Being apart… It didn’t work out so well for either of us

ahh.. l could drink this man up like a tall glass of water..  Eclipse has been witnessed by my retinas.. although hardly.. we got stuck in the 4th row from the front.. and my neck is trying to recover.. as well as my vision.. seriously.. why do they make movie chairs that close to the screen.. I envisioned myself at one point standing in the walkway to the exit.. just so I wouldn’t watch the screen bounce back and forth.. 

but other than that.. love love love.. I don’t know why I feel a closeness to the movie being In Seattle.. like I have some right to love it more because it is by where i live.. don’t I?!  I do have a really hard time with Taylor Lautner.. he is to young looking.. oh.. and he is a pale faced killer! those two strikes add up in my books these days.. he is a good actor though.. and when the hell did Bella get hot.. its about time they kicked it up a notch.. but seriously wardrobe department.. for the love of all that is fashion.. slap some labels on these vampires..  and Alices hair needs to be updated.. I blame the first director for setting the tone of the film.. but these people are supposed to be flawless..  I am also still upset that Rachelle Lefevre wasn’t in this one.. I love her as an actress.. ok.. maybe I didn’t like the film.. kidding kidding.. 

It was great.. and there was enough love and romance.. and even though I read the books and knew what was going to happen.. I was still hoping they would get it on.. what more can a part time stay at home.. just married mama ask for!  

between the movie chair location.. and lifting my 25 lbs of rolled grass 22 times into my backyard.. my neck is kaput.. my shoulders feel like a 40 pound man is sitting on them.. and I can feel the vein pulse in my right temple from having a dinner that consisted of diet coke.. burnt popcorn.. and strawberry milkshake  malt balls.. mmm.. malt balls..  I am ready for these peeps to make it back to Vancouver so I can twi stalk the city again.. maybe with some actual luck.. I knew I never should have quit Cactus Club in Yaletown!!  

and yes.. those two random patches will annoy the crap out of me..  I am a Virgo

girl.. you’ll be a woman.. soon

my backyard is coming along! every arm muscle I own hurts.. I was unaware that rolls of grass weigh about 20-25 lbs.. but it is layed.. I am watering.. and life is good.. even though the hose is literally running through my front door to my back.. because my back yard faucet is broken.. this would be a really bad time for it to burst!  I am waiting for my little sweet pea to wake up so we can make a trip to lowes and buy some yard stuff.. whatever that may be..  flowers? gnomes? light thingys..  I actually feel like an adult.. it is weird.. I feel like this is my house.. and I am making it a home(rental).. you are probably thinking that having a baby should have made me feel like a woman.. but no.. when i would catch a glimpse of me pushing a stroller.. I always thought I looked weird.. random?  and now.. heavy lifting and laying down grass made me a woman!! who knew! 

OK-anagan

It is always a great time when I am at my sisters house.. and every time I leave.. I plan a million more trips to her house for the summer.. winter.. fall.. maybe spring? I don’t know what I will do when my kiddies are in school full time :0  We always make a million plans.. and usually none of them come through.. even though we swear they will this time.. 

-drive in theater

-davidson orchard to pick apples

-recreate Clueless fantasy in jeep

-paint rocks with the kiddies

ok.. so one of them happened! We went back to our Sweet Valley High/Clueless days when we dreamed of owning a jeep and cruising around in it free as birds.. definitely children free.. and looking really hot!  well.. the door less jeep we did.. children free we did.. looking really hot.. well that was a hard one.. severe hay fever in the okanagan and a trip to the local dairy queen was anything but pretty… my face was swollen.. I couldn’t breathe.. and I ate a whole Peanut Buster Parfait to myself.. (hello lactose intolerant)..but at least we tried.. 

We swearevery visit that we are going to the drive in theater.. and after a day of chasing around three kiddies.. the thought of being up until 2am never matches to a good nights sleep..   We had visions of picking apples from the trees.. coming home and making a yummy apple crisp.. but had to put that on our “next time I am here” list.. 

