You might get scared...

But honey! I don't want to blend in with everybody else!

OK, this looks too real and freaky even for me!

OK, I'm a trouper!

Somebody needs some dental work and botox...and a lift!

Cheers to us honey! Yikes!

Tonight, we had some shopping to do, and we got a bit silly with each other. We were laughing, and taking photos of each other.

Enjoy!

A week in photos...

. Can you believe this is a mall? There was a carousel and and a ferris wheel at this mall. It was called Irvine Spectrum. I have more photos of this mall if you want to see them. Let me know in the comments.

After the workshop, and a special lunch with another photographer (someone I very much admire and look up to) we headed on the big old I5 towards Anaheim. To check into our next hotel (which was across from Disneyland and California Adventure Park) A nice lady offered to take our photo together which was great! We also went into the second largest Disney store in the world. Conveniently located in Downtown Disney!

A glimpe of what the I5 looked like. Most times, eight lanes across...sometimes MORE!

I just love all of the different types of palm trees. Some tall, some small. Some skinny, some wide. Just like people...

One of just me, of course in a C. I look forward to having a photo here with all of my C's!

A quick glimpse on our GPS on just how crazy the lanes were!

I was able to FINALLY meet up with my friend Michele. She lives in San Diego. We have been chatting online for over six years. When we were pregnant with our "September Stars" on babycenter.com (She is also a photographer and she has been a great mentor to me) and it was one of the best evenings I have had in a long time. We felt as if we have known each other foerever. Almost like sisters! Or something like that. It was a connection I just cannot explain! Cliff came along for dinner too, and we sat in California Pizza Kitchen (oh so yummy!) for almost three hours talking away. We had some nice California wine there too. Much love to you Michele! I am so glad we finally could meet! xo

A view of our first hotel in Mission Viejo (a community that we are both in love with! Much like Osoyoos just a lot larger!)

When I was at my all day wedding workshop, Cliff stayed here. And enjoyed the California sunshine. They were having a heatwave when we were there! Amazing!

OK, so I am not so good at posing myself LOL

And outside of the Pirates of the Carribean at Disneyland. We thought of our kids.

Top back left, Cliff and I on the "California Screamin'" I got Cliff on here, and finally he decided he loved rollercoasters! YES!!

Me on the backlot in California Adventure Park. Before riding the "Tower of Terror" one of our new faves.

Thank you to the kindness of strangers who took a photo of us together!

And, a photo with MM!

(Mickey was busy somewhere else!)


Do you want more? :D

Cathy xo

Late afternoon Day One and Day Two | Penticton, B.C. Canada | C+C Weekend Getaway

Just to let you know, the photos go from bottom to top. Sorry about that! The rest of our mini get-away to Penticton, B.C. 

(P.S. you can click on the photos to enlarge their size)

Me standing in front of the big peach aka big huge concession stand in Penticton at the beach. And this was my *ahem* hiking outfit later in Naramata!

Perspective on just how huge this thing is! You can see it for miles away!! I just think it was so cool. You can see the car off in the distance. Behind there, were the AMAZING homes that were facing the lake front. BEAUTIFUL.

Of course, we had to hit up the Starbucks. I think there were atleast three in Penticton, that we counted anyways. This one had just opened, and was within walking distance to our hotel. Everything is happier in Penticton. They even drizzle the caramel on as a happy face :D (This was Cliff's drink)

Flowers that were growing in abundance on the mountain sides. These were near the big P E N T I C T O N sign, at the bottom of the hill.

OK, you see that white stuff on the side of the mountain. That is the edge of the big N. I wanted to sit on the top of it. But I got too scared. It was steep and I was in a skirt, wearing flip flops and had my good camera. I chose no. Well actually FEAR chose no. 

This is looking down. You can see just how large the N is!! HUGE!

Looking towards the city of Penticton. 

This rock caught my attention, as did the beautiful blue sky and white clouds!

These fruit crates were all over Naramata. So beautiful in red, contrasting the brilliant blue sky. 

A sign in an orchard. We THINK an apple orchard. I am so not a fruit grower. But I love how it grows, and how it tastes. 

Backtracking a bit to Saturday afternoon. We also found the big PEACH on the beach of the City of Penticton. It is actually a peach-shaped concession stand. We thought it was really unique and cool. It certainly could not be missed. We also saw this. But I didn't take any photos. 

