Skytrek Adventure Pictures

All geared up for the kids course.

Oh please let me go with my sisters, I can do it too.

Lili thought the kids course was super easy.  She couldn't wait to get to the tower!

Getting geared up for the tower.

At the top of this picture to the right you can see the platform that they all leaped off of.

The wall climbing was hard for Fei, she had a second try at an easier wall.  Eric and Lili both rang the bell at the top.

Fei's second try on an easier wall, she made it half way.

Thats Lili way up there on that swing!

Eric and Fei went together but only went 1/4 way.  We were pleased to see that they allowed modifications for Fei.

Oh please, please, please let me go with my sisters!

That is Lili up on that platform ready to jump down.

There is Fei ready to jump.

Lastly, there was Eric ready to jump.

Some snacks kept Jia's mind off what she was missing for a few minutes.

Lili at the top of the log climb.

Eric at the top of the log climb.

Fei giving the log climb a whirl.

Waterslide Pictures

Jia thought the little kid slide was ok...

...but the big slide was way better!

Hurry up Dad!  Lets go again, and again, and again!

Obligatory Ferry Pictures

Time for a little light reading while we drive.

Who knew she had such upper body strength?!  Pretty good for 18mo.

Look what they serve on the ferries now!

Seriously, she was so tired that she fell asleep while eating noodles.

She looks like an old man, we were just cracking up when she put her hands in her pants.

Updated baby rattykins picture.

Turns out we didn't need Ann at Redthreads for an update.  Our baby is from Caroline & Oswald, born June 21.  Avalon.  She is soooo cute!  All fuzzy with open eyes, that thankfully are dark.  Got the updated picture while driving and the girls were squealing. 

Home - Evergreen Rattery

We saw a GRIZZLY BEAR today!

We saw a Grizzly, we saw a Grizzly!! 

There were a bunch of people stopped looking at something, being the grand tourists we are, we stopped too.  There he was, standing in a field watching all the peeps.  He stood twice, we took a ton of pics. and I'll post one later.  We never have binoculars in the car, but for unknown reasons Eric put some in the car this morning.  I was frankly shocked at how many people got out of their cars, we were happy to watch him from inside our car thank you very much!

We went to five national parks yesterday, Glacier, Yoho, Banf, Revelstoke and Jasper.  Amazing land here in BC.  We spent the night in Jasper Park and then this morning we went to Waterfowl lake and checked out the campsite there.  We'd go back, it was pretty cool.  Then we drove all of Kootenay National park today.  It's HUGE.  We stopped at Kootenay River this afternoon and Jia and I had a nap while Eric and the girls went for a hike.  They went as far as they dared go.  Saw lots of signs of wild life.  They saw wolf poop, I had to ask how they knew, apparently it looks like dog scat but it was full of fur.  The water in all the lakes and rivers are such amazing greens and blues.  Most of the glacier water looks like the color of Chinese jade.

So, we finally made it to our destination, we're here for three nights.  It's Eric's Birthday today and it's been a good day.  We're just going to eat some dinner and then head out for an evening swim at the hot pools.  The campsite has had several bear sightings in the last few days, so the girlies will have to stay close. 

The holiday

All is well.  Not much cell service out in the wilds.  Tons of cool pictures to post when we can. 

On Sat. the waterslides were a hit with the kids.  Me...not quite as much.  Whipped down the first one way too freaking fast, airborne over a bump, shot out the end so fast I didn't have time to prepare and splooshed in gasping and swallowing water.  The really sad part was that I was on the intermediate one!  Eric and Lili were all about the tube ride.  They finally got Fei on it too.  Jia and I hung in the toddler area and had our own fun.  Jia moved all of the little kid tubes from one end of the pool to the other.  It was hard work and it took a long time but she persevered and got it all done.  While we were there we met Dawn from Sunrises group 18 (we were 19).  She dropped out of the China line up a while ago.  They have 4 bio boys and two little girls adopted through the Ministry.  Small, small world we live in.

Last night we camped in Malakwa. 
Decent campsite.  Then this morning we went to Skytrek Adventures.  Wow.  Totally worth the trip!  Lili was in heaven.  Fei not as much but good golly, she did every thing she signed up for!  At one point they climbed the tower (85') and stood out on a platform and leaped off to the ground.  I knew Lili would do it, my heart was pounding, she was first.  Then Fei climbed up and it was slow.  She cried, said she couldn't do it etc.  Eric talked her through the whole thing.  I had a lump in my throat and would have told her to climb down.  She stood at the top for a long time and then she stepped one foot out in slow motion and you knew she couldn't turn back, awesome, simply breath taking.  I burst into tears.  What a sap.  Who could have ever foreseen a day that Fei would leap off a tower?!  Eric was last, he said it was really scary but he had to do it after the girls did!

After the excitement of the Skytrek, we slowed the pace down and walked around the Enchanted Forest.  Jia napped and the big girls played.  At the very end there were baby ducklings to hand feed, or as Jia calls them, quack quacks.  At one point three families were in the same spot and all three families had a daughter named Jia, Gia, and Jeea.  Wild.   We were all in awe about that.  It's not a particularly popular name.

Eric is delighted with how great the Durango is doing.

I do love having our home with us on a holiday. 

Turns out Jia can manage hours in the car a day!  She's been great.

We've just come through Glacier National park, which is spectacular.  I always think we should camp there but it is cold when we stop.  Right now we're in Golden at Smittys for dinner.  Tonight we'll be at the Kootenay National park, they aren't taking reservations this year so our fingers are crossed we'll get a site, and even better if we get power too.

Introducing the new baby rattykins.

Currently named Avalon with the breeder, still waiting to hear what Fei will name her.  She is one week in this photo.  Hoping for an updated photo soon.  If only we could use Ann at Red Threads for an update :)