Birthday Blessings

I don't count anymore.
I am THAT old ~ *wink*

I just
C.E.L.E.B.R.A.T.E.

And it keeps getting better and better.
The only thing(s) missing from my day
this year were boys #1 and #2.
Austin and Calvin were at camp.
Howie had a business meeting on the Island
scheduled for "my" day.
I invited myself along.

How FUN!

Fraser and Emma joined in
to make an *almost* perfect birthday.
If Austin and Calvin had been with us,
the day would have truly been
P.E.R.F.E.C.T.

But God in His providence gives
EXACTLY
what is BEST.
How precious it is to
REST in that FACT!

Here are some of my treasures enjoying the beautiful day
and scenery on the outside deck of one of B.C.'s ferries.

We go through "Active Pass" on the way to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island.
You see MANY smaller islands along the way!

Seagulls flying alongside the ferry.

Passing another LARGE ferry in Active Pass.
It has a Vancouver 2010 mural on its side.

The children and I explored while Daddy had a meeting in Victoria.
There are MANY things to see within walking distance in the downtown area.
The Parliament Buildings are in the background here.
This is where our Provincial government meets.

Inside the Parliament Buildings there are many ornate
and beautiful things to see.
The dome is shown below from the inside looking up,
first from the lower level and then from the
highest level you can go (as a tourist).

This is taken from inside the Main Entrance looking out towards the bay.

The Empress ~
A famous historical hotel in Victoria,
was the next building we did a bit of exploring in!

They even have a sitting area in the ladies public washroom
inside the Empress ~ complete with a fireplace!

The lovely sitting area behind the children here
is where afternoon tea is served for about $50 per person!
Needless to say, we did not eat there! :)

Looking out one of the ivy lined windows toward the bay.

Ahhh, FINALLY, a park to play in!
Apparently, this was the
HIGHLIGHT of the day for Fraser and Emma!

We travelled back toward the Parliament Buildings (they are HUGE)
from another angle and enjoyed the water fountain.
I enjoyed photographing these two all day long...
it isn't obvious, is it? ;-)

And then we discoverd a place to
J.U.M.P.

And so as not to be
O.U.T.D.O.N.E.
Emma joined in! :)

Here we are heading back to meet up with Daddy
where his meeting was nearly done.

On the ferry ride back home Howie treated us to the
Buffet Dinner ~ which was a WONDERFUL treat!

The Birthday display Howie set up for me while I was away from the table...
complete with CANDLES! :)
~ Thank you Sweetie! ~

The food was fabulous and the views
S.P.E.C.T.A.C.U.L.A.R.
The snow-capped mountain you may (or may not) see at
the left hand side of the photo below
is Mt. Baker ~ Isn't God's Creation
MAGNIFICENT?