It was like Christmas in July!

We boarded our plane headed east at10:30pm and by 10:35 this was Hannah.
As much as lugging the car seat around the airport takes more effort it sure is worth it for us!  Our take off was delayed (again) by almost 2 hours and then had a 4 1/2 hour flight to Cleveland.  The next time she woke up was as we approached the gate in Cleveland and her first question was, ‘Mommy, when are we going to fly?’  Heh!
We had a 3 1/2 hour stopover so it was great to take our time and explore.  We’d hoped to meet up with a family whose daughter had shared the same room with Hannah in DaoXian in 2009 but unfortunately strep going through their house nixed that.  Hopefully another time!
Hannah and I shared a little breakfast together and then she was treated to her very first donut ever.  Mmmm!  She’s had donut holes in the past but never an entire donut.  Oh happy day!  She licked off 1/2 the icing and ate only a couple of bites but she was in her glory!  It was fun too that she chose one that matched her pj’s!
After getting her dressed we headed to our gate.  As we waited they made an announcement about the flight being oversold and they were looking for 1 person to offer their seat and they would fly out 7 hours later.  I didn’t give it much thought at first as I wasn’t sure how we’d spend another 7 hours in the airport but then I thought about it a little and we decided to go for it!  They were offering a $600 travel credit, good for a year and that would pay for about half our flight to California again next summer.  This year we’d travelled on air miles and I wasn’t sure how I’d come up with the cash for next year’s flights but now part of the answer was right there in front of us.  A quick phone call to Auntie Michelle and Uncle Mark who were picking us up in Toronto and off to the podium we went.  I offered our seats and made sure that they had room for the 2 of us on the next flight.  Sure enough they did so we did it!  We delayed our return in exchange for the $600 credit!  Wheee!
As we waited for the gate agent to make up the voucher we met a wonderful family who were preparing to go on an Alaskan cruise.  Hannah chatted with their ‘kids’ (ages 20, 18 and 14) and ran about a bit (we were in a quiet part of the airport) while I worked with the agent.  You can imagine my shock and surprise when she showed up with not one but two travel vouchers, each for $600!!  Wheee….we can go back to California next July for sure!  M3 was excited to hear the news too so we’ll be headed to California to celebrate the 4th of July with our dear friends once again!
Next we set off to explore the airport some more.  We found a bookstore and Hannah enjoyed reading here for more than an hour.  As much as my girly is go, go, go, I also love that she can sit quietly and get lost in a good book!
Our adventure took us up and down elevators and along long concourses and tunnels as we explored what was around.  We had also been given lunch and supper vouchers so we found a place to enjoy some lunch. 
Tower building is always fun!
Her short night’s sleep soon caught up with her and as much as I tried to convince her she was done, she’d have nothing to do with it.  She’s one determined little girl.  You need to know it all ended well.   **This is a fun video and you'll want to watch it right to the end.  I still howl every time I see it!**

Down for the count.  She slept snuggled in her stroller for over 3 hours.
I met back up with the family we’d met earlier and snapped this pic with her friend Dan.  He was such a sweet guy and she loved teasing him.  We also enjoyed giving them our 2nd meal voucher as there was no way we needed any more food.  It was fun to share what was shared with us!
Hannah woke up just in time for our flight home and our extended stay was deemed a huge success!  We’d enjoyed extra time together, read stories and played with some toys and before we knew it it was time to go.  Operation ‘Earn Flights for 2013’ was a huge success and our vouchers are tucked safely away at home.
We love to travel and spend time with amazing friends but it’s also good to be home!  The last time we passed under this sign was when we flew home from China!!!
Waiting for our ride.  Thanks M&M!!
Another successful trip under our travel belts!  Thanks for a great visit Salsa Family!  Until next year!!!

A Little Bit of Salsa This and That

Just some pics that didn’t quite fit into other posts but I wanted to remember…

Mmmm….BobBob enjoying one of Wela’s infamous Apricot Dream Bars.  I may possibly have consumed a fair number of these myself last week!

Miss K helping Little Bird fly.  I can’t begin to guess the number of flights these two took together!

Playing with Pan Pan.  I wonder if this means there will be a hamster in our future?  Hannah loved this little guy!!

Another first….sleeping without a bed rail.  No incidents….phew!

