Today we bought tickets for the Hop On/Hop Off tour bus in Vancouver. We like to do this when we first get to a new town because it gives us an overview of the area and then we can better decide what we want to further investigate.  When we lived in Europe and the kids were babies, the bus tours let us continue to learn about the city even when the kids needed to nap.  They are flexible kids for the most part.

We went to Stanley park and enjoyed the verdant rain forest-and yes it sprinkled off and on in the open air bus!  It was about 50° but tomorrow promises to be sunnier. It was only uncomfortably chilly for a bit.

We got off the bus at Granville Island and enjoyed wandering around. Zack bought a moose stuffed animal and Nathan bought a bald eagle stuffed animal both with their own $.  I got postcards and a skunk stuffed animal- let me explain!

I'm calling it the "I wasn't a stinker today!" Award. At the end of each day we all vote for whom we think had the best behavior or did something really nice for someone else. Today we voted for Rich because he tracked down a battery charger for my Canon camera (which I forgot at home) while we all went swimming at the hotel.  *see photo soon.

I think our little skunk will also be our trip mascot- so look for him in upcoming photos.

That's it for today!

Today we bought tickets for the Hop On/Hop Off tour bus in VWe like to do this when we get to a new town because it gives us an overview of the area and then we can better decide what we want to further investigate.

So here is my packing dilemma- All these clothes + under garments +toiletries have to fit into that little blue backpack and I have to carry my own gear!  I'm not going to take the advice that many of you gave me "just sneak more outfits in" because if I do sneak them in, I still have to carry my own bag each time we move locations.  Plus I do want to have a little extra space to buy a few small souvenirs.  So Rich told me I was limited to 3 outfits and I have generally kept the "spirit" of the 3 outfit limit.  Here it goes: 3 pairs of shoes- hiking shoes, fancy flip flops, practical flip flops
                                         3 short sleeve shirts- one fancy, one sporty and one plain white T
                                         3 cold weather tops- one sweater, one long sleeve shirt, one thermal top
                                         3 pairs of pants- one pair of jeans, one pair of khaki capris, and a yoga pant
                                         3 dress items- one long dress, one short dress, and one slip
                                         1 fleece jacket
                                         1 bathing suit, no cover up :(
                                         1 pair of pajamas
                                         1 floppy hat
                                         1 rain poncho
                                         7 pairs of underwear & socks

Bare minimum makeup, deodorant, small brush, toothpaste and brush, 2 pairs of earrings, one watch, 1 necklace, fake wedding ring, kindle fire, iphone, Canon camera, first aid kit, travel diary, sunglasses, etc.

Notice how the colors all coordinate for optimal mixing and matching!  My color palate for the next 60 days! I'm going to be so sick of these clothes by the end.  I'll probably want to burn them.

I already made sure that it all fit in there (not with the toiletries yet) and it does as long as I wear the jeans, the white T, the jacket, and the hiking boots! Tonight will be the real test with all of the little extras.  I'll let you know how it all turns out.
                                        

So today is a big day in the Nolan household- Nathan got his military ID card.  You have to be 10 years old and he has been waiting since his birthday in April (about 6 weeks ago) to get his.  Yes we leave tomorrow for our version of Amazing Race for 60 days- nothing like waiting until the last minute.  It dawned on us last week that the boys might need their cards to get on those free Space A flights.  After looking all over for Jake's card and coming up short, we got him a replacement card while we were already going.  They arrived two hours late to school on their last day!  oops!

Getting ready for our 60 day adventure!  Only 6 days away! I'm trying to tie up loose ends here at home before we embark on this journey.  The boys only have 2 more days of school and are thrilled.  We have 6 boys in the house right now for an impromptu play date.  Can't blame them for wanting to spend time with friends before it family time non-stop!  I feel the same way- I'm trying to get as much friend time in as possible before we leave.  I figure we will have plenty of time together as a family very soon!  Too much, if I'm being honest!  Well, that's it for now.  Have to focus my energy on the play date and my last board meeting as Los Angeles Air Force Spouses' Club president.  It's been an honor, but I'm ready to focus on other areas of my life :)