Tag Archives: travel

Life Lately

I just put a bunch of photos from my phone and camera onto the computer and realized there have been a number of things lately that could do with some documentation!

To start, I am going to jump all the way back to mid-June, when my brother and sister-in-law were here with their girls. You may recall my brother built my desk, but we did other stuff too! We went to the zoo, enjoyed the park and hung around the house while it rained. Thiessen Visit Thiessen Visit 2 Thiessen Visit 3In later June, the weather got pretty hot and sticky, so we enjoyed lots of popsicles, sprinkler times, and dinners in the shady evenings. And I’ll just quickly gloss over the fact that this weather made me a tad too cranky. LifeThen came July, and with it, the arrival of our van! New VanThe first time pushing the “start” button was to drive it home. The second time was to drive it out of province! We went to visit our good friends out in Regina so we could meet their new baby boy! I have to say there was almost too much cute in their house that weekend.
Morton Visit 1 Morton Visit 2A few days after we arrived back at home, Tim’s mom came out for a little visit. I suppose our guest bed had been cold for too long! She spent lots of time with the boys, which was great for me! We visited K-Days for the first time ever, which was fun. Hot and busy, but fun! And she and Michelle came to our church picnic.Mom Visit 1 Mom Visit 2Also, this past week I hit the 38-week mark in my pregnancy which means I am full term! Because of that, I decided it was time to get the “nursery” ready. 38 weeksTa da! Haha! I got the pack and play up, the newborn clothes washed and folded into their little drawers, and newborn diapers purchased. The car seat is just awaiting the insert to be washed (which I realized I had never done by machine, after being used for 2 babies already – yikes!) and my backpack is ready to be packed. Those things should be done this week, and then we will be 100% ready!

So that’s our summer this far. I feel like we haven’t done all that much, but putting all the photos and memories together in one post actually make it feel quite full! And the rest of the summer will be baby baby baby!

Throwback: Early Fall Trips

I guess September was long enough gone that I can consider this post a throwback post.

On Saturday September 20, we set out for a day in Lloydminster to celebrate Jordan’s birthday a couple days late. The weather was gorgeous, and we had a wonderful time having a picnic and going for a walk at a beautiful local park, and going to a neat petting zoo on the Saskatchewan side of town.lloydminster The following weekend, I packed up the boys for an 8 hour road trip to Regina to visit our friends Anna and Karl. Always a good time with them! regina

Our Christmas Holiday

Between Tim’s last few vacation days, overtime hours, and stat days, we were able to have 2 full weeks back in BC with our families for Christmas. And a full 2 weeks they were! Here is what we all got up to.

December 20
Travel day. It took 19 hours from our house to Tim’s parents’ house in Nanaimo.

Calvin was way too wound up during our ferry ride, for it being 10 pm.

Calvin was way too wound up during our ferry ride, for it being 10 pm.

December 21
In the afternoon we left the kids with the grandparents and went to do a little last minute gift buying and had a leisurely walk by the water. In the evening, we went to see Tim’s sister, Catherine, in the last performance of a Christmas production she was in.

Tim, Tim Hortons, and west coast drizzle. Great afternoon!

Tim, Tim Hortons, and west coast drizzle. Great afternoon!

December 22
This was Sunday so there was church in the morning of course. We decided to do the Sevenhuysen Christmas that day instead of the 25th because Jordan and Amy needed to be in Abbotsford on the 24th. So we had our turkey dinner, played games and music, then opened gifts once the boys were in bed.

Auntie Lisa and Calvin dueting.

Auntie Lisa and Calvin dueting.

Turkey leg! Om nom nom!

Turkey leg! Om nom nom!

December 23
We played with the puppy, Amber, and went for a walk.

Calvin wasn't scared, but wasn't super in to the puppy as much as she was in to him

Calvin wasn’t scared of her, but wasn’t super in to the puppy as much as she was in to him.

At the Nanaimo harbour.

At the Nanaimo harbour.