We then decided to get out of the city, because there was a Children's Festival going on. So we decided to go to Naramata. It was our absolute favourite part of Pentiction. I believe there are about 22 wineries there. So beautiful to see! And a beautiful drive, and up so high, able to look down on the lake. Gorgeous. A feast for the eyes and the senses that is for sure. 

Sunday  morning, day two, and also our final day I actually got up around 7 a.m. (anxious to get a move on and get back home to see my kids!) and got ready while Cliff slept in until 8:30. I had most of the bags packed up, and Cliff showered and we gathered our bags, and checked out. We decided that we would hit the drive thru at Tim Hortons for a BELT, a coffee and a two cookies. We got that, drove to the beach and ate at the beach. Our BELT's were only BE's LOL. They left of the LT part. We enjoyed it anyways. It was another gorgeous day. We finished up, looked at the beautiful waterfront homes (reminded us of the beautiful Vancouver homes) and started our journey towards Oliver, B.C. aka as Canada's Wine Country or the Golden Mile. We drove around, we headed up around through the residential, the main road. We drove up to Cliff's favourite golf course there. Cliff told me he golfed there a couple of times with his Dad. So, some nice memories for him. I am glad he has those.

We then decided, to head to Osoyoos. Desert wine country. Yes I said desert. Sage brush and everything! A very awesome hot climate. Osoyoos is our VERY favourite spot in the Okanagan. MANY childhood memories of Haynes Point Provincial campground. A very unique campground that juts out into the middle of the lake. A beautiful warm lake.  And of course a couple of family trips there in the last 11 years. So, we parked on Main Street. Looked at the real estate. Had a few dreams of just staying there. We then drove to the motel we will be staying at in August with our kids. Looks good! We cannot wait! Then, we grabbed some fast food and drove home. I took lots of photos of fruit stand signs. I just love them. And we had a couple of stops for gas, and also snacks a long the way. A quick stop in Manning Park for a rest stop, and home. 

A great weekend away. We are thankful to my Sister Amy, and Tyler and K for helping us have a belated anniversary away together. 

P.S. I have a couple more photos, but I will blog them hopefully tomorrow!

Cathy xo

Day One | Penticton, B.C. Canada | C+C Weekend Getaway

Cliff and I smelled these flowers, and they brought us back to our childhood. 

That is always a nice feeling. Fond memories.

And the LILACS. There were lilacs EVERYWHERE. Huge gigantic trees of them. Every colour. The smells were amazing. And so beautiful.

We could have stayed here, in our very own lakeside private cottage on the private beach for $200 a night. Beautiful huh! Next time maybe. This was directly across from the historic hotel. 

Cliff took this of me on the historic steps of the hotel. 

The ride, and my hubby rocking out to some tunes. Behind the car is the 1912 historic Kaleden Hotel. 

The only photo of us together. Too bad it is a blurry oh well. 

We hit the road, after dinner on Friday night. We hit the Dairy Queen in Hope, B.C. and then drove the rest of the night until we reached the Ramada hotel in Penticton. It was about 10:20 p.m. when we got there. We got our hotel room, and soaked the night away with a bottle of local wine and some chocolates. And then to bed.

We arose on Saturday after a big sleep in of 8:00 a.m. wake up call, and a continental breakfast "in bed" delivered at 8:30 a.m. but we ate it on the deck. The morning was absolutely beautiful. So hot and sunny. By 9:30 a.m. we were showered and ready to hit the sights of Penticton. We drove all around, sunroof open. Local radio station playing. It didn't take us long to drive through, as it is not a very big town. We saw the Penticton river channel where you can float down the channel in inner tubes and floaties in the hot summer sun! We though that would be fun to do when the kids get a bit older! IT is a man made channel. So we decided to drive to Kaleden. It was 15 minutes outside of Penticton. A little bedroom town, not very populated, one small elementary school. And lots of hills. We were glad we had a small car, and not the 12 passenger van! Much easier to get around. The photos above were taken here. I sat on the same steps as those girls in the pdf. Pretty neat story behind the hotel. 

We also hit up Tickleberry's, which was another 15 minute drive past Kaleden. It was darn good. I had cherry cheese cake, and mint chocolate chip. Cliff had three other different scoops. DELISH. We drove around, we found some second hand windows at a garage sale. We got two heritage windows for $15. They are for the playhouse here at home.

