Winterfest 2012

What do you do when there isn't any snow to play in? You go and find some!

We took off to Waterton National Park to celebrate Winterfest 2012 for the day. We weren't too sure what to expect as far as weather but as we started getting closer it looked like the mountains were lost in a dark grey cloud which promised snow! As soon as we parked the kids were out of the van and playing in snow like they'd never seen it before. The sled came out and all three kids squished on and Ryan pulled them as we walked up to Cameron Falls. The falls looked pretty amazing with the huge frozen icicles falling and the water running underneath. The kids took off up a hill and took turns whipping down, it's the first time they've been able to go tobogganing this year and they definitely were pretty excited about it ... Well, Brayden and Sydney at least. Madison seemed a little freaked out about the whole thing. Not a winter lover but who can blame our little Filipina? Made for the tropics.
We made our way back to the lodge for a warm up, filled our tummies with some food (FYI: wouldn't recommend the yak steak) and took off back to Lethbridge. Over all nice day trip out of the city!
Happy Family Day weekend everyone!

Ry's Not The Only One With a New Bike!

Since we moved back to Canada we've been trying to get a couple things that we kind of missed out on being in the Philippines for 5 years. A few examples being: our super amazing van, our new big TV with surround sound and of course most recently, Ryan's Harley. It's been nice to finally get some of these 'toys' after dreaming about them for so long but I think one of the coolest things we got were these two little pocket bikes for the kids. They are awesome! No bigger then their bikes now, no heavier and just fast enough to make me worry (up to 50 km/hour). Brayden is in heaven! He loves that he can ride his very own motorbike just like dad but he does kind of think it sucks that he can't drive it anywhere but the farm or the mountains. I think he was hoping he'd be able to drive it to school or to the park ... UM, my worst nightmare. Watching him drive around the farm with a big smile on my face is hard enough. Thankfully he can't see my toes curling up in my shoes and my fingers nervously clenched into fists as he rips around on that thing while I'm giving him encouragement and whooping and hollering with enthusiasm. Just a little bit of mixed emotions going on for me, that nervous excitement. *sigh* I suppose that's parenting.
Now if we could only get Sydney going on a two wheeler so she can join him!

Gotta Love That Deep Rumbling of a Harley

Well ... Ryan decided it was time to add a Harley Davidson to the family so he patiently stalked the online auctions until he found one that would suffice for a time. I'd like to mention that I was the one who technically did the bidding and won the bike but under his direction of course. He's not too sure that this is the bike for him but it will be a start for the season and give him something to ride once the weather turns a little warmer. Of course it's nothing like driving around the Philippines with all the laws enforced in the true north, strong and free (Canada), but I guess the open highways at top speeds will make up for the lack of weaving in and out of treacherous traffic!
I like the bike, the kids like it but I guess it's just not quite 'big' enough for him. It came with some nice soft bags which I love, no big scratches or anything like that. I guess the only thing I think has to go is the leather tassles ... unless of course it's going to be my bike one day, then they can stay!