Category — Family

On Sunday we had a visit to St. Bart’s by Donna and Bob. They sailed over on Saturday from St. Maarten and anchored in Corossol Bay. This Corossol link is a local web site that has everything about the Village of Corossol. Corossol is known for the dried palm frond handicrafts that were made by Village ladies years ago; it’s a dieing art however there is a small store that still sells a few items. The most treasured one is called a “Quichenotte” which is a bonnet worn by the ladies to hide their appearance and discourage advances by male suitors. English translation of “Quichenotte” is “Kiss Me Not”.

Once we picked ip Donna and Bob (sorry we were a little late Bob) we did a quick circle island tour and pointed out the various areas of interest, look out points, popular beaches, etc. on the island. From the look-out at the end of Colombier road Bob was able to count the number of available mooring balls for their Monday night anchorage in Anse du Colombier.

We also stopped and showed them a couple of the Catholic Creches or Shrines that were built on the island so the people in the small villages had a local gathering spot to worship. We believe there is about 6 or 7 of these scattered around St. Bart’s.

After our island tour we headed back to our Villa for a dip in the pool and a shower; you sailors out there will appreciate the enjoyment a dip in a fresh water pool and nice long hot shower feels after being on sailboat for a few days.

We had a great Bar-b-que lunch of Filet Tournadoes, Quinoa, Potatoes and grilled Red Peppers andthen it was time for a photo and back to Corossol so they could get back to Bergybit for the afternoon-evening.

It was great to see them and we wish them Calm Seas and Fair Winds!

On Friday we drove to Vernon to meet Zachary at the Vernon Lodge. Jeff and Lindsay were also there; apparently in Canada when you are 3 months old and you meet your grandparents in a strange city your parents are required to come along.

Anyway we met at the Vernon Lodge and it was great to come back to a place where we had many enjoyable winter get-aways as a family. Zachary is teething and so he was a tiny bit grumpy and drooling like crazy; but still a joy and delight to hold. Lunch was delicious and it was good to spend time with Zachary, Lindsay and Jeff before we head off to the Caribbean. Enjoy the pictures.

Well tomorrow (Sunday) Kevin and Tamara should be home from their honeymoon in Hawaii and we will be on our way back to Kamloops.

Before lunch Brenda had the kids make Valentines Cookies. It was a fun project that involved them rolling the cookies in colored sugar prior to baking. 

Of course there was some sugar left over which the kids got to eat as reward for all their hard work.

After lunch we headed outside to play in the snow; we hoped to wear the kids out so they sleep well on our last night with them. They both spent a lot of time making snowballs and building snow beds and snow chairs.

Just before going inside Sage did a photo shoot model pose for us….. isn’t she cute?

It was above zero today so it was a great day for having fun outside in the snow.

Wednesday afternoon we celebrated an Unbirthday – Birthday Party. Bet you are wondering what and why an Unbirthday – Birthday Party?

Well, we will be away on vacation and are going to miss Conrad’s 3rd Birthday on March 11, so we thought that this was a great chance to celebrate everybody’s birthday….. however, not on the actual day. It also was a great diversion from missing their Dad & Mom who are on vacation in Hawaii. So at the Unbirthday – Birthday Party we started by having the kids blow up a bunch of balloons and then we wrote everyone’s name on their favorite color balloon and the number of days left until their birthday.

After dinner we celebrated the Unbirthday with Chocolate Pudding with a candle in it, since we couldn’t have cake since it wasn’t really anybody’s birthday.

The Chocolate Pudding was Yummy!!!!!

After dinner we had a Treasure Hunt. Sage is a Treasure Hunt professional, as once we explained what the after dinner activity was she instantly recognized the game as the same one we have done at Sun Peaks on other family vacations. She was the leader and was so good taking Conrad from picture clue to picture clue until they finally found the surprise present hidden at the end of the hunt. Conrad got a set of Home Depot Tools and Sage got a Barbie Music Box and Picture Frame that she immediately wanted me to print out a picture of Justin Bieber so we could put Justin’s picture it into the new frame.

It started snowing sometime on Saturday evening and when we woke up on Sunday morning there was about 5″ on the ground. We waited until about 10 a.m. when it had appeared to stop snowing so we went outside to shovel. By that time there was about 7″-8″. It was great for the grand-kids and the “bum slide” they have in the hill of the zig-zag trail. Of course right after we had everything shoveled out it started to snow some more so we went inside to have lunch. About 3 o’clock or so we went back to shovel some more and have some fun in the snow.

Anyway, you have probably wondered what happens on a snowy weekend in Princeton.

Well first off you start a new rock band….. no official name yet!

Then you take two kids, put them in a wagon, fill it with snow and get them to have a nap……. just kidding!

Finally you have a fashion show…………. pretty cute EH!

Oh… and a few bonus pictures of Sage’s curly hair after Namma took the braids out and Conrad being crazy!

Even though it’s winter and pretty cool here (down to -16c) we still manage to get outside with Sage and Conrad. They really love playing in their yard and sliding down the “bum slide” on the Zig-Zag Trail that they helped build with their Dad and Mom!

