2011 Summer Vacation

What may not seem like a very far distance to most, we took the plunge in driving 3+ hours (plus a 35min ferry ride) to our vacation destination this summer: Kokanee Creek Provincial Campground in the beautiful West Kootenays. It was a "plunge" b/c our 15 month old Isla is our cry-la, our screech owl, our Ring Wraith (Lord of The Rings, if not familiar), our youngest and most neediest fuzzy duckling. She does not like to travel. Especially when tired. Period. We're hoping next year will bring change for our baby duck, as this destination was a HUGE hit for us all and we hope to make it an annual visit!!! Definately worth the torture we endured allll the way home in our extended cab truck, where the young wraith was mere inches from all ears... anyway, that's that. Onto the pictures!!!!! Kokanee Salmon Spawning Channel, a 5 minute bike ride from our campsite. The kids loved watching the fish so, needless to say, we did this one quite a few times. Daddy and his girls hangin out by the creek. This little boardwalk likely isn't for bikes, however it was a favourite for Aiden b/c you could go "really fast!". It wound up over the creek (spawning channel) and into the woods, only for about 1 minute worth of walking distance. The beach was beautiful! It was about a 5 minute walk from our campsite... warm, shallow water and fine white sand perfect for castles and mermaid legs! The playground was fun but we spent most our time biking and hiking. This was the best nap she had... slept through every noise and bump, which is VERY unlike our light tummy sleeper!! Playing mini Snakes & Ladders in the trailer. A hit! A little fall at the top of one hike. Spirits of adventure lead the way! One family photo that sort of turned out - shocked! Camouflage boy pushing log. Too funny Aiden, you're such a card pal. Happy hikers :) Gluten free pancakes, blueberries & bacon. Mmmmmm! The beautiful Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park (Gibson Lake loop). Taking a break after 20 minutes of "hiking" our lake loop trail. What's a walk if you can't stop to smell the flowers?? Cute little boy pushing very large rock. Funny guy... :) Our campsite! Too close to the washrooms for comfort but at least the kids went by themselves every time they needed to (and we could hear them yell if they needed help)! You win some, you lose some. All in all a georgous campground and we hope to make it an annual event!! One downside was the last half hour of the drive as our oldest two munchkins began feeling sick as we winded (reallllly winded) around the lake road to the ferry point. Crazy curvy!!!!! Georgous park though!!!!! So relaxing. And fun.

1st day of Kindergarten!

Atalie was very excited to wear her new clothes and snap the clips on her new backpack this morning as she headed out the door! She's quite cool about the whole thing - excited but not jumping up and down kind of cool. We buzzed away in the van at 8:19 to take Atalie to school, 9 minute later than I had hoped to leave b/c we had hoped to walk to school! Oh well, there's always tomorow right? :) Attie was thrilled to see that she had her name above a little coat hook for her sweater and backpack right outside her classroom. She was a little shy as she walked into the class but seemed like she had done it before and soon found a spot on the rug by her friend. I could have left at that point without her even noticing but of course I would have noticed so I had to go over for a hug and kiss before sending my little girl out into the real world.... bittersweet. ps. I didn't actually shed a tear, somehow. It's a momentous occasion though. That's for sure.