Vancouver and Katie's hospital stay

On our way back home from Aus we had a stopover in Vancouver and had to wait all day before catching a plane to Smithers in the evening. Julie and Dave picked us up and we enjoyed a day with them in Vancouver. We were very jetlagged but still managed to talk lots and really enjoy each others company again.

We arrived home on the 30th March. And slept like logs the first nite in our own beds. The next nite at around mignight Katie started throwing up and got really sick. By morning she wasn't keeping anything down and at lunch time we realised we would probably be bringing her in to be checked but for the next few hours she began playing and looked like she was getting better. A few hours later was a totally different story by this time she was totally dehydrated and wasn't responding anymore just sleeping and waking up to be sick. In the ER they put her on IV and told us to be ready to stay the night. They put us in a private room and we ended up staying for two nites.
Katie and her cricket bat as Steph liked to call it

Still feeling quite sick and very tired

slowly getting better reading stories again.

Yah the cricket bat is off my hand.. freedom again!! it was hard to keep a 2.5 year old still and quiet in the hospital. By Friday afternoon we had all had enough and just wanted to go home. We could see our place from Katie's room we were so close to being home again. We were released from hospital with strict orders to return if things went bad again. Once Katie started drinking again and eating she never looked back. That weekend she was still really tired and often I would find her sleeping watching her dvds. The pediatrician said this is normal after such an experience and expected her to be that tired still for two weeks. As the days went on Katie kept improving and by the next week we had our little girl back again. She was laughing and singing and playing again too. We are so thankful this happened to Katie when we were back in Canada and not while we were in Sydney or on the long flight between Aus and Canada. God has us in His care and we saw that especially during Katie's dehydration. All thanks be to God!!

Sydney

I bet everyone has given up on checking our blog for updates. I know its been too long. I have a no. of excuses if you want to hear them.. The biggest one being that my computer has been on the blink for almost a year now and towards the end it wasn't even uploading photos anymore and whats a blog post without pictures. Second we've had the best summer since I moved here weather wise so I havent been spending a lot of time indoors or behind the computer. Instead we've been at the creek, river and lake soaking up the sun and cooling off. Third we've been working on the renovations around here. This summer we focussed on the outside of the house. We hope to get the siding on before the snow flies. a subsequent post will get you all updated on the reno. For now we have to complete the trilogy and give you the last post on Australia.. we left WA on Friday the 26th March and spent the weekend in Sydney with an old work colleague from Steph.

parting was difficult again..

Katie posing by the Sydney Harbour Bridge

out for supper with Craig and Sylvie. Our awesome hosts in Sydney.


Katie eating the biggest chip she has ever seen :)

Derek climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge tower and took this pic. Katie and I stayed down the bottom with the stroller. We hired a stroller in Sydney and that meant we could go everywhere we wanted with Katie in the stroller. She even slept in the stroller..

It was so hot and busy in Sydney sometimes the only cool, calm part of the day was taking the ferry to the next location. we loved it on the water!!

On a walk from Manley Beach to Little Beach past these natural rock pools













we took the Ferry to Watsons Point and then walked to the Heads an hour walk with an amazing view.

we checked out the Aquarium. spent quite a few hours here watching the amazing creatures our God has made.




I think Dugongs are one of the most beautiful and graceful animals I have ever seen.. could have stayed here all day..







Katie playing by this water feature at Darling Harbour. This was in front of a resturant overlooking the harbour. The girl in the picture with Katie was absolutely soaked. I guess thats how they cool down on a hot muggy day in Sydney

brain freeze :)

the view from Craig and Sylvies aparment where we stayed in Sydney

When we left Smithers Katie was always wanting to be carried onto and off the plane and while we were changing planes. The difference of a few weeks is amazing when we left Perth she wanted to carry her own backpack and walked the whole time we were waiting for a cab at the airport which was over an hour wait.

enjoying kids shows on the plane.

We thank God for giving us such an amazing holiday and visit with family and friends. We feel very blessed that we were able to travel in safety back to Aus and be reunited with many wonderful people. You will always hold a special place in our hearts and you are most welcome to come visit us in Smithers!!

This is what we were welcomed with when we returned home. Beth and kids had decorated a welcome home sign.


There's no place like home!!