The Pumpkin Patch

We had a lot of fun at the Apple Barn Pumpkin patch this Saturday. We managed to choose a day with nice weather to go with our friends. There were lots of different things for the kids to do.

We visited the petting zoo.We took the hay-ride through the apple orchard out to the pumpkin patch.Kiera likes the little pumpkins the best.Kiera got to ride Lacey the pony. This was her first pony ride and, along with the jumping pillow, her favorite part of the day. (Pretty good photo of Riley there too!)

Kiera and Ken on the jumping pillow
and the tractor course.
2'11"

Happy Halloween!

Happy Birthday Auntie Reena

We have a lot of family birthdays and other celebrations from May to July. Kiera enjoyed all the festivities and would ask us whose birthday was next. Since early September, Auntie Reena's birthday has been the next birthday party and Kiera has been looking forward to it all this time.

Each time we went grocery shopping, she would ask if we could get a cake for Auntie Reena. Yesterday she finally got to choose Auntie Reena's cake. Kiera knew exactly which cake she wanted to get: a Cars cake. Since there were none on hand, we got it made up specifically. She also asked if we could decorate with streamers. Luckily I had some on hand that I'd forgotten to use for Kiera's birthday so we got to do that too. Kiera was so excited!

When Auntie Reena got here, the first thing Kiera did was point straight up at the streamers and say "Look!" followed very soon after by a trip to the fridge to check out the cake.



Happy Birthday Auntie Reena!

and Happy Birthday to Auntie Donna too! (If you were here we'd get a really cool cake for you next week too!)

The Hair

I'm still waiting to see some photos from the wedding as I wasn't carying my camera that day, but here is a photo of my hair taken back at the hotel at about 230am. I was pretty impressed with what they did with it (for those of you who haven't seen me for a while my hair is a little shorter than chin length right now). This is the first time I've had a really fancy updo like this as my hair was even shorter at my own wedding.

Victoria

Last week we spent a few days in Victoria for a family get-away. We enjoyed walks and parks by the ocean side, some of our favorite restaurants, and just some relaxing time together away from it all. It is getting harder for me to carry Kiera these days, but sometimes only Mommy will do.We discovered a park at Cadboro Bay with huge sculptures to play on. Captain Kiera had lots of fun playing on the ship and then playing her favorite game, hide and go seek around the sea-serpent.
If you are in Victoria, give some of our favorite restaurants a try: Ferris's Grill, Mo:le (the Chinatown bun is yummy for breakfast), and of course, the Rebar where they serve great vegetarian fare, yummy chocolate cake from Cascadia Bakery, and they will even bring a dinosaur to your table to play with!

We caught the Titanic exhibit just before it closed at the Royal BC Museum. Upon entering, you were issued a boarding pass as one of the actual passengers. Kiera was fortunate to be among the survivors, but Ken and I were not so lucky. The Titanic exhibit was very well done, but the animal exhibits were Kiera's favorite.

Outside the Royal Scott (across the street from our hotel).

"Let's run Daddy!"

I love this photo. Kiera looks so happy running in the sun with her Daddy.

A Weekend With Daddy

This weekend was the first time I've been away from Kiera overnight.

She and Ken saw me off at the airport at 6am Friday morning. Kiera was pretty happy running around the Abbotsford airport checking out the airplanes hanging from the ceiling so it wasn't the scene I was dreading. Instead: "Bye Mom. Okay Daddy, let's run!" There was a little meltdown after I had gone though security and Kiera realized she couldn't go back there with me. I'll admit there were a few tears from me also as I waited to board the plane.

The rest of the weekend went well for the two of them. Pancakes at IHOP, swimming lessons, dance class (I'll have photos soon I promise), and the wave pool Sunday morning.

It was the first time I've talked to Kiera on the phone. Some conversations were longer than others. "Miss you Mom. Bye." was one, I think Toopy and Binou won out that night.

All the way home (okay, all weekend) I was looking forward to the reunion. When Ken gets home from work, Kiera runs and jumps into his arms yelling "Daddy". Surely a weekend away would get me the same. Not so much. Kiera blinked at me, allowed me to hug her and asked for juice. She had missed her regular nap, just woken up from the car ride to the airport, and been promised some juice after I got in. Oh well, maybe in two and a half years when I go away again!

Bethany & Bryan

This weekend I was honoured to be a part of Bethany and Bryan's wedding. Bethany and I have been best friends since we met on the first day of Engineering at UBC 14 years ago.

I flew out to Saskatoon, Bethany's hometown, early Friday morning. We took care of a few wedding details and enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner for 23. Yum!

Saturday was hair, make-up, helping Bethany with last minute details (oh, just minor things like writing vows, deciding on the wedding music and finally finishing off that card box), and of course the main event. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception. (I'll add in a few photos later when I get some.)

After Sunday brunch, I flew home with a four hour layover in Calgary. Enough time for dinner and to treat my footsies to their first pedicure, well deserved after those three inch heels (even if they didn't last the whole night).