We did however.. make it to the beach! we always do make it here..  I always love seeing Olive near the water.. on the sand.. chilin like a villian.. I believe little kiddies are meant to be by the water.. peaceful.. calm.. warm.. and knocks them out for their afternoon nap like nothing else!

drinkin bubbas.. and learning a couple new words. “Dayton” and “Heidi” were said many a times.. It is so great to see the cousins playing together..  It breaks my heart that they wont ever go to school together.. and will only see each other probably 12 times a year.. but the times that we are together.. always ROCK!

snack time

Olive loving blueberries!! 

nothing beats beach time in the Okanagan

fear and loathing 

Olive was a rockstar on the drive up! We finally tried out and discovered the car DVD player.. and it saved the day.. she laughed.. and talked.. and ate nuggets.. don’t tell dad.. she rocked the 6.5 hour drive! we were two ladies on the run!!  

The drive home however.. that was a different story.. we had already gone through 2 of the 3 bottles of milk by kamloops.. there was crying an hour into the drive.. the one movie we had expired.. we hit rainy downpours..  and we ended up having to do a Mission stopover to visit the grandparents due to a high pitched scream that wanted out of the car..  this trip however.. was a 8.5 hour trip.. not fun… but worth the last week of fun we did have..  

We finished the Indian summer nights off with ice cream.. back yard fun.. and a little bit of hammock loungin.. 

and this my friends.. is why I am building a “mini” back yard.. 

Once home.. Olive discovered a new little friend in the mirror.. and it was the cutest thing ever!  

and now.. time to unwind my little munchkin who napped twice.. is jacked up on milk.. and enjoyed 5 days of full time mamma!!

hush little baby..

ok.. me and olive are not on the same wave length as of lately..me coming home from honeymoon..  she screams when we put her to bed around 70% of the time.. I really want to emphasize the word scream.. top of the lungs.. scared.. sweating.. scrunched up closed eyes .. where the heck are my parents screaming..  and than the other 30 % she goes down without a peep.. even blows me a kiss on the way out.. it is breaking my heart.. there are actual cracks in it..  I am trying to be a tough parent.. and have started giving her 10 minute limits.. than go in and comfort her.. and once she is comforted.. she will usually go back down.. but I am so on the fence about it..  I mean.. this could be my only baby I ever get.. and I am wasting precious baby years letting her cry and scream when I should be rocking and cuddling.. all I ever asked for was one baby through this body.. just one..( due to come baby making complications) and  I would adopt the rest.. and now I have the one baby.. and want to enjoy it all..  

whats a mama to do.. 

I googled crying baby because I didnt want to put a sad one of her up.. and I thought it was odd.. that this baby almost looks like her! 

its beginning to look a lot like christmas?..summer?.. just cloudy

                 

for the record.. this is not me.. I do not drink Heineken.. 

My backyard is coming along swimmingly!! yes.. I said swimmingly! I am going to get grass tomorrow.. and than I will move onto the flowers :)  it is going to be the most perfect tiniest backyard ever!! ok.. prob not.. but I do feel like an adult now having to take care of things myself.. if only the landscapers would swing around to the backyard as well ;)  all we are waiting for now.. is the sunshine.. my soul needs it..  it needs to wake up to sun beaming in through the blinds.. it needs to wake up to a fresh pot of coffee with amaretto coffee creamer.. it needs to allow me to suntan and play with olive outside.. it needs morning walks.. where it isn’t quite hot out yet.. but we are all in denial that it is.. so we wear shorts and sandals.. and cute little tank tops.. and most of all.. it needs to be near the water.. there has always been this part of me that knows my soul is meant to be by water.. I never put two and two together until I read The Red Tent.. ( which by the way.. should be read by everybody ).. I could never live anywhere where water was not 20 minutes away..  I once drove an hour and a half to get to a lake when I lived in Toronto.. and it was ca-razy town..  I love the beach.. I dragged Olive to one all last summer.. in her cute little bathing suit.. drinking her bubbas.. trying not to overheat.. and this year.. now that she is walking.. it will be so much easier.. I hope..

on a totally random note.. I am obsessed with J Crew.. how we did not become friends sooner.. I will never know..  and why.. oh why.. did this bag sell out before I bought it?