And then we went to the pub for a late lunch. After lunch we went to Naramata. *Beautiful there, but I still have to work on the photos. We also climbed up to see the big *PENTICTON* on the side of the Munson Mountain. Just scroll down through the images, and you will see the letters sort of Hollywood-ish sign. I have some photos, and I will post them on the next blog. I got scared. I never get scared! It was too high up for me. I will do it on the next blog* Then for dinner, we ended up at the White Spot, a Canadian classic, and really how Cliff and I met each other. (At the Richmond White Spot.) So we usually go there when we can. It brings back great memories of when we met.  I had a chicken burger, a glass of wine. Cliff had some REALLY hot Indian dish, and naan bread. Then, we went back to the hotel, and walked off our dinner, as we were VERY full. A hand in hand walk along the lake shore. And then after that, a walk to Tim Hortons for a donut each. Then the hot tub, and some Pink. And then to bed. 

I will blog about Sunday hopefully this week. Some neat stories, and photos to share.

Back to Life

You see off in the distance, on the mountain. Well that says PENTICTON. We climbed up there.Me not so prepared to hike. I wore my breezy blowy girly skirt, my bright pink flip flops and carried my work camera with me in one hand.  More on this story to come. These are a few off of the camera phone only.

The beach.Lovely.

Ah, a jacuzzi room for two. Two evenings of relaxing with either a bottle of wine or champagne. Awesome.

Driving in my Sister's car...(my Dad's old car) with the sunroof open. Sunshine all around us. Beautiful weekend.

Reconnecting with your spouse of 11 years, and six kids later. 

PRICELESS.

It was a great weekend away, and I will blog more about our two night adventure. It was awesome.

At Three O' Clock

My Mom has posted a boatload of our wedding photos for all to see :D

click here to view...remember this is eleven years ago people!

Today, is a beautiful as it was on our wedding day. I would have to say that I cannot remember a raining anniversary! 

Happy Anniversary Cliff. I love you.

13 years ago today

Today, marks 13 years (and today is the 13th of February) when Cliff and I went on our very first date. That first date we went to Milestones for dinner, and then we went to see the movie  'Sense and Sensibility.' The next day, was Valentines Day 1996 (and tomorrow will be our 13th Valentines together) and we went to the Flying Beaver (a local pub) for a fun evening.  We ended up leaving and heading to a vancouver bar and playing pool, and then eventually hanging out at Prospect Point in Vancouver's Stanley Park until something like 2 am in the morning (on a work night---remember those days!?) 

Last night, Cliff and I headed into downtown Vancouver to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre to go to the Cultural Olympiad - Vancouver 2010 One-Year Countdown Celebration. This was an evening to celebrate the countdown of 365 days until the 2010 Olympics here in our hometown of Vancouver, BC Canada. This evening had many amazing sights and sounds (And we had great seats!!)  It was a great program that had all Canadian talent. It started with a Four Host First Nations drum dance, Joel Plaskett, Alberta Ballet that performed an excerpt from Joni Mitchell's (another very famous Canadian) "The Fiddle and The Drum", then we heard Adrian Anantawan on his violin (and he was born without his right hand!), Luke Doucet, and of course a very famous Canadian Sarah McLachlan. I would have to say Sarah was the highlight of our night. We have always wanted to see her in concert since the Lilith Fair days. She did not let us down. AMAZING. Her playlist was great, including two new songs, and old great songs like Ice Cream, Building a Mystery, Adia and many more! It was so incredible.

I felt extremely proud to be a Canadian yesterday, and I  cannot believe that yesterday marked 365 days until Vancouver 2010! If this was just a taste of what is to come, I cannot WAIT to see what the 2010 Olympics will be like. I encourage you to Google some of the links and listen to some of our Canadian Talent. I hadn't heard of any one of these artists (except for Sarah!) 

I would have to say on a side note, I was walking up the stairs from the long, very long washroom line up during a 20 minute intermission and guess who starts talking to me. Silken Laumann. She was talking about the bathroom line up, and how inspiring the ballet was. And, of course how exciting this whole evening was. She shook my hand, and introduced herself as Silken,  (and I was star-struck!!) and I introduced myself as Cathy (and then I introduced Cliff) and she shook his hand. If you are not sure who Silken is, well she is of course Canadian, and Canadian champion rower. Amazing person! So cool.

Wow, it was beautiful night. And it was so wonderful to spend that evening with just me and my husband of almost 11 years. It was much needed, and much appreciated. Thanks Mom in Law for the sitting so we could get out for the evening. It is nights like this that have become so very important to us, to remember and cherish our love for each other. A night that allows us to be just Cathy and Cliff. Who cares if we ate at Burger King...it was just for us.

