Fall Family Pictures

Ever since Mr. Stannix and I were married, we've had this tradition where we go and take family pictures in the fall.  It's glorious.  The leaves are colorful, the air is crisp and we usually get matching colored sweaters.  It's a lot of fun.  Since we're cheap, we usually pull out my tripod and take them ourselves.  This year, instead of colorful leaves, we shot for a colorful sunset on the beach while we were vacationing.  It was chilly, but we managed to get a few that I like.  Can't wait to change the picture in the frame when I get home from my parents this week! This year Camilla was a lot older and we actually got a few of her looking at the camera.  Aside from being cold, she did super good! It was fun to get some shots with our sweetheart. 

Long Beach

We were so excited to make it to the beach, but woke up to rain, soaking wet rain.  Little did we know, there was also a fire ban! (Great, so what are we going to eat while we are camping?)  We had the worst/best luck ever.  On the way there, we picked up groceries, and a camp stove (because we needed to eat right...).  It was horrible.  Both of us were a tad grumpy given the weather, and common, what's camping without a fire?  The rain turned out to be a blessing in disguise and the fire ban was lifted.  HURRA!  When we arrived, so many people left because of the bad weather, so we were upgraded to an ocean front campsite!!  We set up camp (while it was still drizzling) and then made up some soup for dinner.  Just as we sat down to eat it, the rain picked up again.  We looked miserable, I'm sure you can picture it.  #1 thing we wished we had: A Tarp, so we didn't have to eat in the rain.  We then walked down to check out the beach.  It was awesome, even in the cold rain!!

Camilla had a blast! She was laughing and dancing and splashing and exploring.  She eventually fell down into some cold water.  She was wet and shivering, so she spent the rest of the time in mommy's sweater keeping warm and snuggling.  The first night, we had a bit of a hard time getting her to sleep. #2 thing we wish we had: The play pen!  She tossed and turned and eventually zonked out like this...

The rest of the nights, she slept great in the tent and went to sleep no problem.  It was fun to sit around the fire at night with Mr. Stannix sipping hot chocolate.  The next morning we went out after breakfast to check the tidal pools.  We found some sea life, and Camilla touched a star fish! She's so trusting lol.

Then, her and daddy started goofing off.  He taught her how fun it is to splash.  She got soaked, and was cold, but had an absolute blast!! We spent the next few days catching waves and hanging at the beach.  It was great!!

Getting ready to go...

Catching his first wave!! Woo hoo!

Building sandcastles!

I LOVE this picture...priceless

Checking out the waves on a windy day..

Mommy catching some waves! OH it felt good.

There is nothing like being pushed around by the powerful waves of the ocean.  I love the open water.  I love the smell, I love the sound of the waves crashing, I love everything about it.  Mr. Stannix is so sweet, this vacation was pretty much for me.  He knows how much I love the ocean (I rave about it allllll the time).  It felt good to get out there again!!

Our little surfer girl!!

The view from our site! B-E-A-UTIFUL!

#3 thing we wish we had: Something besides a STICK to stir our soup with.  We had plastic spoon melted soup for lunch one day (ew). lol.  There are so many things we should've done differently.  We wanted spontaneous, it was definitely that.....

More Family Vacation

After spending a few good days visiting with Uncle Bill, we took of early Monday morning for the Tsawwassen Ferry to Victoria. It was Camilla's first ferry ride and Mike's first ride that he remembers.  It was a lot of fun!

Camilla enjoyed truckin' around the ferry all on her own.  She is very independent and made lots of friends.  When she got cold, she snuggled daddy.  It was really windy.  From the ferry, we drove to the Butchart Gardens.  Highly reccomend it! It was beautiful and HUGE.  I loved walking through all the flowers. It smelled amazing! Camilla enjoyed sniffing the flowers and pointing and walking and playing.  It was so worth it. 

They had a little building there for a carousel.  For $2 Camilla was able to ride on it for her very first time.  Mr. Stannix went on with her because Mommy gets sick on rides like that.  She waved as she went by and laughed the whole time.  All the old ladies commented on her awesome doo and laughed as she waved at them.  It was priceless!!

