Our first "Snow day" at our new home.
Little Snow Angels hard at play!

Sweet revenge...Daddy I heard that sinister laugh. Although Matthew whined a little, he kept standing there just waiting to be hit again and again.

Matthew's first ever personally made snowman. Good job buddy!

Backyard Paradise

Here are a few pictures from the deck of our new house. It is very beautiful here and feels like we are on vacation. We are situated on a mountain over looking a world famous golf resort that has been developing over the past 4 years or so (Bear Mountain Golf/Spa resort). We have an awesome view of the mountain and resort/village area below. In the distance you can see the hotel and spa/fitness facilities. There are stores, restaurants/bars, and this spring a whole shopping facility is expected to open where all our amenities will be at our fingertips! This past summer we enjoyed the outdoor swimming pool, which we just realized is also in view from the inside of our home. If this doesn't tempt some of you to come out this way to visit.... I don't know what will! See you soon!

An Afternoon at the Museum

We went to the museum a couple of weekends ago. The kids had fun exploring all the exhibits...we'll definately have to go back again!

Halloween 2007

Our two little pirates at battle before going out trick or treating.
Of course Ginger needed a costume too!

Here's all the loot....I'm really not sure what to do with all this stuff!

Grandma was with us for Halloween - we had a great visit!

~2.5 Month Blog Catch-up

Matthew and Daddy racing at the local Go-Cart track.
Matthew's first year of Initiation Hockey (everyone harasses us about the Leafs Jersey).

Matthew opening a Pirate Ship gift from us for his 5th Birthday Celebration.

The newest member of the Canacari family - Ginger (Shih-tzu X Maltese). Yes, she is real!

We bought a new house!!! The big move happens later in November.

Fall party hosted at Ken/Shannon's with adoptive families in Victoria.

Matthew and his Kindergarten teacher. He's enrolled in French emersion... so we may need some help from our Yangxi sister parents.

Taiya at her "Tights and Tots" dance class. She talks about going all the time and is all smiles while there:)

We celebrated our 2nd Forever Family Anniversary with our Victoria Yangxi sister's.

Matthew at his Kindergarten Halloween Party participating in the cupcake decorating station.

Ginger after her first grooming visit...they put purple bows in her hair (I think she was humiliated).

Dress up Fun

We found this adorable body suite with Tutu and couldn't resist buying it for Taiya. Of course when we went to try it on her Matthew needed something to dress-up in so on went his halloween costume from last year. The two of them had fun running around...one second Taiya was trying to be feminine like a ballerina, the next she was in her fighting poses with her big brother - they were cute together.

Trailer Service Worker and #1 Assistant

Just happy to help out in any way she can.

A Day Out On The Boat

Taiya is part fish I think - She loves swimming in the lake! The water is quite cool this year because of poor weather, but she still wants in and insists that she isn't cold even when shivering up a storm. Here she is with a friend from the campsite.
What more could a Dad ask for?

Yee Haa! I'm a water cowboy!

Tube riding with Daddy....hold on boys!

FYI update

Hey everyone, thanks so much for your good thoughts and wishes. A resistant bacteria was finally discovered and I got the news last Friday, hence more antibiotics for at least another month. I am still struggling day to day, and migraines are continuing to plague me. We made it up to our campsite for almost a week, and hope to get a bit more time there before summer ends. Still more appointments etc etc. I have not been keeping up with blogging or checking others out over the past few weeks - sorry. I will keep you posted especially if anything new transpires. Hope you are all enjoying your summer!

Debbie

Camping

We finally got away to our campsite! Of course the marshmellows were a hit with the kids. I have to admit that I enjoyed a few myselft as well. I can't believe that there are only 2 weeks left until the end of August.

Water Play

We haven't had much of a hot summer this year, but when it has warmed up the kids just love playing in the water!

Happy 4?st Birthday Daddy!

Here's in the afternoon...... (Taiya's wearing her "gobbles").
Here's after a few drinks....,the kids are happily singing the birthday song very loudly while bouncing all over their passed out Dad (very early in the evening might I add - this is true payback).

This of course is after some birthday cake. Happy Birthday!

FYI

I know that some of you who read this site are aware that I have been struggling with my health (this is partially why I am inconsistent in posting). I am currently on full work leave and my return date is unknown at this time. I have had chronic sinus problems and lower respiratory problems for several years. It has gotten out of control requiring me to be on antibiotics almost constantly for the past couple of years. Since having my second sinus surgery this past November (it has been deemed "successful", i.e. everything is open for drainage), I am still struggling with infections and recently have been diagnosed as having migraines as well. Needless to say, at this point we still don't have a definative diagnosis and a number of things are continuing to be investigated. I have seen numerous specialists and more recently have referrals to both a Neurologist and Infections Disease Specialist. I also saw a Naturopath earlier this month and have made some diet changes, along with taking some herbs. The questionable diagnoses at this point are very scary, but quite honestly I'd rather know then be in the lerch. Only time and perserverance will tell....

I just thought I'd send this message out to let people know what has been going on in our lives. It has been a very difficult and challenging time for us, I only hope that things will improve and I can maybe prove some of these doctors wrong.

Debbie :)

Butterfly Catcher

Today Matthew caught his first butterfly with Daddy (doesn't he look excited!).
In the container you can see both a butterfly and an orange colored moth.

Here's our proud butterfly catching team;)

Victoria's Fisherman's Wharf

Matthew and Daddy were feeding a seal some fish when a seagull swooped down and snatched up the fish from their hands!
Here's Matthew giving the seal a tasty fish snack.

Down the wharf a little further, there were two more seals begging for fish. In the background you can see a couple of colourful houseboats.

It was such a gorgeous day! In the far background, at the top of the water on the left hand side , you can see a seaplane coming in for a landing.

Rrrr! I hate when I forget to turn the pictures. Here Matthew and I are at the end of one of the wharf's beside a houseboat...look at the neatly manicured fish shaped shrub - cool!

I love it down here. It's very quaint and relaxing...just what I need!

Each houseboat is very unique in style. They are all painted with bright colors, plants/floweres and other interesting things to look at. In this picture, Matthew is peering down between the wharf and houseboat looking at the marine vegetation.

More brightly colored houseboats and pretty scenery.

Each view point is eye catching....so serene.

I just kept taking pictures - it's all so pretty.

Just next to all of the house boats are huge sail boats and fishing boats.

It was a great afternoon:) Hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed being there!