Visiting Whidbey Island

At the end of July, we headed down to Whidbey Island (across the border and about 3 hours south) to visit Kelly, Janae and Etta.  We had a very relaxing and fun weekend with them, and it was great to see them getting settled in their new place!

We met their goats, Pig and Lydia...

Ben helped Kelly with some work...

We dug up their patio in search of a long-lost root cellar...

Sat around chatting and munching...

Had a BBQ at the beach while the sun set and cruise ships sailed past...

Played fabulous duets...

And had Sunday lunch in the cute town of Langley, after which we wandered through the shops and ate ice cream...

It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend - thanks guys!

Day trip to Bowen Island

Please excuse the lack of blog entries recently... our camera has been on holidays (with all these photos on it) and has just returned.  :)

In early July, we took a 20 minute ferry ride to Bowen Island for a day trip with Gerard, Janelle, Claire, Julia, Shonna, Joel and Aleah.  It was our first time on Bowen Island, but we had long been intending to go someday!

Beautiful BC

Claire being sun smart

View from Bowen Island

Markets

Wooden Boat Festival

Shops

Claire

Old car

Looking over the fence

Wandering the streets

Me with Julia

Gerard and shave ice

It was definitely a place worth visiting again sometime!

Farewelling friends

In late May, we organised a farewell potluck picnic at a park for Kelly, Janae and Etta before they moved to Whidbey Island in Washington state, USA. We were sorry to see them go, but as they're only a few hours away we definitely plan to visit them soon!

The picnickers

Etta found the fortune cookies!

Janae, Etta and Kelly

Calvin and his son Alex

Carson

Claire

Claire and Aydin :)

Etta

We'll miss you guys!

Aleah's 1st birthday

At the end of May, we were invited to a 1st birthday party for Aleah, daughter of our friends Shonna and Joel.  It was a rare sunny day, so we enjoyed an outdoor party in their backyard.

Gemma's not too happy with this arrangement...

Claire

Aydin chomping on rockmelon

Aleah getting some unwrapping help

Balloons

A happy birthday girl

All the kids

First cousins

Cake!

Joel and Shonna with their 1-year-old

Cake-tasting

Aydin

Claire

Myla and Gemma

Me with the birthday girl!

Happy 1st birthday, Aleah!