A day at the beach

Adessa always wins!

Saturday morning we packed up the girls and went on a little 'adventure.' We found ourselves at Steve's 2 days off until we go into a 6 day work week with a day to rest in between. So Friday night Steve felt like he wanted to just leave, go off somewhere with the girls for the weekend. No plans, just go. However I being a little more off a planner, not so spur-of-the-moment type person, decided that we should go home (we were at a friends little 5th birthday party) talk it over and make a real plan. So we slept on it, woke up and decided a road trip would be fun. So we packed up the van, and I mean packed it! We had outfits for every weather, swim suits, warm clothes, and some food! And then we drove. We stopped for coffee and then at this point, me being the person who kind of likes a plan (I don't think I would be so anal if I didn't have kids... but they make me grow up a bit! ; ) started an argument with Steve wanting to know where exactly we were going. And his reply was I always get like this, to trust him and it always turns out to be fun!

So after driving for about 2 + hours, with the girls getting a little fussy, I was kinda upset. However we found A destination. Sombrio Beach.

It was beautiful. We hiked out to the beach, walked around, played in the sand and just enjoyed each others company. I would have to say Adessa probably had the most fun, as she was exploring new things with her mouth. Rocks and sand were constantly in her mouth, and I just let her have at it. There was no stopping her, if I was going to enjoy my time as well. And whats a little sand going to do anyways? (nothing I hope!!!)

After hanging out a bit, watching a surfer, we decided to pack up and drive over to China Beach . Our main goal was to see Mystic beach, which is quite a hike from China beach with 2 children. So we left that for another day. China beach was gorgeous! The sun was shining and once again Adessa was down exploring the tastes of the beach, Danika was rolling around in the sand, apparently being a mermaid. It was pretty priceless. I love just sitting and watching my man and my girls. He is such a wonderful daddy and has the most special relationships with his girls. They both just adore him. On the way back home through Sooke we stopped at a little 'family friendly' restaurant and ate SO MUCH food! I had this Greek dish with calamari, rice, naan bread and Greek salad. And on the menu it had said 'healthy portions' of each. So I'm thinking it was a nice, healthy meal. However, it turned out to be quite opposite. My meal could have fed all of us!! Of course Steve loved it! There was SOOO much food!

Our drive home was filled with silence, (minus the sound of sweet, exhausted little girls breathing and sucking their thumbs) moments to reflect on our wonderful day together. And next time I won't give Steve such a hard time for just wanting to create another adventure with the family! : )

Delivering Iris

Through our church we attend, we were fortunate enough to meet the Nagtegaals. They own a dairy farm near us and we have been able to go over a few times. It is really neat as they also have 2 little girls, their oldest is a month younger than Danika and their youngest is a couple weeks younger than Adessa! We all love going to the dairy farm, being able to see the cows and pet the new baby calves. And Steve really enjoys helping Mark out in the barn.

Last week Steve was able to go over and help deliver a Calf! The girls were being watched for the afternoon by a good friend so I was able to go over and witness this as well! When she came out, I was able to name her Iris! How fun!

Anticipation

My happy crawling girl! She LOVED crawling on the grass, and was gone as soon as she was put down!

A cute little friend of Adessa's, they are only a couple of weeks apart.

Adessa loves putting her face into people, I think its her way of hugging!

Summer is finally here!!! This weekend was the first break in our cloudy weather in about 3 weeks. Such a wonderful feeling, and just makes you want to smile! : )Yesterday was Open House at Qwanoes, which was basically kick-off to summer and it was incredible and made me very excited! There was about 1300 people at camp and the weather was GORGEOUS. We walked around camp with good friends, ate BBQed food, walked to (and in) the ocean, enjoyed ice cream, jumped on the trampoline and visited with good friends. Oh and got lots and lots of sun!! I had nicely crisped shoulders, and thanks to friends with sunscreen, my children didn't get burned! I think I was in denial about how warm the sun is here on the island!
However as much as I am excited for sunshine and warmth, there is also a bit of hesitation and nervousness. Last summer was our first summer at camp as a married couple with children, and I am not going to lie, it was tough! We had just moved to a new town, leaving behind all family and friends, started a new job and I was pregnant! Steve worked long, hard days and worked a 6 day work week for the entire summer. I was needy as a pregnant mother for the first half of summer and then having a newborn for the second half.
As tough as last summer was though, Steve and I have really been encouraging one another to have positive attitudes. To remember what life at camp is all about and to look at the positive side of working in ministry. Yes Steve will be putting in long days and working 6 days a week, but the girls and I can be a part of it. As we get to go eat our meals at camp and hang out with good friends while we are there. This year we have also gotten to make a lot more friends, both in the camp and out. I have met many mothers with children my kids age and am really starting to form some good, deep friendships, which I cherish.
Something else we have been encouraging each other with is this, that if we look at camp as a job, it would pardon me, but 'suck'. As Steve does work really really hard, for little pay. However it is the bigger picture and the working environment. Everything Steve builds and makes better at camp is for the kids that attend. It is the reason we signed on to work at camp and why we have always been drawn as kids. To show children how much God loves them and to have children come to know the Lord. That's what camp is all about, right?

