Parents' Visit!

At Ogden point with Mom & Dad!

So many things happening these two weeks! Thankfully I'm off of work due to March break in the primary schools, but if I wasn't I don't know what I would have done! My parents came to visit, me and Jon's anniversary is today, we're heading to Tofino for whale fest on Friday, and then Jon's birthday is next Wednesday! Wheh! 

A lot packed into such short period of time, which summarizes my parents' visit fairly well. With only two full days and two half days, there wasn't a lot of time to spend with them, but I'm happy with the time we had together and everything we got to see! 

At Butchart Gardens

The first day was fairly low-key with a small trip to Fantan Alley and then to Beacon Hill Park and the log beach. They lucked out with very little rain for the whole trip, so they got a fantastic view of the Olympic Mountains the entire time! That following day we spent at Butchart Gardens where everything was just about coming up. I decided to get a year membership to the gardens so I can visit again in a month. Even though there weren't as many blossoms as I was expecting, my parents loved it there and I think it inspired my mom to start working on her garden! Afterward we took a short drive up Mount Douglas to catch a great panoramic view of Victoria and the surrounding islands and mountains.

At Mount Doug with Mount Baker in the distance.

On Friday we went to the Royal BC museum and then walked around the Inner Harbour to see the Parliament building and The Empress hotel. My parents loved the look of the Parliament building, especially all lit up at night! Friday was spent browsing some comic shops and other cute stores and ended with a bittersweet goodbye at the ferry terminal. I was sad to see them go, but hopefully they'll come out again while we're still here to see some more of the island! The farthest away we drove was to Butchart Gardens, and I would love to show them the wild nature of this lovely place.

In other news, I just wanted to mention was a sweet, thoughtful gift my friend Gillian gave me! She read my previous recipe blog post about my lack of avocado in my kale salad and decided to give me an avocado the next time we saw each other! Maybe because it was such a lovely and unexpected gift, but I believe it was the best avocado I've ever had.

Avocado bliss!

Christmas & New Years

Welcoming our guests with Canadian cheer!

Christmas turned out to be one of the most relaxing, fun, and different Christmases I've ever had. Not spending it with family, although at times was sad, proved to a relief in the annual routine of gifts, breakfast, family coming over, dinner at another family member's house, then bed. It was the same every year so it was kind of fun to mix it up this time around! I've also never spent a Christmas away from my family, but I was so happy and thankful to spend it with some of Jon's. 

The warm weather lead to some rather un-Christmas-y activities, like hiking to waterfalls, mountains, and stopping by the beach a few times. If anything, I think this adds to my love of Victoria and this beautiful place, because at home I think they had snow around Christmas! I love being able to get away with just a jacket and a light scarf and hat (more for fashion than warmth). Along with our outdoors-y adventures, we also got to visit the new board game cafe in the city where we played "Ticket to Ride" and we also had a lovely Christmas dinner in our apartment.

Jon Mini-Niagra Falls in Goldstream Provincial Park

Jack at the top of Mount Douglas

Jon and I on Beacon Hill Park's beach, surrounded by driftwood and seaweed

It was only a few days after they left until New Years Eve where Jon and I were invited to a Roaring 20's themed party. Even though it was fun getting dressed up and I don't think I've ever gone out before for New Years, I think we'll probably spend the night in next year. I loved spending time with my friends, but there was 200 other people in the place that made it crowded and hot. Ah well, Happy 2014!

Oh my!