samara's special party

Samara had her once in a lifetime chance to turn her age on the day of her birthday! We had a little celebration at convention after supper. Of course it rained but we managed to squeeze quite a few into the trailer! I cheated on the cake and bought one at Co-op on the way down so it was an easy party to host and we had some very special visitors! Heather Mowatt joined us and shared bookmark ribbons from Pakistan with all the kids. It wasn't really a planned party but somehow the lucky girl ended up with a few gifts. Nine years old and spoiled to the bone, but she is grateful, bless her heart!!

last of the trip pics

Since it was a month ago, I should really get to the end of these trip photos.
After Stanley Park we ventured out to Langley in rush hour traffic for supper. We had a lovely time with Uncle Joe and Auntie Ella and Brent; was well worth the 1 1/2 hour or more drive! I'm sure the drive back was only half the time! Was fun to be there - lots of memories from over the years and was glad not much had
changed! Enjoyed seeing Brent's art ... he is one talented guy. I didn't ask if I could share some photos so I really hope he doesn't mind.

Samara - trying to mimic the expression on the carving!

Larger than life carving of Great Grandpa and Grandma Woods

Inuit people - carved from one piece of wood

We stayed at the Lonsdale Quay (pronounced Key) in North Vancouver. It was close to the A&W head office where the meetings were. Thanks to the GPS I was able to get around with our lovely Toyota minivan rental. The kids loved the van - the windows on the sliding door could open and it was very clean!!! Anyway, getting back to the hotel, it is on the third floor of the Lonsdale Quay market. Very handy for shopping and eating!! We enjoyed Cobb's bakery products very much!

The excitement of the SeaBus:

Well, that's pretty much it. 3 short days - seems like ancient history now! One thing I'm very sorry about is that we didn't work in a visit with mom's Uncle Stan and Auntie Shirley ... and yesterday he passed away. It can't be undone, but I'm so glad they came to the reunion last summer and I'll treasure the memories I have.

Day 2 - Stanley Park

On Day 2 we (minus Phil) met up with Nola and her two youngest kids and Glenda and her three and Auntie Ruth at Stanley Park Aquarium. The kids had fun together and the mom's had fun keeping track of all the kids! I got there a little early so I couldn't resist getting a cartoon portrait done of the kids!!! It still makes me smile so it was worth it!! Then we had lunch ... 5 dollar hotdogs! Keithan set down his hotdog to help Grady and a nasty seagull stole his hotdog in those 2 seconds! Oh well, that's what memories are made of!

Day 1 ... continued

More pics of the Capilano Bridge Park - did I mention this was a delightful
park?! It was on the tad bit expensive side, but oh so enjoyable. I'm loving it all over again just looking at the pictures :) Some of the pictures are of the cliffwalk, which I understand is a new addition to the park. It is a narrow walk way anchored by cables into the side of the cliff. I was trusting that there were some half decent engineers consulted in the construction of this project! I was wondering what the weight capacity was ... it didn't say! The suspension bridge didn't make me nervous since it has been there for years and they didn't mention that it ever let go crashed into the river ... and it has been upgraded over the years with thicker cables!!

The Bridge

Family Photo - courtesy of another tourist!

Some entertainment

The cliffwalk

The totem pole that each kid was supposed to have a turn taking their picture in ... separately. Nice idea, but ... it was time to move on and let others have a turn!!

Rhett - totally oblivious to his orange creamsicle lips

Day 1 almost done! Like I said in the last post (I think) we had supper with Auntie Ruth and Uncle Gordie. Was also nice to see Lyle and Nola and spend some time with them. I'm still kicking myself for missing the opportunity to take a picture of Auntie Ruth and Uncle Gordie. My brain must have shut off to conserve energy to make it back to the hotel!!