Mother's Day and home at last.

Jason took us to our all time favourite haunt in Vancouver, the Sylvia Hotel, for Mother's Day brunch. So grateful to be able to spend the day with him.......











This was the view out the window....so lovely, and the day was warm and sunny.......











a not very good pic of my dear Jason...........












and the one the waitress took of us all.....the sun was so bright it kind of overwhelmed, but that's OK - sun in Vancouver is a good thing.....!!!











We walked along the English Bay seawall after a wonderful brunch of eggs benny...........













Miki and Jason check out the almost nude bathers on the beach.........














Jay takes some pics with his new iPhone......












Great to see Van again.....and we drove home along the water.......









Now this was new since we had been to English Bay....ok, I know they have been there a long time, but we had not seen them......a Chinese artist did these figures in his own likeness..........














......all in brass, huge.....and all laughing!!! Makes you smile just to look at them.......!










such a fun thing to have displayed.........















in the middle of a busy city...........all in all a fabulous 3 days as we end our travels............











On the ferry......a sunny warm day to head to Vancouver Island!! Michele picked us up at the terminal in Duke Point - thanks Michele and Bailey!! - and we were home with the cats by 6 pm. GOOD to be home in our own bed tonight!!!!!!!

Back to BC....

May 10 we left the family in Toronto and flew to Vancouver.......ah, there are those amazing mountains we have been missing........













The Rocky Mountains are breathtaking no matter how often you see them, and we are happy to see snow at 36,000 ft rather than close up..........









We had 3 great days in Vancouver, had a visit with Sylvia, and got to see the enormous new Ikea in Richmond.










....check out the views of the north Vancouver mountain ranges from the restaurant in Ikea......!!!









The second night Jason made a huge feast of beef stroganoff and invited Sean, Kelly and little Emma for dinner. Sadly, your trusty blogger totally forgot to take any pictures........grrrr..........and the 3rd night we went to Harley, Lorraine and Saba's place for dinner.










Jason and Miki on the amazing covered patio at Harley and Lorraine's - boy, were we spoiled....prawns on the grill as an appy, then grilled lamb, roast potatoes and a huge salad. Great eats......











We took Saba out for a walk and helped walk off our  big  dinner......the entrance to their place.......











This is their great back green space..........











and a view of that patio from the green space.....














A trail through the forest leads to a huge school playgound, alias dog park...........















......where Saba gets to run, chase her ball and play with other dogs......













...like this little muffin...............








Thanks, you 3, it was a great evening....see you in Parksville this summer!!!!

Off to London, Ontario!

Another neice, Julianna, hubby Dan and kids Claire and Jack live in London, so we drove there for the day and a great barbeque burger lunch!!!










Grandpa and Claire share a moment.....she is just 8 months old, so this is the first time we have gotten to meet her.














Great little family - and a brand new house which is really nice. The family misses them in TO, but it is only 2 hours away, so they get together as often as possible.
















Grandmummy and Claire...............












Jack is the cutest, happiest little guy.....and loves his new sister, Claire! Dan's mother and cousin live in London too, so they do have family close by.













Dan and Jack play tag in the back yard, which is about to change radically.........







Right now it is wide open to construction of other houses behind and one on either side, but their fence goes in next week, so soon they will have a nice private big yard for the kids to play in.

Off to Stouffville, Ontario

Back in Toronto, the focus moves to Stouffille, Ontario, where neice Carolyn, hubby Dan and daughters Gabriela and Lucy live. We were invited to Gabby's rehearsal for an upcoming skating show.....she is 5 and has just started skating. Here Dad, Mum and baby sister Lucy help Gabby get ready.















Then she was off with her class, and we all sat in the bleachers waiting for her to come out. All the older skaters went first, so it was quite a while, several coffees and some popcorn later before she appeared.











The second from the right in the closest group...black clothes and dark pink leggings is Gabby.......








Just before one of her little fellow skaters takes a header, there she goes, the 3rd in the line.......Gabby was spotted by a professional coach in one of her classes and now gets private tutoring every week as well as her classes.....can you say future Olympian........??????











Her costume for the show - yup!! - Angry Birds!!! Her ancient great aunties had not even heard of them, but we were quickly educated!!!









Then it was off to a local eatery for dinner....great aunt D and Gabby share a cuddle.......













Grandpa and Grandmummy pose with the budding skater........












3 Generations.....Grandmummy, Gabby, Lucy and Carolyn.

Mum Carolyn and Gabby......











Great aunt Miki and Gabby.........












and back at their lovely home we had some wine, shared some laughs and enjoyed time with Dan and Carolyn.

Blue Mountain, Ontario

After breakfast we headed over to Blue Mountain. Great views at the top of the little Whistler style village below and Georgian Bay beyond.














There are walking trails and bike rallies that happen all summer on the mountain, and of course in winter it is a thriving ski community.















A view of the village below.......















I had to take this - it is a pic of an "antique" chair lift - the very one I used during my teens, so I guess I am antique too......sigh!














The gang walking along the trail........................












A display of flowers in the bicycle carriers makes a fun statement....................











The little nordic village is quaint and lovely - Mick and Bev come to all kinds of food and wine fests, art shows and community gatherings here during the summer.








A man made lake is the centre focus for restaurants, hotels, just sitting in the sun on a dock, and small paddle boats in the summer.   As you can see, the mighty Blue Mountain is more of a small hill these days....but it sure was a great place to learn to ski!!!










Back at the cottage, neighbours Lyn and John, who also come to PM in the winter, joined us on the deck for a visit.









What fun to see friends in Mexico, Ontario and soon in BC again, when Mick and Bev come to BC to get their RV to drive it home to Collingwood.












We four have such a great time together - fast, forever friends!!









Carl and Alice have other friends in the area as well, so there may be a joint golf game in the summer months....!