The Year the Friesens Rented a Villa

Maybe one day we will look back on this year 

as a year that stands out with changes,

or maybe as a year that changed everything.

This is also the year we celebrate our 45th Anniversary

and so, by request of our kids, we booked camping spots in Washington,

a favorite summer holiday place of their childhood.

When we realized that this was not going to happen,

they began looking for another option.

Being busy with moving and settling into our house,

we were not involved as much. 

I saw floor plans, lots of bedrooms,

but never thought to check out what the house actually looked like. 

That's not really like us, but we were just so happy to find a place 

that could house us all.

We left caravan style last Sunday morning,

vehicles full of groceries, sports equipment, bikes and luggage. 

You can only imagine how excitement had built up by this time.

We couldn't check in till four, 

so we dragged out the drive with stops. 

When we came upon the complex in Kelowna,

and drove around to park,

my H just said, "this must be the place!"

It took more than that phrase to convince me ..

and I'm sure there were screams in the other cars. 

A hostess met our ueber excited clan and decided to give us a tour.

A large kitchen with an adjoining deck.

There were sitting corners in several places.

The views were amazing through all the weather changes.

 Bedrooms all had white linens.

There was a floor we dedicated just to the girls.

They took three bedrooms and shared a bathroom.

Wouldn't you take special note of doors like this? 

They led into the boys' room on the main floor.

The moms and dads got rooms on that floor as well.

The hallway by the kitchen was fine enough to roller blade 

and there was also a pool table and games room.

 The rooftop patio housed the hottub, a sitting area with lounge chairs and 

our bedroom and bath. 

Monday, after breakfast, we headed to the beach.

It looks nicer than it was because

you can't see the mosquitos that soon chased us away. 

For a little while, though, we tried to make the best of it.

I was reminded that

the first big family vacation we took with married kids was in 2004.

How special it felt, and how hard I worked to be organized.

Tehya was almost two and Paeton not born yet ...

the year that they headed overseas. 

This week Tehya told me that this could be the last vacation

with all the grands being "children." 

And that's how fast it goes ...

a few holidays and trips ... and they are grown.

I see our own kids taking charge as we begin to slow down.

 In the afternoon, as we sat on our rooftop patio,

I heard loud laughter downstairs.

I peered over the railing and saw the theme to the dinner that was being prepared.

Wouldn't you know it, Kristal had found sombreros in their bedroom. 

 We had fun trying them on.

  Shaun and Kristal served up a yummy dinner of pork carnitas.

We were serenaded with Mariachi music 

and finished off with a pinata party.

Such a fun evening!

The deck really became the happening place for all kinds of activity ...

to spy out the land,

paint

color

skateboard
games

hide and seek

and eat

Ben and Kari were not to be outdone!

We soon saw hints of a Hawaiian theme ....

leis, pina caladas and Hawaiian music.

They served a delicious meal of 

grilled teriyaki chicken with carmelized pineapple,

rice and grilled vegetables.

Dessert was a deconstructed hula pie! 

On Wednesday Chris and Julene whipped up a tasty "Diner" style dinner,

complete with deep fried fries and lots of burger toppings.

After dinner there was a cook off that I will tell about in the next post.

And that was our dessert. 

During the day, the kids enjoyed the pool,

bike rides and pickle ball. 

Covid rules made pool times a bit more difficult, 

but everyone was fine with whatever time they could get. 

I'll leave now with a clue to something the grands 

invited us all to share in.

There was quite some built up anticipation for this evening
and there were those that could hardly wait.