Beautiful British Columbia, eh

 Just got back from Vancouver, Canada with my favorite daughter and favorite grandson!  The forecast said rain (liquid sunshine) but we were blessed with 1 1/2 beautiful days (the first day was crap). Here is a view of Canada Place from the ferry to North Vancouver.

 I've been here before and it was reasonably priced, but since they added a skywalk overlooking the bridge, the price was exorbitant. We took a train, ferry and bus to get here and we took one look at the prices and hopped back on the bus. Guess we're true McFarlands.

The view of Vancouver city from Longsdale Quay, which I pronounce "kway".

 This whale gives my eyes the jitters just lookin' at it. Canada Place and a view of North Vancouver Island and the mountains.

 We just love taking walks through Stanley Park along the harbour. Many people were oat and aboat jogging, biking and taking pictures of the fall leaves. We also went to a Halloween festival here Friday night, complete with a train through the Watcher in the Woods forest.

 I just love autumn, you guys.

 My first thought of eating poutine was ewwww, but after tasting it I was hooked. Who doesn't love fries, cheese curds and gravy together in one piping hot bowl?

 Winns was a good sport but he hated being cooped up in the stroller in that awful life jacket coat he was wearing. He could barely move his arms.

 The Harbour.

 Here's me talking to my other daughter who texted me and called me while I was away. You kids are like fly paper!

The totem poles at Stanley Park. I felt like a real Native Canadian after seeing these!

We had a great time in Canada. It was brisk and chilly at times but you cannot beat the beauty of the mountains and the ocean together, combined with super nice people everywhere you go. My one complaint: the dollar menu at McDonald's is more like a $3 menu.

Yay for Canada!

The Strain: Part 2

We had another strain visit our family at the end of September. This time Maggie was the initiator. She will deny this and blame Heather but as far as our family is concerned: Maggie started it! Everytime we get together as a family it spreads like wildfire. Let's list all that were affected:

Maggie

Holly

Casey

Nelson

Melanie

Sami

Vera

Elena

Jack

 

Thank goodness we are all better now. Maybe we should cancel all family gatherings from here on out.



 

Enjoying Fall with Family

I have been doing lots of playing with my grandbabies. Coleman and me. I am loving this fall weather and jogging with my friend Shanna.

We went to my nephew Tim's wedding on Aug.31. This is my sister Shawna and me.

We then went to my mom's for our annual Labor Day get together. A lot of the cousins went up the night before so they could start catching fish early in the morning for our fish fry. This is little Hayden and Evy.

I made sure all my grandbabies got lifejackets for canoe rides at the pond.

Matt Matt took the kids out for rides.

Mac was such a trooper despite his GI distress.

My mom: 94 lbs and a bundle of energy.

My niece Melissa's boy Hayden on the swings Ford made.

My Sister 'Chele and the sign Stacy got for Ford.

I then watched Casey's kids the next weekend while they went to watch Ivun race in Lotoja. We celebrated Evy's 3rd birthday on Sept. 8. I made sure my piece of cake had lots of M&M's.

My grandbabies Maddi and Sami.

Vera, me, Maddi and Evy blowing bubbles.

 

I came to Logan AGAIN to visit my grandbabies. I helped Holly bottle her pears.

We had a girls' night out. Sami chose our activities for the night. We went to Rumbi grill and then to Zeppe's for italian ices. I got major brain freeze and almost needed CPR.

We then went to Apple Days which is River Heights's city activity. We had dinner cooked by the local Lion's Club which my father-in-law used to belong to.

There were lots of games for the kids which is right up my alley.

"The Strain"

Last weekend I got to spend a lot of time with my grandbabies. This is my cute little Evy.

Evy brought with her "The Strain" to visit.

"The Strain"

This is where it all began. First Zach puked. (He had his own strain.) Then Evy puked.

Casey had "The Strain" visit him when Evy played at their house then his family got a mild version.

Then little Winston got "The Strain" and Maggie went berserk.

Let's break this down of how this went:

Evy + Casey+ Nelson + Holly + Winston+ Casey's family+Elena + Matt (probably from Zach's strain but who knows.)

Will "The Strain" visit you next?

My 39th (again) birthday bash! 7-8-12

My kids and I had a birthday bash for me at my place. Mac joined us after his church work. Maggie made me these copycat Dole Whips like they have at Disneyland. I get so silly after I have one of these! Since I didn't get to take my monthly trip to Disneyland, this really hit the spot!

Matt was in charge of putting together this incredible card for me. If only Mel were young and innocent again. *Sigh*

This is Casey and Brian gabbing about biking/traveling/bows, etc. and enjoying delicious frozen nanas. This is the leftover carousel cake from little Zach's birthday the day before.

Gettin my nanas on. I normally have to pay $9.75 for one of these in Disneyland.

Little Zach enjoying his cupcake. Will he throw up after this? We are always in suspense!

Allie was dishing out mega slices to get rid of the cake.

Vera can hold her own when it comes to treats.

The little kids had a picnic outside so my lawn mower could just clean up the mess.

It would be strange not to see Winston in his usual spot, always eating, licking his lips and saying "Mmmmm mmmmm."

Allie and Zach

Sami enjoying the cake.

Grandkids taking over my room. Aaaah! I swear this bed was made this morning.  ;)

Time for a checkup

This is what happens to your kids if you don't bring them into see Dr.B!

Better bring them in now! Call me and I will answer in my fake courtesy voice, "Dr. Bekker's office, how may I help yew?" to set up an appointment.