The next week is the last week of summer for the kids. It really has been a good one here. Jessica and her BFF had a great week away at Cultus Lake Church Camp Cultus Lake United Church Camp
and Derek did his first day sports day camp at the Prospera Centre. Then we spent 2 weeks in Washington camping and exploring at Deception PassDeception Pass Whidbey Island

We had a wonderful time at the ocean and we did 2 trips to the Blue fox drive-inBlue Fox Drive-in

At this family owned drive-in you get 2 features for the price of one(less then one compared to here) they have go karts and an arcade and a nice concession. We thought it was pretty great how they remember us from year to year now. It is also nice to know that after a struggling financial year they were still here to celebrate the 50th anniversary. We’ll definitely be back next year!!

Now at the end of August we have been enjoying our deck and hanging at the lake as often as we can. I have been a bit bad with extra homework during the summer for our kids but I am also been working full time. I will be sad to see our sun go and as we sat, to have our dinner, on the deck last night and the gorgeous moon was out so soon, I will also look forward to fall. The fall season brings incredible colors, school days and activities, poker nights and movie night out for mom and dad, it will bring scrapping nights and this year a weekend to Vegas. I must admit I think it is time to stop booking our weekends this fall because truth be told there are not many left. LOL The memories will be many and there will be fun had by all!!

On a scrapbooking note….I am ready to dive in. Sadly, after a great summer of photographs, mine will have to wait as I have some for work to do. We have been getting ready for a garage sale and now we will pack the trailer back up and then I will be able to move around in my scrap room. I am excited. To create with paper and relive my memories. I have my room set up with a little dvd player and of course my ipod. I hope to find a place for my water fountain and I have candles on the walls. If my darling husband cleans up his side….I have quite the Oasis started. Hehehehehe. I bought a dvd for my Cricut Expressions that is supposed to allow me to do more so I am looking forward to playing with it this fall. I also am hoping to by some dew drops for scrapping and card making. These little pieces of glass in so many colors are totally cool. So until then….I think we will go to the beach today!!!

Today was a sleep in Saturday and when we did get our butts up and at em we got the call from the Lengert’s saying it was going to be a beach day….Niki wanted to suntan and all the kids wanted to fish. Now sadly, for Andie that is, it ended up being a large hike to the usual spot as their boat is in need of repairs. However, we all made it down, and believe it or not, back up with all our stuff. The sun was awesome and the day just great. Here are some pictures:

As you can imagine the scrap pages are starting to evolve and I have not even sat down to start them. The pictures seem to create the pages…..it is going to be a good winter scrapping all these summer photos. I just got the new CTMH catalogue too…..so good!!!

I promised some photos so here they are(and these are just a few):

I have posted more on flickr and you can see them athttp://www.flickr.com/photos/thefinnigans/sets/72157621907322247/

It was a wonderful trip and we look forward to the next one there…..thanks for stopping by!!

I must share with you how even though our vacation has come to an end what an amazing time has been had by all. We have loved, laughed, and lived here at the ocean for 11 days(we were supposed to leave today and stayed just one more day). We have enjoyed the water, the sun (when it came out to visit), the wildlife (which will rest once our beautiful exploring 5 leave this place-LOL), the campfires, poker nights, a talegate pizza party on our way to the drive-in and so much more. As always between Niki and I we have like 1000 pictures….and we will print and scrap most of them…hehehehe…at The Falls this November. I love family vacations. I love how free the children are and how relaxed mom and dad are. I am not sad to end this though as I have been blessed to have a new adventure at PriceSmart and look forward to getting back and puttin my stamp on the Personal Care section at the store. Life is full of so many things to love….it is how you look at it. Plus, I need to earn money to save for the next adventures…..

Thanks for stopping by….stay tunned for photos of our 2009 vacation when we get home.

There is nothing like the moments that take your breath away. I am having a wonderful time….love to you all and see you soon.

