Have I ever mentioned I’m REALLY into vacations?

Derek and I took off for Seattle a few weekends ago at the last minute. I got a great deal on the Westin downtown through Priceline and made a Thursday afternoon decision that we would head south Friday afternoon.

We spent the weekend walking around Seattle, shopping, had coffee with a friend then drove back north… stopping at the outlets along the way.

Have I also ever mentioned that I’m REALLY into sunshine and decks? Derek and I bought our patio set on Friday and spent the afternoon putting it together. Unfortunately it’s no longer sunny and it’s too cold to use it… but I foresee many a weekends spent barbequing and relaxing with friends up there.

No time

It has been a stressful week.

I haven't had any time to myself, or any time to edit any Victoria photos. Below is all I've managed.

I'm away on Business (back to Victoria) Friday-Sunday, so hopefully I'll have downtime in the evenings (and internet in my hotel) to post. I am gearing up for Mexico though... 10 more sleeps

Long weekend = long work week

Despite the shortened week (due to the fabulous August long weekend) this week seems ridiculously long.

Perhaps it’s because I have other things on my mind, like counting the 24 days until Mexico, or counting down the 8 days until my fabulous Anniversary trip with a fabulous Man…. Or even counting down the 6 weeks until my fabulous Surf trip to Tofino… I have a ridiculous amount of pent up excitement when it comes to September…. Which is dubbed as Kelly’s month long vacation. WOO HOOO!!!!!

Anyways, since I know you only read my blog for the photos, I’ll cut right to the chase; Here was my long weekend.

1. Getting ready for a paddle into English Bay for the Fireworks (Saturday)

2. Fireworks (we were close & in front of all other boats... I'm not zoomed in, we were that close)

3. Fireworks (it was hard to keep my camera still while on the kayak)

4. Paddling under the Granville St Bridge

5. I had the camera underwater in the hottub, this is underwater Derek.

6. This was my face after hiking up to Quarry Rock... we hiked there, ran back (its not all downhill going back)

7. Deep Cove from Quarry Rock

Photographic Satisfaction

Today is another one of those days at work where I have a huge list of to do’s, but can’t seem to actually motivate myself to do any of them. Therefore I shall post a few photos from Yesterday.

The first one is to satisfy your carnal craving… (the meat, not Derek). We bbq’d some delicious steaks last night, as well as roasted peppers & mushrooms on skewers.

Secondly, I had a good hair day, and what self respecting female doesn’t take a photo on a good hair day??!! (It can’t be just me!?)

And lastly, here is the Oswego Hotel in Victoria. I didn’t take this photo, but Derek and I have decided to take a weekend away in Victoria next month for our anniversary. We had planned to just spend it in Vancouver, but Tourism Victoria has an amazing promotion on right now where they will pay for your ferry (round-trip) if you book two nights (or more) in a hotel. So we’ve booked this really modern looking fabulous Hotel (The Oswego) for the 15th- 17th of August for a little get-away. How can you not love this hotel? Our suite comes with this full, fabulous kitchen that is way nicer than anything we'll own for a very long time.

I'm getting old....

I attended my friend Cindy’s stagette Saturday during the day, it was a beach picnic & pole dancing class. Pole dancing is pretty hilarious actually, especially when you have zero moves (me). In fact, during the lap dancing component of the lesson, I fell off the chair and smacked my head on the way down. Sorry Derek, looks like you’re out of luck…..

Sunday was filled with shopping downtown. I randomly ran into Vanessa (Loewen) Voth from Capernwray, who was downtown for the weekend with her Hubby. I got some great fall work clothes. I love fall outfits…. The only problem is, you can’t wear them for months!

Sunday evening was the best of all, and I’m not even talking about the free yummy dinner I scored from Derek’s parents. Derek’s sister and I somehow got on the subject of Grad dresses (Prom for you Americans) and before I could explain what mine looked like, they interjected that they had photos of me from Grad. I was sooo confused, Derek and I had maybe had one conversation in five years, despite going to the same High School and I didn’t remember even seeing him at Grad! (Although that’s a lie… secretly a bunch of my friends and I noticed him, and I distinctly remember sneaking a photo of him and talking with my friends of how he 'cleaned up good'

But it turns out Derek and I DO have photos together! Our mutual friend Jess (his roomie/hetero life partner (their words, not mine) and my male best friend) is in the photo, but his parents are going to email me a copy so I can Photoshop Jess out! YAY!

We have a graduation photo together!!! Sooo excited. I’ll post it when I get it. It’s pretty funny, I have some terrible makeup & hideous dress action going on. Derek looks amazing though….. in fact, I think I have that photo of him on my computer from Grad.

Ha Ha FOUND IT (15 minutes searching later)…. Sorry babe – in order to not embarrass D too much, I’ve added one of myself from Grad. (Sorry Michelle & Jess)

Lets see if I remember these guys... I was only friends with 3 of them, but from L-R

Simon (?) Tyler, Darryl (?), Mike (?), Adam, Brandon, and my future hottie Derek

Jess, Me & Michelle... apparently we all wore blue....

What did I do this weekend?

I did nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I slept until 10am, I made breakfasts full of grease & salt, I booked a 2 week vacation in Mexico, I spent 48 hours with the love of my life, I made a picnic and sat on top of a mountain looking down at Vancouver, I watched a kayaking video, I washed my car, I laid in the sun and I read 2 novels.

It was the most satisfying nothing I’ve ever done.

We re-created the sandwiches that Derek made on one of our first dates,

they were so delicious that I fell in love with him and have been bugging him to make them ever since. I got my wish on Saturday

Overlooking English Bay from a random park at the top of 21st in West Van.

An English Bay sunset on Thursday evening

Beach Volley = summer

My beach volleyball season begins tonight, Summer doesn't officially start for me until beach season begins. I really love it, I've been playing for quite a few years in a rec league, this is my second year with the same team. We're pretty decent and managed to come 2nd overall last year, so who knows how we'll do this year.

It's really not about the winning though, it's more about sitting at Jericho beach with your friends, rotating in and out of play, laughing and getting a bit of excersize. I always get nervous for the first game of the year, as I havn't played since Mexico last year.

I'll try and take some photos if I have time.

Oh and on a side note, I totally had one of those God is amazing, prayer answered days. It's a good feeling to have such a wicked Savior.