A red eye flight has left me exactly that- red eyed. Our family made it back to Hamilton after a great month out West. Josh has officially tied the knot, and the Harskamp clan continues to expand. Fantastically, we had a chance to meet our newest niece, Anika Marlee, born to Mark and Leah a day before our departure. I'm excited for them and what's in store with this new sibling for Elizabeth. Having sibs has a way of molding your children into little people they might not otherwise have turned out to be. I find it very fascinating.

This trip I've really noticed how Jesse and Anneliese are growing into their relationship with eachother, and so far, I like what I'm seeing. Jesse is becoming a true older brother. He looks out for Anneliese when other kids are on the scene, and gives her plenty of hugs and kisses, that she never seems to want, but he never seems to care. Warms my heart a little, to see my little guy love his little sis in a very 3 year old kind of way.

The kids did well, despite the gongshow of a flight we had with Sunwing. A six hour delay speaks for itself, but in a word, it was truly miserable. But, the beauty of another day is that it is another day, and just breathing B.C air was enough to erase the past 12 hours and get us pumped for our month long holiday.
We are no strangers to Surrey, having spent over half a year there, and seeing how mom and dad weren't off work yet, and we had no vehicle, it was up to us to make something of our first week of VayK. We tracked down bus routes, took the skytrain, walked to the malls, hit up the beach, and met up with friends, but for the most part, spent the first week with "just us". With the wedding in the works, things were a little chaotic, but I'm pretty good with chaos, seeing as it is my life most days.

A few highlights
1. the aquarium with Mark and Leah was a GREAT idea, and I could have spent at least another few hours just watching dolphins, otters, penguins, and parrots. There  was also a jungle exhibit with birds, butterflies, sloths, and monkeys, which seemed somewhat out of place, but was a pleasant surprise nonetheless. Afterwards, we met up with Mom and Dad and walked the sea wall, which truly never gets old.

2. White Rock beach with just James, myself and the kids. This little excursion was timed accidentally perfectly, and the kids had a chance to storm the beach as the tide stormed in, catch crabs in their sand pails, make sand angels, and chase seagulls.

3. Kayaking trip with James, myself and Dad in Deep Cove. This was a long anticipated trip, and it delivered. We strapped a couple kayaks to the x-trail, left the kids with mom, and explored some beautiful terrain. And I saw seals...in the wild!

4. Biking around Stanley Park and Granville Island with mom and dad. I think this one takes the cake. I had a pale pink 7 speed cruiser with a basket on the front (I've always wanted a basket) and a wide granny seat. It took care of me for the day, and I couldn't have been happier :) Dad pulled the kids in the chariot, and we stopped for picnics, popsicles, and pretty views. In a word- lovely.

5. Shuswap! Our kids got the chance to experience their daddy's cabin, and I think that's pretty special. James taught them the art of Roofio and swimming with puddlejumpers, and they loved every second of it. It was so great to have a space to hang with the immediate and extended family that was cut off from the every day demands of home. I learned a great new game-table crib- and just soaked up the beauty of life at the cabin. Definite highlight.

6. Wedding- of course, the reason we flew down was to celebrate with Josh and Kate. Jesse was the 'ringbearer'--which meant he could wear a new tie and race down the aisle to catch up with James, and then proceed to hide behind James' legs at the front of the church, while I tried to keep Anneliese from doing likewise at the back of the church. Having a kid free evening was also pretty fantastic :) Congrats to Josh and Kate!

7. Friends! We had a chance to say our goodbye's to the Reimers before they moved, to meet Dan's new wife, to have breakfast with Joel and his wonderful fiance, to spend a day with Trine at the cabin, and a few hours with Robyn at 3rd beach. James' went on a 3 day surfing trip for Josh's bachelor party, and I had a chance to see and get to know Leah just a little bit better.

8. Skytrain with the kids--just for the heck of it, we took the kids on the skytrain-- and I think it blew their minds.

9. Red Robin's with my man James. We split a milkshake, and discussed evolution, and it was a real date :)

10. All the time spent eating wonderful meals in mom and dad's back yard, with our children swimming naked in the shark pool. The sliders were particularly memorable, being James' birthday meal of choice, and I think they made his day. I hope so, considering I didn't do much in terms of gift giving,  for which I've been forgiven :)It pays to have a man with very simple taste.

And that, in a nutshell, sums up our month out West. It went so quickly, and we have no idea when we'll be back, but I am happy we could make the most of it, and that our kids had the chance to bond with their cousins, and their Oma and Opa. We will miss you all!