Farmer's Market

The Farmer's Market is always fun, especially when there is a bouncing castle! And also lots of fresh cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums,.... It was also a little warmer this morning and bright and sunny. Still not warm enough for a swim so we will shortly be off to the science centre and to Aunt Tanya's. Hunter misses Katherine and Hayley felt that Nana would love the Farmer's Market. And I know Granny would love to be here too. Love ya!

Washington State

OK, picture of me holding on for dear life on the suspension bridge to Zuckerberg Island, Castlegar BC, forest fire burning in Washington State but seen from Osoyoos BC, and me in Waterfront Park, Spokane Washington.

Back from trip 1

Back from the first driving trip to Coeur d'Alene Idaho, Spokane Washington and Creston BC! Hayley and Hunter enjoyed a great time at Grandpa and Grandma Debbie's while Jen and I put about 1000 miles on their new car! Auntie Leigh also stopped by for a visit, so a busy schedule for the past few days.
Pic's of the driving trip later!

Jenn has arrived

Jenn arrived last night from Winnipeg and can't settle in because we are on the move already. Kids going to Kelowna for three days with Grandpa and so we may be out of touch for a few days.
Weather is still hot and sunny, eating way too much but I guess thats what vacation is for eh! Picture is Jenn braiding Hayley's hair for the trip to Kelowna. Gros bisous!

Did I say the water is freezing cold?

Please note I kept my promise: there are no photos of me in the water. That's Braeden on the back of Hayley's "jetski".

A Day at the Beach?

Who would have thought our first day would be spent at the beach! We visited Tanya and family at the Kal Lake beach. H&H were a little shy at first... and the water was a little cold at first... the rest is obvious from the pictures.

We are here!

We are in Vernon and have made the first shopping run! Uneventful and dare I say almost pleasant flights all the way. Toronto airport something for Canadians to be justly proud of, the hotel upgraded us because of my "gold member status" whatever that is! And who am I to argue?! So we had a very nice room on the club level. Lots of fun in the yard with the million dollar views but 35 (98F) so back inside watching TV! Been to the wine store and grocery store (it had an olive bar! what more could a man want in a store!) so now just about broke! Tanya has invited us to the lake for a swim and you know full well my a** will not get in that ice water regardless of how hot it is outside! Have an appointment with the bank to open an account tomorrow; seems a little easier than opening one in Cayman but I guess when they figure out where I am from they will probably deny me! Having great problems uploading pictures but here is one of the gang in the yard yesterday.

The Hike

Francina and I took a hike today to Winter's Land Cistern; a natural well located deep in the interior of East End. The trees were full of ripe mangoes and there were butterflies and birds in abundance and Francina found a Soldier (Hermit Crab). Norma, I know you will be upset to see all the mangoes rotting away on the ground! We did our best but couldn't eat them all!

Last Sunday

Last Sunday before our trip to Canada so did our favourite Sunday activity; a boat trip with the Fosters. Everyone is exhausted as usual but had a great time. Not many pictures taken but they all start to look the same after a while.
Great weather, great company, great day.

Hunter lost a tooth

Hunter lost his first tooth today starting another run of poverty for the tooth fairy!
Did not prevent him from devouring dinner and a mango for desert!

Birthday continued

More pictures of the birthday party as taken by Nana.

Hunters 6th Birthday

Lots of fun at the beach for Hunter's 6th birthday party. Had a hard time getting them out of the ocean to do anything else! Now everyone's tired including me!

Last Day of School

Last day of school and dress down day. Rex now has their full attention every day! Ripe papayas in the picture are enjoyed every morning by the woodpeckers!

Coffee with Nana, Piano lessons, then trimmed out the road and gave Rex a bath. With all the rain everything is growing like mad. Yes Shawn, we actually do some work; I just don't take pictures of it! We will shortly head off for Hunter's birthday party at the beach at Grannie's house. Sunny and breezy so a great day for the beach and I have gotten a big bag of mangoes and plums perfect for eating in the sea. Many of Hunter's classmates have already left for vacation so it will be a small party but the aunts have been busy getting everything in order (what would I do without them?!). I think there will be more adults than kids! Just two short weeks now until the long awaited vacation... but much to be done between now and then. Pic's of the party later.

After School

Francina has been busy taking pictures so thought I would share a couple of the kids after school activities; they did the Blue Dragon tour (this one is at the Botanic Park) and of course Rum Point is always popular. Hunter is wearing his Holland soccer jersey. Too bad the team was useless! (Hope Francina doesn't read this!)

Monday Afternoon

On this holiday Monday (Constitution Day) we had the grand re-opening of our Heritage Beach project. There was lots of food and drinks, a band, good company and nice sunny weather even as George Town was flooding from a severe thunderstorm!
Uncle Darvin helped carry the basket full of Mangoes as Hunter and I watched, then Hayley, Hunter and the other kids enjoyed the warm calm water. Happy Canada Day, Happy Independence Day and Happy Constitution Day! Any day off is a happy day!

Awards Night

Here are some pictures from the awards night at school. Hayley and Hunter were both honour roll students and also earned other awards; Hayley 5 subject trophies, 2 certificates, Hunter 2 subject trophies and two certificates. They also both got reading awards. Pictures show the awards being presented and Hayley performing a piano solo during the programme! All photos courtesy of Nana as I was in Berlin at the time. The family was well represented with Nana, Francina, Grannie, Aunt Gracie, Aunt Shirley, Aunt Dawn and Aunt Tinnie in attendance.

Back Home

I am back from Berlin! The city and game were great but the trip was marred by travel complications. Got back last night after 24 hours of travelling and now waiting for the kids to come home from thier weekend at West Bay. Berlin is a clean and interesting city and I found everyone to be friendly and helpful. Being unable to speak German was not a problem and despite my dislike of cities in general I could see myself going back some day. We made good of the extra day we were stuck there by visiting the Brandenburg Gate and surroundings including the Fan Mile. Easy to get around, a little expensive, but the natives are friendly (especially when they win!).