on holidays: friends and family

When we come out to visit on the West Coast we are usually running around from the Okanagan to Vancouver to the Island trying to see everyone. But this time we were firm in our decision to simply fly directly to Victoria and stay the entire time with Sam's parents in Duncan. Having a newborn and trying to gain back a bit of my energy as I was still recovering ... we knew it was the best decision. And yet, amazingly enough, we ended up seeing quite a few of our family and friends this trip out ... they just came to us! My sister was not going to wait until a summer trip out to see Felix and so she and her family came over from Vancouver for a few days and bunked in with us at the house. Henry and Walter had so much fun with their girl-cousins Isla and Eden: going for walks to feed the nearby horses, working on art projects, having crazy-loud meals together at the kids table and even going out one evening on the local lit-up Christmas train. My Mum had insisted on an all Chambers grandchildren photo while we were together ... hmm, not an easy feat ... but we managed as best we could. So Grandma, the first photo is for you! Sam's brother John and his family came for a day to see all of us as well but somehow I didn't get any pictures of Uncle John, Aunt Monica, Hunter or Mira. Our good friends Jeff, Shendah and baby Ronin were over on the Island from Vancouver as well so they stopped by for an afternoon, bearing homemade wooden gifts for all of us ... Jeff's specialty. And my old friends, Joy and Lorna (they're sisters) made sure to stop in with 3 of their 5 kids and we were so happy to have even that quick visit to show off our brand new boy. So all in all, it was a busy enough holiday for just staying put and we're so appreciative that everyone made the effort to come over and see us!