All of the kids were able to join in the decorating and they loved it. Even Laurelyn got in on the action.

The boys got bored and quickly found something else to do with the decorations. An imaginative child never ceases to inspire me.

I didn’t manage my time very effectively while we were back in Washington. There was so much that I wanted to do and see and I didn’t get to half of what I was hoping to do. One of those things was spending more time with the Martie and Dee who came up from North Bend to see us. Thanks for coming up guys and I promise to take more advantage of the time next time we’re in town.

These next pictures are from a day trip Chuck and I took to Victoria Island so we could scout the place out. We have been thinking about moving there once our house is worth more than we spent on it. (Good luck, right?) Victoria is closer to my parents, warmer and milder than Alberta and we still get to keep our healthcare. It’s a win-win from our point of view. Speaking of views, the views from the ferry ride were amazing! Chuck and I spent the extra $10 to sit in the Lounge which has larger and more comfortable seats as well as complimentary snacks, tea and requires quiet voices so no one is disturbed while they’re sipping their tea! It felt so indulgent! The Lounge looked right onto the deck and the only downside was that I could watch all the people walking around outside. There was a man out there who was wearing backpack, wringing his hands, checking his watch, talking to himself and tapping on the one-way glass to the Lounge. I was starting to think this guy was going to blow a hole in the ferry with the contents in his backpack but he eventually got too cold and went inside. He still could have blown up the ferry from wherever he went but atleast I wasn’t sitting there watching him. Freaky!

Looking at neighborhoods online Chuck and I loved the idea of being in Oak Bay so that was our first stop. We immediately wished that we had brought the kids because we were there on their annual Light Up Festival. There were carolers, musicians, games, free food and sampler tables from some of the shops. It was so much fun and the kids would have loved it.

Oak Bay Library. We couldn’t get over how beautiful the buildings were!

This is the library lion that stands in the kids’ section where the children can climb up and sit like one of the characters from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Giant Checkers.

Giant Four Square.

We have a slight love for used book stores in our family. There’s something magical about finding an old book that has been loved and I can’t help but wonder where the book has traveled. What brought this book here to this store and into my hands? There’s a smell to used bookstores that I can’t get enough of. It’s gotten worse since we started homeschooling because now we’re always on the lookout for books about all sorts of subjects. We found a used bookstore in Oak Bay called Grafton’s Books. It was perfect. It even had the floor to ceiling bookcases and the wrap around track with the sliding ladder! I had so much fun. This was our first stop so we didn’t stay long but I could have been in there for our entire trip!

We stumbled onto this war memorial that looks out onto the ocean. Isn’t it beautiful?

My favorite part of going home is to see a relationship strengthen between my kids and my parents. It’s one thing to talk on the phone and to see pictures but it’s all together different to be together every day, all day for more than a week. My favorite was to see how attached Laurelyn got to her Grandpa. She loves her Grandpa and I am glad that my parents are coming here in February so I can get more pictures like these.

The day that we left my kids got Christmas presents from Grandma and Grandpa. Everyone loved what tey got and the now had toys to play with on the long trip home. I can’t wait to move to Victoria so we can be only a ferry ride away!

Amber is still a newlywed and it’s cute how doting her and her husband are towards each other. A little gross at times but you have to cut the newlyweds some slack, right? Amber is getting ready for a scuba diving trip to Mexico and her honey is working hard in school.

Spending time with my sisters was definitely the highlight of my trip! It was nice to sit around and listen to them talk. I realized how we had all grown up from the hair pulling banshees that we were, into women who can do anything. I’m so proud to be related to them.

Man, I miss you two!

These statues are my all time favorite thing in the store. They are beautifully done and I love that they look a little different than what you’d expect but the clever thing about them is the short poem written on the back of them. Each one is made for a specific reason or occassion. There’s one for Breast Cancer, one for your best friend, one for a mother, one for everything you can imagine.

This one is one I want (maybe for Mother’s Day. This is me sending a subtle hint to my husband.) It’s for a mother. I love the poem on the back.

These are willow tree statues that are tender and simple. I have two of the statues and the Nativity, thanks to my sister and sister-in-law. You guys rock!

Look at those cute kids!

They didn’t have blessing outfits last time I was there and I fell in love with these baby tuxedos. They even have tails in the back! How cute is that!

I found more of my favorite statues upstairs.

I want to get this picture and out it in Chuck’s office. It’s perfect!

This picture was my favorite thing in the store. It’s absolutely gorgeous, don’t you think?

Last but not least is my daughter, making faces in the window. What class she has.

First let me introduce you to my family.

Mom and Dad: Mom can make anything fun. She makes up songs to go along with every task and she loves deeper than anyone I know. Dad is quietly hysterical. It’s easy to think he’s reserved when you first meet him but he’ll surprise you with his humorous insight into everyday life. He’s the wisest person I know and I find myself wondering, every day, what my Dad would think or do in any given situation. He’s been in management his whole life. We moved to Bellingham from Las Vegas because his job as a manager for Barnes & Noble brought us to Washington to open a new store. He no longer works fr them but Mom and Dad have opened their own LDS bookstore. I took some pictures so my friends could see what it looks like so I’ll post those later.

Jonothan and Shana: Married for a couple years and things are just changing for them right now. Jonothan is now working nights and going to school by day. He sounds like a super hero doesn’t he? “Jonothan York, student by day. Pepsi driver by night!�? Okay maybe you have to hear my groggy voice while I say that to make it funny but my brother would appreciate my bizarre and sometimes groaning humor. Jonothan is so cute and he worships his wife and I find that adorable. Shanna is a beautiful red head, quiet and she keeps her cards close to her. I wish I had that restraint but since I have a blog where I post every intimate detail of my life, you can see that I don’t have that same trait.

April and Robby: April is the most beautiful creature. She’s also a great mom two her equally beautiful two children. Robby is the class clown. He’s the first one to crack a joke and the last one to stop laughing. He’s the most involved Dad I’ve ever seen and I thought Chuck was going to win that award but Robby amazed me. He’s in the same program as Jonothan to be Nurse Anesthetists. I think I spelled that right.

Amber and Lance: just got married and are now living in Utah. Amber was the most beautiful bride. Their reception was immaculate, they did a great job on it.

I tried to take as many pictures as possible and hoped that the old adage that the more pictures you take the more good ones you’ll have to take home. I was the only mom following my kids around the play area in the mall. My mom calls it the Germ Bowl for obvious reasons. Bellingham’s Germ Bowl is designed to look like the inside of a lunch box. It’s clever and I loved these pictures of David sitting with apple slices.

It was Spring in Bellingham which was funny because it’s been snowing in Calgary but I still have the memories of blooming trees and warmer weather. To take advantage of the weather we took the kids to Bloedell Donovan Park.

Most of the fun we have is when we’re sitting around talking.

Jason got to celebrate his birthday with my family.

I made a new friend while I was home. I know only one other person who has as much to say as she does. She makes me laugh just to listen to her. She was so much fun! Here’s hoping she’ll have the time for another chocolate fondue next time I’m in town. (How can you not love someone who knows how to make sushi?)

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