Here & There

It's hard to believe October is almost gone & that we're already so close to Halloween. Most days it still seems as if we've barely finished moving in, yet we already have a life here. A life full of new friends, kid's activities & favourite places.

We were so lucky to have a house full for our first Thanksgiving on the island. Nana & Grandma Sue came for 5 days over the long weekend and Bumpa & Brian shared a busy couple of days here as well.

On Saturday we had a great day on Gabriola, touring artist's homes & picnicing on the beach. On Sunday Nana & Grandma Sue treated us all to a full and fantastic Thanksgiving dinner.

On Monday, Bumpa took DK to their first IMAX in Victoria while Grandma Sue chased Mara around at home. This allowed Sue Anne, Brian, Grant & I to enjoy a rare afternoon of kidless bliss in Victoria.

Drew posing for Nana

Our picnic spot on Gabriola

Brian & Grandma Sue looking serious

Nana carves "her best turkey"

I like dinner

Going in for seconds

We spent this last weekend in Vancouver. Less than 9 months after our big interview date, there we were again - same hotel, completely different lives. This time we were there for the regional conference & to meet the company's new president. Unbelievable!

And, just as Bumpa watched DKM back at home during that interview waaaaay back when, he was there for us again this time. He came to Vancouver to entertain all three kids for the day while we were talkin' junk at head office. They "walked for a really long way without even whining" (Kai) to deliver timbits to Uncle Curtis at work, they discovered room service & they probably drained the hotel's hot tub in the time we were gone. We are so grateful for Bumpa's endless support & his constant willingness to put his sanity on the line. We're even happier to hear Drew say tonight, "It's like we don't even get a chance to miss Bumpa because we are getting to see him so often." Music to our ears!

Different city, same disgusting habit.

Who knew a 13-month-old could play GameBoy?

Waiting for the ferry back home - Drew at the top of the slide...

...shoeless Mara trying to reach him from the bottom

Kadoodle turns 5

"Actually...I feel more like 27"

14 friends dressed in costume, a bouncy castle, pinata, silly string battle & make your own sundaes = a perfect day for a perfect 5-year-old. No surprise, Kai knew exactly what she wanted for her birthday party. She wanted to be a cheerleader & have everyone wear their Halloween costumes. So, we invited her entire class class (and they all came!) & we had a blast on a beautiful day in our backyard.

Knowing our lunatic neighbours were beside themselves the entire time made the loud chaos all the better!

Aidan (Kai's love interest) delivers the winning blows!

Drew's costume is too big - much to his amusement

Kai's present from Bumpa & us.
A puppet theatre complete with a pirate & a cheerleader!

The third puppet was a bonus