Golden moments

Steve did a victory lap around the yard with the girls (Miranda and her friend Ainslie) after Canada's victory in the gold medal hockey game; later, Miranda showcased her snowboarding talents for us in the kitchen. Serious fun!

Rocky mountain high

(title inspired by our beloved GG, Michaelle Jean, who infamously referred to the Coast Mtns. as "the Rockies")...

We visited Jonathan in Whistler and had a blast going from peak to peak (Whistler to Blackcomb and back again) on the new gondola. A large, verrry friendly skier with a thick European accent took our picture (Miranda refused to look at him--maybe not a bad judgment call) before we headed into "Christine's" mountain-top restaurant for a hot meal with a cool view. Miranda changed into her snowsuit for sliding, while Steve opted to simply get his pants wet. I suspect the real highlight for our girl was riding the cow in Whistler village--although we also pretended to go bobsledding and hug a bear.

Go Canada!

A dog's life

Our beloved and faithful pet for 14 years, Tycho passed away suddenly but peacefully on Valentine's Day morning; we were with him on the front porch as he breathed his last. Tycho was about a year old when we got him from the SPCA in East Vancouver, and he had a good, long life with us--he was never any trouble, even at the end, and as recently as three days ago he was frisking around in the Cove with a little Westie and had to be fetched home. He seemed in some distress and having trouble walking this morning, so we put in a call to the vet, but minutes later, Tycho was gone, on his own, to the happy hunting grounds. He leaves us with fond memories, especially of his youthful antics: drinking the milk from my glass, stealing a pound of butter (he had a nice glossy coat afterwards), and consuming an entire loaf of homemade bread left on the table. After being our "baby" for almost a decade before Miranda came along, he lovingly accepted her in the household and became more of an outdoor dog after we moved to the island in 2006. Steve buried him on our property so he'll always be close by. Always in our hearts...We'll miss you, Tycho!

Hot wheels

Yep, there's something about an impending addition to the family that prompts the urge to get a new (well, somewhat pre-loved) vehicle! We got the Subaru five years ago when we were expecting Miranda, and you see here the latest addition to the Forster fleet: a 2008 F-150. Plenty room for two car-seats in the back; seats six in a pinch. Miranda's friend Ailsa (in the shadows here) suggested "Blackie" as the girls gave themselves over to serious consideration of an appropriate name for it (at least I assume that was a suggestion for the vehicle, not the upcoming baby). Steve's just happy to have 4WD to get up the driveway--and a model year (unlike our previous truck) that begins with 20...

Keep on truckin'!