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

A fistful of firsts

312 photos of one child eating cake. I decided to combine some of Bumpa's & some of mine into a little song & dance instead of having to sort through them all. Mara's birthday may not have come with the same fanfare as DK's - but it was just as special. I was so happy to be able to dig out the ol' blue heart to make Mara her own cake. Now all three have eaten their first birthday cakes from the same dish. A little weird maybe? Probably, but still cool.

Daddy is Mara's favourite person by a long shot.

Uncle Curtis teaching the finer points of comic book drawing.

DK's first days at their new schools have been a huge success. Drew was very nervous the first morning. He misses his friends & was unsure about how quickly he would make new ones. He held my hand so tight as we lined up behind his teacher, but within minutes he had met James. James moved from Okotoks just 2 weeks before & he was as nervous as Drew. Instant bond! Both boys relaxed instantly.

After his second day in class he ran out to meet me and said, "I've just had the best day of my life!" We are so happy for him & so glad his worries are gone. After school today James had him over for his first official play date since we moved.

Kai on the other hand did not hesitate for a minute. She was ready a year ago. On her first day she met Holly ("Sometimes I just call her Sierra" ???). On the third day it was Holly's birthday & Kai picked out a 2 part Best Friends necklace to give to her (the kind I wanted so badly when I was their age!). Kai is confident & excited & very proud to finally have a class of her own.

"Mum, I'm so proud of you.
You are now the mum of a big Grade 2 boy!"

Itching to get there!

It was very special for Kai to have Bumpa walk with her on her first day.

Fishing for our dinner at the
Dinghy Dock to celebrate back to school

Again with the total disregard for germs

Too grown up!

As usual, Kai just couldn't let Drew
have the spotlight for long.

Squeezing out every last bit of summer

Our sad little dress-up doll.

One more sleep & Drew is off to school! Poor Kai has to wait until Friday to experience her first day of kindergarten, thanks to the useless practice of gradual entry. She is pretty miffed at having to wait longer than Drew, and I think she also feels our pain. "It's longer until you get some privacy even!"
The last few weeks of summer have been fantastic. Last week we had a great visit with the Rigby's who came from Kelowna & this weekend we were able to get to Victoria for a day on the boat with the Rabiens.

This week school starts, we're moving into our new office space, Bumpa & Uncle Curtis arrive & our baby turns one!

Steve & "the boy Kai" releasing a starfish back to his home

The kids ride the boat over to the Dinghy Dock floating restaurant

Kai & Calta at the sandcastle competition in Parksville.
These were the same girls 'gossiping' during their first soccer practice.
I'm so happy that some things haven't changed.

Mara shows Leith how snacks work in our house

"Eat fast or the animals will arrive..."

"They'll come out of the woodwork when they're hungry!"

The Belbins & Rigbys at our favourite lagoon

Packed up & off to Victoria. Mara was thrilled to finally be in a big girl seat!

The kind of smile we live for.

Trace & Liv

Tor & Mara

Grant

Al

Trace

Anton