Thursday morning amara woke me up bright and early so instead of waking up the rest of the gang I threw her in the stroller and went for a walk. I love the mornings when I can get out of bed and clear my head before the day starts. I can just pray and reflect, something I don't have time for, for the rest of the day. 

A lot is going on right now. Steve is working day and night right now which is great because his company is busy, but hard when he doesn't turn off the computer until 10 at night. 

I am so very proud of him and how hard he is working but it is challenging for everyone at the moment. And then on top of that we listed our house on Thursday as well and our realtor came over with the exciting news that the offer we placed on a home was accepted, after only 2 days before it was denied! It was crazy as this specific morning i was praying and asking for direction in regard to our next step and our realtor comes with this news! Our next step is to get an inspection and sell this home! So we are praying hard for the next step we should take. So much happening right now and praying for wisdom and direction as we continue to step forward! 

Friday

Last night after dinner the sun was shining and it felt like summer. Steve ran to the gas station to get his bike tires pumped up and then we went out for a walk. Steve and Danika riding bikes and the other 2 and me were walking. Steve kept one of his bmx bikes from cochrane and was doing wheelies down the street and jumping the bike over everything. The girls were not impressed, but I loved watching him. Life has been so crazy and hectic with his crazy work schedule and with our home and trying to find a new one. So it was nice watching him just play! The beach was gorgeous and the girls all ripped off their shoes and went barefoot through the warm sand, including amara. She is still not walking but holding our hands and wanting to walk everywhere. 

I love spring on the island! 

Danika biking it up on a gorgeous evening

Adessa just being awesome! 

Easter package

There was a slip in the mailbox for the girls this morning so after preschool I dropped adessa at the post office and she went in herself to pick up the package. She was so proud of herself! In this picture she is looking away hiding a smile! She is getting so big! But all afternoon was having some serious meltdowns- I think we have been a bit too busy! 

The lovely presents from grandma and grandpa Fitzpatrick. My favorite chocolates from Purdys were in there!!! 

Easter Monday!

We were invited to the Burdge's family Easter egg hunt today. There were a lot of us! Mrs. Burdge (Sharons mother in law) had invited me at preschool as her grandson Oscar goes to school with Adessa. We felt quite honored as we were the only ones there that were not family! 

They fed us a yummy lunch and then the kids had a blast hunting for treats. My girls were so very excited and both came home with a basket full of treats! 

Easter Sunday

My beautiful girls dressed in their Easter best. Amara looked beautiful to, but was napping before church. 

We have been meaning to get out for a hike up to the cross on Maple Mountain for awhile now and what better time then the day that our Lord Jesus rose from the grave! 

Our little neighbor Mateo stopped by looking for bottles to raise money for a new scooter, and he ended up coming on the hike with us. It was wonderful to have him as Danika and him led the way chatting the whole way up and down. He is a year younger than Danika, but him and his mother and little sister are renting the house behind ours, and he has been coming over quite a bit to play with Danika.  

Made it to the first look-out

Made it to the top!!! It took much longer than I remembered! 

We brought up a few eggs and the did a little Easter egg hunt for the kids at the top for doing so well! 

My amazing husband and littlest one 

I would be this happy too if I got to nap on my moms back the whole hike up! 

Everyone looks so nice for daddy

Not so much for mommy! 

In the evening we painted eggs... I had totally forgot I got the kits! 

Stole these from Steve's phone from Easter Sunday! 

Annual Crofton Easter Egg Hunt

For the past few years Warmland church has organized a community event for Easter. It has always been a lot of fun, and all the little stores in Crofton participate. Every year the weather has been gorgeous for Easter weekend, but this weekend it was either raining or on the verge. Our church had ordered $1200 worth of bouncy castles for the event but had to cancel the day before due to 80% chance or rain, but of course it didn't! 

It was still fun, there were scavenger hunts, face painting, contests and of course the big bunny chase for easter eggs. 

She was screaming the whole time to be down on the ground and the only thing that quieted her was a hot dog! 

 After the big event we headed home and continued to work on the house... we are so close to getting our home listed, and there is always an excuse not to, but I have to keep reminding myself that I have 3 children and it is never going to be perfect! 

Good Friday

Today Steve had to work so the girls and I didn't make it to the Good Friday service. But after a picnic lunch I took them to Russell Farms for their annual free Easter egg hunt and painting. We also got to meet some best friends there. It was crazy busy, but the girls had  a lot of fun. 

The crew of girls 

In the afternoon we went up to the school so the girls could bike and Amara could crawl in the big field. She is at such a frustrating stage because she does not want to get held, yet still doesn't walk! 

My wonderful neighbor Jen was teaching Adessa to ride without training wheels, her daughter and Adessa get along really well and have been having lots of playdates!

Friday night I had a last minute get together for my friend Kim's birthday. I have been organizing meals for her as she just had her third baby girl. We have been trying to plan a little shower for her and Ivy but nothing was working out, so I volunteered to host a little party/ get together. It was a really nice low key evening with lots of food and visits! 

Pottery

A little while back Meagan brought the girls clay to make things with while she babysat. She is always doing such fun things with the girls. Today after school I took the girls to Meagan's high school where they got to go to the art room and paint their pottery that they created. They were pretty excited/ nervous to go to high school, but they had the whole classroom to theirselves and had such a blast. 