                                

Well.. Fourth of July is a comin.. and that means I am hosting my annual ” Canadians and Australians living in America Fourth of July Party”  and yes.. there will be a banner!  the menu is coming along.. and party ideas are in action.. and what a beautiful addition to this years party.. a backyard!   This year may be a tad different than the others.. the first year.. me and Lu were fall over drunk by 2:30pm.. a glass had already broke.. and someone put me in charge of bbq’ing the meat!?  I am surprised I have any eyebrows left..  there was a American flag cake fight.. and the kids that were at the party ended up playing with a food processing blade that I found on my floor the next morning..

 The next year was cancelled due to a George Michael concert.. (that is my only exception to canceling).. it is also safe to say.. don’t bring a 4 1/2 month preggo girl to a concert with people who know they have a designated driver!..  

and finally last year was a last minute thrown together.. guests will be here in an hour party.. which was also very fun because we had some new additions to our Guest List.. olive and winny.. 

I love any excuse to throw a party.. and the holidays work just fine! I know there are few of you who will get this.. but I am already getting pumped for Christmas… yes I said it.. Celine Dions Blue Christmas came on my Ipod at the gym today.. and I got all warm and fuzzy inside.. and thought of how I would decorate my mantle this year.. and if there is a specific colour I will go for.. It is sad I know.. and maybe if it was sunny.. these thoughts would go away and I could focus again on bbqs and the beach?! 

brb

I am currently sunning it up in beautiful Okanagan… be back tomorrow!  and than.. Eclipse!  no shame.. no shame..

how now brown cow

Happy Fathers Day

"are you saying you will flunk us if we dont change the world? no but you might just scrape by with a C"

  I wasn’t going to write about this because.. well.. because I thought it was nothing.. until someone went the extra mile on their end..  I am one of those people who check their mail.. maybe once every week an a half.. I would love to mention that it is at the end of the street in a gate link fence. surrounded by baby eating dogs.. but no.. it is right across the street.. literally..   so last week i went to check the mail and pulled out the jam packed wad of letters and papers.. brought them in and started to rip them open.. 

***this is where I would like to mention “The Secret” again.. one of her theories is if you think there is money in your mail box.. there will be money.. if you go to the mail box everyday thinking there are lots of bills.. there will be lots of bills***

I open this one letter and see that it is a check for $800.00  and 100% not addresses to me.. The address was mine.. well.. missing one number.. but the check .. it was not mine.. for a split second I thought.. wow.. the secret really works :S   I than realize this looks really bad that I opened someones mail that wasn’t mine and there is almost a G note sitting in it..  so i call the number on the invoice.. and explain to the man.. that they sent his money to me.. and that I was re addressing it.. and throwing it in the mail as we speak.. he seemed very confused as to why I had his cheque.. and it wasn’t in his office.. so he thanked me.. probably thinking I was lying.. and than called me two days later to say that he received the cheque and how grateful he was.. and he was actually meeting with that client today and was going to see what happened.. (he is a small film producer) I thought nothing of it.. It was never my money and I would hope that someone would do the same.. I thought that was the end of it.. until I checked my mail.. and there was a beautiful Papyrus (love that company) thank you card in my mail box.. with a really nice note again thanking me for saving him and his client a huge headache of mess.. and there was a Starbucks card in there just for moi!  

I was really touched by this.. he did not have to go that extra 10 % and he totally did.. and it was very much appreciated.. I have another pay it forward that i have done.. which will go unnamed.. this one above was just extra Haley Joel Osment..  so I have one more left.. what shall it be?!?!   Its crazy when you talk to random people.. how much they will open up to you if you just shut your mouth and listen.. 

 Do me a favor… save my life.

Spanglish₂

  So I was finally able to watch Spanglish after the 55 minute download from I tunes.. seriously!?  It was well worth the wait though.. My original bedtime of ten that was planned.. was than pushed back 4 hours.. I tried many times to stop the video and go to bed.. but I couldn’t!! It was so good.. especially now that I am a mama and a wife.. I was watching it with a new point of view and values..  Its quote time baby!

John Clasky: Worrying about your kids is sanity, and being that sane… can drive you nuts

Deborah Clasky: How are you nicer than me?
John Clasky: You didn’t set the bar that high.

Evelyn Wright: We have to talk.
Deborah Clasky: Mother, are you buzzed?
Evelyn Wright: No. I quit drinking weeks ago! No one noticed, but I guess that’s a pretty good indicator that I conducted myself quite well when I was drunk. But this isn’t about me right now. 

