She loves a tourist trap!

So we headed off to the Vancouver Aquarium today!  We just love this place so much, we had to buy a membership!  It's super awesome for a rainy day, or (in my particular case) a day when you know you will absolutely not want to have to clean your house whatsover, so you will do whatever possible to stay away!
So, off we go!  Here's a few highlights from my day!

This little series of shots blows me away.  We're at the otter exhibit, and Kate's just staring off into the water, daydreaming.  All of a sudden, playful little otter comes swimming right by her face, catching her completely off guard!  Resulting in the most glorious smile I have ever seen!  I love these so much, I couldn't choose just one!

sigh.  Oh, how I love you.



Off to the Beluga Whale exhibit.  Man, these are amazing mammals.  There was a little girl standing at the glass wall, with a small branch with leaves on it - just sort of waving it back and forth at the glass wall, where a Beluga was watching her, and literally following it everywhere that she moved it.  It was amazing.  Wishing I was a little more with it, and thought to take a video with my phone, but I was enjoying the moment.  You know how it is...

Here's another thing I was enjoying:

(giving the Beluga a hug)

Had a great day today!  Love when bedtime, and there's still a smile on my face. 

Oh!  And Happy St. Patty's day!!!!! Were you sporting your green today?!?!

She loves a weekend away...

So, we've been in a bit of a rut lately.  The weather is just nonstop rain, cold, wind or snow around here, and we're getting a little bit of cabin fever!  So, we saw a little sunshine and decided to take advantage of it!  Started packing up first thing in the morning for a weekend away on the boat!  We headed up to our favourite weekend getaway

The Wigwam Inn was a hotel built in 1910 (just celebrated it's 100th anniversary!) located at the tip of Indian Arm in BC.  It's no longer a hotel, but has been purchased (in the mid 80's) by the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and is a members-only outstation.  We are so fortunate to be able to come here whenever we want, in just a short 2 hour boat trip!  (you can read a little more on the history of the Wigwam here: http://www.nvdpl.north-van.bc.ca/resource-guides/current-events/wigwam-inn-one-hundred-years

So.....getting all excited at our little glimpse of sunshine, we head out on the water!  Whoot whoot! 
But unfortunately, we arrived to a lot of this:

So, we ended up just doing a lot of this:

At least day two was filled with a little more sunshine than the previous day, and we actually were able to do some playing outside!

And.........we caught ourselves a crab!!!!  Wahooooo!

Let me out!!!

I love how the kids are terrified that the crab will chase after them!

Finally got the nerve up to get a little closer!

So, cold or not, we had a great time!  I mean, how can you not?  Away from the house for the night, no cleaning necessary, in the company of some fantastic people, floating on the water!  How could it be any better?!?!  Well, we could have had some warm weather, but we'll get there!
Hope you had a great weekend too!  And since we didn't get any of the real stuff, we'll leave you with the sunshine we created on our own!  Kate's kisses always warm me up!

Loves me some sushi...

So, my littlest (Owen) and I set out for an adventure lunch today, to "research" our homemade sushi dinner tonight.  This entailed a lunch out at one of our favourite sushi joints around town, and we were required to savour every bite.  It's a rough life, I know...
We had to kill some time while we were waiting for the goods to arrive

On a quest to get ahold of Momma's phone!

Owen's shot of his beloved.

And then our yummies arrived.  Lunchbox A.  Teriyaki chicken, california roll, tempura veg, etc.  Research complete.

(please excuse the uber-crappy photos taken from my cell, forgot my siamese twin (aka, my Nikon) at home today!)

So, we were on a mission.  Fueled, and ready for a challenge.  Well, at least I was ready, Owen was just fueled and ready for a nap.
So off to the grocery store we go, in search for all the yummy goodness required for sushi night. 
I've got everything ready.  Starting at 3:30, have all chopped up, separated in different bowls.  Pork Katsu, ready to go.  Sushi rice cooking in rice cooker.  Feeling rather "Martha" about it all.

California Roll #1 down!

Okay, so off to roll number 2.  In the middle of concentrating on putting this sucker together, teaching my darling husband how to read a recipe so that I don't have to do the katsu, dodging my littles left right and centre, I start to lose it.  Cue next photo.

Ahhhh...That's better.  Carry on...

So, amidst utter chaos, we finish up to this lovely little spread!

Pork Katsu created by the love of my life!  So proud of my non-cooker!

MMMMmmmmm......california rolls.....

Whoa!  Kate's a little camera thief!  Hello says Kimberly!  Now back to the deliciousness...

And to top off all our hard work, a nice glass of Painted Turtle Pinot Grigio.  Delightful. (and yes, I know I posted two different drinks in this post.  And no, I do not have a drinking problem! hahahhaaa!!! )

Oh, and I have to add, I found these super awesome kids chopsticks made by 'Fred'. 

I apologize that I don't have a website for them, but this is the distributer I bought them from.  http://www.sprogs.ca/products/Chimpsticks.html
Check out her wonderful stock of goodness! 

Had a little impromptu photo party post dinner.  Kate's a little bit of a camera hog.  As soon as she hears the shutter go, she's "on".

Kate's thoughts on these photos:  "Well, they're pretty good, Mom, but the only problem is that Dad is kind of in them.  Too bad."  Oh, dear child.  I love you so.
And to leave you with a little love for the evening:

Sushi Monster!!!!  Rawr!!!

She's lovin' her family sushi night!!!

She loves....a new beginning...

So....Here we go!  I'm usually a little bit of a private person, but I've been totally into reading blogs lately (to kill time while I'm putting my wee ones to bed!), and it's inspiring me to really just get myself out there!

So, I'm going to just try my hand at this blogging biz, and see where it goes!

Is it weird that I'm already feeling the pressure to perform?!?!?!!!!!

So, right now, she loves a new beginning...a fresh start....a blank slate...even if she's a little nervous!