As the kids grow older and become more adaptable we get to be more adventurous with our outings. We’ve been meaning to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge for a while and we’re now pleased to check this goal off of our ever growing list of things to do.

Originally built in 1889, the Capilano Suspension Bridge stretches 450 feet (137m) across and 230 feet (70m) above Capilano River.

In addition to the shock and awe (and fear) of the bridge, they have an awesome Christmas light display throughout their property. We walked the suspension bridge and also, the recently created cliffwalk, breath held and anxieties stowed.

Cliffwalk follows a granite precipice along Capilano River with a labyrinth-like series of narrow cantilevered bridges, stairs and platforms. It only has 16 anchor points to the cliff!

I was really surprised how brave the kids were, actually. They held our hands and just went for it. Kids can be so fearless. It was a great way to spend Christmas Eve -feels like a new family tradition just got created!

 

We are spoiled living in North Vancouver when it comes to ski hills. Three are within 30 minute driving distance from us. Grouse Mountain is the closest, viewable from our balcony on a clear day. Grouse has a big Christmas theme every year in the month of December. You ride the Gondola up the mountain along with all of the skiers and snowboarders to the top where they have an ice rink, reindeer, sleigh rides, Santa’s workshop and lots of snow to play with.

Our goal this year was to get out and do lots of Christmas adventures. We were really exited to take Claire & Rhys up the mountain. It turned out to be a great day. It was super busy and the line-ups for the attractions were very long. However, the kids don’t notice those things so much and they loved the Gondola ride (a lot more than I did- they are so much braver than their Mom) and visiting Santa. Rhys is a very active little boy so while Claire & I lined up to visit Santa Jimmy was chasing Rhys through the snow and across the big ice rink.

 

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Grouse mountain- a view from the road:

Buying passes- busy!

Gondola:

At the top- so much snow:

We recently celebrated Claire & Rhys’ 3rd birthday. We held it at our local community centre where there is lots of room to roam and play. Claire & Rhys have been looking forward to their birthday for months. They made a special request….they had to have Elmo and Cookie Monster cupcakes. Jimmy had a request as well…..it had to be a pizza party 😉

It was a lot of work but so worthwhile. I made the cupcakes the evening before the party and Jimmy sewed their birthday hats.

We had a great turn-out with lots of kids, good friends and neighbors.

We cannot believe it has been 3 years since Claire & Rhys arrival into our lives. What a fun and awesome 3 years it has been 🙂

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Trampoline:

Face Painting:

Pizza Party:

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Claire worn-out from the party:

and Rhys…..on a sugar high:

A few weeks ago we ventured out for a North Vancouver adventure. We decided to first visit Grouse Mountain. Specifically, the wolves that they have in their wildlife refuge. These timber wolves are movie industry retirees. We have gone to visit them before but they have always been hiding and we normally leave a little disappointed. This time both wolves were visible and quite close to the fence. Claire & Rhys were very excited to see them as ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ was a favorite story the last little while.

After visiting the wolves at Grouse Mountain, we drove down to Cleveland Dam for a little walk. The view from the dam is quite spectacular and watching the massive amounts of water flow over the dam is always exciting.

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So this post is a little late – it has been a busy few months! Trying to catch up now after looking through all our photos.

For Hallowe’en 2012 Claire wanted to be a princess and Rhys wanted to be a cowboy. At the last minute Claire decided she wanted to be a cowboy as well so thankfully, with a costume borrowed from Aunt Wendy, we were able to make all these costumes happen!

Jimmy has little cowboy boots from when he was a little boy and Rhys fit them so his costume was complete with little vintage cowboy boots.

We had two Hallowe’en events to attend which is good because Claire was able to dress in both her costumes.

 

Tired kids after a very rainy trick-or-treat adventure.

A week or so ago we decided to get out of the house and go for a walk in the woods. It had been raining all weekend and regardless of the rain we needed some fresh air.

We went to one of our favorite trails in North Vancouver and had a fun time. We followed the stream down the path then climbed a huge set of stairs that Claire & Rhys did not want any help from us to climb. We walked past the local armory and played on an old gun turret then headed to Mahon Park for some swing time and puddle stomping. One of our favorite things to do.

After such a nice long time outside Claire & Rhys had a really good sleep that night- yay!

 

 

Now that the kids are older and in preschool they have been helping me with some weekly baking so they have a yummy little treats for ‘snack time’ at school.

Claire & Rhys love it and are so proud of themselves for helping in the kitchen. It warms my heart seeing them in the little aprons we bought for them and having them be interested in something I like to do. Rhys usually wonders away to go play trains with Jimmy but Claire will stick around through it all and sit on a little step stool and peer into the oven and watch them bake.

The best is when the mini-muffins have cooled down and both Claire & Rhys sit down to try them. It is so cute.

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This past weekend we decided Claire needed a little hair cut as her bangs were covering her eyes. We thought it would be fun to visit a little barber shop in Edgemont Village that we had walked passed many times. There always seemed to be so many parents and kids waiting inside so that was a good sign. Also, it had to be better than the other location we went to occasionally which charged ridiculous prices for kids cuts.

We waited almost an hour for the barber to be free and we were pleasantly surprised how calm and patient Claire & Rhys were. They had a box full of kids books to keep us busy and as they love reading the time passed quickly.

Claire was so excited to sit in the barber chair and have her hair cut. After the cut was finished she sweetly said ‘thank-you’ to Brenda, the barber, and had a giant smile on her face as she climbed off the chair. I am thinking Claire & I will lots of fun when she is older going and having Mom/ Daughter spa days 🙂

It turned out to be the perfect rainy day activity!

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