Nass Valley Hot Springs

The best way to fill up a day is to make up your own adventure. We took a drive to find the Nass Valley Hot Springs. Its such a beautiful drive even in the Winter! You take Nisga’a Highway from Terrace...drive through the lava beds near Aiyansh and head towards Greenville. I love filling our cooler and hopping in the car with my family.

We stopped and got out at a look out point along the lake to check out the frozen icicles. Its nice to take the time to check things out and not just drive by them. Mahikan of course tried to bring a huge icicle into the vehicle to keep. I doubt many people walk along the road to see ice haha
We had no idea where the hot springs were and of course we didn't actually google it before we left the house. You lose cell service just outside of Terrace too. I didn't have a signal the whole time we were gone. Sean said when we were at 1/4 tank of gas we would have to turn around whether we found the hot springs or not. Right at our turn around point we found it so that was lucky. We got there around 3 pm there was a good amount of light the whole time. Its a bit of a walk in to the springs. Apparently its a wooden board walk style trail. All we seen was a snow path of course. There was a lot of people in the tubs when we came up but it cleared out pretty fast. Mahikan was so unsure at first and he was the most excited when we were driving. He couldn't get over the smell of eggs. The largest tub is the coolest in temperature and its a little more raw compared to the other two which is cool. The bottom is rock and the water looks murky. There are two other tubs that are really these really nice cedar basins.  Zola said it was the prettiest stinky water she had ever been in. We will for sure be back once the snow has melted so we can stop and see the lava beds.

A bit of a walk into the hot springs. Under the snow is wooden plank walk ways.

 Nahlin in the smallest and hottest tub. He lasted a few min.

 Sean liked the look of his silver ring from the minerals.

  BRING SANDALS OR WATER SHOES! There are three separate tubs ranging in temperature. So if you didn't bring flip flops (like Nahlin) then you're walking along the snowy/icy paths in bare feet.

 Driving home the lake was covered in the cool looking fog over the snow.

Science World Edmonton

 

Visiting Edmonton with the family then Science World Edmonton is a great thing to plan. The kids had a blast and its fun to play. We did the year family pass because after 2 trips its like going for free. plus the pass gets you a discount for the Imax and the gift shop! A must is taking random pretend zero gravity pictures in the space station section haha! You can just see Zola walking in an catching on HAHA!

Another gem...Zola taking a fake space poop. She thought was hilarious...

We seen an Imax showing of the mysteries of China. Zola seen a commercial and was all excited to see a film about the terracotta warriors. Lady in the top is scoping my camera flash and photo action...can you not watch my selfie happen haha

Thee end <3 good times were had...

Pink Pirate Birthday party

For my daughter Zola's 5th birthday this year we did an oh so girly pink pirate theme. This was one of my favorite parties I've planned! I'm a sucker for pink...and skulls. The colors were shades of baby pink, candy pink, black, silver, and gold. I was sad when I finally seen the pictures on the memory card that my husband took. I was busy finishing the cake so he was given the job of photographer. There isn't that many of the party or decorations. There isn't any that show the details well. There was non at all of all the decorating above and on the dessert table :( I actually took on too much and saved it all till the last minute to put it all together. I don't usually do the cake. For this party I did and it took soooo long. I didn't start decorating until the day before...by myself with the baby so there was a whole bunch that didn't even go up.The party time was 1:30-4:30 pm so we just have finger foods and snacks. The goody bags were pink skulls that had black and white candy necklaces and bracelets.

food table sign I made in Microsoft publisher

white cake batter tinted pink!

Pink chocolate skulls I made! loved these

goodies...there was pink candy shaped like shells (they were a puffy strawberry cream candy) pink foil covered cookies and cream chocolate eggs, pink chocolate skulls.

A variety of puff pastry horderves, chocolate drizzled macroons, and white cheddar rice crackers.

Pink lemonade served in pink cups. Fruit and berry salad served in baby pink and white paper bowls with baby pink spoons.

Birthday Girl <3 Pink pearl hair ties, black shirt with bubble sleeves, pink and black tutu topped off with a pink rhinestone skull necklace.

After Christmas last year I bought these long strands of pearls, pink and silver glittery ribbon, matching pink ball ornaments (they came in a big box with mixed shiny diamond patterned and ones covered in pink glitter) for 70% off! The pink tulle pouf curtain I made by hand from wire, ribbon, and tulle.

Pink flower treasure chest was filled with gems, tiaras, necklaces, pearls, and a gold trophy. We had black and white skull balloons kicking around...they played a pin the X on the treasure Jake and the pirates game.

 

Pink xmas ribbon, ball ornaments and pearls.

Pirate Baby

Made her cake from scratch. It was a white cake that I tinted pink with buttercream and covered in fondant. My first  time ever touching fondant icing. The cake turned out OK. I did the pink ship in about 30 min total...during the party haha! It was a rice crispy treat base covered in fondant icing.