Day Two Hundred and Eleven and Counting...

One of the fun things we picked up yesterday was a pair of little turquoise shoes that Grace just loves.  And this morning, while playing with their bowl full of bubbles, she tried to help Livie have a turn wearing them!

First, one foot...

And then the other... notice that the first foot is no longer in the shoe!

Grace tried so hard to be helpful!

Later, the girls were outside...

Here, Livie is emptying her pail into my watering can...

One little rock at a time!

Meanwhile, Grace is busy running back and forth:

So fast, she's just a blur!

And there she goes again!

Day Two Hundred and Ten and Counting...

Today was a far more relaxed and slow-paced sort of day, after all the adventure and excitement of yesterday!  We were still a little worn out, and just wanted to hang out close to home.

Note the extra baggage under her tired eyes!

Livie, too, even after a nap, still has very tired eyes!

One of our favourite places to go, especially on a day like today, is the Salvation Army Store.  It has quality second hand goods for great prices.  We scored some great deals today!  One of which was a fabulous new vase, covered with etchings of daisies!  I couldn't say no!  And to celebrate our luck, and emphasize its beauty, Jeremy insisted I buy some flowers for it!  Who am I to say no?

Aren't they fabulous?

And in the end, the flowers' beauty outdid that of the vase!

Day Two Hundred and Nine andCounting...

Today was our day of Adventure!  We took the girls (and Oma!) to the African Lion Safari!  The weather was perfect, the kids were rarin' to go - and so were we!  It was just the best day!  We all really enjoyed it!
And, yes, I took a ridiculous number of photos... and to best display them, I have arranged them in collages!  Please, do enjoy!

Waiting for our bus tour!

Bottom left: my girlfriend Laura and her little love, Nolan!

Olivia was just beside herself with glee over the animals!  In the top photo, she was nearly climbing over the seat in front of her!  And, she was roaring at the lions!

The baboons were just hilarious - as was expected!

These Miniature Zebu were very relaxed...!

It seemed like these Ostriches were everywhere we looked.  We even saw one anxiously pecking at a car just ahead of the bus... either because of it's reflection, or contraband snacks!

The Eland have these delicate white stripes down their sides.  Apparently to give their predators the idea that they are skinnier and less appetizing than they really are!

Wildebeest!  Just so odd looking!  Very cool!

Giraffes!  I was beside myself with glee!  Just so excited!

And so was Nolan!

The giraffe in the right side photos was licking the pole it was standing next to!  It's tongue was huge!

Fallow deer!  So pretty!

We spied the elephants on their way to bath time while we had our lunch!

Grace and her steed, Diablo!

Olivia and her steed, Desperado!

 Waiting... again!

We went on the train tour, too, and saw some very cute camels!

On our way to our next ride, we saw some eagles!

Elephant rides!

You bet we took the girls for a ride!  It was amazing!

And a little uncomfortable!

Visiting the goats in the petting zoo area.  Livie was just so excited!  And I am sure Grace would have loved to bring the baby goat home... she kept trying to pick it up!

Last stop, ball pit and play area!

And... we have touch-down!  The girls crashed hard after their day of Adventure!

Day Two Hundred and Eight and Counting...

Today was our 'date day' of our week's vacation.  Jeremy and I went to see Inception!  It was incredible!  Definitely worth seeing in the theater!  Especially with just a handful of people to share it with!

It's our first movie date in just ages!

And the girls spent their time with Grandma!  And as a treat for their good behaviour for Grandma, we picked up some Timbits... their favourite!

Check out the cheeky sass from Grace!

Little bit o' loving goin' on!

Yep, just a little bit o' love!

Day Two Hundred and Seven and Counting...

Such a nice, relaxing day... except for the surprise (and necessary!) purchase of a new freezer.  Sigh.  Not on the top of my vacation to-do-list!  But, I do like the one we've chosen, and I will, of course, post photos of it once it is installed!
The girls were just so pleased to have another day at home!  The Brat Cave was in operation again, but my little superhero was in a great mood, and decided to ham it up for mommy's camera!

Grace was prancing around in her imaginary high heels, talking about going to the mall!

Notice the tip-toes!

Trying not to laugh at me as she zooms by!

Olivia was captivated by a squirrel she saw in the yard, just beyond the patio.  She is crazy about animals, and having one so close was almost too much!

She is on her tip-toes in her effort to get closer!

Daddy!  Did you see it?  Where did it go?

Not sure what the deal is with the baby-boob grab... but she is just so serious, whatever she is thinking!

Day Two Hundred and Six and Counting...

Painting day!  What a whirlwind of activity at our house - right from when we got up... way too early, Miss Grace!  What can I say?  She was excited!  Oma and Opa were here nice and early and ready to go!

Before shot of Grace's room... and her brown walls!

And Livie's brown walls!

Opa, hard at work, taping off the baseboards!

Jeremy painting away the last of the brown in Livie's room!

Grace got right into helping Oma and Daddy paint in her room!

She worked so hard!

 Oma helped Livie have a turn painting, too!

There goes the last of the brown paint in Grace's room!

The finished product!  The photo really does not do it justice!  Oma and Jeremy did such an awesome job!  It is so feminine and pretty... and has such personality - just like Grace!

The photo really doesn't show what a soft-looking, gorgeous lilac this paint really is... it is perfect for Olivia!  We just couldn't be happier with how well it all turned out today!