Saturday adventures

On Saturday morning, I went for an 11-mile training run along the Boundary Bay trail, Liesl and Grandpa went for a joyride on the double-decker bus, and Popo and Jasper went for a lengthy walk along the Semiahmoo trail.

We reconvened for lunch and then headed over to Crescent Beach to see their garden plot, walk the shore, and let Jasper play fetch in the ocean. It was a gorgeous day, so sunny, with flowers blooming (and kale!). We had a cozy afternoon and evening, and then on Sunday morning Liesl and I drove home.

 

visiting Canada

On Thursday, Liesl and I (and our stowaway Jasper) drove up to Surrey to see mom and dad for a few days. We put a bagel bed in back for Jazzy and he loved it -- immediately curled up in it for a more comfortable ride.

We arrived just before dinner, and took a short walk w dad to stretch our legs.

Jasper remembered that Popo is a soft touch. He was rewarded with a whole carrot for his patience.

It has been lovely to see them, to eat my mom's delicious cooking, and to hang out. This was after dinner, working on a crossword puzzle online.

On Friday, we went to the Grandview pool for an hour so that my waterbaby could play (that's Liesl - the furry waterbaby isn't allowed in pools), and then to a Korean BBQ restaurant for a feast of meats. Popo didn't want to swim, so she opted to take Jasper for a walk around the park instead. (So awesome and fun! He's as big as she is!)

spring break

We opted to stay home for spring break, since we traveled over Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, and have summer plans. The weather failed to cooperate -- it's been cold and raining most days -- but the downtime was good for everyone. Our schedules are about to be quite busy.

There have been ping-pong games in the living room, and naps.

Liesl requested to go climbing, so we did -- she climbed 8 routes, warming up on a 5'8 and working up to some 5'10a routes. I also went climbing with Anja and managed to scale this 5'12 orange beastie behind Liesl.

On Wednesday afternoon the sun came out and we took a family hike in Forest Park together. It was a bit muddy, but the kids (plus AJ) were happy and I was thrilled. Still no trilliums to be found, sadly -- so late this year.

Liesl gets a phone

Dreams do come true. An iPhone mini for our mini.

Bri's birthday

We celebrated my birthday on Saturday with a sweet and low-key day. The kids were coming off a busy week of school; Steve had been on a business trip in LA until late on Friday; it was a rare free weekend. Plus, when we woke up there was snow on the ground!! Jasper was happy, even if the rest of us are done with the damp cold temps.

We had breakfast sandwiches at Lovejoy Bakery (after which both my parents and my in-laws called and sang happy birthday to me - truly lovely). We lazed around home for a while, and I read a book, and then Steve and I went for a walk in Forest Park with Jasper. The sun came out and the mossy trees gleamed green in the sunshine. Still no trilliums! It's late for them -- all this spring snow.

In the late afternoon, Liesl and I made a gingerbread stout cake, and then Steve and I went to Quaintrelle for a date night dinner. 

 

We had birthday cake at the end of the day, back together at home. A really good day.

My birthday weekend continued on Sunday -- while I went for a trail run with Jasper, Steve and Liesl made buttermilk waffles w baked apples. So good!

more snow running

It snowed again this morning -- can't believe how many snowy days we've had this year! -- and Christie and I went out and ran our 10 mile training run anyway. It was like running in a snow globe -- at times, it was hard to see ahead because the snow was falling so fast and in such enormous flakes. Our hands and feet and faces were cold and wet. But we made it! Race day is April 16th.