Victoria with the Pearsons

So for Christmas last year, all of the Pearson families pitched in to get Bryan's parents a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. Hooray! Aren't we the best kids ever?? Turns out that is too crazy for them, but they still cruised - up the Pacific Coast, landing them in Vancouver, B.C.

Guess what Canadian city is a short ferry ride away from Lakewood?? You guessed it - Vancouver!!

We decided to head up to Canada with Dave and Lindsay and meet Robyn and Karen in Victoria (just a ferry ride over from Vancouver). Victoria has way more to do than Vancouver, and is a quaint little town with lots of charm and (here's the good part) Buschart Gardens!

If you've never been to Buschart Gardens you have to put it on your bucket list. It was gorgeous...it is, to me, what I think heaven looks like. Lots of beauty and peace. I wanted to build a huge wonderful house right there and be around it everyday! But I'm pretty sure they don't let people build there...too bad.

After visiting the gardens (pictures will be posted below) we went to our hotel and walked around the city. We picked an awesome restaurant called Sauce for Bryan's birthday dinner and went back to the hotel to play card games. I love how awesome Victoria is - it's cozy and fun, and I feel like I'm somewhere in Europe for just a little bit.

The next day we went to Friday Harbor to relax more, kayak, and hang out. We played card games, slept in, and ate good food! My kind of weekend!!

It was so great having Karen and Robyn here. They got to be here for the family birthday party for Bryan and Bryce, and even though their vacation was a little longer than they wanted due to the Triumph they were driving back having issues, we all loved having them here!

Enough of my talking - let the pictures show you how awesome it was!

Was I right? Garden of Eden!!

I want these in my yard!

I took a picture of this because I love the color combo. Someday I will have a planter with these in it!

How cool is this tree?

We were there in the spring - lots of tulips! Roses come later. And I guess at Christmas they have lights! How cool!!

This is a TALL Totem Pole!! I love the shadow on the ground too.

Bryan trying to look tough around all the flowers :)

Those crazy Canadians - playing a violin with a light saber? My boys would've have willingly dumped their piggy banks in this guys case!

Bryan at his birthday dinner. Funny story - so we get to Friday Harbor the morning before we head to Victoria to meet up with his parents, and Bryan says, "Uh...I forgot to pack shirts." Really? Who does that? But luckily I am super amazing and happened to have the blue shirt pictured above with me. I was going to give it to him for his birthday a few days later, but he got an early birthday present!

Bundled up for the kayaks. It's cold out on the water!

Kayaking in Friday Harbor

Purple starfish were everywhere! And they were huge!

Seriously I am the seal whisperer. Officially. They let my kayak get so close, I got great pictures!

They have the cutest faces!

Bryan and Karen having lunch outside before we head home.