Give a little boy a garden hose and he can be entertained for hours. Well maybe not hours, but certainly for a long time. Makai, our wee grandson, had a "blast" this morning with the garden hose, getting completely soaked in the process. Gosh, if we'd had a lttle soap, maybe he could have avoided having his bath tonight!!
Makai has a bear; actually a "double" bear. "Bear" originally started as a single teddy bear lovingly knit by his other grandmother. Bear #1 became pretty fragile after a few months of use so Great-Grandma knit Bear #2 which was bound to Bear # 1 with some wool. Bear #1-2 is invaluable to Makai as a source of comfort particularly at bedtime. Bear also comes in handy when he needs to suck his thumb!
Sam, our cat, is an indoor critter but that doesn't mean she's not curious about the great outdoors. She becomes particularly interested when there are birds at the feeder or squirrels on the tree. Last evening, Special Ed, the neighbour's cat came by for a visit and after Sam hissed several times at Special, he walked away, leaving Sam sitting at the door feeling a little envious.
She may not look like she weighs a lot, but her 9lbs. 15oz. adds up to a lot when one is carrying her in one's arms while walking up a steep hill. Yesterday and today she was my "extra weight" while on our walk. You can be sure that I am getting a good workout and based on the yawn, you'd think she was the one carrying me!
Today while we went on our walk we took a container with us so that when we picked blackberries, we could even bring some home. Yesterday, our yield went directly into our bellies but this way we can all share some for dessert tonight! A little whipped cream and.......oh ya!!
We went for a walk around the neighbourhood today and because we are in a rural locale there are some farms in the area. Today we passed one and this "thing of beauty" came rushing towards the fence followed by a dozen little babies. They were much cuter! Turkeys are definitely not the most attractive birds on the planet.
When a little guy needs a diaper change and the back seat isn't big enough because it has a car seat in it, sometimes it's necessary to open up the trunk and use it. There were no complaints and our wee grandson, Makai, rode home dry and happy!
I mentioned yesterday how beautiful the architecture is in Vancouver, BC. Some buildings are outstanding and the whole downtown area seems to be a real eclectic mix; from modern and ultra modern to dated elegance. The nice thing is that there are mountain and ocean views and plenty of greenspace interspersed throughout the city.This is a building I thought was very beautiful in the Coal Harbour district.
The architecture found in Vancouver, BC is unquestionably some of the finest in the world. In fact, based on this picture, it can also be considered to be pretty unusual too!
It seems that for the past two days, Makai (our wee grandson) and Grandpa are dressing to match each other. The other day they were both dressed in orange and in this photo they are the "Red Dudes", sharing a kiss.
It is HOT here right now! This is not typical weather for these parts so when it does get this hot folks just aren't prepared for it. Monet, our 12-day old granddaughter is feeling the heat and her mom is doing her best to keep her cool. Fortunately we have an air-conditioned motorhome which they can come into to cool off.
I have pierced ears and a collection of earrings for them. Many years ago I would change my earrings to match my outfit but those days are long gone and now I often wear the same ones for weeks in a row. However, since arriving here in Mission Makai checks my ears daily to see what I am wearing in them, so now I change them every day for him. Today he is wearing a fish t-shirt so I am wearing my fish earrings and consequently, I made one little boy very happy! 
Monet, our 10-day old granddaughter sleeps so soundly, not even gas in her tummy disturbs her. She sleeps like this between feedings AND during diaper changes. I could do with such a sound sleep (minus the diaper change of course)! Oh what a life!
Our cat, Sambucca, thinks she has royal blood cursing through her veins. In the morning she does not leave me alone until I make the bed, where I strategically place "her" cushion. Then she plants herself on her "throne" for the day, only waking periodically for a drink or something to eat. Ahhh....to be a cat!
