Moody Visit

OK.  So the last post I wrote was the first in 5 weeks.  This time it's been 7 weeks!  So much for posting pictures 'regularly'.  Having said that, it has been 7 1/2 years that I've been working on this blog, so I guess I'm not doing too badly.  When I logged in tonight, it said that I have 322 posts on this blog!!  That's a lot of gushing on about Miss Bradyn.  Sorry.  :-)

Last month, Sherri, Kiera and Robee came for a visit.  FINALLY!!!  (No, Jason didn't come, but I'll deal with him next time I see him.)

As I do with monster posts, I'm warning you now that there are lots of photos to look at.  I'll try to keep the commentary to a minimum.

The Moodys arrived Tuesday July 16 for 14 sleeps and I was determined to pack a ton into those days (much to Sherri's dismay).  On Tuesday and Wednesday we just hung out at home, the park and did a little shopping nearby.  On Thursday we headed down to Granville Island....

...and the candy store near my office. 

We started Friday off with dress-up, and the result was Ninja Robee.

The kids wanted to go on a hike, so we packed up our water and snacks and headed across the road to the trails behind the school.  One little, two little, three little monkeys....

On Friday night we headed down to Vancouver to explore Chinatown and check out the night market.  We started at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden.  All day long the girls kept talking about what they were going to wear for our very special excursion, because they wanted to look nice.

Bradyn was very serious about meditating at the Chinese garden.  She disappeared briefly, but then I found her in a quiet spot, oblivious to the fact that I was looking for her.

 
Love the natural frame for this shot.

 
Beautiful girls.

Hanging out in the bamboo.

Not only did we go to Chinatown on Friday, but we went there by skytrain.  If I remember correctly, Robee only had 2 requests for his trip to Vancouver: go on the skytrain and go to the zoo.  As much as I hate public transit, I indulged my one and only nephew.  We drove to New Westminster, parked the truck and hopped on the train for the 40 minute ride into Vancouver.  On the way home, they were all glued to the window, watching the scenery fly by.

On Sunday we headed to Steveston to check out the Farmer's Market, see what the fishermen were selling on their boats and have some fish and chips.

After Steveston, we headed to Tsawwassen to visit with Dallas and Ita.  I thought it was a bit cool, but the kids didn't hesitate to get in the pool.  Go ahead and try to tell me that Robee didn't absolutely love it.  I love the look of pure joy on his face.

On Monday we went to the Vancouver Aquarium.
 

Instead of the beluga shot, this time we got the jellyfish shot.  So cool.

What's a trip to the aquarium (or any kid-themed venue) without getting painted tattoos?

After much debate, Sherri and I decided to throw caution to the wind, cross our fingers (and our legs, and anything else we could cross for luck) and stick with our plan to head down to Seattle on Thursday.  I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised on the drive down - not too much arguing.  Thank God for electronic devices.  On the way down to Seattle we stopped at the Seattle Premium Outlet Mall and good old Walmart.  Although our final destination on Thursday wasn't the fanciest of hotels, it was Robee's first stay in a hotel, so it was pretty special. 

On Friday we headed to the Woodland Park Zoo.

Still smiling after 6 1/2 hours.  Yes, you read that right - 6 1/2 hours.  Are Sherri and I not the best moms/aunts in the world?

Love, love, LOVE this picture.

On Saturday we headed into downtown Seattle.  First up, the Space Needle.

Gotta love the cheesy souvenir shot.

"Yeah! So far, we have survived Seattle."

We took a quick walk through Pike Place Market, and then headed for a popular alley.  I can't help but giggle every time I look at this picture.  Sherri is the Hand Sanitizer Queen.  She must have been sooooo freaked out by the fact that there was all that used gum so close to her kids.  Yep - chewed up, dried up, stuck on the wall gum. 

After the gum wall, we wandered around the waterfront.  The kids wanted their picture taken with everything.

Darth Vader on the waterfront?  Of course! 

We got home late Saturday night, but Uncle Kevin was determined to take the kids down to the Vancouver Convention Centre on Sunday for the IMATS show (International Make-Up Artist Trade Show).  This is the show we attended last year where Bradyn got painted up like her Monster High doll, and decided that she is going to be a make-up artist when she grows up.  It took a while for Robee to warm up to things (and Kiera a bit longer), but eventually they were loving it.  The theme for the Battle of the Brushes competition was Wizard of Oz.  There were some really great interpretations of the characters.  (the flying monkey looks like he really wants to take a bite out of Robee)

After IMATS, we headed over to the West building for a private tour of the 'new' building - one I know my sister will NEVER forget.
 

 

 

On Monday we chilled out at home so Sherri could pack.  I took the kids to the park and later on we made Butter Beer.  On Tuesday we said our good-byes and drove the Moodys back to the airport.

As is always the case, our visit ended way too soon.  Despite the tense moments, the loud moments, the chaos and the times I wanted to kick everyone out the front door, we had a great two weeks and I can't wait for them to come back.

Having said that, I think it's time for Sherri and I to plan a 2-person vacation somewhere hot where we can lay by the pool, read and get served fruity drinks by a waiter.  Oh - and where they don't have a Bradyn, Kiera, Robee, Kevin or Jason.

:-)