Lots and Lots

Where to start...

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE ALREADY READ THIS ENTRY - THERE'S BEEN AN UPDATE AS I WAS REMINDED I FORGOT A FEW THINGS

Sander (pronounced like "Saunder" - the Bawt's friend from Holland) has been here visiting the last week or so and will be heading home tomorrow. He has great English and has had fun hiking Grouse, going to Cultus Lake, and playing games with all of us.

Well I finally went to a Pow Wow - Spirit of the People to be exact. It was AWESOME! I have always loved Native/First Nations Peoples heritage and philosophies so I had immediate chills when we walked into the arena and the grand entry began. The garb is a bit different from the old traditional wear as it has a bit of an 80's touch with some bright neon colors. There were however some more traditional looking wear and to hear the songs/chants and to see them all dancing was very exciting for me. Brandon, Aunt Sheri, Connor, Saunder, and Jenni all came and they met up with a friend.

Young boy at the Pow Wow


This man was an awesome dancer...


Aunt Sheri, Brandon, Sander, and Connor and I went to North Vancouver where we did a tough hike called the Grouse Grind. It is 2hrs of climbing straight up the mountain. We all did really well and had a few little parties at each quarter mark! We met some people, made friends, and then went to a fantastic lumberjack show, a Wraptor show, and took a chairlift to the highest peak. It was an awesome day. We all had such a good time and were so happy we "Survived the Grind." <--- T-Shirt slogan at the top!

WARNING


Shot of the climbers


We also went to visit Ben (Australian friend) and Rebecca in Port Moody to congratulate the two on being newly engaged!! SO 'WICKED'! (I'm getting a lot of reaction to my constant use of 'wicked')...but anyway - we hung out, had some drinks, got a little crazy and then went into Port Moody the next morning to explore. As the two of us were not feeling super, we took it easy and walked around the waterfront boardwalk area after I ate a bagel and Brandon ate a B.E.L.T (Bacon Egg Lettuce Tomato) which he thinks Canadians really love because they are on all the breakfast menus. bahaha. Sidetrack though - so after breakfast we went and walked on the boardwalk until it got too hot. Sorry everyone back east, the weather has been beautiful the whole summer! :P We watched a Great Blue Heron snatch fish and ducklings clean their feathers.

View from the Boardwalk


Brandon and I on the Boardwalk


Then this morning (Tuesday) we went for an unbelievable flight up and around the mountains in Chilliwack area and over the Fraser river valley. So amazing and Brandon and I are so thankful that Aunt Sheri and Uncle Jamie gave us the opportunity to do the flight. It was one of the biggest highlights of the summer! The views of glaciers and glacial lakes on top of the mountain range was gorgeous - as was the giant waterfalls, the spidery Fraser River, and flying out of tiny Chilliwack Airport in the small 1960's Cherokee 180. THANK YOU UNCLE JAMIE/AUNT SHERI!

Cherokee 180 - Our Flight


:) In Flight


The Mountains


Glacier on the Mountaintop


http://www.youtube.com/ameroo1986 <-- Video of our Flight and the Blue Heron eating fish! Please watch at least the Heron, it's very cool!

Other then those major updates, Brandon and I have been hanging out with the fam and doing stuff around Chilliwack area. Aunt Sheri, Jenny, and I had a fun late night party on the front porch - talking, laughing, and other funny things! ;) It was very fun. Aunt Sheri continues to make fun things for dinner (tonight was Greek Gyros) and as we are not as creative, we do hope they like some of the things we make!? bahaha.

Brandon's mum, Sandy is currently trying to sell Brandon's jeep and has been SO kind to clean it and market it for us while we are out here! Aiden (1.5yrs) was very helpful with helping 'Gamma' clean! I know I speak for both of us when I say we can't wait to get home and see how much Aiden has grown in the last few months. I know I could hear a very full and clear sentence over the phone the other day! :)

Alright - time to play a game with everyone. Leave a comment, I love them!

Amy <3