While we were in the Okanagan Valley we spent some time touring the area. Kalamalka Lake is just one of several lakes in the area and certainly one of the prettiest. The jade green water at Juniper Bay against the backdrop the grey cliffs and blue sky is reminiscent of someplace in the Caribbean.
I love Canada; there is so much beauty to see and explore and this is only the beginning.
Today Monet turned 7 days old and we haven't seen her in three days.In just one short weekend,she has gained a few ounces and her facial features have changed. Here she is looking very unimpressed with the position her Grandpa is holding her in!
We are staying at a great B & B in the Okanagan Valley, in the BC interior. The weather has been fabulous, our hosts have been great and the breakfasts, delicious. It reminds us of our B & B hosting days but it sure is nice to be on the receiving end for a change. Here's Rick enjoying breakfast!
We are taking a leave of absence from the newly expanded MacLachlan clan, using the time to explore the interior of BC. This morning we woke up to sunshine and blue sky and as we were driving, this view was crying out to be photographed. I obliged.
There is no smell better than that of a new baby (with a clean diaper of course!). Here is a picture of Rick taking a big sniff and giving Monet a kiss.
Our wee grandson, Makai, had a little "meltdown" this afternoon. They never last long (thank heavens for short attention spans at his age!) and he is soon distracted by something else. Here he is with the remnants of tears on his face!
What is more precious than a two day old baby bundled up and sleeping? Here is Monet, dressed in yellow and ready for her first doctor's appointment.
Here is a pic of our day old granddaughter with her proud mom. Monet Helena has a few scratches from her fingernails made before her mom had a chance to trim them.
Finally after almost 20 hours of labour we have a new grandchild and Makai, our wee grandson, has a sibling.
Monet Helena MacLachlan made her debut at 5:17 AM, weighing in at 8 lbs.
Mother, father, brother and baby are doing fine and Granni and Grandpa are ecstatic!
Go to our journal later today for pictures and details!
When we first arrived here in Mission, we went out and purchased some plants for Ian and Karley's garden. Some of the plants were annuals but most were perennials so that they will come up year after year. Unfortunately some of the annual plants haven't survived and have been reduced to little brown blobs of crispy hay.
...And then there is this one....never planted and growing where no one would plant anything...in between the front step and the concrete driveway!! Poor lonely little thing but ever so pretty!
Well today is Karley's due date and still she shows no sign of making a delivery. When Makai was born he was due on Christmas Day however she went into labour the next day, delivering him in the wee hours of the 27th. Here's hoping this baby will do the same and arrive over the weekend!
I was a tomboy as a child, hence I had a toolbox and a toy farm, both of which I played with a lot. The one thing I always wanted was a wagon however, it wasn't to be. Recently we bought Makai a little red wagon; a two-seater made of plastic which should last for years. It's not quite the wooden kind like I wanted, or the metal kind that became popular later, but he loves it just the same. The plastic model comes with a cup holder and a place to put some snacks so it is ideal to use when we go to check the mail.
Makai, our wee grandson, is enrolled in swimming lessons at the Mission Leisure Centre. He goes every morning with Grandpa and they spend some time before and after each lesson playing in the pool. Here he is getting ready to get in the car because though the class doesn't start until 10:00, Makai is anxious to go even earlier.
This picture may seem out of season, but I just wanted to share it with everyone. Traditionally, holly is associated with the Christmas Holiday season, however there is a large, beautiful holly shrub growing now in Karley and Ian's backyard.
It is extremely healthy, has shiney leaves and is speckled with red berries. Happy Independence Day, folks...different celebration than Christmas but worthy of this holiday plant just the same!
Ever since he was born, when Granni is around, our wee grandson, Makai, has become conditioned to the fact that I always have a camera in hand. Since he has started to talk, we have taught him to say "cheese" for the camera. On Saturday, while at the neighbours, I was walking around their beautiful home taking pictures when Makai walked in. His immediate response was to loudly say, "Cheeeese" when I didn't even know he was there! Here he is this morning saying it again only this time the camera is on him.
