Victoria BC

Kim found a deal that was too good to pass up... A ride on the Victoria Clipper, 1 night at the Empress Hotel, and a ride back on the Clipper the next evening for next to nothing so we had to jump on  it.  We figured it would be easier for me to take Friday off, and avoid the "weekender's" on Friday.... Good move on our part!  That and it is easier to go now while Avery is a little tike and can't run or crawl around!  We (meaning Kim 98% of the time) had to carry her around in the bjourn or we would use the jogger (this would also act as her bed for the evening- Kind of like camping!!)

We got up to Victoria around 11:00 am went to the hotel and they had a room ready for us (which rocks considering check in is not until 4pm!!).  We got all bundled up and hit the road (on our feet) to find a coffee, lunch and sort of scope out the scene to see what we had to work with for us and a 10 week old.  Managed to find a lunch spot that looked awful- not sure what the appeal to us was besides PURE HUNGER!  Everyone in this place was covered head to toe with piercings and tattoo's!  However the food was ok, but the beer was the best part of the meal.  After the meal we went back to the room and grabbed a little snooze, and got ready to head out for the evening.  We knew this however would be a early evening.  Things are different now with a child!  We spent a lot of time on Government St. window shopping and going into the occasional shop to see what looking interesting and stopped at most restaurants to see what sounded good, looked good, and was "baby friendly!"  We ended up eating at a place called Pescatories (recommended from a bellman at the hotel) and it ended up being a really nice Italian restaurant (but we got there early enough to have a nice little corner where we could leave Avery in her jogger).    After walking around a little more we turned into the room and got ready to turn in.  I however wanted to accomplish one more thing that night (get your head out of the gutter!) and so when Kim was getting Avery ready for bed I loaded up the camera, lens' and tripod and hit the road!  I think I could have stayed out there all night, but knew I wanted to get back to the room and be a family!  I did manage some good photo's I think.

Woke up Saturday morning again to GREAT weather and hit the road again.  The streets were way more crowded to versus yesterday!  Again amen for coming over on Friday!  We really kicked around the idea of heading out to Bucthart garden's, but didn't think we had it in us this trip.  On our feet from 11am to 5pm was actually a little exhausting!  Kim did an amazing job with Avery.... Avery did an amazing job with/for us, and we really did have a spectacular time!  Coming home on the Clipper left for some pretty rough sea's.  Feeling this 135 foot boat "catching air" was not very comforting, and watching people fall all over trying to move about the ship was pretty funny, but holding the stomach down took some concentration.  Avery slept, mom and I chit chatted, and within 45 minutes the sea's calmed enough.  All in all another great adventure by The Birdies!  Thanks Kim for putting on the trip!

She has so many friends

After almost 9 weeks of life her friends continue to grow.  More and more her friends and family love on her.  She is so lucky (and so are mom and dad!) to have these people in our life!!!

Grandpa and Avery

The Birds Grandkids

Victoria Yount and Avery

Colin Yount prefers the Jungle Jim over babies!

Dad taking pictures again.  My eyes are getting annoyed of the flash!

Eva Blyth and Avery with 2 moms keeping close eyes!

Yes 3 labs taking up one side of the kitchen during Homecoming

Auntie Megs getting her 1st taste of little Avery!!

Miles Blyth would rather play with the trains than with the girls.  I don't blame him!!

Kisses goodbye!  It's a long drive back to Bend Or.

Nobody loves me

Thanks to Grandma we are able to get out for our 1st bike ride together in almost a year!!!

Thanks GMA!!

Sissy taking her turn keeping Avery asleep!

What I won't do for a good adventure!

I think I saw it on Facebook last week or something, but someone went up Mt. Si in the morning and had some pretty good pictures.... The light bulb then goes off in my head and I thought hey, why not go up there at the BUTT CRACK of dawn and watch the sunrise.  I have all the gear to hike at night, so what the heck.  Let's just get it done.  I really wanted to get it done during the week so I don't take anytime away from the family, so this meant a couple things... How stinkin' early was I going to have to go, and who the heck was going to go with me?  It just so turns out the weather this week was going to be "epic" for October- Sunny and 66 degree's (as I type this @ 2pm).  I am lucky enough to have my good friend Jeff Morris near by, and if there is anyone more up for an adventure than me..... IT'S JEFF!  Didn't even need the selling shoes.  He was all for it!

The Alarm went of @ just after 4am, and it was time to go.  I was to meet him @ the Mt. Si trailhead, and be ready to go by 5am.  All went off without a hitch and we broke out the headlamps right away, and noticed a bite in the air (43 degrees).  The chill quickly went away about 200 yards into the hike.  At this point we were almost sweating!  We did however find our rhythm and suffered up the hill.  For those not familiar with Mt. Si, it is a 4 mile (one way) hike w/ 4000 feet of elevation gain.  Noticing after 35 minutes that this was going to be a brutal go up the hill I reminded us both the reward of a sunrise at the top is going to totally make it worth!!! 

After 1hr and 20 minutes or so we were greeted with the summit, and with that summit come's priceless views!  We got ourselves organized by putting on dry shirts, our down jackets, wools hats, and I poured myself a cup of coffee.  From here I got all the camera gear setup and started clicking away!  Words or pictures cannot do this trip justice.  It was such a pretty morning, and we found ourselves up there for almost an hour!  We had great views!! Check it out (you tube)..

Morris- Fearless Adventurer

We did see the sun on the run down coming through the trees.  It took us just over 40 minutes or so from top to bottom

Mt. Rainer is one IMPRESSIVE mountain

The Alpenglow showing today was breathtaking.  I couldn't think of any other place I would have rather been at that time!

The marine layer was keeping the fog nice and low in the Snoqualmie Valley.  If you look really far off you can see downtown Seattle!

Striking a pose with Mt. Rainer in the backdrop

Haystack from Below

She can be so annoying!!!

Kim and I couldn't help but laugh yesterday.  We struggled Saturday night with Avery.  She was so tired, but couldn't put herself to sleep.  She would start to fall asleep with the green machine (binky) then it would fall out of her mouth then it was time to fuss again.  It was a repeating process.  Kim and I were both annoyed and tired.  We were getting beat down by this little 2 month old!  How could this be?  We know it is part of being a parent, and we love her so... But dang!! She beat us down!!!

Then this----

This was the next morning... About 9:00am in our bed.  Dang her, she looks so cozy while Kim and I look at each other in a glazed over look drinking coffee, and chuckling!



How can you be mad at this face!!!



A quick trip to Seattle this week....