He Wore Whistler

He is Andy.
And he really did wear Whistler.

A big part of the reason we made Whistler our family vacation destination was for Andy.
He wanted to ride a bike down the slopes.
We went the second week that the mountain bike park was open.
There were still people skiing while we were there too.
But, we are more of a summer sport family than a winter sport family.
So we were all about the biking.
But Andy was the only one brave enough to actually do the downhill trails.

He rented a special bike and signed up for instruction.
We said goodbye to him early one morning.
He was giddy but nervous all at once.

Because of his skill level he ended up 1:1 with a former Olympian as his guide.
Pretty amazing experience.

I have rarely seen Andy as happy as he was when we met him in the Village afterward.
Or as dirty.
It would have been just dirt except for the fact that it was raining during most of his ride.
He was covered in Whistler mud.

Yep, he wore Whistler.

Olympic Plaza Playground

In the corner of the village there is a place called the Olympic Plaza.
It has a giant set of Olympic rings that present a perfect photo op.

And just a few steps away, there is a new playground.

It was an amazing place to let the kids run and get their playtime in.

It was always full of other children.

We went there at least once a day.

The treehouse structure was one of the best I've ever seen.

It was perfect for the older kids.

And perfect for my toddler.

Who could just run and run in circles.

(And Mom didn't have to worry about falling because he was at ground level most of the time.)

Ephram was so enthusiastic about circling around the tree.

I'm adding this playground to my list of reasons why Whistler is perfect.

Lake of the Lost

One of the many reasons I love Whistler...
The abundance of activities.
All within walking distance.
So, maybe that distance is a few miles.
But with the scenery in Whistler you always wish it was a few more.

Our second day in Whistler, we decided to go on a fishing excursion.
Well, really, we decided to let Charlie fish.
The rest of us would watch and enjoy the scenery.

We started out early with yummy breakfast.
(Did I mention that there are some amazingly good restaurants in Whistler?)
Purchased a fishing license in the Village,
And headed out on our 5-or-so-mile hike to the Lake of the Lost.
More commonly known as Lost Lake.

It was a beautiful hike.
Part trail.
Part sidewalk.
Along a river.
Past a skateboard park.
And technical bike routes.
Through the woods.
By a golf course.
And finally we stepped out to the park and approached the lake.

Charlie was a little excited.
After all he was about to fish...
And he was probably ready to stop walking.
But maybe he was excited for the same reason I was.
It was, quite simply, beautiful.

Andy gave Charlie some casting lessons on the lawn.
Luckily we were nearly the first to arrive and there was plenty of room.

And then they found a fishing spot.
I was able to get a few pictures while I was chasing Ephram around.

I chased Ephram around for a couple of hours.
He was in heaven.
And he was being really cute.

After awhile Andy and Charlie decided to look for a new fishing spot.
We went off on the trail around the lake, to scout a location.

It was right about here that Andy and Charlie took off down a narrow steep path to a pier.
There they fished for another hour or so.

Ephram and I hiked back to the park.
Where we found another toddler running around on the grass.
He was in heaven.
And I laughed so much that my face actually hurt from all the smiling.

Eventually Andy and Charlie returned.
And we realized we were hungry.
So we headed back down the trail.
Back to the Village.
And found ourselves some food.

I could get lost in Whistler forever.

Discovering Whistler

This year, for our summer vacation, we decided to head to Canada.
Specifically, to Whistler.
A place that is special to Andy and I.
A place that we want to be special for our family.
It did not disappoint.

Since the last time we'd been in Whistler, Vancouver had hosted the Olympic games.
Whistler had been the host location for all of the skiing and snowboarding activities.
They'd done quite a bit to build it up.
Including the addition of this welcoming statue.

We arrived at our condo and unpacked the car.

It had been a long five hour trip, so we relaxed awhile.
The view from the condo was pretty good... especially as it was supposed to be a no-view room.

Eventually we headed out on our first Whistler mission.
Discovery.
We headed into the village.

And after a few meandering hours we were completing the loop, and passing the Olympic park.

We stopped for burgers at a place called Splitz.
We ended up eating there again during our vacation, because it was that good.
And then headed back to our condo to goof off some more.

It was a great first day in Whistler.
And there were six more great days to come!

Ephram at 17 Months

Our Busy Boy

Somehow I caught this picture of my son.

He must have been still for a moment.

I probably coerced him by a promise of something.

Because catching him still like this, even for a slight moment, is a near impossibility now.

So when it happens I treasure it.

And I also treasure these images of my busy boy.

Trying to take a picture of mommy taking a picture of him.

"Helping" fold the laundry.

Yes, these clothes were already folded and stacked a short moment earlier.

Riding his wild zebra, and taking a few spins while neighing like a horse.

Showing off that he has learned many body parts... his favorite is the nose.

Especially if it is mommy's and he can squeeze it super hard while she's trying to rest.

Running to a door so that he can try to open it before anyone else does it for him.

Using mommy's computer...

Which might as well be Ephram's computer.

(And helps to explain why updates were difficult for quite awhile.)

Begging to go outside.

It usually works because he's just so darn cute.

Not to mention, insistent.

Helping mommy vacuum.  

Anytime I start he runs to grab this toy and joins in the fun.

Playing a round of cards with daddy.

This could be a typical day

(Or a typical hour)

In the life of my not-such-a-baby-anymore boy.

Getting busier by the day,

And we're enjoying every minute.