Today we had to make a little trip to Maple Ridge. We couldn't go there without stopping at the gelato store for some yummy treats and a delicious latte.

Even Braylon tried a strawberry ice. MNNN
And was very excited when I let him have my coffee cup.

Then, since I accidentally missed our exit on the Golden Ears Bridge and ended up driving through Cloverdale anyway, we stopped at our favorite playground.


Braylon didn't like anything there except the swings. But BOY OH BOY did he ever like the swings!

I love this sweet little girl.

Now that I have my camera back from the repair shop, there will (hopefully) be a lot more blogging happening here again. Especially if the dry weather holds.

Yesterday Elisabeth went to her first Ready, Set, Learn session at our school. These sessions are for 3 and 4 year olds to help prepare them for Kindergarten. Even though Elisabeth goes to preschool, we decided to check out the sessions and see what they were all about. Elisabeth was a little bit bored, but that was in part due to the fact there were so many kids there...

Afterwards, Griffy came over to hang out. Literally.


Then we took some pictures in the Picture Tree.

And after Braylon went home, we went to the playground to run around.



where a grand time was had by all...

January in Review

January passed in a bit of a blur. It seems like there are always extra people in my house, which I LOVE, but it means that I'm not enjoying my usual pattern of taking off for the beach or having impromptu photo shoots. Which, considering I didn't have my proper camera for most of the month, was okay.

Ben has become a regular fixture at our house. He's over anywhere from 2-3 days a week and he and Elisabeth have a grand old time playing together. They alternate between boy games and girl games. On this particular day, Ben patiently rolled and unrolled and rolled again. I'm talking about Lizzies hair and here is the finished product:

We also had a few dumps of snow. Unfortunately for those of us who love snow and have been looking forward to sledding, nothing substantial.


This day we did actually get quite a bit of snow, but it all fell overnight and by 730 when I turned the lights on for Braylon to arrive, it was already pouring outside. So it was a rather unpleasantly wet walk to school that day.


Later this month we got to celebrate our friend Saydee's birthday at the bowling alley. We'd never taken the kids before and we were met with mixed results! Elisabeth didn't like how heavy the balls were. And she got bored waiting for her turn.


David loved bowling. Luckily for all of us, we have another bowling party this month, but Elisabeth isn't invited. So David will get to enjoy bowling with out his little sister.

This crazy guy followed us home from the bowling alley!

And Lizzie got dressed in this get up one morning and wanted a picture.

We had a bonfire at our friends, the Abelmans. This might be one of our last there, since they've recently listed the property. But we've got our fingers and toes crossed that their next property is an acreage with a good fire pit too.

The kids grabbed their swords and hopped in the boat to play pirates.

While the boys built a towering inferno.

And I toasted Lizzie's stinky wet socks.




And Lizzie ate chips.
When we finally got some good coals it was time to roast marshmallows.

uh - maybe that's a couple to many, Lizzers.

And then we watched the Bionic Man.

And to cap off our weekend, we joined the neighbors for a leisurely walk.

Last night Andrew was trying to finish up a project so I gave the kids their evening bath. As I was scooping Elisabeth out of the bath, she held up her hands and exclaimed, "You'd better pack me for lunch, cause I'm a raisin!"

Seriously, I don't know where she gets it...

A little conversation overheard on the playground:

Amy: I'm going to marry David when I grow up.
David: AHHHHHHH...okay.

David: But you'll have to stay home and look after our kids because I'm going to get a job.
Amy: I don't care. I'll just get a babysitter and I'm going to work too.

....

David: I'm going to make furniture when I grow up. Elisabeth asked me to make her a purple princess couch, but I'm going to make book cases too and I'm going to paint roses on some of them.
Amy: I want a rose couch!
David: Okay
Amy: And can you paint our house pink?
David: Okay....I don't even like pink.
Me: Amy, if he's willing to paint your whole house pink for you, you'd better snap him up!
Amy: Okay. What does that mean?

ohhh Lizzie!

Mama? If your head gets bitten off, does just your head go to heaven, or does your whole body go?

Mama, this is a better way. You should just put your morning clothes on over your pyjamas. Then at night, you take off your morning clothes and you're already wearing your pyjamas!

Mama, what would happen if I hugged you tight? Would you die?

Mama? What happens when someone pukes on you?

Sez Ellie

Now I know what I want for Christmas when I'm a grown up. Jewellry! And other fancy stuff.

Stuff like, fancy shoes, and a heart shaped iPod with a piano on it, and a heart and rose sweater and Korean Food!

More Conversations with Elisabeth

Mama, what are you having for lunch?

My meltie sandwich, same as always.

And that has mushrooms in it?

Yes, that's right.

Are there fairies in those mushrooms?

First Bonfire of 2011

Oh how we love to fire! Today we met different friends (different as in not the ones we had the fire with two days ago) at the river for another bonfire. David decided to chop some wood.


"woo hooo! I did it~!"

This time we brought dogs to roast.

And Ben went for a jog with the baby.

oh, and we also brought non-edible dogs.



There were boats on the water today.


Check out the wake!



Sunset on the water. So pretty.