Hiking the Squamish Chief trail

Up we go.

Hug a tree!

Taking the secret way to the top!

The view from First Peak

Another year flew by and Gryffin turned 11 on Easter weekend. So we had an Easter egg cake on his birthday. Because of the long weekend, his party with his friends was delayed a week, so the lucky boy got 2 birthday cakes! I think it was all part of Gryffin's evil plan to make his birthday celebration last as long as possible.

Don't eat us!! We're too cute.

The usual suspects get ready to eat Penguin cake after a couple hours of fun on the trampolines at Extreme Air Park.

I don't think IKEA would recommend 5 kids on the top bunk! 

A sleepover followed, then a full day of Nerf-gun fighting... It was a marathon birthday party weekend. The boys slept in the living room, (they really did sleep!) not in the bunk bed, but they just couldn't resist checking out Rowyn's bunk bed and playing with her lego.

Hanging out at Dr. Sun Yat Sen gardens

When we visited Dr. Sun Yat Sen gardens in Vancouver's Chinatown in February, Rowyn snapped these great shots.

The kids find it hard to resist a climbable tree!

Door!

We finally got a new door in February and we really like it.

Rowyn's Piano Recital Feb, 2015

Hallowe'en

Our annual visit to the pumpkin patch

 Lead on through the corn maze Gryffin!

Is it a hug or an attempt to steal Dad's hat?

Everyone had fun,

 and we even picked some pumpkins!

 He may have a box on his head, but he still has a warm lap.

                                                          Knock, knock, got any blood?

                                         Steve and the vampire aren't scared of a little spider!

summer photos

On the road again for a weekend away at Sasquatch Provincial Park. As you can see, some of us don't travel light for a few nights of car camping.

On the way there, we stopped at Fort Langley where we tried our hand at being voyageurs, a blacksmith, and a cooper (barrel maker)

The Othello tunnels were blasted into the rock for the Kettle Valley railway.

Harrison Hot Springs is famous for its mythical creatures, we saw Sasquatch....


and a mermaid!

 We had a lots of fun at the water park in cold Harrison Lake.

 

Help I've been swallowed by a tree!

Rowyn's birthday

Who's excited to be 7 years old?

 Our new family member, Jenna, arrives. Big brother Gryffin is so excited!

We celebrated with rainbow cake and hot dogs

 Rowyn received a riding lesson with her friend Marina for her birthday. Even after being completely tired after their lesson they both wanted to come again the next day. They can't wait to go back soon!

Bowron Lakes trip

 Beautiful scenery on the Bowron Lakes canoe circuit

 Breakfast by the lake on day 2.

 Gryffin scopes the rapids before we portage.

 Whittling kids

 Heading out into the stormy morning.

 Watch out for Forest ninjas at our last campsite.

 Heading off on the morning of day 6. Homeward bound!

Telling stories to pass the time... atomic farts, nuclear farts, candy....hey, it kept them amused!

 Scott's balancing act in the canoe.

 Cheers! Enjoying a root beer in the Barkerville saloon after we return to civilzation.