Deborah Clasky: You were an alcoholic and wildly promiscuous woman during my formative years so that im in this fix because of you, it is your fault and I just needed that moment for us to build on.
Evelyn Wright: You have a solid point dear… but right now the lessons of my life are coming in handy for you.

Narrator :your acceptance, while it would thrill me, will not define me.

on another note.. 

  This morning me and my Oli bear had a brunch date! We have had a couple before.. but with her getting older.. they actually feel like quality time on both ends… I did notice as well (thanks to my sister telling me) that is was such a great mellow time.. because there were no expectations.. If I go out for brunch with some friends or Dustin.. we are trying to have conversations.. and Olive is vying for our time.. and my stress levels rise a tad because I am wanting to be involved in the conversation.. but being with just her.. she received all my attention (that is until the best eggs bennyin the world arrived in front of my face).. she knew it was only me and her and she wasn’t worried about fighting over mommy or daddy.. It was such a fun time.. followed by the coffee shop.. and than a much needed nap.. for both of us :)  The weather turned a little cold and windy and we were cuddling indoors all day.. with a little visit to the cousins two doors down.. I do believe that Winston and Olive are almost.. dare I say it.. becoming friends!  Now that they are on the same height level.. it is game on!  We were lucky enough to have Quentin supervise while me and Auntie lew-lella (olives word) were able to finish a couple bottles of wine and some Housewives of New Jersey episodes.. Isnt mama hood great!!

ahh.. back when life was sooo hard!! ;) how that dishwasher ever got unloaded.. I will never know..

brunch date

Brunch date with Oli Bear

Our learning center for Olive is coming together quite nicely..  we figured because her brain is an absolute sponge right now.. (“Josh.. Lew-ella, Oh Shit!)  that we would start with letters.. and animals.. She loves animals the most.. cats.. dogs.. fish.. and parrots.. she is terrified of real animals.. but for now.. animals in a book are A-OK.. 

 I am still on the lookout for a landscaper! I spotted the ones outside that do the front lawn.. but didn’t have the courage to go out there and “grease” them.. I fear that I dont speak Spanish.. and they don’t speak English.. and I will look like a crazy person trying to bring them into my backyard..  so I am putting up a memo at work.. who wouldn’t want to pull weekend for cash? well besides me.. I blame it on my hay fever.. 

Spanglish

When did this happen.. when did my taste buds turn against pepperoni?.. we used to have such a great and wonderful relationship.. and now.. well.. it makes me sick… literally.. the grease perhaps? the taste? I don’t feel this way about bacon.. I could eat bacon all day long.. especially turkey bacon.. My pregnancy with Olive did a lot for my taste buds.. I believe it caused them to develop.. me and Tabasco became friends.. no,  more than friends.. we became lovers!!  Salads.. pasta.. hash browns.. and don’t even get me started on eggs benny.. I know.. I should not have been eating eggs benny.. but my Dr ok’d it.. and I believe in my Dr’s orders ;) therefore I filled that craving 3-4 times a week until the Gestational Diabetes kicked in..  It was a great ride..

  The daddy is away.. I forgot to go rent movies before Olive called it a night.. so I am about to rent Spanglish off I tunes.. (one of my faves).. and enjoy it while Oli bear sleeps away.. I love everything about this movie..  Tea Lenoi .. Adam Sandler.. and Paz Vega.. don’t even get me started on her beauty.. and the way she is a mother in that film, gets me every time.. I often quote that one line in my head..

                             “One tear.. just one.. so make it a good one”  

What also gets me every time is that sandwich that Adam Sandler makes in the movie.. did you know that there is a cult following for that sandwich.. just google it! I have made it many times.. and it is always delicious.. especially if you are working with fresh ingredients.. 

                           

I will take being honest for $100 Alex..

