Back in the Wack

Sorry I missed a day or so there...my Aunty Corrine and cousin Amanda came down to visit us in Nanaimo on our last day there, and my Grandma and Grandpa came for a bit of a reception type deal out on the island. It was really nice to see them and we had a great day. We went out to the river again and Jesse jumped of a pretty nice cliff! That night Amanda and Jesse and I went to the harbor in Nanaimo for a walk around and we saw all sorts of crazy little crab type things in the water. It was really fun!

So yesterday everyone left the house at around the same time, Aunty Corrine and Amanda (and Lilly, Amanda's baby) left for shopping and home, the boys went to school and Dad went for an appointment somewhere...so Jesse and I left at the same time and went down to Victoria. We stopped on the way at a really cool waterfall that I remember from when I lived on the island in Grade 9 and that was fun, then we got down to Victoria and walked along the peir... there were some buskers but not as good as during the high time in the summer, and there were some people selling jewelery and such but we couldn't afford most of what we would have wanted.

We went to the undersea garden place and got to watch a bunch of really cool fish swim around...plus octupus, and crabs and a cool wolf eel thing. It was cool to see what really goes on down in the ocean:-) Then we went to this candy shop by the wax museum and we bought some really cool candy that you can't find very many places...and a sweet little can of pop that they sell on British Airlines -- it's super small! We went for hotdogs at this really cool place and the two guys working there had so much charisma we figured they must own the place...but they just really love their jobs and have both been there over ten years. It was pretty impressive -- they must have been making more than minimum wage though because their attitudes were so awesome! After that we headed to the ferry, and on the ferry we saw some splashing made by something cool, but it was too far away for us to really tell what it was. Then we saw jelly fish, seals and pilot whales...the pilot whales were super cool -- they're pretty small like dolphins, but they're black. They were just going up and down in the water so we got to see the phins coming out...they didn't do any jumps or anything, but it was still really cool!

We're having a really great time doing all these things, as well as just getting to know each other better. It's been really great but we are looking forward to being home and just relaxing...and seeing all of you!!!

Love, Casey (and sleeping Jesse)

Oh my goodness, Matt DIVE DIVE DIVE!!!

So we went out on the boat with Dad and the boys yesterday, and Jesse had his first ride out on the ocean. But men don't get excited about things, so that look on Jesse's face must have just been...um...well...anyways, whether he'll admit it or not, he was pretty pumped about it! We dropped our crab traps and then went out to look at the really cool sand stone on Gabriola Island -- the water has cut away at it and there are these really funny birds (and heaps of bird poop) all over it. Then we saw a bunch of seals up close on some logs, then headed over for Snake Island.

Out on Snake Island (which is a tiny little island with nothing but nature on it...not even any trees, just grass, rock and drift wood) we saw some garder snakes (hence "Snake Island") and a bunch of seals. Jesse and I put the goggles and snorkles on and looked around in the water...it was a little too cold for swimming for us Saskatchewanites, but we went waiste deep and saw a couple ocean critters -- like some little skulpins and a crab, but he was well hidden. We also found some star fish, but no crabs which are my favourite thing so I really wanted to show Jesse crabs. I guess we'll just have to find some crabs today or tomorrow. My dad rescued a baby seal that looked to be sick...he just put it in the water and it swam out to it's family...we don't know if it was dying or not, but it seemed to be better off in the water anyways.

After Snake Island we headed out to do some fishing and Sam caught a 71cm Lingcod, so that was pretty cool...Jesse was fishing at the time as well, and he figures it was the fish that had hit his a couple minutes earlier. Anyways, that was fun and we kept fishing for a bit until Matt and I got snags at the same time, and then I convinced Dad that it was time to go back. We went to check the crab traps, and there was nothing but huge sun stars in them (big huge star fish). That sucked, because I don't care much for fish, but I LOVE crab!!! So we pulled the crab traps in and started off for home almost running out of both gas and oil, and with no navigation lights in the dark!

We made it home safe and sound and I believe Jesse and I are going out on a date today, just the two of us for the first time in a week or so. I think it will be great! I'll post in soon:-)

It is IMPORTANT to WAIT for children!!!

So yesterday (who knows what day it is at this point) Jesse and I took my brothers Sam and Matt to Campbell River with us. At first we were a little leary of taking them because they can be quite a handfull, but it was my Dad and Jenny's anniversary and we figured they could use some time off.

So we left and had a great drive up there playing some road games and having Jesse impress the snot out of the boys with his loud music and fast car. Then we went in for lunch at Boston Pizza with my friend Sarah and her little guy Ethan. It was great to catch up with them and super cool to tell her about how Jesse and I met. My brothers at that point decided to be little brats!

After lunch we got back in the car and my brilliant husband came up with the coolest game ever -- a game that will most likely be played often with our children! "Annoying points"! Any time one or both of the children were doing something Jesse or I felt was annoying we gave them the amount of points we felt they deserved (could be one or 10...). If they were good for a time or perhaps complimented someone they would be deducted points (unless they were complimenting too often and not being sincere, thus making them annoying and adding to their points). Anyways, at one point my brother Matt was up to 80 points or so while Sam stayed under 20 the whole time. But when Matt was up so high he was frustrated so he "quit" the game. But then he was just quite so he kept losing his points because he wasn't being annoying. So technically he could have won a game he wasn't even playing. In the end they both ended up with zero points so they both got a chocolate bar from us...and they managed to spend a day without getting yelled at for the most part! It was pretty sweet!

