Tuesday, 15 October 2013

.Hawaii.

Can we please go back right now??!! Maui was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!! A much needed break from our everyday life and routine. I was pretty anxious about how Nyah would handle the 6 hour plane ride but she totally surprised me. She was such a good girl! She totally just rolled with it and made the best of being trapped in her seat for 6 hours! We were very fortunate the flights weren't full and she was able to have her own seat coming and going. Having an ipad full of episodes of Elmo's world helped too!
 
We stayed at The Castle Kamaole Sands Hotel on recommendation from Brandy and Paul and it was great! The grounds were beautiful and well maintained. The kiddie pool was a hit! It was so nice that it was shallow enough for Nyah to walk around on her own. By the end of the holiday she was jumping off the stairs in the pool into our arms!
 






We spent most of our time relaxing at a different beach everyday. Nyah really enjoyed playing in the sand and water. The weather was beautiful and the water was so warm. Baby beach in Lahaina was our favourite. The waves broke on a reef quite a ways out so it was as calm as a lake so we didn't have to worry about waves knocking Nyah over.






I swear everyday we ate shaved ice. Did you know you can get it with ice cream and gummy bears! To die for! It's no wonder I gained 6 pounds while there! Nyah loved it too! My girl was totally spoiled while on holiday. She went from never having sweets to eating shaved ice, ice cream, cookies and candy! Although she doesn't look happy in this picture, I think the mess all over her face and legs says it all! Haha!


Our condo was perfect. It had 2 bathrooms and the bedroom was at the end of the hall so you didn't have to worry too much about disturbing anyone if they were sleeping. The unit had a gorgeous kitchen where we enjoyed most of our breakfasts and some lunches.



This is what happens when you let your toddler put her sunscreen on herself!


 
The banyan tree


One of the largest banyan trees in the United States. Imported from India and planted in front of the Lahaina Courthouse and Lahaina Harbor on 1873, this sprawling tree along Front Street is the size of an entire city block and stands more than 60-feet high. If you need to cool down a bit, you can walk for two-thirds of an acre under the shadow of its sweeping branches.



As soon as Jay spotted this man with a harp on the street he was pulling out his wallet to give him money. When Jay dropped the cash in his hat, the gentleman starting to play and it was beautiful. It's not often you get to hear a harp especially not on the side of the street. When the man finished playing, he looked at Nyah and said "You recognize that sound don't you baby?". My first thought was great... this guys is nuts! He obviously thinks he recognizes us or something and now we have to stand here and entertain this crazy conversation. Boy, was I ever wrong and did I ever learn a lesson in judgement when he said some of the kindest words I have ever heard to Nyah.... "In heaven right sweetheart? The harps played before you came to be with your parents". Instantly, my heart warmed and my eyes filled with tears. Both Jay and I were extremely touched by his comment. I think I was so moved by his words because he's right... She is a gift from heaven.
 



 
Typical Nyah... Laid back chillin' in her stroller. Sunnies on (sort of) ready to roll with her yogurt covered raisin!
 

A little coloring while waiting for the best chicken wings at Lahaina Pizza co. They were so good we went back again a couple nights later!






We saw some pretty amazing sunsets. There is something so relaxing and peaceful about taking time out of your day to watch the sunset. It's a great time to reflect and give thanks for all the wonderful things you have in life. This sunset was right after meeting the man with the harp. Jay and Nyah were running around playing so I was really able to feel the beauty of the sunset and reflect on the words of the man with the harp. Its so easy in the hustle of life to sometime forget that there is something greater out there.





When I saw this sign in an ice cream shop, I knew I had to take a picture to make sure Jay would bring me back here after dinner. Ice cream and cookies.... together.... as one! I die! My two favourites in one... it was love!


I choose my favourite flavour of ice cream... mint chocolate chip... and for the cookies I went with my favourite, chocolate chip, for one side and double chocolate chip for the other side. My mouth is seriously watering right now!

 
Baby Beach







Cheeseburger in paradise. I got hustled here by a fast talking French Canadian waitress. When she took our drink order I asked for a diet coke. She then bombarded me ,in her thick accent, with questions about my order... diet coke?... oui?... refillable?... Like that girl?... Pointing to someone with a plastic cup of pop... I responded with a yes not too sure what was so difficult about a diet coke. It wasn't until the bill came that I realized that I agreed to a $10 diet coke in a stupid plastic souvenir mug! Well played frenchy! Well played!










