A Mini Getaway: Vancouver, BC

On Friday evening, I surprised Jim with a trip to Vancouver for the weekend to visit my sister, Vanessa, her boyfriend, Grant, and our old dog, Saigon. We have been talking about taking a big road trip in the summer to visit all of our friends and family in BC, but I really just wanted a weekend to see my sister without any other obligations. I booked the trip a few weeks ago, told Jim he needed to take Monday off because of something I had planned for him that was only available to do on a Monday, and arranged for my mom to come for a visit so she could babysit (thanks, Mom!!).

We left bright and early on Saturday morning and flew on one of those tiny planes that you board from the tarmac. Luckily, the flight from Calgary to Vancouver is only 80 minutes, so we were there in no time! And flying without a toddler...heaven! I also managed to pack only a carry-on for the weekend (unheard of for me!) and let me tell you...I vow to do this in the future whenever possible. So much time saved for both arriving at the airport and leaving.

Reading on an airplane...my favourite time to read!

The main purpose of our trip, other than hanging out with my sister, was to get in some good quality snuggles and time with Saigon. For those of you who are newer to the blog, you probably don't remember Saigon, but he was our dog for 3 years until shortly after Sully was born (I used to write a weekly series called Saigon Sundays). Before that, he was my brother's dog. Now, he's living a fantastic life with Vanessa, full of long walks by the beach, naps on a king sized bed, and more back rubs than he could ask for. We miss him dearly, but are just so glad that he's living a happy life in a good home.

We arrived at my sister's place in North Van around lunch time, and after saying our hello's to Saigon, we grabbed lunch and drinks at Browns Social House. Afterwards, we took Saigon on a big walk down to the waterfront before heading out to a local pub for the evening. Of course, it was cold and rainy on Saturday and Sunday, but you don't go to Vancouver for the weather in January!

This was the first time Jim and I have been able to go out together and not have to wake up at the crack of down with a hungry toddler. We had a blast drinking and catching up with Vanessa and Grant, before crawling into bed shortly after midnight. (If you follow me on snapchat, then I'm a tad embarrassed to say you got a good look at the fun we were having!)

Sunday we had a slow morning before heading out for some greasy food to cure our hangovers and then just hung out with Saigon. We went to a movie in the evening (The Big Short), and then grabbed some Pho and sushi.

Monday, the sun finally came out (of course it did - it was our last day there!), so we walked to an 80s diner for brunch and coffee and then I popped into the Public Library next door to get a library card to add to my collection (new life goals - dream big, friends, dream big!). We headed back to the apartment to grab Saigon and then spent our last hour in town walking around with him.

It was a bit of a whirlwind of a weekend and passed far too quickly for my liking, but I'll take any amount of time with my sister over no time with her. Why can't everyone I love live in the same city?!

I know it's almost the middle of the week now, but I hope you all had a good weekend!

Saigon Sundays: Watermelon Days

Saigon loves watermelon. Well, he pretty much loves all fruit, but I'd have to say he loves watermelon the most. One of our favourite things to do during watermelon season is have Saigon eat watermelon right off the rind like a human would. It's pretty entertaining (we don't get out much),  and he's got the technique down pat.

The pictures don't do this cuteness justice though.

Saigon Sundays: Building Baby's Crib

Saigon is known for always being interested in whatever Jim and I are doing around the house, but nothing peaks his interest quite like furniture building. In fact, it's impossible to put together a piece of furniture without Saigon underfoot right by your side.  We've been spending a lot of hours working on Baby Fraser's nursery and Saigon hasn't missed out on any of it. Yesterday, he was the foreman on crib building.

 

 

 

Saigon Sundays: Storytime

Yesterday, I spent the morning reading with two out of three of my favourite guys:

The Four B's: The Bully, the Bump, Brie and Books

I'm taking advantage of these moments because soon, Saturday mornings won't look like this :)

Saigon Sundays: Merry Christmas!

It's been a busy week, as I'm sure most of you can relate to, and I can't believe Christmas has come and gone in the blink of an eye! It's still hard to believe that our next Christmas will include a new, little member of our family. Christmas as we know it will never be the same and we can't wait! As for this year, we kept Christmas low-key while enjoying just how much fun Saigon truly has during gift opening. He's quite a hoot and he never fails to amuse us with how excited wrapping paper makes him. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones!

Love, Brie, Jim and Saigon xo

Saigon Sundays: Top Model

Sometimes, when we are taking  photos to document where I am in my pregnancy, Saigon feels the 

need to be centre stage. This dog loves the camera! I may be biased, but he'd be my top contender on Canada's Next Top Model: Pit Bull Edition! Plus, can this dog rock a mock turtleneck or what?

Saigon Sundays: Couch Wars

When Jim and I got a new couch this past Christmas, we had a mutual agreement that Saigon would not be allowed up on it. This was easier than it sounds because Saigon is pretty much scared of anything, especially anything new. And not allowing him up on the couch from the beginning set a precedent, and this was much easier than trying to break the habit months down the road.

But then one morning, I came down the stairs and was greeted by this:

See how the pillows are all down? That used to be enough to deter him from going on the couch.

He was so unfazed by being caught in action that he made no effort to get off the couch, (thus allowing me the time to get out my phone to take a picture). 

Six months of Saigon staying off the couch and all of a sudden he decides it is the spot he wants to sleep! Clearly, the pillows weren't doing the trick anymore. 

So, then we resorted to doing this before we left him in the house alone:

Big, scary, books!

Did this work? Oh, for a few days, yes. But, then today, we came home to this:

DVD's pushed out of the way and drool on the pillows.

Seems Saigon is getting braver. Well then.

No more playing games, we'll hit him where it hurts:

Saigon is severely scared of the swiffer.

While I'd be pretty surprised if he tried to move the stool out of the way, I have a feeling we might come home to this one day:

 

Saigon Sundays: Road Trippin'

Last weekend, Jim, Saigon and I packed into my car and hit the road to B.C. to visit my little sister, Vanessa. We dropped Saigon off at over-night camp in Aldergrove (his old kennel), where he got to 

play with all sorts of doggy friends. He was one happy and tired pup when he picked him up! And I gotta say, as hesitant as I was to bring Saigon along on a 12-hour road trip (and that was just one way!), he was 

such a good boy in the car.

Quick leg stretch in Edson

hour 11 in the car...

...and 5 minutes later

meeting up with Vanessa before getting dropped off at camp - he was SO happy to see her!

The trip back home...

just passed Hope, B.C. on our way back to Alberta

Saigon spent the majority of the car ride sleeping like this - as close to his people as possible

forever interested in what's going on in the front seat

I know it's a week late, but I hope you all had a wonderful May Long Weekend!

Saigon Sundays: When an Ordinary Stick Just Won't Do

The snow is finally gone and this gorgeous weekend has convinced us that summer really is just
around the corner! So what could possibly be better than fetch in the snow?
Fetch with a big hunk of wood in a field!

{I apologize for the few seconds where the video stalls at the beginning - I shot it on my 

phone and I have no idea how to edit a video}