Vancouver Days

I am currently residing in rainy Vancouver.

Last Thursday I made the 14 hour flight from Sydney to Vancouver to celebrate my dads 70th birthday and visit with family before we expand our own. The flight was good with a bit of turbulence. I paid to have extra leg room and there was also an empty seat in the middle of our row so it worked out well. I had lots of room to stretch my legs and could easily get around the other guy without waking him up. I stayed with my brother Matthew for the first couple of days until the surprise was revealed.

All day Saturday, most my siblings and I worked at the church to get the surprise party ready. My brother James is a chef and catered the party so we helped do food prep, set up the hall, hang decorations, etc. James did an incredible job with the food! It was well presented and delicious. A lot of guests commented that it felt like they were at a wedding.

James also surprised everyone by having two ice sculptures made for the party. The salmon even survived in the church parking lot for church the next morning. James did this all on his own birthday too!

Needless to say my dad was very surprised! My two sisters flew in from Toronto and Las Vegas and all of my dads siblings (5 brothers and 1 sister and spouses) all flew in from across Canada too. For me personally, it was great to have everyone there so I could catch up with relatives I haven't seen in many years and probably wont see again for another few.

The day after the party all of the family met at church and had lunch at the church together. My siblings and I went back to Matthews house for the rest of the day and my dad and his siblings went to my parents place. We had a lazy day sitting around talking while the children played with their cousins.

Monday I moved to my parents house and had a much needed quiet day by myself. It was lovely. Tuesday I dropped my mom off at work and drove around to do some shopping. I got some good bargains as winter is finishing here and Australia is just going into winter so everything was on clearance. Tuesday night I got to catch up with Ali and Kim, two good friends from high school. It was great to see them!

Today I am going to do some more shopping with my mom. I bought a new diaper bag to fit all my shopping treasures in for the way home as I was running out of room. Tonight we are having a little birthday party for James and myself at my parents place.

I miss my boys like crazy but I know they are both doing well. Barney had 4 days off of work which he said was great and he got lots done around the house which he has been meaning to for a long time. He went back to work yesterday and Myles went back to day care. They both have Good Friday off so Barney has another few days off of work. I don't think he is complaining about it!

My dear friend Ashley is coming in from out of town to visit me for 2 days and I cant wait to see her and meet her beautiful daughter. Together we will also visit two other friends from high school who I haven't seen in 5-6 years!

I don't have to many other plans, just trying to relax and enjoy this time before heading back to Australia on Monday. It will be along journey home with a 14 hour flight, train trip then 4 hour bus ride to my house. I am not looking forward to the travels but can't wait to scoop up Myles and give him a big cuddle! And Barney too :)