December 24
Calvin helped Grandpa with chores in the barn and had fun chasing the alpacas around. We then went to the Christmas Eve service.

Here, piggy piggy piggy!

Here, piggy piggy piggy!

Vroom!

Vroom!

Handsome boys, all ready for church.

Handsome boys, all ready for church.

December 25
We woke up and after breakfast, the boys (well, mainly Calvin) got to open their gifts. Calvin wasn’t too interested, but rips some paper anyway. I’m kind of glad this kid is still not so in to presents. In the afternoon we went for a walk at Piper’s Lagoon. That evening we ferried back to the mainland and headed to my parents’ in Langley.

What's inside? Clothes? Yay!

What’s inside? Clothes? Yay!

 

Family photo by the water.

Family photo by the water.

 

A west coast beach.

A west coast beach.

December 26
This was the day of the Thiessen gathering. All my siblings and their children, with the exception of Isaac who was with his mom’s family for his birthday, came to my parents’ place and we had a wonderful day exchanging gifts, hanging out and eating our BBQ. Kate even dropped by on her way to Abbotsford from Vancouver!

Uncle Nathan and Victor exchanging grins.

Uncle Nathan and Victor exchanging grins.

Cul-de-sac hockey.

Cul-de-sac hockey. Look! Remnants of snow!

Hi Kate!

Hi Kate!

December 27
I got together with two of my best friends, Carleigh (who left for a trip to Benin the next day) and Megan (who is due with their first baby in a couple weeks!). It is always so good to catch up with them.

The old trio, together again!

The old trio, together again!

December 28
According to my lack of photos from this day, and a blank space on my calendar, nothing happened this day.

December 29
This was our Visit the Great Grandparents day! We went to Abbotsford and saw all of our grandparents who live there.

Calvin makes Opa smile.

Calvin makes Opa smile.

Nana loves the babies!

Nana loves the babies!

My Oma and her husband (Uncle Abe) of a couple years. Love them!

My Oma and her husband (Uncle Abe) of a couple years. Love them!

December 30
My sister-in-law had a few of our cousins over to hang out with our babies. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…all the cute babies are in our family!

Piper (3 months), Victor (2 months), and Anna (5 months).

Piper (3 months), Victor (2 months), and Anna (5 months).

December 31
The boys (not including Victor because he is needy) stayed home and watched hockey while I went shopping with Megan for baby things. In the evening my parents went to some friends’ house, so we put the boys to bed at 8 and partied until 10pm.

There was a lot of hockey watching between Canucks and the World Juniors. This was the scene in the family room a lot of the time a lot of the days.

There was a lot of hockey watching between Canucks and the World Juniors. This was the scene in the family room a lot of the time a lot of the days.

January 1
I got to see my friend Christine! In the afternoon we were going to hang out with my brother and his family, but that was unfortunately cancelled due to sickness.

High school buddies.

High school buddies.

January 2
This was a full day! Our friends Anna and Karl graciously made the trip over from the island just to hang out with us for a few hours! Then we had dinner at a family friend’s place (whose daughter is a friend of mine and also has a young baby), followed by another trip to Abbotsford for an engagement party for Jordan and Amy.

Hi, friends!

Hi, friends!

The two cuties, watching while we ate.

The two cuties, watching while we ate.

January 3
We had brunch at Cora (it’s so hard not to put a “‘s” on the end of that) with all of Tim’s siblings who were on the mainland for various events. In the afternoon Tim’s friends from school back in Nanaimo who now live in Richmond, came over with their boys. This visit was cut short, again due to sickness. And we didn’t get any pictures. Sad. In the evening there was an extended family gathering of Tim’s side, you guessed it, in Abbotsford.

At Cora, they give the impatient children stamps and Cheerios.

At Cora, they give the impatient children stamps and Cheerios.

January 4
We went to my sister and brother-in-law’s place for lunch then headed to Stanley Park with the entire family for a ride on the train. It was a really lovely day with all my siblings and nieces and nephews.

Boy cousins!

Boy cousins!

