t h e G l e s s n e r s

Cannon Beach

2011-07-14T15:58:00.000-07:00

First weeks with Josephine

2011-07-14T15:54:00.000-07:00

Josephine Gweneth Glessner is here!

2011-07-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

Easter

2011-04-27T10:14:00.000-07:00

An Easter egg hunt with Cora and friends, painting eggs, and making cookies for Clay's preschool class were a few of the ways we celebrated Easter. I like how Clay is at the age where we can discuss the spiritual and commercial aspects of holidays, and hopefully he can start to understand the real meaning.

Spring in Vancouver

2011-04-27T10:09:00.000-07:00

Clay told me yesterday that my maternity leave feels like a 365-day weekend. So cute! And with Justin home by noon every day, we have been enjoying some wonderful family outings. I love Vancouver!

Shower

2011-04-27T10:02:00.000-07:00

Susan, Lindsey, and Andrea threw me a lovely shower, and it was such a meaningful time for me. I cried lots, mostly because I was so touched by how loving and supportive these women have been over the years. I could go on and on about how each of these women has blessed me and cared for me and encouraged me, and it was wonderful to all be together celebrating this new baby girl. God is good!

Prego Pics

2011-04-15T07:24:00.000-07:00

British Virgin Islands Sailing Trip

2011-04-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

Clay's 5th Birthday Party

2011-03-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

Aubrey, Kaden, & Lauren visit Vancouver

2011-03-20T17:42:00.000-07:00

First Ski Lesson

2011-03-20T17:41:00.000-07:00

Visiting the Lathrops

2011-03-20T17:40:00.000-07:00

Family day at Mount Seymour - intertubing, sledding, and a snow walk

2011-03-19T11:25:00.001-07:00

Snow in Vancouver!

2011-03-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

Christmas 2010

2011-03-19T11:11:00.000-07:00

We loved spending Christmas with both our wonderful families!

13.5 of us (Nana and Katie are at home)

The cousins loved being together, though it can be hard to see so many presents opened that are not for you!

Legos was the theme for Clay's gifts - he spends hours building things

Clay loves being Eli's sidekick

Clay made shell necklaces for family members from the shells he found in Mexico

Trying to keep the kids quiet until 8 am

The cousins!

We loved playing Dixit with the family

Mazatlan

2011-03-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

Clay LOVED the pool and waterslide

I loved my floatie

Family volleyball

Many, many hours were spent looking for shells

and splashing in the waves

Mazatlan does have tide pools!

bros

Halloween

2010-11-18T11:06:00.000-08:00

Weekend with the Lathrops

2010-11-18T11:04:00.000-08:00

Sailing

2010-11-18T11:01:00.002-08:00

Luke Byron Stacey is here!

2010-11-18T11:01:00.001-08:00

Weekend at Rivendell

2010-11-18T10:59:00.000-08:00

10-year Westmont reunion in Santa Barbara

2010-11-18T10:58:00.000-08:00

Apple Barn

2010-11-18T10:55:00.000-08:00

Labor Day Weekend trip to Kelowna

2010-11-18T10:49:00.001-08:00

First Annual Boys Backpacking Trip

2010-08-08T21:25:00.000-07:00

Justin & Clay, along with Andrew, Lincoln, Joel, Daniel, Sam & Scott spent the weekend on the Olympic Peninsula. They did a three mile hike to the coast, camped at the beach, got rained out, and headed home a day early. Despite the rain, a fabulous time was had by all and Clay can’t stop talking about all the adventures!

Blueberry picking & Bird sanctuary

2010-08-06T13:22:00.000-07:00

BC Day

2010-08-03T09:18:00.000-07:00

We took a family bike ride around False Creek, climbed a fence to pick blackberries the size of golf balls, and then met Kyle, Lindsey, & Lilly at Granville Island. The kids loved the duck pond and the water park. This year I did not let Clay get into the nasty ponds :).

Blackberries are finally here!

2010-08-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

Clay loves picking berries of all kinds. Collecting things is his very favorite activity: bugs, worms, frogs, berries, acorns, everything! And making blackberry/nectarine crisp and sharing it with friends is half the fun!

Lakeside Bible Camp

2010-08-02T19:06:00.000-07:00

It was fun introducing Clay to the camp I went to every summer since I was 10 days old. He loved paling around with cousin Eli and trying to catch stuff with their nets.

