Vansterdam

Lisbon Day 1: Lisbon Arrive before noon [Confirmed] Lodging:  House inside the Castle Grounds $60/night for 2 nights The Feira da Ladra market translates into the dubious name of Market of the Female Thieves, but the whole flea market is perfectly safe and even fun if your pleasure is rummaging through 80% junk and haggling the price down for that one standout item. Massage:  http://www.terraheal.com/types-of-massage.html $60pp Nap Dinner:  Walking tasting tour with local guide $88pp Day 2: Sintra (Lisbon) Breakfast: TBD [Confirmed] Explore  Sintra (day trip) with local guide  Bring water, light jacket, towel and swimsuit for beach! $96pp Dinner: Alma (fine dining)  Day 3: Lisbon - Azores Breakfast: Pastries ? Shopping/Exploring [Confirmed] Depart to Azores @1:05pm Arrive 2:30pm Grocery Store for Snacks Dinner: TBD [Confirmed] Lodging:  AirBnB with a View $90/night for 4 nights Azores Day ...

Roxanne's lofty goal while being in Vancouver is to hike all the following trails (except those that are above her ability): Abby Grind Admiralty Point Al's Habrich Ridge Trail Aldergrove Regional Park Alice Lake Ancient Cedars Trail Ascent Trail Baden Powell Deep Cove to Lynn Canyon  - completed a portion with Miss Bella 10/6/18 after returning from Peru. There we discussed how society is weird and what the purpose of life is. Deep Cove = Deep Thoughts. Probably, my favorite view in Vancouver. Baden Powell Lynn Canyon to Grouse BCMC Trail Bert Flinn Park Big Cedar and Kennedy Falls Trail Black Tusk Blackcomb Meadows Bosumarne Falls Boundary Bay Regional Park Bowen Lookout Brae Island Regional Park Brandywine Falls Brandywine Meadows Bridal Veil Falls Brohm Lake Brothers Creek Loop Brunswick Point Buntzen Lake Burnaby Lake Burnaby Mountain Burnett Falls ...

Here's a running list of totally Canadian things: Even there buses are "sorry". The full message reads "Sorry...Not in Service". 6" of snow at Whistler vs. Gorgeous sunny sunset in Vancouver But seriously, perfect sunsets are a thing, as seen here from the top of Grouse Mountain. The Canadian left turn. Yellow lights do not mean "speed up" here, instead, you stop to allow left turners to go. Be aware. ::Photo or video to come:: The Canadian joint left-right turn. Yes, you can make a left turn while oncoming traffic makes a right turn. It is known, that you will take the inside lane and they will take their inside lane like a perfectly coordinated line dance. However, I still can't do it without fearing certain death, so I get honked at a lot. ::Photo or video to come::

Not only did Kyle and I need our booster dose of Julie, but as it turns out, Bella did too. Bella has been in a funk for the last few weeks: moping under the bed, sluggishly going for walks, and generally being aloof.  Within 30 minutes of Julie visiting, she was back to her perky, loving self! After picking her up from the airport, we whisked her away to Grouse Mountain for a little skiing. The following day, Kyle and Julie hit the slopes at Whistler. Thankfully, we snagged a family photo for Family Day. The best part: She is coming back at the end of March!

As silly as it sounds, I don't either of us felt fully "moved" until our things arrived. Now, it is really starting to feel like our home. It was a beautiful day, so long as you were 30 floors up. Otherwise, you only saw glimpses of the sky. Out dining room courtesy of Craigslist. As Kyle stated recently "Your Craigslist skills are lit!" Our living room, the space we spend the most time, and Miss Bella who is starting to acclimate. My office, which still needs a little attention, but is still a wonderful space to work. The TV/guest room, the most difficult to photograph given its layout. As a final note, "Thank you" to those who pushed me to FINALLY posting these photos.  You know you have a dear friend when they hold your feet to the fire 3,000 miles away.

Yes, I am biased, but she IS the cutest. Feeling more at home here, I guess. Glamour Shots Mom I HATE these Boots, THROW THEM AWAY NOW! (we did) But the sound they make is hilarious. Also, here she is burying her bread in the one clean spot of her pee pad. Sleepy puppy. Spazzy puppy. Queen of the Beach Beach Walker Cutie Profile Water Puppy

So it is now safe to say, that while on average Vancouver is cooler than Atlanta, it definitely gets colder in Atlanta than in Vancouver. Taken: December 8th, Text Messages, Atlanta and Vancouver Taken: December 9th, Atlanta, almost a foot of snow Taken: December 9th, Atlanta, wake boarding the front yard on snow Taken: January 5th, Atlanta, frozen trash ice block