I've seen the new bridge a couple times now, but it still looks so beautiful and majestic next to the old, dinky orange one.

I’ve seen the new bridge a couple times now, but it still looks so beautiful and majestic next to the old, dinky orange one.

Oma, Grandpa, and all the grandchildren.

Oma, Grandpa, and all the grandchildren.

Let's go training!

Let’s go training!

January 5
Travel day back to Edmonton. I could’ve done a separate post and called it “A Moose, Two Poops, and an Oops”, in which I tell the story of seeing a moose closer than I ever have, changing two super poops on my lap, and watching a car behind us spin out and slide into the meridian. But I decided to fit it all into its own sentence instead.

It was a full and lovely vacation. I was so glad to fit in visits with so many people. Normally I can only squeeze in one or two. When I think of how we originally were not going to plan on going back home for Christmas, I think we must have been crazy!

Live Post: Travel Day

This post is probably more for my own entertainment than yours, but here it is anyway! I thought it would be fun to live blog our travels today, so here we go!

4:28am – Victor wakes up to be fed. It’s pretty much perfect timing since I had my alarm set for 4:45. I feed him and myself then get us both dressed at which point I wake Tim up.

5:12 – Calvin wakes up and is chatting away and is super awake for such an early hour. I dress him while Tim loads up the car.

5:32 – the car is loaded with everything, and we hit the road!

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6:48 – Tim is tired of all the pop music on the Christmas station so it gets turned off, and Calvin falls back asleep. I assume Victor is sleeping too since he is silent.

7:11 – Calvin gets a breakfast of dry Shreddies and water. Yum! And if we were still living in Victoria, we would be in Nanaimo around now.

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7:40 – first gas and Tim Horton’s stop. And also breakfast for Victor.

8:00 – back on the road and we started our audio book of “The Magician’s Nephew”.

8:55 – spotted: mountains!

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10:11 MST – we cross over into BC. The past hour has been fairly uneventful. The weather is cloudy but mainly clear of any precipitation. Currently Calvin is reading “the Nose Book” and I am reciting the pages to him as he flips through. Victor woke up a little while ago, but I popped a soother in his mouth and now he is asleep again.

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9:29 PST – spotted: a train.

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Thrilling, hey? I told you this was mostly for my own entertainment!

10:12 – we stop in Valemount for some food. The first place we see is A&W so we get some fast food breakfast. Not my favourite, but Calvin is happy to be free of the seat. The past couple times he has been whiny, I asked him what he wanted and all he would say was “up!” A little heartbreaking since I couldn’t do anything about that! But the whiny moments are thankfully short lived.

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12:58 – we finish “The Magician’s Nephew”.

1:09 – we play the alphabet game. In winter it’s extra hard since the signs are all covered in snow.

1:47 – we are only at the letter S. Victor got cranky and there was nowhere to pull over to nurse, so out came the bottle. Who needs hands?

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2:19 – we are close enough to Kamloops to have service so text messages, from people wondering how our progress is going, flood in.

2:48 – we stop on Kamloops fill up our car and Victor and make the decision to take the Coquihalla.

3:39 – spotted: blue sky!

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3:48 – I take a photo of the sun setting.

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4:46 – Calvin is getting whiny again, but it is too dark to play with toys so I pull out the iPad for the first time. He is loving Endless Alphabet these days!
I should also note that the Coquihalla, which is famous for awful winter conditions, has the clearest road conditions so far! What a great blessing!

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5:31 – Calvin drops the iPad between his seat and the door where nobody can reach it. Unhappy toddler until we stop to feed Victor! He can deal.

5:42 – both boys are crying for sustenance but we are going to hang on until we get to Chilliwack.

5:58 – spotted: a Tim Horton’s!
Tim says, “Oh yeah, snowballs! That is a thing people can do here,” upon seeing a gaggle of teenagers with snowballs.

7:06 – we are passing the exit to my parents’ house. They live about two minutes from the highway so it is weird being so close to them but not seeing them for another handful of days. These specific Golden Arches (my iPhone automatically capitalized that…) were always a sign to me that we were so close to home, whether coming from a short visit with my Oma and Opa in Abbotsford or coming back from a road trip to family in Manitoba.

