The year that was, per usual, was full of adventure. We travelled at a monthly pace, with a mix of short and long trips. We also filled the calendar with so many other activities, it would make most people’s heads spin. Let’s see some of the highlights of 2023:

Staying Local

To celebrate Mrs. Sip’s birthday, we spent the weekend in Downtown Vancouver, including meals at H Tasting Lounge (in one of their Winterlust domes) and Top of Vancouver, along with a Vancouver Canucks game in between. The no-kids staycation was a great way to kickoff my muse’s final year of her 30s.

Hawaiian Hula

Our Spring Break getaway saw the Sip Family take a two-week cruise to Hawaii. Much merriment occurred both on and off the ship, as we toured the islands. This was our first cruise where the Sipplings could both enjoy the Kid’s Club without supervision, so Mrs. Sip and I did a crawl of the many bars on board.

Snow Bunnies

For Easter, the Sip Family joined some friends in Manning Park. While others braved the frigid temperatures in campers and motorhomes, we glamped it up in a nearby cabin, getting a good mix of playing in the snow, while also being able to retreat to the warmth and comforts of our accommodation.

Going to the Lodge

Our very first journey to the fabled Great Wolf Lodge was a lot of fun. So much so, that we returned to the resort in October for another round of waterslides, Magic Quest and time together with our own wolf pack. Because of the discounts they offer returning guests, we already have plans to visit again this spring.

Whistling All the Way

Just weeks later, we were off to Whistler, for another getaway. While we didn’t hit the village as much as I thought we would, we spent a fair amount of time together as a family, enjoying the amenities of our resort, while also going through a respectable quantity of food and drinks.

Wine Weekend

The Okanagan has been a setting for many Sip Family vacations over the years and 2023 was no different. For the Canada Day long weekend, a group of us all spent the holiday in Keremeos. The kids and adults both played in their own fashion, with another memorable moment being Girl Sip losing her first tooth.

The Hangover

With a friend due to be married, we celebrated in style with a guy’s trip to Las Vegas. Great food, drinks and other typical bachelor party achievements were marked off the checklist. Of all the times I’ve been to Sin City, this was the first time the Sip Advisor had gone with dudes only and it was a very different experience.

This is 40

The entirety of my 40^th birthday festivities were amazing. From my Sip, Chip & Dip party, to the coastal cruise we took as a family, finishing with Mrs. Sip and I spending a whole week in Las Vegas together, sans children and other responsibilities. You only get one shot at it and I feel we hit the bullseye.

Kings of Concrete

In early November, I joined a group of guys for a weekend in Concrete, Washington. The time was spent eating, drinking and drinking. That’s not a typo! A fair bit of the weekend was spent outdoors, a roaring fire lighting our debauchery, and it was nice to get away from all our technology, even if only briefly.

Down Mexico Way

Looking for some relief from winter – as mild as it may have been – the Sip Family jet-setted off to the Mayan Riviera, where we spent a week at an all-inclusive resort. Much downtime was enjoyed, including lots of pool play, animal watching and room relaxing.

That wraps up a very busy 2023. 2024 is shaping up to be comparable, with a few vacations already dotting the calendar and a number of milestone birthdays on the horizon. I wish all you little sippers similar prosperity!