Salt Spring thoughts from Callym and Oscar

Here's a few sentences from Oscar.  Salt Spring Island is very pretty, but we did not see any Orca Whales.  There were two cool toy stores called Sense and Nonsense, and West of the Moon.  We ate in a place called Tree House Cafe because it had a tree growing in it.  Dad's looking into getting me fishing.  Merry Christmas everyone enjoy your holidays.  Hope Santa visits you!

Here are a few sentences from Callym.  I still don't like being in the car.  The ferry was nice to the island.  At the hotel there was  an organic farm that had goats, sheep, chickens, plants, and fruit trees.  One black goat, Yo-yo, kept squeezing under the fence and the farmers had  to keep putting him back in.  He never ran away, he just got out.   We coloured a whole bunch of gingerbread houses at the restaurants and sent a few presents to you and our cousins.  I wish you a Merry Christmas.

Salt Spring Island

Salt Spring Island was great.  It felt very cosy and everyone wanted to be there.  I mean they choose to live there so that is great.  We went into Ganges for lunch and ate at the tree house cafe.  Nice place that reminded me of Costa Rica because of the tree in the restaurant.  After lunch it was my chance to leave and visit the local brewery.  I tell you.  You drive on these roads and see a hundred driveways and you would almost not believe what is at the end of some.  I turned down one hoping it was the right turn since there was no sign advertising and found myself at a brewery.  Tiny place but does the trick.  They had all they needed in a small space and it showed me very clearly that it is definitely the will (and money) that gets things done.  Still it was great to talk about beer with someone again.  This island is a contender for a number of reasons especially because it fits into our lifestyles.  It has a small population and good schools for the boys.  You have to make your own living it seems, but if you need to find a job you will, they are out there.  Cycling is welcomed but the roads are very narrow so safety first!  Also it has a bit of a hippy feel to it in some locations and just enough modern to help you feel like you aren't going backwards.  i like this place.  i will enjoy seeing it in the busy season.  merry Christmas everyone.

Heart Lake Hike ~ by Oz

Today I went on a hike with Dad.We drove to the beginning of the hike in Ladysmith.  We started walking down the hydro lines because that was where the trail started.  I wasn't sure it was it but Dad said we should keep going and see.  It worked out.  We soon saw a rock staircase and then started hiking up. 

And up.  And up.  And up up up up up up up.  There were many trees and small mushrooms.

I saw lots of pretty views. We got to one point where we saw Ladysmith, Thetis Island, North Galiano, and we think the mainland.  It was cool.  We hoped to see a whale but we didn't. 

Then we continued our journey up.  We got to Heart Lake and the lake was frozen (mostly).  We only heard a squirrel building his home and nothing else.  We found a perfect little birdnest on the ground so Dad lifted it up and put it back into a tree.  The silence was so cool too.  I even struck a meditation pose.

We stayed there for 15 minutes then went back down.  I really enjoyed my hike and I can't wait to take mom and Callym with me next time.  Good bye. The end.  Oz.

2 forest walks

so we went on a few more forest walks. They are so much fun. I think it's incredible how many shades of Green there are out there. Hope you enjoy!!

Run

So I'm back into running now that we've moved in & have a place to call home for now. I love it (of course), I'm so glad to be back into it. It's so nice too with the weather (usually I don't need mitts, & a hat is too much too), although the hills are still KILLING me! But this post is about the views I get every day. It's only 2 photos, but I love them!!!!


This first photo is about 2 blocks from our place. It's a hidden walk way in an area with the cutest houses. I love how it's so peaceful, just a handful of boats out there bobbing in the waves. On a really clear day you can see the main land mountains behind the island.

This is the view I have running back to the house. Here you may be able to make out the highschool field, then a few apartment/townhouses. yup, that's us... but I'd much rather stare at that mountain!

Moving day

So it's time (well it was the time on Dec 1st!) Moving day. We found a small town house in Chemainus that was a good price & relatively close to everywhere that we wanted to continue exploring. We got all of our stuff out of storage, & tried to find room. We really tried to eliminate a lot of things before we moved, & we knew we wouldn't have enough room for all of our stuff in the first place we got, but wow, it sure is smaller then our home in Winnipeg... (miss that place...)

Anyways, here are a few photos.....
Oscar helping out in the mess of a living room....



Callym helping out in what should soon be the tiny kitchen.....

Chris & I working very very hard :)........

Here is what it looks like now....


Small kitchen


Tiny Living room (no place to eat, we opted for a Christmas Tree not a Kitchen table... Priorities right!!)





Kids have the master bedroom so they can play lego,



They also ended up with this sweet view of the Ocean.

Our tiny room,


Our Little Christmas villages (we could only fit about 1/2 of them out),


& our cute tree!



what do you think? not much room, but if you're in the area stop by for a drink!!! :)

Catching up slowly pt1

Hi all! Sorry it's been so long since we've posted anything. Let's see..... where to start.....

Let's start with some photos of the Ladysmith Light up. We already have a short video of us driving down main street while it's all lit up here. Here are a few photos...

 
Here is a massive GingerBread House.... (drool)

Next on the 'catch up list' would be.....
Seeing Santa & getting our pictures taken with him!

Callym & I (Tamara) did a really fun 5km run in Ladysmith called the Cinnamon Bun Fun Run.

You had to guess how long it would take you to run, there were prizes you could win depending on how close to your guess you got. Callym guessed his time would be 33min & 55sec. We ran our hardest, up hills, in the rain, passing people, getting passed. It was such a great time! Chris & Oscar were even on the side lines cheering us (& everyone) on!! When we got to the finish line would you even believe the time Callym had ~~~~~~~

34min 11sec.
WHOOOOO
I totally thought he would win some sort of prize! There was a restaurant gift certificate, a camera, an ipod shuffle (not to mention the amazing door prizes~ & all for just food bank donations!)
Anyways, to make a long story short, Callym did not (NOT) win a prize....... there were 6 people who were within MILLISECONDS of their guess!!! Can you believe it???? I think they totally cheated..... maybe.......

anyways, we got a free Cinnamon bun~ and better then that, we had a TON of fun together!!!



If you're interested in cheering for us again, Callym & I are running the 5km Santa Fun Run in Duncan this Sunday! When we went to register today we got our Santa Suits! hahaha so funny! Photos of that run to come.....