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8:02 – we arrive at the ferry terminal in time for our 8:15 sailing, only to be told it is running an hour late. Not always the best form of transportation but it’s the only option. And the destination is pretty great.

8:27 – we are in the terminal as Calvin sees a hockey game on the screen. He points to it, pumps his arms and says, “woo woo woo!”

8:52 – we get onto the ferry.

9:11 – Calvin is far too happy and awake for it to be 2 hours past his bed time.

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10:50 – “It is now time for all vehicle passengers to make their way to their vehicle deck.” We did this about 40 minutes ago in hopes that Calvin would settle down and go to sleep. It did not work. Currently both boys are crying because they are not sleeping.

11:22 – we pull into Tim’s parents’ driveway.

Biiiiig sigh!

Throwback Thursday: Paraguay

Today our backyard looks like this:photo (3)

 

And I didn’t open the door to take the photo because the temperature looks like this:

CaptureWho wants frostbite on a Thursday morning? Not me!

So I decided to warm things up today by doing a throwback to a trip I took with my Oma to the other side of the equator, where winter is still very far off.

In early 2010, I learned that my Oma was interested in going to Paraguay to visit her family members who were still there, but being 75, she did not want to go alone. I gladly volunteered 6 weeks of my spring to head down there with her! I was interested to learn about my Mennonite roots that came from down there (this post isn’t a history lesson. I am not good at those. It’s just a pictorial account of our time there).

We mostly stayed in Asuncion where one of her brothers and his family lives. They have a couple girls about my age (he was a half brother), so we got to hang out and they showed me around town and stuff.

Oma and me in the backyard of the house where we stayed.

Oma and me in the backyard of the house where we stayed.

Afternoons were spent on the back patio enjoying terere, ice cream and frozen mangoes from their backyard tree. Delicious!

Afternoons were spent on the back patio enjoying terere, ice cream and frozen mangoes from their backyard tree. Delicious!

My uncle manning the BBQ that we enjoyed multiple times.

My uncle manning the BBQ that we enjoyed multiple times.

Oma and her brothers who still live in Paraguay. The age difference is because of a second marriage which is a story unto itself.

Oma and her brothers who still live in Paraguay. The age difference is because of a second marriage which is a story unto itself.

My cousins and I on a downtown excursion. This is their government building, if I remember correctly.

My cousins and I on a downtown excursion. This is their government building, if I remember correctly.

A street merchant made our names out of wire. I never felt so tall in my life!

A street merchant made our names out of wire. I never felt so tall in my life!

Some of our time was spent in other little towns around the country, where my Oma’s brothers live.

On the road to Volendam.

On the road to Volendam.

They have large anthills.

They have large anthills.

Can we take a moment to compare the home of a Mennonite...

Can we take a moment to compare the home of a Mennonite…

...to that of a native Paraguayan?

…to that of a native Paraguayan?

I milked a cousin's cow.

I milked a cousin’s cow.

Love this one.

Love this one.

Next up was Friesland where my Oma grew up. This was her home (now vacant), which they shared with the livestock.

Next up was Friesland where my Oma grew up. This was her home (now vacant), which they shared with the livestock.

She showed me how as children, they painted the bottom of the house with mud.

She showed me how as children, they painted the bottom of the house with mud.

We made a trip to the cemetery where her young sister was laid to rest.

We made a trip to the cemetery where her young sister was laid to rest.

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Interesting story: See the really old plot amung the newer ones? It is the grave of an adulterer or a murderer or something, and was originally outside the cemetery gates. Over time they had to expand and that is why it is now inside the gate.

Interesting story: See the really old plot amung the newer ones? It is the grave of an adulterer or a murderer or something, and was originally outside the cemetery gates. Over time they had to expand and that is why it is now inside the gate.

We also went to the Chaco, which was the land that was originally given to the Mennonites when they immigrated to Paraguay,

These trees and camels have something in common.

