Dad and Raquel and Taylor come visit!

My Dad and Raquel came to visit for a week over spring break. It was nice that I had some time off! Timing worked out nicely! Jon had his last hockey game of the season the second night they were here, and he really wanted us to come watch. So we went for a while and cheered him on. He has improved SO MUCH since he first started playing! 

LOVE this picture of them. I am so thankful for them and the role they play in Quinny's life! She adores them. It was super fun to have them around!

The weather wasn't great (ugh this winter that will never end!) while they were here, so we did lots of indoor things. We went shopping, went out for lunch, played games at home. The one afternoon, Raquel surprised me and booked her and I into the super fancy Tigh-Na-Mara spa for massages! YES! Whenever you get any treatment there, you also get to use the mineral pool before or after a treatment. LOVELY!!!! Raquel and I don't spend much one on one time together, so it was pretty nice to chat and just relax. The boys went to Coombs, and then played at the beach/park in Parksville while we were there.

She loves her Grandpa Chuck so much, and he just dotes on her. It's adorable. Watching them together makes my heart soften, and I see the positive benefit of their relationship. He loves her without question, and would do anything for her. I am so thankful for that.

On our way back from Parksville, we made a "stop" at the airport so that Raquel could "go pee". I had been saying all week that I was suspicious that Taylor was coming, but they kept saying no. When she walked out of the airport, I just started laughing! I KNEW IT! I was so happy to see her! She has had such a rough few months, and it was so nice to hug her and just spend time together. We played lots of games, which was so fun! So much laughing.

Dinner at Gina's, this amazing Mexican restaurant in Nanaimo! Amazing.

This little girl was SO happy to have her "Auntie Taydor" around! They were glued to each other. 

Friday we packed up and headed to Vancouver! They were having an indoor carnival in BC Place, so we decided to go check it out. It was similar to the fair that we have here, only WAY bigger. And WAY too many people haha. Quinny LOVES rides, so she was super happy the whole day, running from one to the next.

The three of us and Jon all went on the Strawberries... we were spinning it pretty quickly (Jon wanted to puke), but Quinny kept saying we needed to spin faster. Sheesh! haha

So I didn't get any pictures, just a video... but there was this ride, and then a bigger version of it (this one was already quite big for the 'small' one! It had a huge drop!). It went up, and comes straight down. Q saw it, and only had eyes for that ride, she wanted to go on right away. We said NO WAY to the giant one (Jon, Tay and I did the giant one, and we all felt sick for a while afterwards haha) so she was finally happy to just do the smaller one. She giggled the entire time and got off and wanted to go on again right away. She loves the adrenaline rush! haha.

She wanted to get her face painted at the end of the day, so we waited in that line before we left. It had been a full, busy day! And we were laughing at her as she was getting this done, because I am pretty sure she fell asleep. She had to keep her eyes closed, and after a few minutes, her mouth fell open and her body totally relaxed. Too cute. Big day for the three year old!

Matching little butterflies!

She won this "poop" pillow, and just thought that was funniest thing ever. She had her choice of stuffies and she immediately went for this one. The poop emoticon is her favorite one and she sends it whenever she texts someone, usually Auntie Shelby or Nannie haha!

Inside the Strawberry. Super fun day! We went for sushi dinner and then just hung out in the hotel that night. 

The next morning Tay wanted to go to Jericho Beach, so we headed out that direction, and found a little cafe for breakfast. 

Beach time!

Then time to hit the Aquarium! We got to use our seasons pass for the first time! We need to make sure we go three more times this year to make it worth it. We love this place

As she was doing this, she says to me "Mama, I want to help sick animals feel better when I am big and go to work." I love the kind heart on this kid.

Waiting to get in to see the sting rays!

LOVE LOVE LOVE you little sister!!!

For their last night in town, my dad really wanted to take us the the Sawmill Taphouse in Chemainus. That place is so delicious - they have the best oven roasted pizza!

And their selection of beers is huge, and they do these samplers. You can get lots of local beers (including some from the new brewery right here in Chemainus!) and ciders too. Pretty great restaurant.

These two did so much for us while they were here! My Dad and I have come a long way. It's really nice. Looking forward to their next visit!

These two cuties had sleepovers the whole weekend. We were going to make Taylor another bed on the air mattress but she said she was happy to share with her little niece. Pretty cute! Quinny takes up the whole bed haha!

One last family group shot!