Clay & Justin's tour of UBC gardens: Japanese, Botanical, & Rose

2010-08-02T19:04:00.000-07:00

Hard core splash fights at Maple Grove pool

2010-08-02T19:01:00.000-07:00

Mt. Rainer

2010-07-26T21:03:00.000-07:00

All three of us love the annual tradition of staying at Paradise Lodge on Mount Rainer with Nana Beth & Grandpa Dan. And all 5 of us again made it to Panorama Point - I don’t know if I am more proud of my 59-year-old mom or 4-year-old son! We deemed it the year of the marmots - we spotted 15!

Fox Island

2010-07-26T20:56:00.000-07:00

Fox Island is definitely one of Clay's favorite spots on earth. He loves everything about it: hanging out with family, the beach, the sand dollar creek, the orchard, the dogs, the hot tub. He is in heaven!

Troy & family

2010-07-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

We loved our day with Uncle Troy and family at their house on Lake Desire.

Visiting the Jacobsens in Bend

2010-07-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

We loved reconnecting with our dear friends Christine & Dave in Bend, Oregon. Nicholas and Sam are such sweet boys too. We were there less than 48 hours, but we packed it full of walks, bike rides, and a river float. And Clay was a great sport, especially considering he had an 102 temperature the entire time!

Plethora of Cannon Beach pics

2010-07-14T19:56:00.000-07:00

Strawberry picking at Boxx berry farm

2010-07-13T20:40:00.000-07:00

My brother & family visit Vancouver

2010-06-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

First things first: a bike ride around Stanley Park, and lots of beach time. Oh how I love seeing Clay enjoy his cousins! And I am so thankful that my brother married a woman who is now one of my best friends.

Berry picking was also a highlight of the weekend: huckleberries and salmon berries galore!

Point Grey Parade and Carnival

2010-06-27T19:55:00.000-07:00

Our neighborhood hosts a parade and carnival every summer, and this year we marched in the parade with a our church group. What fun!

Getting ready to march with the ark float in the parade. Were there dragons on the ark? Maybe...

With his fellow creatures

The dragon gets his face painted

Enjoying the rides

Family outing to Stanley Park

2010-06-22T07:06:00.000-07:00

Lincoln's 4th Birthday

2010-06-22T07:03:00.000-07:00

Clay & Cora's morning at the beach

2010-06-06T14:58:00.000-07:00

Clay adores his neighbor friend Cora, and we are thankful for their little friendship. He loved sharing with her his love for the beach.

Seattle

2010-05-30T19:11:00.000-07:00

Clay and I spent Memorial Day weekend in Seattle with my family. Despite the non-stop drizzle, we had a wonderful weekend. I am so thankful for the love and support of my family. We had a couple beach outings to enjoy the minus tides, which is always Clay's favorite activity. He was a bit traumatized when a seagull took off with the sun sea star he had found after he left it in a small tidal pool.

Clay loves hanging out at Dave & Heather's house. He loves playing with his cousins, and with their cats, and chickens, and tree house, and rope swing. His favorite activity is looking for insects with Eli.

Despite the rain, the kids biked and we walked around Green Lake. Luke just learned to ride a bike, and he rode the entire way around the lake.

Clay got his first fishing pole, and we spent a couple hours fishing with Dave's family. Clay enjoyed learning to cast, and he especially loved the live bait. Hopefully next time we'll catch something...

Dave & Heather introduced us to this amazing pizza place in Seattle. The pizza truly tasted like Italy, and the kids loved watching the chefs assemble the pizzas. They were even given pieces of dough to play with, which kept them entertained.

the Heflins

2010-05-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

We are so happy our dear friends the Heflins moved back from Michigan, and now live in Lynden. I've rarely met a kid as rough and tumble as Clay, but I think he has met his match in his buddy Daniel. They had a giggling, shoving, wrestling match today in the grass that had us all laughing. Its a relief to not be always telling Clay to be more gentle and give someone space, and feeling like a crappy parent because it seems my kid is often making someone cry, as Daniel can totally handle it and stick up for himself if need be.

Isn't Phoebe Heflin the cutest?!

the Lathrops

2010-05-22T20:17:00.001-07:00

God has been amazing us with his generous gifts lately, and none are dearer than our beloved friends/family. I am especially grateful for friends that have kids Clay's age, so all three of us can enjoy the gift of fellowship. Lincoln and Clay are super adorable together, and have been since birth. We had a wonderful day together at the beach.

What we've been up too...

