Detour in Canada

Since we had to move out of our house in Sandpoint (due to our tenant needing to move in) a week before Bryon finished work, Kai and I decided to spend our homeless week in Canada with my family.  So, at the end of June my dad and brother O.J. (home from Burma for a few months) came down to help us load up the moving truck and clean up the house.  Then, Bryon drove the truck down to Portland before returning to Sandpoint to stay with friends and finish off with his last week of work while the rest of us headed on up to B.C.

We both (but especially Kai!) had a fantastic time with cousins, aunt, uncles, and grandparents on the "farm".

We arrived just in time for the Canada Day parade!

Kai, of course, covered his ears most of the time.

The kids kept trying to entice him to take his hands off , with little luck!

Sometimes candy would get his hands off for a quick moment.

Finally, I told the kids that I would buy a treat for whoever could get Kai's hands off his ears permanently. Abby won!

Here we are, celebrating Abby's win!

Lots and lots of fun and innovative adventures by the best babysitters we could ask for!

Once again, not a fan of loud noises, but sitting on Emma's lap with huge headphones made things better :)

My friend and college roommate, Breanne, came to visit with her adorable baby Hope.

Aunty Jenn had a birthday while we were there, and Kai was convinced it was his birthday too.  After my dad prayed for dinner and for Jenn and her birthday, Kai let out a huge sigh and said, "It's my birthday too you know!"  Then, after he ate his cupcake he announced quite proudly, "I'm 3 now!"  It's taken us a few weeks to convince him otherwise :)

Yummm!  Homemade cake, ice-cream and fresh raspberries.

We're so thankful for caring, fun and wonderful role models for Kai!  Couldn't ask for better cousins :)

Last Days in Sandpoint

Kai's down for a nap, and I mopped all the floors and cornered myself here at the desk waiting for the floor to dry.  Now I have no excuse to not catch up on the blog :)

As usual I was woefully bad at documenting our last days in Sandpoint with photos.  Life was a whirlwind of last minute packing, farewell parties, last playdates and enjoying some of our favourite spots.  It's bittersweet to look back at the few pictures I have.  I have so many wonderful memories of beautiful people and beautiful places.  Sandpoint is the town where Kai was born, where we bought our first house, where we built relationships with wonderful friends.  It was sad to let that all go, but we know that God has a plan for us here in Portland too which will be equally as good.

Our very cold and rainy garage sale day.  Nevertheless, it was successful!

We even had to dig out our winter bin for jackets, gloves and hats to keep us warm!

A fun evening out with some girlfriends.  These women are friends and also moms of Kai's friends.  We'll miss them all greatly!

We started going to playgroup with these kiddos when  Kai was just  four months old.  It's hard to believe they're getting so big.  We'll miss you guys!

Fun with friends at a farewell party.

Finally a sunny day to enjoy our backyard pool.

As soon as Bryon came home, Kai convinced him to put on his swimsuit too, and then he surprised daddy with his newly discovered hose-spraying skills :)  Poor Bryon!

Taking our boat (that we built at Home Depot months ago) for a sail at Third Ave. Pier.

Project "Prepare Kai for Moving" continues:  Read Berenstain Bears book Moving Day and play with the included stickers.

So difficult to get pictures of these two sitting still, let alone looking at the camera.  But, Kai will miss his dear friend/neighbour Sophie and all of the spunk and fun she added to our lives.

I really wanted at least one beach day in Sandpoint before we moved, and  two days before moving we got it!  We will definitely miss having this lovely kid-paradise just a couple of minutes away from our house.

One last dinner with dear friends before leaving.  As usual, Kai is being crazy, and his friends are just staring at him wondering what's going on!

Entertaining himself a midst the chaos of us moving out and our tenant moving in.

My dad and brother came out to help us move, and Kai attempted to help as well.

One last bike ride to the beach.

And then Bryon drove the moving truck to Portland before coming back to Sandpoint for one last week of work, and Kai and I drove with my family to Canada for the week.
Then, a week ago today we met up in Seattle and drove down to Portland together.  More on that later!