A Peachy Afternoon

In the days leading up to Geoff's departure, we decided to have some fun around town. The sleepy little town of Peachland was the perfect choice. A short drive, a beautiful view, good food and provided us with an afternoon of memories. 

With the military we are unsure of how much longer we will be in the Okanagan, so we need to take advantage of all we haven't done yet! 

We enjoyed the views of the lake...

Taught Hannah about totem poles...

Played in a new playground before pigging out on massive plate of schnitzel and then drove home with a doggy bag. A perfect afternoon. 

Goodbye Daddo!

The countdown calender is back in business. 

The brightly colored pages have become a tradition around here  with Geoff coming and going for his military training. February and March are up and the house is quiet and clean, yup he is definitely in Comox. 

We miss him already (two days in), but glad he is back on the road to complete his career training. We loved every second of him being home over the holidays. We wish he didn't have to go away again but the sooner his courses and job experience are complete, the sooner we can move ahead and start our lives together as an Air Force family.   

Happy Valentines Day Contest

I thought it would be fun to enter. Our local news website has a contest running for Valentines Day. Yesterday it asked people to email in their favourite places to kiss in town. I submitted my email, not knowing what to expect. Woke up today to this! 

That is us in the photo - and my quote of one of the most beautiful (and perfect) places to kiss in Kelowna is at the Myra Canyon Trestles. Its one of our favourite spots in the Okanagan. Not sure who is the winner yet, fingers crossed for a free dinner at the Keg!

We ask, you tell: local kissing spots

by Contributed - Story: 70975
Feb 14, 2012 / 5:00 am

Photo: Contributed - Geoffrey & Kate Keighley

Okanagan residents share best places to kiss

It’s Valentine’s Day.

Guys, gals, you still have time to procure a card, chocolates and/or gift that shows that special someone in your life that you love them.

Or perhaps the skeptic in you believes the holiday is one created by greeting card companies to make you feel like crap.

No matter how you feel about today, like the Amazon.ca survey that finds Kelowna the #3 most romantic city in Canada, Okanagan residents are one amorous bunch!

We asked you to email us your favourite Okanagan kissing spots, and the response was astounding. 

So, if you’re looking for a place to go (and kiss) after your romantic meal tonight, here are some romantic spots - as suggested by our readers:

• Best place to kiss in the Okanagan would be on the Kalamalka lake dock as the sun goes down, no matter the time of year!

• One of the most beautiful (and perfect) places to kiss in Kelowna is at the Myra Canyon Trestles. It is one of our favourite spots in the Okanagan.
• Stuart Park Ice Rink at about 10PM any evening.
• Hardy Falls...lovely scenic trail up the the beautiful falls.  Peace and tranquility.
• Take a scenic hike or a cool-weather drive up Giant's Head in Summerland. A short hike from the highest parking lot brings you to a stunning lookout over the entire lake, valley and mountains. Truly a place where angels come to kiss!
   
• The best place to kiss in Kelowna is on Knox Mountain. You have to drive (or bike for some sweatier romance) all the way to the top. Once parked walk North past the gazebo there are numerous benches along the trail all offering slightly different views of Okanagan lake towards Vernon. It is so calm, quiet and peaceful and tends to be very private at night. Bring some chapstick, a blanket, some chocolate and a thermos, cuddle up with your sweetheart either on a bench or on the grass. The mood is set for you with the stars above and a fantastic view all around you. It’s best in the spring, summer and fall but dress warmly and you can kiss all year round.
   