2010-05-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

Clay is 25 feet off the ground in this photo. Yikes! Both hands please, Clay! He is hooked on tree climbing.

Warmer weather has resurrected our love of the beach. On this day Clay and Justin found this crab, shrimp, eels, and sculpin.

Clay had hand, foot, mouth disease, which was actually not as bad as it looks.

Clay's hero

2010-05-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

Eli, my brother's 8 year-old son, is Clay's favorite playmate. Eli is wonderful with Clay, and they both love biking, searching for creatures, and beach combing. Clay tries so hard to keep up with Eli, and do everything he does, and laughs hilariously at all Eli's antics. And its good for Clay to let someone else be in charge.

Clay & Aaron

2010-05-19T07:37:00.000-07:00

We are thankful that Clay and our next-door-neighbor Aaron have come good buddies.

Weekend with Josh & Ginger

2010-05-16T19:10:00.000-07:00

We had a fabulous weekend with our dear friends the Boumas. We biked around Stanley Park, spent hours exploring the beach and collecting sea creatures, and played lots of board games. I haven't laughed so much in a LONG time. My favorite triple combo: time outside in a beautiful place, exercising, and with people I love. Ahhh!

Mother's Day

2010-05-14T13:49:00.001-07:00

We were blessed with gorgeous weather on Mother's Day, and as Clay had hand, foot, mouth disease, we skipped church and rode our bikes to the beach.

I never knew I could love someone as much as I love this little guy!

Some things are better naked

Clay spent a good hour running around these rocks

Careful of those barnacles!

Bike riding continues to be a favorite activity

This tidal pool was the perfect place to build a habitat for crabbies and other collected sea creatures

Three blue herons - we feel so blessed to live 5 minutes away from THIS!

I feel like the luckiest woman alive to share my life with two awesome boys.

Whistler Weekend

2010-04-26T15:55:00.000-07:00

Easter

2010-04-26T15:38:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Easter by hiking up to Fragrance Lake (4 miles - good job Clay!), lunch at boundary bay brewery, and egg hunt at the Lathrops - what a wonderful day!

Why dye when you can paint?

Egg hunt #1

Egg hunt #2

What the kids did

What the adults did

Aquarium

2010-04-26T15:35:00.000-07:00

Justin and Clay's new hobby - yes it is a 42 gallon tank

First Port: Mexico

2010-04-02T19:35:00.001-07:00

Justin, Clay and I, and my parents LOVED our 10-day cruise through the Panama Canal. Our first stop was Huatulco, Mexico, and this cool Mexican guy took us around to different beaches for a few hours. I loved swimming in the warm ocean, and the sun felt wonderful.

Second port: Guatemala

2010-04-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

Sadly, this port stop was canceled last minute due to a transportation strike in Guatemala.

Third Port: Nicaragua

2010-04-02T18:07:00.001-07:00

Lake Nicaragua, with the two volcanoes in the middle of the lake

My parents were ideal cruise companions in every way

Clay loved playing in the shallow and warm waters of Lake Nicaragua

Granada

Enjoying another beach in Nicaragua

Fourth Port: Costa Rica

2010-04-02T17:42:00.001-07:00

Costa Rica was my favorite stop, and it brought back many memories of the five months I lived there in college. We hired a car and guide for our day in Costa Rica.

First stop: monkeys

The monkeys ate bananas right out of our hands

Second stop: crocodiles

Third stop: beach. Beach combing - have I mentioned that Clay ADORES Justin? This photo represents hours and hours of what they love to do together.

Fourth stop: another beach

I love that my mom is one of my closest friends

Finding sea creatures among the rocks

Panama Canal

2010-04-02T17:36:00.001-07:00

Seven hours of cruising through the Panama Canal was a highlight

Clay was enthralled with the locks system

Who knew that the Panama canal is mostly a lake?

Fifth Port: Jamaica

2010-04-02T17:18:00.001-07:00

In the morning we enjoyed one of Jamaica's fine beaches and turquoise water

Clay loved all the fishes we saw darting through the clear water. We wished we had a net!

Clay showing off his Jamaica sea urchin

In the afternoon, Justin and I left Clay with my parents and climbed the waterfall at Dunn River Falls a couple times. It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

Ahhhh!

