Spring becomes summer... or at least winter becomes summer!

Our "spring" this year felt like a slightly less rainy version of winter. We had snow in the middle of April. Temps were in the mid 40's until May.

Oh well, at least it's finally warming up! The kids got to spend a few days up at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We took them to Confederation Park to ride on the miniature trains. Elliot was in heaven.

They also got to see the Vancouver Aquarium for the first time, and ride the aquabus to Granville Island for some toy shopping.

Mother's Day was really fun. I had the kids paint their own butterfly Mother's Day cards, and some smaller butterflies. One of the little ones had a message on the back. Nicole followed the instructions, leading her outside where she found another butterfly. That one was sitting on a tiny glass box wrapped in purple and blue ribbons...

Looking forward to a spectacular and well-deserved summer.

-Rob and Nicole

Riding the mini trains at Confederation Park, BC. The British Columbia Society of Model Engineers build and operate these trains.

Elliot riding the mini train

We got to go back to the "repair shop", where one of the engineers explained the workings of these miniature steam locomotives. They're insanely cool.

Elliot examines the star of the tracks. This steam train uses propane instead of coal to heat the water.

Grandma and Elliot mix up a batch of waffle batter.

Lia and Elliot pose in front of the massive locomotive in Yaletown.

Elliot and Lia peer into the tropical frogs exhibit.

Inside the butterfly and rare bird exhibit.

A friendly porpoise pops into the window to say "Hi" to the kids.

Flower-appreciation in Stanley Park, Vancouver.

This family of geese was too cute to not photograph.

These little "aquabusses" cruise around the waterways, ferrying pedestrians from one cool place to another. We rode one from Yaletown to Granville Island to go toy shopping.

Elliot and Lia gaze out at the Vancouver skyline before leaving Granville Island on the aquabus.

Picking dandelions...

Elliot and Lia on the tire swing, happy as can be.

Lia plays on the teeter totter.

Walking down the trail to the "ghost tree".

Elliot pokes a long stick into the ghost tree, to see if he's home. (He's a friendly ghost)

"I'll race you home, Elliot!"

Lia gets ready for another sprint through the puddles.

Grandpa keeps a careful hand on his little granddaughter.

Elliot helps out with the weeding... or "ant stopping".

Elliot sprints through Grandma's back yard.

Elliot winds up for another swing at the birdie.

Getting ready to smash the birdie again.

Lia smiles for dad in the late afternoon sun.

Inspecting the garden with Grandma.

Lia works on her Mother's Day card while mommy sleeps in.

The kid's cards all finished, and beautiful!

And Dad's card, too! Mom sure will like these!

Lia and Grandpa hop off one of the trains at Confederation park in BC.

Elliot riding the mini train

Here's one of the mini steam locomotives in action!

Grandma, Lia, Grandpa, and Elliot say "Hi!" while cruising past on their train.

Elliot riding the mini train

Elliot makes some waffle mix.

Before leaving for Vancouver, Lia polishes off a few waffles, some bacon, toast, and a cup of milk.

The next day, we went to the "roundabout" in Yaletown (in Vancouver BC). Elliot got to climb around on a HUGE train.

We also hit the Vancouver Aquarium, which I have to say appears renovated for the 2010 Olympics. The place seems a lot bigger and cooler than it was when we lived there.

Lia catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror and can't seem to get enough...

Strolling through Stanley Park in Vancouver.

Lia samples one of the flowers in Stanley Park

Riding the aquabus in Vancouver, on our way to Granville Island!

It was a little bit rainy one morning, but that didn't stop us from getting out to enjoy nature.

Elliot works on his balance, one of the skills he'll need as a stuntman.

Little to they know they're about to get their OWN tire swing for our yard!

Lia seems a little confused about the bouncy pole.

After deciding the ghost must be out shopping, they relax for a shot against an old stump.

Elliot splashes in the rain puddles.

Lia looks more and more like her mom every day...

Picking flowers in Grandma's back yard.

Lia jumps into Grandpa's arms!

Elliot shows Lia where the bunny ran off to. Is it still there?

Elliot balances on the fence, as he contemplates jumping off it...

He leaps down to the grass, a dizzying 5 feet below!

Lia chases her brother up the lawn.

Here she comes!

Lia hunts for flowers in the back yard at Grandma's house.

Elliot draws on his butterfly Mother's Day card with watercolor crayons before brushing in the water.

Nicole's Mother's Day present. The "blue butterfly" is from a two-part poem I wrote for her during May, and there's a lot of significance to it. Also, sapphire is her birth stone!

Who needs a pool?