On the go with the folks.

My parents have been visiting from Utah this past week. We've been on the go practically the whole time. Last Tuesday, we went to the tulip festival. Since we've had such cool weather lately, the tulips are later in blooming. It's a perfect time to go right now. (I heard that they have extended through this weekend.) The daffodils are on their way out but there are still tulips that haven't even bloomed yet. It was perfect weather and the parents loved it. Here are some highlights:

My favorite picture that I took at the tulip festival.

My cute mom.

Great picture of my dad.

You gotta see it for yourself!

We stayed the night that night in Anacortes to catch the ferry to Victoria, B.C. the next morning but due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to to return home and drive back to catch the ferry early Thursday morning.

This is the closest I've been to Orcas Island.

Love this picture I took at the Orcas Island ferry stop.

Nearing Sidney, B.C.. It was much smaller than I expected.

When we arrived in Victoria, we went to Butchart Gardens. I thought they would be nice but actually they were AWESOME! Here are a few of my favorite pictures that I took. Of course the pictures do not do it justice.

After the gardens, we visited Craigsdarroch Castle near downtown Victoria. It was beautiful and had a very interesting story.

Handsome wood paneling.

Stained glass in the turret.
Many of the rooms had stained glass in them.

Elegant piano with wood inlay.

After that, we drove past Parliament and took a detour on the way back to Sidney and got lost. (We were able to find our way back after asking for directions that didn't really help at all.)

Parliament building in Victoria.

Great photo op next to Parliament.

Quaint coastal community.

We spent the night in Sidney and took the ferry home the next day, taking some bags of ketchup chips and bottles of Tylenol with codeine, which is available over the counter there, with us. (I only declared the chips :-).)

BTW, the chips were a request from Brennan. Kelly, Riley and my dad thought they were disgusting. Brennan will love them. And if you ever have a killer headache, you know where to find us!

The rest of the time my parents were here, they spent doing repairs and odd jobs. They really spoiled us and we enjoyed having them here!