Penticton with the Lewis Girls!

For our family vacation for the summer, we rented a 27 foot Topaz trailer from RV Days – what a great idea! The people at RV Days bring the trailer to whichever campsite you’ve reserved (in the Okanagan) and set it up for you – ready to go! We booked a week at Wright’s Beach Campground in sunny Penticton. Okay, we were there the week it wasn’t so sunny, but that didn’t dampen our spirits…

Many of our meals were outside. Susanna and Natasha had the best seats in the house!

Susanna and Natasha spent a lot of bonding time together during this week. Some of that time was within the safe confines of Susanna’s pack ‘n play: safe from dirt, safe from crawling out into traffic – but most importantly, safe from the big sisters!!!

Lynda likes to spend her time ignoring me and my camera – but I did get a couple of shots in…

Robynn loves baths, and this one was no exception. She even made it look large (relatively).

Although, not as big a fan of the bath as her big sister, Natasha had her share of fun splashing Daddy in the 3x3 bathroom space.

We even managed to get EVERYONE into this itty bitty little room!

Robynn LOVED her top bunk – and she only fell out once. Yup, I’m a horrible mother… Every night, Russ and I would check on Robynn to make sure she was not getting to near the edge. On the third night, Robynn started inching away from the wall side – when I checked on her, she had a leg dangling over the edge, so I tucked her back in. Then, some ungodly hour in the night, BOOM, CRASH, SCREAM! I think I was there before the scream … Robynn had fallen from the top bunk. She was okay, shaken, but okay. And I went to Zellers for a safety rail that day!

Lots of cuddles…

Our girls had so much fun: exploring, biking, going to the park, swimming in the pool and at the beach!

My mint plant! – Don’t you bring plants with you when you camp? How else would you make spectacular fresh mint mojitos??? Russ was just upset, because my mint plant brought more luggage than he did!

Feeding the very tame ducks (much more tame than the scary squirrels!).

Dustin joined us after a few days – you can really get perspective of our trailers from this picture… Regardless – bigger than a tent, running water, heat and A/C – highly recommended!

My Little Mermaid – July Swim Lessons

In between trips this summer, we actually had time (oh, I make me laugh) for swimming lessons.  Robynn absolutely loves the water – okay, pool water.  She’s like her Mum, she’s not really a fan of water that’s not clear to the bottom.  Oh, she would like Thailand – I digress…

I registered Robynn for swimming at the Harris Road Pool – it’s a heated, outdoor pool here in Pitt Meadows.  The girls and I biked there most days, and after swim lessons, Robynn would sometimes play in the gorgeous park right next to the pool.

This July’s swim lessons held a surprise for Robynn – friends from our neighbourhood, Evan and Ava, were registered for the same swim class!  Robynn was so thrilled – she just loves these two.

Evan:

Robynn:

Ava:

Playing games

Of course, it was also an added bonus that Susan (Evan, Ava, and baby Alexa’s Mom) and I got to chat each morning while watching our children splash and play.

Natasha ate a lot of Cheerios

(and possibly some grass) during these lessons.

Baby Alexa, who was born on June 1st, spent most of these lessons napping. 

Susan and I commented that for next summer’s lessons it’s going to be a little more difficult to sit and chat with these two girls running around!

 

One of the cutest things about these lessons actually happened in the change room after each lesson.  Robynn always has a shower after class, and Ava decided to warm up and join Robynn.  There are two showers available, but why would they have separate showers?  Yup, every day, these two girls had showers together: shared the hot water, washed their hair – really it was just an extension of the swim time!

Once again, we are so thankful for where we live.

Tulameen ‘09

The yearly Reid journey to the little town of Tulameen was a go again this year. But this year we were one extra in numbers. Natasha had her inaugural visit, dip in the lake, bath in the sink… Alas she was too young for ice cream.

My Daddy put my hat on. Can’t you tell???

The big cousins get ice cream.

Cousin Grace had more fun than the rest I think!

The big girls decorated cupcakes to celebrate Grandpa Downstairs’ retirement:

While the littlest cousins took the traditional bath in the sink:

Izzy shares with Natasha:

And then they eat! Hmm, didn’t we do this in the wrong order? So, can you guess which baby is the oldest???

Nope, it’s not Natasha!

Auntie Jodi always has fun spoiling her nieces.

Nail art by Jodi!

Natasha is a little unsure of this water/dirt thing…

But if Big Sister likes it…

Then I can eat it too!

Hey wait! This is NOT bath water temperature!!!

We celebrated another special day while in Tulameen: Daddy’s Birthday!!!

So long for another year…

Manning Park and the Scary Squirrels

We went through Manning Park a few times in all of our journeys this summer.  Of course we had to stop at our favourite playground to get pictures!  Robynn loves to climb the tires – we have pictures from last year…

And this year…  Can you see the difference???  Yes, one little Natasha!!!

Since we usually eat in the car (non-stop), we just use Manning Park as a stretch-your-legs-and-potty-break pit stop.  This time; however, we used it as a picnic spot.  NEVER AGAIN!!!  Those little rodents there are so NOT wild – they want your food and they want it NOW!  All three of us girls were cowered together on top of the picnic table while Russ laughed uncontrollably at our expense.  Well, at least he did take some pictures!

Here’s one staking us…

I don’t know what they really are called… ground-squirrels, ground-hogs (that’s appropriate).  But they are creepy, scary, not polite little demons!  From now on, we eat in the car.

Born on the 4th of July

Makes you want to sing…

Our friends and neighbours, Nicole and Blair Peacock were blessed with their second child – Oliver – who was, actually, born of the 4th of July.  I know we’re Canadian, but it’s kind of a big deal I think.  I’m pretty sure the Peacock house thinks it’s a big deal too!

The Reid household was pleased to host Nicole, Ella, and Oliver for a little visit and dress up time just a couple of days after his birth.  Robynn is so thrilled with this new little addition to the neighbourhood.

Of course, the girls had to get dressed up in our wonderful finds from the NorthRidge swap meet.  That was the only downside to Oliver’s birth being on the 4th – the Peacocks missed the swap meet!  Hmm, maybe next year :)

Gallagher Lake

 

In the heat of July, we got to cool down in the refreshing waters of Gallagher Lake. 

Our family went camping with our “church family” at the Gallagher Lake Campground Resort.  What a nice place – I would really recommend this site to any family!

Having fun in the shallows…

The sand castle contest…

Note the sandy turtle sunbathing on the rock…

This was our first excursion of the summer, and Natasha just didn’t want to nap!  These are pictures of when she passed out from sheer exhaustion!

A little air time outside our tent – it was too hot for clothes!

 

What a wonderful time!  18 adults and 18 kids in 8 campsites.  I can’t wait until next year’s trip.