Someone Famous?

We live in the Lower Mainland of Vancouver.

In 2010, Vancouver was the host city for the Winter Olympics.

My brother was privileged to drive some of the executives of 

team USA to and from the various venues as part of his job at the time. 

As a perk, he was given some free stuff.

And, since we are related, and, since he is such a great brother, 

he shared some of it with us.  See?  I told you he was sweet.  :)

One of the items we were given was an 

official Olympic team USA jacket.

It's warm and cosy ~ I've mostly claimed it for my own.

The last few days, I have been wearing it on errands.

And, twice...twice!...I've been asked if I had been a competitor,

or, if I were someone famous from the last Olympics.  Dear me.

I do tell the truth, and briefly inform the one inquiring

how I came to be in possession of it.

But, somehow, I feel a little fraudulent when I wear it.  :)

What about you?  
Would you wear it or keep it hidden in your closet?
What would you say if you were mistaken for being someone famous?
(I do sincerely hope the answer to that last question 
is that you would tell the truth)!  I am sure that you would.  ;-)

Have a happy day!
Camille

A Little Local Getaway

We were going to do it all in one day.

Drive up (early) to Whistler (3 hours away) ~
Howie would be busy with work while I wandered around the village
with the children for the day ~ and then, we would drive back home
(late) that night.  But...

Howie's sister and husband
kindly allow us to use their time-share when it's available.
And...it was available! :)
So...we had a little two night getaway at the end
of our school year.  We are thankful!

We arrived on the first night just in time to see the Canucks
(our hockey team) lose game seven of the
Stanley Cup playoffs to Boston.  A sad day.

Howie worked the next day.  We explored.

The 2010 Olympics were held in Vancouver.

One of the venues for ski events was Whistler Mountain.

We went to the top and found this bobsled.

A perfect photo opportunity ~ no?

We rode the "Peak 2 Peak" Gondola.

Oh. Dear. Me.  What an experience!

Fear of heights anyone?

The view from up there...God's magnificent creation!

We discovered the Olympic Rings

at the edge of Whistler Village.

Howie was able to join us the last day we were there...

We found the torch! :)

The drive provides breathtaking views.

So beautiful!

1426. A couple of nights away as a family ~

joining Howie on a business trip.

1427. Enjoying the outdoors with the children

1428. Canoeing and Kayaking together for an hour

1429. Spotting and eagle ~

Calvin was able to get some great shots with his zoom lens! :)

1430. The majesty of the mountains ~

I never tire of their beauty

1431. New experiences and sharing them with our children

My journal sits on my counter.

I list as events unfold.  Sometimes many all at once,

and other times in a trickle.

Would you like to begin?  Just grab a pen and a journal,

set them out on the counter, and list out your blessings.

Find the joy in the moments ~ as they arrive.

Enjoy the journey!

Many Blessings, Camille

**All photos in this post

courtesy of our newest photographer...Emma! :)

At Last...

The camping laundry is done!
It *only* took a few days (5 to be exact) to be able to say that!
And only TWO went camping!
When boys camp without Mum around to check up on the
"clean feet" situation BEFORE going to bed,
or on the "clean anything" for that matter,
the wisest thing (in my experience) to do is ~

W.A.S.H.
E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

So in the back door came the boys.
And the STUFF!

I got them to strip down and shower
REALLY WELL!

N.O.T.H.I.N.G.
Was to enter the home that night
beyond the laundry room doors!
Except, of course...THE BOYS! :)

In the photo above, you can see the last of the laundry.

What may not be readily apparent is the nature of that laundry.

It is somewhat CONTRADICTORY.

Upon closer examination, however,

you will discover a little something "special" about us.

We live in a border town.

We cross the line usually once a week.

Gasoline is cheaper.

Chickens (to cook) are cheaper.

Butter and eggs are cheaper.

Our Fraser thinks we must be "part" American!

During the recent Winter Olympic Games held here in Vancouver,

my brother drove some of the USA Olympic Committee around town.

He acquired some cool souveniers from that experience.

Each of the children were given an "official" athlete's blanket

and Howie received a gorgeous winter jacket.

Of course, we are Canadian, so we have to support "our" team too!

In this photo, you will see a sampling of the winter hats

the CANADIAN athletes wore.

We also have the "official" gloves.