I finally saw SATC! .. and I loved it.. although I could have stared at poo on a plate and loved that too.. anytime a SATC addict gets a fill or a glimpse of the rest of the story plot.. it satisfies me.. I also think the fact that everyone else slammed it.. made me go in there with no expectations.. therefor I was not disappointed! It was rainy… and gloomy.. and I went all alone with my giant bag of popcorn that I come no where close to finishing!!  There were only about 8 of us in the theater.. which is what I expected for  an 11am Sunday movie!  I was laughing so hard at some points.. I actually had to bury my face into my scarf..  I have always been a fan of random SATC marathons.. I own all 6 seasons in a beautifully wrapped pink satin case.. and on random lazy Sunday afternoons.. ( I have extremely limited cable in this house.. and whenever I get tired of watching KBTS public television I pop them in) .. I always start with season 4.. my favorite season..  I love Mirandas pregnancy/birth episodes even more now that I have had a child.. and you just feel her pain.. and her going from one extreme world to the next.. and her honest mothering…  I always leave those marathons wanting to go shopping.. and start working out more.. which is also why P90X is coming back into my world today :) 

I also am reading Woman Food and God.. I saw it on Oprah. .and I will do and read anything Oprah tells me to do.. so I went and purchased it for my travel readings.. I really like it.. I have two more chapters to go.. and it is a great concept and really puts HOW/WHY you eat into perspective.. I have never really thought that I have any real food issues.. other than coming from a family of 6.. with usually one or two guests sitting at the table.. so if you didn’t eat fast.. you didn’t eat! It is teaching me to listen to my hunger cues.. and stop when I am full.. pretty simple..  I don’t know why I am holding onto these last 10 baby pounds.. I honestly believe that if I start tomorrow.. I can have them off in a week.. and than the week comes.. and I think.. oh next week.. something I have heard quitters say a million times..  I have always been very active and weight was never really an issue.. (although i always thought I needed to lose 10 pounds to feel happy ) and than you look back at those photos.. and realize it was not even physically possible..  my only issue right now.. is that I don’t even feel comfortable in my own skin.. and that I cannot deal with.. I feel like anytime I eat something when I am with people.. they are wondering why I am eating that if I want to lose ten pounds.. and I feel like the chubby girl..  every month that went by after I had Olive just took me further and further from my goal of feeling healthy..  you start off at 2 weeks.. and people say “wow you look amazing for just having a baby” and than you say 2 months.. and people say “wow.. you look amazing for just having a baby” and than you have to suck up your pride and say.. this is my one and a half year old.. and they don’t say anything!! and believe me.. I know it is all mental and in my head at this point.. and this is my way of throwing it out into the world and cleansing my inner voice so that I can move on and deal with more important issues..  because I dont really believe that 5 pounds will bring me enlightenment..  I know I am also trapped in this world of balancing who I was.. and who I am now.. I have days where I would love nothing more than to cuddle up with my baby girl and read books.. and go for walks and teach her things about the world.. but there are also those days where I go stir crazy waiting for her naps to be over.. and I just want to run to the store child free.. and take my time.. and go grab a coffee or go get my hair done without trying to find a babysitter..  I know it is a balance I will deal with until the end of time.. but is there really a “trick” that makes it all work out..besides self knowledgement and confidence..  is this why woman and mamas are the strongest people out there.. because they hold it all in selflessly and give and give some more.. 

on a lighter note! the sun is shining.. I have my health.. and today I will teach my baby some more about this world!

rain rain.. go away..

It is raining.. on my only day off with the little famalia… gulp… I had many outdoor things planned for us.. but now I am going to have to rack my brain for other things to do! For starters.. our local cinema is showing Sex and The City 2 at 11:10am.. I think that time is just perfect. we don’t really get moving until late afternoon anyways ;) and although I have heard bad reviews for this film.. it is still a right of passage for SATC lovers like moi.. 

and as much as I would rather be sitting on a blanket having a picnic somewhere… I think I am going to change that in for a good ol garage cleanin’ I have three strollers in there.. and I only use two.. It is time to divide and conquer..  

