Having mom and dad in Vernon is so great because I can use their amazing babysitting skills while I go ride my bike. No camping in the parking lot, or expensive hotels, or long day trips for me from the Kootenays, just luxury at Grandma's house. On the way this year for the last weekend of Silver Star Bike Park, we stopped at the fall fair in Rock Creek. Although the midway rides were expensive the boys had a great time, Papa's birthday present to them. They rode all the rides they could go on, twice. Not even blinking an eye when they had to ride with other kids.
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| Perfect thumbs up like real pilots |
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| Teamwork on the seatbelt |
Eventually we made it to check out the fair part too. We saw some barrel racing where one woman was so fast she blew all the rest out of the water. We squeezed in and talked to some old timers from Rock Creek. That was like going back 30 years in time, very cool. We checked out the animals, saw the cleanest cows, sheep and pigs I have ever seen. The boys were a bit scared of the horses, but mostly put on a brave face. In the end all they really cared about was the rides, so we had a second round. Porta potties are a bit of a challenge when you are out with twins alone, as they have to follow you everywhere. I couldn't let them stand outside alone while i was locked in a porta potty, so we all squeezed in, gross. We were like a clown car unloading when we came out. The funniest thing I saw was being at an old time fall fair and watching a Grandpa pull out his whole ipad to take a picture of a kid on a ride, people don't even have cameras these days! They slept the rest of the way to Grandma's, and we arrived just in time for their block party. The boys shocked and scared everyone with their run biking skills as they sped down peoples driveways at full speed.
Sunday I rode until my hands couldn't grip my bars any longer. It was a fantasically beautiful day, sunny, warmish, bears everywhere eating huckleberries, great company, no flats, injuries or mechanicals. What a day to close down the bike park. Until next year! The boys had a great day with Grandma at the beach for hours, and we had a nice dinner together later. By 9 pm the house was quiet, everyone was done!
Monday was a big day too. We hit up Polson Park for some skate park action on the run bikes, long jumping, and park playing. We had thought it would be a good day to go to the skate park as all the kids were in school, but it was a pd day. At any rate there was only one skateboarders and about 10 kids on bikes, so we didn't cause any trouble. Grayson was having a rough day, crashing multiple times into the curbs and wiping out while looking the other way. It was painful yet amusing to watch while he looked one way and rode his bike straight into a curb for a big endo. Cole was much more on it, and we split up for some great one on one time. Grayson and I headed for the track and the long jump. He has quite the moves. We all ended up back together at the playground. After that we picked up some Timmy Ho's and went to Nanny's for lunch. She tried to give me everything in the house, and I luckily am now the proud owner of a great barbie we can take to the beach or camping, amongst other items.
For dinner, Dad took us up to the Rise for dinner and a tour. It was great, checking out the golf course at sunset. The boys favourite was the machines of course of which Grandpa explained each and every button and lever to their delight. My favourite was riding in the cart relaxing at the beautiful views, snuggling from the chill in the air with the boys. Cole said one thing that made me laugh my head off. The cart paths at the Rise are not easy flat cart paths, they twist and wind, and go up and down steep hills. at one point Grandpa turned the cart on the late side on a corner and Cole exclaimed rather matter of factly "Whoa, Grandpa." Backseat driver at 4 years old. Cole also spotted a few deer we all missed. When we went to check them out they just stood their eating grass unafraid, but Grayson on the other hand was quite upset and wanted to go back to Grandma's right way. I also did my share of silly things. Grandpa told us a story about in the morning that day a golf course lawn mower guy had ran over a snake, slicing it up into little cocktail weinies. Later we passed by and checked it out. Trying to prove to the boys there was nothing to be afraid of I picked it up and smelled its putrid body that had been rotting in the sun all day. Luckily I had the diaper bag full of goodies like hand santiizer. It was a really fun night and a good laugh.
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| The people mover |
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| North arm of Okanagan Lake |
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| Oh what fun it is to run around a golf course after lost balls |
Tuesday we didn't slow down. Grandma went to the pool in the morning, as soon as she got back I went for a bike ride at Kal Park, then we had a bite and headed out to Aunty Chris's for a visit and dinner. The cousins all had a great time, and it was so nice to have time to go to Christine's, unfortunately it was much too busy for photos.
By Wednesday morning Grandma was ready to see the Rav driving down the street, kids packed inside and bike on the roof, so she could have some well deserved quiet. Sorry about the basement mess mom! I quickly ran out in the morning for some shopping and finally bought a portable dvd system for the car. We really need it for our trip to Utah later in October but i figured why not get it now. It was a blessing today as we took our time getting home and finally arrived 7 hours later. We stopped in Greenwood, Eholt, Grand Forks for fruit and fast food, and Christina Lake for blueberry picking again.
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| Some little, some big, all delicious |
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| Cole |
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| How many one of them picks |
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| 3.5 lbs that I picked in the same amount of time. Boy did we get a lot of free blueberries! |
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| We did well this time, no bathroom emergencies, and the boys had enough patience for 5.6 pounds of blueberries |
Eventually we made it home. Driving into Rossland in the near dark, the boys still get excited when we come around the bend and see Red Mountain. I hope they never stop exclaiming "Our ski hill!" as soon as they see Red. Its the call of home!
