Sheila & Alex's Wedding, Vancouver... Part One

Tuesday 12 October, Tegan, Fraser, Pat, Rick and I flew from Calgary to Vancouver to meet up with the rest of the family in order to attend Sheila & Alex's wedding which was taking place on the Saturday. Sheila is Chris's cousin. The Canadian side of Chris's family had not met Tegan and Fraser so it was a fabulous opportunity for us all to spend some time together and Sheila had kindly asked Tegan to be flower girl and Fraser ring bearer.

After a great flight which only took 1hr 15mins we arrived to sunshine which we didn't expect in Vancouver as people told us it only rained there - they were proved very wrong as we had lovely weather all week and perfect for Sheila's wedding on Saturday evening - almost summer like.

Our first point of call after collecting our hire car (which I would like to point out I drove for 5 days with one arm - probably illegal - all around Vancouver with Rick navigating) we dropped our bags of at the hotel (which looked like it was situated in the middle of China town) and then went round to Sheila and Alex's new house in Delta. It was great to meet up with everyone and Tegan and Fraser soon made friends with all the aunts, uncles, cousins & husbands off - they did a get a little confused.

After breakfast on Wednesday morning we all met up and decided to go to Stanley Park. So with a little navigating round 'down town' Vancouver we arrived at the park on a glorious sunny day. The park covers 1,000 acres of forested peninsula and is a Canadian national historic site. There is so much to do in the park from trails, cycling, horse carriage rides, train rides, gardens, totem poles, aquarium, farmyard and much more. The park sits on a peninsula and therefore the scenery is fantastic looking across the Burrard Inlet toward the city centre with all the amazing buildings and condos. It was decided that we would go to the aquarium, whilst the rest of the family went for a walk around the park.

On entering the aquarium we first visited the Tropic Zone which incorporated the Amazon rain forest. Straight away Tegan and Fraser had their noses pushed against the glass tanks looking at the amazing creatures along with Pat, Rick and myself. We then progressed into the Treasures of the BC Coast which again was so interesting to see the vast variety of sea animals in the local area. After spending time looking and learning inside we stepped outside to see the sea otters, sea lions, beluga whales and dolphins, also managing to catch the dolphin show.

Wednesday evening we attended the wedding rehearsal so that Tegan and Fraser could see what they were expected to do. The wedding was taking place at Seasons in the Park situated in Queen Elizabeth park in Vancouver - an amazing setting with fantastic views from the restaurant. We also got to meet other members of Alex's family. At this point I was still not convinced that Fraser would go ahead with being the ring bearer, although he is 'very' outgoing he does get shy in situations where everyone is looking at him. However there was hope - Alex's brother Matthew, who has 3 children, became Fraser's friend and things were looking up. Fingers crossed for Saturday. Very kindly after the rehearsal Alex's mum invited us all round for supper and was a very gracious host providing us with some lovely food and a great evening to get to know their family. Fraser made friends with Matthew's son Thomas and likewise Tegan with Olivia who was 13 years old but played with Tegan.

Thanksgiving...

Monday 11th October was Thanksgiving in Canada so we decided to cook a big roast turkey on the Sunday (Chris was out on the prairie on the Monday) along with a chocolate bread pudding, should have been pumpkin pie but we decided an alternative was better. Pat & Rick were still with us at this point so after a lovely Sunday walk out on the prairie we came home to a brilliant lunch cooked by Chris, very handy in the kitchen.

Monday Tegan and Fraser were off school due to the bank holiday so we all went ice skating. This broke the day up as I was also packing as we were due to fly to Vancouver on the Tuesday in order to attend Chris's cousin Sheila's wedding. Disaster struck jut as we were about to leave the ice - I was standing still when Tegan skated into the back of me and took my legs away from me, I landed on the ice on my left arm. Later that evening the pain was intense so I decided a quick trip (down into Medicine Hat) to the hospital was necessary. After a very swift x-ray and speaking to the doctors I came out to greet Chris wearing a pink plaster cast, approximately for 6 weeks.

Sept & Oct ....

Woops a few weeks have flown by yet again since my last update so here we go.

Finally Fraser is now in school full time and still all seems well, he is more than happy lining up for school in the morning and off he goes. He did come out of school recently, proudly pulled out a plastic bag from his coat pocket where he showed me his 5 pet grasshoppers and their food 'grass' and then promptly shoved them back into his pocket - you've got to love boys!

The last weekend of September saw a long weekend for the kids. So Friday morning Fraser went to play with Harry whilst I took Tegan, Mia and Lexi up to camp in order for them to try and sell all their Girl Guide Cookies - what a success they had on the unsuspecting soldiers and managed to have a complete sell out. After collecting Fraser I took them all ice skating prior to a quick stop for lunch then a cycle ride around the prairie in order to walk Jinx before heading into Medicine Hat. My kind neighbour informed me first thing Friday morning that I had a large nail stuck in my rear tyre which wasn't the start to the day I wanted as Chris was out on the prairie on not due home for a couple of days. So on the way to Med Hat I called into Kirk's Tires, put on a little lip gloss and they very kindly plugged my tyre for me, foc. Fraser thought it was great how they sorted out the tyre and was mesmerised for 5 minutes. After shopping as the kids had been so good all day we met up with Noo, Harry & Lexi and went out for tea - a great end to a busy day.

The remainder of the weekend was spent going to the cinema and then on Sunday I summoned up some courage and decided it was time that I did a weekend 'shinny' (friendly ice hockey game with whoever turns up plays). I was on the 'light' coloured team and after a couple of minutes of play whilst sitting on the bench I started to remember how much the guys smell whilst playing hockey - mind you I'm sure I don't smell of roses. It was a good game and good experience so I intend to play lots more.

Prior to doing the weekend shinny I had participated in the week long 2nd year skate school, which was a great feeling getting back on the ice and trying to remember all the things we had been taught from the previous season. This week 4 Oct is hockey school and then the games begin, starting Friday with a shinny against the 1st year guys. Sam T also organised a girls night to visit a local store in Medicine Hat called Source for Sports - a hockey store. BATUS and Source for Sports have a good relationship therefore they were happy to put on a night just for us girls, providing us with nibbles and wine/beer and enabling us to have the store all to ourselves and ask any questions regarding hockey. I would say most of us girls bought something - well I mean girls in a shop and not buying anything! Some girls spent a little more that others especially after lots of wine.

Pat & Rick arrived in Canada on the 30th September and so far the weather has been fantastic for them with lots of Autumn sunshine. They were in time to see Tegan and Fraser participate in the schools Terry Fox run which took place on Friday. Friends Sam T and Sam D also have their parents out visiting Canada so Saturday night we decided to take them all to Ralphs Texas Bar for a night of cowboys and two stepping - brilliant fun. Sunday was a picnic in Echo Dale park and a walk along the Saskatchewan river again in fantastic fall sunshine.

Monday 4 October 8 girls went western style horse riding to celebrate Noo's birthday - I forgot how high you are once on a horse. We went on an hour long ride out over the prairie - a great way to spend a Monday morning and all the horses behaved. On returning to the village Laura very kindly provided birthday lunch for us all and all the visiting mum's came round to join in.