Vancouver!

After a fun Soaring Over Canada ride made by the same people who designed the Soaring Around the World for Disneyland, we found some snacks and headed over to a famous park nearby.  We had to take another taxi, uncertain how we would make it back to the cruise terminal.

We cruised around the park for a bit and then found the totems advertised and were eager to read all about these magnificent pieces of artwork.  Once we wrapped up our tour we headed over to where the cabs should be parked waiting for fares-there were none in sight!  We tried to call the driver who dropped us off, to no avail and then decided to start walking back towards the city in hopes of spotting a taxi or two along the way.

It took some time, but we were able to flag one down for the girls, Ben and I to take to the restaurant we would be dining at for dinner.  Kyle and Jack continued to walk another 15 minutes, made it back to the cruise terminal and then taxied over to the restaurant where we enjoyed some poutine before heading back to get in line to board.

The line was so insane, we decided to go to the nearest Tim Hortons' for a donut or two.  We finished our treats and were astounded to discover the line had barely moved.  We jumped inline anyways hoping to get somewhere since it was after 8 at this point.  It was only 30 minutes longer to fly from SLC to Vancouver than it was to wait in line to board our ship.  The people around us were very upset, we tried to stay calm and endure to the end-which finally happened!  Once aboard we found our bags already at our room, but instead of going to bed, we had to go to the mandatory safety meeting!  Bedtime rolled around at 11:30-what a brutal night!

Made it Through!

We hopped on our plan today after a busy morning getting everything ready for the Forests to take care of Ulli and all the last minute preparations a 6-day cruise entails!  Once aboard, we were thrilled to find onboard entertainment at everyone's seat and I enjoyed a flight by myself while everyone else got to sit together!

After landing, we were astonished to see the customs line and then proceeded to wind around for about an hour before getting all the way through and being able to get a taxi, no Uber in Vancouver, to the cruise terminal.  We dropped off most of our luggage and then ventured outside where we would be for the next 6 hours before our boat had room to dock and the tide was low enough for the boat to get under a nearby bridge.

So Healthy

Ulli has been so happy lately, jumping around, acting playful, trying to chew on things he shouldn't and acting more like a puppy than ever before.  It's been fun and a little tedious, we aren't used to this kind of behavior, but are excited to see him so healthy and happy for once!

Love This Lady!!

I invited Cass to come visit us for a week about a month ago.  Kyle was going to be out of town and I can always use some adult companionship!  It was another great visit filled with walks, movies, food and talking!  The weather and traffic were crazy when it was time to drive her to the airport, but somehow we managed to drop the boat off at the dealer for repairs and winterization and still get her there with plenty of time!  Love you Cass, can't wait till next time!

Allergen Free Half Birthday!

Ava reminded us that it was her half birthday and with Cass visiting, I thought I could pull off a dairy, gluten and soy free cake with her help!  The end result, which Kyle missed out on while out of town, was very dense, but tasty nonetheless!  The frosting was my favorite part and Cass and I even enjoyed a second slice for lunch another day!

John Williams

A few weeks ago, Kyle and I read in the local newspaper that the Utah Symphony would be doing a concert entirely of John Williams compositions at Weber State University.  I mistakenly thought John Williams would be conducting, what an idiot, and was surprised there were still good seats left!  I realized on our way there I might be disappointed by the conductor, but not the music!  We took the kids to Sonora Grill beforehand and had them wear somewhat nice clothes.  Most of the songs were from beloved movies and we all thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the instruments that make the sounds in the songs.  We got home late and had some tired kids, but it was totally worth it!

Brisket Brothers!

When Kyle told me last week that Matt would be in town and he and Tatum and Jacob were going to drive up and visit with us on Sunday, I doubted it was going to happen-but it did!  It was a great afternoon together and an even greater dinner of wagyu brisket and sides!  The popcorn, homemade Reese's peanut butter cups, raspberry jello salad, cornbread casserole, red velvet and frosting gelato and chocolate chip cookies were totally glutenous, but so fun to enjoy it all with family!

More S'mores

We were on the lake today for what might have been our last time, and after another round of grilled cheeseburgers, we headed over to Northfork Park for some s'mores!  We even had Chips Ahoy S'mores cookies instead of graham crackers!  It got chilly and a few of us weren't dressed appropriately causing us to leave earlier than normal, but allowed us to get to bed at a decent hour!

Let's Eat Cake

Norah was able to have a friend over today and these girls decided they wanted to make a chocolate cake!  What!  Norah found the recipe in an old friend from TX's cookbook and they actually made this cake, baked it, frosted it and ate in-all in 3 hours!!  It was intense and they even cleaned up and had enough time left over for me to braid Kambree's hair!  Dinner was late and I was frazzled, but at least these guys had a minute together!

Better!!

Ulli's latest ailment has been such a rollercoaster!  Starting with a small limp, getting better, limping again, then really limping, then whining and limping, then just limping, then nothing!  Today he seems like a normal adorable puppy that just had a bath and is unbelievably soft and smells great!  Wow, what a ride!

Payback!

Kyle has been gone since Tuesday at 3:30 and with all the new schedules, routines and homework I felt like I barely survived!  Kyle had a few lunches with clients and a few fun dinners by himself.  Doesn't sound like it was worth all the effort to me, but to Kyle it was.  Since Kyle's trip was to Austin, he brought us all back some VooDoo Donuts for the family and a special box of these adorable hand-painted chocolates just for me.

Family Picture

Ava got a fun new drawing book today at Hobby Lobby and whipped up this amazing picture of our family as we look today!  She didn't get Ulli in there, but other than that it is pure perfection!  Love our artist!

Music & The Spoken Word

We have lived in UT for over three years now and have never seen the Mormon Tabernacle Choir live yet!  Kyle thought this would be a great Sunday activity for Madeleine and her mom to attend with Ava and I and he was right!  It was so uplifting to be surrounded by such talented musicians and hear some inspiring words from the choir director.  We made it to SLC with plenty of time to park and get seats and all without Kyle's help!

After the show was over we decided to walk around Temple Square for a little while before it got too hot.  We talked about temples and took pictures of the beautiful buildings before heading into the visitors center to see what was inside.  Madeleine and her mom got a great tour by a not so great tour guide-me.  On our way back to the car, we took this picture and I'm so glad we did-love you Ava!