A Graduation Getaway!

Byron graduated back in the middle of July.  It had been a long four years for him doing his forestry degree at Bangor, but what an exciting four years too! which had us living in a different country every year: Wales - Canada - Scotland - Wales, and which also saw our family of two grow to a family of three! 

During that time we both lived as students in 1st year as I completed my masters degree too, then in 2nd year I took on 2 jobs in Vancouver to support us while By studied, in 3rd year Byron supported us while I was on maternity leave with Ella and then in his final year neither of us were working! so there's been a lot of frugality and struggling along the way but I'm happy to say we've made it out of the other side and not only did he pass his degree...

but he passed it with flying colours, by getting a first! and not only did he get a first, but he also got a special award from the Royal Forestry Society for his dissertation! and he also accepted a graduate job at the biggest forestry company in the UK! 

and let me remind you that he did all of this whilst being married, with a new baby, amidst sleepless nights and early starts, sometimes alongside having a job, and responsibilities at church...

and so we pretty much think he is a superhero! and couldn't be prouder of just how completely awesome he has done!

The graduation day itself kicked off with a rocky start...after Ella had decided the previous night to have a little party in our wigwam hut for half the night!

I'm not sure whether it was waking up in a strange environment or what, but for whatever reason it was one of the worst nights she could have pulled that stunt! 

So after having only slept half the night, it's safe to say she was pretty grumpy and the fact that Byron's graduation ceremony co-incided with nap time was another nail in the coffin!!

Ella and I had to watch By accepting his certifcate from a secondary lecture theatre with a large screen (as you only get 2 tickets to the grand hall where the ceremony takes place and so his parents had those), and I wish I could say we clapped loudly and I wiped away tears as he walked across that stage but he was one of the last faculties to be called up so we'd sat through plenty of name calling already and truth be told at the moment his name was called I was trying to make sure the empty plastic cups Ella had found and was drinking out of didn't contain any alcohol and that I could hold one of her hands to ensure her from fleeing the building whilst trying to snap a picture of our awesome daddy with the other hand! Graduations with babies are not the most leisurely experience!!

I had plenty of time to reflect upon his awesomness at other points in the day...but not at that exact moment!

We left the theatre the second after his name was called to let Ella have the run around she so desperately needed! and she loved exploring the halls and the grounds!

I really don't have anything nice to say about Bangor uni because my experiences of studying there were awful, but they do have some pretty buildings I'll give them that!

So this little girl was seriously sleepy and in need of a nap...

I drove her around for a while so she could have a nice nap and unfortunately missed By accepting his award for his dissertation but I did get some peace and quiet from this crazy one while she slept, and managed to take in a nice view of the Menai Bridge while she did so!

and this was a picture of what I missed - By accepting his award! #momlife!

Eventually after a nice hour long nap, we headed for some well needed lunch - I hadn't eaten all day and we went to one of our fave spots - Dylan's...

because you can't beat that view on a sunny day!

and when in Anglesey it would be rude not to stop at Red Boat Ice Cream Parlour, Ella was naturally loving it and trying to steal as much of Granny's ice cream as possible!

She also went for a little dip in the paddling pool...with a view!

and Daddy was not too important on his special day to get down on some playpark rides, suit and all!!

By's Mom was kind enough to turn the graduation into a little mini getaway by treating us to staying over for 2 nights in these cute little wigwam hut things! 

The scenery was amazing, and we lucked out with the weather! 

Our Braai King was super happy to be getting some meat on the barbie!

Ella loved being a sheep herder, sheep are pretty much her fave thing ever...after dogs that is,

and seriously she herded those sheep through three different fields! It was impressive!

Love that knee bend! capturing her in motion!

and the glow of golden hour!

I wandered down the lane and caught the sunset through this gate...

and then this little hare popped right into my shot!

and I loved the sunlights glow through these hedges.  

Wales, you are really beautiful in the sunshine!

Portmeirion: the most colourful village in North Wales!

The last time we lived in Wales back in 2011 I made a pinterest board of places I wanted to visit while we were there.  There were only 3 things on it - Bodnant Gardens, Cwm Idwal and Portmeirion.  We ticked off the first two, and this time around we have frequented both places loads! but it was looking like we were going to leave Wales again with no visit to Portmeirion.  I had been told it was only worth doing on a really sunny day so about 2 weeks before we left, I had seen the forecast for a random Monday was meant to be sunny so we pencilled it in.  When we woke up in the morning it was beautiful sunshine! and off we went! On the way the clouds starting coming in…as always, thanks Wales! and it didn't end up being the super sunny day we had hoped for! but I was still pleased to tick it off the list…eventually!! 

The little Italian looking village was built by an eccentric architect who was neither Italian nor Welsh, but actually English! He bought the piece of land as an abandoned wilderness and had a vision to create a tight knit coastal village and off he went! He bought it in 1925 and finished his last building at age 93!  and died 2 years later.

I just fell in love with all the colourful buildings! it was a photographer's dream! 

and I was especially excited about Clough Williams-Ellis' love of turquoise! you and me both Clough!

Ella stopping to smell the flowers!

A little bit of blue sky peeking through behind the pink house!

I usually try and cut down on the number of pictures I post but I just couldn't cut any out! 

Every corner we turned there was more colour! 

more turquoise! 

and more beauty!

Check out those pink flowers! 

Ella did pretty well in the backpack, but these days she's all about the walking so we let her waddle round as well!

I think one day I need to have a turquoise staircase in my life!

Ella loves the water! here she is pointing to the sea! 

and going for a closer look! She has no fear…which is a little worrying, I think she would have walked right in if we'd let her!

I loved this cute little arch! I thought it would be cute to pose for a picture with Ella in it…but she had other ideas, that involved being down on the ground walking!

Looking cool in her new shades!

and a little grumpy because it was so windy down at the waterfront, and she's not a fan of wind - which is surprising considering it's been crazy windy about 95% of the time that we've lived in Wales!!

Bright painted colours make my heart happy!

We caught the little train through the forest to this viewpoint...

Ella loved waving to all the people in front of us on the train!

We stopped for some pizza and ice cream, and the sun came out again, which made it ideal circumstances to pretend we were in Italy for the day!

except the pizzas weren't really Italian standards! but the gelato was pretty good!

You can't beat some coconut gelato! 

More turquoise loving!

Ella was particularly taken with the pond, and looks like she is trying to hop in here!

Just thinking life through...

Loved all the pops of colour from the flowers that added to the charm of the place! 

This little view with the cobbled street under the arch might have been my favourite! 

So vibrant! 

Checking out the views over the water on our way out.

When the tide is out, you can play on those beaches below! but it wasn't really beach playing weather sadly.

Despite our slightly gloomy day, the brightness of the buildings couldn't be subdued! and it was a great little family day out! One of our last before we left!