The Annual Larnder - O'Donnell Camping Trip

This year's camping trip adventure started early in the day, before everyone was set to meet up. We hadn't reserved a site this year, so decided that we would camp local so that I could run out and save us a spot. Chris and I had actually tried to get a spot the day before, but the campsite was totally full. We noticed that quite a few people were set to leave the next day, so I got up early and was there when the campground opened. I noticed that people were starting to circle the campground, so I staked out the site I wanted and didn't budge for a few hours. The people in the site took their time packing up, but I was happy with my score once they left.  

 

This is a pretty typical picture of when Chris and Gary get together. There is always something to figure out.

 

Spending time chillaxin'

 

A man and his BBQ

 

Love my reading time :)

 

Almost the entire weekend is spent playing card games

 

Love that the teenagers still join us and have so much fun together!

Even Christopher showed up...not that he looks thrilled about it in this pic.

He had us on the clock and stayed pretty much exactly 24 hours and then was out of there.

He is definitely not a camper, so I appreciate the effort he made for dear ol' mom and dad.

 

Every good camping trip involves yummy drinks. This year I had bought a pail of dacquiri mix...you just add your liquor and freeze. This was perfect since we did not have electricity at this site.

We enhanced the drinks by adding strawberries left over from the Larnders' breakfast.

Perfect! 

 

Besties! 

 

We went for a short hike to a waterfall one morning

 

The guys like their frisbee time down at the lake

 

The kids were determined to try the floaty in the lake

 

More card playing at the park near the lake

 

My beautiful friend!

 

Campfire time...

 

There was a campfire ban on so our gas fire bowl came in super handy!

 

In the evenings, we often end up with the adults in one trailer and the teenagers in the other.

The adults can do their share of acting silly...

We all had a great time and have already made a few plans for next year!

See you then!

The Package Tour 2013

It seems like every few years our fave band from when we were teenagers rolls into town, and it's a night down memory lane that we just can't let go of.  This year Sonya's daughter, Paige,  joined us for her first concert ever.  Our adventure usually begins on the skytrain and then we quickly head off in search of food.  We grabbed a quick slice of pizza and then it was off to snoop around General Motors Place to see what we could find. 

Three Beauties!

      

                                                                                                              

We found the tour buses....

Paige's first concert!

Bestie photo-op :)
 

Acting silly and getting a bit giddy...

The first act of the show was Boys to Men. These guys still have got great harmony!

Next up was 98 Degrees.  I don't recall really being into them and Paige thought they were creepy old men...time to get on with the real show please...

                                                                                                                           

And here they are...NKOTB!!

The next generation?

      

The boys always end the show with two things...Boston jerseys and the song "Hangin' Tough".

 

Another great girls night! We have decided that we can't let our tradition die and will be going back for more the next time the  guys come back to town.

 

July 4, 2013

It has become somewhat of a tradition to head down to our neighbours to the South and spend the Fourth of July down on the beach at Birch Bay. 

 This year Kenton brought a friend. I believe they are checking out the chicks in this pic.

We kinda have a "spot", which seems to be catching on a little more each year. 

My lovely parents :)

Almost married twenty years in this pic.

 

While we wait for twilight and the festivities to begin, we are always treated with a beautiful sunset!

This pic can't even begin to capture how fireworks are going off around the entire bay all at once...

What patriotism!

We had made plans to make a long weekend of it so the next evening we sat around the fire with my aunt and uncle.

Chris found a great deal on rack of lamb on the way down so we had a feast! 

Dana had driven her motorcycle down for the day to join us in the fun.

Next year, July 4 is on a Friday so we will definitely be heading down for a long weekend. 

Maybe even a few more people will be joining us.  I think my nieces would love it! 

Happy Independence Day everyone!

Our 20th Anniversary

July 7, 1993

Christopher O'Donnell...

Took....

Heather Klassen...

To be his wife...

Through good times and bad times...

Through sickness and health...

Twenty years ago...

Twenty years later...

Couldn't resist trying on my dress for fun....

pleasantly surprised I could still squeeze into it :)