Long weekend camping

We decided to take the kids camping, despite the weather forecast.  Matt headed up and found a site at Crimson Lake, then Darcy and I brought the rest.  We had to pull over near Cochrane to avoid the hail storm and winds due to a 'super-cell'...  Here are the kids around the fire on night one:

We all scream for ice cream...

The four older boys enjoying some much needed ice cream. It was a nice hot summer day - finally!

Ryan and Brad at the helm

It looks like a train wreck, but this is actually six pretty happy kids heading home from Heritage Park. We managed to make it through the weekend with the kids intact:

1. Kids have all their limbs: check.
2. Kids have all their teeth: check (not counting previous infractions!)
3. We have all the kids: check (yes, I'm making fun on the Moms here)
4. The kids learned how to climb onto the garage roof: check - whoops!
5. No sprains or breaks: still waiting to see how Max's ankle looks tomorrow ;)
6. All 25 lite brite bits removed from Katy and Henry's mouths: check! Better double-check :)



The park now has the swing open again, so I went on with Sam and Andrew while the little guys rode the mini ferris wheel. I took one too many pictures and started to get sick. My advice it to not to twist in your seat to photograph the kids on a ride that spins you in circles - I got a little dizzy :)

Mom's Away

Yes, it is true. The kids and I are alone for the weekend - almost (Westlee and Josephine stayed under Saturday morning). Dawn, Darcy and Diane (I know, a lot of 'D' names!) headed off for a super nice time in Golden. Then, once the road was open again they headed to Mabel Lake for a Yoga retreat.

Here are some shots of the kids and proof that while Dad pulled out the KD, he also pulled out the veggies :)
Max has apparently learned to wink:

Playing in the backyard with Westlee

Westlee has stayed the week in Calgary, and the kids have enjoyed having him around to play with. We entertained them in the last hour before dinner:

Katy walking...

Katy has been getting better and better and further and further with each day:

Lily Turns 3

We missed her actual birthday last week while we were in Kelowna, but here is the happy three year old:

Sporting one of many tattoos:

Playing soccer :)

Max ready for action:

Soccer camp comes to an end

We were kind of surprised at the difference between the soccer camp in Kelowna and the weekly soccer team the boys were on in Calgary. At the soccer camp they played by the rules, and learned some skills: throw ins, headers, and goal kicks!

Practicing throw ins (Andrew is wearing the soccer gloves from Westlee)...

Family Dinner in Kelowna

Martha and Westlee joined us down in Kelowna for the day - and dinner at the Robinsons':
Slipping and sliding:

Sam falls hard:

Katy watches:

Max loves to swim:

Kettle Valley Railway steam train

We cruised down to Summerland for a ride on the Kettle Valley Steam Railway - still in service for tours down to the trestle:
Max watching out of the train:

Ryan and I captured the moment on the ride down, then enjoyed the ride back:

Darcy and Max eating blueberries:

The valley:

BIking the KVR railbed

Lindsay and Laith come by the beach house:
For some reason we thought it would be a good idea to take a bunch of 2-5 year olds biking on the old train bed through the Kettle Valley on a cold rainy day... We ended up with a large percentage of kids riding in Ryan and my trailers, a flat tire and many a muddy pair of shorts:

I was surprised the kids (including Max and Daniel) didn't mind riding over the trestles:

Max sporting his new riding gloves:

Getting ready:

Welcome to Kelowna

Here are a few shots of the kids enjoying themselves on the beach in Kelowna:

Big day for Katy...

She has been taking steps and walking a bit, but she really took off this evening. She was crawling around the field while we got dinner ready - she kept standing up on her own, taking a bunch of steps and then sitting down again. We'll be chasing her in no time:
Max flying his balsa wood airplane:

Sam, awaiting a badminton serve. He managed to return 11 hits in a row at one point!

Katy cruising around in the lake - she loves water!