Enjoying the sailaway from Jamaica on my parents balcony

Sea Days

2010-04-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

We had 5 days at sea on our cruise. Clay loved all the onboard activities, and we never ran out of things to do. In fact we all agreed we needed another week onboard the ship :). As most know, I LOVE cruising and I would recommend it to anyone, especially families with small kids. Though you do need to be at least 3 to be in the kids program, which is what made this trip a real vacation. Like with preschool, I am a better mom when I get a couple hours to myself each day.

Clay spent about 3 hours a day in the pool. I can't wait for many visits to Vancouver's outdoor pools this summer.

Nice form - unfortunately this one ended in a belly flop

One of hundreds of Clay's cannon balls

A couple rounds of mini-golf was enjoyed each day

Clay was one of few children on board, which was great because we had lots of access to all the kid-friendly onboard amenities. He also received TONS of attention from the older passengers, and I felt like the parent of a celebrity because people were constantly coming up to us and admiring him. I felt blessed to be his mom!

Clay charmed the pottery at sea instructors, and they gave him a piece of clay and helped him make a pinch pot. He loved the glazing part best.

Clay was proud of his finished product

Shuffleboard was one of Clay's favorite activities

Clay loved the scones with jam and cream at high tea

The kid's program kept Clay busy with lots of crafts and games for a couple hours each day. He loved going, and we loved dropping him off.

Many, many hours were spent doing this

Dressed up for one of ten lovely dinners. Clay had fettucini alfredo every night - that's my picky boy. And for those who are wondering, yes I did bring a cooler full of frozen veggie cubes on the cruise, and Clay happily ate green oatmeal every morning.

Clay and grandpa in matching shirts

This activity made 90 minute dinners in the fancy dining room much more enjoyable for all 5 of us

Last Port: Fort Lauderdale

2010-04-02T13:13:00.001-07:00

Our cruise ended in Florida. We had a few hours before our flight left for Seattle so we took a tour that included an airboat ride in the Everglades and a visit to a botanical garden/wildlife sanctuary. We loved it!

On our airboat ride we saw some beautiful birds

And an alligator sunning on the beach. Can you spot his tail?

Clay loved watching this guy wrestle an alligator. Can you believe he put his hands between the gator's jaws. Scary!

Clay held a baby alligator

I'll show you mine if you show me yours

One of the pelicans was almost bigger than Clay

Can you believe it? Clay actually fell asleep while STANDING UP on the tour bus. I didn't know that was even possible.

Weekend with Nana, Victoria, & Juliet

2010-03-08T21:01:00.000-08:00

We loved our weekend with Nana Gwen and our sweet nieces. The girls were so loving and patient with Clay, and he loved playing with them and showing off his turf.

Nana with her grandchildren

Justin took the kids to the beach while Gwen and I took a walk around campus and attended our first card club - what fun!

They loved feeding all the bunnies

Playing board games with my nieces is one of our favorite bonding activities

Victoria and I making pizzas

The cousins playing Camelot Jr, one of Clay's all-time favorite games

Bikes, bunnies & beaches

2010-03-06T07:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Vancouver, and Clay and I biked from our house to the beach, and then along the beach to the bunny burrows. We saw lots of fat bunnies, and then enjoyed beach combing at low tide.

Grandparents

2010-02-23T14:57:00.001-08:00

My parents visited us in Vancouver for the weekend, and we took in some of the Olympic sights. We went to an ice hockey game. We saw the innukshuk statue, and then rode around Stanley Park. And of course no outing is complete without a couple hours of beach exploring. We then biked to the Olympic flame.

Checking out the Olympics Festivities

2010-02-17T09:27:00.000-08:00

A bike ride is now a part of most of our family outings. We love living in a city with awesome bike paths.

I was proud of Clay for biking across the Burrard bridge.

Clay loved the music, and we enjoyed watching Canada win their second gold metal on the huge screens they have set up in Robson square. The crowd went wild! We also liked watching the people zip-lining, although didn't want to wait in the 6 hour line to have our chance.

Clay gave iceskating his best shot, but he was not a fan.

Right before Clay fell asleep last night he lifted his head up and said "Mommy, I am NEVER iceskating again!"

Volunteering at the Olympics

2010-02-17T09:19:00.000-08:00

I am volunteering at Thunderbird Stadium on UBC campus during the Olympics. Hockey is being played here, mostly women and some men's games. So far it has been fun, and I enjoy watching the games, seeing the players behind scenes, interacting with spectators, and hanging out with my team members. Most of my 12 shifts are 10 hours, so it is exhausting too. And we'll see who I am really routing for when Canada plays the USA.

