Coudn't be happier.

Well, we're back. And I've missed the shire just as much as Dan and Ana have. As always after a long stretch of a trip: It's good to be home.

Vancouver Island didn't turn out to be the trip we expected. We had packed all our camping and hiking gear, excited at the prospect of hours upon hours of hiking in the mountains reaching spectacular views followed by cozy evenings at the campfire toasting marshmellows. This really only happened one of the 9 nights we were there. Most of our trip was spent in the never ending rain, and steady temperture of 60 degrees (at the peak of the day). Well, okay. To be fair there were a handful of sunny afternoons. We cherished those. But, there wasn't much hiking or spectacular views the rest of the time.

What we didn't know when we left the midwest, but happily found out soon after our arrival deep in the culture of the West Coast, is that we couldn't go a block without tripping on a used bookstore and adjacent coffee shop. So, what do two bibliophiles, and their bibliophile spawn, do? We take a bookstore tour of Vancouver Island is what we did. And we came home with a trove of goodies. Well, Dan came home with the trove. I only found two books, but they are REALLY GOOD BOOKS! And Ana found two REALLY GOOD BOOKS (one Richard Scary, and one Curious George. She loves that monkey.)

And, during the wettest, coldest part of our stay, we found the nicest cabin to rent right on the ocean with our very own beach. It was wonderful and warm and dry!

But the best part of the vacation was the three of us being together all of the time. It really was a blessing. Especially for Ana, who doesn't even see Daddy from Sunday nights until Wednesday mornings. Sometime during the beginning of the trip, Ana took to taking inventory of everyone present. First, she would point at Daddy and say: "Da-ey." Then she would point at me and say: "Mama." Then she would point at herself and say: "Ana!" One time she even added her bear to the list. It makes a mom's heart get all teary.

But it is good to be home. Where I can once again cook yummy home grown meals that don't cost a second mortgage. And Ana can run freely all day long instead of be tied to her car seat. And Dan can take his hands off the steering wheel and put them on a book. We are refreshed.

Here's a shot of Ana being chased in front of our cozy cabin at the ocean.

And here's one of Daddy showing Ana the fun of feet being washed by waves.