The Cottage, continued...

We took so many pictures on our family vacation, that this is just a taste of our trip (by major category).  Definitely a trip full of memories, we had such a nice time.  So, here goes...

The beach life was fabulous.  Although it was too cold to go swimming (Chels & Steph did attempt to on the first day), we had a really nice time beach combing, hanging out, etc.  We were at Porpoise Bay, which is not directly on the rough ocean, which made the water really calm.  The water was very shallow for a long ways out, so it was pretty safe for Nat.  The only thing you had to worry about were the sink holes.  I sunk all the way to my knees one time.  And when you sank, you could feel all the clam shells just below the sand, pretty creepy.

We didn't get bad weather on our trip, it just wasn't the warmest weather.  But it is definitely the sunshine coast, and we got sun every day.  On a cold day we ended up swimming in the local rec centre.  But still we get a view that is spectacular, especially at dusk.

It was cold enough to start the wood stove in the cottage.  As BC was having a province wide burning ban, we were not able to have a camp fire, but we really wanted to roast marshmallows... so, we roasted them in the wood stove.  Not sure if it was the safest thing to do, but it was a lot of fun, and very yummy!

Gibsons is the town that the ferry lands at, and we spent a part of one day enjoying the beautiful port.  It is a very quaint little town, a great B&B get-away for hubby and I some day.  Gibsons is where The Beach Combers was filmed many years ago.  We even ate at Molly's Reach, which was on the show.

As an excursion, we went on a boat tour of the bay.  Depak so graciously stayed behind with Anna, and I got to take Nat and Chels.  It was pretty awesome viewpoint, and we got to see a bunch of sea lions and a plume of jelly fish.  Super neat.  It just fueled Chelsea's desire to study marine biology.

One of the things I was looking forward to was going out to see Skookumchuck rapids.  This is where the three narrows join into the big ocean.  At high and low tide, a tidal wave or rapid is created.  It's apparently a hot spot for experienced kayakers.  The rapids happen to be about an hour outside of Sechelt, and with having a little one we debated if it would be worth the trip.  We went none the less, packed a picnic lunch, enjoyed the hike (4km one way), and the rapids were very neat.  We didn't make the peak, so the rapids were coming down as we were there. 

And if there is one thing my family can count on... its the infamous family photo.  I love the self timer function on my camera, and love to subject my family to the vacation family photo.  This time I had us posing at a couple of different spots.  I love my family, and want to see their smiling faces as much as I can, so...

The Cottage

This has been such a busy month that I have not had a lot of chances to get away and blog.  This one will come in two parts, hopefully that way it'll be easier.

This year our family booked a cottage in Sechelt for our family vacation.  I asked my husband to do something low key but still fun for the kids, as I really wanted to get away together as a family, even with a newborn.  We searched the internet and found this amazing cottage, and what a beauty it was.  It was very quaint... about 80 years old, and well maintained.  Depak is used to a few more modern amenities, but I thought it was so charming.  Chelsea and Stephanie were dreaming up their future in a cottage like that one.  It just so happened that the cottage was for sale, so we were all dreaming what it would be like to live there (the price-tag made it a bit unrealistic, but fun none the less).

So, here is the little cottage... it had two rooms plus a loft, a full kitchen (minus the dishwasher), a bath with a shower and claw foot tup, and a laundry room.  The furnishings were old, the bedding was purposefully mismatched (in a very matching sort of way), the kitchen sink was old style ceramic... just lovely.

Then there was the view... the most amazing part of the trip was being able to look out the window and see that view... to be able to walk out the back yard and onto the beach below.  It was great for the kids to be right on the beach and be able to enjoy the sea life anytime they wanted.  Although the beach is public, there weren't that many people out in front of where we were staying, mainly as it was a little cold for sun bathing, and we had a lot of rocks.  This is why the pricetag of this little place was soooo high!

Chelsea had the priveledge of bringing her BFF with us for the weekend.  It is such a treat spending time with Stephanie, she's like another daughter for us, we truely love her.  It was also very nice for Chelsea to have a friend, as the remaining time we were there, Nat was on her heels.  Thanks for joining us Steph.

My adopted parents also came to visit us at the cottage for a night.  It was great to spend some time with Harold and Lois, play games, get to talk as we haven't in a long time.  Nat really warmed up to Grandpa, and Grandma got to get her baby snuggles in.  Thanks for the visit!

A summer favorite...

Crescent Beach is always a favorite spot for us to go every summer.  We usually make it out once or twice, enjoying the beach combing, having a picnic, and always ending the day off with delicious ice cream.  This year, Depak got to take the girls, as I was home with babe.  It was a nice outing for them, and much cooler at the water than our hot inland temperatures.

To the river

There is something captivating about our Heavenly Father's creation.  One thing I truely delight in is being able to be outdoors and taking in the beauty of the created world around us.  I am drawn especially to water, and am blessed to live in a place where water is in abundance.  We took some time on a hot summer evening to stroll along the Fraser River.  Its a beautiful place for breathtaking sunsets, and good pictures too.

This always brings to mind the Brian Doerksen song "The River", a favorite of mine.  The Sunday before we happened to sing this song at church, so I reflected on the words while enjoying the peacefulness of the setting.  "He is calling, he is waiting, Lord I need to meet you there."  When life seems overwhelming, I am so thankful that I have a savior that desires to have me "cast my cares on Him for he cares for me."

Summer of memories

It's been a while, so let the updating begin...

What a wonderful summer it was!  We were very busy as a family this summer, even with having such a little babe.  The summer flew by too quickly, such as it goes every year, so it seems.

Here are a few fun photos from our summer:

We have adored having our little Anna a part of our family this summer.  She's growing too fast, she is definately out of the newborn stage.  She's already holding up her head, looking around, and she loves to sit up.  As a third child, she seems so much more content to go along with the flow.