Whistler Vacation

Whistler was absolutely amazing!!! It was so fun to have time alone with just the boys. Don't get me wrong...Princess Abigail is the joy and delight of our lives, yet it was so much fun to do 'adult' play things without having to worry about who is going to stay behind with Baby-cakes!

I never thought that I would say that I LOVE zip lining! I've found the older I get the less 'adventurous/daring' I have become. Not sure what that is all about - maybe the 'risk' becomes too great. Nonetheless, there is something exhilarating about dangling hundreds of feet above the ground and traveling at speeds of 30, 40 & 50mph. What a rush!!!

At this point, Tanner's line didn't catch the brake as it was supposed to, thus he traveled backwards to dangling above the ground until our guide Tom was able to travel out there to retrieve him!

This bridge is literally suspended between two trees above the ground by 150-200ft. Just a bit scary to say the least.

Gorgeous view of Whistler Village from the treetops.

Bear markings on the tree - what a fascinating site to see. The story goes that some baby cubs were along the path when some bikers came along, scaring the baby up the tree.

Don't they look a little 'beast'?!? They LOVED mountain biking the 'ski slope'! All of them have remarked that they've found their new hobby!

The birms and jumps you see are hand created each and every year for the Crankworx festival that happens in August. Once the mountain biking season is over, they bull-doze it down flat for the ski season to begin!

The boys with their mountain bike guide Dan. They had a blast with him. Before they took off I told him that 'commemorative' road rash was acceptable but broken bones, not so much. He later told the boys "your mom is hard core man! Most moms are so afraid their 'babies' are going to hurt themselves and your mom wants you to get beat up!" Well, what can I say...I knew if they had road rash it was because they rode hard and truly enjoyed themselves, right?!?

All to say, this trip was truly a memorable one at that! We are already talking about "next year"...who knows, stay tuned!

TUTU Monkey's Blog Birthday Giveaway

So, while browsing through my blog list I found out from CinnamonSticks, that a fellow blogging friend was having a 'Blog Birthday' Giveaway and all you had to do was leave a birthday wish comment to enter the drawing...check it out for yourself.


Just pop on over to Tutu Monkey and leave your happy wishes!

Walk down memory lane...

My dad will turn 80 in a few weeks! Back in October 2009, my dad's first bout of cancer showed up. Though I know my mom was already planning a celebration for the big birthday, his health condition enhanced the 'urgency' of planning of 'family birthday celebration' early!

My family dynamic is made up of 4 siblings, my three older brothers and myself. Add together children and we end up with a grand total of 18 just in my immediate family. Throw in college schedules, work schedules and of course a toddler and you have a recipe for someone isn't going to be able to show up!

So in attendance we had my entire family (with a hit and miss with the boys' work schedules)
Mark, my oldest brother, his girlfriend and his son from Seattle (his daughter was in China on a school trip, missing the party by 3 days)
Dan, next oldest brother, his daughter and his son
David, 3rd oldest brother, both of his daughters from Southern Cal (sadly his wife was unable to make the trip as their dog had recently suffered a severe coyote attack leaving the dog fighting for its life).

Also in attendance was my aunt, her two daughters with their sons and dear family friends. Yep, I think that about covers it. Nonetheless, we've spent the last 5 days together as often as possible ~ enjoying old memories and making new ones.

My 2 nieces from Southern Cal

Me and my brother David

My spectacular husband and beautiful princess!

Cousins!!!

BBQ Master!

Grandpa with grandkids (minus the 1 in china and Dalton who had to work)

Cousins

Mark and Dan with my aunt and our cousins

The whole gang - and yes we were all out in the rain for these shots!

My family ~ David, Me, Danny, Dad, Mark, Mom

Me and my niece

David with his daughters and my mom

Capturing Moments in time!

Abigail finally got the chance to ride "Autumn", the horse that is housed at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Priceless!!! My two youngest, enjoying some R&R

We were sad that Dalton couldn't join us this year to our 'yearly' Camano Island vacation trip. Work schedule trumps!

Doing a little painting on the deck!

Enjoying smore's ~ ever tried them with Reeses Peanut Butter cups in place of Hershey bars?? AHHHHmazing!!!

Catchin' a few rays or two, with my love!

Brothers spending some quality time in the ocean with their sister! "Here Abigail, you sit here and hold this rope. I promise it will be soooo fun." :0)