Jennifer's 2nd Birthday!

 Jennifer had a birthday which we celebrated at three different houses.  Where we were staying, a birthday lunch at Auntie Js and a birthday dinner (well, cake anyways) at Auntie Cs.

Book presents.

 Hosts. :)

 Party girl.

 Birthday balloons!

 "It might pop Jennifer, don't squeeze it!"

 A few did pop outside, but that was to be expected.

 "Pow!"

 Party cousins.

 "Who says the candle isn't for eating?  It tasted just fine!"

"The cake isn't so bad either."

BC Trip 1

As per usual for a long exciting trip, I failed to take out my camera for a huge chunk of the time.  I hope to upload some of my Mom's pics when I have a DVD drive that is installed and working...no promises on how soon that is.  But for now, I have pics from my own camera, which will have to suffice. I guess I'll have to do an overload of photos on the events I did cover 'til then. ;)

 A whole day of traveling, and only one pic.  Melanie's face says it all. "Only half of the traveling done yet."

After the busy two day V reunion, there was a 4x4/quad/argo trip.  In regular V fashion, we left one after the other of our transport items on the side of the road the further we went up.  We started with lots of wheels, so we still had enough to carry us all up to the cabin. :)

 What a lovely view, and such wonderful weather! :)

 Then our family took a hike up to Silver King with Grandma and Grandpa.

 Daniel needed a lot of encouragement, but still managed to make it to the top 7.5 km.  Down he needed a bit of help.

 Jennifer had such an easy trip that she napped part of it!  Slacker. :p

 This family friendly easy hike was still a lot of work for us Ontarians who are unexposed to long walks that include elevation increase.  I was very tired and hot and sweaty!  I remember doing it as a teen and thought it was really easy.

 The kids were so pleased to see the last km sign.  That meant the destination (and rest!) was hopefully around the next corner.  Or the next corner.

 Or the next corner

 Or the next

 It was an overcast day, and drizzling for the first 0.5km,  but the little views b/w the clouds, and the alpine were well worth it for us BC mountain deprived tourists.  :)

When we did get to the top, there was a lovely "fountain" which the kids enjoyed.  

 The cabin at last!

 We put the stove on and tried to dry a few toes and socks and take the chill out of some bones...but hardly managed that.

 Back down again was less sweaty...but hard work none the less.

 The bridges were great fun

 Matthew and Grandpa even saw a moose on the way down!

Very tired on the very last stretch!  Grandpa carried a screaming Jennifer so Philip could carry exhausted Daniel the last little bit.

Killarney Camping Trip Aug 8, 9, 10

 I'm not going to bother sorting these pics, which have gotten scrambled with age.  We stayed on one site on I can't even remember which lake.  Right off of an access point, so no portaging.  We still fit everything in a canoe (17 foot?) in one trip, but spent 3 hours paddling all over the lake to be sure to pick the only site that had a bee tree. :p

Beautiful view from our campsite!  And, with a bit of imagination, you can "see" mountains in the distance blurred in with the clouds. ;)

Here us ladies are (minus Melanie) tentative about the chosen site.

Matthew had a hoot camping.  Unless he is utterly exhausted, he is a born camper! After all, even at home, he keeps letting us know he loves burnt food-so if anyone has something burnt they should please pass it his way. ;)

We did the only "real" hike we've found yet in Ontario.  It was gruelling for me with Evelyn to carry, and Philip didn't have it real easy lugging Jennifer up either.  Daniel made it all the way up, but required a lot of encouragement to keep going.  I was very amazed he made it, as it took maybe 3 hours?  And we'd done a 1km portage to get started too.  The older three were fine, and probably could have done circles around me. ;)  I do think they were tuckered out on the steep stretches though, and I was worried about the steepness, and had to warn them how to safely navigate, and other safety tips.  At the really bad places I held Matthew's hand while Philip held Daniel's just in case.

 Very windy at the peak!

Enjoying the scenery and a snack a tiny bit lower down out of the wind.

 "What is that lake over there Dad?  Is that where we left our canoe?"

 Camping couple. (Very attractive. ;)

 Our site had a rocky "beach" which the kids enjoyed.  It wasn't that warm, so they didn't need to swim, and wading was sufficient.

 Jennifer had a hoot in the water.  She's another natural camper b/c she loves getting grubby.  (Now she's getting fussier though.)

 Our bee tree, which housed carpenter bees.  The roots were so nice to lean against for a meal, but after 3 stings over 2 kids we thought we'd better relocate.

 Snoozy tent baby.

Close tents so the kids don't feel far at night.  The older three slept on their own, but had a glow in the dark stick for each night.