Throughout the day though, I realised that Jesse is going to be the coolest dad in the world one day, and it's going to be super hard to wait for that...however, we are really really enjoying our time just the two of us.

Well, today we're going out boating on the ocean, so Jesse is pretty excited about that! We're going to try our hand at fishing and hopefully see some seals and such. Whales would be cool and if I wasn't along for the ride they'd probably see some, but I have terrible luck with that kind of thing! We'll keep you posted! We really love you guys, and I'm really looking forward to hanging out with all of you when we get back...say hi to anyone who isn't reading this for us!

Casey!

"I'll make you watch Bambi till your eyes bleed!"

Days 5-7

We made it into and out of the United States of America safe and sound and were succesful with our shopping! I am so thankful for Victoria's Secret!!! And Jesse got an airplane book...needless to say he's thankful too -- who knew an airplane book could bring someone so much joy! We had to wait a fair amount at the border crossing for Jesse to get in trouble for not remembering his birth certificate...the agent had a nice slur (like that guy from Ice Age that Jesse always immitates) but we maintained composure! After a good lecture and a while we got in...then proceeded to get a little lost due to road construction. But I won my husband's respect when I "used what was available to me" and asked for directions. LOL! I was so mad because he kept saying -- "way to be prepared..." and "you got us lost..." So I pulled over stormed out of the car and asked the first person I saw. Then got back in the car, still frustrated but at least not so lost, and Jesse says, "now I'm impressed"! HA! I sure fooled him, I knew where I was the whole time and due to my telepathic abilities I just knew how to impress my husband!

We had a nice lazy night after our trip to the States, and the next day (day 6) we headed out on our way to Vancouver Island to visit my Dad and Jenny and the boys. We're having a great time here! Jesse is "fun, cool and actually plays with us" -- Matt and Sam have found a friend in him. Not to mention Jesse seems to be having a fantastic time with them...thank goodness for frisbee, tree forts and rope swings!

Day 7 we went to the river and played on a super cool rope swing under a bridge by the Bungee Zone. We watched a few crazy people bungee jump and for way to much money and we had a sweet time jumping off of cliffs for free! Had a nice little picnic and tried to convince a woman and her daughter that they could try the rope swing and would make it out past the rocks. We don't know if they ever did make it because they were still sitting there trying to decide when we left (they'd been sitting there already for about an hour before).

We're having a really good time visiting and relaxing and I'm really enjoying being married. We realised last night that it has finally been two months since we've met! HAHAHA!!! Anyways, it certainly feels like longer and we're both really enjoying this marriage thing!

Today we're heading up to Campbell River to meet up with a friend of mine, Sarah, who I haven't seen in a few years. Should be exciting! Oh also, today is my Dad and Jenny's 17th anniversary. Jesse and I got them a card and it was really fun for me to sign "love Jesse and Casey Munro" for the first time! We're babysitting the kids tonight so they can go out for a nice dinner!

We'll take lots of pictures and post again soon:-)

--Casey

Days 1 through 4

So, we are married!!! It's been super awesome to realise again that we really do love each other and that we actually get along. The wedding planning was crazy, but the marriage is pretty sweet so far!

Anyways, we woke up on Saturday morning at the Day's Inn (thanks by the way to Aaron and Karla, Becky and Garnett, and Garison and Marilla). From there we went to start packing and get an oil change...our plan had been to leave in time to be in Calgary for supper, but we actually got there around 9:30pm. Had a wonderful stay in Calgary for our second night as a married couple, followed by waffles and farmer sausage for breakfast (it was good!).

We left Calgary around 11am and started out for BC we were trying to be quick about it (after all, miles are money as Jesse says). Pulled in to Revelstoke around 5 and had a really nice visit with Jesse's Aunt and Uncle -- super nice people who we hope to spend more time with on the way home. We arrived in Chilliwack around 11:30 (12:30 Sask time) and slept on the loudest and smallest bed we've ever been on. Oh well, it seems to be good for Jesse's back anyways!

Monday (Day 2 and Jesse's Birthday) we went for a short hike up to Bridal Falls--if we figure out how, we'll post some pics or something. After the hike we headed for a cute little picnic spot where we ate a surprise birthday picnic...then home for a long nap followed by supper and birthday cake at Kathy's house.

Tuesday we headed out to see some family (Aunty Heather and Uncle Allan--who are now supportive of our marriage, um...thankfully). We went out to Harrison Lake and had lunch at a cute little cafe then hiked to see the hot springs and a cute little semi-private bay where we are thinking about camping at later. A fun afternoon followed by LETTUCE WRAP (oh my goodness!!!) and other chinese food.

That's it so far, we've been enjoying the laid back pace and having the time to just be together! We're hoping to make it across the border today with no passports...so we'll keep you posted on that one:-)