Tag Archives: holidays

Alaskan Cruise (Part 1)

We just got back into town after yet another trip to BC. This time we went for a cruise up the coast with Tim’s family. It was so much fun, and there are so many pictures, so I will split the trip up into a few parts. Here is the first part, our day of departure and the first full day.

Here we are walking up the gangway toward our ship. The excitment was mounting!
Below, Calvin is showing off his excitement for Canada flags. If you have spent much time with him since July 1, you can hear him say “Canada flag!” over and over whenever he sees one, so fast you can’t count the syllables and it sounds like an Indian accent.alaska part 1 (1)It was quite the walk down a hallway to our cabin, or stateroom. I was pleasantly surprised by the generous size of the room and the awesome window! The ledge in front provided the boys with tons of fun each morning. Calvin loved to hide behind the curtains, then jump off onto the bed. Oh, and Calvin slept on the couch that turned into a bed and Victor slept on the floor. It worked out quite well, except for the fact that there were light switches right above the couch, so we often woke up to Calvin turning those on.

alaska part 1 (2)

These photos were taken after a nap and before turndown, so don’t judge the crew’s service by these photos.

We all (except Tim who was napping or something) took an evening swim in the freezing cold outdoor pool as we pushed off from the docks.
alaska part 1 (3)Out first full day was a sea day, and we couldn’t ask for better weather. We spent the majority of the time on the outside decks. Calvin learned to relax (although he would only lay like that long enough to sigh and say “relax!”, then he was off, finding the tennis courts or basketballs.
alaska part 1 (4) And then of course the food. Always ice cream and french fries. We got quite familiar with the ice cream scooping crew members. And the rest of the food was wonderful too. alaska part 1 (5)Read part 2.

BC Holiday: Day 15

On Saturday morning, the morning following the wedding, Tim’s parents hosted a brunch for all the out of town family. Which was pretty much everybody since the only people who live in Nanaimo are Tim’s parents and also currently his younger sisters. So we had a  morning full of aunts, uncles and cousins. Good times!12 collageOnce everybody had headed off to their respective ferries or other cities to visit, we had a blitz cleanup of the aftermath of a wedding and two major meal gatherings, which left us with a few hours of doing nothing. We blew bubbles in the shade, hit the hot tub, and snuck in some last snuggles.
12 collage 2Then it was off to the ferry for us, saying goodbye to the island. That night we crashed at my parents for about 6 hours before heading back east toward home. 12 (16)Normally I am quite ready to be home again after such a long time away, visiting family. But it was different this time. I was not ready to go back. I wanted to stay longer. But, such is the nature of vacations. They don’t last forever.

But they can happen again!

BC Holiday: Day 14

Friday! Wedding Day!

This morning was actually the most relaxing part of our time in Nanaimo leading up to the wedding. Family arrived from the ferry and we were able to have time for some coffee and visiting. And finger nail polishing.11 collage 1Calvin got a boutonniere, the couple got married, we hung out eating snacks during family photos, then Tim and I got to enjoy the reception sans kids. I didn’t take too many photos. This is what I had. I’ll leave the rest to the professional. But it was a wonderful day
11 collage 2For the next days’ post, click the link below this post.

BC Holiday: Day 13

Dress rehearsal day! Again, the morning was spent with most people doing highly important things. Preparing for the wedding, the rehearsal dinner, and having guests camp out in the yard.10 collage 1 Then we were off to the park in the afternoon for some practice in the hot hot heat.10 collage 2And finally, dinner was served.
10 collage 3For the next day’s post, click the link below this post.

BC Holiday: Day 12

Two days before the wedding. Another busy day. The morning was spent decorating cupcakes that had been made a few days before, as well as preparing some food for the rehearsal dinner. We were kept so busy that the only way I know what my boys were up to is by looking at the photos. Calvin was playing the drums with his auntie, and Tim was…hanging out with the animals?9 collage 1 I have no recollection of what went on in the afternoon, but Tim’s siblings had reserved a nearby campsite (Living Forest in Nanaimo, if you are interested…it was a great camp ground) for that evening and night. I went for dinner, came back to the house to put Victor to bed, went back to have s’mores, then returned once again for the night. 9 collage 2 9 collage 3For the next day’s post, click the link below this post.

BC Holiday: Day 11

Once we were in Nanaimo, most of our time was spent doing wedding prep. Not too much downtime. Calvin spent a good chunk of his days outside with the dog, Amber. Tim volunteered to make supper, and we picked some berries in the backyard.8 collageFor the next days’ post, click the link below this post.

BC Holiday: Day 10

This was our Victoria Day! Or rather, the day we spent in Victoria, not to be confused with the holiday in May. We had wanted to spend a little time around town, so first things first, we hit my favourite spot: The Government House. They have beautiful public gardens. If you find yourself in Victoria and like gardens but don’t want to shell out the $$ to go to Butchart Gardens, I highly suggest this place. It is close to downtown, free, and just as beautiful as Butchart. Tim happened to live right next door to it while we were engaged, so it is even a little bit more special!7 collage 1 Next we drove down to Dallas Road and hung out on the beach throwing rocks.7 collage 2 We had just a little bit more time before meeting up with a couple friends, so we did a drive by of downtown, seeing the legislature building and also the house I lived in for 4 years (not pictured).7 (27) We met a couple friends at Beacon Hill Park for a little picnic. By now the sun had come out, and it was pretty warm! Calvin was so zonked by the end of our time there. You can see it on his face in the bottom right photo. So we went back to Michelle’s for nap time.7 collage 3 That evening before we headed up to Nanaimo, there was more plant watering, and lots of Victor snuggles.7 collage 4Around bedtime we packed the boys back into the car and drove the 1.75 hours up island, stopping of course to take in the view along the way.
7 (39)For the next days’ post, click the link below this post.