Spring 2009 Highlights

Since moving to our wonderful neighborhood in Mount Pleasant (Vancouver), we have taken up cycling!! Last weekend Jamie and I went on a bike outing with Hilary, Adrian and Keegan to Van Dusen Gardens. We had a delicious picnic lunch/frisbee/nap.



Here's a picture of Jennica's new hybrid bicycle: The SWinn Circuit


A couple weeks ago (the long BC weekend) Jamie and I took a trip to Seattle/Tacoma to see the city and to stay with cousin Jake in his newly purchased loft apartment.

We went to the Museum of Glass, had some visits with the fam and a special highlight was the underground tour in Seattle!





Jamie and I celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary by going to the lovely Canery Restaurant on the Vancouver waterfront. Very yummy....and fun!
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Girls get away at Harisson Hot Springs--we had dinner, soaked in the springs and went to the spa....deluxe!!!


Canucks hockey game--first one ever!!

Peru in 3 days

Jamie and I are getting geared up and ready for Peru this Saturday. I'm full of excitement, anticipation and nerves. Here is our itinerary so far:

Day 1
Vancouver to Lima

Day 2-3
Lima and surrounding beaches

Day 3
Lima to Cuszo

Day 4
Sacred Valley

Days 5-8
Jungle trek to Machu Pichu-we will be trekking, mountain biking, riding quick cable cars and taking a train to Machu Pichu, one of the seven wonders of the world-elevation is 5, 000 or highter..



Days 9-11
Lake Titikaka and Puno
To see the famous reed islands: elevation is 10, 000 feet



Days 12-14
Arequipas and Colya Canyon
To see one of the world's deepest canyons



Day 15
Back to Lima and then to Vancouver

Wish us luck!!

Grouse Mountain with friends

Our surprize trip to Bowen Island

Jamie secretly planned a date for us. We went to Bowen Island and stayed at a lovely B & B and got away from the city.

I love my husband because he is soooooo thoughtful and romantic. I really had no idea what he had up his sleeves.

Jamie's new venture

Our new house

Before the move....







After the move...

Camping with the Lipsetts

The adventure began as we departed for our destination: Garibaldi Lake. On our travels we discovered a few things:
1. Bears like to chill and eat where there are people around. is it just me or are bears becoming more and more domesticated?

2. People in Whistler have apparently never hear of Garibaldi Lake and the only campsite near by is a patch of dirt off the highway they "call" a campsite.

3. You have to hike into Garibaldi lake for 7 km and there's snow there. We didn't camp there.

4. Alice Lake is wonderful. You can drive there. There is running water. Hot water. Firewood. Campsite police. Wonderful lake-side trails.

5. It's illegal to gather your own wood from the forest and chop it into bits.

6. The campsite "police" frequented our site in fear we would take over their forest and burn it down.

7. We love drama improv games.

Here are some pictures

The end is near...and it's sad

Less than 2 weeks left of teaching! As the end is quickly approaching, I am reflecting on the very meaningful, challenging, fun and best years of my life (so far).

As I reflect on the past year, I can't help but long to create a symbol of thanks and appreciation.

So, I am going to write a letter to my grade 3 class. Here's what I have so far:

Dear 3wi class,

I can't believe this year has come and gone so quickly. I have learned many lessons and hopefully you have too. I am truly blessed to have such an energetic, happy, fun and creative class this year. When I think about this year coming to an end, I can't help but feel sad. You have all been such a huge part of my life this year and now we are all moving on to bigger and better things.

This year I have gathered many fond memories:

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H is for helpful. MD- You are one of the most helpful, servant-hearted people I've ever met.

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q is for quirky. GV- You are also very silly and quirky....

R is for resiliant. EB-I love how resiliant you are: one minute you are terribly upset because of an injury you got on the playground. The next minute you're back to play as unsual with a smile on your face.

S is for silly. MK you are one of the silliest people I have ever met and you seem to always make people laugh.

T is for talkative. GL- From the moment I met you, you always had something to say (about everything) and you are always curious about everything.

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Springtime is here.....

Lately us Graham's have been on this social buzz. Parties, special events, unexpected visits from friends..ect.

First of all, our good friends' Jon and Krista are getting married on the long weekend. Jamie and I both attended their stag/stagettes. Actually I hosted the stagette. Us girls had a night of restaurant hopping and topped the night off with Kareokee Box on Robson Street. It was really fun because we dressed Krista up in a sequin dress, teal heals and very 80's makeup and hair (don't have a picture so you'll have to just imagine the craziness).

All the girls and I had a sleepover at our apartment.The next morning I went shopping with a few friends and bought some new clothes to add to my very lacking waredrobe.



This past weekend we had some Burns Lake friends come over for a day of window shopping on Granville island and for an Italian feast (made by Jamie and Sonya) at our apartment.



The soon-to-be married couple (in August). Jamie and I will be attending their wedding in Newfoundland (Jamie will be the best man).



These kids don't get out much!!



What's this? Another random parade on Commercial Drive which left us wondering..what is THIS parade for?




Will (Jamie's bro) graduated from TWU (finally!!) and we were there to witness the event.

There's nothing quite like the Graham brothers. Can you believe these 3 guys share a single bedroom. Oh they also share their sleeping space with a motorcycle engine, a lizard and beer brewing equipment!!



Jamie's mom (my mother in law) stayed overnight with us and we had a really fun time showing her the sights and tastes of Vancouver. Here's Jamie and Ma in English Bay.