Over Labor Day weekend, we all piled into the car yet again, crossed the border into Canada, and made our way to Vancouver B.C. for the wedding of Kevin's lovely cousin, Nicola.
The trip was quite an adventure, but it is no secret that I am behind in my blogging and I desperately need to get last year's blog book ready for printing. So, instead of a play-by-play account, I will just make a list of what happens when big family meets big city.
*Mae throws up in the car at the curbside of the lovely downtown Hyatt Regency.
*Car is too big for the underground parking at our hotel.
*We are practically the only family present.
*Outdoor "heated" hotel pool (purpose for which we booked this hotel in he first place) is heated to the extent of a melting ice-cube and completely shaded by surrounding bldgs.
*Dueck children "sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked and walked" (okay, so they actually did not sing even a tiny bit while walking, but we did in fact walk A LOT--as in everywhere!).
*To avoid overwhelming the local population at all the cute little bistros, we make many many trips to the McDonald's right across from our hotel.
*Canadian McDonald's (or big-city ones??) have special menus for those of us who can't stand McDonald's in the first place (thank you thai chicken sandwich, I think I might have died if I had to eat cheeseburgers all weekend).
*There is barely enough room to fit a stroller (let alone five kids and a stroller) through the walking spaces in the McDonald's--or anywhere else for that matter.
*Grandma Loo (& friend Glenn) stays with all the kids in the hotel for an evening, while we attend a wedding dinner and reception. They are highly bribed with on-demand movies (the
kids, not grandma & Glenn).
*I almost crash into innocent bystanders along the high-traffic Stanley Park biking path, as I attempt to pull one five-year-old and a sleeping baby in a large biking trailer--in my defence, I have not ridden a bike since I was 9.
*Kevin goes out for a relaxing jaunt around Stanley Park--returns approx. 15 miles later, can barely walk the rest of the day;).
*We try not to confuse the room service receptionist with our massive order.
*Just before heading home, we suit up and venture over to this great-looking, outdoor "heated" pool that we were anticipating visiting before leaving.
*The definition of "heated" in canadianese is different than that of Nanciish.
*The lifeguards are very serious about preventing fun (I mean, saving lives).
*The unspoken rule of one adult for every child does not compute with a family of 7.
*45 minutes after arriving at the pool--just after getting the last of our sunblock applied--we decide it's time to say goodbye to the big city and mozy on home.
Okay, so now that I've had my fun, it's time for some pictures.
The trip was quite an adventure, but it is no secret that I am behind in my blogging and I desperately need to get last year's blog book ready for printing. So, instead of a play-by-play account, I will just make a list of what happens when big family meets big city.
*Mae throws up in the car at the curbside of the lovely downtown Hyatt Regency.
*Car is too big for the underground parking at our hotel.
*We are practically the only family present.
*Outdoor "heated" hotel pool (purpose for which we booked this hotel in he first place) is heated to the extent of a melting ice-cube and completely shaded by surrounding bldgs.
*Dueck children "sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked and walked" (okay, so they actually did not sing even a tiny bit while walking, but we did in fact walk A LOT--as in everywhere!).
*To avoid overwhelming the local population at all the cute little bistros, we make many many trips to the McDonald's right across from our hotel.
*Canadian McDonald's (or big-city ones??) have special menus for those of us who can't stand McDonald's in the first place (thank you thai chicken sandwich, I think I might have died if I had to eat cheeseburgers all weekend).
*There is barely enough room to fit a stroller (let alone five kids and a stroller) through the walking spaces in the McDonald's--or anywhere else for that matter.
*Grandma Loo (& friend Glenn) stays with all the kids in the hotel for an evening, while we attend a wedding dinner and reception. They are highly bribed with on-demand movies (the
kids, not grandma & Glenn).
*I almost crash into innocent bystanders along the high-traffic Stanley Park biking path, as I attempt to pull one five-year-old and a sleeping baby in a large biking trailer--in my defence, I have not ridden a bike since I was 9.
*Kevin goes out for a relaxing jaunt around Stanley Park--returns approx. 15 miles later, can barely walk the rest of the day;).
*We try not to confuse the room service receptionist with our massive order.
*Just before heading home, we suit up and venture over to this great-looking, outdoor "heated" pool that we were anticipating visiting before leaving.
*The definition of "heated" in canadianese is different than that of Nanciish.
*The lifeguards are very serious about preventing fun (I mean, saving lives).
*The unspoken rule of one adult for every child does not compute with a family of 7.
*45 minutes after arriving at the pool--just after getting the last of our sunblock applied--we decide it's time to say goodbye to the big city and mozy on home.
Okay, so now that I've had my fun, it's time for some pictures.
Here we are in Stanley Park (2nd day in Vancouver) for Nicola and Ryan's "beach front" wedding ceremony. It was very nice and I'm so thankful to my mom & Glenn for also making the trip to the big B.C. to watch the little ones during the ceremony.
Darling Aunt Vicki and Mom & Dad Dueck visiting before the ceremony.
James doing a stellar job participating in the ceremony
Darling Aunt Vicki and Mom & Dad Dueck visiting before the ceremony.
James doing a stellar job participating in the ceremony (I know it's hard to see, but I promise, it's him).
The happy couple and beautiful view.
The evening of the wedding, we headed out with Kevin's folks for a wedding dinner/reception on Grouse Mountain. It was a beautiful place. The gondola ride and everything that followed was very nice.
The happy couple and beautiful view.
The evening of the wedding, we headed out with Kevin's folks for a wedding dinner/reception on Grouse Mountain. It was a beautiful place. The gondola ride and everything that followed was very nice. 
The view from the gondola. The view on the way back (with everything lit up) was probably even more impressive. 
The next day we walked down to a cute condo that Aunt Vicki was renting for the weekend, and met up with a bunch of the fam for lunch at Granville Island.
Always someone to have fun with when there's 7 people around!
Little sillies.
The great part was that Granville Island was just a short water taxi ride away. Yep, that's it in the background.
We ate and looked around at shops and saw a little street show, but the favorite activity was probably feeding the pigeons.
Getting a better view for the street show. Don't think Brooks even knows he's missing it.
what a fun weekend!
Despite the narrow walkways, freezing pools, and vomit clean-up breaks, we had a fantastic weekend. It was great to get away as a family and explore somewhere new! And what a pleasure to visit with family who we often to not get to see.
The next day we walked down to a cute condo that Aunt Vicki was renting for the weekend, and met up with a bunch of the fam for lunch at Granville Island.
Always someone to have fun with when there's 7 people around!
Little sillies.
The great part was that Granville Island was just a short water taxi ride away. Yep, that's it in the background. 
We ate and looked around at shops and saw a little street show, but the favorite activity was probably feeding the pigeons.
Getting a better view for the street show. Don't think Brooks even knows he's missing it.
what a fun weekend!
Despite the narrow walkways, freezing pools, and vomit clean-up breaks, we had a fantastic weekend. It was great to get away as a family and explore somewhere new! And what a pleasure to visit with family who we often to not get to see. Thanks for getting married, Nicola!:)
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