Danika 'supervising' the candy toss, all the other kids came out with handfuls of candy, Danika came out with one pink one... must take after her daddy! ; )

Beautiful butterfly eating ice cream

Adessa's first touch of the ocean... and she loved it!

*Photos courtesy of Ashleigh!!

My Beautiful Danika

4 years ago today, we welcomed Danika Raeanne into the world. All 4 pounds 9 ounces of her. I remember when she was first given to me(after being thoroughly looked over by the numerous medical staff overlooking the delivery) and thinking I had never seen something so perfect and beautiful. And she was mine. The circumstances and events leading up to the day had been stressful and complicated, however when I looked at this little gift in my hands I knew everything would work out.
Danika has since and will always be my little princess. Danika is a special little girl and I truly feel totally blessed to be this little girls mom and I pray everyday that I can be what she needs me to be. That I can love her the way she needs to be loved, Discipline consistently in a way that will teach her to honor and respect others, and most importantly that through both Steves and my life and relationship she can see how great Jesus' love is and that she will grow up with her own personal relationship with the King.
My baby girl is 4... wow!!!

GOODMORNING 4 YEAR OLD!!!


New jewellery box, amongst endless amounts of polly pockets!

Blowing out birthday candles on homemade cinnamon buns! Happy birthday my love!

Talking on the phone to grandma, she looks so grown up!
Phone calls always followed by numerous 'Juicy' kisses!


Happy Birthday my darling Danika, I can't wait to celebrate the rest of your life with you!!!

10 Months

Wow... writing it out sounds crazy, I cannot believe that Adessa is already 10 months old. I wanted to write this post on Adessa because I just love this stage with her and do not want to forget it. She started crawling only a month ago, but she is into everything already and there is no space in the house where she doesn't want to explore. She is pulling herself up on everything and making me realize what it means to let go a bit. I found with Danika I would 'baby' her all the time, because I had so much time for her. I would surround her with toys all the time and keep her out of harms way. However Adessa is constantly getting into situations where I am not always there to watch. Such as pulling herself up on everything and falling, or pulling things down onto her. I am always quick to rush over and cuddle her, thinking there is going to be a big yell, she usually just looks at me like, whats wrong!? She is one tough cookie and barely cries when she gets hurt. She is still putting everything in her mouth, and I mean everything! Rocks, grass, paper, leaves, food, carpet anything she finds on the ground goes instantly in her mouth. But besides all the mischief this little one gets into, she is an absolute joy to be around. She has such beautiful blue eyes and she makes the best expressions that make everyone around her laugh! Her favorite game is hide and seek. She holds something over her until we say, "Where did Adessa go?" and then she pops her head out with a big squeal. SO precious! Another favorite game is when daddy gets home from work, he picks Adessa up in his arms and chases Danika around our "track" (wall separating kitchen from living room). Adessa gets her arms and legs flapping and kicking like shes flying and just squeals! And I just sit and watch as Danika and Adessa squeal with delight! Its probably my favorite game as well (mainly because I get to sit back and watch and Steve gets some serious exercise!!) This morning I was blessed to have her in my bed for morning cuddles while daddy went to work early. She would smile at me, dive her face into me and let me cuddle her. then she fell asleep in my arms for a nice long nap. I savored that alone time with my little baby, as it rarely happens and just praised God for both my little girls. I truly am one blessed momma!!!

Having a tea party with Danika, she loves wearing hats!

A Princess Party

My beautiful princess is turning 4!!!
The 3 lil princesses all ready for the party
Making the cupcakes for the party

The kids got to decorate their own cupcakes with edible paint and stickers....yum???

We had Danikas birthday party a week early so that Auntie Linsey and Ella Bella would be here to celebrate with us. It was a costume party and there were princesses, a pony, superman, spiderman and a fairy who joined us. We played pass the glass slipper and kiss the (prince) frog. We are very blessed with good friends that we have made and Danika got some awesome presents!

A Lovely Visit

Last night ended my week long visit with my sister and niece. It was so nice to see them and we had a really nice time. Linsey came out this same time last year and it was gorgeous outside, like I mean hot. I remember being outside on our lawn at the little cottage with the girls in their swimsuits in the pool, my mom, sister and myself lounging on lawn chairs sun tanning. This year was MUCH colder, no sun and very rainy/dreary. However despite the awful weather we still kept busy and had lots of fun. We went for walks, visited the ocean both here and parksville, threw a birthday party for my little princess, visited mineral world and the ocean discovery center in Sidney. Ella and Danika played very well together, it was very cute to watch!
My beautiful sister!

Making home made pizza! Yummy!

This was how they watched their shows... very special.

Freezie break! Its hard work drawing with chalk and blowing bubbles!
The ocean discovery center
Going down in the submarine.. a little scary!

We took HUNDREDS of pictures... this is the ONLY one I have where they are all looking!! (Matching dresses from grandma!)