Ferrying Over to Vancouver Island

So we got up early on Saturday morning, checked out and taxied to the airport. There we had to catch a shuttle to the car rental location.

Then about a 1/2 hour drive we were at the BC Ferry in Tsawassen, BC to go to Swartz Bay, Vancouver Island.

Over 130 vehicles can go on the ferry and approximately 2,000 passengers come on board. It's like a floating tourist store with a restaurant, cafe, stores and even a spa.

Passing another ferry on the way

But most importantly is the view and experience.

After a rainy morning getting to the ferry we had a cool but dry trip. There all kinds of islands en route to see and we were able to go outside to view some of the scenery.

On "The Spirit of Vancouver"

A damp and cool out on the deck shot

Irene has been in her glory since she arrived in BC so seeing the scenery as we crossed the straits was a thrill for her.

On the Town - Vancouver That Is

Who would believe that Marci would be in Vancouver the same time as we are here.

Today, Marci "kidnapped" Irene and took her to downtown Vancouver on the SkyTrain and then onto the SeaBus ferry over to the North Shore.

Here's proof that Irene is in BC with the provincial flag flying...but also because of the dark rain clouds up above. It has certainly rained a lot while we've been here!!

Marci and Irene stopped at Lonsdale Quay after getting off the ferry in North Vancouver and shared a Beaver Tail fried pastry treat.

Well, when Irene got back to Metrotown SkyTrain station and parted company with Marci, she quickly came to the hotel to grab me. Now, with Marci having shown the ropes during the day, Irene now took me on the same journey back to North Shore.

We even shared a Beaver Tail, this time with Blueberry pie filling topping, and bought some chocolates.

The irony was this spot was real close by to where I was doing some client work this morning. So we both had been to North Vancouver twice in the same day.

And the sun did come out and we had someone take a photo of us with the Vancouver City shoreline behind us.

Not All Its Quacked Up To Be

Looked out our hotel room this morning and was quite surprised to see who was up early having a swim!!!

The 'Sky Train' station was right outside our hotel window and kept us awake as the trains arrived and departed the station--even some loud horn blowing!!  We were able to move to another room away from the station.  Should sleep a little better tonite--all we can hear now is the rain against the window.

We Have A Visitor

While we had a chance before the rains came Irene and I did some lawncutting, laying of wood mulch, and weeding.

In our front yard garden right by the house we have this neat bushy shrub-like tree.

It was only as Irene went by to mow the lawn that she saw a robin in a startled flight leave the shrub.

Sure enough she is nesting.

Notice how many eggs there are. Yes, there are actually four eggs. Hopefully we will see some young robins real soon!!

Incredible Weekend

We had a wonderful and full weekend.

I had meetings in Oakville on Friday and so Irene and I drove up and stayed in a hotel close by Thursday night.

Following my meeting Friday afternoon we were able to drive to Hamilton and meet up with Camille and take her out to dinner. She chose a place we had never heard before called "Turtle Jack's".

We each had lovely meals that varied from Pad Thai, BBQ Chicken Wings and Broccoli Cheese soup.

Ready to enjoy our chose meals

For dessert we shared two of their special desserts - Deep Fried Cheesecake and Fire & Ice - the Fire and Ice is a fried ice cream in some form of cinnamon covered crispy shell. Both were VERY good.

Fire & Ice in the foreground and Deep Fried Chesecake behind

And afterwards we got our little "Turtle Jack's" candy to enjoy on the way out.

...notice the little turtle!!

After we dropped off Camille we then went to the Bayview Chapel to pick up Andrew from a youth dance. Then it was back to his place to catch up on things, receive Mother's Day and Birthday gifts and crash for a well derserved sleep.

The next morning Andrew had a Youth Temple Baptism trip and we were planning to go to. So we left by 8:30am to head for the temple.

It was great to see President Ed Baxter with his son, Greg, who was being sealed to his wife to be. It was a lovely sunny day considering all the rain we've been getting lately.

THEN...we hope you are keeping up with the itinerary...we drove downtown and dropped Andrew off for him to go by GO train to Oshawa.

We had the good fortune to have tickets bought through my Aeroplan points to see the musical, "The Lion King". It was magnificent with the incredible use of live performers and integration of puppetry, wonderful singing and choreography, and such a well thought out way to portray what was once just an animated movie .

Rafiki and 2 giraffes that were actors with two sets of stilts



Who can forget Timon and Pumbaa?



Oma's 89th - and Still Counting!!

On our way to Oakville for a business trip for Roy we stopped in London to visit Mom/Oma.

Yesterday she turned 89 and so I made up a cheescake for her and Roy and I joined her for a visit and some birthday celebrations.

She was in great spirits and glad to see us. I put some cut strawberries on the cheesecake when we arrived at her apartment. Then we lit the candles and she blew them out before we could even sing "Happy  Birthday". At least we did that on the phone yesterday!!

