Go Canada Go!

I can see it already....

Aja's going to be the one we get phonecalls about from the teacher telling us that she's been clowning around AGAIN!

Salon De Lisa

 Sophie was over for a playdate today and we decided to have a spa afternoon. The girls got into their jammies and had a pedicure while sipping hot cocoa. Life's tough!

Olympic Spirit in Vancouver

We just got back from an awesome weekend in the city (thanks Karen for arranging for us to stay at Gary and Judy's)! My cousin came out unexpectedly for work for a few days and extended her visit so we could enjoy the weekend together. She even brought us all the coveted red mitts (and they're so warm and cozy)!!!! We got going from the condo at a good time on Saturday morning and took a non-crowded (a surprise) and free (another surprise) bus ride downtown (only 10 minutes away). I said to Chris "what is everyone talking about? It's not too crazy down here?! Well, that was at 9:30. By 12:00, it was nuts and got more crowded as the day went on. We didn't even try to get into any of the pavillions because the line-ups were anywhere from 2-6 hours long. Instead we just walked and watched the street entertainment, looked at Olympic pin collections, had lunch, caught an ice show with the 3 Olympic Mascots, and went to the see the torch. By the time we left downtown at 3:00, it was nuts and we were ready to leave. So we walked some more. It was a perfect day (warm and sunny) and the energy was just great. We were really glad to take part in this and feel proud to be Canadian! We went out for a really nice dinner to celebrate Ali's upcoming birthday. The girls adore her and we were so happy to have spent the weekend with her! Thanks for exteneding your trip Al!!!!

SUNSHINE!!!

"Oh my goodness," as Aja likes to say these days. Would you look at this weather we've been having?! Today we had a bunch of friends over for a potluck/birthday celebration for a friend and the kids and moms alike were digging the sunshine! And no, Sedona didn't get her haircut- that's just from the bounce! I know the weather's not great for the olympics, but we'll take it!!!! (Hey U.P.- notice the cat dress Sedona's wearing?)

Valentine's Day Ski

 We got a babysitter for Aja this morning so that when Sedona was in her ski lesson, Chris and I could go for a Valentine's ski. The weather was looking iffy.... very iffy. It snowed all the way up to the mountain. When the kids were getting ready for their lesson, there was a 5 minute period where it was hailing.... HARD! And then, as soon as lessons started, the sun came out and it was dry the rest of the time. So Chris and I went for a great ski and caught the tail end of Sedona's lesson where they were practicing going down a hill. It was a great morning and Aja had good hang time with her babysitter.

No kids and PLENTY of Laughs!

 
 Last night we booked the girls into Nana and Grandpa Bill's for a sleepover and had some friends over to watch the Olympics opening ceremonies, have a chocolate fondue and play Cranium. That game always brings out such laughter! What I really wanted to capture on video was the boys humming "Head and Shoulders" during a "Humdinger" but they kept shying away from the camera. Colin, in the middle, also had his 40th birthday last night- looking good Colin! Thanks Nana and Grandpa Bill for letting us play like big kids last night!

Getting All Dolled Up!

Today the girls had some friends over and they wanted their faces painted, so I obliged (not that I did a great job, but hey, it humored them). Karys and Sedona decided that I needed my face done at the end too, so they each took 1 side of my face and painted away.

Check out those ringlets!

 

The Olympic Torch Arrives!

The Olympic torch arrived in Sechelt today and it was a day to remember. I have very vivid memories of it coming through Toronto when I was about 11 years old. I have to admit that I didn't want Vancouver to host the Olympic games because I don't agree with that kind of money being spent when there are so many other areas lacking. Having said that though, seeing that we did get them, I might as well embrace it as I do love watching the Olympics. It was very festive in downtown Sechelt today. Here's a little taste of the patriotism today- lots of red and flags waving. It was so much fun and you'll see below that the girls really got into the groove. There were so many people gathered (and we avoided the big mosh pit) so we didn't actually see the torch arrive except for on-screen (Chris did with his students though), but the whole celebration was just great!

Getting into the Groove...

 
 at the Olympic celebration.