The Hodge Podge Holiday

I still haven't posted about my actual time in Vancouver and before I move on to our recent trip to Northern Ontario, I feel the need to close that chapter.    Now that I've finally caught up on laundry, I feel permission to indulge in blogging.  :)

My initial delay in posting came from mixed feelings about my time away.  I hadn't particularly envisioned that our trek out west would be relaxing and rejuvenating.  But I also hadn't foreseen how much back and forth would be involved between homes, how booked up time would be, how unwell I'd feel, nor how exhausted I'd be before I even hit the road out of Winnipeg.  Our nut-so month of June had left me wiped (or scrubbed, thank you head lice).

Part of the 'problem' was that S and I have no babysitters yet (nor great finances to have them) here in Winnipeg.  We decided to take four days away by ourselves while near family, knowing it'd be our only option for kid-free space for a good long time.  After five days in Vancouver, the kids went happily to one of three sets of grandparents and/or other family members while we took off up the Sunshine Coast.  

A had two days with cute cousins James, Ben & Sam

Hanging out with Auntie Erin

It was beautiful to explore - we enjoyed the ocean and trees more than we care to admit.  And we enjoyed each other's uninterrupted company, though S slept in the tent and I in the van!  Pathetic, but desperately needing sleep it seemed our best (cheapest) solution.  Alas, we still returned tired, no thanks to the group of families camped next to ours who let their children ride bikes before 7 am and play hide-and-go-seek wolves until after 11 pm!  

At beautiful Skookumchuck Narrows watching the high tide rush through

I was back for two days and then left for Whistler for two more with my dear friend.  I don't really have pictures of our time despite such gorgeous scenery all about.  It was so relaxing that I couldn't be bothered aside for this sign, which struck me as mildly funny.

After a year of needing to establish new friendships, its hard to say how wonderful it is to have old ones which require little effort but give such enjoyment.  It's such a gift to be known and to know.  Thanks for the treat, Julie!

I returned Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, the girls were off to a family wedding on Gabriola Island for five days with Grandma and Grandpa Bartel.  They had a fantastic time and the timing was perfect, as S and I attended his work conference in Richmond from Thursday to Sunday afternoon.  Ai for the most part, had a good time with our parents.  Being a person who thrives on routine (even more than most children), as well as being a bit of a Mama's boy left him struggling a little, regressing in some of his behaviour.  S had to fly home Monday but the remaining time for me (until Friday, July 20) was trying to keep life fairly normal for Ai and Iz while fitting in dental and doctor's visits.

While good to be with family and the few friends I squeezed in, my 'vacation' was a little stressful.  I forgot how much traffic there is and the time it takes to get from place to place.  I forgot how hard it is to keep kids in routine and how much they thrive on it.  I forgot how much I dislike disappointing people and feel weighted when I can't meet expectations.  I had a few days where I felt rather saddened by my limitations.  But in coming home, I've come to terms with how things were, remembering that family and friends understand I could only do what I could and love me.  Period.   Even when living in the Lower Mainland, I had to rely on that grace as life is just so busy and complicated at times!  I'm thankful we had the chance for quick visits and got to be around for a couple of big family 'dos' like my eldest nephew's graduation (!) and my nieces' baptisms.   

Now for the bombardment of photos, though I'm being (fairly) selective here . . .

Iz keeping James and the fellow grads in line

Getting to know Margarita

Three of my most favourite men

. . . and another one :)

Iz and Omi

A & Grandpa 

Iz and Grandma

Niece Nora with baby Asher - my first cousin once removed? :)  Was so nice to meet him . . .

Also got to meet little Ezra at friend, Kristin's, baby shower.  Another bonus . . . 

Opa and cute nephew Theo, whom I was happy to meet in person at last!

Enjoying some nephew time

Get-together with S's family - a rare, nice occasion to have all the cousins together

Ai and his older sort-of look-alike cousin, Thomas

Ai and Nora hitting it off .  They were so sweet together . . .  

. . . especially when Ai kissed her in the garden.  Could her face be any cuter?!

Well,  certainly it could have been scarier!

Fun bedtime story with Thomas

Susan and Kim - two favourite friends in blue

Cousin Luke with Koen

Dad with Fia

Backyard picnics with my parents - nice and relaxing (aside from the wasps)

Hanging out with cousins Kailey & Kieren

Iz and Auntie Kellie - always a winning combo

Helpful Lewis getting water balloons for the little ones 

"You bit the bottom of your cone.  That's not good." 

"Oh."

Problem solved :).

Enjoying a visit from little Anna and Auntie Julie

Getting to partake in Anna's potty training adventures - pretty cute!

In Grandma's great climbing tree

Hanging out with Makenna and Grandma Bartel's grumpy cat, Noah

Keeping family relationships fresh for the kids was the big goal of our holiday and so in that, it was a very successful trip.  I think the sadness came in realizing how far away we now live combined with the uncertainty of when we'll be back for any length of time.  I'm thankful we had the chance to get out this summer - with hopes that we'll get to do it next year.  I'm guessing as the kids get that much older, it'll be that much easier as we have less need for sleep routines and such.  We'll see . . .

Thanks to all of you who hosted us and thank you to those of you who made the time to fit us in or went out of your way to come to where we were.  The time was so appreciated!  And if you get the itch over the next year to visit Winnipeg, we'd be more than happy to have you!  

ps - I have so few photos of A in here, as she was away from me most of the time we were in Vancouver!  She had a great holiday - though hopefully not because of that!