Road Trip Day 1 & 2

My little family went on a little adventure to Quebec to go and help our friend Anne with her parents apple orchard. We were pretty pumped to fit in a visit to Halifax with J's side of the family en route. It was a perfect chance for me to visit the Valley which I have heard so much about. Unfortunately it was pissing rain but nonetheless it was gorgeous!

Here is the beginning of our trip...

Shortly after I snapped this shot baby Willow needed a little snack to tie her over. So we parked beside the beautiful St. Mary's River in Sherbrooke. As soon as we pulled over a man pulled up and asked if we were going to go kayaking. We said no we just made a pit stop to feed the babe and then he started telling us his life story. He was a retired teacher, his wife and him owned 40 acres of land in Sherbrooke, his son and daughter-in-law were coming up next week for a kayak trip but he was nervous because she is 3 months pregnant and the story went on. After he finished up with his stories he apologized and offered us to use his house which was right behind the river so we could feed and change our babe. We didn't take him up on it simply because we wanted to be in Halifax before dark.

I don't know what it is but Canadian East Coasters are definitely the friendliest people I have ever met in my life. The are so genuine and kind! Canadians are know for their friendliness but the Eastern folk are over the top.

Day 1: Drive to Halifax

haha I didn't have time to snap a better shot but Grams this is for you! I missed the Harbour

Aunt Rosie snatched Willow right up

Day 2: We drove to the valley and then went down to Lunenberg and Mahone Bay. It was pouring rain so we didn't do much walking around. But I would love to venture back on a bright sunny day.

J had Scot Skins on his mind. He went to University at Acadia in Wolfville for 2 years and ever since I have know him he has been talking about these Scot Skins he used to eat at Joes. So we ordered a plate and I get the hype. They were potato skins with some kind of curry on them. Sooo goood. I obviously had to order poutine as well and the poutine didn't even compare to the Scot Skins.

I have decided I want land and I want a pumpkin patch...

 And then I can make friends like these guys...

Mahone Bay is absolutely gorgeous. We didn't spend much time there because of a relay which filled the streets and it was so wet. Rather than taking some scenic shots out of the car I took a couple pictures of the creepy stuffed figures spread around the town for Halloween. They were seriously EVERYWHERE. So weird and creepy.. I liked it.

 J was pretty pumped to see a ship from Whale Wars at the Lunenburg harbour.

The Blue Nose II was launched that day so we were pretty happy we got to see her in the water.

 The Main Street of Lunenburg

Hannah (J's cousin) & J were desperate to find the Lunenburg Tim Hortons and we ended up driving around for about a half hour. We kept coming back to this old school from the early 1800's which is still being used as an Elementary School. I got to read up about this beauty while they were desperately gps'ing.

The Lunenburg Academy built in 1894

Willow Telling Stories

How could I not have the best day ever with this little beauty staring up at me...
Willow Chatting from Jenna B on Vimeo.

Thankful

My little fam had a great Thanksgiving weekend spent with neighbours and friends. However, I ate wayyyy to much food and feel like I am 9 months pregnant all over again. On Saturday my friend Nate who I met in Hawaii who now resides in Halifax came up. He was biking around the Cabot Trail and left his car at our place. After a poor start to his adventure (he was locked out of our house the first night bc our friend forgot to leave the key and we were in Quebec still) we made the end a little bit better by cooking a big feast for him. Our neighbours and good friend Michee chowed down with us as well.

I forgot to take many pictures but here are a couple gems from that night

Jo & Willow

Nate & I

The morning after Ward and Debbie came over to wish us well. We will miss you guys!! xo

Rebecca & Shayne came over for a snuggle

After a busy day of visits Willow and I waited patiently to go for Turkey dinner number 2!

 We had a delicious feast at Lenny & Josephine's. Jo sure likes to pile the food on our plates and we devoured every last bite!

Full bellies make them happyyy.

 That night J's friend and his adorable wife came for a visit from Saskatchewan. It was great to meet them and we will get to see them hopefully sooner rather then later since we won't live so far away anymore. We shared our leftovers with them on Thanksgiving.

Courtney & Jon. I love that Lily is watching them in this picture.

I obviously have so much to be thankful for. I have the most perfect little babe that I get to love & cherish every single waking moment. I have the most caring husband who I adore. We have some pretty cute fur babies who make our days a little brighter. We have the best families who are always there for us. We have the best neighbours that have adopted us as family (who we will miss unbelievably).  And some pretty rad friends near and far that we feel so lucky to have in our lives.
I am happy, healthy, and loved. What more could I ask for?

I hope all my Canadian friends had a Happy Thanksgiving and took time to think about what they are thankful for.

Congratulations Jaye & Brian

I am soooo excited that another very close person to me just got engaged last week!!

This gal has been an amazing friend to me for 14 whole years! Us two have been through a lot and sometimes I wonder how she's still my friend (getting mad at her for not wanting go surfing at 3am while drunk). The nerve of her, I know. Though we may be opposites we both have a love for jelly belly jelly beans, Cold Stone Ice Cream, tea & amazing hunkilicious hunks (obviously Brian & J). I am so happy my sweet little Jaye has found an amazing man to share her life with. She deserves nothing but the best and I know Brian is the absolute best man for her. I can't wait to celebrate Jaye and Brian's happiness & love in June 2013. She is going to be the image of perfection. This is such an exciting chapter in her life and I am excited I am going to be home and watch it play out in real life. Yeeeee!!!

I love you so much Jaye & Brian and couldn't be happier for the two of you.

Uisge Ban Falls

We always bring our hikers/runners in the car just in case we decide to do a hike wherever we are. The beautiful thing about living here is there is always a gorgeous hike steps away. We were all fueled up and ready to check out Uisge Ban Falls.

We were surprised to see so much green on our hike. The seasons are a little later here than the rest of Canada so we are patiently awaiting for fall. 

I am infamous for wearing "not proper" hiking wear. Like so...

Hot?

LOVE this photo

I think Willow loves nature just as much as her mama and daddy

See, I can still climb things like a goat. "Proper hiking gear" not necessary

My people

I couldn't resist...

Hey pretty Maple

Willow likes to wear dresses hiking too

Time Lapse

On our way to the farmers market we rode the ferry with some sawwweeet rides. I am totally not into cars but was pretty pumped to see these beauties in action.

We passed about 10 of them on the way up and it felt like we were in a time lapse. So amazing. I was even more excited when a whole bunch of them were parked right by the market so I could get right up close and personal. I tried to imagine life back 100 years ago and how unbelievably different it would be. It really provoked my imagination and I stood there just gawking at these old beauties. Oh the things they have seen.

After I snapped out of dream land we headed to the farmers market to buy some baked goods. We filled our bags with tonnes of fabulous finds. A new fave of mine is lavender fudge, it is to die for! Willow of course was in her glory hamming it up and showing off her funny faces and her sweet smiles to all of the market folk.

Willow had a delish lunch of warm milk....

While we listened to some tunes...

J & I shared some delicious Indian food with some crab apple pie for dessert... soooo scrumptious

After all of this goodness we decided to digest down by the waterfront. It was very relaxing and peaceful.

 After we relaxed we thought we better burn off a few of the thousands of calories we consumed at the market and took a hike up to a gorgeous waterfall. The trail was GORRRGGEOUS! Still so many brilliant greens with a couple of red maple leafs hidden in there. I will save that post for tomorrow!

Goodnight friends xo