Happy Anniversary in LA!


While in LA and soaking in the rays and the sights, Oliver and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary! It’s not that hard to believe that on our honeymoon we backpacked our way through France and Italy staying in hostels and slugging around our backpacks. Funny how things don’t really change that much! Now we just have kids with us to share the fun and excitement! And to be honest, I think I am more of a “princess” now….not that I need a five star and chocolates on my pillow….but my standards have increased from the shared dorm rooms we stayed in so long ago:)

Anyways, we were so glad to be in LA because we had the chance to meet up with some wonderful friends from highschool. So many of our friends/family have relocated around the world, and this trip has given us the chance to reconnect with quite a few of them (Germany, Lucca, Australia, Vancouver, LA.)

Brian (my highschool buddy), moved down to LA around 15 years ago and has been working in the high-tech industry helping to develop “bionic” eyes for blind people at a company called Second Sight. He just recently moved to another company called eSight, which markets a similar product, but is less invasive. His beautiful wife Stephanie still works for Second Sight, but is able to work from home which allows her to be with the fun and energetic Keon (2.5) and hockey player extraordinaire Caiden (11).

For our anniversary, Brian cooked us an amazing meal of tri-tip in his smoker along with beer can chicken and a roasted veggie orzo salad. The men had a good time trying to get the chicken off the spit…it was funny to watch!

The girls and Keon made our Canadian contribution of Nanaimo bars since Stephanie hasn’t really eaten Canadian foods yet….we’ll have to get her a good meal of poutine when they next come to visit.

Making Nanaimo bars with Keon
Making Nanaimo bars with Keon

All in all, we had a great time together and were able to catch up on a million years of happenings! Although social media can help people stay in touch…there’s nothing like seeing good friends face to face!

Wonderful Friends!
Wonderful Friends!

It once again reaffirms our beliefs that travel is so important…not just to see the sights – but to see people and spend time together.  We look forward to when they come and visit us…we have to teach Steph and the kids more about this awesome country of ours!

Most importantly, the question everyone asks Oliver is how will he ever top this anniversary gift??? What could he possibly give me next year to outdo a trip around the world for a year??? Any suggestions?


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12 responses to “Happy Anniversary in LA!”

  1. hello Katina, Oliver and girls, what an amazing stories, and what a great anniversary ! Congratulations to you ! xxx

    1. Thanks Ingrid – it just keeps getting better and better! We hope to see you in Canada soon….we remember our time with you and your family. The flower parade is something we still talk about….it would be great to show you our part of the world too!

      Take care,
      Kat and the gang:)
      P.S. Zoe was able to get some Speculoose spread in LA – she is a happy girl!

  2. Happy Anniversary!!! and may there be many, many, many more (although i’m not sure how you can top the travel around the world gift).

    1. Hi Brian,

      It certainly would be tough to top this trip – but it can be fun trying to do so!

      Cheers and we will see you soon!
      Kat:)

  3. Happy Anniversary!

    As for ideas to outdo/match the global field trip, I’ll just leave this here: Space Tourism – Summary of Commercial Options. Clearly, still some details to iron out, and perhaps it’ll take a few years for these companies to join the Star Alliance, so maybe next year is slightly ambitious. 🙂

    1. Hi Serena,
      Great ideas – love it for sure….and imagine the points we could accumulate!! Perhaps for our 25th??

      Cheers and take care,
      Kat:)

  4. Herta Park Avatar
    Herta Park

    What a lovely way to spend your anniversary…and belated Best Wishes!!!! For next year? Or your 20th to give you time to organize? How about inviting all of these extended family and new friends to Canada and having a massive BBQ at YOURS? Your friends and family (here) can help billet them and do a major Canadian pot luck? Just thinkin’

    1. Hi Herta,

      I love this idea – it would be so wonderful to have all the great people we have met on our trip – to come to Canada and break bread together. One important thing we have discovered is that it doesn’t matter about geography – people are people and are all looking to be happy, healthy and take care of their families. We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of others and would love to do the same for them!

      Cheers,
      Kat:)

  5. Happy Anniversary!!!!

    1. HI Ted,

      Thanks for the good wishes! We hope you are enjoying a great summer!

      Cheers,
      Kat

      PS – Are you still at the Y?

  6. Hi Kat,
    It was lovely that you were able to visit Brian, Stephanie, Caiden and Keon! Kudos to Brian for cooking such a lovely Anniversary Dinner! It was beautiful to see all of the family at the kitchen table! That certainly was a wonderful Anniversary celebration! Happy Anniversary.

    I like Herta’s suggestion! Love, Mom

    1. HI Mom,

      Totally agree…nothing better than spending special times with special friends! Brian is an amazing chef – we were lucky to be recipients of his expertise! It’s just too bad it’s they are so far away….we will have to make a point of going to visit on a regular basis!

      Cheers,
      Kat:)

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