Chickadee Manor

A very special vacation

In January, Dwayne and I went on our first vacation alone (alone = the two of us, without the kids) since we started having kids almost 11 years ago!  We decided to go somewhere completely different and to a country neither of us had been to before - South Africa.  A long time friend of mine lives there with her family so it made traveling and touring around that much nicer as we were able to get to know their family better, meet new friends, and have the inside track in terms of local knowledge of places to visit.  We had a wonderful time and would go back again in a heartbeat!  Next time, we hope to take the kids.  It might be a few years...

I thought I would share a few posts with some of our favourite parts of our vacation in the Western Cape province.  I hope you enjoy some armchair travel with us!

 

 Our first photo in South Africa, taken by our friend Matt.  Heading east along the coastal route from Cape Town.  

As you can see, it was as very windy day!

A big week!

This has been quite the week!  Dwayne's parents arrived for a visit and my grandparents were up visiting as well.  Plus, I have two grandparents who live locally.  For the first time the kids had all of their grandparents and great-grandparents in the same place at the same time!  We took a four generation family photo the other night.  Sadly, I didn't get one on my phone but I'm sure someone will get me a copy from their camera soon.

Dwayne and his dad went hunting earlier in the week and came home with lots of grouse and a small bison.  We celebrated Thanksgiving early as we had so many family in town.  In place of the traditional turkey, we had grouse and a bison roast.  Delicious! 

Judah had his first haircut this week.  He went from wispy baby hair with serious wingies to a big boy hair cut.  So cute and what a change!  Love it though!

Judah trying out the hairdressing chair.  This was at nap time and he just couldn't quite manage it.  We came back after he had had a nap and all was very well!

Abby saying goodbye to Emma and Judah

Abby embarked on an adventure with Grandma and GrandBarry.  She is traveling to Prince Edward Island with them to visit my middle sister and her family who live there and on the way there and the way home she will get to visit with my youngest sister who lives in Alberta.  This will be her first trip away from home for any length of time without us.  We miss her already but know she will have a wonderful time!

Poor Emma collapsed at the end of the driveway in tears because, "It not like our family without Abby."  So true!

 

 

An Afternoon at the Beach

On our way home, we stayed overnight with friends who live right at the edge of Great Slave Lake.  The beach in front of their home is beautiful.  The kids had a blast making their own pool by making a driftwood log frame at beach level which they then covered with muddy sand they bucketed from the lake.  Once the pool was dug to their satisfaction they brought water up from the lake to fill the pool!

 

 

 

Dino in the Sandbox