Is there really a bog monster?

We never did find out... hehe. Today was Burns Bog day, and its was really beautiful. I totally suggest going if you haven't been. Its really amazing. We walked along the boardwalk through the trees.

Ariel played Girl Guide and studied the pine cones.

When she wasn't just enjoying being pushed around while she rested.

There really isn't much more I can say, you have to see it to get the scope of it all.

Dinner was an awesome fish feast at Sharkies! Yum. I heart seafood!

Early that morning, we had a birthday breakfast for Papa. Ross and his girlfriend Jamie and the 3 kids, Dad, Rita, Dud, Marg, Bill and Penny were there. A long table of 15 happy people. We were laughing and talking and then this elderly lady came up and commented that she was enjoying sitting next to such a happy family. She had to come tell us how wonderful it was. That's a very special in my books.

In the end we took some pics of the new cousins together. I am sure its just as difficult as it was for them to organize all of us back then. Hehe.

Burnaby or Bust

Today was a trip to the Burnaby Village Museum. I haven't been there since I was a kid, and its just as cute as I remember. I must say after going to Greenfield village in Michigan, that this one is very small in comparison, but still a hoot. Ariel enjoyed playing with the old fashioned toys.

Ken looked into a possible lazy liver...

Ariel got her picture taken, old school style, hee. She even got a handmade stocking hook at the blacksmith shop. How special!

We even took a ride on the carousel! I wasn't ready for how fast it was going to go, kinda felt a bit dizzy and sick... unlike the 3 little girls who kept riding over and over. Ugh. No thanks. Ariel loved it, and I think may not have gotten her mom's tender tummy. Lucky girl.

Afterwards we went to Granville Island for a bit. Ariel and Grammy had some frap, yum.

Dan went on a brewery tour and tasting.

Daddy played with some puppets.

After swimming class, we went to Pizza Hut for dinner... and boy it wasn't the usual good experience. First off, they only had one waitress working the whole place, I felt bad for her. Then we were confused, we wanted to order 2 larges and they didn't have any large pans tonight. Um what? That I didn't get, but rather than complain we ordered 2 mediums and enjoyed our dinner. We asked for crayons for Ariel, and she brought them, with no paper... I think a letter may be in order. Just for the record though, this was the night we were treating for dinner, so of course we get the strange things. Haha. In the end it was yummy and Ariel was left asking, why no leftovers?

Red Fish, Blue Fish

Today's adventure took us into the heart of Vancouver to go to Stanley Park and the aquarium. It was another gorgeous day, and we loved it!

Grammy and Ariel enjoyed watching the jelly fish, and I loved how cool they looked in pictures. Neat-o.


We put Ariel in the bubble, not sure what she thought of that.


There is a newer section for little kids that is super cute! Ariel got to dress up, play doctor to an injured sea lion and watch the bubbles... the bubbles were the main attraction for her... we had a few tears when it was time to go.


We watched a bit of a dolphin show, but we were hungry so we took off to find food. Anyone find it odd that they serve fish and chips at the aquarium? Either way, they were yummy and Ariel loved them... she also had some of Uncle Dan's veggie burger.


Afterwards, we had a walk along through the park and along the seawall.

Crazy Dan climbed up a tree.

Ariel is trying to be like Uncle Dan... hee.

We parted ways for a brief nap and so we could take Ariel to swimming lessons. Daddy joined us today which was fun. Once class was over we joined up again for a late dinner at White Spot. Ariel had her first Pirate Pack. Yum.

Ariel is now in bed and Ken and Dan are watching weird stuff downstairs... guess its bedtime for me. Bye!

Birthday Girl

First off, thank you everyone who wished our little sweetie a happy birthday! It was a fun day, very low key, but she is getting a huge party on Saturday, so this was a nice way to celebrate just with Ken's family.

Ken did a lot of video this morning, and she was kinda out of it at first, having a rough night and little nap the previous day. She was soon all smiles in her birthday shirt!

The morning was a scheduled girls party with getting pedicures! Even Ariel got her first one, very pretty!

Ariel got a few early gifts including a new quilt from Stella, book and toy phone from Nana, and dresses, books and doll from Grammy. What a lucky girl!

At lunch, Ken and the boys returned and Ariel and I both went down for a nap. We needed it. Afterwards, we went for a walk and to the park for some playtime. Whee.

We had dinner at the Boot. Ariel, since she was a big girl, ordered off the kids menu! She had mac and cheese, and loved it. Then it was off to swimming lessons. We have a new teacher this time, which is ok, but its her first time with the little ones, so she was kinda nervous. There are 5 other babies in the class this time... but they are all boys. Oh well. Ariel took a liking to one of them, and so it begins.

After class we came home for some 'practice' cake. We got our free Thrifty's cake, and gave her a piece, and it was pretty funny. She will be a pro by saturday. Look at her go!


The house is quiet again. Ariel is in bed, and we are sitting around tidying up. Tomorrow it looks like we are going downtown to Stanley Park, which should be fun. Thanks again for all your nice comments, I plan on printing them to put in her baby book. Amazing.... she is one....wow.

Happy 1st Birthday Ariel!

I am kinda at a loss for words... my little baby girl is one. Its 5am now... I have been up since 3am. You were fussy and hungry (new tooth coming) and as I held you it dawned on me that a year ago at around the same time, I was nursing you for the first time. You still wraps those fingers around mine, but they are bigger now. Your eyes are still those amazing brown that are as dark as coffee beans. My little bean, what an amazing year you have had.

One day you may find this blog, and I hope you smile. These moments in your life may seem so little to the adventures you are going to have years from now, but these are moments that we treasure as parents. The same ones you will treasure when you have a family of your own one day.

I love you so much Ariel, and you have made my life new again... everything is an adventure with you... a great adventure.

To me, pictures are worth a thousand words, so here are a few from this year... you are so loved by all Ariel, never forget that! Happy Birthday my angel, my little Ariel.

Love Mommy

Island Visit

I am going to keep this short as I am still battling a bit of a migraine headache... argh. We went over today to Vancouver Island to go to the Butterfly Gardens and Butchart Gardens. Both were amazing, and we had a wonderful time. Enjoy the pictures!