Our trip consisted of
- 3 nights on the Gastown side of downtown Vancouver, amid the pre-Stanley Cup loss hype and excitement (we had skipped town prior to the "riot"). Rides on the Skytrain to our old 'hood on the Drive. A visit to the aquarium.
- 2 nights at Middle Beach Lodge in Tofino. A ferry ride from Horseshoe to Nanaimo (the kids loved being up on the deck). A stop at Cathedral Grove amongst the enormous trees. The best hotel ever - we had a cabin overlooking the ocean, with a loft where the kids slept, an outdoor jacuzzi tub, yummiest breakfasts ever. Walks on the beach, including the kids stripping down to nakedness and swimming in the tidal "pond" on the beach. Digging on Long Beach, watching the surfers and kiteboarders. Three days of beautiful weather, definitely a Tofino first.
- 4 nights at Luc and Lisa's. We almost moved to Port Alberni with them after residency! How different might our lives be now? Their kids were fantastic with ours - we haven't stopped talking about Sara, Eric and Max (some of whom are referred to as "the udder brudder"). It was great having some non-hotel time in the middle of the trip. And our hosts were so welcoming (not easy with our gang!).
- 6 more nights in Vancouver. Kate was at her conference most of the time (well, maybe half the time). The kids and I walked to Stanley Park most days and played at the playgrounds and beaches, rode the story train at the new First Nations Village. We had dinners of Malaysian, Ukrainian, Thai, and Naam.
The flights were easy. Zoë didn't make a squawk in either direction - she was a little squirmy but happy. And the twins were content to read books and stare at the tv screen (a rare treat). They were fantastic for the whole trip - traveling with them just gets easier and easier.
Vancouver was beautiful and urban and multicultural and healthy and fun. I had to remind myself that it's grey and miserable for 6 months every year!
I'll start with some 4th birthday photos and then work back through the trip...
- It always takes at least two photos to get all three kids looking at the camera
- Kate attempting some strange pagan ritual whereby the enormous earth was pushed around the tiny sun 4 times. I imagine Galileo had similar issues with his wife sometimes, but if he was wise he kept them to himself.
- Molly's face says it all - "yes we are the most spoiled 4 year olds in the world". Grammy and Aunt Beth share heavily in this spoiling.
- Crash mat to jump on off the dock. Hopefully not the beginning of a diving career to match their cousin Erin's!
- All other presents had to be ignored until bubbles were opened and blown
- M&J's new harp, which Jacob is now completely obsessed with. He has a bright red, blistered finger from playing it non-stop. He now plays with a guitar pick.
- Fifty blows for four candles. Better stick to the harp cause it doesn't look good for the trumpet
- Molly gets them all first try of course
- And Zoë is both effective and enthusiastic
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