Enjoy the pictures.

Part of the job of babysitting the grand-kids involves looking after the animals…… actually it’s a mini-farm and each of the animals is loved, cared for and has their own personality.

So, here’s a few.

Nova the dog also supplements as the door bell……. sometimes it’s a false alarm because he will woof and bark for no particular reason other than he thought he heard something; we think he has a real good imagination. Nova loves to snuggle in the evening on any available lap or anyone willing to scratch him and give affection.

Tuna is the older cat. His man task is sleeping in Conrad and Sage’s bed and eating. We’re not sure how heavy he is because we can’t pick him up, but trust us he is heavy. Tuna has become a real people person and he loves to visit if you are having a shower, but he especially loves to be scratched by Sage and Conrad in the morning.  He looks ferocious but actually is the softy of the whole group and he loves the kids. 

Mouse is the newest kitty. She is a little skiterish, so I have included two pictures. The first is how we normally see her which is flying by at about 100 miles per hour, the second picture is the best we could get when she stopped for a minute. We are not sure where she spends most of her day, but in the evening she really gets going and flies around the house tormenting Tuna and generally causing a bit of a raucous. Last evening she kept herself entertained for about an hour with a plastic wrist bangle that the kids left on the ground.

Rabbits, and boy do we have rabbits, at last count there are 11 in total. They really eat through the food, wooden sticks, plastic dishes and anything else that is chewable. They are nocturnal and get going later in the evening. Yes, they are separated….. no more babies while we are looking after them.. we hope.

Chickens – the “Girls” are pretty contented to spend the day outside their coop wandering around the yard finding whatever they can to peck at and eat, then at dusk they head inside the chicken house where it is warmer. You can be guaranteed 3 to 4 fresh eggs per day.

Grand-kid pictures in next post!

Saturday morning we drove to Princeton to look after the grandkids for 2 weeks while their Mom & Dad head off to Hawaii for a belated honeymoon.

The house is safe and secure as we left our good tenant in the basement suite to look after the place, the friendly neighbors who always keep an eye out and 11 year old Ben who lives down the street in charge of snow removal.

Tamara did an excellent job making a list all the stuff that is going on for the next two weeks with the kids. Compared to our retirement life these two are busy! Lots of school activities and a lot of other fun community events.  So, we expect the couple of weeks to fly by. We’ll provide picture updates later on.

Jeff, Lindsay and Zachary have a wedding to go to in Vancouver on January 2/11, so they decided to stop by for an overnight visit on their way down.

Zachary has really grown in the last couple weeks and according to his parents he changes everyday. He is a lot more alert and wide awake especially after feeding time. He is so darn cute and is starting to smile and recognize familiar people and objects. He makes some pretty funny faces as he attempts to focus his eyes, it’s interesting to watch. One of his favorite pastimes is being bounced by his Namma until he falls asleep!

Enjoy the pictures!

This year we had a very special Christmas in Princeton with Kevin, Tamara, Sage and Conrad………and of course the menagerie of animals. In years past Christmas has been in Kamloops which of course required them to travel here, which was always appreciated, however we knew it was also a lot of work for all of them to pack up presents, kids, clothes, dog, etc. etc. and make the trip here. It certainly was a lot easier for us to pack up and head to Princeton.

To get a second chance to see Christmas through the eyes of a 5 and 2 1/2 year old was truly special…….. how soon we have forgotten our own sons and their excitement at that age!!!!!!

Anyway, we drove down on Thursday and had a great dinner and visit that evening. Friday we headed outside for some sledding and to see the snow fort that Dad and the kids had built. After lunch Conrad climbed up with Pops in the Lazy Boy and had about a 2 hour nap…… although if you ask him he would not admit that he had slept. Christmas Eve we got to see Sage and Conrad hang a “Magic Key” on the door so Santa could get into the house and they also left a plate with cookies and milk for Santa and carrots and water for the Reindeer…… what fun!

Well Santa arrived and left lots of presents. Sage got to wear the Santa hat to hand out presents as she found the special Christmas Pickle that was hung on the tree. She did a great job making sure everyone had a present and she was very patient waiting to open her own. However, there was a bit of break when she thought all presents had been handed out and she took the Santa Hat off for a couple minutes. Well, as quick as a flash Conrad put on the Santa Hat and retrieved the one last present from under the tree.

Tamara was a tremendous host and made sure that any thought of dieting at Christmas was thrown out the door. She had trays and containers full of Christmas baking………….. all delicious. Christmas dinner was outstanding, with Turkey, Stuffing, Gravy, Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Sweet Potato and Apple Casserole, Buns, etc. etc. etc. Dessert was Chocolate Cups with Cream Cheese and  Cherry Topping; they were fairly small so it was easy to eat a few and then a couple more just in case.

A truly special Christmas!

Snow Fort

Tobogganing Fun in the Back Yard

Conrad and Pops - Not Sleeping

Sage hanging the "Magic Key" for Santa to use!

Getting to open "1" Present on Christmas Eve

Treats for Santa and the Reindeer

Reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" with Mom

Namma Snuggle Time