summer photobook

I thought I'd share a few moments from our summer.  We attended my friend Ashly's beautiful wedding in Victoria.  It was at the Sea Cider Farm and the setting was breath taking.  Fresh flowers, surrounded by forest, and stunning views to water and mountains.  Congrats you two! 

We also took a day trip to White Rock.  It's such a pretty beach with so much sand, but the downside would be that dogs aren't allowed to be on the boardwalk.  That meant that we had to cut our day a bit short, because walking along the boardwalk is one of the big things to do there.  

So, we had ice cream instead.  

Visiting the house I grew up in for the last time, good ol' Melville Cres.  Isn't she a beaut?!

And lastly, as many trips to the dog beach as possible, Kea's favourite place.   

end of summer

Now that September is under way, I've been thinking about my summer to do list and how many things I got checked off.  I have to admit, I didn't get to everything, but there's still time.  

The Bf and I never made it paddle boarding, even with an online deal.  I still really want to try it someday.  

And we haven't made it to the Food Truck Festival, but it goes for another three weeks, so I'm making the time to go this weekend.  

Other than that, it's a big ol' check mark!

summer to do's

This summer things are a bit more relaxed and quiet.  The Bf is working a bit extra this season, so big trips and camping weekends aren't really options this year.  That's ok though, we're trying to enjoy some downtime, and experience more things in our own backyard.
I'm such a list maker and so, like previous years, I've made a summer to do list.  This year there are a few repeats from the past, but also a few new and exciting things to try.

1. Try paddle boarding for the first time (we can thank groupon for that!)
2. Hang out at a music festival - Squamish Valley Music Festival (check out the line up here)
3. Run a 5km - Planned for September!
4. Watch an outdoor movie
5. Take a day trip to White Rock
6. Swim as much a possible
7. Visit the Food Truck Festival (every Sunday in Olympic Village)
8. Have a yard sale
9. Read in the sunshine
10. Spend as much time with Kea as possible

indian summer

Wow, it's been quiet around here.  For the last week I've been sick, I even stayed home from work for a couple of days.  But, finally I'm starting to feel better.

When you're in bed for nearly 7 days, it makes it hard to have something to talk about.  I'm sure this week will be more eventful..... let's hope anyways.

p.s. Hey Vancouver, thanks for the indian summer!

taste of summer

This summer I've been addicted to all things fresh fruit.  There's nothing that tastes better than in season cherries fresh from the market.  I think I could eat the whole basket in one sitting (don't judge me, you do it too!).  I've been finding that when I'm really craving something refreshing on a hot summer day, my go to is whatever fruit we have on hand, and it cools me down and fills me up.  On their own, or mixed with yogurt or salad, makes for a meal.

cherries, strawberries, peaches...oh my!

Look at me, being all healthy and not even knowing it!

I'm off to the market to get some more fruit!

tourist in the city

Wow, what a week! I had an amazing time visiting with my sister and we had no trouble keeping busy.  Between showing her the sights, wedding events, and a few unexpected meetings for me, I think we could both use a nap.  It definitely got me a little behind in a few things...ie. blog!  so forgive me, but with that said, I've got some exciting things happening over the next little while and can't wait to share it all with you.   But first, here are a few of my fave photos from playing tourist for a week with my big sister!

Miss you already big sister!!

moments like this

I now realize that I may have gone overboard with the summer road trip photos (read: hope I didn't bore you to death), but it's more so memories like this one that stay in my mind the most.  

Seeing all the touristy landmarks are cool. Ya know, so when people at the next table over when you're out for dinner are talking about their upcoming vacation to San Francisco and getting so excited to ride the cable car, you can lean over and tell them, yeah, I've been there! it was fun!! you've gotta do it! but $6 feels like a lotta money for one ride! 

All while trying not to be a vacation know-it-all. 

Clearly I got a little away from myself.

What I really enjoy the most is spending time with my 2 loves.

...anywhere really, as long as the 3 of us are together.

picnics

 You know what I love.....picnics.  They are such a sweet way of spending some time together outside with some good food.  Whether its with your love or friends, just relaxing, talking, reading, whatever you want.  Over the weekend we definitely weren't the only people out there having a picnic, the sunshine was just inviting people out there.  We made up a couple of sandwiches, potato salad, ice tea and a few other things and took our shoes off on the blanket.  This summer there will be plenty more where that came from!

Burnaby Mountain

This past weekend was filled with the best weather.  Over 20 degrees, sunshine and short skirts.  We made our way outside as much as possible.  On Saturday we went to Burnaby Mountain.  We walked around (not so much a hike), checked out the amazing views and had a picnic while laying out in the sun.  It was the perfect start to summer.  

Sooke!

No, I'm not talking about Sookie Stackhouse, I'm talking about Sooke, British Columbia. This lovely little town played as the backdrop to the Bf and I's little mini vacation on Vancouver Island. It was heaven! This little Bed and Breakfast called The Ocean Wilderness Inn was a hidden gem surrounded by a ravine leading down to an oceanfront beach. We spent our days hiking, sunning and relaxing, all while enjoying the views and a few good meals.

Photos from Victoria to come!

new addition

We've got a new addition to our little family, and no, its not a baby, its a BBQ! My new shiny baby sits on our fire escape, cooks burgers, hot dogs, grilled veggies, and anything else that should have grill marks on it. The fun part is that its portable. The legs fold down and you can wheel it around where ever you want! *cough, the beach, cough* BBQ's are so great to have during the warmer months. Summer foods just taste better on the grill!

Now all I need to do is figure out how to use it, so far, I've only been successful with Hot Dogs. And yes, the Bf turned it on for me.

Check Mark

So, I've already checked off something on my summer activity list!! The Bf and I went to the Drive-in the other night! It's so much fun and there's so many traditions that go along with it. We watched Super 8, which is AH-mazing!!! Definitely recommend!! And Transformers, which has my other Bf in it, so you can't go wrong there, oh Shia......... anyways, a little off topic, that guy always distracts me. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of this fun adventure, but luckily I have photos from another recent adventure.

Last week the Bf and I went for a hike at Bromh Lake. We packed a picnic and a blanket so we could rest (read: bask in the sunshine) half way through. We're getting a lot better at this outdoor, more active lifestyle that Vancouver has to offer. And if I do say so myself, I look rather sporty, which is also a bit new to me ;)

...nobody puts Baby in the corner...