Revelstoke Trip

A little late in posting this, but better late than never. I've been waiting for Josh to touch up the photos but we've been quite busy around here so they still are not done. I figure that I'd better write the post soon before I forget, and then I can add pictures later.

I don't even remember the dates, but back in mid July we packed up the Westy and drove to Revelstoke. We decided to try something new because Ethan H.A.T.E.S long car rides, so we started driving at 8pm. Ethan did really well. He konked out early and pretty much slept the whole time. Yippeee! Maddy on the other hand was hilarious. I guess she doesn't really get out much when it is dark. She woke up while we were getting gas in Merritt and pretty much stayed awake for a long time. She was completely amazed by all the lights in Kamloops and would shout up to us in the front seat, "What's that mama? The letter 'M'! I see a train!!"... I was quite worried that she was going to wake Ethan who was sitting right beside her, but he was out.

In Revelstoke Oma had lots of activities for the kids to do while Josh and Herman worked on the Vanagon. They took the transmission out, cleaned it and rebuilt some part of it. They also did something involving a drive shaft?? Well, I won't even try to go into details as I'm impressed that I even remembered the word 'drive shaft'. :)

Baking cookies with Oma.

There's the transmission...I think.

I cannot remember the exact order of day trips but here are some highlights:

We went for a picnic at the lake that is just 5 mins. away from home. I have to say that it's awesome to be just 5 mins away from a lake. No chance of anyone falling asleep before getting home in time for a nap. Maddy had a great time playing in the water with Oma and I even put Ethan in the lake. He loved it and was splashing around. The tough thing about Ethan's age is that he puts everything into his mouth, so he had quite a big handful of sand. Maddy was in heaven when Oma bought her a popsicle. By the end Maddy had both the popsicle and Oma's cone in her hands. One happy girl!!!

Ethan was having a blast in the lake. He loved splashing around.

Oma and Maddy building sandcastles.

On another day we went to Kim, Pascal and Kaes' house for lunch and a play date. I am always so impressed with how great Kaes is with Maddy. Maddy just loves him. It was also great to see Ethan having fun with the 'boy toys' since he doesn't have too many toys of his own at home. The poor little guy, he desparately wanted to follow Kaes and Maddy around but he couldn't get up the stairs to follow them. Next year Ethan!

Everybody is too busy playing to look at the camera.

We took the kids to the pool a couple of times and it was Ethan's first time. He loved it and was taking it all in. We borrowed a floaty thing from Kaes and it was perfect because he could just hang out and float around with us.


One evening we tried to go to the river for a cook out. Unfortunately, the water was really high so there wasn't much of a beach to sit on. After trying to find another site, we decided to just head home. Luckily, Oma and Opa have a fire pit right at home so we could still have yummy smokies and s'mores.

Auntie Lyn and Uncle Aaron

"The itsy-bitsy spider went up the water spout..."

A cook out in the side yard

We were supposed to go camping for the last couple nights of the week, but with the Westy being fixed and the age that Ethan is at right now, we decided it would be more enjoyable next year. Instead we went to Blanket Creek one evening and had a cook out. The lake had tons of tadpoles and the kids (and adults) had a great time watching and teasing the gofers. (They like marshmellows!!).

This is how we roll! The Blommestein Westies at Blanket Creek

Maddy and Kaes at the lake

This picture just cracks me up.

If you've driven that part of the Number 1 highway, you've no doubt passed by the Enchanted Forest. It's a place I remember driving by as a kid and wishing we could stop. Well, dreams do come true!! :) I guess compared to other theme parks nowadays, this would be considered 'low key'. It was great to see Maddy really enjoy it though. I guess because we haven't taken her to a really hyper theme park (like Disneyland) yet. She had a great time running in and out of the little houses and really loved the Winnie the Pooh characters. To her, they might as well have been real and that was really fun to watch. She even climbed all the way to the top of the tree house and back down again with Josh.

Maddy loved exploring all the little huts.

The good 'ol snack trap was enough to keep Ethan busy

Kaes on a time-out. Just kidding!!


In the third little pig's house made of bricks.

In a blink the week was over and we had to pack up the Westy again. It's always fun to spend time with family and we're already looking forward to Christmas. Thanks mom and dad for everything and for such a great week.

I just love this picture.

Lots of just 'hanging out' time.

Lots of treats at Oma's house. Sorry Ethan, not for you yet.

Auntie Lyn is very good at braiding hair.

I just wanted to blog about a cute story that happened while we were at Blanket Creek. Josh was walking with Kaes and Maddy. He said that at one point Kaes put him arm around Maddy's shoulders as they walked. Maddy smiled up at Josh and said "Papa, when Kaes puts his arm around me, he's making sure I'm safe!" Too cute!