After the Gardens, we went to Red Robins for lunch (delish) and then over to Ogden point.  A little scary walking on a sea wall with an adventurous 1 yr old.  She did alright though and enjoyed feeding the seagull.  It was a great walk and a beautiful day!

We then hit up Fishermans Warf.  Camilla and I shared a strawerry ice cream cone and we walked around!

We then explored Downtown Victoria.  We left for Nanaimo around dinner and stayed over night in a cheap little motel.  I now know why it was only $55/night.  We had a hole in our sheet and a hole in the shower curtain and there was a dead fly in the bathroom, but it was a place to stay! lol Camilla tossed and turned on the big bed before she finally fell asleep.  We were laying on the other bed in the dark and would see her shadow pop up, look around, then lay back down.  It was all we could do to laugh silently and not out loud, so funny!

Be Prepared

While we were on our trip, my attention was drawn to some of the road signs.  They warned us of goat/deer/moose crossings, speed limit signs, how fast we should take the winding mountain corners, and  when to yield to traffic.  One in particular stood out to me...

That's definitely a sign you don't see where I'm from!! As we were driving home (well after midnight) I began thinking about the "road" signs that we are provided with in the gospel and all the warnings we've received in the scriptures.  These signs help us be safe and live a happy life.  We have been given "speed limit" signs and things that, if we do them, we will stay safe and have a good life.  I don't know that I'm really getting my thoughts across, but anyway.  It's something I've been thinking about lately, being prepared physically, spiritually, emotionally etc.

Today in Relief Society, we had an awesome lesson on being prepared for emergencies and assembling our 72 hour kits.  A lot of great ideas and advice was given and I am now fully motivated to prepare our family in this area.  I'm looking forward to the next few family home evenings where we will sit down and make out an emergency action plan and work towards putting together our emergency kits.  I just feel that it's important, and that it's one more way we are obeying the road signs and listening to the counsel of church leaders.  I know that as I heed the road signs in my life, I will be happy.  Life is good.

 Last Sunday we went to church in Vancouver.  We got to check out the new temple and grounds.  It was beautiful! What a treat!!

P.S
More vacay pics to come!!

Family Vacation Part Uno!

This past week we went on a big trip.  It was a blast!! The first day we left super early in the A.M.  This is what the sky looked like....

As soon as we pulled out of the acreage, Camilla was already saying "up" and wanting out.  She eventually got used to her seat by the end though (poor kid).  To keep her occupied for a while, we opened the sun roof (we borrowed my parents stellar car) and put our hands in the air.  Camilla thought it was fun and copied!

It was fun.  The car ride was long.  We made it to Vancouver just around dinner time.  Camilla was totally hamming it up!!  She'd pretty much had it though....

We spent the first few days with Mike's Uncle Bill.  It was super fun for me to meet some more of the Stannix clan.  It was a great visit.  He's an amazing cook!! Just after we arrived he tossed some ribs on the BBQ topped with home made sauces.  They were delicious.  We also tried some of his homemade hot sauce.  It was amazing!! After we finished, I was full and happy.  Next thing we knew he was getting Salmon ready to BBQ for DINNER!! We ate all night, and boy do I love food.  There is nothing like fresh salmon.  OH! I was in heaven! (Thanks Uncle Bill!! You're my hero!) The food simply was to die for.  For dinner the next day he made a delish pasta dish!  It was a lovely visit! I am glad I got to meet him and hear stories and visit.  It was thoroughly enjoyable!!

'

Had a blast, but are glad to be home (at the acreage).  We came home a bit early and are excited to spend the rest of our "vacation" with family relaxing. I would share more, but we are off for a dip in the hot tub!

Wish You Were Here!

So, this pic was actually taken in Costa Rica in '07 when I was there.  Yes, that is some random surfer dude, but look at those waves! Right now, we're on the Island experiencing almost the same thing.  The only difference is that the water is Muy Frío! Oh, and, there's no palm trees on long beach.  Meh, what can ya do right?

Wish you were here!!