She made repeated "Mmmmmm!" sounds and said it was delicious so we're quite sure she liked the cheesecake a lot.

Then I gave her our birthday gift of a summer blouse and skirt outfit. I am glad she liked it.

Well, Oma tells us in just 11 more years she'll be 100!! The way she is going she just might make it.

Grand Memories with Grand Children

Friday was Granddad's birthday so as soon as the grandchildren came home from school  and Roy was done with work it was a grand game of...RISK!!

So while the older 3 grandchildren were deep into enemy territory and certain ones were seeking world domination the youngest was setting up his own covert operations behind us all with a complete army.

I have never been killed so many times in 8 days whether by physical assault or by every conceivable imaginary weapon!!!

Our beautiful tall granddaughter practicing at her ballet class for her upcoming recital.

Celebrating Granddad's birthday with a trifle - in place of cake - which we ate for dessert AND having seconds after watching a movie of "Peter and the Wolf".

Almost forgot that after the movie we played sjoelbak a Dutch game - which is like shuffleboard - and the 7 year old beat everyone on the first round with a score of 73 - BUT by second round his older brother beat us all!!

Double Celebration

Well today was both Mother's Day AND Little E's Birthday.

Apron from Miss J and necklace made by Youngest Grandson

I managed to give Irene her Mother's Day gifts and the flowers from all our children that I was commissioned to purchase yesterday.

So I got up and made pannekoeken for both celebrants...and the rest of the crew here.

We had fruit dip and strawberries and bananas before heading out to Church. When we came home we had taco chips with salsa, humus and a cheese, spinach artichoke dip.

Later on I made Sloppy Joe's which the kids claimed they had never had before. Afterwards we had Mud Pie for Little E's birthday "cake".

Little E in action blowing our candles

Grandparenting On the Go

We have arrived at our duaghter and son-in-laws place and have the opportunity to look after the grandchildren for several days.

Our youngest grandson gives lots of hugs, shooting sounds to make you play dead, and a mischievious lovely smile to die for!!

Grandma in her glory

Before the parents left our youngest grandson was in Builder Bob mode and kept asking what else needed to be fixed. So his Mom sent him to the couch saying one of the legs was too short. So with plastic scuba diving mask for protection and sound effect drill in hand he went right to work.


Builder Bob to the rescue!

Later that day Granddad had a chance to see Miss J. in her ballet dance class nearby. Saw her practicing throughh the mirror into the dance studio. Towards the end of the practice she received her ballet dress for the recital that is coming up in June. Managed to capture a lovely shot of her before the day was done.


Our very own ballerina

Now in contrast with their older sister, the boys when they get up in the morning and when the older ones come home from school - they are all boy!!

When Mr T and Little E came home they went right away to play outside on the trampoline and eventually the sandbox. Grandma captured this picture with their feet piled high in the sand - all the boys yelling "Stuck!"

"S-T-U-C-K!!!!!"

No worries Mom - Grandma got a pail to clean their feet off before entering the house.

And who could forget the Cat. He loves to explore our belongings and take in the new scents we brought with us. We made sure we brought along the various gifts we needed to courier for birthdays as well as Christmas. Here is the Cat in curioisty mode around some of the gifts.

Someone let the Cat out of the bag

Riverwalk, San Antonio & The Alamo

Saturday was a hot and humid day in San Antonio.

Friday night we had walked along this man-made river, built to divert flood waters, and had eaten at a Mexican restaurant - which there are lots of in Texas. When we saw the river boat cruises we knew we would come back the next day to take the trip.

Mike was our pilot/driver and these drivers have a sense of humor and personality that fits entertaining the tourists. So as we went on tour we had the various historical places of note pointed out to us, histroical facts and trivia, and did we mention corny jokes: "what do you call bears who have no teeth?" Answer: Gummy Bears!!

Mike pointed out the old churches that were founded in the 1800's and some even earlier.

We enjoyed the colorful display of restaurants and stores and the whole business of tourists mingling and enjoying the surroundings.

We saw small herons that never stayed long enough to catch them on camera and amazing trees and scenery along the way.

Mom just loves all the variety of palm trees that grow down here. We even saw a small plot of land shaped like a heart called "Marriage Island" and someone was getting married as we rode by.

It was a peaceful and enjoyable journey that took about 35 minutes to complete.

This is the restaurant we ate at on Friday night and we sat outside close to where you see the yellow like ball.

Here is the mosiac mural on the Convention Center. Only today at Church did Mom find out there was a "Time Out for Women" going on. It was right next door to the hotel we were staying at.

I was beginning not feel so hot so we came back and had a quick nap. Then we walked over the classicand historical site of the Battle of the Alamo.

Mom loves to enjoy all the varied cacti, palm trees and unsual shaped trees.

I managed to get a picture in front of the later built museum before I had my own Battle at the Alamo. I got sick from food poisioning. :(

Mom was able to capture the front of remaining building of the Alamo that used to be part of a large fort.