Day 5: Bike Ride and High Tea

J.P. and Dad riding bikes along the seawall at Stanley Park.

The bikes had great hydrolics but dad didn't want to take any chances!

Photo Op.

Dad smelling the tea at the Urban Tea Merchant

High Tea

Toasting our trip and our last moments of alone time.

We began the morning at Scoozi’s. J.P. and Kjell tried their famous eggs Benedict. Kaya liked the watermelon. Next, J.P., Dad, Kjell and I went on the same bike ride as the day before. Lastly, we had a leisurely lunch at the Urban Tea Merchant where we each sampled a different tea. We were able to smell the tea first. Mine was herbal Chocolate Mint Truffle and Kjell’s was herbal Caribbean Voyage. We also sampled scones, sandwiches, mini-desserts, salmon, etc. Afterward we headed to the airport. Kjell managed to get us upgraded to First Class on our practically empty flight home. Pam picked us up and debriefed us on each of the kids, who were all very good for her (thank goodness!) We couldn’t wait to see them even though they were all asleep. We missed them terribly but we were able to enjoy being away from them too. Maybe we’ll invite them next time….


Many thanks to Pam who not only babysat the boys but kept them entertained, the house clean, and chauffeured us to and from the airport. There aren’t many who would watch 4 boys including a nursing baby for 5 straight days but Pam volunteered months ago. The best part was that I didn’t even worry. I knew with Pam in charge, the kids were in good hands. We are very grateful for my parents for significantly subsidizing our hotel costs (the Ramada definitely wouldn’t have been as fun) and paid for almost every meal and activity. Much gratitude to Aunt Darcy and Tom and Marianne for throwing the best wedding ever! Their generosity would take several pages to describe so I’ll keep it brief – Thank you. Oh yes, and thank you Delta for upgrading us the First Class. That was great.

Day 4 - Granville Island and Stanley Park

Breakfast at Scoozi's with Uncle Bill and Aunt Sandy

On a tiny ferry to Granville Island

Granville Street Bridge

Tour of the brewery.  I liked tasting the cracked wheat.

At the tasting table after the tour.  The beer was great...so we were told!

At the immensely popular "Go Fish" eatery.  I got the grilled Alaskan Salmon sandwich, dad got prawns, Kjell and mom ordered fish and chips.  Delicious.

Outside the Cactus Club in downtown Vancouver awaiting yet another gourmet meal.

Granville Island is a peninsula and shopping district in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is located in False Creek directly across from Downtown Vancouver's peninsula, under the south end of the Granville Street Bridge. The peninsula was once an industrial manufacturing area, but today it is now a major tourist destination and working neighborhood.

After a delicious breakfast at Scoozi’s with Uncle Bill and Aunt Sandy we decided to take the ferry to Granville Island for the day. J.P. and Gina opted to sleep in…later I discovered that J.P. went partying with Tom, Marianne, and the Groomsmen until 4am, so it was no wonder he was sleepy. We walked around for a bit before taking a tour of a brewery, which was a short and interesting even to us teetotalers. We enjoyed the tour but didn’t taste the beer although none of our samples went to waste as others were more than happy to partake! Next Kjell and mom were craving fish and chips so we asked around and found the best place to eat was “Go Fish”. After a lengthy wait (which was pleasant since we were outside) we ate a delicious lunch right off the boat! Back at the hotel we enjoyed a brief rest before heading out again.

The 6 of us went for a bike ride around the perimeter of Stanley Park along the seawall on deluxe bikes provided by the hotel. Kaya fell asleep in the Baby Bjorn on J.P’s chest. It was a spectacular bike ride (but I forgot my camera), so much so that we did it again the next morning (minus Mom and Gina).

Lastly, we went to the Cactus Club for dinner in downtown Vancouver and then swam in the pool at the hotel. 

Day 3 - The Reception

The bride and groom visited each table.

Tom's Uncle Joey and Aunt Irene.

Gettin Jiggy With It. We danced until midnight.

Richard was the life of the party at my wedding and he didn't disappoint at Tom's wedding! What a dancer!

Mom and Dad.

Madelaine and Ron Calise.  They took me skiing in Vermont with their daughter Kate almost every Christmas.  It was very special for me to see them.  Love the white tux.

Dino and Linda Biordi (aka my hairdresser).  Linda has a burn on her thumb the size of a nickel thanks to my curling iron.

What a cute coordinating family.  J.P. was worried the red bowtie was chanelling Pee Wee Hermann, but he's able to pull-off pretty much anything and this was no exception.  J.P. looked sharp and Gina's dress fit like a glove. 

Mama Gina and Baby Kaya.

The dancefloor.

Dad dancing with Aunt Darcy

Still know how to party....

J.P. has moves!  Put on a little Michael Jackson and prepare to be entertained.  Mom couldn't stop laughing.

Joey and Irene Gazza.

Me with the bride and groom.

After the ceremony we enjoyed hors'duerves in the foyer while the bride and groom took pictures.  As we sat at our tables, we watched the bride and groom dance.  Then Aunt Darcy and Tom danced to "You Lift Me Up" by Josh Groban.  Quite a few of us got emotional. J.P. danced with Kaya and Gina was very touched.  It was sweet. 

Dinner was delicious of course.  There were a couple of toasts followed by a dessert buffet and NITRO bar.  Then we danced the night away.  It's been a long time since I've danced for so long (my wedding?) and we sure had fun.

Day 3 - The Wedding



I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that my dress cost me $5 (Down East Home Tent Sale) and the shoes $6 (D.I.) Pam gave me the flower that is attached to my sash when she dropped us off at the airport and my mom provided the bling. We found Kjell's tux at a thrift shop in Connecticut for our wedding in 2003.



Before the wedding.

Uncle Bill and Aunt Sandy.

Uncle Tom.

Cathy Davis and Aunt Darcy looking ravishing in her gown.

The ballroom.  Kjell and I passed out programs.

My hot date.

Looking good.

The groomsmen.

The bridesmaids.

I love watching the groom when he first sees the bride.

Marianne was stunning.  She truly took my breath away.  There was such a reverent feeling in the ballroom when she entered.

Mr. and Mrs. Love!

Aunt Darcy and Richard

J.P., Kaya, Gina, Mom, Dad, Olivia, & Kjell

I started getting ready for the wedding quite early so that I would have time to help Aunt Darcy with her hair along with Linda.  I went to her room but she was getting her make-up done so I began doing my own hair in her room.  Soon Linda and Melanie took over and it was like I had 2 private hairdressers.  They did a great job - my hair didn't move an inch the whole night!  Unfortunately, by the time Aunt Darcy's make-up was done, it was time to head to the reception (I needed to be there early to pass out programs).  On the plus side, her hair is naturally curly and gorgeous, so I don't know if I could have improved it!  Nonetheless, Aunt Darcy looked fabulous and out-danced everyone I might add.

On the down side, as Melanie was putting on her gown, the zipper broke.  She literally had to be sewn into her dress by the hotel tailor.  She missed the wedding but made it to the reception.  Melanie was calm as a cucumber and more concerned that her husband Richard would be stressed because she wasn't there.  What a sport!

Day 3 - The Vancouver Aquarium

The Vancouver Aquarium was the perfect way to spend the morning prior to the wedding and reception that evening.  Mom, dad, Kjell and I spent hours there exploring the exhibits, tanks, and 4-D theatre.

Check out the birds.

Beluga Whales

Seal

We walked right into the aquarium early in the day but by the time we left the line had wrapped around the block.  Great timing!  We had just enough time for a brief nap before getting ready for the big night.