Panorama 2016
All kidding aside, the trip was great and here is how it all went! We woke up early Wednesday morning with the van packed and ready to go. We got all the finishing touches.. toothbrushes, blankies, toiletries and packed them too. Then we set out to beautiful British Columbia! The kids did GREAT on the drive there. They were super excited once we got into the mountains and felt just like me and Brian do when we drive through them. They were relaxed and in awe. It was cute to see!
We stopped and met up with the rest of the family and did the Johnsons Canyon hike! It was gorgeous and we started it off with a picnic lunch!
I also asked my amazing Father in law who recently took up the hobby of photography to take a family picture for us.. I need a new one for my mantel and he did a wonderful job!! Thanks Dad!
I also tried really hard to get a good one of the kids... they were in incredibly silly moods as you can tell...
And then we got one.. as good as its going to get and to me its perfect. Its a little glimpse of each of their cute/silly personalities. I adore my three little amigos!
Then it was on to the beautiful hike! Carter amazed everyone.. including strangers. He DOES NOT ever run out of energy. He is a GO GO GO kind of boy and we embrace it and love him for it!
There were these cute little chipmunks on the hike too that clearly have been fed nicely because they were SUPER friendly!! They came right up to our kids and the boys thought it was so cool but Penny on the other hand was TERRIFIED! hahaha poor girly.
We made it up to the lower falls and it was worth every step!
Once we got back to the car, it was onward to Panorama! We all arrived safely! There were two units for the families and they were practically side by side but an amazing flat paved path and circle for the kids to ride bikes in.. it was PERFECT!
Penny was a nightmare on night one. She didn't go to sleep until around 11pm and was up from 2am-4:30am and then up again for the day at 6am. Needless to say, Brian and I were EXHAUSTED but the day must go on so the kids got on their bikes and started up the day!
Bentley learned how to ride a two-wheeler the day before we left to Panorama and we are so proud of how quickly he mastered it! Good job buddy! Because Bentley upgraded to a two-wheeler, Penny also got handed the strider bike and is also doing great with it! Basically biking was a humongous success!
We decided that we would then take the bikes down to the tennis courts to explore! Which was really fun too.. but also included a couple of tantrums from our little Carter who was ready to "go home". He's cute.. he is a "home body".. like me.
But once he saw everyone else having fun playing tennis, he gave it a try and was really great at it!
Bentley was REALLY into the walkie-talkie... going on secret missions and talking to grandpa and uncle Jarren on the other end.
And a couple of the girls were still into riding bikes while everyone else played tennis.
And yes, the adults got in on tennis too.. and Jarren took the game to a whole new level!
We ran back to our units to have lunch and then our family quickly headed out to the pool! Carter and I raced down the waterslides probably 15 times in a row and it was so fun for me to have that one-on-one time with my first little man. Carter, you make me SO SO happy!
After swimming.. there were a couple of VERY worn out and tired little cuties resting on our couch!
Friday was a fun day too! The bikes were out and ready to go! The chalk with Evie was in full swing and it was a perfect start to the morning!
After the morning bike ride, we all headed out to do the Valley Trail Hike.. well more like a nice walk. Grandpa was really anxious to take his little granddaughters for a ride in the wagon and boy did they LOVE it!
But in true fashion in our little family with children who have too much energy to measure, Penny was out of that wagon soon enough and helping Grandpa by literally pushing it up the hills and putting all her strength into it!
And although baby Reed wasn't in the wagon, he was in a pretty comfy ride!
We stopped half way through the hike for a mini snack...
And then kept going strong to the finish line!
Once we got back, we spent a couple of hours with our kids and Lena, Jarren, Meghan and Steven in the hot tub in the rain and it was RELAXING and the kids were so well behaved.. BONUS! We also planned a little surprise for Mom and Dad Reed for that night. The amount of time, effort, planning and money that went into this family getaway was amazing. I can't even imagine the stress it was and we wanted them to know how much we all appreciate it.
We went to the spa up the hill and got Mom a face mask and Dad a hot pepper mango spread. We turned on the baseball game for Dad, and pampered Mom. WE laughed and joked and relaxed and expressed how appreciative we were for the both of them.
And Lucy thought the little party was THE BEST!! Clearly...
We finished the night off with early bedtimes for the kids and then cards and games for the adults! Saturday morning we spent down in Invermere at the beach. But right before we left, Penny got on the floor with Reed and was being such a good little cousin to him. Penny seriously LOVES baby Reed. When he is around, she MUST be with the "Baby". She simply adores him!!
When she went to kiss him.. even Reed puckered up for a kiss. My heart exploded!! They make me so happy!
The beach was so fun! The sand was a little rocky.. but fun nonetheless!
Water fights, canoeing, paddle boarding, sandcastles... it was all so fun!
Poor Penny girl, while in the canoe.. she leaned over to touch the water and fell out of the canoe! Good thing Grandpa was able to rush to her and save the day!
And the beach fun didn't end in the sand.
And HELLO.. worlds best family photo!!! (Taken by Dad Reed! In fact, lots of the pictures I am posting are taken by him!)
And Penny and Lucy are soooooo cute together. They started playing this game.. Penny would wind up looking like she was really going to toss the ball hard and then would ever so gently place it down on Lucy's paddle. lol so cute!
To finish the last day in Panorama after the beach and before we headed home the next day we took our kids back to the pool for a few more hours on fun!
Carter is such a little FISH! She LOVES swimming. He loves the water, the waterslides, splashes, jumping... you name it.. he LOVES it!
As for Penny girl. She too is a fish. She is also FEARLESS!!!! Jumping off the edge of the pool into the water whether there is someone there to catch her or not.. SHE IS CRAZY BRAVE!
I think its safe to say that swimming was our childrens favourite part of Panorama!
Panorama Swimming 2016 from Brian Reed on Vimeo.
Reflecting back on the 5 days with family in Panorama, I am so happy we went. I feel like relationships became stronger, cousins got closer and the fun we all had is irreplaceable! Thank you so so much to Mom and Dad Reed for making such an effort to organize such a wonderful family getaway. Love you guys so so much!