Me and Olive had such a fun day yesterday.. it was almost 20 degrees out and we just had to be outside.. We went for two walks with her cousins..we had a visit from papa..and we had a good solid nap !  I love when the smell of sweet baby sunscreen bounces off her skin.. Olive thought it would be funny to kick her shoe off somewhere between Bostons and home.. so when we finally arrived home , we had to turn around and backtrack our route :S  I think it was the higher powers way of telling me that i should have stopped and purchased an ice cream cone from the wonderfulColdStone Creamery.. so when we still had not found the missing sandal and came to the end of the road (ColdStone).. we went in and made our selection.. and than a nice woman restored my faith in people and approached me saying she noticed Olive only had one shoe on .. and that there was a nice man walking around the block because he found one.. and so he put it on a little table.. (I was not looking on tables for her shoe.. I was scouring the ground.. so I probably never would have found it anyways) . .I told her I was actually out looking for the shoe… and she went and got it for us!  This kind woman did all the dirty work.. while I waited for my cotton candy ice cream!!  The ironic twist of this story.. I actually never even liked these sandals.. but they are the only ones that fit her little size 3 tootsies.. 

I think we will just stick to built in Mary Janes

the good weather is coming.. the good weather is coming…

This makes me very happy! Every pore and cell in my body aches for sunny days.. we work ten times faster.. we get up that much earlier.. and we eat that many more bbqs.. I am again this year looking out the horrendous view my landlords call a back yard.. They ripped out all the beautiful grass and put grass cover in the ground instead?!  and for those of you asking what grass cover is. they are these giant weed like plants that have about a hundred roots per “plant” that grow into the ground.. I made a valiant effort last year to rip them out.. and it was unsuccessful.. but this year.. I am going all the way.. I am buying weed killer.. maybe even a landscaper.. and I am bringing my grass back baby!  The weeds that are growing out of my ground remind me of that old cartoon with the people eating plant killers.. 

Olives walking is progressing quite nicely.. we walked all the way from my house to visit daddy at work.. what is normally a 5-7 minute walk.. was clocked in at almost 45 minutes.. and it was amazing.. the best 45 minute walk we ever accomplished..

Yesterday was my first night back at work.. and it felt good.. until 9pm rolled around.. and my body was literally swaying back and forth from fatigue.. and my eyes were so blood shot.. it looked like I was blazing in the garbage enclosure!  but it felt good to be back.. back in the regular routine.. with friends.. and this time.. making money that didn’t go towards Greek salads.. and wedding shoes.. and airplane tickets.. (although.. who am I kidding.. I will gladly save up anytime possible for a nice vacation ;)  

Well.. the sun is shining.. Olive is dancing on the couch.. and it is time to go and join her.. I came home to a little girl now!.. and we have lots of exploring to do.. lots of books to read.. and lots of cuddles that need catching up on!

enjoy the sunshine everyone!

her time has come..

well.. almost!  I think I may have a walker on my hands.. It actually started 20 minutes after I dropped her off at grandmas for the two weeks.. I got the phone call that she just jumped up and walked.. seriously?!  and now she is trying to trek all over this little house.. I have so much in store for me and my little walker.. 

  since returning home from our trip.. she is a different little girl.. her vocabulary for one is ca-razy.. she knows where all her body parts are.. and soon she will be singing the national anthem..  she talks a little sweeter.. that was a hard one for me.. my baby lost her little baby voice.. I can not leave her side anymore.. that includes getting a drink of water.. and she now can fully open our gate that is supposed to protect her from the stairs. don’t tell dad ;)  I ran up to get her a sweater and turned around.. and she was already at the top of the stairs.. probably wondering how the heck I left her again!  I guess it came in handy that I taught her how to climb up and down stairs previous..  I have almost enjoyed the rain here these last couple of days.. it is just me and her.. cuddling in the rain.. watching movies.. and making cinnamon buns.. ok.. well pillsbury made them.. I put them in the oven.. if anyone does have a good recipe though.. please send :) 

summer time.. when the livings easy

  It feels good to be home now.. and have this wedding brain behind me.. I want back in my routine.. I want to re connect with people again.. I want to go back to planning what to make for dinner.. ok that was half kidding. I hate planning dinner.. just ask Dustin..  but I am looking forward to living just a quiet little life for the next little while.. and hopefully this weather turns it around so we can do it nice and dry!

  Now time to start planning camping trips.. and start getting my buns up to Vernon! My happiest place in the world during summer!! ok.. and winter.. and maybe spring.. 

look at these girls.. they are going to be best friends!

