Family in Vancouver

For months now, we have been counting down the weeks, days, and hours until we’d be seeing family again. Aaron’s parents and sister Jade were planning a US road trip and it included a much needed Vancouver visit at the start of the holiday. We coordinated with Lorette to tag along for the first stop of the American adventure - Las Vegas. And with that, the plan was set. Vancouver for the first 4 days, then Vegas for Christmas!

Aaron and I were finishing our last work days of the year when Lorette, Michael and Jade landed. It was an overcast Wednesday afternoon when I walked down to the skytrain station from work to drop off our apartment key. I had previously hoped we might have been able to take the afternoon off work and greet our family at the airport. Unfortunately, our work schedules were too jam-packed for us to do so. So instead, a key drop off was coordinated and I snuck out of work between meetings to greet the fam. It’s funny, it felt like no time had passed at all since I last saw these gorgeous faces, and yet so much has happened in the 2 years since their last visit (3 years since we’ve seen Jade!). We exchanged hugs and I quickly ran back up the street to make it in time for my next meeting.

We met up with the family a few hours later at Metrotown for dinner. Aaron and I have had some delicious meals at Boston Pizza over the past 2 years, so thought it would be a perfect setting to share our first dinner together with our family.

With 2 work days left for 2018, Aaron and I hurried out the door Thursday morning and jumped back into the work craziness that is end of year cramming (so much to do, so little time!). We reconvened at the end of the day, scoffed down Bao steamed buns (an A&K fav), and caught the train into Stadium-Chinatown. Aaron and I had purchased NHL tickets for the family a few months ago. We’d previously been to a game and couldn’t think of a more Canadian experience than watching the ice hockey! We watched the Canucks play the St Louis Blues. It was a thrilling game and super entertaining from start to finish. The cherry on top is that the Canucks won!

After a late night Thursday, Aaron and I had finally reached our last work day of the year. We worked through until early afternoon and met up at Metrotown for a late lunch. Michael, Lorette and Jade spent most of the day at Grouse Mountain. Friday evening was spent at home, mainly because we were so exhausted from work!

We took the gang to brunch on Saturday at our fav downtown cafe Giovane, followed by a casual wander around Waterfront. The evening was spent packing, checking in to flights, and prepping for the next leg of travel. Over dinner, Aaron took the opportunity to share a climbing documentary on Yosemite - one of the many beautiful places the family will soon be visiting in America.

With early morning alarms set and suitcases packed, we were ready to continue the adventures in Las Vegas!