Besides our big road trip, we had a few other memorable moments this summer.
First of all, Janae and Ben completed the Grouse Grind!
Janae had gone with a friend to attempt this challenging hike up Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, but they'd ended up turning back partway through. Janae was determined to go back and complete it, which she did with Ben a few days later. Alaina, Eric and I hiked a couple of much easier trails around Grouse Mountain in the meantime :).
Janae overcame another challenge in August when she had her wisdom teeth removed. She had opted to do this without sedation, and we were all a little nervous for her, but she ended up having all four removed successfully with only freezing--and said "it wasn't even that bad." Afterwards she had some swelling and a pretty painful dry socket, but she didn't have any bruising and overall is recovering very well.
This summer we also visited the Richmond Night Market for the first time. We'd heard that it was closing down after this season (or at least changing locations), and we didn't want to miss it! The experience was loud, chaotic, and kind of crazy, but we had a good time trying different foods. Janae loved it and would have wanted to go back every year ... Alaina and I thought once was probably enough :)
We got to spend more time in Vancouver when my sister Anita came for a visit. We took Mom to Stanley Park, and then went to Granville Island the next day with Sheri and Tina. So nice to be together in these beautiful places!
We also didn't want to miss a trip to White Rock this summer, and Alaina, Eric and I had a chance to go one afternoon in the last week of August when my work was cancelled. We had fish and chips on the beach and visited the campground where I grew up. The leaves were already starting to fall, and being there reminded me so much of my childhood.
and we grew some tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and flowers in our garden :)
Now, we're almost ready for school to start!
