The Coolest Parks

Driving around we saw a few parks that were the same design.  They seemed to be designed just for our kids with all sorts of things to climb, swing, jump, slide and spin on.  It was one of the better parks we have ever been to and the kids had so much fun.  They were able to let out their inner monkeys and climb on everything.  I wish I took a picture of the entire park from a distance.  The main section was in the shape of a caterpillar that the kids could crawl on the outside ropes or through the rings in the middle.  I wish we had parks like that around here, we would go every day.

Vancouver

Our first day in Canada, we walked down to the water and hung out for awhile.  There were so many people biking, rollerblading, exercising and walking their dogs.  I was so impressed with how active everyone was and wanted to put on some skates and join them.  It was such a beautiful day and we had fun walking around enjoying the scenery.

Do you see the seaplane behind them?  The kids loved watching airplanes land on the water.

Just being silly.  Anytime I want to take a picture of the kids they all do something super goofy or weird.  I don't know why looking at the camera with a simple smile is so difficult.

Our little weirdo. 

I think Tanner had a goal of making someone crash.  He kept running right toward the bikers or skaters.

Looking at all of the neat boats and yachts at the harbor.

We walked around forever trying to find a candy shop we saw on our drive into town and decided to take a rest at a local bookstore.  The kids had a quick tea party and made some new friends and then we continued our search for some goodies.  We were pretty sad to find that the candy store we were so excited to see was very "Americanized" and didn't have the treats we had in mind.

A Real Bed!

Everyone (especially daddy) was so excited to see a real bed when we got to our hotel in Vancouver.  It was so cute how they all climbed on and snuggled up together.

Matt was able to get a pretty good deal on a 4 star hotel right in the heart of downtown.  It was really nice being in the middle of everything because we walked around every day getting to the different things we wanted to see and restaurants we wanted to try.

No Furniture

We didn't want to order and have furniture sent to our apartment without seeing it first so we spent the first couple nights without it.  The girls kept asking where we would eat without a table but we made it work.  We spent the first day here choosing the furniture we wanted and had it delivered while we were in Canada.

The girls temporary bed.

Breakfast on the floor.  We are really enjoying our new apartment and the surrounding area.  Things have been working out very nicely and we are grateful.

Here We Go!

We woke the kids up at 2:00am to hit the road and head to Washington.  I walked into the girls' room and quietly said, "Sienna, it's time to go, please go brush your teeth and go potty with daddy."  She jumped right out of bed with excitement and ran to the bathroom.  Sadie heard me getting Sienna up and quickly jumped out of bed and followed her sister.  We got ready and hopped in the car.  Tanner fell right back to sleep and stayed asleep until 7:30.  Sadie also fell asleep pretty quick. Sienna stayed awake and kept Matt entertained for a few hours and then took a good nap.  We made great time that morning and didn't stop until 8 when we had to fill up the van and get some breakfast.

The kids were so great the entire drive.  There were only a couple moments of Tanner getting upset and each time it was when he woke up from a nap and realized he was still in the car.  He gave us a look of disgust, cried a little bit but then was completely fine.  I couldn't ask for better kids on a long drive, they really make it so easy and fun.

The girls thought it was neat driving through the night and watching the sun come up.  This picture does not accurately show what the van looked like for our drive.  It was so packed full of our things but somehow we managed to get it all to Washington with us.

The Hardest Goodbyes

As excited as we were to head to Washington for the summer, it was still sad for the kids to say goodbye to their favorite people. (Nana, Papa, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunties, Uncles, COUSINS and Jamie!!)  

 Adam came over one last time to say goodbye.  I am most sad to say goodbye to the little guys (Adam, Crew, Tate) because they are going to change the most over the summer and we'll miss so much of it.

The girls are the saddest to leave their cousins.  On Sienna's last day of preschool she was very mellow and was acting kind of sad so I asked her what was wrong.  She said she was going to miss Max so much.  I love that they have been able to go to preschool together and will be in Kindergarten with each other too.  I sure love my nieces and nephews, they are the very best!  I wish I was home to go to Cole's coach pitch games, chase Max around and swing with Gracie but like Sienna keeps telling everyone, "Don't worry, we'll be back in the fall."

MBA Closing Socials

The girls from our MBASA sleepover. Love these ladies!

 Darrin and Clare at the MBA closing social.