June 01st, 2010

home sweet home

  There is something so sweet about returning home after two weeks away.. especially after two weeks that did not fly by like I originally thought they would.. We left for our honeymoon two weeks ago.. and it was an amazing time.. exhausting.. but amazing.. and now I look forward to the next couple of weeks of relaxing at home.. cleaning.. grocery shopping and most importantly.. enjoying my little peanut. 

  Our trip started out.. rocky! we checked into Seattle.. only to learn that there was already a delay of one hour on our flight to London.. one hour doesn’t seem like that long.. but when your next flight leaves for Greece one hour and 30 minutes after you arrive at Heathrow airport.. it is an issue.. The woman at the counter was very friendly though and because I used the largest suitcase I had.. they were going to ding me for going over.. but once she realized it was our honeymoon.. she handed me my $100 back! very long story short.. we missed our flight.. we missed our second option flight.. (Heathrow is just to big an airport to run around in) and than we were able to pick up a flight that left at 10:30 pm for Athens.. that gave us 12 hours in between flights.. ouch.. we already had a 6 hour layover in Vancouver.. double ouch.. we rented a hotel room just to get some sleep.. and than set off for our third flight in less than 24 hours.. and because our flights weren’t purchased on the same “ticket” (yes.. for those people in the future.. you can book many different airlines on one ticket.. therefore someone is responsible in situations like these) Air Canada didn’t care about us.. and neither did Aegean airlines.. goodbye large chunk of change.. We than boarded our fourth flight of the day.. and flew to beautiful Mykonos!

this is me going on two full days on four hours sleep

  We were fortunate enough to have our first hotel give us the honeymoon suite for the one night we were there.. because we missed our first hotel night due to that one hour delay.. It was beautiful.. and there was a bottle of champagne to greet us!unfortunately, the island had a giant storm hit the night before.. and the room smelled like sweat.. which is common in Greece.  The weather was ok.. for an island that only rains quote “12 days a year” .. our two days there.. were some rain..  We made the most out of it .. with our 3 hours sleep and looking like dirty backpackers.. and ventured around the town..  I can not say enough about Mykonos.. it is will and crazy and energetic and beautiful and the food was outstanding.. Dustin kept commenting that I spent all that money to go to Greece.. just to eat the food (he was 95% right)..  Every hotel had wonderful buffet breakfasts of chocolate croissants.. and the freshest peaches I have ever eaten.. Little Venice was my favorite.. I could have sat there all day and people watched.. 

  We stayed at our first hotel for one night.. and than moved on to the insanely beautiful Cavo Tagoo hotel.. Everything was clean and beautiful and over the top.. Aquarium bar.. rooms with our own pool.. and giant jacuzzi bathtubs.. The weather got a lot nicer here.. and we were able to enjoy some pool time.. and champagne! 

  We did some shopping.. I found the most beautiful white dress and white “vacation”pants.. and some little things for Olive.. I was expecting to go there and stock up on gladiator sandals.. but they all looked like they were cheap and from Walmart.. so I figured I would wait until I was back at Nordstroms..  

  I also recommend not reading a book that is based on something that goes horribly wrong while a couple is on vacation on a beach.. Little Bee was amazing.. but it pretty much freaked me out the rest of the trip.. 

  We left for Santorini two days later.. I read that you “have to take the ferry in!” instead of flying.. so we took a 3 hours ferry.. and I learned why.. it is insane.. breathtaking.. nerve rackinginly beautiful.. You boat right into the volcano.. and all you think about it.. what if this is its time to erupt again?! the whole village is built up on the top of the volcano and it took about 15 minutes winding up the road in a really fast taxi to get you there..   The hotel was beautiful and right on the cliff.. gulp.. and we were able to enjoy lots of sun there..

we rented a smart car to get around the island and ventured around the whole time.. The car was insanely small.. and I conquered many a self fear driving it around.. Greece is so scary to drive in .. and I feared a car accident many a time.. there are no road lines.. only a few street lights.. and about 100 raging taxi drivers who drive 3 times as fast as what you are doing!

  We headed to beaches.. restaurants and little markets in this thing.. It was sad to leave the Greek islands.. but I was excited to get to a city that had more to offer.. I had overdosed on tzatziki and feta.. and I was ready for some different foods.. 

honeymoon part two to be continued..