We ARE patriotic, but if it's free,

well ~ I suppose you get the point! :)

671. Winter Olympics memorabilia ~ from TWO countries!

672. A brother who is generous and thoughtful

673. Living in a border town

674. The blessings of cross border shopping

675. Nexus ~ pre-approved border "fast pass"

676. My clothesline

~ it's up high and doesn't interfere with the yard

677. The smell of freshly laundered sleeping bags and pillows

678. The ability to clean said sleeping bags and pillows at home!

~ We have a tumble washer

679. The smell of freshly showered boys! :)

680. That the boys got home safe and sound!

I'm glad I wasn't aware of some of the things that *could* have gone wrong!

Many Blessings,

Camille

Short Track Speed Skating ~ Improvised!

Our boys, along with some neighbourhood friends, have put together their own version of the Olympic Short Track. Pinecones mark the edges of the corners and instead of ice skates they use roller blades. Oh the inspiration that can come out of hosting the Winter Olympics! It has been a joy to see them use their imaginations in such creative (and active) pursuits. :)

Last Minute Olympic Experience

The boys had been hoping to attend an Ice Sledge Hockey game during the Paralympic Games here in Vancouver. It was not something we planned in advance to do. In fact, it was at the "eleventh hour" that I called about a game which was to take place in only 1 1/2 hours ~ the only one that would work for our family's schedule. There were still seats available ~ so off we went with a quickly packed lunch, some "Narnia" to listen to and the GPS to guide us along the way! :)

These were the cutest...all decked out for the Olympics! :)

L to R ~ Calvin, Austin, Emma and Fraser

Italy and Czech Republic were the teams competing...

My budding photgrapher...

It was a fun excursion and well worth the effort! (And the Czech Republic won...a bonus since they were the ones we were cheering for!) It was a hard fought battle between two well-matched teams. It came down to a shoot out after one overtime period ~ very exciting! :)

Olympic Day in the City

We had been told ~
"You must go downtown and experience the Olympic feeling up close and personal...just go!"

"Okay, okay, we will go!" And we did.
Last Tuesday was the big day for us ~ we were all happy that we took the advice kindly given, and ventured Downtown.

These buses were everywhere and we enjoyed seeing them...
they were very "Olympic-y" ~ my new word. :)

Public transportation was, of course, the only way to go ~ so we took the SkyTrain from the comfort of the suburbs to the bustling city streets ~ Fraser with Daddy.

Calvin, Emma and Austin with their "driver's" view.


The Fraser River SkyTrain bridge coming up...

The banks of False Creek were crowded with innumerable Inuksuit ~
presumably built by those who had been there before us.
Science World in the distance.

It was a very grey and drizzly day ~ the first we'd had in awhile...
but typical for our West Coast winters.

The Torch and the children in front of the Torch ~ We could have waited in a 45 minute line for a picture with no fence links in the background, but we opted for this look (below) instead.

Quatchi...up close and personal with Emma!
We watched the mascots skate on the Robson Square outdoor ice rink ~ a treat! :)

Everywhere you looked there was another banner or dressed up building ~ very fun to see.

Emma watching Russian dancers in the Russian Pavillion ~ sweet! :)

Many things were dressed up differently for the Olympics and this was one of the more dramatic ~ Science World turned Russian Pavillion. Russia is gearing up to host the Winter Olympics in 2014.

There were fabulous flags within this pavillion and the kids each stood by their favourite and had a pic taken by Mum. Unfortunately, Austin is very washed out and there was no time for a retake ~ but it's a memory. :)

We ended our excursion with a real treat ~ dinner out at White Spot...the best family style restaurant in the Lower Mainland! Mummy and Emma waited and coloured while the boys caught the end of the Hockey game being broadcast on the restaurant TV. They returned to the table just as the food was being served ~ how did they manage that? :)

Olympic Project Day

Last Friday was the presentation day for the children's Olympics projects. We met in the local library and the children displayed their work. Each chose a different topic within the Olympic theme. Austin wore the torch bearer suit Howie wore when he carried the torch for the Calgary 1988 Olympics. That was very special for Austin as his project was all about the Olympic Torch and its origins and history.

Grandpa and Daddy were our special visitors. You can see all four of the projects lined up here. Austin's is at the far left. Fraser's is next ~ all about the participating countries in this year's Olympics. Calvin's is third from the left ~ Alpine Skiing was his chosen topic. Emma researched the history of Figure Skating (with help from Mummy). Each of the children wrote a research paper as well.

One of the teachers was interviewing Austin in this photo.
All four children are in front of their displays.

We also had the opportunity to go skating as a family prior to the library time. All the other children involved in the day were able to participate as well.
Left to right ~ Fraser, Austin, Calvin and Emma.

Austin...

Howie with Calvin and Fraser...

Daddy and Mummy ~ see my official Olympic gloves? :)

Howie has been very busy at work this last while,
so it was extra special that he was able to join in with us! :)