Banff Springs Hotel Getaway midweek....AHHHHH!!!!!

Well......Where do I begin.
We just happened to go last minute to a conference for Scotts work at the Banff Springs Hotel. Need I say more. What a fantastic mini vacation it was!!!! In all my days of travel, I have always wanted to stay there. Well I have finally done it, and with two kids in tow. Caitlyn calls it the Princess Castle. Matthew thought we had to stay a one week minimum.
We had a fantastic time. And still got some photos in. For everyone who knows me it is what I REALLY like to do. These are four of my favorite. I think I may have taken at least 100 or more. May update some of the others later.....ENJOY!!!!!

Caitlyn's 5th Birthday - A Fairy Party Slideshow

Caitlyn's 5th Birthday Fairy Princess party Oct 28th 2007 C

Just tick on photo to take you to the slideshow.

Caitlyn turned 5 years old on October 29th. I can't believe she is that old already, and learning to read at school. The little Fairy Princesses enjoyed themselves at the party, and Matthew had fun as Peter Pan.

Slideshow of Caitlyn's Princess Camp August 2007

Just tick on the photo and slideshow will start. If you want a larger view tick on the yellow person in the left hand side of slideshow it will take you to the album directly. Enjoy

Caitlyn attended a one week Princess camp this summer. The hours were gruelling. From 9am until 530pm daily.....learning proper princess etiquite. Learning all the princess dance moves.
Eating like a princess and minding your manners. Oh they did have some fun.
Caitlyn met the twins and on the day they all had on the same bathing suite they decided that they were no longer the twins but now triplets. That was too funny Caits coming home...."mommy mommy I am now a triplet". She had so much fun that every day when I came to pick her up she would say "mommy go home, I am not ready to leave yet." Now that was a switch.

Hangin' Out at the Lake

March 2007 - A day trip to Lake Louise. We drove up and had lunch at the Post Hotel in the village, then went to see the remnants of the ice sculptures at the Chateau. Scott hiked all over these mountains when he spent a year here back in 1992, and he tobogganed off the peak of Mount St. Piran. It may be a couple of years before the munchkins are up for a walk to the tea house.

Baby Steps

Feb. 2007 - Matthew learning to skate on the Bow River in Bowness Park. He was using dual-blade skates that strap onto his boots. This year we'll get him on real skates. The community center in our neighborhood builds outdoor rinks each winter, and it's free for residents to skate there. Scott is planning on playing some hockey with his business associates this year as well.

Playing with Big Cousin Jenn

February 2007 - the kids tobogganing with their big cousin Jenn.

Jenn, just a snapshot for you to look at while sitting on the beach down under. We had our first snowfall of the year on Thursday.

Autumn Afternoon

An autumn afternoon at Bowness Park beside the Bow River in Calgary. Caitlyn had to collect leaves and other outdoor items for her autumn school project. They eventually made leaf art. Scott's goal that day was to avoid getting a hernia while playing on the see-saw, as he likely had another golf game lined up for work the next day. When a neighbor recently asked Caits what her Dad did for a living, she replied that he played golf. Scott's happy that he's managed to play about 40 rounds this year (mostly work related) and his scores are better than ever (shooting a personal best of 83).

Havin' a Ball @ Matty's B-Day Party

Geronimo....look out below!!
There goes the three year old pulling a Spiderman and living up to the image of the superhero on the front of his shirt. We had Pit O' Balls set up in the backyard for Matthew's birthday party. It was a hit - to say the least. He also loves letting out a battle cry as he runs and hurls himself off of a six foot drop and into an ocean-like foam block pit at his gymnastics ("be-nastics") class at the Canada Olympic Park. The other Moms can't help but laugh at his antics. He's a character.

Little Dancing Princesses

Little Princess Caitlyn at her jazz dance class (far right silhouette). They learned a dance routine for Splish Splash I Was Takin' a Bath during her first dance program. Now in her second dance program, she is learning ballet and tap. Her ballet tutu is priceless - I'll have to put a photo of it on here. NOTE: I know you can't see their faces, but Scott thought this photo looked artistic.

Matthew's Mudroom Modifications

Matthew sure is a hands-on kind of little guy who can't resist climbing work ladders and lending a hand whenever Daddy's tools come out. Here he is helping Daddy hang up coat hooks in the mudroom. He had already overseen the installation of new curtain rods in the breakfast nook that day. Once their Saturday jobs are finished they go play golf in the backyard with Matty's set of junior clubs and practice balls. Scott took him to a driving range (or "driving strange" according to Matthew) this summer. Matty was most effective with his nine iron.

