The Cabin at Green Lake 2013

A very much anticipated trip: our annual summer vacation to the family cabin at Green Lake! Keeping with tradition, we made our lunch pit stop at Skihist Park.

Guess we timed it just right as we got to see a couple of trains pass through the canyon below!

We took a little bit of time to kick the ball around :) 

We arrived at the cabin just before dinner, which was followed by s'mores for dessert!

Hanging around the fire with Nani & Papa...

Both the boys were due for a haircut! 

This was my first attempt at cutting Brody's hair...

The paparazzi were obviously tipped off!

Brody seemed to not mind the outdoor haircut concept! 

Much calmer than when we get it done in the salon.

Didn't take long and he was done with sitting around!

A ride with Nani on the quad to our picnic spot for lunch...

The cousins riding behind in the trailer...

After lunch Papa took Xander for a ride around the swamp!

Daddy got to metal detecting the area... 

Brody took to doing the same with the umbrella pole! 

Found something!

An old bullet shell ;)

Kickin the dirt around with cousin Justus...

Dan, Nikki & Pixel's accommodation...

An evening bike ride with our fearless leader - Jason Brown!

Nani pushing Brody on the swing...

The older cousins spent many hours playing on the trampoline!

Hanging out on the lake!

Building sandcastles...

A family of otters just happened to pass by!

Our tired campers! 

On our way home we took a little detour in Ashcroft, where we stopped at a "Farmer's Market" which surprisingly only consisted of 3 booths! So we walked around and found some historic items to look at before continuing on our way home.

Halloween 2013

As Halloween had been approaching, I had been trying to get Brody to wear his costume. First off to see if it fit, and then once I realized how much he didn't want to wear it, I tried to see if I could break him in. Turns out it was more like a band-aid situation; had to force it on him (actually safety pin him in!) and then he got used to the idea. He understood more once he saw others wearing costumes, and receiving candy certainly didn't hurt! With his train obsession you would think wearing a Thomas the Train costume would be a huge thrill! I actually had built him a special Thomas the Train costume out of a box and painted it, but he refused to wear it (maybe next year?). Luckily we had this cloth one as a back-up plan (thanks Nana!).

Teary-eyed, and not happy about being forced into the costume!

On our way to the first house!
Melissa was dressed in a beautiful dress (hard to see) and fairy wings we made together!

Door opened and he walked right in... LOL!

Taking in the best decorated house of the night... our neighbors!

Starting to really get into it... he finally learned to say "Trick or Treat" and then "Thank-you" after!

Brody has really enjoyed all the pumpkins this season, and announces them when he sees them! 

We joined up with some friends... Little Bo Peep and Little Red Riding Hood.

Add in the younger brothers! 

 

Our sweet fairy :)

Brody finally was interested in wearing his hat!

Brody did soooo well... he probably would have kept going, but we decided to quit while things were still good. Melissa & Daddy continued on for half an hour more before calling it a night! So thankful the rain held off for us!

Train Show

This past weekend we went to the Train & Hobby Show in Chilliwack. It was a hit as you will see! There were train sets and paraphernalia all over!

This was a train set that had battery operated trains that went around and around on a huge track for the kids to play with!

Someone has spotted Thomas the Train!

 

There was another set for the kids to play with which was also very popular...

Another set had remote controls which the kids could operate. Brody once again spotted Thomas and is pointing him out to Nana :)

Melissa enjoyed operating the train remotes and Brody pushed the buttons which activated certain parts of the display or made train sounds...

A little slice of heaven for a boy (and his Dad) who are obsessed with trains :)

Brody Does Flashcards

It is so amazing how fast our little guy is picking up words! Brody loves practicing these flashcards with us. He was a bit distracted by the fact that he could see himself being video'd...


And what are the odds of this happening!?

At the slides

Mid August we enjoyed an afternoon at the waterslides with the family - Uncle John & Luca were out visiting :)

Brody's first waterslide!

Second slide and smiling!

Brody was very consistent at waving at Nana & Pop who were sitting on the hillside taking in the action!

Up next at the slides where Melissa & I (and Brody) are going to race to the bottom!

I don't remember who won in the end... but I'm sure you could ask Melissa!

Brody is all ready to go again! He LOVED sliding!

John & Luca racing down the tubes...

Quick Park Visit

Yesterday after Melissa's dance class we had a few minutes (and decent weather) to hit the park. The kids had a great time :)