What I do most of the time

I am becoming quite the hockey fan

Canada fans going crazy

My team

Biking

2010-02-06T15:44:00.000-08:00

Clay's Nana Beth and Grandpa Dan got him a bike as an early birthday present, and he surprised us by mastering it in a matter of hours. Our neighborhood is perfect for bike riding, with lots of car-free lanes, so Clay has plenty of room to roam. Today we went on our first family bike ride, and after over an hour of riding, Clay still didn't want to go home. The kid has stamina!

Family Trip to California

2010-01-31T21:24:00.000-08:00

Our first family trip, just the three of us, was a walloping success. We went down to California for Marci's wedding and decided to make a week of it. Six theme parks in seven days was quite a whirlwind, and we had an AWESOME time. Fun family time, and reconnecting with dear friends - a perfect combo!

We went to a beach in San Diego to do some storm watching. The surf was huge, and it was beautiful! The stormy weather was a blessing, and added greatly to our trip.

Our first afternoon is San Diego we went to a science center in Balboa Park. Clay loved all the hands-on exhibits. Notice the look of concentration on his face as he builds with Keva blocks.

San Diego Zoo

2010-01-31T21:14:00.000-08:00

Much to our initial dismay, the day we planned to go to Sea World was the first day they had closed the park in 10 years (due to thunderstorms). We went to the San Diego Zoo instead, which was probably Clay's favorite day. And we went to Sea World the next day, but sadly forgot the camera. Clay's facial expressions in these photos crack me up. Maybe its a mom thing...

Wedding Weekend

2010-01-31T21:07:00.000-08:00

Here is all of us who shared a house for the wedding weekend (minus napping Jett). What fun to hang out with these beloved friends! Sadly, I have no pictures of the beautiful bride. Thank goodness for tags on facebook.

Clay loved entertaining the babies, Jett and Asher.

the Barnetts

2010-01-31T20:38:00.000-08:00

A major highlight of our trip was our 24-hour visit with the Barnetts. Mel and I are Westmont friends, and we spent a semester in Costa Rica together. I've seen her a few times in the last few years, but this was our first time hanging out with both our families, and it was wonderful! I love seeing people draw Justin out, which Dan and Mel are great at doing.

The first afternoon the boys played on the beach while Mel and I took a walk. Spending time with these dear friends was really healing for me. I wish we lived closer, as Justin and I both loved hanging out with them!

The next day we went to the Long Beach Aquarium. Even though we go to the Vancouver aquarium on a regular basis, this one had lots of awesome new stuff. Clay, as usual in any situation involving living creatures, was in heaven.

The giant octopus was a highlight

Clay and Caleb at the touch tank

Clay loved feeding nectar to the lorakeets

Disneyland!!!!

2010-01-31T20:10:00.000-08:00

We spent two awesome days at Disneyland and California adventure. Clay LOVED it! He went on Space Mountain and Tower of Terror. He was so brave! My favorite ride was Soaring over California, and Justin loved the huge roller coaster California Screaming. So fun! We didn't have any lines our entire two days, so we got to fully experience both parks.

Despite the expression on his face, Clay loved autopia

The rockets - another favorite ride

It started raining in the middle of the afternoon of the first day. We all agreed Disneyland is more fun in the rain. No people!

California Adventure had a fun ropes course and rocking climbing area that Clay loved.

A self-portrait to capture the ride we went on over, and over, and over - Clay's favorite, the carousel. One of us would ride this with him, while the other person went on California Screaming.

Snow sledding and hiking at Mt. Seymour

2010-01-31T19:52:00.000-08:00

We loved our snow day in the mountains, and hanging out with our dear friends the Jenkins added to the fun.

The sledding hills were an awesome Vancouver discovery none of us had been to before. We will be back!

Megan wiping out

Even baby Hannah took a couple runs with her daddy

On our snow hike, Clay would walk on the uphills and flat, and then sled down the downhills.

So pretty out there!

Clay and Cora practicing their chair lift skills.

Randoms

2010-01-31T19:26:00.000-08:00

After a few rough months in my personal life (a major understatement), I am sufficiently recovered to rejoin the real world, and have returned to blogging. I love taking pictures, but virtually took almost none for the last couple months. Here are a couple randoms to represent some highlights:

Clay getting his first real haircut. I have been cutting his hair up until this point, but a new trendy place near my parents was giving free haircuts on their opening day, so in typical Hess-style, the whole family indulged.

