a rest stop on the way home.



Me and my crew!

Jocelyn, the little fashionista, reading some books while waiting for her breakfast.

However, no matter where you go, it sure feels good to be home again.  That is a good thing.

A morning at the park

We are now officially into summer holidays!  It is very nice not to have to rush out anywhere in the morning or  make lunches - we can just relax and do things when we feel like it!  That being said, it is also nice to be able to go out to spend some time in places other than the house!  So, with the sun shining, we packed up the bikes and headed to Mill lake for the morning.

There really is something amazing about watching kids explore the world around them and be fascinated by what they see and find.  We've been to Mill Lake many times, but they never tire of looking at the birds, searching for baby ducks, finding eagle's nests, climbing trees, playing at the park and just enjoying their time outside.  So fun!  It challenges me to find enjoyment in the little things in life and never to take things for granted! 

Hoping for many more sunny summer days of exploring ahead!

Rainy Day dress-up

Playing dress-up on a rainy day - a great way to spend the afternoon!

 And when dressing-up is over, it is always a good time to read an animal information book!  Fairies can read about animals too!!

Sports happenings

June is the time of year when we have a few sporting activities going on for the kids.  At school, there is always an afternoon event called "Fun in the Sun" for the K-3 students.  For the last few years, the name has been unofficially changed to "Pain in the Rain" as the weather has not been very warm at all.  This year was no exception, although the rain did hold off and it was still held outside.  Really, it is the parents and teachers who complain - the kids couldn't care less about what kind of weather it is!  Kendra and Owen both participated this year and had a great time!

We are seeing a slightly competetive side of our daughter on these sorts of days!  "I have to wear my soccer cleats today so I can run really fast for the relays!"  It is great fun to watch her!

 Each class rotates through a series of relay-type races, including the sponge race, dress-up, ball in knees, chalk and freezies, etc. 

Owen geting his turn to put on the oversized clothes for the dress-up relay.

He really got into this race, filling up his sponge and racing to empty it in a smaller bucket.

And of course, the smallest one had to get in on the action too, quite enjoying herself on the playground!

 The other sporting event the kids are involved in is T-ball.  This is a 2 month program called Interchurch Baseball.  Kids from all different churches are mixed up and put on teams, with ages 5-7 playing t-ball and ages 8-12 playing baseball.  It is very non-competetive, inclusive and fun.  Kendra has played for the last several years and will be ready to move up to the next level next year. 

 Last year she was still a little more interested in picking buttercups and throwing grass but this year she is a little more serious about playing properly.

 This is Owen's first year at t-ball and he quite likes it too.  Of course, hitting is the most exciting part.  Often the T-stand goes farther than the ball but that is half the fun!

Waiting for that ellusive ball to land right in his glove!

Just taking it all in!

Jocelyn was having quite a bit of fun with her little buddy and his Opa, who was playing catch with them. 

Activities wind down this week and then it is summer vacation time!!  Yay!!

Fairy Dancer

 Last weekend Kendra had her final dance recital of the season.  The theme for the recital this year was "These are a few of my Favorite Things" and the favourite thing for this class was fairies!  This made Kendra very happy!!

Group photo of all the little fairies!

 They did a beautiful job dancing their dance.  It was very pretty fairy-like music and the girls all danced very gracefully and were full of smiles!  It as a wonderful recital showcasing many different forms of dance, from 3-4 year old ballet, to Jazz, to Hip Hop to Worship dance.

My beautiful fairy!

Kendra loved her dance classes this year.  She attends Everybody Dance Now Studios - an excellent dance studio that teaches kids the basics of dance and instills in them a love for dance but also helps them to realize their uniqueness and an appreciation for who God made them to be. 

Sock Monkey

This is a little  project that I have wanted to try for a while.  And, with the weather being the absolute pits lately, I needed a distraction from all the rain we've been having.  (You would think I would be used to the rain by now, having lived in the Lower Mainland for 14+ years but I am so ready for some sunshine!)  Here is my first try at making a sock monkey.  He looks a little "thick" in the neck but for my first try I am pretty happy!

 There are lots of patterns on the internet for the traditional monkey. http://vintagesockmonkey.com/Sock_Monkey_Modern_Pattern.html

I also found this website for a more 'modern' looking monkey.  I would love to find some of these striped socks and try making a few into monkeys.  I think they would make cute baby presents.  http://www.craftpassion.com/2012/04/how-to-sew-sock-monkey.html/2

 For now, this little guy will just sit on Jocelyn's crib or be added to the 'stuffy' basket in our home.