Vancouver Island

We just returned from a couple of weeks on Vancouver Island, travelling from the Northern tip down to the Southern.  It was a very rainy trip, but we made the most of all the dry times, as you can see in these photos.  Unfortunately I didn't get all of the highlights.  We spent a few days in unique Sointula visiting glen's dad and step-mom (where he slept all by himself in a little tent with his cousin Abby).  And then Elliott had his first kayack ride in Nanoose Bay visiting his Grandma Adele (very sorry I don't have pictures from there, where Elliott had a great time playing with his cousins).  And we ended in sunny, beautiful Victoria. 

Our first night in Parksville at "Beach Acres"  Loved this little cabin... would definitely recommend this spot!

 Had great beach time there the first day.  Was perfect sunny afternoon too.

 Elliott and I hunting for sea-weed and shells!

 Here the boy's are having running races.  Glen is carrying Elliott's bike- it was just too tricky to ride in the sand.

 We had the pleasure of spending a few days in Sointula with Abbigail.  She is a wonderful little girl, who absolutely brings out the best in Elliott.  We wish we could import her to Kamloops.  They had a great time together.

 Elliott actualized his love for hiking in the rain forest.  He fell in some mud, and here's the outcome. 

 An amazing beach called Bere Point.  There are 'forts' like this all along the beach.  The kids loved having their own private spot for a snack attack.

 We spent some time with glen's grandma in Duncan- Helen turned 98 this year!  And she still lives in her own home and looks this great.  We went for a little walk around her complex so Elliott could show his 'great' grandma his tricks.

 Family bike ride in Victoria!

We finished by visiting my Aunt Jane and Uncle Tim- likely two of the nicest people around.  And they are so kind and generous to Elliott too.  It was a great end to all the visits and destinations.  See ya next year Vancouver Island!

Elliott and his girls

We went to Kelowna last weekend and visited our friend's the Gillis's ans my parents and Tricia too! 

 Elliott seemed to like this bath with the 2 Gillis girls- it lasted far longer than normal.

 The day we left our sweet neighbour Alivia came over for a bit.  I think this was their first time just the 2 of them and they were so sweet.  Here they are beading, making bracelets.

 Up at Big White, Elliott went on his first gondolla ride.

And FIRST face painting!  He loves tatoos but has always said no to face painting.  I think because Caitlyn went just before him, he felt better about it.  And he was so still that the painter made him a big snowflake!

bella bella

Bella Bella is in my work region, and I have to hire a new contractor there so I made my first trip there this week.  I was super lucky to go with a small group that was lead by Leftenant Governor Steven Point.  He is an amazing guy and so approachable- I learned a lot from him.

And I also learned a lot about Bella Bella- it was an amazing trip.  Unfortunately it rained to whole time, but I got a sense of the beauty anyway.  Here are just a couple of pics.

  

 Steven Point sitting with the kids from the school singing "Oh Canada." 

The view from my room at the Sheerwater Lodge. I openned my window that first night to enjoy the air- it was shocking how quiet it was.

 This was my favorite part of the trip- we went to an informal drumming group at a local resident's house.  Steven loved it, and the music was unforgetable.   The man sitting next to him leads the group and ALWAYS has his little son with him.  At 2 years old that boy can beat a drum like you can't believe.

fun weekend

We had a fun, full weekend.  We were all healthy! 
And so were our friends! 

 Elliott got his haircut at his favorite hair salon.  We try to avoid it because it is so expensive, but this time the extra cost seemed worth it.  Elli watched cartoons in this cool car while I drank my coffee in a comfy chair.  He looks so cute with short hair!

 Our neighbour Todd played in a hockey tournament on the weekend, so his kids wanted to cheer.  Of course, so did Elli.  All in all he took in 3 hockey games this weekend.

But at some point, the lure of Livi's LeapPad took over and he couldn't stop playing it.... might be a good toy to keep him busy during my non-stop breastfeeding days coming up.

 Baby Gloria came over for lunch with her family.  Elli seems to have a true love for babies these days.

 Later on Sunday, Elli and glen discovered the BMX park.  They LOVED it, and talked about becoming members of the club.  Elliott even said he wants to enter the races starting this spring.  Glen and Elli are going back today.

Glen and the boys.  So cute- Anderson loved that glen was on his BMX too.

