The Big Trip Part III

Day 3: Vancouver/Squamish

Leftovers from Part II. DH's picture of the kids at the Space Needle.


We got up early and took the train from Seattle to Vancouver. The train station was close to our hotel so we hoofed it, dragging our luggage behind


The train was a new mode of most of us and the boys were slightly excited. The dining car must have been really cool because multiple trips were made to it.








Before leaving Vancouver, we stopped in Lynn Canyon Park on our way out of town. It was a fabulous state park with a suspension bridge and a cafe with yummy food.  We took lots of pictures.














After the hike, we drove out to Squamish to meet the ILs. We arrived at our hotel and the ILs had gone somewhere and we had time before they got back. On their suggestion, we went back down the road to Shannon Falls. We took a lot more pictures, but since we're on photo overload, here are only a few.






J was refusing to pose for the camera. Until he did his gangster pose. I promised him I would include this picture on the blog. My revenge for refusing to smile and hiding from the camera!

The Big Trip Part II

Day 2 : Seattle

We spent day two being typical tourist.

Pike Place Market






We ate the World's Best Mac & Cheese at Beecher's. I have to say it might actually live up to its name. And the turkey panini we ate was really good too.

We went to the library.


S#2 is a librarian so she wanted to go. I knit the Koolhaus hat (knitting pattern based in the windows of the Seattle Public Library) so I wanted to go. The rest of them just had to tag along.

Next we headed to the Aquarium. The kids spent most of the time at the splash pool touching all the creatures.


B insisted on putting on the scuba gear. He tried to get it just like the poster.




Not a bad job.


The cousins headed to another ball game, we left to go to the Space Needle.




Anna danced.

We walked back to the hotel. By the time we got back, my feet were exhausted. We were all cranky and hungry. DH went to find a restaurant near by. There wasn't much open so we got Thai food to go and a cheese pizza from the hotel deli. The Thai food was great and everyone was happy.

The Big Trip

We went on The Big Trip this month. It has been in the works since late last summer. The Big Trip was a Disney Cruise to Alaska bookended by visits to Seattle, Whistler, BC and Vancouver. We were joined by all of the ILs and S#2's family. It was perfect.

There was too much to cover in a single post, so this is going to have to be a series.

Day 1 : Seattle

We flew out early Thursday morning to Seattle.


We dropped out luggage in the hotel room and headed straight to an afternoon baseball game. Of course, we went to a baseball game. Mariners v Red Sox.








Safeco was a nice ballpark, it felt much smaller than the Ballpark. I did have to walk a very long way to find a hotdog. They had all kinds of other selections which sounded great but the boys asked for hotdogs. I guess I'm spoiled by the Ballpark were practically every stand sells hotdogs. It was a good game. Mariners won. Boys & DH got souvenirs. A said she had enough sports t-shirts and she doesn't really like sports.

After baseball, we headed to Pyramid Brewing across the street. We met my college friends and their family. It was an exciting visit because DH & I got to meet our goddaughter and B got to meet his godmother. It was such a great evening. We spent hours talking. When we finally stopped and said our goodbyes, it was late. We were a block or so away from the restaurant when we realized that we never took pictures. I guess that means we have to go back to Seattle or they need to come to Dallas or we need to meet somewhere in between.

Lake Trip 2013

DH and the kids headed to the lake for the 4th.  I stayed behind to work.

They are having a fun time. Lots of swimming, tubing, water skiing, bonfires, etc.










They even had the excitement of famous people whose names sound like Foley-Kitt staying in the big house at the end of the cove. They saw them go by in a boat. Mr Kitt was hunkered down trying to remain anonymous, Ms. Foley was sitting up enjoying the ride. A sent me a picture today of the paparazzi in a boat hanging out by their dock. I do feel a bit bad for them since they can't vacation in peace.

Despite enjoying the quiet for a week, I'm looking forward to everyone coming home tomorrow.

Shower 2.0

We renovated the bathroom when we moved into this house almost 7 years ago. It needed to be done because it had been chopped up to make it wheelchair accessible. The result was fine, but it was never the best job. We've known the shower had issues for several years. We tried fixing grout issues and re-caulking, but it wasn't enough. The pest control guy told us that our issue with ants in the shower is from water and we needed to fix the shower to end the ant problem.

Finally almost 3 months ago, DH discovered a wet spot in the carpet in our bedroom. After pulling on the carpet, he discovered mold. Yuck. We haven't used the shower since. The contractor finally started working on the shower last week.

First they ripped it down to the studs.


See the water damage



Then they reframed it.




Things slowed down and they didn't come for several days. I think they are trying to finish up another job, not sure. They showed up again yesterday and put up the hardiboard. They are suppose to come back on Monday to start the tile job.




I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I actually like the tile we chose. They don't make the original tile any more and I had to go with something that was different but hopefully blends well. If not, we'll have a lot more renovating to do!

End of Camps

Last week was the end of camps for the kids.

B spent the week in basketball camp with another boy from the neighborhood. He enjoyed the camp but it was a long one. Basketball from 9am until 4pm. I think he would have enjoyed it more if it had ended an hour earlier. He won the dribble competition and the fast 15 free throw game, so he was happy.




J finished up his three weeks of at DECATS. He took some fun classes: Cartooning, Robotics, Rube Goldberg Machines, and Pinhole Camera.  He had a great time and can't wait until next year.









A did two majors at Sr. DECATS this year, culinary arts and visual arts. Another parent noticed her art and asked where she got her talent from. I'm not sure, I'm crafty not artistic. DH can draw a mean cartoon face, maybe that's it.











They are off at the lake this week. I'm at home. This whole working thing is a bummer, limited vacation is no fun!  Our big vacation is coming up soon. I'm looking forward to a real vacation.

Horse Races

A week or so ago, we went to the horse races. It was a 'Night Out with Friends' party from the school auction. There were 10 couples in an air-conditioned suite at the finish line. Pretty sweet.

DH & I made lots of bets and didn't do very well. I was convinced that I was going to win in the 5th. There was a horse named Bernies Princess. That is S#2's first name so it had to be a winner. I made the huge bet of $5.00 to win. It was a sure thing.





Unfortunately another horse came up on the outside at the very end and Bernies Princess came in second. I should have bet $5 to place instead!

I did end up getting an exacta in the 8th race. I picked The Tip and New Hire and won $45.00. I also picked a horse to show in the 10th race and won a couple of dollars. Poor DH didn't win a single bet, that's what he gets for playing the superfecta.

It was a fun night out with friends. Hopefully we'll get to go again next year.