vacation roundup....

I seemed to have slacked off on my blog posts this week.  It was a pretty productive last few days.  Was able to carve a few items off my list.  Here is a recap of what I did while on vacation:

Family vacation to Whistler and a day in Vancouver
Organized all 3 bedrooms, kitchen and my garage (major plus)
Painted hallway, entry way and master bedroom
Stained front door
Got in a few runs
Pool time
Two nights with friends (outdoor movie and a BBQ with yummy ribs)
Saw my brother Mark
Hit golf balls till the Ball Nazi rained on our parade
Bought the boys beds
Finally purchased a new microwave

There may be more but I am having a hard time thinking.

A few pictures of our time away:

vacation day 12...

We shopped till we dropped today.  Back to school items are purchased and ready to go.

It was a very long day.  Over 7 hours of shopping bliss.  My youngest may be picky with shoes, but it's my oldest that is picky with clothes.  I have no idea where that came from.  I thought having a girl would be the only way I would be getting grief regarding what to wear, man I was wrong.  So thankful my mom was able to help me out today.  She may have fed my kids sugar, but she kept me sane.

Had to have a drink mid shopping; thank goodness for The Olive Garden in Burlington, they make one great Skinny Strawberry Lemon Drop - yum.  Shopping is much better when I have a buzz.   Not sure if it was a little sad that I needed a little pick me up mid way through.  Whatever I needed to get through the day.

vacation day 9....

Saturday is moving day.  The pool does not open till 10:00 - which is check out time, so no swimming for my little fish.

Randy made breakfast and I packed up our stuff.  After we loaded everything into the car we headed to the Kid Zone for the boys to do some rides.  Seeing the smiles on their faces was worth every penny.  We were on the road by 11 and making great time till we got almost down the mountain, than we ran into this:

Nothing spells fun like sitting at a dead stop, in the middle of nowhere, with two kids and two adults that have to use the restroom and it looks like we will not be moving for some time.  After 1.5 hours of visiting with our neighbors we finally, finally were moving!

Once we got to Vancouver, we hit the Sea Wall and walked to the aquarium.  One Lemon Drop and a building full of fish is a good way to calm down.

After a 4 mile walk it was time for more swimming.  My boys are part fish!

For dinner we headed up a few blocks to Nook, a local pizza/italian restaurant that the hotel recommend.  The place was tiny and we had to wait over 30 mins to get a seat.  The boys did great playing cards while sitting on the side of the street.  Let me tell you the food was well worth the wait.  We scarfed down two pizzas and cokes.  Not a bad way to end the day.  Just wished I could have gotten a better night sleep.  Between Carson giving me NO space in the bed and the party goers below our window, I was ready to come on!

vacation day 8...

Friday was our last day in Whistler;  Randy, Griff and I wanted to ride the gondolas again but Carson wanted no part of it.  We spent the morning at the pool than headed to town for a few hours of shopping.

We found a Keg restaurant in town and I was a very giddy girl.  I have been craving the Keg food for a few years.  That place was one of our favorites here in town. The food was not the same, but it was nice to try it out.

 After dinner it was movie time, we rented "The Lorax" and all 4 of us loved it.  Not a bad way to end our last day on the mountain.

vacation day 7...

A week has zoomed by, oh my.

Vacations always seem to go by way to fast.

Morning was spent laying by the pool.  Not sure I could find a better way to spend a few hours than watching my boys have the time of their lives.

We decided to head to the movies in the evening; went and saw "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days".  It had some funny scenes and all 3 boys seems to like it.

My fingers are crossed that the second part of my vacation goes slower.  I am not ready to return to reality or to see my kids heading off to school.

vacation day 6...

Today was all about family time.  Hiking, swimming and hanging out on the couch watching tv.

Had the best carmel apple while soaking in the tub with a mask on my face.  Nothing like a little pampering to make a girl feel good.

I still had to do this dishes after dinner, somethings just don't stop when you are on vacation.

vacation day 5

We piled in the car for some family time this morning.  Nothing brings a family closer than two kids who keep asking "are we there yet" or "how much longer" every 60 seconds.

vacation day 2

Griffin and I worked together to get the hallway painted.  He was a great little helper and by 1:00 painting was done, dry, and everything was back up on the walls.  Hope to post pictures soon.

Since I was dirty from painting, I jumped in and deep cleaned the bathrooms.  Nothing looks as nice as a bathroom that sparkles.

My brother, Brett, took Randy and I out to dinner to thank us for all the work Randy did on Brett's car.  We went to The Steak House at The Silver Reef.  Hands down the BEST dinner I have ever had.  You are treated like royalty there.  Nothing is better than having them make your drink and your salad at your table.  Before the main course comes, you get this champagne/ice cream mixture to clean your palate.  And the food was amazing.  I have never in my life had a steak taste like that.  Yummy!!!!!

Randy and I did a little gambling afterwards; walked away with an extra $20.00 (we could have pocketed an extra $80.00 but we don't know when to stop).  All in all it was a great and very productive day.

vacation: day 1

It's 9:20 and today has already been productive.

I tackled my junk cupboard, it's clean and organized now.  My house feels so much lighter after the pile of crap I threw out.  For me, it's the little things that make me the happiest.

The boys are gone to Grandpa's for breakfast.  Now it's time for a run and off to Lowe's to pick up the last of my painting supplies.  My evening will consist of taping off the walls.  I know, I am wild and crazy - not many can handle me!

missing Hawaii pictures....

Found these pictures in my camera; makes me want to go back.