Mommy Mondays: Traveling With A One Year Old

This Saturday 

the girls and I are flying to Alberta 

to visit friends.

I am SO excited.

But I am also a bit nervous to

fly with a baby who has just learned to walk.

In the past I have traveled with 

a newborn, an 8 month old,

a 2 year old and a 3 year old.

The baby stage was fine because

the flight was a nap.

The older ages

she was able to enjoy the TV.

With an active 1 year old

who has no interest in TV,

what do I do on a flight?

I don't want to be the parent that 

packs all these toys that she will

throw around the plane.

I need some ideas!

Can anyone help?

Leave a comment below 

with any ideas you have,

or your experience in flying with a 13 month old!

Thanks!

Sea to Sky

For Christmas our family received

a family pass for the 

Sea to Sky gondola in Squamish, BC.

We decided to save it for the summer,

when the weather would be optimal for hiking and sightseeing. 

We went on a beautiful, sunny weekend

to enjoy a weekend respite.

Our goal for the weekend

was to have no agenda.

We wanted to relax and take a break.

It was a success.

We played in the pool,

which had a water slide, 

for a long time.

Then when we were hungry, we went for dinner.

After dinner we went for a walk through Squamish

and found a park to play in.

We ended the evening cuddling in bed watching TV.

The next day we were lazy.

Spencer took the girls to the pool

while I slept in.

(Best husband ever.)

Then we had breakfast and headed 

to the gondola.

It was a busy, hot day.

The mountain was full of hikers,

both novice and experienced.

We saw rock climbers on the face of the Chief.

We saw women attempting a hike in heels.

(Yes, actually.)

We chose a family friendly trail

with some lookouts that were amazing.

The trail was easy; the views were incredible! 

One lookout point was suspended over a cliff to give a full panorama.

We ended our time in Squamish at Shannon Falls.

We had intended to just walk around and admire the falls,

but it was so hot we ended up playing in the creek for quite a while.

It felt cool and refreshing.

Claire scaled rocks in the creek and was so brave.

Then we had a family dinner at White Spot,

another part of our Christmas gift.

The girls traveled and slept well,

which makes a weekend go from good to great.

The drive was beautiful.

I hadn't been on the Sea to Sky for years.

The view of the water and the islands was amazing.

The Sound is a beautiful green-blue.

I highly recommend a day trip, or even an over night,

to do the gondola, the hike and to do some sightseeing.

A wonderful addition to our summer of fun!

Summer Vacation

This summer we are keeping it 

local for vacations.

We will be camping a couple of weekends,

and we went to Sun Peaks for a week.

Our friends Michelle, Jeff and their baby Isla joined us.

Howard and Diane came as well.

We did a whole lot of nothing,

and a whole lot of everything.

Walks to the park,

ice cream and the Sunday market.

A small hike before the storm rolled in

and then watching an hours long thunder and lightening storm

from the safety of the indoors.

We went to the lake and the pool to keep cool.

We cuddles on the couch watching Full House,

 ("house full" as Claire calls it.)

We had BBQs and

consumed an insane amount of watermelon.

We went in the hot tub several times a day

as well as enjoyed the massage chair nicknamed Roxanne,

to unwind.

Michelle and I tried the Mountain Cross Carts.

Downhill go karting powered only by gravity!

Jeff and Spencer enjoyed a round of golf.

It was a relaxing weekend

and a wonderful time spent with friends.

A walk to the park in the red wagon.

Big sister taking her turn, what a great idea...right?

Hang on a second, Nana didn't get her turn in the wagon.

 This was just way too cute. I could hardly handle it.

Pool side babe.

Claire made best friends with Rapunzel quite quickly.

And Spiderman found his mini-me.

These two chased each other around the village scaling walls. So cute.

Storm watching.

Early morning sunrise.

This poor deer got caught in the parking lot and couldn't find his way out.

Claire did the bungee trampoline again.

So proud of my adventurous girl who did 6 back flips! 

 In the evening when Diane sat down to upload her photos, Jane was so intrigued by her lap top.

 Our little fashionista.

 

Time for a bath in the sink! 

Making bracelets. Craft kits are always a hit.

Plenty of games, plenty of relaxing.

Some baking for the cookie-monster,

and fun to be had at the cabin.