Rare

We hardly get a photo together. So, an image like this is rare. It was from the bowling night last Saturday (Cliff's shoes kind of give that away...as do the balls in the background!)

Thank Amy for the photo :D

Crash Test Mommy Gil to the RESCUE!!

Well, it hasn't been the best around here lately. There has been a lot of crying, acting out, and a lot of outbursts. Anger, hitting, wild nights, regressions including pee and poop accidents. Nightmares, kids in our bed at night. You name it, it has happened to us lately. And add in summer vacation, hot, long and tiring days. Warm bedrooms, and complaints that it is too early to go to bed. Summer school and summer camp. It has been busy.

Thankfully we has two sets of angels come to our rescue on the past Friday night. Cliff and I don't get a lot of time to ourselves. We have our (of late) one glass of wine on the front stoop in the dark (well one citronella candle burning) and chat. But we haven't been away from our house together for a night since last October when I was almost due to have Courtney.

So, Cliff arranged to have my parents come over from 5 pm until around 9 pm to give the kids dinner and to bed, and then our former Crash Test Mommy Gil came over night to watch all six kids so we could get out to a hotel for the night. We got out for dinner together, a yummy ice cream. We then came home around 9 I fed Courtney and then we left for the hotel for the night.

We didn't get any phonecalls from Gil, and the night went so well. He handled them all and even spent one lovely hour with Coconut from 2:45-3:45 am but she went back down.

So thank you Mom and Dad and Gil for coming to our rescue when we needed it most.

I promised, and I delivered!

When I was pregnant with Courtney, I promised the kids that after I had her that I would show them first that I can still rock a cartwheel like nobodys business, and two that I would teach them. So, this weekend I did just that! Thanks to Cliff for capturing this really fun time with our kids! I plan on doing way more like this!!

Me mid cartwheel (note the ice cream in Catie's hand!)

Cartwheels with the kids! What fun!!

Mother and son rocking their moves on the lawn in the sun!

She's still got it after almost 20 years!

Saw another Crash Test Mommy...

Cliff and I actually went out on a 'date' on Friday night. The 3 big kids were to sleep over at my Mom and Dad's. But, we had sickos all around. So we cancelled out on our babysitter. But, my Mom offered to come over and put all of the kids to bed so we could still get out. So that was nice.

We went to Milestones and had our faves there. And, I actually had a Bellini. I haven't had one in about 10 years I think. Pre kids that is for sure. It was nice. A nice appy meal a nice drink and adult conversation. It was quiet. Fun and a nice thing to do with a spouse. Much needed these days. I wore heels, I straightened my hair. I felt good. So did Cliff. After our dinner we walked over to the local Chapters bookstore to get a coffee and a treat at the Starbucks. It was our date/splurge night and we did just that. I haven't had a drink IN YEARS. Seriously not on my list of priorities. But it was good.

Anyways, we got our drinks and a our treats and we are sitting down leisurely enjoying each others company and we glance over to the magazine area and low and behold I see Jimmy Jamieson. He was on episode 2 of Crash Test Mommy. He had a child in a stroller and he was wearing vans. I said to Cliff I recognize that guy! Then I thought about it and I said that is Jimmy Jamieson from CTM. Cliff told me to go say hi, but I didn't. I wanted to go say hi, but I didn't. My shyness came out and I didn't talk to him. I should have. Oh well. We tried to find him but he was gone. My loss I guess.

(Episode 02 - Jimmy Jamieson

Laid back surfer dude Jimmy Jamieson is about to get a crash course in Mommydom when he's picked to be this episode's Crash Test Mommy. His mission: to look after, for 48 hours, his sister-in-law Sharon's four young sons, ranging in age from five years to 19 months old, at their Chilliwack home.

Our host, Dagmar Midcap, whisks Sharon off for a blissful, two-day getaway, enjoying a luxurious hotel suite, gourmet meals, a private yoga session, shopping sprees, and romantic strolls with husband, Leif.

Back at home, Uncle Jimmy's four energetic young charges begin to run him off his feet, as he juggles chaotic family expeditions to the supermarket, messy adventures in home pizza-making, the disastrous combination of kids and room painting, a health medley of upset stomachs and minor injuries, and a haphazard regimen of nap times and housecleaning chores.)

Anyways. We then took a drive afterwards and looked at big passenger vans. We parked our mini van beside a huge white van and our van looked so small. I remember going from little red sports car to smaller mini van, and then bigger mini van. I did fine with that transition. I am sure I can do the jump to big van too. It all takes time to get used to I guess.