Whiterock Beach

Friday night, we had a crazy wind/rain storm. On Saturday, we went to Whiterock Beach to watch the continued wind storm.

We happened to be there as the sun was setting. It was breathtaking.

The boys loved watching the waves roll in.

I love the colours of the sunset in this shot.

The boys together, sharing a moment, while watching the waves.

The Pier

Post-Rain Storm at Fishtrap Creek



This is right at the bottom of where the path drops you down at the lake. The water is about a foot away from the pathway. Normally, there is a steep embankment (about 4-6 feet down).

 Last Friday night brought a huge dump of rain, alongside a windstorm. (Darnell and Christina: these pictures are for you!)





 

The path around the back of the lake was completely flooded. Even the boardwalk, which was built to withstand this type of 'disaster' was underwater.

Saturday morning, I decided to take a walk around the park with Micah, while Dan did some yard work with Joel.


When I got down to the lake, I quickly realized that I probably wouldn't be able to walk around the lake in its entirety. The lake had burst its bank.

Picnic Lunch Anyone?


I went home to tell Dan and grab my camera. (Darnell and Christina, I was thinking about you guys when we took these shots). Together we walked parts of the lake. This is probably the highest water level I have seen around Fishtrap Creek in the nine years I have lived here.

Dan and the boys did a little "off-roading." Joel LOVED it. Biggest smile on his face. Micah was unimpressed. Partly because the spray from the stroller landed on his face. Poor little guy.

 

Welcome to my World

Sometimes things in life have NO explanation.

Good-bye Pink Couch

Summer Picture....a mother's view while feeding....note the ugly pink couch on the right

 It was finally time. While rearranging our living room for Christmas, we realized just how crowded the room was. So, we decided that after Christmas, if we still felt that way, that we donate the final pink couch to charity. Sure enough, after Christmas, in an effort to simplify, the couch had to go.

Luckily, we were gifted a few dollars to purchase an additional chair to even out the room.
Finally, after six and half years of marriage, we got rid of the second hand couches that belonged to our friend's deceased grandmother. We now own all of our own furniture. It kind of feels like the end of an era. Good-bye pink couch, we do not miss you.

Hey Jesus....

                                                                 (the sign says: No running)

Side note: Still not sure why there is a sign that says "no running" in the ocean. Does anyone have any ideas?

Dancing Lights

We went to VanDusen Garden to see their Festive of Lights (twice!)

They have millions of lights and every half hour, the lights "dance" to the music.

Joel LOVED the lights. He still talks about the dancing lights every day.

Yep! He's thrilled!

Micah also loves the lights that dance.

The kids were literally mesmerized by them. We went once the Saturday before Christmas with Grandma Jansen and 'regular' Grandma (as Joel calls them). It was so busy and cold, since it has snowed the day before.

We went again on New Years Day with regular Grandma. There was not nearly as many people there and we really got to enjoy the lights this time. We saw so many more things that we missed the first time.

Like brothers hold hands and enjoying the light show.

And a train display.

Oh, and a very tall Christmas tree. Apparently, we were not focused on the lights AT ALL the first time we went.

We will definitely do this again. It was a highlight of our Christmas season.

Snow Fun

Micah's first snowfall that he got to play in!
He liked it until he fell and his hands got wet through his mittens.

 

Playing in the yard

Look at those beautiful eyes!

 

 

Yes, Joel insisted on shovelling the yard. The grass needs to be kept clean.

Our solution to Micah's mitten problem. We would put on his little cotton mittens that he insisted he had to wear. Then we would put on ziploc bags to keep him dry. Then long socks to keep it all together. It made it easier to hold his hands during walks because his mittens would actually stay on.

Dan shovelling the driveway

 

Notice Micah's little pink boots! Gotta love hand-me downs!

Hanging up all the wet stuff.

Christmas Gatherings

Family Christmas at my brother's house. Micah playing with his new top (and his new friend!)

The "Christmas morning" in our new pj's picture

Micah got a new cup and maraca in his stocking. He was THRILLED. It took a lot of energy to get him to move on to something else. He just wanted to make music!

Reading new stories from Papa, Grammy and Uncle Eli

My newest little worker...

...times two!

Christmas Tree

One activity we had this year was to cut down our own tree at a tree farm.
Normally, we would go the grocery store, cut down the tree and WALK the tree home.
This year, it became too much for us. Plus, it was during that really COLD snap that we had "scheduled" to get our tree. So, we went to the tree farm instead.

Dan conquers the tree!

Joel putting the star on the tree.
"So the wise men can find the baby JEEESUS!!!!"

My newest favorite picture.

I was trying to get a nice picture of the boys in front of the tree. They kept running all over. Insert basket. It kept them contained (for a few moments) and I got those precious smiles captured.

Family photo