visiting family and friends

We returned home on Friday from our 3 weeks summer holidays back to BC to see family and friends - our yearly drive across 2 provinces all the way to the West Coast. The past two summers I was big and pregnant and so breaking the pattern this year I was actually able to enjoy gin and tonics, deli meat, hot tubs (though somehow I didn't get to that) and all other dangerous behaviours. Yes, that's right ... I'm not pregnant! But we sure had fun with our almost 1 and almost 2 year olds ... and they were catered to and loved on from day one. From the Okanagan to Vancouver to the Island. And Henry kept right up with all the correct names, as we've been practicing with our family photos on the fridge for the past month. It was a busy, busy few weeks but we were able to see most everyone - though of course not all, which I felt badly about. We especially wanted Henry and Walter to spend a good amount of time with their cousin Isla, who's the same age as Henry, and so my sister Bethany, her husband Glen and Isla actually joined us at Sam's parents house for 4 days which was a perfect set-up. Their "country getaway" from the hustle and bustle of Vancouver. Bethany is now in her 3rd trimester with their second daughter and so she was able to rest and relax while Isla was well entertained ... or while Isla was busy entertaining us! We were also able to see old friends from Duncan, now scattered up-Island and in Vancouver, and most amazing of all Sam and I even got away for one night together to Victoria to celebrate our 7th anniversary. Our one child-free night of the year .... it was nice! We went to our two favorite restaurants, went to a movie, shopped, meandered around, held hands, and felt like we were dating again. And the boys, of course, were just fine with their Nana and Grandad. It was a tiring holiday in a sense, trying to plan and work around two little boys and their naps and meals each day, but really great as well. Henry and Walter were amazing travellers on those long drives and adapted so well to each new location. And for us, just to have family support was wonderful - a novelty. To run out to go shopping on our own or leave the house to read my book at Starbucks while one of the grandparents had the boys was such a treat. Too bad we had to drive 4000 kms just for babysitters!

Our summer holidays. By car, ferry, speedboat, baby train and double stroller, on golf courses and beaches, in pools, in swings, to movies, restaurants, malls, and hotels, Henry's first ice cream cone, first corn on the cob, first hamburger, first sentence, and our first summer with two boys.

And only 568 more photos to show you.