This morning we minded our wee grandson, Makai, while his mom and dad did some shopping. Grandpa kept him occupied playing with some wooden blocks and before long, Makai was showing off his ability to balance a stack of them in his mouth. Not bad for an 18 month old! If he keeps this up, he'll be running off to join the circus before he is 10 years old!
Today is Canada Day and our wonderful(?) government gave us a present in the way of dropping our federal sales tax, the GST, to 6% from 7%! Too bad we will be paying more income tax instead! Oh well, we live in a pretty awesome country and I really shouldn't complain; 1% is better than 0%. We had a great day; went for a motorcycle ride, had a delicious dinner with wonderful company and the weather was fabulous!! Happy Birthday Canada!
Give a little boy a garden hose and he can be entertained for hours. Well maybe not hours, but certainly for a long time. 
Makai has a bear; actually a "double" bear. "Bear" originally started as a single teddy bear lovingly knit by his other grandmother. 
Sam, our cat, is an indoor critter but that doesn't mean she's not curious about the great outdoors. 
She may not look like she weighs a lot, but her 9lbs. 15oz. adds up to a lot when one is carrying her in one's arms while walking up a steep hill. 
Today while we went on our walk we took a container with us so that when we picked blackberries, we could even bring some home.
We went for a walk around the neighbourhood today and because we are in a rural locale there are some farms in the area. 
When a little guy needs a diaper change and the back seat isn't big enough because it has a car seat in it, sometimes it's necessary to open up the trunk and use it. 
I mentioned yesterday how beautiful the architecture is in Vancouver, BC. 
The architecture found in Vancouver, BC is unquestionably some of the finest in the world. 
It seems that for the past two days, Makai (our wee grandson) and Grandpa are dressing to match each other. 
It is HOT here right now! This is not typical weather for these parts so when it does get this hot folks just aren't prepared for it. 
I have pierced ears and a collection of earrings for them. Many years ago I would change my earrings to match my outfit but those days are long gone and now I often wear the same ones for weeks in a row. 
Monet, our 10-day old granddaughter sleeps so soundly, not even gas in her tummy disturbs her. 
Our cat, Sambucca, thinks she has royal blood cursing through her veins. 
While we were in the Okanagan Valley we spent some time touring the area. 
Today Monet turned 7 days old and we haven't seen her in three days.
We are staying at a great B & B in the Okanagan Valley, in the BC interior. 
We are taking a leave of absence from the newly expanded MacLachlan clan, using the time to explore the interior of BC. 
There is no smell better than that of a new baby (with a clean diaper of course!). 
Our wee grandson, Makai, had a little "meltdown" this afternoon. 
What is more precious than a two day old baby bundled up and sleeping? 
Here is a pic of our day old granddaughter with her proud mom. 
When we first arrived here in Mission, we went out and purchased some plants for Ian and Karley's garden. Some of the plants were annuals but most were perennials so that they will come up year after year. Unfortunately some of the annual plants haven't survived and have been reduced to little brown blobs of crispy hay.
Well today is Karley's due date and still she shows no sign of making a delivery. 
I was a tomboy as a child, hence I had a toolbox and a toy farm, both of which I played with a lot. The one thing I always wanted was a wagon however, it wasn't to be. 
Makai, our wee grandson, is enrolled in swimming lessons at the Mission Leisure Centre. 
This picture may seem out of season, but I just wanted to share it with everyone. Traditionally, holly is associated with the Christmas Holiday season, however there is a large, beautiful holly shrub growing now in Karley and Ian's backyard.
Ever since he was born, when Granni is around, our wee grandson, Makai, has become conditioned to the fact that I always have a camera in hand. 
This morning we minded our wee grandson, Makai, while his mom and dad did some shopping. 
Today is Canada Day and our wonderful(?) government gave us a present in the way of dropping our federal sales tax, the GST, to 6% from 7%! 