The girls watching Meagan create a plate... She is pretty amazing at pottery and pretty much runs the classroom. I joked about her making me a pottery set... But I'm serious! 

Meagan got excepted to college in duncan... So I'm pretty excited she will be sticking around for the next year or so! I don't want to lose our best babysitter! 

Mom and Dad Visit

Mom and Dad arrived on the island a few days before Amy and Chris left but they went to Tofino and Ucluelet for a few nights first. They had an amazing time and were blessed with beautiful weather! I am so happy that they love the west coast... just need to convince them to move here! 

As per usual the time went by quickly and each moment was filled with memories. Mom and dad were super helpful as we are trying to prepare our home to sell, and dad spent a couple of days washing the outside of the house, cutting the grass and helping me plant flowers. Mom also helped me stain the flower boxes, the fence and spray painted my flower boxes which I forgot to take before and afters of! It was so wonderful having 2 extra people to help me with the daily chores and the girls... I sure am missing them already!!! 

Adessa put together a tea party and baked banana bread for when Grandma and Grandpa arrived, she was very excited! Even the fine china was used!

The evening mom and dad arrived Steve and I had our first night away from Amara. We went into Duncan for "The City Harmonic" concert and then my wonderful friend Sharon hooked us up with a sweet deal on a hotel. It was so fun to get away with my best friend. We were so blessed by the concert and had fun rocking out together, but were both totally exhausted by the time we returned to the hotel. The next morning we were up at the normal time the girls wake us up... total bummer, but its all we know! Then we went and tried to go to our favorite restaurant "The Blue Fox" but at 10 am on a Thursday morning there was a 40 minute lineup down the street! SO CRAZY! So we went to a different one called Mo::LE and it was equally as good. We then stayed in Victoria for a bit and shopped around. We checked out Iron Capital for the first time and had fun in there. Steve had to be home for walk in the afternoon and I went with him to meet some clients. I am so proud of my husband and how he deals with his clients... such a wonderful man I married!

Grandma sent us this picture after I asked how they were doing. They were amazed at how much this little peanut could eat... but spaghetti is her favorite! She did wonderful without us. 

Grandma and Grandpa took the girls to Chemainus one afternoon and spent some time in Hansel and Gretels candy shop. Apparently at one point an old lady with a cape and a cane walked in and they thought it was the old witch... but turned out it was just a little old lady!

  

Grandma playing soccer with the girls

On the Saturday we attempted to go for a walk to the Kinsol Trestle... we packed up in the pouring rain but thought it would let up. Once we arrived we all got out, walked a few meters, all got soaken and decided to turn around! We were close to Merridale Cidery so we pulled in to check it out. We tried all their ciders and Amara was the life of the party! They gave her a little cup of apple juice and she LOVED it! It was hilarious she was acting like an old drunk... we thought for sure they mixed up her drink. But I think it was the first time she has had apple juice!

The crew at Merridale 

Adessa was in such a goofy mood... we told her she could pick out a croissant and this was the face she kept on... love this girl!

That evening we had a nacho movie night and rented "Mr. Banks"

The Maplea girls couldn't be left out of course

Wine and nachos (Recipe inspired by The brew pub nachos... our favorite!)

Sunday was my Dad's birthday so once again we went out to Genoa Bay Cafe for their great dinner deal. Every time mom and dad come out we try to go here as it is there favorite as well. We had such a great evening together and it was so fun celebrating my wonderful father!!!

The Crofton Boardwalk

Love this picture! Sunday my wonderful friend once again hooked us up with a sweet hotel deal so we packed up and headed into Victoria for the day. On the way we stopped at little Niagra falls in Goldstream. It is so beautiful there! 

My wonderful mom and dad

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Big sister piggy back rides 

My dad, the tree hugger! 

All of us together

Good times with daddy!

Grandma!

We also stopped in at the Uptown Mall as Steve showed my parents the Shaw building he renovated and to show them how cool it was. I found a gift card from Christmas for $100 to Walmart that I forgot about. It was to buy the girls a present, but at the time we didn't need anything.
But Danika has been asking for a scooter so we walked in and walked out with a scooter for both girls! They were pretty excited! 

The awesome hot tub ON OUR DECK at the hotel... but of course the girls wanted to go down to the pool! KIDS! 

The view from the suite  

My love! 

Celebrating this guys birthday

Does it need a caption??

We went for a long walk along the ocean, while the girls (and adults) tried out the new scooters. On our adventure we noticed a bunch of pots knocked over and sure enough there was a little raccoon digging around someones porch!

Steve rocking his daughters pink scooter! 

My mother was riding the scooter all around, but it didn't end well. Poor mommy fell and ripped open her palm, sprained both her thumbs and her glasses went flying. I screamed... but she was such a champ, she got up and kept walking! Such a brave lady!!! I felt so terrible for her! 

The day we left we had lunch on the boardwalk- delicious fish tacos and icecream and it was gorgeous out! 

Stopped in at Beacon hill petting zoo 

I am always mesmerized at the colors of a peacocks feathers. 

Petting the creepy eyed horse 

Wishing she could climb in there

Adessa loving on the goats

I think he thought her hair was straw

Pretty girl!

Last night together we went for dinner at Craig Street Brew Pub... another favorite. 

Such a wonderful visit!!! I definitely gained a few pounds... but it was totally worth it!
Thanks mom and dad for the amazing visit, for all your help around the house, and with the girls. The island is calling your name!!!