A Trip To The Train Store

We took an afternoon trip with PChad’s sister to the

train store in Nanton.

The trip started with a train ride for the kids.

  And Asher got a chance to sit on the engine when the lady wasn’t looking!

After the ride was over, we paid an arm & a leg for the privilege of playing with every Thomas train accessory know to man.

 

And we got to see the outdoor train setup.

At some point, kids get tired of playing with trains…

So we headed to the nearby park, where the kids played…

(yes, that's Asher way up at the top)

…and harassed each other.

It was all worth it because at the end of the day, the adults were rewarded for their patience at the train store, with dinner from Stavely, quite possibly the best Chinese food in Alberta… or even, Canada!

The Long Drive to Alberta

Our time in Washington had come to an end.

It was time to board our final ferry.

 

Once again, Asher enjoyed his time on the big boat.

 

We spent lots of time on the road, playing with buddies…

 

Making pillow helmets…

 

Singing songs…

 

Hearing “I’m hungry!” over & over…

 

So, we stopped for a picnic

 

Then it was rest time.

 

Followed by playtime…

 

“I did it!”

 

Day 2, another picnic, much to Asher’s delight.

 

We finally made it!

 

Reunited with Daddy!

 

And then it was time to hang out with the OTHER grandparents for a few weeks!

Figure of Speech

At lunch today, PChad was making plans for his afternoon.  He said, “Well, I’d better take off now.”

 

Asher then piped up, “I want to go on the airplane with you, Daddy!”

 

It took us a minute to figure out why Asher thought PChad was going to be flying somewhere.  Asher was a bit disappointed when we explained to him that PChad was merely going to a meeting.

 

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After he got back home, Asher wanted to try on PChad’s motorbike helmet.  He put it on, stated, “I’m going to a meeting now!” and began running around the house making motorbike sounds.

 

He knows his Daddy well…

Sunday Pictures

Asher – 4 years

Chancery - 1.5 years

**************************************Chancery: “Asher, it’s time for Sunday Pictures!”

 

Asher: “All right, I’m coming, Chancery.”

 

Asher: “Did you know that I got all my own clothes out this morning, Chancery?”

 

Chancery: “You DID?  That’s great!…”

 

Chancery: “…but it appears that you forgot to get socks.”

 

Chancery: “Did you see that I have TWO ponytails today?”

 

Asher: “They look GREAT, Chancery!”

 

Chancery: “I think we are ready for church, Mummy!”

I’m Spicy!

It’s my new catchphrase…

Happy Friday!

…And Back To The States Again!

We had a few days left, so we decided it was time to hit the Poulsbo waterfront.  Of course, the morning HAD to begin with lattes &a light drizzle (this IS the Pacific NorthWest, after all).

When I went to school in Poulsbo, the pavilion on the waterfront was a frequent place to stop, and we’d sit on the posts & listen to someone talk about marine life.

I found it very odd to now watch my kids play on the posts we used to run around & play ‘hot lava’ on.

A few renditions of “I’m king of the castle” were sung…

Then it was time to head back to Grandma & Grandpa’s house for a little cousin playtime…

“Where did Asher go?”

Noah was all tuckered out after another full day.

Back To Canada

After we visited my Dad’s side of the family, we were off to see part of my Mom’s family who live on Vancouver Island.

We started off with a breakfast seating arrangement that I think all parties enjoyed.

And we were joined by Scott & Rachel, friends from Iowa who just happened to be out visiting THEIR family in Washington.  They conned the hotel staff into giving them free breakfast even though they weren’t hotel guests.

Then it was time for some more picture taking before Kurt & Sharon headed off to see her side of the family whilst we carried on to Vancouver Island.

And we took another ferry (which delighted Asher)

Once we made it to my Aunt Joyce & Uncle Winson’s house the rest of their clan started trickling in & Chancery was in heaven each time she found another pair of shoes to try on.

The next day was Canada Day, so we

all went to watch the parade.

It was the perfect length to keep the

little ones entertained throughout.

My Cousin Laura's boys, Dale & Grant were kind enough to take Asher under their wing, & teach him all the fine points of candy collecting, & even managed to persuade him not to eat any during the parade, but to save it until the end (a feat in itself!)

While the children napped, there was just enough time for a quick paddle in the kayak before it was time to head home again.

Too Smart For His Own Good

In Walmart a few weeks ago, I was calling for Asher to come since he had wandered a bit further afield than I was comfortable with.  It takes a bit to get his attention sometimes, so I called, “Asher… ASHER… ASHER!!!”

 

An employee who was in the vicinity heard me calling him & asked, “What’s his name?”

 

About that time, Asher had joined me & answered for himself, “My name is Asher! A-S-H-E-R”

 

Then he began to sing for her…

♪♫ “There was a Daddy had a boy & Asher was his name-o!

A-S-H-E-R, A-S-H-E-R, A-S-H-E-R, and Asher was his name-O!” ♪♫

 

The woman said, “I like that name, I’ve never heard it before!”

 

At that moment I thought I of saying, “Really?  Because I feel like we’re here all the time!”

 

Then, since Asher’s song had garnered such attention for him, he started to act goofy to entertain the lady some more.

 

She then commented, “He should stay here tonight, we’d be entertained!”

 

Asher tried to jump on that bandwagon, but I told him that he was only allowed to stay if he got a job, to which he replied, “I’m not old enough to work here!”

Sunday Pictures

Asher – 4 years

Chancery – 1.5 years

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Chancery: “Asher has volunteered to sing a song for us today, Mummy!”

Asher: “I’m a little nervous, but here goes!”

Asher: “♪♫Some-WHERE, over the rainbow!…♪♫”

Asher: “♪♫…way up high…HIGH…hiGH!♪♫”

Chancery: “Yikes!  That was off, Asher!” 

  Asher: “It’s the thought that counts…”

Chancery: “We appreciate the gesture.

Thanks for trying, Asher!”