Fun times...

We did two fun things this past weekend: Skiing/snowboarding and Shopping Trip at Buffalo!

Gloria and I went ski and snowboard with Fian after so many years!  Derek and Uncle Ed also joined us.  Fian borrowed Carly's snowboard and boots and Gloria borrowed Jenny's skis and poles as she wants to go back to ski as I mentioned before.  We were so excited, especially for Gloria because this is her first time going back to the slopes since she's pregnant with Jake!!!  The last time she went was probably 2007/2008 winter, hahaha.  We didn't bring the kid this time (I kinda feel bad a little, sorry babies - next time).  

We were so excited (partially cuz' I got some good corporate deals, haha).  Once we hit the slope, Uncle Ed, Derek and I didn't waste a second wanting to zoom down.  Gloria was a bit nervous, not that she's a beginner and not because she's rusty hasn't hit the slope from 2007/2008, but she hasn't ski ski skiied for almost 10 years, haha.  But i guess skiing is like driving a stick shift car, holding chopsticks or riding a bicycle.  She picked it back up in no time.  However, the first run was brutal for Fian, haha.  I kept hearing, "The boots were too big", "The binding was not right", "The board was weird", "The slope was funny", etc.  She fell a couple of times.  At first, I was laughing at her and making fun of her making up those excuses but after a few more falls, I stopped, haha.  She even said she has cramps on her feet!  This is the last picture I took when I was still using my own...

So, we went back inside and see if we need to rent her a pair of boots or even the whole package.  But we wanted to give it another try by a special trick - stuffing tissue papers on her feet to make it more tight in her boots and give her my board with my favorite bindings.  That's right, I'm switching boards with her, which means I'm using Carly's board!!!  The thing is Fian is a goofy (right leg first) and both Carly and I are regulars.  It didn't take me too long to change the binding angles but the whole stop took us almost an hour!!!

The result - haven't been up on the hill for so long, Fian is rusty but it was really also her special flat feet plus the bindings!  You are right, she was totally okay with my boards and bindings.  No wonder Carly had bruises every time when she board, she needs a much better bindings!!!  I know what to get her next time, hehe.  Being a pretty decent rider, I have complaints with her bindings, hahaha.  They just don't give you enough supports.  Anyhow, both Fian and I were exhausted afterwards which means Dad was having a hard time giving us massages, hahaha.  Regardless, we had so much fun!!!

Dad didn't join. He did quite a lot himself though: organizing more for Mom's stuffs at church, took care of some paper works for Mom, went to funeral home for thank you cards, went measure the storage locker at the condo, worked out, and picked up Jake before meeting us at my home before we head south for our next fun event - shopping at Buffalo!!!  Mom's stuffs give away event was another success.  When Fian sent me this picture, I thought they were at Pacific Mall, hahaha!!!  Thanks for all Aunties for coming.  Fian said, wait til I see Mom's stuffs "floating" around at church, hahaha.  God is good once again.

As promised, here are the pictures of the Visitation, Funeral Service and the Burial especially for those who weren’t able to join.  Thanks for your loves, cares, supports and prayers from Canada, Hong Kong, the States, China and even Australia.  Mom will always be in our hearts looking at you with a smile - the same look that made you want to look away at first but wanting to look back again and again right after. 

Our Buffalo trip wasn't the best, as the deal down there wasn't the greatest.  The best deals was probably at A&F where they have 70% off additional to their sale items.  Gloria and I bought 6 items and the total was just $65 (we also have some credits to use from Kevin and Jamie - thanks!!!)  That means, it's basically free, hahaha.  The most expensive item was like $14!!!  Each Fian and I bought a pair of new snowboard pants - buy one get one free!!!  Hers was like $99 and mine was free, hahaha ($79).  

Even though the deals wasn't the greatest, Gloria and I got some time to really shop.  Thanks God for Fian and Dad, we took turns taking care of the boys while the other can focus on shopping, hahaha.  At one point, Fian and Gloria got to spend a good hour in one store, hahaha.  Actually, the boys were very good in general.  However, Jonah started to get sick having running nose and coughing again.  Thank God that he wasn't cranky at all.  It was another fun trip after all, especially when Dad drove pretty much all the way down and up while everyone else was sleeping like a pig, (except me, hahaha).  

Travelling is definitely Mom's cup of tea.  She left us with a big travelling package just before she got diagnosed with MDS end of 2011.  It's worth one big trip plus three smaller trips each year.  For sure, we'll be busy planning and travelling from now on.  It's not the easiest for the rest of us to plan I know.  None of us was excited even with the package she bought but I think it's the opposite after just one road trip like this.  Maybe we'll start planning our next trip soon.  Any suggestions? 

"Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the Nations what He has done."  (Psalm 105:1)