Well it's been awhile.
I had to recover from blogging every day in May. That was a serious challenge but I really enjoyed it and am very glad that I did it. However now I have a bit of catching up to do, starting with our May long weekend.
This year we decided to get out of town and go and visit Dan's sister Sarah, her husband Jesse and their two kids who live in Creston, BC. I was desperate to get out of Calgary and have a bit of a trip before baby 3 arrives so this seemed like the perfect family getaway.
We loaded up our van (thank goodness we have it!) and left town around noon on Friday (May 17.) We should have arrived in Creston around 6pm but Dan decided to take an unintentional detour that set us back about an hour and a half! How joyful spending that much extra time in the car! We were pretty excited to arrive, as were the kids who did great on the drive (thank you dvd player) but needed some serious run around time before bed.
After having a bit of fun with their cousins the kids crashed, and we did too!
On Saturday the guys (Dan and Jesse) headed out for a mountain biking/hiking adventure, while Sarah and I planned to take the kids to the Blossom Festival Parade and some other activities going on around town that day.
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| The kids enjoying a snack of bread while we got ready to go out for the day. |
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| Cohen just being his regular cute self. |
Sarah and I packed up snacks and the necessities to make it through the morning then walked to downtown Creston. We first checked out the local farmer's market before heading to the main strip where the parade would take place. The kids got balloons from Shoppers (who was handing them out) and then we found ourselves a patch of sidewalk.
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| Cohen so happy with his red balloon. |
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| Also very happy with his yummy cookie. |
The kids all thoroughly enjoyed the parade. It was a first time experience for Cohen and a second for Marshal, but since he was so young at his first parade I'm sure he didn't have any memories of it. The kids all enjoyed looking at the cars and floats passing by and also collecting candy that was thrown into the streets. Marshal did get scared a few times when some of the really loud trucks came by. He would just walk away from the street and hide in a shop entrance way that was right behind where we were sitting. Ironically for the kid who loves trucks he did this when the fire trucks sounded their sirens, when a huge monster truck drove by and revved its engine and also when a big rig tooted it's horn. It kind of made me chuckle to myself especially as Cohen didn't even flinch with the noise!
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| Marshal and Violet looking so cute, waiting for the parade to start. |
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| Me and Mr. Coco |
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| The kids not really watching. |
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So enthralled.
After the parade we walked over to an area where they had a free bouncy castle and "train" rides for the kids. They again had a blast and getting them off the bouncy castle was a difficult process. The train ride was pretty "lame" as it was just a little train on wheels that drove in circles around the parking lot, but the kids didn't seem to mind! By this point in the day the kids were ready for naps so we walked back to Sarah's house for lunch and a quiet afternoon.
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| Desmond and Violet having fun jumping |
Violet and Marshal having fun.
Cohen enjoyed the bouncy castle too!
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The guys came home from their mountain biking/hiking adventure a bit early as there was rain where they were hiking, so we spent the afternoon around the house, the kids played outside and we enjoyed just chilling.
After all of the children made it safely into bed Dan and I went out to grab something to eat (I was having my regular post dinner hunger) as well as some delicious Freeze drinks from DQ. If you've never had one of these before you are seriously missing out. We had never had them but Sarah and Jesse enlightened us. It's this secret drink that is not on the menu, but if you ask for it they know what it is! It was simply delicious. We spent the rest of the evening eating poutine, drinking Freeze's and having a sing along of popular music which Jesse played in the piano, he has some sweet piano skills! I will admit I did not participate in the singing, but it was still a fun night.
Sunday was church and the boys did surprisingly well. Marshal was happy to go to nursery with his cousin Desmond and gave no trouble whatsoever. Cohen wasn't so keen so he stayed with us but behaved pretty well.
After church we decided to go check out the old car show which was on the main street in Creston. We figured the boys would appreciate looking at all the vehicles. We drove over to the house of some of Sarah and Jesse's friends and then walked down the main street. We didn't stay long as it was super hot and the kids were a bit whiny and in need of naps. But it was fun.
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| Violet and Marshal checking out a cute little mini garden, downtown Creston. |
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| The kids had fun jumping on this metal box. |
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| View from the boat. |
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| The boat. |
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| The kids having fun with Auntie Sarah. |
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| Our own private beach for the day. |
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| Cohen wore his sneakers in the sand and water. |
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| The boys hiked up a bit of rock that was on our beach. |
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| The kids decide to take a wee break. |
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| Cohen had a particularly great time playing in the sand. |
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| Cute little cousins. |
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| Marshal and Violet having fun. |
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| What a cute little stinker. |
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A perfect day for the kids.
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Poor little Cohen was so tuckered out.
We only planned to spend about half the day at the beach and then head back to land so we could make the long drive back to Calgary, but it was such an amazing day that we spent the day there and then went back to Sarah and Jesse's for dinner. We decided that we'd spend the night and leave first thing in the morning. That was definitely a smart choice as the kids were pooped and so sleepy from their day in the sun.
Tuesday morning we were up and out the door by 8:30. We made a stop on the way home in Sparwood, BC so that the boys could see the worlds biggest truck! They absolutely loved it! After taking a bunch of photos we packed up to head back to Calgary and get some much needed rest from our lovely May long weekend Vacay!
The boys checking it out.
I think Cohen was in truck Heaven!
Cohen's look of fascination. Ooooh!
Cohen was as tall as the tires was thick!
Educating ourselves on the biggest truck in the world!
Marshal thought it was pretty neat underneath the truck!
Family shot.
Me and little Cohen.
Posing.
Marshal didn't want to look at the camera.
Marshal was in a bit of a mood.
That was one big truck!
A lovely way to spend our holiday weekend!
Jordan
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