Loves

Elli has a few loves.  One is going to the library and getting LOTS of books.  This time he took out 45!  Our new record.  But the coolest was this children's author who was there, reading his books and singing with the kids.  Elliott was so captured and afterwards told us that this man had the nicest face.  He just "really loved it."

Elliott also loves Kaitlin.  Kaitlin is our friend who has been living with us for the past few months.  She is awesome with Elliott and he thinks she is wonderful (and so does mommy- especially seeing you couldn't have a better live-in babysitter).  Here Elli is wearing her boots.  "Kaitlin, can I have these boots when they are too small for you?" 

Winter fun!

We have to go up into the hills for snow, but regardless have been spending lots of time outside together.  Seems like a really mild winter- or maybe we are just better prepared for it. 

Superbowl Bikeride in Feb

With the snow almost gone, and temperatures nearing 0, the boys have gone bikeriding!  What a beautiful day in Kamloops.  Most people are at home watching tv I'm sure!  I think we are all more interested in the half-time show.

Literacy Festival

Kamloops has amazing events for kids- our literacy festival couldn't be any better.  We spent yesterday morning there and elliott said his favorite part was "all of it!"  We listened to music, made a craft, played at gymnastics, saw a puppet show and went on the firetruck.  And starbucks was there giving away coffee's and treats! 

 Friends making crafts.  Yesterday Keegan came over to play and I decorated the boys in tatoos.  Luckily his mom is super cool!

 Elliott wearing his "Elliott the Knight" crown.

 Elliott really warmed up to the firefighters and spent about 20 min sitting in the back, chatting to the firefighter.

 This is Elliott and his friend Anderson watching a pupet show.  Look at their interest!

Glen and I went to the pub last night and glen got to enjoy their beer sampler.  Does that look delicious!  We also went to see "the Artist." Very unique movie and we were quite captivated (it is a silent movie). 

new kid on the block

 Introducing the newest Hayward-Cheetham!  We had the ultra-sound at the private clinic and found out LOTS! 

The Barry's

My wonderful friend and her two cute kids visited us over the weekend.  They live in Halifax, so we don't get to have them around very often.  But it sure was fun.  It is amazing how much the kids accepted each other- I wish they could be at our house more often!

 Alma had her first taste of whip cream at our house and she loved it!  She also had her first popsicle 2 years ago, and this past summer Elliott gave her her first lolipop.  We are gaining a bit of a reputation!

 We all loved baby Noah.  Elliott cried after he left, and then pretended he was baby Noah for about an hour.  Good thing he likes babies!

 Elli and Alma in the bath- nudie cuties!

 Noah's first swim.  He head-butted the water while I was holding him and didn't seem to mind the dunk!

Tricia and the kids swimming at the TCC.  See?  Whou wouldn't want these guys around a lot more?

Snow!

Like most parts of our province- heck country- it has been un-seasonably warm in Kamloops with very little snow this winter so far.  So we went up to Sun Peaks (only 45 min from our house) this Sunday and had lots of outdoors fun.  The last picture is of Elliott and his snow bunny- he cried all the way back to the car because he was so sad we couldn't take it home.  I am SURE next month I'll be cursing all the snow bunnies we are building out our front door.

next canuck

Elliott is a hockey lover and loved this hat when his bumpa got it for Christmas.  We found it in his size yesterday and he bought it with some money he had been given as a gift from his great-grandma P. 

 Here the boys are gearing up for hockey practice in the basement.  Elliott is trying to be a tough guy.  Wonder who tough him that....

More Christmas

A few more Christmas morning pictures!  Elli openned the cat's first.

 Looking at the stockings all full- Santa visited us!

 We have the most civilized gift openning after stocking and breakfast and showers (and this time Mommy had a nap too!).

 Elliott got some remote control cars- he has been wanting some since the summer.

 Merry Christmas from the Hayward- Cheethams.

Happy New Year!

We had a fun afternoon yesterday outside up in the hills.  Elliott got a new sled for Christmas and has been so excited to try it out.  It was a hit!

It was such a nice day- fresh but not cold.  Perfect for an afternoon of playing.

 Guess what Elliott was drinking?

 Glen pulled Elli all the way back to the car like this and finally in the last 5 minutes, Elliott fell asleep face down.

 Elli was in a real smootchy mood, so we shared a few kisses until I couldn't stop laughing.

Happy New Year to all and best wishes for a very great 2012.  We are looking forward to ours!