Surprise!

It's been almost two weeks since our latest traveling adventure. Sophia, Jacob and I (alas, Daddy had to stay home for work) headed off to Vancouver for two weeks of visiting. Now, this isn't an extra-ordinary happening, usually. Except this time was special...Nanna didn't know we were coming until Dad told her to see who was waiting in the car outside the house! A successful surprise arrival that elicited tears! Woohoo. Why the surprise? Well, May was Nanna's 60th birthday, her retirement and Mother's Day. What better way to celebrate but by being there.

It was a great visit...lots of warm sunny weather and some rain. We got to spend time with Uncle Todd (who was recovering from nose surgery) and Auntie Dea. Lots of friends were seen as well (check out Sophia's playdate with Sheliza). We hung out with Nana and Papa, went places together, and just had a good time. I even started some baby gifts for the multitudes of babies being born in our family! We discovered that I could indeed go out --I saw Angels and Demons, and even went out for supper without the kids --because Jacob (who refuses to take a bottle) will take milk from a cup and straw. He loves it...just a plastic cup with a lid and straw. It's a bit messy as he is learning how to keep the milk in his mouth, but he's happy to take it from anyone! He even got a little mad when he saw Sophia drinking out of a similar cup! It's cute to watch and impressed the heck out of Baba Libby!
On the way to Vancouver...thank you West Jet for having TVs and a direct flight!

Enjoying a Vancouver delight --A pirate pack at White Spot!

Jacob discovered, at Uncle Todd's house, that he could indeed reach those pesky feet.

Watching fish in HD on the big screen at Uncle Todd's. He's got the coolest, biggest TV Sophia has ever seen.

A happy conversation

We took the obligatory trip to the Aquarium --Sophia LOVES the belugas, particularly Tiqa the baby. Check out the Beluga cam at the Vancouver Aquarium website

Jacob started to master sitting up by himself while in Vancouver. He looks pretty pleased, doesn't he?

We went to Maplewood Farm in North Vancouver, where Sophia talked to:







Posing in the Goat pen. We couldn't convince any of the goats to join her for the picture. She seems disappointed, wouldn't you say?


"Chatting" with Papa. I am SURE Jacob had something very important to tell him.

And we spent a rainy/cloudy/sunny last day at the Greater Vancouver Zoo. This is the one word that Sophia can actually read, so the entire time she'd yell: "Look Mama, Z-O-O, Zoo! Mama, zoo!"

Sophia and Auntie Dea hanging with one of the animals who couldn't run away.

Walking hand in hand with her favorite person.

"The train is too loud, Uncle Todd. We got to cover our ears!"

Learning yet another new "skill" from Uncle.

Jacob took in everything at the zoo, from his favorite perch, of course!