Victoria Canada

So, we have a kid. It happened.  Our life of travelling the world is over... or NOT!  

This Thanksgiving we decided to hit up the Great White North. 

We were luckily able to take our nephew Hayden with us! We woke up early and took a ferry from Seattle to Victoria.  We got a great view of the San Juan Islands. 

Harper enjoyed checking out the gorgeous islands, even if she didn't care for the cold.

Once we made it to Vancouver Island, which houses the city of Victoria, we went to Goldstream Provincial Park.

This is a stream in which thousands of salmon come up to lay their eggs and then die.  Yes those are all fish!

The good looking crew!

We stopped for lunch and their was a little mini mart.  I went in and start searching.  After a few minutes the cashier finally asked me what I was looking for.  That is when I found the mythical, magical KINDER BEUNO'S! Harper was very pleased. 

Hayden and Brent sharing some Poutine.  They decided it was good not great.

Next we visited Hatley Castle. 

It was really pretty but is now being used on a college campus. Back in WWII the Queen of Egland was suppose to come to the Hatley Castle but then decided to remain in England. 

The best part of having a kid is now we can't make her do things that we aren't suppose to and we will never get yelled at to much!  We told Hayden to ride the lion but he refused, Harper couldn't resist!

Part of the castle was gated off, but everyone was out to lunch. Obviously, we had to sneak in.  Good thing we did because it was like our own secret garden!

After the Castle, we went to a Fort Rodhill, which housed two bunkers with cannons and arms to protect the Canadian Border. This was in one of the bunkers.  It is pointed toward the ocean so it is a GORGEOUS VIEW!

Man we embarrassed Hayden way to much! He may never talk to us again!

To get to the cannon you had to climb these amazing circle stairs.

This is the view that we got to see!

This is where the bullets and cannon were stored.  They had it opened with fake shells in the different rooms. 

After the fort, we went to the State Parliament Building.  Can you say totem poles?  They are EVERYWHERE!  I am sure it is because of the Native American Presence in that part of the country.

The Parliament building was very cool.  I love taking the tours, and we had a tour guide to ourselves!   We learned that the Queen of England is kinda like a CEO, because she is the Queen of England, Canada and 17 other countries, but none of those countries are associated.  It is like she is the CEO of 19 different companies.  We also learned that the Vancouver Crest always has the sun setting below the British flag, because the sun never sets on the British empire!  Don't you love learning?!

This building was suppose to cost $500,000 when it was built and only went over budget by $421,000. I think it was totally worth it!

Brent being crazy and Hayden being present!

Harper with her favorite cow!  Thanks cousin Landon.

After a little history is was time to hit the pier with mini houses. 

A whole little row of mini house boats!  They were seriously adorable.  I wish I could have toured one.

Brent almost fell in... it would have only been typical if he had!

When I said mini, I meant mini!  Please note I told Hayden to do this pose... he chose not to.

Exploring the city.

Brent and Hayden playing on some logs.

Of course we had to stop by a cemetery and pick out headstones!

Brent being pretty disrespectful.

This cemetery overlooked the ocean.  It was gorgeous!

Harper couldn't help but be upside-down whenever she could.  I think Hayden was pretty exhausted by this point.

Love this man!

Outside China Town!  The missionaries approached us after and we had to break their hearts by telling them we are LDS!

It was a really long day. I think I still prefer travelling further abroad but it was a GREAT first day in Canada!