What We’ve Been Up To
August 21st, 2006 by Carlo
This has been one busy summer, let me tell you! We kicked it off with Kelley’s graduation at the end of May, followed by a trip with Henri and Bernadette to Victoria the following weekend. Some business travel followed and then my sadly grandma passed away (she was 94) so a funeral/family reunion followed in the Bay Area.
There was the girl’s getaway weekend, the boys getaway weekend, business trips and somewhere in all of that was a lot of activity with Portland Velo, our cycling club. Of course, its all good, but wow, it seems like we’ve been on the go since summer started! Here are some highlights (in no partular order)…
Our cycling club held its first Club Century and BBQ on Saturday, July 29. Here’s Monique with fellow member Linda Rennie and Maggie from Maggie’s Buns, one of our sponsors. We’ve made a lot of friends and are getting in some great rides!
The first weekend of June was spent in Victoria with Henri and Bernadette. We stayed in downtown Victoria and did a bunch of touristy things, like visit the Royal B.C. Museum. Monique and I brought our tandem and did some nice riding around the island. The highlight for everyone was visiting Henri’s cousin Marcel and Elaine who own the Garry Oaks Winery on Salt Spring Island.
The Champagne women had their annual “Girls Weekend” in Kananaskas (I sorta forget when). Bernadette, Laure, Julie, Monique and Nicole spent the weekend hiking, talking, eating and bonding. Next year in Portland?
Our dear friend Chris came to visit us this past weekend. She and Monique went to grad school together and we always have a great time when she comes to visit. This time it was Cannon Beach, one of our favorite places to take guests.
Henri, Denis and I met at Alma and Curt’s pad at Lake Blaine, Montana (see post “The 2006 Boys Weekend…”) for our annual “Boys Weekend”. What started as an answer to the Girls Weekend has turned out to be a top-of-the-line vacation! 
My little “bunny” is not little anymore. In fact, she’s much bigger than me. But what blows me away is that she graduated this past Memorial Day Weekend and this Fall, she’s off to Stanford University. Wow, I feel old! I really don’t, just very proud!
We are very fortunate to have made some good friends while in Portland. Kim and Marion (pictured), Heather and Nick, Jerry and Debbie, Matt and Laura, Glen and Debbie, Leanne and John (where are you guys?!?) and our (older) twins Mike and Michelle - we are glad you are in our lives!
I mentioned above that my Gramma passed away; and it wold have ben a whole lot more sad had it been any other family! My family can’t help but spontaneously combust into singing and dancing. Gramma would have been proud!
Well, that’s about all for now. Actually, there is a lot more work, travel, cycling, club stuff, concerts and good times in between, but I have to get back to work! Keep in touch and let us know what’s going on with you!
Love,
Cai and Monique
