An Alberta Family Fun Vacation! Woo!

This past Easter weekend we closed up the store and headed to Jasper for a few days, just the family.  It was really nice.  We stayed at the Sawridge, which was very comfortable, with nice restaurants, and a pool which was a big highlight for the boys.  It was a quick trip, but there is something about the mountain air that recharges me.

We got in Friday evening, had a little supper, and then went for a little walk towards the town.  It was a bit rainy so we retreated to the hotel where we settled in and played charades and taboo like games (it's an App on my husband's iPad and it's terrific).  We even got the electronics obsessed 12 year-old involved by playing the video game and Pokémon categories! Then we snuggled in and watched Frozen on the hotel TV.  My older son and husband hadn't seen it before so this seemed like the right time.  I liked it just as much the second time!

On Saturday we started with a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel and then headed into town for a little exploration.  I like Jasper and it was nice to window shop a bit.  We also checked out the VIA rail station which is like a mini-museum in some respects. The boys, however, wanted to get to the wilderness, so we drove up to Lac Beauvert and hiked around the lake.  we got some great walking in and wanted to try and make it to the JPL, but the little guy kiboshed that and we instead headed back to the van.  He was just not able to walk too much more (late night, tired camper!).  We instead headed back to Jasper where we grabbed some Pizza before returning to the hotel to make good use of the hotel's pool.  Mark caught a nap and I read while the boys played and swam.  I think they could easily have stayed in the pool for hours and hours. 

The next morning was Easter and the boys woke up to an Egg Hunt in the room, followed by an Egg Hunt in the hotel.  They got a lot of chocolate, luckily not much that I like.  The Easter Bunny was smart about that! After all the hunting we hit the road and drove back to Edmonton for Easter dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's with family and yet another Egg Hunt. 

It was nice to have this little mini-vacation and to enjoy one of our Province's treasures.  We have gone to Drumheller before, and I think next I would like to take them to Banff.  So much wonderful to see!

Apple Picking...

I am headed off to New York City for the next little while.  Look how casual I was about saying that...  A good friend of mine is getting married on the weekend so I am heading down to celebrate with her and her fella and have stretched the trip out a bit so I can see some shows. I have never been before and since Broadway is like Mecca to theatre people (particularly those who do musicals) I am so excited!  I have a great travelling companion, also a NY Newbie and we are excited to take on the city! Anyhow, I am doubtful I will blog in my absence as I am leaving my computer behind, but I will fill you in when I get back.

Today is packing for me and also getting the boys ready for school.  I don't have much time when I get back so the plan is to have it all ready before I go so that first day is taken care of. That's the plan, anyhow. Today is buying shoes and labelling school supplies... If I am lucky I will also find a better travelling purse...

My mind is full of what I might see (the online listings for Broadway shows looks so gooooood) and my general travelling stress (I am better in familiar places), but we are going to play it by ear and I think all will be well!  I am hoping it's not a crazy time for the city so we might get some deals and see some good stuff!

Home again... Things to do...

It is good to breathe the Edmonton air. Already the boys both sound better so I wonder if the 'cold' that both of them were hit with was really allergies to something in Minnesota. We got in later than expected last night. A delayed flight to Toronto from Thunder Bay in the morning resulted in re-scheduling our connection and spending far too much time in the Thunder Bay Airport. I lost it a bit here and there, but was more frustrated with Air Canada (not having anyone on the desk, not being able to seat us together initially, delaying the flight to begin with...) and I know that it is difficult to expect 2 young boys to stand still for an hour while we wait for help to fix the problems. It is good to be home, and now we wait for my luggage which they said would be here this morning but will likely not make it until the afternoon based on the phone call I just received. I indicated to the caller that I was a little annoyed that it would not be here in the morning as I had been told it would be. I did not recite the litany of my day yesterday to drive home the point, but I am thinking of calling the number on the card I got yesterday and reciting that litany to them so that I get made a bit of a priority. They hold you hostage. I can't even leave to get my other suitcase from my parent's house because I have to be home for the airplane one. This means that we are going to be low on clothes until I actually have the dirty clothes from travelling to wash. So, if you see me in the next few days and you wonder why I am wearing what I am wearing, that is why...

The reunion was good. Being on my own with the boys meant that I had to frequently truncate conversations and occasionally leave the party early to get Gibson back to the suite to settle down. I managed to make sure that Oliver didn't always have to leave with us, so that was good. Both boys had a blast with their new-found second cousins. A distinct highlight came at a Performance of Beauty and The Beast when Oliver had little Katy sit on his lap because she was scared. I also truly loved the granddaughter's tea with Grandma. It was so nice to visit and even more so in that configuration. I had another hour long visit with Grandma on my own, but the patter of memory and laughter at the tea was far more comfortable and joyful. It was not tainted with the fear that this might be the last visit, but instead was light and funny and natural and I think Grandma had a wonderful time, too.

I got back to approximately 120-130 emails between my 3 email accounts. I sorted and responded for over 2 hours last night and woke up to another 25 this morning. Such is my life. It was kind of nice to be completely away from a computer for almost a week. The disconnect helped me to disconnect. Now I am back and back to business...

Got My Hair cut and a Suitcase Half Packed Today...

It was a cranky day but maybe tomorrow will be better. I am glad for the haircut, and the fact I can sleep in tomorrow. I still have to sort out my packing, but Mom says she and Dad can take some stuff for me in their car. That will be nice. It is going to be a long journey with just me and the boys.