Greetings all you wonderful people. We have woken up to rain but have been enjoying this fantastic vacation. The kids are free to play and ride there bikes and are extremely excited at all the wildlife they have found. (poor snakes and fish-LOL). We took some amazing photos on my birthday down at the ocean at sunset. We have been trying so hard to upload them to flickr so we could post for the folks back home. With no luck I am afraid. We have a phone and Internet but it only works when we are downtown. So no surfing the net at the campsite….my hubby has to ruff it like the rest of the campers. Hehehehehe.

My birthday was lovely. Totally relaxed and wonderful. Niki and Kris kept the kids so Andie could take me into town for dinner. He gave me a beautiful gold anklet with a heart charm on it. I love it. Niki spoiled me with some cool stamps….for scrapping and a really cool Willow Tree of two gals chatting on a bench. It is so us! her card was tops…and all my girlfriends will have to read it….hilarious. Being that it was my 35th birthday I still think when I get home we should get some of the gals together for dinner out….Faleen, Deena, Jude, Trish, Joey….could be fun ladies!!

Anyways….we do hope for some hot days but will take what we get….hope all is well back home and someone is looking after my hole counts at work…..thanks to all the family watching our home and loving our kitties.

We are packed and ready to roll out in the morning. Of course I will swing into Timmies for one last coffee to go before we head into the US. The kids were so excited today. We had a bit of a scare when Jessica through up her lunch and headed to bed for a few hours. Thankfully she woke up herself. It has been en emotional year for this Finnigan family and we have long awaited this holiday. We are traveling with my BFF and her family and it looks like my brother will head on down for a few nights as well as Niki’s brothers family. I will also be celebrating my birthday out there this coming weekend. I am very excited about this. Let the good times roll….LOL.

Special thanks to the mommy’s that will be house sitting and taking care of our kitties. It is good to know our home is protected and the animals loved. Thanks guys!!:)

I will report in sometime during the holiday….might as well use the internet since Andie insisted on setting himself all up. Boys and their toys hey….hehehehehe. Well bye for now….

Well Saturday started out with a nice visit with my dad and his wife Cathy. It was good to see them and they surprised me with my birthday present. They got me the BBQ I wanted for the trailer.Stainless Steel Portable Gas Grill .

It was fun watching Andie and my dad put it together. I can not wait to get camping and try it out. MMMMM. Thanks dad and Cathy!

The rest of the day was filled with cleaning the house, yard, and trailer. Andie only had yesterday to slave away. LOL. We got lots done and it felt good. We then packed up some meat and headed over to the Lenger’ts for a BBQ and a few drinks. Thanks guys!! The food was awesome and my Vodka/Cranberry’s were perfect. We watched The Italian Job in the air conditioned room while the kids played The Wii. It was a great night.

Today I ventured out and saw my mom and Marty while picking Jessica up from her sleep over there. I stopped by Real Canadian Superstore and got 2 air beds as the kids plan to sleep in a tent this year. Now I am sorting out clothes to pack the trailer…taking my time and relaxing in between….it is so nice….

I am not sure what we will get up to tomorrow as I want to let Andie get a good sleep after night shift so if you have any ideas or offers please let me know…LOL. Bye for now~

The annual trip to Dickens tea shop was not missed even though we will be away on my birthday this year. I was pleasantly surprised to receive such heartfelt presents. Andie’s mom Barb has always treated me with such kindness and always puts a special thought into the presents she gives. This year she topped them all with a hand made quilt that was in all my favourites. Thank-you mommy:)

I had a wonderful day yesterday and will fill you in later but first on the to-do-list was blogging about my dads birthday. Last Sunday was my daddy’s birthday. I only got to talk to him on the phone and saw him for a few seconds in my store parking lot as he went of to relax for the day with friends. I am hoping to give him his gift this weekend. We do not get to spend lots of time together due to work schedules but I know he knows we love him and we were glad he could relax and hang with friends on his birthday….hope to see you this weekend Dad.