Noodle Hair.  We learned about noodle hair last year and Hannah still asks for it each time we have noodle soup.  Cuteness x 3!

On our final evening we took the girls for a walk.  We asked them to stop so that we could take a pic and this is what we got!  Heh!!

More fun in the park.  M3 and I decided to follow the girls on the climber.  Oye!  I can’t believe how much work that is on this old bod and have new appreciation for our 3 little climbers who easily whip around this thing for as long as time permits!

Ro and Ree introduced Hannah to basketball

A final couple of poses before we called it a night.

We Began with a Swim and Ended with a Swim

Sadly Saturday arrived all too quickly and it was time for us to say goodbye but not until after another full day of fun!  I find taking the redeye home when traveling west to east helps switch our clocks a little faster.

We enjoyed the day at the pool and swam our little hearts out.  We we pleasantly surprised to see how quiet the pool was.

Once again my little fish swam and swam.

The girls enjoyed some final moments of play together. 

Beautiful, silly little girls!

Playing the Velcro game with Auntie M when she took Hannah out of her car seat.

Thank you M3, Uncle TubaDad, Ro and Ree.  We had an amazing visit and can’t wait until next year! 

We love you!!

Children’s Museum

I’ve always wanted to take Hannah to a children’s museum and have yet to have found one in the Toronto area so when M3 offered to take us to one we jumped at the chance.  What fun!!

We started in the bubble area and Hannah was excited to make bubbles as big as she was!

Next we headed to an area that had some dress-up and a diner where the kids could prepare meals for the adults. 

Our 3 adorable chefs!

Wearing the Clifford hat she made.  Heh….glad I snapped this one quick as it was in the 0.5 seconds it was on her head!

Look Papa!  I worked in the Post Office just like you!  She took her job very seriously too!

The children’s museum was lots of fun and it makes me wish once again that we had something like this close to home.  Oh well, it will just be another fun thing to keep an eye out for when we travel.

It’s safe to say that all the play left Hannah one tired little girl!

Another Early Morning Means Breakfast in the Park

Friday morning Hannah and I were up a little earlier than the others so we decided to go enjoy a park M3 had introduced us to last year.  We picked up our traditional breakfast (although mixed it up this time and shared fruit and nut oatmeal and a delicious blueberry parfait) and then drove to the park. 

I love this park as it’s sunny and beautiful with the mountains in the background and is full of people walking, playing tennis as well as doing Tai Chi and other activities.

Hannah often had the playground to herself and when others showed up she played alongside them.  I love how quickly kiddos make friends with those around them!

2011                                           2012

The perfect way to start our day!  Hanging out with my amazing girl!

It Wouldn’t Be a Trip to Visit the Salsa Family Without a Trip to Gilroy Gardens!

Gilroy Gardens is a much anticipated part of each of our visits and once again it did not disappoint! We dressed the girls in matching t-shirts and oh how cute they were (and also easy to spot!)  Each outing begins with the daily sun screen spray down.  It’s easy to see why M3 buys this stuff in bulk!
As we arrived at the park we gathered the girls together for a group pic.  They were excited to get on the rides but humoured the parental paparazzi with a few hundred pics.
Once they appeased us we hit the rides!  First up, cars.  Hannah was a great driver although considering she spent most of the drive looking for the other kids I think I’ll continue to drive us for at least the next while!
The girls and moms also enjoyed the flower pot boats.  When we sat down I jokingly said to M3 and K that if they heard ripping Velcro check Hannah as she might try to go for a swim.  We all laughed and dove for her as about 30 seconds into the ride she did exactly that.  She wanted to see the water!   
Girls in boats
LOL!  The PAPArazzi!
The little girls liked the look of the swing ride but alas, not this year.  I also found this pic from last year. They’ve all grown so much!
2011                                          2012
Pausing for a refreshing snack

Hannah’s favourite ride by far!  The Fishy Ride.
Hannah through the years

2010, 2011 and 2012 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Fishy Ride video 2010

and 2012

The girls were given the option of either face painting or temporary tattoos at the end of the day.
Hannah chose to be a fairy.
S2 (left), Hannah and H2 all chose face painting.
M3 snapped this pic just minutes after we left the park.  Heh….look who’s sleeping!  Oops! 
Another great trip to GG tucked away in the memory books.  Precious moments with even more precious friends!
Mother and daughter.  Love!!!