Echo Valley Ranch

Last month Troy and I took some much needed time away from the city and visited Echo Valley Ranch in Clinton, BC (5 hour drive from Vancouver). The ranch was an unbelievable fusion of rustic country living and Thai influence. We galloped on some horses, ran into cattle, turkeys, dogs and cats, as well as took advantage of the Thai Spa with a Spicy Rice Rub.

After two nights surrounded by open country, we drove the remaining 4 hours to Prince George for a visit with Troy's family. There was lots to celebrate-  Troy's sister Jenn recently got engaged to her boyfriend Bree and Doug celebrated his 65th Birthday! 

Troy and Dyck

Me and the Wranglers! 

City Slicker. 

Putting myself in the doghouse

Thai Night! Amazing!!

These dogs followed us everywhere we went.

Me and Winnie the Donkey 

Camp Fire singing and marshmallows

Troy on the bongo

Beautiful sky... our last night 

Quick ride on the runway

HAPPY 37th BIRTHDAY TROY!!!!

What better way to celebrate than by winning the BC Senior AAA Championship this weekend in Powell River! Troy's team, the Regals, swept Fort St John in the best of five- winning the Savage Cup!

"I'm 37 with the body of a 16 year old"

- Troy Dalton

Babies Babies EVERYWHERE!

Meesa P is pregnant!!! Check out her little bump all the way from London, England. While we all wish Mel was here so that we could see her through this amazing time in her life, her frequent emails from across the pond keep us in the loop with baby Smelt's development.

(Melt= Melissa and Matt). My favourite update would probably be Melissa's horrified reaction to when her baby developed fingernails... I think she referred to them as weapons. Too funny.

Melissa, we can't wait to meet our new little girl.

In light of Mel's news, I thought I would post some pictures of the veteran baby-makers in my life...

Kelly, always gorgeous has done this TWICE! Cairo- Our little Ginger is a proud new brother to his little sister Lux.

Tannis, making pregnancy look major glam, gave birth to Tick (Tannis and Nick). Also known as Emmitt, this guy clearly takes after Momma- equally glamourous in those shades.

Carly... Mom of the year is lapping most of us with #2 and #3 on the way. She had Jack Berry 18 months ago and is now pregnant with twin girls. Imagine.

You ladies are all AMAZING friends and incredible Moms... I will continue to live vicariously through you ;)

Our Buddy

We lost our sweet Buddy last week... Probably one of the kindest and most gentle dogs I have ever known, he was such a good boy, and our entire family has certainly been affected by the loss.

Although we all had our own special relationship with Bud, none was more apparent than David, who used to take his loyal companion on various road-trips for work, and who taught a dog how to play soccer, one of Buddy's favourite games. He and Bert were friends to the end, and his protection over his little brother was always so loving and gentle.

We love you Bud!

Deliciously Obsessed

Last Saturday I did some major organization in the apartment... while Troy lay sick in bed with a combination of too many Friday night shots/the flu and a touch of scarlet fever, I was pounding back Americanos and googling things like, "purse storage ideas".

Lucky I did, because in the process I stumbled across my new favourite blog (big statement)... It is called Deliciously Organized and it had me at 'hello'.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Mom's actual birthday was last weekend and while I would never say her age on here, I do have to say that my Mom DEFINITELY doesn't look another year older. My sister and I can only hope to have the same beautiful skin as her when we are older...

It's funny to look at the pictures of her as a young girl and think that this is the same person who drops everything for her girls when she is needed- drives anywhere in the middle of the night if we call, and talks both of us off the ledge if we are having a down moment. When I made plans to come over last Saturday night I asked Mom what she would like to do for her birthday (go for a mani/pedi... etc)... Her response was she wanted to tuck me into bed, make me breakfast in the morning and 'baby' me for the night.

I mean... I have the best Mom in the WORLD!

Unfortunately I couldn't make the pictures any larger without ruining the integrity of the images... Mom is on the left hand side in each one. Look at those legs! Gorgeous.

Love you Mo!

Life Lately

The past few months have a been a whirlwind... Working, training for Ironman, spending time with friends, experimenting in the kitchen, opening good bottles of wine, celebrating birthdays, re-decorating the apartment, and meeting Hanson... to name a few ;)

Here is the recap via iPhone.

new year's eve at the b&b... just me, troy and a bottle of red from napa.

January 1 2012 walk around the seawall

celebratory champagne in west van... our reward for a successful morning of wedding dress shopping for cal!

troy on the spinner... making calls and training at the same time. impressive.

hockey game with dennis and kathy

tina's gift to me for my birthday: tickets to the hanson concert. please don't judge me.

meeting taylor hanson! highlight of my life. again please don't judge...

bubbles!

gift from my current intake class... makes me love going to work

troy and mike.

relazing afternoon at coo coo with troy... another highlight.