A Fantastic Fourth Week!

Sometimes when I least expect, I have great moments that remind me I'm incredibly blessed in this life that I've been given; seeing the rewards of my hard work, spending time with people who are good to their core and make me better and exploring this world with a couple of really awesome guys.  Does it get much better than that?  I think the answer is no.

Sam and sweet baby Nixon.  He's the cutest little man and just a pile of fun.  We took a road trip to my hometown to visit my cousin and this sweet little boy!

No matter how hard I try, I can't come to Rimbey without a pitstop at Roger's.  Hard to believe that this been 14 years since I worked here!!!  All the good stuff hasn't changed a bit!!

Before getting on the road, we took a quick scooter ride to burn some energy.  Though there was a fairly major crash, he hopped back on and continued down the road determined to get to the canola.  So happy he's got that little bit of country in him!

The Iron Horse Train Park was open during the week, so we went for a very sunny ride.  It's a cute little adventure and super cheap.  Wish it was open during the week all summer, I think we'd be visiting a lot more!  And, since I caught Lindsay in my picture, just a little shout out to a mommy that works hard to give her babes the world.  Always with a watchful eye and kind heart, she approaches parenting from a place of pure love.  It's been wonderful to have many mini dates with the Gordays this summer, time flies with a tea and great company!!!  

This picture represents freedom to me.  My teeny tiny baby is smiling DOWN on my from the top of a ridiculously high play structure with nothing by pure joy.  He's no longer teeny or tiny and he's definitely not a baby.  Reminder that one more month and this little peanut will be a school boy... oh my...

I was given the very best birthday present EVER this year... we woke up at the crack of dawn to head out on a surprise overnight adventure to Victoria.  A quick 1 hour flight and we were on our way to the AMAZING Butchart Gardens.  If you are ever on the island it is a must... sooooo beautiful and a little slice of heaven for this plant nerd.

Looking down on the hidden garden with my two favourite people and a tea in my hand... perfection.

Popcorn pitstop!

Totem and Sam

Sam loved watching the bees.  They must have been at least as happy as me to have stumbled upon this place.

So happy!  32 is pretty awesome!

Found a little lookout to peek at the bay.

There is something about this photo that makes me look to the future.  I look at his little muscles and wonder what in the world they will do, where in the world his feet will go, who his eyes will meet and who his heart will melt.  

We headed to main street Victoria and found out there was a street performer festival.  Pretty cool chalk art!

Live statue!

LOVED this cute water taxi that we took from infront of the Empress Hotel to the Fisherman's Wharf.

Ice cream date on the Wharf!

It was pretty hot and Sam said "This is the best ice cream I ever had.  Maybe even in the whole world."

We stayed at the Oak Bay Hotel and Spa.  It was gorgeous.  So beautiful and well kept.  Not ideal for a crazy little 5 year old, so the poor kid got hushed by us the whole time.  We went for some fun in this awesome pool and mineral hot tubs.  They were right along the ocean, the view was amazing.  

Pongo the Teddy photobombed this picture of our room!

Early morning wake up to look out at the ocean.  We are ready for the last part of our adventure and to travel back home.  Such a beautiful place, really makes you think about how many breathtaking places there are in Canada and how few we actually see.  I look so forward to my next time being wow-ed by the beauty of our country.

Quick pitstop on our way to breakfast to climb some rocks.  Love these guys!

Pretty close to perfect.  Couldn't ask for much more.

A second pitstop to get right down to the ocean, skip rocks on the water and adventure in the tide pools.  Lots of mussels, crabs, wriggly worm things and slimy plant life.   Pretty good exploring!

Made it our final destination... a cute little Belgian waffle place.  A HUGE scoop of ice cream on a waffle for breakfast, that's pretty lucky!

Huge fail but so stinkin' cute!!!  Love this weird and wacky little boy.  I can't imagine traveling without him!

Thank you to Shaun for making my birthday special and rejuvenating me just when I was starting to miss work and the hustle and bustle.  I love you to the end of the earth and back.  My 32nd birthday is going to be a pretty tough one to beat!