Beautiful Banff with my Benny

Such a great weekend. As we packed up for Banff, Hadley kept asking "Where you going mommy?"

"I'm going to go be with Daddy, in the mountains!"

And I showed her some pictures from our little day trip to Waterton. 

"Oooooo!" she said. And was fine with us going

because I think she got the message--Mommy and daddy are so important to each other, they want to hang out and do something special the same way we she likes special time with each of us.

Time away as a couple really isn't about getting away from the kids, as much as it is getting to BE with each other! And I realize that's what I need to emphasize to my kids. 

We probably wouldn't have planned another get away so soon after out little stay-cation. 

But when Ben's friend Patrick, founder of the  Lethbridge Sports and Social Club, invited us to come along, we just couldn't resist.

It was really awesome to talk to him on the way up, and through out the weekend about his vision and plans for his company and our weekend hanging out with him, encapsulated many of his purposes and goals as I perceived them-

-we explored  local attractions (were tourists in our own province, seeking out and appreciating the many amazing things we have right her in Alberta)

-we enjoyed nature  (ice walked on Grotto Cannon in Canmore Provincial Park, went out door skating, went to the hot springs and snowshoeing in Banff) while stretching ourselves a bit (physically and comfort zone wise....he is all about encouraging "novices" to have a venue to explore and develop their skills, in a fun verses a more competitive environments)

-and we socialized and enjoyed one another company, getting to know one another better. Patrick wants to provide a place to meet new people, and associate with people you might not other wise. A rather quiet guy himself (no wonder him and Ben get along so well), I love that he still see the need and value for us to create shared experiences. 

He is truly trying to supply people with programming that will nourish them in multi-faucets of their life, and bring a sense of fulfillment and enjoyment in greater depth. I am super impressed with his dedication and determination to reach out to people and offer them these kinds of meaningful experiences. And our weekend was a perfect taste of all of it!

Go Patrick!

Grotto Canyon

I wish I'd figured out years ago that winter was a better time for Ben to enjoy nature.
Ben gets crazy bad allergies, and ends up feeling hot and stuffed up and  just pretty miserable when we attempted too much nature in the summer months (which is also waaaay busier for him work wise) But winter works great! (the drone probably helps too;)

The Canyon was beautiful

...so was the wild life?????

Patrick, Ben ....and his drone



Ben had more fun shoveling off the rink then he did skating

It's been soooo long since I've got to skate outside
(inside just isn't the same!!!) It was my one request for the weekend.

Our final outing was snowshoeing...up to a beautiful view!

I was dying when Ben flew his drone of this cliff, it was soooooo nerve racking!

A Wonderful day in Wintery Waterton

Last week, while the kids were off school we spent some kid free days on a "Staycation" thanks to our awesome moms who took a few kids each (cuz unfortunately I know how dang difficult all five of them are together ;)

We had such a great time, got a few home projects done (not nearly as many as I over-zealously planned for), went to lunch with friends, went to yoga, did a break out room (of course) and just enjoyed being just us. 

My very favorite day we spent in Waterton, snowshoeing up to Cameron lake. I was pretty much giddy the whole time, soaking in all the vitamin D filled sunshine gleaming off the picturesque snow.

I've been so bad about getting my "big camera" out, but I was very glad I did-- though my rusty photography skills definitely won't do justice to the winter mountain's beauty. 

Ben's brother Dan and his lovely wife Kendra came along for the adventure.
They were total troopers, as it was all our first times snowshoeing.  Dan even let us take pictures....okay he didn't really have a choice.

I was just trying to adjust my settings but I love this ready-whenever-my -wife-points-her-camera-my-way-smile that my hubby has totally mastered.

Not gonna lie, I sure love that I can hand my camera over to Kendra and 
get some good shots of us too. She's the best.


And I sure love to return the favour!

Such a cute couple, right?!?!?

"Please Daniel? Chelsea's only gonna take a hundred more!"

He was a good sport. 

Meanwhile, Benny had a great time playing with his drone.

And I had fun playing with my camera and the amazing light as the sun sunk behind the mountain.

Just testing my exposure

So I could take a selfie with my gorgeous sister in law 

Having been around Ben's family for half my life now, it's so interesting to have new in laws join the family. It's been so fun getting to know them and having fresh perspectives and ways of thinking being added in to our family's existed dynamics.

I have totally hit the jack-pot with all my sisters in law, and Kendra sure is included on that list I feel so grateful for.

She is SOOOOOO good with Daniel, I love watching how their relationship works, and a lot of that can be contributed to Kendra's incredible balance  she maintains between her patient-accepting side with her ain't gonna-take-no-crap spunk,  both of which I adore. I can tell she is fiercely loyal. And perhaps because of this extreme commitment to those she cares for, she doesn't just let anyone in. There's no half ways to love in this girls world.

On the way back in to Lethbridge, Daniel decided he had definitely earned himself some Ming's. We ran into Kendra's Dad during our stop and it was so sweet to watch the love--so obvious because there was no holding back. Car doors were swung open and out loud "I love you's"  followed big enveloping hugs.

We have so much to learn from this girl's fearless way of loving.

And I can't wait.

Can't wait-- for all I'm gonna learn from this "new sister" of mine, and for the many, many  more adventures yet to come! 

PS snowshoeing is really fun...so glad I jumped on the bandwagon!

Little Lincoln

There are few thing in my life that have surprised me as much as how much I love my nieces and nephews.

And the newest edition to my nieces and nephew is a super cutie!

I ran over to the hospital, camera in hand, so he can start getting use to his Auntie's papparazzi:) 

Not only is he cute, but he also hit the parent jack pot...

cuz these two are gonna be phenomenal parents!

He has THEE longest feet!!!

and the most beautiful mom
(how is little Kristy, big enough to be having babies!?!)

First time parents are so cute

I was trying to stop, but then he grabbed his daddy's finger, and I just kept clicking!!

Went over a few days later, to document the the sporty expectations ;)

Welcome, little Lincoln! We're so glad you're here.