Mom was kinda weak from having pneumonia a few weeks earlier
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Thanksgiving 2017
My kids were busy this year and B had to work so it was just me. Traffic was pretty good through Tacoma. MUCH easier than going to Everett. I did miss the Everett family but Dan and Tony moved to Quincy so Mikey didn't have dinner this year anyway.
Mom was kinda weak from having pneumonia a few weeks earlier
Mom was kinda weak from having pneumonia a few weeks earlier
Craig and B go to Vancouver BC Nov 17-19
What a year! since Hong Kong I have been super busy and working a lot of nights and weekends. It was time for a weekend get away.
B and I took off for Vancouver BC on Friday for the weekend.
We made great time to the border and breezed through the check in 10 min, then about 20 miles out of Vancouver, we got stuck in a massive back up. We sat for about 40 min before we finally got out of that mess.
We found the Hotel but could not find the parking entrance! We drove around it three times before parking and asking at the front desk. The entrance was about 20 feet from the car! LOL!
The Shangri-La Hotel was fabulous! We felt right at home back in Hong Kong! LOL! it's very Chinese and very efficient and well managed.
We headed out for dinner and we took a short cut down a dark side street and a SKUNK ran across the street and sidewalk in front of us! I was too in shock to even think about getting a picture. Seattle smells like skunk for an entirely different reason!
We found a Thai restaurant. It was ok. Everything was different that US Thai restaurants. After that we thought we would grab a beer at the Keg, which is connected to our hotel and looks brand new and very fancy. It's on the second floor so we took the escalator and there are two doors, the Restaurant to the left and the Bar to the right. We were not sure but a hostess came out side to help us. She said there is a wait for drinks. We said, no thanks and left.
The next morning we were treated to a fabulous breakfast at the Hotel restaurant, which is highly rated. B had a dim sum basket and I had an omelet. It was great.
We headed out to find Queen Elizabeth park. Neither of us had ever been there so it was the agenda. It's the highest point in Vancouver city and had some nice views.
Then we found Granville Island market. SUPER TOURISTY. We had lunch there and it was not that great. We found some fun shopping items for birthdays and Christmas though.
Back to the Hotel. We hung out at the hotel for a while then went for Dinner. We wanted Chinese, and according to Yelp, the best place in Vancouver is at the Trump tower. We went to the next best place!
We found a place called ChongQing on Robson. Highly rated. We walked in and it's a hole in the wall, bright cafeteria lighting, not one piece of art on the wall and a paper menu. I whispered to B, I think we got played...
We ordered a bunch of stuff and it was FABULOUS!!!!!!! yes! finally the meal we came here for! We will be back to this place next time.
After dinner I was determined to get in that new fancy Keg. We walked right into the bar and it was the fanciest bar I've ever seen . Everyone was in full suits and black dresses. I felt like were in Hollywood. In fact, I bet stars do come here as they do make a lot of movies in Vancouver. We turned and walked out.
The last day came. I got up early and put on my rain gear and headed out to my pilgrimage to see the Olympic Cauldron from the 2010 Winter games. It was NASTY, raining and winding, rain blowing in my face.
I got there, and to my disappointment, they were setting up a holiday fair there. I couldn't get close. I walked around the perimeter and got some shots the best I could.
I came back and dried off and then we went back to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. Again, amazing food and a great tea they serve.
After breakfast, we went to a tea store called TWG. The worlds greatest tea. I bought a 25 dollar box of green tea, 15 bags. OUCH. however, it really is good.
On our way home, I wanted to see the Richmond Oval. It took all we could to find it, and a pit stop for a bloody Caesar to get there. It was lame. The gift shop had nothing Olympics related. Ok let me stop there. It was lame for ME. I wanted Olympic nostalgia. They had other plans. They turned it into a multi use rec center with hockey programs, basketball courts a full gym, day care center and more! It was impressive and very busy. They did have an Olympic museum but we chose to skip it, no gift shop and they featured interactive games which we were not really interested in. Maybe next time.
on the road for home . Border was even easier on the return trip. We made great time and had a great trip in Hong Kong West.
B and I took off for Vancouver BC on Friday for the weekend.
We made great time to the border and breezed through the check in 10 min, then about 20 miles out of Vancouver, we got stuck in a massive back up. We sat for about 40 min before we finally got out of that mess.
We found the Hotel but could not find the parking entrance! We drove around it three times before parking and asking at the front desk. The entrance was about 20 feet from the car! LOL!
The Shangri-La Hotel was fabulous! We felt right at home back in Hong Kong! LOL! it's very Chinese and very efficient and well managed.
We headed out for dinner and we took a short cut down a dark side street and a SKUNK ran across the street and sidewalk in front of us! I was too in shock to even think about getting a picture. Seattle smells like skunk for an entirely different reason!
We found a Thai restaurant. It was ok. Everything was different that US Thai restaurants. After that we thought we would grab a beer at the Keg, which is connected to our hotel and looks brand new and very fancy. It's on the second floor so we took the escalator and there are two doors, the Restaurant to the left and the Bar to the right. We were not sure but a hostess came out side to help us. She said there is a wait for drinks. We said, no thanks and left.