Livingroom Engineering

Daddy assists the kids with their home construction project. They managed to reach the ceiling with the tower, then mischievous Matty couldn't resist toppling it.

Caitlyn's First Day of Kindergarten

Caitlyn and I on her first day of Kindergarten. Daddy, Matthew and Grandma also came to drop her off, see her classroom and meet her teacher Mrs. Roberts. Thankfully the school is only a five minute walk from our house. Of course the kids seem to find a way to stretch it into ten minutes most days. Max has also been getting some exercise walking back and forth. I have been volunteering at the school periodically. It seems strange being addressed as Mrs. Mills by a room full of kids.

Grandma Visits Banff Topless

In early September Grandma took advantage of a seat sale and booked a last minute flight from London to Calgary. She managed a 10 day visit which overlapped with Matthew's 3rd Birthday party. We all piled in the jeep and trekked off to Banff with the top down one afternoon. The kids weren't quite sold on going topless the first time we tried it, but they came around. They seem to enjoy the hat and sunglasses aspect of the experience. Grandma also seemed OK with it.

Summer Lunch

We installed a sun shade on our south-facing back deck this summer. It makes sitting out there much more bearable for adults and backyardigans alike. It was almost like adding a room off the kitchen. The little ones even used the outdoor table for painting pictures. Of course, the potted blueberry and tomato plants were ravaged on a regular basis.

If you don't like the weather.....wait 5 minutes

I guess in our case today....it is maybe 5 hours not 5 minutes.
Let me explain.......
Today in Calgary we had a very hot hot day. I think the high was to be 18 and I think we reached 23. I knew a cold weather system was coming at some point....but still being a newbee in Calgary I dress the kids in winter coats, boots hats and mitts.
I drop them at the babysitters while I go to work and am apologizing to the babysitter that I may have gotten it wrong and dressed them inappropriately for the weather today.
She was taking them to two play parks today.....and me as a newbee mom still here in Calgary am thinking maybe I need to re-think what they take with them and bring along two sets of clothes and shoes. My poor children. Everyone will make fun of them on the playground......winter boots what was that mother thinking!!!!!!
I drove home with the kids apologizing for my bad call, hoping they still had fun and could climb all the equipment in their winter boots in 23 degree weather.
Well lo and behold.....5 hours later and we are in a friggin snow storm.....Yes I would not lie. The snow is flying like I have never seen it. I would almost have to say I would expect that there may be snow plows out tomorrow plowing our streets so we can all drive somewhere. Oops I forgot....I do not live in Kitchener any more......Calgary does not really have many snow plows. They just wait until it turns 23 tomorrow (or hope that that will happen.)
I am still adjusting to our life in the west.
Jen and Glenn if you are reading this....I envy you that you have the ocean right across from your apartment......enjoy....this is the reality back home.

Johnson Lake Banff Park Labour day weekend.....our local beach

This is how we spend our weekend days with the kids here in Calgary. Just a short drive to our local beach. Coming from Ontario we have had to make some adjustments. Gone are the days of beach life at Wasaga beach. The hot humid summer....the sand sticking to you and it is just SOOOOOOO hot.
The water in August and September here can be VERY cold. But Heh....if it is a hot day what better way to cool off. The view is a little better.....some mountains to look at over the lake.....big adjustment. There is not alot of sand. But I don't think many people know about this spot....so we don't have to share much space.
The number one rule of going to Johnson lake......the kids play in the sand....try and get into the water......if they do, they get very cold quick. If they get very very cold....you pack them up....head for the Banff hot springs....(temp usually 40 celcius)....and get warm. After we are all showered up and clean we head for dinner in Banff and fight all the tourists for a spot on the Crown and Rose patio. Spectacular view there. We share a really LARGE platter of nachos and usually by the time we are back in the car headed home the kids are fast asleep. I was warned of the traffic on the way into Calgary on a Sunday. Hey it's like driving through Kitchener Waterloo expressway at 11am during the week!!!!!! Who could ask for a better day.
How do I explain our "Life in the West" any better than this.

Happy birthday message to Jen Schimpf part 1

This set of video's is just too funny. The kids will never let me record them doing anything. But this time they just wanted to send their beloved Jen a birthday wish.
To all of those who view this make sure you watch all three. They are really cute and pretty funny. Jen and Glenn enjoy!!!!!!

