To the ocean & back

First things first - Kai's soccer game. Her smiles say it all. She was so excited to play & even though it was windy & freezing for all of us on the sidelines - she had a blast. This week they will actually get their uniforms & team names, not that it will make one load of difference for her. She was just happy they played "Bulldog".

Discovering our neighbour Marcus was playing too

Discussing strategy, obviously

On Friday we headed out to the island to do a little house hunting. Even though the home search was a bust, we still got to enjoy 4 days in a beautiful place that we will soon call our home. We spent a lot of time at the beach, visited my aunt Elaine & cousins Andrea & Heather at Andrea's fantastic farm in Courtenay, and we were able to take Nanie out for lunch on her birthday. It was such a wonderful thing to have her meet her newest great-grandchild! It was pretty emotional for both Nanie & I, and I am so grateful for our afternoon together.

Lunch with Nanie for her 95th birthday!

Nanie & Mara play the banging game - much to Mara's delight

A serious treat for the cabin - Fruit Loops!

Drew & Gilbert build it up to watch it crash

The best big brother in the world

The nuttiest big sister in the world

"I just can't believe I'm seeing a starfish!
I've waited my WHOLE LIFE for this!" (Drew)

Soccer!

Saturday morning @ 9am the Cobras started their season against the Stallions! They lost 5-3, and poor Drew was "ashamed of himself" for taking the ball from his teammates. It was a 6 year-old free-for-all, who didn't steal the ball from each other?!? He analyzed his performance and was quite hard on himself - until he got a hot chocolate & some timbits. All was soon forgotten & he is now looking forward to the next game.

Kai's first game is this Wednesday. Now that is going to be something to see! She has not one ounce of competitiveness in her so I'm sure the focus will be a little different than that of Drew's games. We will be posting video!


The Easter Bunny was very smart this year. He left DK letters and one large egg on their bedside tables. The letter instructed them to find the rest of their treats at Bumpa's house. The Easter Bunny had heard their concerns about Norman eating the chocolate, so he hid their eggs at a safe place. Drew was soooooo excited, and so convinced - it was magical. He told Kai, "Thank the Easter Bunny OUT LOUD because he is listening to everything!!"

Mara was not too sure about the whole bunny thing

DK find the Easter cookies Bumpa made before he left for Japan

Mara enjoys her own version of an Easter cookie

Kai follows the trail of eggs left for her

On her way to the finish line - classic Pink Panther movies for Kai!

At the end of Drew's trail was Operation. How did the Easter Bunny know?!?

Pure concentration...with Uncle Curtis keeping them honest

Or...waiting for his turn to show them how it's done.

The coolest 6-month-old on the block

With DK both out of the house today I spent time shooting some pictures of Mara while she played on her big sister's bed. There are now 96 pictures to go through - here are just a few. Drew & I both noticed a change in her this morning, as if she grew up overnight. It is all happening much too fast. I wish there was a way to keep her small forever.

The cutest girl in the world
...and some lady with a big mouth full of braces

On the move

Playing tourist - we were so high (up)

Friday was the day in Vancouver. While Bumpa was holding down the fort, Grant & I put on our best smiley faces for 12 solid hours of head office hoopla & grueling interviews. It was exhausting, but more than worth it. At the end of it all we found out on Monday that we'd been approved as owners of Vancouver Island's 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise. Phew! We weren't quite sure how to prepare ourselves for a rejection. "I'm sorry...you two are just not quite qualified to haul junk..." What the?!? Thankfully that call never came & we are now a part of a very interesting & successful company. The idea might be a simple one, but the structure behind it is fascinating and we are excited about this opportunity to have more control over our future. This whole journey started with Nana's visit in January. It was her that lit the light bulb & we are so thankful!

What this means is that we will be moving to Nanaimo for a July 1st start date. Our house hits MLS today! Between now and July 1st we have a lot to do. But, like we have joked before - we aren't pregnant, so... why not move and/or start a business?

One more sleep!

Mara amazes us by folding herself in half

Whoa - she's still upright!

Okay guys, back off with the oohing & awwing

Grant is back in 14 hours - we are all pretty excited. The kids have been counting down since 20 sleeps & finally we have come to the end...sort of. He will only be home for 24 hours before the two of us head to Vancouver for 2 nights of pure childless recklessness! Great for us = scary for Bumpa. He momentarily lost his head and actually agreed to stay here with all three kids AND Norman. Whoa. Good luck to him! 

Mara's love of the Jolly Jumper is still as strong as ever. These photos were taken at 6am. Every morning she is perfectly happy to jump herself silly for an hour or so and that allows me to smile at her from the couch while I down 2 or 3 cups of coffee. Kai came down shortly after these photos were taken and looked at the camera, then back at me, "You were taking pictures and you didn't even wake me up to be in them?!?"

Blame Norman

It has been a month since updating & it is 100% Norman's fault. Between jumping, biting, peeing, and running rampant through the neighbourhood, he seemed to find time to chew my USB cord and cut my lifeline between my camera & computer.

So, here are a few photos to catch up on from the last month. We had another fabulous & inspiring visit with Nana (more on that to come), Drew started break-dance classes, Mara has started to really reach for her toys (and our food) and continues to squeal with delight at her new skills. She is also sleeping much more than through the night - last night was 16 hours! Sadly, Grant also left last Sunday to do the ol' standby up north while we wait out the incredibly slow winter job market in the Okanagan.

As I write this Drew, Kai and Kai's friend Sarah are 'sleeping' in the tent in the living room. After changing outfits 8 times, watching a movie, and destroying Kai's room, I'm hoping they'll fall asleep soon. At dinner tonight Drew said, "I'm full and they're really annoying, can I please be finished?" It has been an exhausting day for all!

The Devil

Perfectly happy to make Drew's life miserable

Leah & Kai - I love Kai's automatic 'soccer team' pose

Always a lady

Nana and her girl at the hockey game

Drew & Daddy skate with the Vipers - and everyone else in Vernon

Kai was perfectly happy to sit the skating out