The next morning we were treated to a fabulous breakfast at the Hotel restaurant, which is highly rated. B had a dim sum basket and I had an omelet. It was great.
We headed out to find Queen Elizabeth park. Neither of us had ever been there so it was the agenda. It's the highest point in Vancouver city and had some nice views.
Then we found Granville Island market. SUPER TOURISTY. We had lunch there and it was not that great. We found some fun shopping items for birthdays and Christmas though.
Back to the Hotel. We hung out at the hotel for a while then went for Dinner. We wanted Chinese, and according to Yelp, the best place in Vancouver is at the Trump tower. We went to the next best place!
We found a place called ChongQing on Robson. Highly rated. We walked in and it's a hole in the wall, bright cafeteria lighting, not one piece of art on the wall and a paper menu. I whispered to B, I think we got played...
We ordered a bunch of stuff and it was FABULOUS!!!!!!! yes! finally the meal we came here for! We will be back to this place next time.
After dinner I was determined to get in that new fancy Keg. We walked right into the bar and it was the fanciest bar I've ever seen . Everyone was in full suits and black dresses. I felt like were in Hollywood. In fact, I bet stars do come here as they do make a lot of movies in Vancouver. We turned and walked out.
The last day came. I got up early and put on my rain gear and headed out to my pilgrimage to see the Olympic Cauldron from the 2010 Winter games. It was NASTY, raining and winding, rain blowing in my face.
I got there, and to my disappointment, they were setting up a holiday fair there. I couldn't get close. I walked around the perimeter and got some shots the best I could.
I came back and dried off and then we went back to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. Again, amazing food and a great tea they serve.
After breakfast, we went to a tea store called TWG. The worlds greatest tea. I bought a 25 dollar box of green tea, 15 bags. OUCH. however, it really is good.
On our way home, I wanted to see the Richmond Oval. It took all we could to find it, and a pit stop for a bloody Caesar to get there. It was lame. The gift shop had nothing Olympics related. Ok let me stop there. It was lame for ME. I wanted Olympic nostalgia. They had other plans. They turned it into a multi use rec center with hockey programs, basketball courts a full gym, day care center and more! It was impressive and very busy. They did have an Olympic museum but we chose to skip it, no gift shop and they featured interactive games which we were not really interested in. Maybe next time.
on the road for home . Border was even easier on the return trip. We made great time and had a great trip in Hong Kong West.
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| Fuzzy shot of the Shangri-La Hotel |
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| Trump Tower |
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| Our room |
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| funny name. In Chinatown |
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| Fancy Keg Restaurant |
Craig and Bronwen / King and Gabbi Wedding party! July 29, 2017
2017 saw two family weddings, mine and Bronwen's son Kimmi.
Kimmi and Gabbi's wedding was at Volunteer Park in the Conservatory and was very nice, with a small group.
Craig and B got married in Las Vegas in May.
We decided to have a reception party for all the family who was not able to be with us for our nuptials. I chose July 29 as that was the only day Jessica was free from her job at Camp.
We chose Tacoma as our location as it is in the middle of everyone. No one invited actually lives in Tacoma though! I found a park that had a shelter rental available for that day. A few weeks later I was able to go see the park in person and I was pleased with the park.
For food, we decided to keep it simple and go with sausages, both meat and Vegan, over a grill with salads, I got the salads and the fruit trays from WartHog Bbq in Fife. We bought the sausages and buns from Costco. We hired a chef to run the grill. Cakes came from Costco.
The day before the party, Jessica informed me that she can't make it due to Whooping cough. Drat!
On Party day, B was still recovering from Hong Kong trip, having brought home a stomach bug. We had a lot of work to do setting up. Crista and her family showed up and helped while I had to go get the catering.
It was a bit chaotic on set up but we got it done and the party was underway!
It was soo good to see everyone! so much family from both sides. This was the first time that the two families have met. The weather was perfect!!
Kimmi and Gabbi's wedding was at Volunteer Park in the Conservatory and was very nice, with a small group.
Craig and B got married in Las Vegas in May.
We decided to have a reception party for all the family who was not able to be with us for our nuptials. I chose July 29 as that was the only day Jessica was free from her job at Camp.
We chose Tacoma as our location as it is in the middle of everyone. No one invited actually lives in Tacoma though! I found a park that had a shelter rental available for that day. A few weeks later I was able to go see the park in person and I was pleased with the park.
For food, we decided to keep it simple and go with sausages, both meat and Vegan, over a grill with salads, I got the salads and the fruit trays from WartHog Bbq in Fife. We bought the sausages and buns from Costco. We hired a chef to run the grill. Cakes came from Costco.
The day before the party, Jessica informed me that she can't make it due to Whooping cough. Drat!
On Party day, B was still recovering from Hong Kong trip, having brought home a stomach bug. We had a lot of work to do setting up. Crista and her family showed up and helped while I had to go get the catering.
It was a bit chaotic on set up but we got it done and the party was underway!
It was soo good to see everyone! so much family from both sides. This was the first time that the two families have met. The weather was perfect!!
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| Peterson's |
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| McBride's |
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| No beer, sorry Noble! |
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| The mothers meet for the first time! |
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| two chefs. One at work and one at play! |
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