Vancouver Fall Festivities 2017

Hi Pacific Northwest fall.  How’d you get here so fast? 

Ok, so I know y’all are like, “Oh hell no, this girl just needs to quit.”.  I’m telling you I don’t know how moms with multiple children blog.  How.  The.  Hell.  Do.  They.  Do.  It.  My situation is unconventional.  My husband works 14-18 hours a day on set in film.  That means I’m getting up with these kids + doing bath + bedtime with them alone.  Five days a week.  And my phone was having difficulties transferring my pictures onto my laptop.  And at the end of the night I get such a short window of “Me” time before one of the kids wakes up crying.  All I want is to zone out + watch Downton Abbey.  OHMIGOD ENOUGH ALREADY you groan.

Fall in Vancouver has been fantastic!  Mainly due to the lack of rain.  All of the photos on this post took place just in the month of October!  There’s also so many wonderful pictures from the bombastic summer we had but I can’t backtrack.  I just can’t.  Must move forward.

Going to Whytecliff Park at ultimate low tide!  Check out all the purple starfish!  There were MULTITUDES of them!How wonderfully Pacific Northwest is this beach?Our third year picking pumpkins at Westham Island Herb Farm.This little nugget was trying her hardest to lift this pumpkin.Clementine had just started walking little by little at 16 months!Wolfie was very seriously navigating Little Red Riding Hood safely through the treacherous patch.Across the bridge from Westham Island we discovered a tiny little wooden shack with dahlias for sale under the honor system.  One dollar per dahlia!Oh how idyllic.  But here’s a behind the scenes shot of what was REALLY happening.  Mom on the verge of a nervous breakdown.  Lol.  But no, really…A visit to the Vancouver Art Gallery for the Art Book Fair.I have to get into the city as much as possible.  I love the pretty things.  The shiny things.  Clementine was still wobbly on her feet + was so darn miffed at me for stepping away from her.We had so many beautiful, crisp, sunny bright days!  Here’s Mr. Grumpus at Lighthouse Marine Park in Point Roberts, Washington.  One of my favorite spots up here.This tender red seaweed clinging to the rocks.This chubby little hand.  Guys, she made this little shell/sand/flower arrangement all by herself.  I mean I CAN’T EVEN!!!!When I’m feeling depressed about Vancouver this beach always clears my head + gives me so much serenity + joy.The leaves this year have been vibrantly exceptional.  I have heard it is due to less rainfall.  The leaves actually have had the time to change their colors!

For Halloween I worked maniacally making my own patterns + sewing Totoro costumes for Langdon + Clementine.  Here is the awesome tutorial!  Click here!  I tweaked the hats myself into more of a pilot cap style as opposed to a hood as shown on the tutorial.  Totoro is a very beloved character from one of the most famous Japanese animated movies. 

In classic mom style I got the wrong date for the Halloween event at Fort Langley National Historic Site.  We were one of the only ones dressed up!  Palm-slap-to-forehead.  Check out Lang’s thumbs up.

Ok so Jeff totally looked like he worked at Fort Langley in his costume.  People were REALLY CONFUSED by him.  Here he is demonstrating how the walls of the storage buildings were built with wooden slats.

LOL.

I think people were like, “Why is that costumed interpreter paying so much attention to those children?  Is it bring your kids to work day?”.

Oh my little Clementine.  Fort Langley was small but very fun!  And everyone that worked there were SO KIND + helpful!  They spread the word + made sure to give Langdon candy!

We also squeezed in a wonderful + easy hike in Capilano Regional Park to Yew Lake before the snow arrives to the North Vancouver mountains!

This girl is so full of yummy sweetness!

The backpack carrier was meant for Clem but Lang insisted on climbing in it + would not get out!

The Olympic rings + Inukshuk at the entrance to the trails.

I officially have a toddler on my hands now!

Halloween day had finally come.  My little Totoros allowed me to take a mini photo shoot + I’m so glad I begged them to!

This loving gaze that only a big brother can give to a little sister!!!  I almost cried when I saw this picture.

That wee tongue!!!  Squeeeeee!!!!

We live a close walk to Lynn Valley Village in North Vancouver where the local shops were handing out candy to the children.  It is perfect for a mom with young kids.  They start around 3:30, the sun is still out, it’s not scary + very safe!

An hour max of walking around the square + Halloween was done!  No messing around.  I loved it.  Most people did not know what the kids were dressed up as.  Pokemon?  Bunnies?  Doggies?  Nay, Totoros.

Well, thanks for sticking around!  I really wish I had forced myself to keep going with the blog during the summer because it really was a magical time.  There is nothing more beautiful than the summer in the PNW.  Once the rain sets in….UGH.  Until next time!!!!