Homeland <3

With time off from work (and cheap plane tickets) I have been lucky enough to take some extra trips up to the homeland this year- so nice to spend extra time catching up with friends and family (especially since we're coming up on our 16th year of living in the US!). The first trip was in April and was the shortest trip to Vancouver ever- flew in Friday night and back home Monday afternoon. Managed to spend Saturday chilling on a roof deck, sipping delicious beer and enjoying a gorgeous + sunny day overlooking the city with friends. The rest of the time was spent with family enjoying the outdoors and grilling on the deck. 

I headed back up in May (monthly visits really work for me ;-)) where I headed straight to the island to visit with my Dad's side of the family. I lucked out again with amazing weather this trip! I flew in on Mother's Day and we headed straight over to Hatley Castle to watch my aunt and uncle's band perform. The castle was used as Queen Mansion in the show Arrow- didn't realize it until I walked into the lobby and expected to see Stephen Amell coming down the stairs. We had a great dinner back at their house and wrapped up the night with the best chocolate cake of my life. The next day I did a hike with my aunt and uncle up Mount Douglas for incredible views, wandered around downtown and got sangria on the water with my cousin at The Local and wrapped up the day with dinner on the water with my aunt and cousin at Barb's Fish and Chips (so good and great views!).  I headed up the island for a few days in Tofinio (separate post) and then headed over to the mainland to visit with friends and fam for a few more days before flying back to CA. Great trip but as always too short.