Whistler Getaway ~ Oct. 6 - 8th

Every year, the boys have Pro-Days on the Thursday and Friday before Thanksgiving, giving us a 5-day weekend. For once we thought we'd try to make the most of it, instead of going to the eye doctor or other such excitement. :) With a deadline of needing to be back Saturday afternoon for a family occasion, it was a short trip although long enough for the older teens. Driving around Squamish for lunch, we finally found a picnic table outside a Tim Horton's. Do we look like we're having fun yet?

Nora's pretty flexible with whatever's going on, especially if food is involved. :)

Once we settled into the lovely place we were staying, we had a lovely visit from Nora's "China Sisters", who live in Whistler and get to see each other all the time. So fun. Melissa came over first with Isabella, who is 4 days older than Nora.

She is so cute, and inspired us this summer with her fun hair-bows. :) Chasing each other around the pole soon became an entertaining game.

Layna arrived a little later with Ai-Li, who was eager to show us her wind-up gerbils!

Ai-Li is super sweet and happy, too, and likes to dance spontaneously.

This is such a precious photo... little girls that started life together before we ever knew them.

Typical of toddlers, the girls sort of wandered around each, occasionally squabbling over the toys.

Three beautiful blessings... all doing so well in their families.

The boys went off for some activity with Dad... again, helmets!

Charles, with his most valuable possession...

To help the boys enjoy themselves, we just keep stuffing them with junk food and treats. It seems to help! We had movie nights, as Nora goes to bed early.

James was quite miserable until the second day, around 4 pm. We're not sure what the secret is to get him to be involved. Once he's back though, it's all teasing and making funny comments. He is a funny guy when he decides to get with the program.

Friday morning, we did a small walk around the perimeter of Lost Lake. Very pretty, and just short enough to keep the number of inflicted injuries by the brothers to a minimal.

It only took eight attempts to not have James scowl so obviously... you know I'm saving those photos for a future wedding... payback will be sweet. :)

Thomas working on his appearance of "levitation." (He needs to practice more...)

Thomas tries his hand at photography...

We explored the Olympic Plaza in the village. Nora thought this slide was amazing!

Now the boys have a sense of what Whistler is like, at least on the ground! Kind of fun to see after we'd enjoyed watching the Winter Olympics last year. Hope to visit some time again, but we'll only take 3 of the kids I'm guessing. (You can guess who'll be staying home...)