Johnston Canyon Ice Walk

Warning: there are a lot of pictures.  We did the Johnston Canyon Ice Walk while we were in Banff and it was the highlight of the trip for me.  It was 3.2 km to the upper falls and we weren't sure if the boys would make it but they did great.  Connor could have ran the whole thing.  Kale had to be carried near the end but he was a trooper.

 I love winter rivers.  They are so calm and undisturbed. 

 Connor found this "s" tree and wanted a picture by it.

 Kale pretending to be a deer!

 I love these kiddos.  I think I've taken too many pictures of them cuz now they find cool spots for pictures and pose for me!!

 Yes Tim looks exhausted because he is.  One would think that with all the activity we did the kids would sleep.  Connor did, Kale would have except he woke up several nights with leg pains from too much activity and Lexi was being carried around all the time that she didn't get enough exercise - so she woke up several times in the night and super early to rise.  We have come to the conclusion you do not go on holidays with young children to get rested. 

 This walk/hike was so cool.  Frozen blue ice falls all over the place.  I would definitely recommend it to any family wanting to get out on a nice day.

 She was so excited to get out of the pack and kicked up a fuss when we put her back in, but she did great.

 I promised the boys a little picnic at the upper falls.  The boys were fascinated by a pair of ice climbers while they ate. 

 Who said you had to walk down the hill?  When we got to a steep part the boys and I slid down on our bums instead of trying to stay upright and the slippery parts. 

 Having fun in the cave.

Lower falls

Getaway to Banff

We spent the last week in Banff for a family holiday before calving starts.  As soon as we got there the boys wanted to go play hockey.  So we found a rink downtown and played till it was dark. 

 The following day we headed up to the Banff springs hotel to find their ice service.  We finally found it only to find out that it was closed.  But I got a chance to get the 3 of them before my camera died.  We got a quick lunch and then found another rink to play hockey on.  Lexi was a doll and had an 1 1/2 hr nap in her car seat while we played hockey.  After that we headed back to the hotel (douglas fir resort) to go water sliding - for another 11/2 hr.

 The following morning I went out cross country skiing while Tim took the kids to the playzone at our hotel.  It was a beautiful morning and I was completely surrounded by Gods beautiful creation.  Can't start a day better than that. 

 Again after lunch Lexi napped in the vehicle and we played hockey for another 1 1/2 hr.  The boys have such passion for the sport I LOVE IT!!

 A train came by that captured Kale's attention.

 I love how Connor listens to every word Tim says about hockey.  Me on the other hand, he ignores most anything I try to teach him.  Oh well. 

 Kale is getting stronger every time he is on the ice.  This grin says it all. 

 He shoots, he scores.

Every evening before supper we would hit the slides for an hour or more.  The hotel was perfect for our family.  Would definitely recommend it to any family wanting to stay in Banff.  

My Word of the Year

As the new year has come in I have found myself thinking of attainable goals for the year.  This includes my word for the year.  I have thought and pondered on in it and have decided my word will be LAUGH.  It may seem like an odd word.  It isn't that I don't laugh I just find myself to busy/worn out to laugh much.  It seems, as many mothers of young children know, that I lose it more often than I'd like with my kiddos.  When I am in a situation that I feel like I'm gonna blow or say something I'll regret I am going to look at the situation and find something to laugh at.  Once I start laughing I will focus my thoughts on that rather than the negative thing.  I've already put it to use LOTS in the last 7 days.  I've even tried it out on situations that haven't involved my kids.  And it really works.  Not only have I not blown up as much, I find I'm smiling more.  Which in all honesty is a good thing in these short winter months.  It is easy for me to be a bit of a downer in January.  So here is to laughing and smiling my way through 2015. 

 

Pictures that make me laugh and smile.