Day 2

I didn't bring the cord to download pictures, so you will have to wait until we get back to see those.
We got up and ate my favorite breakfast of eggs Benedict and fresh fruit. We then headed to Capilano suspension bridge where we crossed a huge gorge on a swaying suspension bridge. I am proud to say, I had no problem doing this. The views were breathtaking. Think "A river runs through it" with snow capped mountains in the background. We didn't see much wildlife here though.
We headed back after about 2 hours of hiking. We then headed to Granville Island to the huge city market. On the way there we visited the beach, not real impressive, rocky. The kids would have loves watching a dog beach though. About 10 dogs frolicking in the water was cute. We took a ferry boat across to the island. It was a huge farmers market. Lots of food options and arts and crafts items. Joe's mom would have been in heaven! It was very crowded and had street entertainment too. We ate lunch of all the samples we encountered. From smoked salmon to fruit, to nuts and chocolate. We took city transit back and stopped at a mall for a bit- just like a castleton.
We headed back and relaxed for awhile and then had to get ready for dinner at The Italian House. I watched HGTV and am glad we don't have it at home or I wouldn't get anything done! The restaurant was yummy, but dinner got over at 1230 am our time. I was pooped! We went to sleep instead of going out.
Today we are going biking at Stanley Park. I think we are going to get a tandem, Joe and I don't have a great history with bikes so maybe this will be safer-ha!
We then get on he boat this afternoon and it is off to Alaska. The weather has been beautiful and the stories we hear of this cruise has us excited.
Probably no more posts until we return.
BTW my headache is mostly gone and I feel much better. Just in time to get on a rocking boat! I do have Dramamine with me.

Vancouver

We made it to beautiful Vancouver B.C. It is 70 and sunny with snow capped mountains and a beautiful bay area. Evergreens dot the landscape. The city is an eclectic mix of people with a huge Asian population. It seems to me like a "upscale college town". Lots of young people milling about everywhere.

The city is also very "eco-friendly", which you know I love. Lots of neat ideas. I got some samples at an all natural cosmetic shop. You know me-free!

Our hotel-ahhh- the Fairmont in Vancouver. Comparable to the Conrad. Joe earned for us a stay on the 9th floor- the Gold level. Private, you must have a key to enter the floor. So not us, but what a treat. The king sized fluffy bed is to die for. When we returned to our room last night, there were chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us. We are being pampered to the hilt.
Oh, and there is a pretty yellow lab that greets you at the door and hangs out at the hotel and relaxes on our floor. Just like home, except this dog, Mavis, is much better behaved around food.
Our plans for today include going to a huge suspension bridge park. Reminds me of "Horton hears a Who" bridge. Then a carriage ride around Stanley Park(similar to Central Park in NY) Off to Granville Island for their market. We finish the day with a company dinner at an Italian restaurant.
I am taking lots of beautiful pictures.
Our flights were good. Please pray for me though. I woke up with a terrible migraine the morning we left. Starting out vomiting before I even left the house. It is better, but not gone. I am dizzy and just want to lie down. Obviously I am not, but the trip would be much more enjoyable without the stinking headache.
Thanks. The Internet is free here, so I will try and blog again before we leave for the ship tomorrow.

Quote

mom from downstairs: Andrew stop talking and go to sleep.
Andrew from his bed: I am not! but Aaron keeps ignoring me.
hmm?

Alaska

Off we go to Vancouver tomorrow. We are there 3 days and then off on the Alaskan cruise. Temps are supposed to be high of 60 and low of 40 everyday.

Things I have learned while getting ready for this trip:
1. I run around alot and it will be hard for my parents to keep up. I have made meals, gotten rides and help from their friends.

2. My kids eat a lot. I was trying to fill the fridge, but it keeps emptying!

3. I wear a lot of black. I have been throwing things in a suitcase and it looks like that is all I wear! Black dresses, black pants, black tops. It really cuts down on the shoes though :)

4. I have great friends, who are so willing to help cart our kids around and help me.

5. It is hard to pack warm clothes, when you are craving summer so bad!

6. Cell phone rates for Alaska are the same as for here. We don't pay for roaming, but finding a cell tower may be another story!

7. We have an awesome room with a balcony. Joe did so well, he earned one of the best rooms! Yeah Joe. I am not sure I will want to leave the room much. I am bringing lots of books.

8.I can't wait to sleep. ( I stayed up until 2am putting together scrapbooks for each of the kids teachers last night)

9. I can't wait to spend 10 days with my husband. We travel well together. He figures everything out and I follow along. I am so thankful we get along so well and enjoy being together.

10. It takes longer to get ready for a trip than the trip itself!

Please pray for our safety and that of the kids and my parents.
tia

Spelling Bee Champ

Annie won her 3rd grade spelling bee. She and another little boy battled, just the 2 of them, for almost a half hour! It was tense, but she came through victorious. He missed embarrassed, and she spelled cyclone and excursion right to win it. Good job Annie!

Happy Birthday MOM!

Happy Birthday to my MOM!

I am not going to announce how old she is here but she was 30 when she gave birth to me. I will let you do the math. *SMILE*

I love my Mom. She is the best scrabble player that I have ever played. Although she uses the "Lorraine" version of the dictionary for words so it is REAL hard to challenge.

I am proud of my Mom. She is a published author of her childhood experiences growing up in the hills of Kentucky. The book titled, "Rainey Day Tales" used to be found on Amazon.com but I am not sure it is available anymore. It is an easy, enjoyable book to read, if you would like a copy just let me know. She also graduated Salutatorian from her high school in Michigan.

I love my Mom. While I was in High School in Bremen Indiana my brother and sister were adults (10 and 11 yrs older) so it was like I was an only child. My mom was a single mother to me so she had to juggle working full time and raising a son. As I look back I appreciate the sacrifices she made for me. She was basically at every sporting event I participated in from kg throughout high school. She made sure I had clean clothes on and fed me well. She even had to deal with the death of grandpa and the failing health of grandma.

I love my Mom. She is a great mother-in-law to my wife and adores her. She is very proud of all her grandchildren and my kids know they are loved.

May 25th.... Happy Birthday MOM!

I love you.

joe

My Day

Here is a rundown of my day today. (not typical)

7am up with Amy. Drive she and Haley to school.
830 kids get on bus after breakfast and so forth
845 off to walmart to get MIL a surprise for her birthday, return movies to blockbuster, head to Kohls to return some things and buy a few things for Alaska.
1000 meet Joe at Dicks to use some coupons and get Aaron some birthday gifts, get free undies at Victoria Secret, and to rectify a glitch at the bank.
1115 Pick up Andrew from school(I wasn't last for a change!) Head to Kroger to get some things before they go off sale tomorrow. Eat lunch of samples at Kroger.
1245 head to Carey Ridge elementary for 3rd grade spelling bee-Annie won! woot!
245 Pick up Amy from an after school meeting for school newspaper.
345 take girls to Piano rehearsal
500 make dinner early, Chicken on the grill, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries, watermelon.
530 Andrew Baseball practice
7oo piano recital, Aaron baseball practice
730 Amy to church
830 hopefully home and putting kids to bed
900 folding the 7 baskets of laundry I have sitting in the living room.