I read 3 books while gone. Boy was it relaxing! I am so boring, reading on the balcony of the ship is my ideal! I did get some sun too. I am sure my Vitamin D level is good!
1. My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Very good book, and will be a great movie. My only complaint was the use of the "F" word multiple times. It was not needed and could have been replaced with another word with the same effect. I know I am a prude(this was evidenced multiple times on the trip!) but come on! Amy's teacher recommended the book to her and she read it for a report in school. I can't keep up with all of her books and read them before her. This really frustrates me.
2. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Great book, very sad. I am also looking forward to this movie. It is the Holocaust in the perspective of a nine year old boy. Quick read.
3. The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Great book and I want to see the video of the actual lecture. Good ideas for living, but not anything spiritual. I could have been seen crying on the plane ride home.
4. Dear Mom by Melody Carlson
Not finished yet, but over half way. This is a book on raising teen daughters written like a teen wrote it. She took lots of letters she has received and put them in a helpful book form. Amy looked at it and approved me reading it. Amy loves Melody Carlson's teen fiction series'. Great perspective, I have already learned a lot.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Home
We got home Sunday night about 1030pm. I am still trying to get things unpacked, washed and put away. I worked all day yesterday, so that threw us all for a loop. We have basketball camps, swim meets and getting ready for Cooperstown. I got quite overwhelmed with life last night. Every room in the house was a wreck. Joe was working in the office all day while I was at work. Good Lord was it a wreck! The kids had a check list of things to do and did not do any of them. So today, I feel like a drill Sargent. I am sure they are real glad I am home:)
I will post more about the trip soon. We have to set up the external hard drive before I post any pictures. They are breathtaking though. I am sure the photo will not do it justice.
I will post more about the trip soon. We have to set up the external hard drive before I post any pictures. They are breathtaking though. I am sure the photo will not do it justice.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Quote
mom from downstairs: Andrew stop talking and go to sleep.
Andrew from his bed: I am not! but Aaron keeps ignoring me.
hmm?
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
Monday, May 25, 2009
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!
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