Some of us Kings girls at our annual high school friends reunion.

Mandala

2009-11-14T18:25:00.000-08:00

Clay and Justin visited the UBC Anthropology Museum this afternoon. Clay was facinated by the Tibetan monks making mandalas (sand paintings).

It is amazingly delicate and intricate work.

Clay even got a chance to practice making his own mandala.

Nana & Grandpa visit Vancouver

2009-11-14T18:19:00.000-08:00

Clay loved spending time with his grandparents last weekend. We went to Granville Island and Clay searched for water beetles and minnows. Unfortunately, they all seemed to be hibernating for the winter. Double unfortunately, Clay slipped on a rock and fell in the pond up to his knees.

Clay spent over an hour playing and jumping in the ball palace at the Kids Market.

Clay and Cora's cooking party

2009-11-14T18:15:00.000-08:00

Clay and Cora's new favorite outdoor activity is making "stew." They fill buckets with water and then carefully add dirt, grass, leaves, and herbs, stirring and "tasting" as they go. Its really quite adorable! In this photo, Clay found a large mushroom in the grass and is excited to add it to his pot.

Halloween

2009-11-01T07:36:00.000-08:00

We started off the day at the UBC Botanical Gardens Halloween Party. Charlotte was a fairy.

Cora was a fairy too. Don't ask me why Clay does this with his lips in photos.

Baby TJ managed to get a box of nerds open, and Clay, Cora, and Charlotte helped him eat them.

Little Lilly was the cutest ladybug ever!

Since Clay was a dragon, I decided to be the paperbag princess. Any Munsch fans out there?

We went to the fall fair at our church. Clay loved the bouncy castle, the nature walk, and the face painting.

After an hour of trick-or-treating, Clay was ready to hand out candy. He was surprisingly willing to hand out the candy he had collected after our candy ran out.

We had over 400 trick-or-treaters, and I absolutely loved seeing all the costumes and chatting with my neighbors. Living in UBC family housing, Halloween is the most community focused holiday event.

Afternoon at the beach

2009-10-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

The forecast calls for rain for the next couple days so we enjoyed some outdoor time at the beach this afternoon. Catherine, Cora, and Charlotte came with us. Much to Clay's dismay, the girls were not interested in looking for crabs.

Charlotte freaked out whenever Clay came near her with a crab

Cora was nervous, but more tolerant

Home again, home again, jiggety, jig

Science World with Cora

2009-10-15T17:53:00.000-07:00

Today was an ideal day. Clay was at preschool this morning, and I took a wonderful woods walk. After that I talked to one of my very favorite people, my big sis Aubrey. I then had some quiet time and read my novel, which is always a treat for me. Ahhh! I was feeling refreshed when Clay came home, which was good because Clay had a number of screaming and body flinging tantrums this afternoon, which is unlike him so I'm afraid he is getting sick. We spent 3 hours a Science World with my neighbor Megan and her two girls. Besides the meltdowns, it was great fun!

Magic mirror

Big

Dress up time

Space ship ride 3 - 2 - 1 blast off!

The black light disco dancing room was my favorite. Here is Clay and I getting funky

Apple & Pumpkin Farm

2009-10-13T11:53:00.000-07:00

Outings are more fun with friends!

The bouncy platform was Clay's favorite part of the day

We enjoyed hanging out with the Sachs too :)

The fam in the pumpkin field

Hay ride

The best caramel apple of my life! And so much sweeter shared with a sweet friend.

Playgrounds are always fun

This picture was taken right before Clay stood up and fell out of the wagon. He would have hit his head on the concrete, but - phew! - David caught him.

We then moved across the street from the Pumpkin farm to the Apple farm

It was a beautiful fall day, and the views of Mt. Baker were stunning

Apple picking is good family fun

True commitment to finding the perfect apple

Ahhh! So worth it.

What a joyous day!

Young Life Womens Camp

2009-09-29T08:29:00.000-07:00

Lindsey and I and a couple other friends spent the weekend at RockRidge, the beautiful new Young LIfe camp in BC. I was a camper and on work crew at Malibu in high school, and then was involved with Young Life in college, so it was good to get reconnected with the Young Life vision.

We had fun on the Caribe, though the water was freezing cold. And yes, we got flipped off. Thank goodness for helmets!

The zip line is almost a mile long, and the second longest in North America. I LOVED it!

We had fun at dress up night too. I'm thinking of dying my hair black.

