There is nothing quite like old friends. Tonight we had a BBQ to celebrate The Jenkinson’s visit. So great to see our kids have so much fun together!

It’s been a whole year since we had a bike picnic…one of our favourite summer things.  We have a few weeks left of Vancouver summer…we’re going to make the most of it! Tonight was really fun. Tal’s first solo ride on the seawall…so proud of her!  She’s really become quite the little grown-up. Will, like last year, fell asleep within 30 minutes. Great dinner…fun playground…let’s do it again next week 😉

We hope school will be back in session Tuesday…but just in case we are ready with some delish muffins for snack time.

We just had the greatest vacation…and I thought I would share a few things with you (well, mostly the future you(s))…because if I do it now, it may have more of an impact than when I’m a grandparent and you roll your eyes at any wisdom (yes, wisdom) I might try to share.

1. It’s never the ‘right’ time. We probably could have waited until you were older…chances are you won’t have vivid memories of this trip…but you know what…there is never the perfect time for anything. We made great memories this summer. You both got a chance to make your own fun as siblings…and you got along so well. Dad and I got a chance to think about our future and which path might lead us down the road to having the best quality life. Bottom line – this was the right time for us to spend time as a family and have a fun adventure.

2. Let your kids adapt into YOUR life…not you into theirs. Perhaps a little controversy around this one. We, for the most part, have been big believers in having you guys fit into the life we have created. You have both proven that kids are adaptable. Sure, you like routine, and yes, things went off the rails on occasion (but we were on the road for 50+ days). Bottom line…we could have spent the last 5.5 years and next 2.5 years making sure you were in bed by 730, making sure we were in the right place for naps, shushing people for being too loud (and by people, I mean Dad ;)) but instead…you sleep even though there is  noise, and you behave (are tolerable) in restaurants in the evening (for the most part…love you!)). And you have turned into really great little people. We are so proud of you for that.

3. Life is short…find a way to make things happen in the moment. If you have the means to experience life…do it. And if you don’t…do what it takes to find the means. Life is short. Don’t wait. You never know what challenges you may face around the corner. And you will never regret happy life experiences. Be grateful for the life you have.  Treat people like you wish to be treated.  Be curious…explore, travel and experience all that is around you.

4. Always opt to turn around and ‘go back’.  This happens all the time on a road trip.  You drive by something going a little too fast…it looks cool…should we go back? YES! Sure…75% of the time it may not have been worth it. But that only cost you 5 minutes of your life. The other 25% of the time you made memories that will last forever. That is truly an amazing thing.

5. Take the road less travelled. You will find this out on your own time…but Dad is a HUGE fan of taking the ‘road less travelled’. Now, by that I don’t mean just not taking the most obvious road. Dad likes the dirt road in the middle of nowhere, where he isn’t sure where it ends. It can sometimes be scary or frustrating…but Dad is in his happy place during these moments. I indulge him…and assume you will also inherit either his genes or my patience 😉 $50 on which child has which ;)))) xo

Thanks for such amazing memories. We love you…as big as the sky and the sky is never-ending 😉

And just like that……Day 52…all good things come to an end! What a great trip. Fun times and amazing memories all around. Today we drove from Seattle to Van. Reality kicked in along the way as we finished up back to school shopping…stocked up on groceries and inched closer to the boarder by the minute!

Great to be home. The kids played with all their toys…Will reunited his three monkeys (he only had one on our trip)…and best of all…they entertained themselves for hours.  There’s no place like home 😉

Now…for at least 2 days of laundry!

Fantastic last full day of our trip.  We went to Mother’s for brunch – always delish and a favourite. Took a stroll around the waterfront…and hit the road for our final stop…Seattle. After a snack of squeaky cheese (Tal’s absolute fave) we had a nice sunset dinner on the pier at Elliott’s. Fitting to have our ‘last supper’ with oysters and bubbly on the water.  We’re a lucky family…this has been an amazing trip…and tomorrow night…we sleep in our own beds!

Day 50!  That is just crazy to think about!  What a truly amazing trip we have had.  Today, we celebrate, with a VERY special treat from one of PDX’s finest.

Great day overall. We hit up an Italian-fest for lunch in Pioneer Square…did a little shopping…and Mom & Dad painted the town…red? We booked a really great babysitter named Ashely…and hit up the Portland City Grill for some amazing piano tunes…Henry’s for its beer selection…and had an amazing peruvian dinner at Andina.  Gill & Joe…we missed you…but we found some new places to take you on our next visit 😉

No pictures today (sorry).  After Mom & Dad finishing up some work, we headed for round two at the waterpark. It really is such cool spot. Great way to have some fun and burn off some energy.  Tal has become quite the little swimmer this summer…and Will is doing great with his life jacket on.  He has no fear whatsoever…handles himself well jumping through big waves, likes to jump off the sides, ride tubes and go down slides.

We headed to Portland in the afternoon…had a great dinner at Jake’s…and met two tables of people that both commented on how Canadian’s are SO nice. Happy for that to be what we are known for 😉  Can’t wait to explore in the morning…Talia and I have a special date planned to pick up a treat for the boys 😉

On our way down we took a random route and stumbled across a waterpark in the middle of no where.  Well, no where is technically McMinnville, Oregon…but it felt a lot like no where. What a cool spot. There is a real 747 on the roof of the hanger, turned water park, and you have to climb up inside to go down the watersides. It is all kinds of fun…and the kids had a blast. Two little fish we now have after this trip.

Highlights – tube rides, wave pool, and the vortex, which is literally a washing machine that spins your kids around and hopefully spits them out.

It went so well today, they get an extra trip tomorrow morning. Why? because then the parents get to visit craft brew central in Portland, Oregon. Surprised? Dad planned this leg of the trip ;)))

This is our last stretch on the coast…kind of sad…it has been such an amazing coastal trip. That said, we ended on a high note. Jay was in his absolute dream land at the dunes…in a dune buggy…honestly one of the most spectacular sights I have ever seen. I wish the videos we took gave it justice…but it’s true..you do become almost ‘snow blind’ and can’t detect contours whatsoever. Sadly, I was probably most afraid of the entire bunch. Tal kept saying…’okay Dad, let’s just so this already’ and Will, even though I thought he was asleep, kept letting our screams of joy and ‘let’s do that again’. So fun…yet again, we will be back.

PS – Austin, Warren, Andrew, Balir and Matty…you would love this place! xo