These trees and camels have something in common.

We visited the little museum. I believe this photo is the group of immigrants my Oma's dad came over with.

We visited the little museum. I believe this photo is the group of immigrants my Oma’s dad came over with.

We did act like regular tourists for part of our trip too. We visited Iguazu Falls! It is probably one of the most beautiful places I have seen in person. When I first heard that we were going to do a two day tour, I was a little skeptical. What on earth would we do at a waterfall for 2 days?! But when I got there, I understood. One day you spend on the Argentina side walking along paths and bridges that are through the jungle and on top of the water and the other day you are on the Brazil side looking across the river at the falls. It was amazing!

Day 1: Argentina side

Day 1: Argentina side

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There were many friendly butterflies.

There were many friendly butterflies.

Standing in Argentina, looking at corners of Brazil and Paraguay.

Standing in Argentina, looking at corners of Brazil and Paraguay.

Day 2: Brazil

Day 2: Brazil

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My Oma has another brother who lives in Brazil, so we spent some time there as well.

Interesting trees on the way there.

Interesting trees on the way there.

Oma, her brother and her nephew.

Oma, her brother and her nephew.

The street on which my great uncle lives.

The street on which my great uncle lives.

And we will conclude with just some miscellaneous photos.

Me in a mango tree! I was very sad we went at the end of the fruit's season.

Me in a mango tree! I was very sad we went at the end of the fruit’s season.

Red dirt road.

Red dirt road.

Why not nap while travelling from point A to point B?

Why not nap while travelling from point A to point B?

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I had a wonderful time, and am so thankful for this opportunity I had to travel with my Oma to a place that is so familiar to her.

 

Roadtripping with a 15 Month Old

The last time Calvin was on a long road trip was at Christmas time. He was about 8 months old and slept most of the way. So when we started planning our trip to Manitoba, I wasn’t sure what to expect from him, besides the fact that he wouldn’t just sleep and would need entertainment. Most of what I’ve heard of others who travel in the car with toddlers is to expect to make lots of stops and that your trip will take way longer than it would otherwise. I did not find this to be true for us. Here is how it worked out.

I packed a bag full of snack food like fish crackers, raisins, Cheerios, meat and cheese. I also brought along a bag of toys and books, making sure there was a variety of ones that made sound and ones he could interact with differently.

Books could keep his attention for longer than any toys. He likes these paper back ones to flip through in particular.Books could keep his attention for longer than any toys. He likes these paper back ones to flip through in particular.

We started out by just letting him be, then when he started getting complainy, I offered a rotation of snacks and toys. Sometimes he would refuse snacks, but would enjoy a book to look at, and other times he just wanted his water. Most of the time he was easy to satisfy, but there were a couple times when either Tim or I would get into the back seat to play with him to keep him happy. He fell asleep a couple times, for 30-60 minutes. And I also realized that just because he is silent doesn’t mean he is sleeping. He was rear facing on the way there, so I couldn’t tell that he had trance-like moments until I was in the back with him. After 10-15 minutes of complaints that couldn’t be taken care of, he would all of a sudden just go quiet and stare at his toes, or the seat back or something. Almost like he was sleeping with his eyes closed. So I knew that if we couldn’t do anything to make him happy, he eventually would get quiet.

I rigged up a little blanket fort to keep the sun off of him. But he preferred to rip it down and play peekaboo.

I rigged up a little blanket fort to keep the sun off of him. But he preferred to rip it down and play peekaboo.

On the way back home, we decided to try him forward facing (and before you say anything, yes, I do know it is recommended to keep them rear facing as long as possible). He met the requirements, so I decided to do a little experimenting. These are my findings:

It doesn’t let him see out the window any better since he is still sitting low, but it lets him see us. It was also way easier to get him snacks and toys. I didn’t have to go in the backseat once! His cranky times were shorter, and he also napped more frequently. Still only 30-60 minutes at a time, but there were more of those moments. It was nice to be able to see his face and what he was up to.