Happy birthday message to Jen Schimpf part 2

Happy birthday message to Jen Schimpf part 3

Our new puppy

We have a new addition to our family and his name is Max. He is a very cute 3 1/2 month old Bichon Frise/Shih Tzu cross. He has settled in quite well. Sadie did not know what to make of him for the first week. Now they are good buddies. Great to see because I did have some worries. I must say that after having two kids, training a puppy is work but not as bad as I had envisioned. The worst part?.....
You take him outside to do his business and he thinks it is play time. You can spend up to 1/2 hour out there first thing in the morning. He just doesn't get it. The minute you bring him inside he poops and pees. I just don't get it. I really thought MABYE he would see Sadie doing her thing out there and catch on...but NOOOOOO.
This past week I've had a little better luck. Partly due to the fact that I just leave both dogs outside for most of the day. I've also learned that when Max disappears.....he is usually up to no good. Just like a kid I tell you!!!!
We love him lots. Sadie has a new best friend and the kids just love him. Hey they got to name him. Caitlyn picked the name Max from the kids cartoon "Max and Ruby".
We start puppy training class in another week.

Caitlyn's Graduation day pics

Ok here is a new post

Well here in Calgary we are now NOT winter....NOT summer....but the rainy season.
Coming from Ontario I am still waiting for spring. Well mabye some people would say....."well it is June and it is now raining". I guess last year I just laughed at the fact that Calgary had a rainy season. Believe me it is TRUE!!!!! June is the month. It rains EVERY day here. It started the first of June. For anyone who has ever been to the tropics it is just like that. It is sunny one minute...the next you have a deluge.....then it is sunny again.
In April we had a mixed bag of just about everything. In May we had a mixed bag of just about everything. It is now June.....all of the flowers are now blooming. We just had a snow storm two weeks ago....and now we are suffering through torrential rain. I think the city of Calgary just pegged the downpour of last week at about 50 million dollars total in damages.
But without ONE day yet of 35 degrees hot hot hot humid air.......I feel like I am still waiting for Spring......let alone Summer.....
Just one of the few things I am going to still get used to living in Calgary!!!!!!

Mountains and other things slideshow. Once in you may want to view slideshow with more than 4 seconds to read all captions. Tick on pic to start.

mountain pics

Back to Winter once again

Well....one of the great parts of living in Calgary are the Chinooks. We just had one for the past two days. Great temps.....12 the first day and then yesterday it got up to around 14....and sunny to boot. Can't wait until summer!!!! You would think that on such great days that I would be out with the kids....running around in our backyard...playing on the playset....just soaking up the sun.
(well if Matthew had gone down for a nap yesterday afternoon I was going to lounge out on our sunny deck...no such luck) Two things wrong with this notion of going out to the backyard. When it gets warm, everything melts. The melting snow does not soak into the ground here like back home....so you have a yucky mess. We have this clay dirt....if it rained alot here we would be in big trouble with flooding. The muck plus all the dog poop that has collected over the past week....not a really nice combination. Best to get the poop up once it freezes. First thing in the morning is usually best. I'm not the best one to keep a daily eye on it.
Sooooo......my guilt sunk in today that I did not get these munchkins out. Solutions.....the play gym close to Caitlyn's preschool. I think I ran them...bounced them and climbed them to the point of exaustion. They are so hungry they are actually eating their lunches quietly while I type this blog. Now.....will Matthew nap today?

Monsters in the Bedroom

Well it is one of those nights that I can't get back to sleep. A Chinook is coming in and woke me up but nobody else. THANK GOD!!!!!! Every time the wind blows in the kids wake up so scared....it is all you can do to get them settled back in. They think that "monsters" have invaded their rooms. It doesn't help that the train seems to be coming through our backyard at about the same time.
I finally figured out Matthew's fear of "Monsters in his closet"
Scott usually wakes up before all of us. He takes a shower like most men folk at that time of the morning. Well......I happened to spend the latter part of last night sleeping in Matthew"s bedroom
(the winds were terrible last night too).....If anyone wants to know what I am talking about.....It sounds like something is trying to blow your house down. I am a SOUND sleeper.....you literally think you will wake up and find part of your house a few blocks away.
Anyways.....back to "monsters in the closet". I was sleeping in bed with Matthew (I know the absolute WORST thing a mother can do....spoil your child forever.....
I awoke to this very scary noise at about 7am. It started out quietly.....and then the sound of water almost coming through the walls......no wonder my son has been afraid first thing in the morning. The sound of that shower coming through his closet......no wonder he thinks the monsters live there. I have now a new realization of the way a 2 year old must conceive things. If I heard that noise and did not know what it was....it is pitch black in your room....it could only be one thing.....
MONSTERS!!!!!!!!!

Slide show fall 2006. Tick on the picture to view full slide show. Caits birthday. Haloween. Gymnastics

Oct to Dec 2006