Happy Easter

Happy Easter Everyone!

For the first time since moving to Canada, the EB has been able to work his (her) magic outside in the yard.

There seems to be a lot more ways to camouflage the colors outside!

Mom tried to beat the kids to the finding, but I held her back.

For Landon and Parker: How many eggs can you find in the next few pictures?

OK, OK, big kids can look too.

It was a good thing Stacey came to visit for the Easter weekend and brought cousin Sydni with her. Otherwise, Bryson might still be out in the yard searching for the rest of the eggs.

At least any unfound eggs wouldn't start to smell up the house in 3 days or create dried out messy presents to find in 6 months when we are looking in that drawer we never open!

(Notice the rock wall and steps Bryson is standing on....your mother added "stone mason" to her list of talents and built it all by her lonesome ~ mixed her own mortar and everything!!)

In the end, they only missed one egg.

As we celebrate the resurrection this weekend and see the renewing of the earth that comes with spring, we are reminded of the hope that comes because of He who sacrificed all for us.

Happy Easter Everyone.

Some scenes from our trip to Butchart Gardens with Sydni.

The First Day of Spring

Every year during the first week of March the city of Victoria and surrounding area counts the flower blossoms to remind everyone in North America the tourist season has begun here.

Here is a link you can paste into your browser for this years results.

www.victoriachamber.ca/news_releases?id=267

Mom did her part.

She still can't quite believe she can have flower pots and baskets out on the first day of spring. (If you look past the deck you can see the heather, a cherry tree and plum trees are also in bloom around the neighborhood.)

These little crocuses were actually photographed on Valentine's Day.

We just thought we would share a splash of color to brighten everyone's day.

Happy Spring Equinox.

When the Family Gets Together

We're a little slow at getting things posted, but here is our version of our family get together. Of all the things that happen in this world, the things that bring us the most joy are when our family is all together. We probably don't tell you that often enough, but the older we get, the less "things" mean to us and the more we cherish being with our family.

Here is a collage of:

The Holiday.

Anticipation

This is going to be fun

The fun begins - the first night aboard.

When our family gets together the world changes from black and white...

...to living color!

(Even though Scott had to take the little mate-ies for their bath before bed).

The pirate life for me!

I may look innocent, but there's a pirate inside waiting to break free and steal all your doubloons!

I'm going to start the mutiny! Really! Don't believe me?

When you feel the cold steel of Davey-Bad-Bone's blade you'll change your mind!

We'll get Alicia to teach us!

This area of the world must have been amazing during it's day.

Then it's back on board to party!

With a special guest appearance.

...and of course, fireworks.

At sea no less!!

What better way to relax and escape the cares of the world than....

Private Island Time

Can you pick the Canadian??!

Living in the Caribbean makes for a great tan eh Tamsin?

A little slice of paradise.

With a sea witch

or is it Medussa?

Then things faded back to black and white when Alicia had to go back to real life and responsibility leaving our family a little less whole.

For the rest of us, there was a little more magic left in the tank

Landon was finally tall enough for Splash Mountain...

Too bad the enthusiastic tourists blocked capturing his first splash down.

A classic - Landon and Parker were good sports to go with Grandpa since no-one else would.

Planning the mutiny while waiting in line

Never too tired for a back scratch and a smooch.

And then it was New Year's Eve.

Bryson, Stacey and Tamsin wanted to party into the new year at the dance parties in each country at Epcott. They made it half way around the world.

Then it was the fireworks to end all fireworks.

The epcot fireworks show, which lasts about 15-20 minutes was immediately followed by New Years fireworks show that went another 15 minutes and literally filled the sky!

A good sleep and we were ready for more.

Nothing like a splash of water to wake you up!

Just call me Mario.

We saved the best for last,

...but it's late, so you'll all have to wait a little longer for the rest of Universal and Harry Potter World on the blog.

Oh, and about that mutiny....

I'll be takin' those doubloons now, or

Davie-bad-bones will be splittin' your gullet.

Let's Go!!!

Got your back, wench.