His newest favourite gesture...a "where is it" kind of action.

His newest favourite gesture…a “where is it” kind of action.

So in conclusion, I will say that it is not necessary to stop when your baby is crying. It’s quite obvious that the more you stop, the more time it will take to get to your destination. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I just want to get there, you know? Calvin survived and was mostly happy during the drive. He wasn’t the perfect road tripper, but he did better than I anticipated, and we are looking forward to our next trip in August!

A peaceful, sleepy moment.

A peaceful, sleepy moment.

Manitoba Trip

This past weekend, Our little family made a trip that I have made countless times in my life. We drove out to Winkler, Manitoba where my extended family on my dad’s side is. Neither Tim nor I are strangers to a road trip, and it is actually one of our preferred types of vacations! I will write a separate post on how Calvin did on the road.

So on Wednesday, I packed up the car, picked Tim up from work, and hit the road.

We stopped about an hour outside of town for some supper and for Calvin to stretch his little legs.

We stopped about an hour outside of town for some supper and for Calvin to stretch his little legs.

It just so happened that I have a cousin from my mom’s side living just outside of Saskatoon, almost halfway between home and our destination, so it worked out that we could spend Wednesday night with them, have a little visit in the morning, then head to Winkler. It was great to see them, and also to be able to split our drive up into two parts.

My cousin's daughter graciously shared her blueberries.

My cousin’s daughter graciously shared her blueberries.

After losing a bit of time having to turn around to retrieve Tim’s wallet, we were back on the road, and arrived at my cousin’s place in Winkler late Thursday evening. We stayed with Warren and Liane, my oldest cousin on that side, who have two children who loved having Calvin around to play with. Calvin had no problems making fast friends.

Having a tea party in the playroom.

Having a tea party in the playroom.

Splashing in the water on the porch.

Splashing in the water on the porch.

One evening we went to Warky’s (a local ice cream place) to meet up with a bunch of the family. Yummy ice cream, and good company!

Calvin enjoyed Tim's milkshake.

Calvin enjoyed Tim’s milkshake.

The reason we picked the weekend we did to visit is that there were a couple family get togethers this weekend. The first was on Saturday where we all went to my aunt and uncle’s property in the Pembina Valley. It was fun to visit with all the family together, but who invited the mosquitoes?

Calvin helped thaw the meat.

Calvin helped thaw the meat.

And he also enjoyed his first taste of rollkucken.

And he also enjoyed his first taste of rollkucken.

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After supper, a game of baseball was started in the field.

After supper, a game of baseball was started in the field.

Calvin practiced getting the ball into the glove on the sidelines.

Calvin practiced getting the ball into the glove on the sidelines.

The next day was an official Thiessen family reunion, with the families of all my grandpa’s siblings.

Calvin wanted to nap more than visit.

Calvin wanted to nap more than visit.

But then he woke up and got in some good baby rocking practice with my cousin's 2.5 month old.

But then he woke up and got in some good baby rocking practice with my cousin’s 2.5 month old.

What better way to visit than in a circle of camping chairs?

What better way to visit than in a circle of camping chairs?

There was no shortage of places for Calvin to play, people to entertain and to entertain him, and rocks to put in his mouth.

There was no shortage of places for Calvin to play, people to entertain and to entertain him, and rocks to put in his mouth.

Being a goof with Uncle Ken.

Being a goof with Uncle Ken.

It was fun to see my cousin, Heather, who is the closest in age to me, pregnant with her fourth and due only a day before myself!

 

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It was a weekend full of fun, food and family, and I am glad we had the opportunity to go! This trip also confirmed a couple things about Calvin: he loves to wander and adventure, and is not even a little bit afraid of strangers. Potential recipe for disaster? Sure, but I like that he is comfortable learning and exploring on his own without needing me by his side all the time.

How Calvin felt about the fact that we had to leave all his new friends.

How Calvin felt about the fact that we had to leave all his new friends.

A 7am Manitoba sky.

A 7am Manitoba sky.