Our visit with Thomas...the tank, that is.

I am finally remembering to post these photos of our visit with Thomas that happened over a month ago. We drove to Squamish to meet the big guy!

Guess what we had to do first..?

Sammy writing her letter to Thomas. Actually, I think she decided to write to Gordon. And yes, she received a letter back in the mail.

Miles patiently waiting.

Mailing her letter to Gordon.

Watching the scenery go by

I believe there was music coming from the speaker above.

Family Fun Part 1

First up, a visit to the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park.

Miles was fascinated by the little birds, and a bit scared of the big noisy ones!!

Watching the fish

Such a funky tropical flower

It is basically impossible to get both children smiling at the camera at the same time. Someone is always doing something weird...as is demonstrated here by Sammy!?

Spot the child!

 Next up, Science World on a very wet Saturday morning

First order of business, of course, face painting.

This was Miles' first visit to Science World

Driving the train

Sammy showing Miles how it is done.

Making a mud ball

We watched a show on balloons and this was the final act...setting a balloon on fire!

Sammy's butterflies

Thanks to one of the preschool moms, Sammy had her own butterflies for a couple of weeks! We watched them grow from eggs to caterpillars, then form their chrysalis, disappear for a couple of days and then emerge as two beautiful butterflies. We kept them for a couple of days, feeding them sugar water, and then released them in our backyard. We all loved the whole experience and it was fascinating watching the butterflies grow strong enough to fly away, after a bit of practice!

Learning to pick up the butterfly

Even Brian got in on the act!

"Wow..." (that is a direct quote)

Feeding time

Eventually we had to eat dinner. Sammy waited until the very last minute to come inside, gobbled down her food, and then headed back out to check on her butterfly. Of course the butterfly had flown away by the time she got back out there. I thought there might be some tears, but she handled it like a pro. She said she was happy that her butterfly was off finding a new home.

Herald 2011

Every Canada Day we go camping in Salmon Arm with the same group of friends. The very first year, there were no kids. This year there were seven! It is a lovely tradition started by Katy and one we hope will continue for many years to come.

Brad cooking the turkey bacon for our first communal breakfast

Crafting while camping...we're really roughing it!!

Good morning hot chocolates

All three big girls can now ride two-wheelers and they made excellent use of their new skills. They only really stopped biking for meals...and sometimes not even then.

Brad and Julien laughing at something 'absolutely hilarious' that one of them just said

The colouring tent

Bonding!!?

Christine's hair parlor. The girls all requested braids.

Bubbles!

Happy Canada Day!

We are goofy Canadians.

Bocce

Claire and Miles

Katy's softball camp.

Christine and Julien...

...and one of their daughters, Zosha

Since returning home I have discovered that this is proof of a 'grass party' game which involves picking grass, throwing it up in the air, and yelling grass party!

The girls singing 'Oh Canada' back to the campsite

The water was freezing, but our kids don't seem to care

"What...?"

"You think I threw that piece of food..?"

"Get out of here!!"

Zosha shelling pistachios for Miles

Lately, people have been asking if Sammy and Téa are sisters, or twins. I wonder why they might think that..?

Eva relaxing at Tappen after a big ice cream

Zosha and Eva

Here are a few additional photos taken by Tanja

Ronnie roasting a marshmellow for Sammy

Dog pile!