BOU AVENUE
Weekend In Kimberley
This year's weekend getaway with my friends was in Kimberley, British Columbia from 18-20 January 2008.  For the second year in a row, I booked a private chalet for our group of fourteen which included Kelly Bou, Shelley Brunner, Dorthea (Dolly) Carter, Yolanda Casado, Joanne Francis, Sean Leher, Matt Leith, Scott Mair, Marcella Pesiri, Patricio Sanhueza, Priya Srivastava, Raman (Ray) Srivastava, Scott Warner, and myself.  The fun-filled weekend was highlighted by some fine skiing at the nearby ski resort, a fabulous beef strip loin dinner provided by Scott W., and an early celebration of my 40th birthday.
Or else she hasn't been able to wipe that smile off her face ever since Scott W. proposed to her recently! Marcella seems really thrilled with the chalet's fridge.
Photo courtesy of
Scott Warner
What's with those silly green things?! Shelley wastes no time getting into the wine.
Photo courtesy of
Scott Mair
Like the matching sofas?? The party has already started in the living room.
The chili recipe actually includes a cup of white wine. Ray tries to add his own special ingredient to Sonny's chili.
Photo courtesy of
Scott Warner
Cheers! Ray and Shelley are enjoying their drinks.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
And you're marrying this guy, Marcella?? Matt stares in disbelief as Scott W. starts dry humping Marcella while she is trying to look at some resort brochures.
Gotta love that Red Stripe! Scott M. is making the most of the evening by drinking two beers at the same time.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
Who needs dinner? Yolanda, Joanne, and Kelly enjoy their wine and munchies.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
10-ball in the corner pocket! Ray and Scott M. shoot some pool in the games room.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
In fact, there's a bathroom behind that door. Either Scott W. really enjoys the music blaring on the stereo, or he really has to go the bathroom!
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
Matt looks like a serious pool player! Matt sizes up a tough shot.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
Hookie bookie hookie...anyone know how to play a diminished 7th? Ray now thinks he's a rock star!
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
Kitchen wasn't as big as last year's... Priya, Patricio, Yolanda, Dolly, and Sean help themselves to supper in the kitchen.
Don't they make a cute couple?! Shelley and Scott M. slave over the stove as they prepare Friday evening's dessert.
It tasted just as fabulous as it looked! Here is a close-up of the dessert.
Congratulations you two on your recent engagement! Patricio and Priya are enjoying the party.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
Can you say, "GYROSCOPE"??? (inside joke) Sean and Dolly are all smiles shortly before playing Catch Phrase.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
A nice way to end the night! Shelley, Scott M., Marcella, and Ray relax in the private outdoor hot tub.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
This is actually a black diamond run! On Saturday, Kelly hits the ski slopes at Kimberley Alpine Resort.
They both did very well considering that neither has been on skis in years. Patricio and Priya cruise down the popular green run under the high speed quad chair.
There's a much easier way... Sean, Joanne and Kelly take a rather adventurous route back to the chalet.
Or else he couldn't wait to find a bathroom...hence the name of the ski run! Ray gets tangled in some trees!
Mind the twigs! Kelly aggressively leads the way down another black diamond run.
Nice helmet! Ray takes a break from pounding the moguls.
Time for lunch! Kelly and Ray ride the double chair before heading back to the chalet for a break.
Yahtzee? Back at the chalet, everyone else is drinking wine and rolling dice.
Photo courtesy of
Scott Mair
Ahhh...that feels nice! Sean, Kelly and Sonny have a soak in the hot tub after a fun-filled day on the ski slopes.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
Mmmmm! Sonny starts digging into the shrimp appetizer.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
We certainly got our money's worth from our lift tickets! Kelly, Patricio, Joanne and Ray do some night skiing at Kimberley Alpine Resort.
How romantic! Dolly hugs Sean.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
Kinda looks like I just chopped my own foot! Sonny chops some wood for the fireplace.
Photo courtesy of
Scott Mair
It was a very close game, but Kelly and Patricio prevailed over me and Joanne. Kelly hams it up for the camera while Sonny explains the rules of cribbage to Patricio.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
That's about $140 worth of meat right there! Scott M. checks on the beef strip loin.
Photo courtesy of Scott Mair
Matt is testing to see if Dolly is still alive or just brain-dead... Ray, Sean, Dolly, Matt, Shelley and Sonny enjoy the delicious meal.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
The chalet definitely could use a bigger dining table! Yolanda, Priya and Marcella also enjoy their dinner and wine.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
That really was an awesome dinner! Eating at the final table in the chalet are Joanne, Kelly, Patricio and Scott M.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
This cheesecake was unbelievably rich! Sonny feels the heat emanating from his birthday cake.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
Hope this doesn't set off the smoke detectors! Sonny manages to blow out all the candles in one breath.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
Great!  Another Microsoft product to hack into! Sonny proudly shows off his birthday gift from Kelly.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
Oh, I also got a box of Fruit Creme cookies from Scott! Sonny also receives as a gift from Scott W. enough instant noodles to feed a small third world country.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
Let's rock! Sonny deep down has always wanted to be a rock star.
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
Mair kinda looks like some rocker from the 70's! Scott W. and Marcella appear unimpressed with Scott M.'s "guitar playing".
Looks pretty easy so far! Here is what everyone is looking at on the television screen.
Looks like everyone else is fading in the background! Kelly gets into a groove on the guitar!
How about some ZZ Top? Surprisingly, Scott W. is not passed out drunk yet!
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
Really need to lose the glasses, though! Going barefoot and wearing a shirt that matches the guitar buttons, Sonny is the personification of the "Guitar Hero"!
Photo courtesy of Scott Warner
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... The party is long over for Patricio.
Photo courtesy of Scott Mair