British Columbia

With a Canadian five-dollar note in our pocket and two stuffed backpacks (read: free personal items with Allegiant), we sent out on our international adventure to British Columbia. This trip was equal parts graduation, Joseph's birthday, four year anniversary, and babymoon celebration!

Our cultural experience began as we were waiting to take the ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. Only Loonies can ride the merry-go-round.

Coming from Las Vegas, we couldn't help but gush over all the green and the trees as we drove from Swartz Bay to our resort just outside of Victoria. We probably embarrassed ourselves by breathing too deeply with a nonsensical, "Smell the green!"

Now for the best surprise of the day, keep in mind it was Joseph's birthday. 

Way back almost four years ago, there were two slices of cheesecake waiting for us in the hotel mini fridge on our honeymoon. Ever since then, I have checked every hotel fridge we have stayed in just hoping that I would find something delicious. Surprisingly, I've never found any cheesecake. And I never thought Joseph knew what I was (obsessively) checking for.

Until I was checking out our room (fridge included) and found a whole plate of cheesecake! Joseph, on his birthday, arranged for management to have this delicious surprise waiting for me.

 I will admit, it was my favorite birthday of Joseph's that we have celebrated so far! Bits of cheesecake with every topping you could ever hope for. Whole hazelnuts, sliced strawberries, crystallized orange zest, caramel, and crushed cookies.

Best cheesecake and best husband ever.

The rest of our four day vacation was filled with yummy food...

 (Please don't ask how many Tim Hortons' doughnuts we ate. 

I would be embarrassed to tell you.)

...breathtaking scenery...

... and lots of friendly Canadians!

Although we were a little disappointed when we only heard "Eh?" once, we loved being around the Canadian people. Strangers would come and ask us about our trip, make suggestions, and wish us a nice vacation.

The Canadian animals were also especially welcoming. We saw killer whales from the ferry, 30+ black/brown bunnies enjoying the highway median, and more bald eagles than I have ever seen!

Did you notice the absence of pictures of J? Well because J went with us last time, we decided that we would let his little (in utero) sister come solo on this one. But don't worry, my family came down to spoil take care of J when his parents were gone. And no, he didn't miss us one little bit.

A Springtime Break 2

Days 1-4

Day 4 (cont): Saguaro National Park

Our last full day in Tucson, we took a curvy road which led out to Saguaro National Park. Again we were all impressed at the huge height of the cacti which seemed to stand like thousands of soldiers covering every mountain and plain around us.

We arrived just as the sun was setting and it was absolutely beautiful!

 

 Day 5: Reid Park Zoo, Tucson

Before heading to the airport that afternoon, we were all so excited about our planned trip to the zoo. J is very much an animal fan and we haven't had a chance to go to the zoo since he was a baby. 

We showed up first thing in the morning and were amazed to see so many animals out and about. J was in absolute heaven and couldn't stop giggling to himself. He loved talking to all the animals and trying to get them to come closer. 

We also paid for the three of us to get up close and personal with the giraffes and feed them carrots sticks! This was the best part, up until J's turn when he just threw his carrots at the giraffe's face. Thankfully Joseph saved the day and offered his carrots for J to try again. Weeks later and J is still talking about it! Making memories, check!

(I love that J has his tongue out in this picture, maybe he wants a carrot too!)

Flying home to Las Vegas from Tucson, we had a two hour layover in our favorite San Diego. And of course Joseph knew that the water was only a 10-minute walk from the airport. 

Best way to end a vacation ever! We enjoyed the warm, salty breeze while counting cruise ships and eating more ice cream. 

As soon as we got on the plane, J fell into a nice ice-cream induced nap and slept until we arrived in Las Vegas. All was perfect until J realized that he slept through the flight and wanted to go again.

Oh so good to be home!

A Springtime Break

Our week long road trip was part spring break, part post birthday celebration for J. He received money for his birthday from his super grandparents that we used to take him to his very first airshow to see the Thunderbirds.

So in favor of creating more memories, we rented a Camaro Convertible for a week at $5 a day and roadtripped from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and then down to Tucson Arizona. 

It was our first long road trip as a family with our share of disappointments and melt downs (literally when J was eating a melting ice cream cone in the car...).

All this trouble and effort was worth the memories! Way better than just buying him more toys, right? Oh we desperately hope so.

Day One: The Grand Canyon 

The Grand Canyon is truly huge! It was the first time for all of us and we were all amazed and the vastness. Our favorite part of the day was walking along a paved trail (while everyone else rode the bus) eating snacks and singing songs.

Oh, and of course we loved the sunsets!

Day Two: Phoenix Airshow

Turns out everyone loves a free airshow! After learning it would take 3+ hours in traffic and waiting to ride a bus just to get to the airshow, we chose to park on a dirt road outside Luke Air Force Base. J was happy to sit in the parked, air-conditioned race car and watch the planes.  

After the show we stopped for ice cream cones on our way out of town. We quickly learned why easy-going, I'm just going to enjoy life, toddlers and melting ice cream don't mix.

Day Three: Tucson, AZ

Our first full day in Tucson was Sunday so we attended church, where J was surprisingly fine with going to a different nursery class with new toys. I think he needed some serious kid time.

After church we all took much needed naps in our presidential suite. (I was almost forever embarrassed when I typed sweet instead of suite. But it was quite SWEET!) We were all too surprised when they upgraded us for free. It was heavenly to have a full fridge/ freezer, a dining room table, and separate room for J to sleep. I am almost ashamed to say that it was even bigger than our current apartment.

Day Four: Pima Air & Space Museum,Tucson AZ

Let's pretend you are surprised to see more airplanes. 

I've been to a few airplane museums in my recent years thanks to these boys. This one was by far one of my favorites! We went first thing in the morning and enjoyed running around the 80 acres of airplane viewing bliss.

I've also realized that I LOVE photographing airplanes. The angles, symmetry, and reflective surfaces are a creative dream.

The boys loved the planes and I loved photographing the boys loving the planes. Win win.

So many more pictures! Stay tuned for part two of our vacation.