Eye of the Tiger

2009-09-29T08:27:00.000-07:00

Megan and I took our kiddos to the blue grass festival at UBC farm, and Clay loved his face painting.

Afternoon at the beach with Rachael & Sienna

2009-09-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

Vancouver is in the middle of a warm and sunny streak, and we are loving it. Yesterday we went to Kits beach. Clay had fun filling his bucket with crabs, and I enjoyed sitting on the warm sand and hanging out with a friend. What a great day!

Clay showing Sienna some of his crabs. He loves babies.

Notice the green net - we never leave home without it! You can't see Clay in this picture, but he is down among the rocks exploring tide pools.

Vancouver has some awesome playgrounds, and we love this one right on the beach.

Both Clay and Sienna loved him pushing her on the swing.

Parties & Worship

2009-09-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

Catherine and I had fun dressing up for a birthday party of a church friend this weekend. Can you believe Catherine's dress is from her sophomore year of high school? I was reminded how much I love parties, and I am thankful for a nice church family in Vancouver. Our church just started a Sunday night service geared for college students, and I LOVE it, especially the worship!

Cora, Charlotte & Clay

2009-09-23T07:33:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of our preschool carpool via stroller. We six parents rotate in dropping off and picking up the kiddos. Preschool has been a wonderful thing for our family. I am a happier person, and a better mom, when I have some time to myself in the morning.

First Day of Preschool

2009-09-14T16:14:00.000-07:00

Clay LOVED his first day of preschool today. He will be in preschool 4 mornings a week for 2.5 hours.

Clay is happy that he has two neighbor friends, Cora and Charlotte in his class. We even have a drop-off/pick-up co-op.

Catherine and I took our kids shopping, and then out for a celebratory starbucks drink.

Sunday Outing

2009-09-14T15:17:00.000-07:00

Today we did our second favorite bike ride - False Creek. Our first stop was Kits beach for some mandatory beach time. We then biked across the new bike lane on Burrard Bridge.

Someone adores their daddy.

Vancouver was showing off again today.

We stopped at Granville Island, and Clay caught some minnows.

We ended up at the public market for some treats and produce.

Saturday Outing

2009-09-14T15:05:00.001-07:00

This past weekend was a beauty in Vancouver, and as this may be the last of our warm days, we savored every minute. For us the recipe for a good family outing includes 3 things: exercise for parents, beautiful setting, and beach/animal collecting time for Clay. Clay is happier these days on a bike than a stroller so we go on lots of family bike rides. And we are fortunate to live in a city with some sweet bike trails.

Stanley Park has a nice bike trail around the perimeter.

I love being married to my best friend!

I am thankful for a husband who fosters Clay's love for the beach and finding creatures (because honestly I have no energy for this activity and it is Clay's FAVORITE thing).

Clay called these little sea critters "lightening potato bugs" because they look like regular potato bugs but are super quick.

Paige & Sean's Wedding

2009-09-10T07:20:00.000-07:00

My brother and I were in Santa Barbara this weekend for Paige and Sean's wedding. Paige is my Westmont friend, and Sean is Dave's Westmont friend, and we set them up on a blind date last summer, and now they are married!

My dear friend Marci is getting married in January! I can't wait for her San Diego wedding. A definite highlight of the weekend was meeting and hanging out with her fiance, Chris.

My Westmont girls! These women have faithfully loved me for 10 years!

Breakfast on the beach. Paige and Sean planned a whole weekend of fun activities for their family and friends.

I also loved meeting Jett, my Texas friend Cheryl's little boy. And Kim's baby Asher is also a cutie, although I'm bummed I don't have a picture of him.

A definite highlight of the trip was staying with my friend Melissa and her family. We had a girls night out, and then spent the next day at her pool.

Weekend at Fox island

2009-09-09T19:10:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed a family outing on the sailboat to Eagle Island

Our sweet niece Victoria. I can't believe she is already 10!

Crowded dinghy

Boat ride!

Wild life spotting - Sea Lion!

Picking berries in Nana's garden

Breakfast on the patio

The Bros - Justin & Troy

A huge jellyfish!

Victoria, Juliet, and Clay caught hundreds of minnows in this nearby estuary

Cannon Beach

2009-09-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

A week at Cannon Beach is a Hess family tradition, and as I think its the most beautiful place in North America, I always look forward to this week.

Aubrey was finally able to bring her dogs to Cannon Beach this year. They loved it!

