Shawn and the Fam Visit

Our good friend, Shawn, and her family came to visit in September. I love visits! We had a great time--we went to Oliver, BC and to Molson--the local ghost town that John is sure everyone wants to see. I literally don't think I can ever go into the Molson museum again, ever, but it IS endlessly entertaining to John.

These first few photos are of another riding lesson.














Juan likes the grooming portion a lot. This is their instructor, Emily, and her show horse, Dancer.

























Mary Lu kept making soundless face gestures on this day. It looked as if she were clicking to Dancer, her whole mouth would contort in and out, but no sound came out. She was rather serious about it, and it went on for some time.


































Juan and Mary Lu on a rusty old tractor in Molson. I was in my Happy Place. Also of note, it was freezing and we didn't bring coats for the kids so they were wrapped in some towels we found in our trunk which inhibited steering and climbing. Juan adapted ok, but Mary Lu was alternately cold and pissed off.











Shawn and Ken's daughter, Sarah.









This is at a cool water park in Oliver. Mary Lu digs the ride on toys these days. Of note, the town was without a playground (much like Oroville) until two local waitresses fundraised and motivated on a grass roots level and a couple years later the park was built. Totally awesome.










I thought this would be a cute idea but Sarah was not on board.











Juan loves taking his bike everywhere to ride. We ride/stroll around town pretty much anywhere we go locally.











Shawn and Sarah




























Shawn, Ken, and Sarah















Juan helping Ken to load their things as they prepare to leave. Juan uses his wagon as a "flatbed" and jumps at the chance to load and "secure" pretty much anything.






























Juan also jumps at the chance to be in anyone's car, just like he always has.
























When these photos were taken, Juan was obsessed with Batman. At that time, he was going to be Batman for Halloween and made this mask. It's held together with many Nemo band-aids (we've since invested in "play" Band-aids). He kept it hanging on his bunkbed so that he could grab it very quickly on Halloween morning. His Batman obsession came out of nowhere and I think is sparked by Ruben's love of Batman although I don't even think they talked about Batman the last time they talked. At any rate, although he still dresses up like Batman and talks about Batman often (he's told me that on the nights we have hot dinners, we talk about Batman at dinner--we always have hot dinners), he now wants to be Super Why for Halloween.