Vancouver highlights part 1

So actually getting up to Vancouver went very smoothly. Aside from the occasional disasters of batteries running out of dvd players and Tinkerbell's wings getting caught between the car seats, we did very well. Once we finally arrived at our hotel we were so happy to get out of the car that we probably would have been impressed by a motel 6. However, we were surprised to find that the river rock casino was a four star resort of a hotel. Ben and I immediately put on our robes, called for childcare, and watched the real housewives of atlanta for six straight hours. Oh, I'm sorry I think I left my body for a moment there. We actually went to our room, stared at the wall for about ten seconds, and then gave in to the half naked mini people shouting, "pool! pool! pool!"

Bathing beauties

Stanley Park ~ I guess this is why people go to Vancouver. It is this huge park with beaches, aquariums, pools, trains, tourist traps of all shapes and sizes, and an amazing playground.

As the sign says, Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. This was amazing and terrifying. You're just so high up and people bounce and shake the bridge. I tried not to look down or picture my children falling to their death.

Ava showed her cousins the ropes of Northwest hiking, tree climbing, and slug investigating. They soaked it all up.

I finally succeeded in getting them all to sit still for a picture. I may or may not have been holding up five suckers and threatening to throw them over the bridge if they did not cooperate.

Traveling circus

Our adventures with the family will sadly come to an end tomorrow. I wish I could convey the sheer joy the cousins experiences being together. Every morning when we meet for breakfast there is a screaming pitch that can only be heard by small children and dogs. It's as if they haven't seen each other in years as opposed to 8 hours. They love each other unconditionally and for that I am so so grateful. You would think that managing five under five would deter us from spending any time together but I'm already counting the days until our next adventure. Apparently next summer it's a Disney cruise. Do you think a warning letter twelve months in advance is enough time?

Quote of the day

Elia: Where are we going Mama?

Jennie: Were going somewhere really special and fun!

Elia: Is it a zoo or a park?

Jennie: Maybe.

Ava: It's probably just the outlet mall.

Get your earplugs ready Canada!

The Hsieh clan has left the country. And aside from some very strange cartoons, all the sowry's, and the fact that they call bathrooms 'washrooms' it's pretty much the same as the US. I mean if you're going to accept american money then why even call yourself another country. Anyway, we are all a little worn out but still getting along great and loving every day's new adventures. We've enjoyed so many beautiful sights and we're loving our hotel, especially since they have a rockin waterslide. Before we left Ava had a blast showing her cousins around and they are all so stinkin cute together. Oh, I wish I could videotape their conversations. They all have such different personalities but get along so well. I have so many cute stories but am running on limited time as we're slated for a water taxi to dinner in a few minutes. I will just say that I am one lucky Auntie and Mama! I can't wait to watch these little ones grow up... just not too fast.

Midnight Madness

The east coast Hsieh's have landed and there is now a complete love fest mixed with utter chaos going on in our home. We are loving the noise and the mess and the hugs and the kisses and the singing and the giggling and princess-everything. We have picked up the 12 passenger mega-van and we are ready for adventure. Stay tuned...

My goal is to get them to stay still for at least one picture over the next 10 days.

joy and excess

Yesterday I woke up and had a panic attack that it was July 15th and I still hadn't gone berry picking. I mean why even live in Oregon if you're not going to take advantage of fruit coveted around the world. I quickly decided that it would be easiest to only have to bribe one of my three two children to go with me, and so I offered Ava a dollar and we hopped in the car. Berry picking makes me very, very happy and extremely greedy. I don't know if it's the garden of eden gloriousness or the $2/lb price tag, but I can never stop myself. I mean how much fruit does one person need? There are only so many bowls of cherry pie and raspberry crisp that you can put into your body before you have to buy a new wardrobe. I did try to show some restraint and cut off our fruit bounty at 6 pounds. It was a lovely day and Ava was a trooper. Although I must say that instead of weighing our buckets before and after picking, they should have just weighed her.

Warrior princess...

You never quite know who you're going to get when she comes down the stairs. But this is one of my favorites, or maybe a close second to the cat with the 100 foot tail (i.e. dirty rope she found in the garage and tucked into her underwear). This girl is definitely one of a kind!