Sacrificial parenting - that water was freezing! I know where Clay gets his endless love for the beach.

This picture captures what Clay spent hours doing on this trip - collecting and examining sea creatures. His net and bucket are "must haves" for most of our outings.

Dad & Aubrey (who is pregnant with # 3!)

Family picture

Pig pile on Clay

Smores at the beach - another tradition

Luke & Clay showing off their beach treasures

Dave and Eli on one of many beach combing adventures

Aubrey's family

Heather, Aubrey, and I, and our boys

Lots of long beach walks with my honey was the highlight!

Aubs & mom

My brother's family

Cannon Beach bike gang

Another cute family photo

Haystack Rock

Fishing

2009-08-18T15:17:00.000-07:00

As anyone who has seen Clay in the last 6 months knows, he is obsessed with catching living creatures. Some of his favorites are bees, water beetles, worms, and crabs. The other day he actually managed to catch a bird in his net, much to his delight. Today he was in fine form at the duck ponds on Granville Island, and he caught over 30 little fish in his net. As the photo shows, he was the star of the show, and he loved the attention of the many older kids who gathered around to watch him catching fish and play with his bucket of fish. I tried to ignore the dirty looks of other moms who apparently didn't approve of me letting my kid wade in the poop-filled pond.

Dave & Christine

2009-08-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

We loved visiting with our dear friends, the Jacobsens, this week in Vancouver. They live in Bend, Oregon now, and we miss them!

Christine is the kind of friend that I need a pen handy when we are hanging out because she always inspires me with new food, book, and other interesting ideas I want to remember and try.

Dave and Justin hung out with the boys so Christine and I could go for a long walk at the beach

Jumping contest (Sam was judge)

Vacation Bible School

2009-08-16T19:43:00.000-07:00

Clay's favorite part of VBS was the crafts.

Clay also enjoyed the stories, skits, and songs at VBS. Clay is the one in orange, and the only kid standing up.

Rachael and I were in charge of the preschool crafts and free play time. She was an awesome partner and made the week much more enjoyable!

The sand and water table was a hit - finally! A use for it other than as our coffee table.

Hanging out with Catherine was another highlight of VBS for me. The theme of the week was pirates - can you tell?

Petting Farm

2009-08-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

We visited Maplewood Farms last weekend, and Clay LOVED all the animals. His favorite activity was chasing the chickens. We then took a nice walk in Capilano Canyon and visited the salmon hatchery. We love living in Vancouver, and all the opportunities for fun family outings.

Cousins

2009-08-07T19:55:00.000-07:00

We loved having Heather and the kids with us for a few days in Vancouver.

Eli, Ruby, Luke, and Clay on a bike ride

Ruby with static hair

Playing in the sand

Clay and Eli were great partners in their search for sea life

Catching frogs and water beetles at a nearby pond

Mt Rainier

2009-08-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

My parents let the three of us crash on the floor of their tiny room at Paradise Lodge at Mount Rainier.

I'm not sure who I was prouder of, my mom (she had bronchitis) or Clay, for completing the hike to panarama point. Four miles and 1600 feet of elevation - they were troopers!

Look closely, and you can see the hoary marmot on the rock.

Clay was THRILLED about seeing the marmots up close!

The weather was perfect.

The photo doesn't do it justice, but the wild flowers were stunning! My mom enjoyed teaching Clay all the names of the flowers.

When nature calls...

Clay was getting tuckered out towards the end of the hike.

The weather was so hot that a dip in a snow runoff creek actually felt great!

I couldn't resist...

Camping at Deception Pass

2009-08-04T08:14:00.000-07:00

We loved camping on Whidbey Island, and we hope to make it an annual tradition. The scenery was gorgeous, and the campground has awesome beaches for beach combing, lots of forest trails, and a lake to swim in.

Clay was thrilled about sleeping in the tent in a sleeping bag

He also loved setting up the tent

The campground was right on the beach - perfect!

Enjoying the light at sunset

We found lots of living creatures in the tide pools

The mist over the ocean was beautiful

We found a decorator crab

And Clay's favorite - sculpin fish

Clay could have spent weeks at the beach - he can't get enough!

Visiting Great Grandma Ida

2009-07-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

Victoria was very loving and attentive with Clay

Enjoying some loving from Uncle Troy

Our camera was on the fritz so the photo quality is poor, but this photo captures Clay having some time with Great Grandma Ida