Weekend In Whistler

This past weekend we had the fantastic opportunity to spend 4 days in Whistler. We went for the National Home builder's Conference (for those of you who don't know Yvan is a home builder). Yvan sits on the executive board as vice president for our region and every year they send the executives and their spouses (yaaaaa) to the national conference. And this year it was in Whistler!!!

Neither of us had ever been to Whistler before and we were both really excited to go. We flew out Thursday afternoon, landed in Vancouver and picked up our rental car. We loaded our bags into the cute little 4 door Yaris and took to the roads of Vancouver. Luckily, our flight was about 45 minutes late and so we missed rush hour traffic in downtown Van! As we have spent lots of time in Vancouver we know how hairy it can be but we breezed right thru in about 20 min which is amazing!!! We hit the north side of Vancouver and started the long, winding and construction filled road to Whistler. Unluckily, our flight was 45 min. late so we had to drive up the mountain at dusk. Holy crow!! That road is crazy at the best of times but with all the construction for the 2010 Olympics it is a bit of nightmare - we would drive down on Monday during the day and it wasn't as bad when you can see what is coming at in the daylight! It is hard to believe that the crew is ahead of schedule and under budget - you wouldn't think so when you see the crushed rock, gravel and unfinished road work that lay ahead. Those construction workers are brave indeed.

The weekend was great! The conference is all about home builder's from across the country getting together to celebrate the industry, network, learn and have fun.

Saturday evening was a 60's themed dinner and dance - and a band that played music from the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's - the lead singer did everyone from Elvis, Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Tina Turner, Neil Diamond - they did Abba, Cyndi Lauper etc. It was fun!!! Sunday night was the gala - we got to dress up all fancy schmancy!!!

We saw some amazing guest speakers. Bob MacDonald, Joel Cohen (a writer on the Simpsons) Jessica Holmes (Royal Canadian Airfarce perfomer) Jessica does the funniest Celine Dion impersonation ever!! The one that touched us the most was Micheal "Pinball" Clemons" from the Toronto Argonauts. I am not a football fan in the least but he was a fantastic motivational speaker. He had people in tears (men too) with his passion and love for life! For a football player he is little in stature (only 5'5") but he has the biggest heart and personality I have ever seen. His main theme was "we play this game for each other" meaning the game of life...and if we remember this in our day to day life we can't go wrong. He said life shouldn't be about playing only for ourselves but for everyone we know. I have never been so inspired by a speaker as I was by Pinball - he truly has the gift of inspiration!

My mom, Auntie Kerry, Cherie and Hayley also were up at Whistler this weekend - so we got to spend some quality time with them as well. We did some shopping, eating and visiting and oh did I mention shopping - hee hee! No, I don't always shop!!!

If you are ever in Whistler - be sure to go to Zog's - they have the best Poutine in the West!!! The coolest thing about Whistler is that you can sit outside and eat at all the great little restaurants. They have heaters and some places have blankets so you can wrap yourself up all cozy like. This way you get to people watch and take in the fresh air!

The only thing we didn't get to do was snowboard - boo! Friday morning Yvan and I woke up and pressed our noses against the hotel window in unadulterated envy and watched all the people skiing and snowboarding down Blackcomb - we are definitely going to go back and hit the slopes!!!

Next Year's conference is in Quebec City - Whoot!! I love Quebec City - can't wait!!!

We play this game for you!!!