 
I'm pretty sure this sandwich weighed as much as Nyah. All three of us were able to share it and still have leftover for the birds!

 
This is my favourite photo of Nyah at the beach. It totally embodies her love for the beach!


Thank you Maui for a wonderful 1st family vacation. I'm sure we will be back one day! And thank you Allegiant Air for cancelling our flight home and giving us one more day in paradise. It's just too bad you tried to put us up in a hotel that looked liked it offered hourly rates! It's a good thing you said you'd refund us the costs of our flights! This totally makes the inconvenience worth it! Another free vacation! Hooray!

Thursday, 19 September 2013

.my ballerina.

Since the moment I found out I was pregnant, I hoped it was girl. And from the moment I found out it was a girl I hoped she would be a ballerina. Today, Nyah became my sweet little ballerina and went to her first ballet class. 

On Tuesday, we went to Limbers dance store and bought her first pair of ballet shoes and leotard/tutu. When we tried it on in the store, my eyes teared up because she looked so beautiful. Call me crazy but I have loved ballet since I was a little girl. I danced out of Angela's school of ballet in Richmond. My claim to fame was that my class was chosen to dance in an Ocean Spray cranberry juice commercial. I can remember my parents setting the vcr to record the commercial as it came on during a break on Different Strokes. The commercial was so random... It was a birthday party set in a ballet studio with a bunch of little ballerina's wearing party hats, drinking cranberry juice and dancing around with cranberry mustaches. I'm pretty sure that was my big ticket to fame but for some reason it never panned out! Haha! 


I was so excited to show Jay her outfit that we tried it on for him that night. I needed him to love it before I told him that it costed more than the classes themselves! 


Once he saw her in it, I knew he would love it and he wouldn't care what I spent. It was important to me that she look the part. 


This is as we were getting ready to leave for class. She was already not really feeling all the picture taking but I think she looks sweet even if she does have a grumpy face.


Once we got to class, she was excited to see her best friend, Emlyn. We let the girls run around outside for a bit before class in the hopes of getting some cute pics of the girls together but have you ever tried to get two 2 year old toddlers to pose for photos? I'm pretty sure you'd have a better chance of saving the world!




Once we were inside the studio the girls were really excited and running around. The studio is set up with floor to ceiling mirrors on 2 sides and bars on both walls. I think the girls thought it was really awesome to see themselves pretty much where ever they looked!




Prettiest ballerina I have ever seen!


Ok... so maybe this move is a little more contemporary dance but still cute!


Watch out... Running ballerina!





Emmy spotted "this cutie" in the mirror and though she better give her a kiss! Awww!




I had a lot of fun today taking Nyah to her first ballet class. I hope that she grows to love dance and that one day I will be a proud mama sitting in the front row of her first recital.

.country fair.

This past weekend we went to a local country fair at Campbell Valley park. We spent the day with our dear friends Tricia, Stan and Emlyn. The girls enjoyed petting the horses, rattling the baby chicks cage door, watching square dancing, wagon rides and running around like crazy monkeys. We also indulged on some classic country fair food... Grilled cheese sandwiches and mini doughnuts! I'm pretty sure my favorite part was the delicious grilled Gouda, Havarti, caramelized onion and apple sandwich. It was by far the best grilled cheese I've ever had and I consider myself a grilled cheese connoisseur since it's one of the only lunch foods Nyah will eat!


Farm House


Nyah on the fire truck





Emlyn and Tricia


Local flower vendor


She really didn't want to go on the hay. She was so unsure.


What a cute family! We love you guys!

Our first wagon ride!


The perfect size pony for my girl!


This kid is an animal lover. Dog, cat, horse... she loves them all.


And the day wouldn't be complete.... 


without a giant kiss...


...from your best friend!!

(Thank you Tricia for always being so great at remembering to bring a camera and capturing these amazing moments! Thank you for allowing me to share the photos on my blog as well!)


Saturday, 7 September 2013

.Our little family is going to Hawaii.

We are headed to Maui for our first ever family vacation!! Let the 3 week count down begin!

Way to go babe for busting your butt on your days off and being in the top 3 for sales winning a FREE trip to Hawaii! We are so lucky to have been given the opportunity to make some extra cash for our little family and winning the trip was the icing on the cake! Thank you TELUS!