A River Runs Through It

Be warned...very picture heavy post. 

Long post...well...longer than usual. 

I debated breaking this into two posts them thought...na. 

So sit back and get your scrolling finger ready.

Whistler was totally awesome. Let me explain...

Baby A brushes her teeth (with her brothers toothbrush) in anticipation of long ride in the car.

Little E jams all he owns (well...not really) into his backpack and tries his hardest to zip it shut. 

Still has a smudged palm tree from Hawaiian day at school on his cheek. 

Mommy poses for a photo. 

Thanks little E. 

...a little blurry...but he has been practicing.

We all jam in the car that is now STUFFED completely (for two days only) and hit the open road. 

Little E asks to take my picture...

The drive was great. Lots to see and little traffic (the game was on) so we were smooth sailing. 

Tons of flowers dotted the highway...yellows and greens...

Lupins. TONS of them. This photo doesn't capture them at all...

Mr. Man and his third ear. Safety first people.

Soon we couldn't listen to the game so we turned on some rockin tunes. 

Baby A liked it. 

NOTE: She NEVER falls asleep in the car. 

This lasted about 20 min then she was awake again throwing her soo soo around the car. 

Road into Squamish. 

After a quick stop at...eh hem..McDonalds (barf) we hit the road and made it to Whistler! 

Let the drinking ensue!! 

Ha ha. 

It was bed time for some and hot tub for others. 

The family trickled in all yelling madly...WHAT IS THE SCORE? 

We won. But we lost tonight. 

Game 7 it is. Game 7. 

The next morning we awoke to a fresh new day and breakfast being prepared.

That is one vat of scrambled eggs. 

Uncle G plans his attack on the trails while drinking a coffee. 

Little E enjoys a Nanna made muffin with peach preserves. 

Lego homes, animals and people were created.

Bikes were mounted...

Padding was installed...

Training wheels were re-attached. 

Smiles were back. 

Win win. 

Boys hit the Whistler Bike Park. 

Little E was so proud. 

So were Nanna and Poppa...

"John this isn't working...I can't get this to go on Facebook. 

Here Linda...let me look."

Me and Sis got set up and hit the trails too.

Here we are ready to ride A River Runs Through It. 

Literally. 

Here is the river and the log you must cross. 

The river was a rushing people. 

And the bridge was broken.

Nice. 

But that didn't stop us! Here Sis demos and makes it look easy.

(I tried to upload some video here...teeter totter falls and ladder conquests...but could not.)

After the ride we finished up in the river...Sis had to wash her shoes. 

She fell in the swamp. 

All I saw was skunk cabbage leaves moving violently and then a small scream. 

I didn't take a picture. 

Although...

It was totally blog worthy. 

Totally.

Just like in the olden days.

Enjoying the view...it was a perfect end to a perfect ride. 

Here is my fake falling that almost turned into actual falling...

Shakes head. 

We headed home and met up with the troops in the village. 

Baby A watches the bikers ride and shakes it to the music. 

She loves the music that is BLASTING. 

I am getting old. 

Little E with his Mug of Cranberry and his tiny camera. 

It is a Steve Erwin view finder thingy that my Mom brought him back from Oz. 

He loves it. 

"Look Mommy a Joey...Look Mom a Kola...Look Mom a Dingo!" 

ALL. 

DAY.

LONG.

Thank-fully there were plenty of these...

And Grandmas to bounce the crazy one. 

Yummy food. Sun. Whistler. Family....and

can't decide if it is Lady Gaga or Baby A in 80 years. 

Here we all are enjoying the sun...the boys joined us too...all muddy from their ride. 

The boys wheeled the kiddies home and the ladies strolled the village. 

We came back empty handed but to a busy kitchen. 

Prepping and more prepping everywhere! 

As you can see it was a super SUNNY, dare I say HOT day so there was no time for crafting. 

Only time for filling the camelback and riding! 

Little E sucked back about three packs full. 

Spent more time running to the bathroom than doing circles on his bike. 

Sis and I sit on the plastics Ridge style with our beers. 

Watching the Monkey. 

He found Daddy's riding glasses on one trip back from the bathroom.

 I heart him so. 

Then it was dinner time for Baby A. Yes...Bunny Noodles. Sorry baby A. 

Uncle G helped eat them up. 

Mr. Man caught. 

Not sure doing what. 

Farsu Magu O Bracciolone is prepped. 

Or as I call it...Meat Wrapped in Meat Stuffed with Meat.

The family is entertained by Baby A's strength and stumble/frankinstine walking.

Others create and learn.

Some read magazines...

and dream of the future...the very near future! 

and others pick their spots for dinner. 

First course is almost ready. 

Pears poached in wine. 

Wine poached pears?

Poached pears in wine?

You get it. 

Mr.Man is a prepping fanatic. 

Very particular. 

Voila! 

A delish salad of rocket, poached pear, duck confit, pecans and blue cheese. 

(Mr.Man would say it in French or latin or Chefize so it would sound more...well...you know). 

It was excellent. 

That's all you need to know. 

AMAZING.

Uncle G's turn. 

Smoked Salmon Risotto. 

Expertly stirred, nurtured, tended too, loved, seasoned and presented. 

Yum. 

YUM. 

Capers too. 

We had an unexpected guest crash our dinner party. 

The Meat is almost ready! 

Divine. Meat with an egg in it. 

Strange? 

YES. 

Good? 

Absolutely. 

You have to try this at home. 

The Iron Chefs outdid themselves. 

Then it was hot tub time! 

Little E and Uncle G try to do a Vancouver Canucks salute. 

Little E tries his best...

Managed to capture this with my point and shoot. 

I need to pull out the big guns again...I miss the SLR...although this one makes me weepy.

 My little boy is growing up. 

Granddad gets in on the fun.

Wrinkly toes photo then it was off to bed. 

Then some wine...and more wine and more wine and more wine a and...well you get the drift. 

I paid.

The.

WHOLE.

Next.

Day. 

But...I managed to pull myself together to help the ladies put together an amazing brunch.

Look at my apron. 

It has bears on it. 

It matches my sweater. 

The guys engaged in some deep conversation...

while the eggs for breakfast were prepared. 

Avocados were mushed...

and voila...

Breakfast a la Dot Dot. 

Yummy. 

The whole weekend was. 

Thank-you family for all the fun, laughter, questions, answers and memories.

...until next time...

We love you Whistler. 

E.