• The very first kiss I shared with my sweetheart was at Hardy falls in Peachland. It was amazing, and here we are 2 kids later and everytime we go back to visit the falls (not very often as life is busy with 2 little ones) I still get the same feeling as the first kiss we shared :)
   
• Best Places to kiss in my opinion would have to be anywhere! But, if you are in a relationship, the most sentimental place to kiss would be maybe where you had your first date, first time you talked, first real special occasion.. somewhere that means something to a couple. If your not in a relationship, then anywhere that is new and some where you can make that first memory with a special someone.
• In a physical place, the best place to kiss would have to be Kayola Beach in Oyama. Its so beautiful there, and makes any occasion special.
• Still, after being married for 26 years, it’s the front stoop of our home where I’m greeted by my wife as I return home from work each day.
• I think the best place to kiss in Kelowna is under the stars at Kuipers Peak on a warm summer night with the city lights glowing below.
• I believe the best kissing in the Okanagan occurs while lost on a quiet, snowy pathway trying to make your way to the Big White village for the New Years' Eve fireworks; of course, being lost, you don't make it on time, so, instead of a crowded, loud countdown, you end up with a peaceful, serene Winter Wonderland lit up by the colors of the distant fireworks, making that midnight kiss give you more goosebumps than the cold wind ever could.
• The best places in Kelowna to smooch are: on a chairlift at Big White, lookout points and Knox Mountain... and, saying good-bye each morning at your front door

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO EVERYONE!!

Monday The Movies

A few Mondays ago, Geoff and I took Hannah to her first movie. There was nothing better than a big screen, popcorn and 3D glasses that night. 

Luck fell into our laps that Beauty & The Beast in 3D hit theaters for our first time movie going experience as a family. Some girls love Dora, some girls love Barbie. Our girl watches Beauty & The Beast on a daily basis. Her choices are infinite, but her decision is ever predictable. "Princess Belle."  So when we received a chance opportunity to see Beauty & The Beast on the big screen, how could we resist?

A family movie night out - a big success! 

Hannah in awe of her first movie going experience. 

By the start of the movie, this little girl was set. A few giggles from surrounding Beauty & The Beast fans at some of Hannah's animated reactions to her favourite movie completed our family night at the theater with highlights. We are so proud of Hannah for enduring an entire movie experience, and so proud of us as parents for surviving our first attempt at the movies with a 3 year old. A night memories (all good) are made from. 

Superbowl Sunday

For a cold cloudy day, we decided to have a Superbowl family day! I had no idea what to expect since I have never seen a Superbowl game and I have never watched a football game. Should be fun right? 

In the entertainment department we present..

The Superbowl 2012. 

The reaction to the game..

Moxie preferred to catch up on some sleep..

Daisy couldn't keep her eyes off the men in tight pants chasing after a ball. 

Nothing says a Superbowl party without..

A mountain of 

sinful nachos for lunch..

 And a crockpot full of chili for dinner.

The best part of the game was the half time show.

I love the Material Girl.

So does Hannah. This is her half time show.

Congratulations New York Giants. Good game! 

Six Year Milestone

In December 2005, two people connected on a website called www.lovehappens.com. And

 six years ago yesterday, the same two people met in person over a cup of coffee for the first time. Those two people are Geoff and Kate Keighley. 

Can't believe six years ago I was wearing these shoes to meet my future husband. 

I was carefree enough to wear fuzzy leopard print footwear on a first date, and Geoff was brave enough to date such a fuzzy footed girl. It must have been love..because an afternoon coffee turned into sushi lunch and the day ended at the airport watching planes take off past midnight. 

Here is our first official picture taken together at a car show some six years ago..

Happy Groundhog Day

This morning Canadians got predictions straight from Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam and Wiarton Willie from Ontario of an early spring. Later, the coin flipped to more winter from Alberta's Balzac Billy and Quebec's Fred la Marmotte. I guess our chances have turned into 50/50 of what the weather has in store for the next six weeks for Canadians?

And celebrity Punxsutawney Phil of Pennsylvania was greeted by his shadow, making predictions of a longer winter on the other side of the boarder, while his buddy Charles (Chuck) G. Hogg of New York City saw no shadow with the claim of an early spring.  Another six week forecast mystery for the USA! 

A Wet Wednesday

Only one thing to do when its pouring rain outside...

Make the couch into a bed..

Have some company over to share an episode of Sesame Street..

And have the "Paper Bag Princess" read to you..

And for me..while I just caught up on some Glee(cough). Amazing Michael Jackson Tribute! I watch and Hannah dances, its a good morning.