2010-2011 Recap

Well the months have flown by, another ringette season come and gone, a new one about to start, the girls moving up in school.....it's been a whirlwind of activity the last few months, literally.

Robyn finished her ringette season again as City Champions and the Eliminators went on to place 4th in Provincials. It was a great group of girls. Many of the girls from the Eliminators moved on to play lacrosse in the spring (like 10 of the 13!) and convinced Robyn to join the team as their goalie. So lacrosse it was, a first for any of us. The season of lacrosse was like a ringette season compounded into 2 months, it was the most insane time. Their team the Peewee Axemen placed 3rd in cities and competed in 3 tournaments taking Silver in Sherwood Park. Robyn said she will play again next year. All I have to say is, I'm thankful she's a goalie and not a runner.

Robyn finished grade 6 with as usual a fantastic report card and it was onto summer. Over the summer she participated in horseback riding for a week at Griffen Valley Ranch where I used to ride and loved it. I'm sure that will be an annual camp now. She also worked her butt off at Sylvan Lake Goaltenders School (hockey school) where she was on ice for 16hrs over 4 days and also had a lot of off ice training. She said it was the hardest camp ever but she had fun even with the older boys teasing her. She trained under many great instructors but really appreciated the knowledge and skills Shannon Zabados (I'm sure I spelled her name wrong) from ladies team Canada (hockey) taught her.  Lastly it was the National Ringette school for a week of training under Katie (Ringette's team USA goalie). So needless to say it was a busy summer of camps.

As it is September now Robyn has started Grade 7!!!! I can hardly believe it...she's in Jr. High! She has blossomed into a lovely lady and is just an inch short of being as tall as I am! She got the home room teacher she wanted and has started the year with the options: Art, French, Exploration Film and Drama. She also has gym, humanities, science and math of course. September so far has been busy for her with AA tryouts and regular season tryouts. Although she did not make AA she felt like a champ for trying and did very well. Moving up a level in ringette always makes it a challenge to make A let alone AA but she has her goals mapped out for what she has to work on this season already planning for the next season.

Kayla finished off her ringette season doing very well too, although as mentioned Novice is non-competitive so there was no cities or provincials. She too had a great group of girls. Come spring it was softball for Kayla, her team was the Dyna-mites. I was pleased to have her show interest and want to play. Being a lefty she shocked everyone by being very good at throwing, catching and hitting. She picked up everything very quickly and even hit 2 home runs during the season! The Dyna-mites placed 3rd in a tournament and then went on to win cities. YAY! Successful first season. As for continuing on next season I'm hopeful but we will see as Kayla still enjoys trying out new things.

Like Robyn Kayla finished grade 3 with an excellent report card. I'm such a proud mom to have 2 amazing, smart, talented, beautiful girls! For Kayla she too took part in the week long camp at Griffen Valley Ranch. She's our little horse lover and enjoyed every second to the fullest. She I'm sure will be a lifer for annual summer camps and may even go on to be a leader someday. She was also in the week long National Ringette School camp and had fun participating this year with the older girls which meant 3 hours of ice each day. Kayla hasn't been as keen about ringette as Robyn thus less interest in camps, however things may change after this next season and either she'll return loving it or move on to something different. Her tryouts have just started and this season I put in to coach Kayla in her first year of Petite. After 5 yrs of coaching/assisting on Robyn's teams it was due time. The last 2 Petite seasons of coaching were successful, we'll see how this one goes.

It's grade 4 for Kayla and the last year for her in Elementary, that also means she's the oldest in the school! She got her favorite teacher and has great friends in her class. That's not always a good thing but I think this year she will be more focused. Already she is doing auditions for her December school play!!! She's going for a lead part and came home telling us that if she makes it we'll have to go to the play and celebrate her birthday, the big 10 after.

I am still healing from the accident, still seeing doctors and physio with a requisition in for me to see a spinal specialist. I have nerve damage to my right arm, we're waiting on another MRI as the doctors believe I have a torn rotator cuff tare. It's been exhausting with all the medical appointments on top of everything else! I won't go on and on as frankly I am so tired of it all I wish I could go back to the day of the accident and maybe stayed inside that day.... I'm now working at The Forge Audio Company, a sound studio that does recording for movies, commercials, radio..... as a production coordinator, its a very cool job. My hours have been the same 9-2pm allowing me to juggle life and everything else....so far though full time might be a possibility at some point.

~NOVEMBER~

NOVEMBER - Like the last few months we were flooded with another insane month. Between everything on our plates it's hard to keep anything straight.

We are all still going to physio, doctors appointments, still waiting to get our Journey back....will it ever end? I sure hope so. I do have to say though that it's nice to finally be feeling more relief although still...I'm coaching from the bench and it's still just as hard if not harder to accept. I always love and look forward to coaching and ringette season and so far it's been a little deflating for myself not to be able to participate on ice with the girls.

Robyn's team is in first place, and playing amazing! The girls all bonded exceptionally well and play very solid as a unit. In Lethbridge they came in 2nd bringing home a Silver medal. Robyn even got her second shut out of the season against Medicine Hat and almost shut out both Cochrane and Strathmore.

Kayla's team is also doing very well in their season although Novice do not keep score or have standings, cities or provincials. Kayla has played goalie a couple times and really enjoyed it bringing me concern that we may have a family of goalies....here I thought I'd get a little defender just like mom. Maybe there's still hope. Kayla's team placed 4th in Lethbridge also doing very well and during the tournament Kayla scored her first ever goal, followed by a second goal same shift!! The following game she scored another! However her weekend of ringette was cut short when she was bumped holding a hot chocolate and it spilled all over her face and chest causing blistering and burns. She was seen at the Children's Hospital and refered to a Plastic Surgeon (how ironic considering that's what I went as the month before for Halloween). No surgery for Kayla but they will be following up to watch the burns. So with the ok from the Surgeon she was able to return from ringette only missing 3 ice times...but for Kayla that was way more than enough ice to miss when it meant games and scoring. She is such a strong trooper!!

November also brought report cards and as always I am happy to report I have two very bright daughters :) Jason and I are very proud parents.

In December my baby turns 9!!! Plus Christmas...before we know it 2011 will be here. Hopefully 2011 will bring with it a turn in the economy for the better, less stress in our lives and maybe a winning lottery ticket? My fingers are crossed.

~OCTOBER~

OCTOBER - Another month come and gone. I hardly remember much of September as it was really just a fuzzy blurr.

All three of us are still battling through our injuries and going to the doctors and physio. It's hard to balance everything but we are managing. The girls are feeling some relief but I am still not feeling a lot for myself and still coaching from the bench. I feel like a child in a time out. It SUCKS! I have good days, and bad days and very bad days. Any relief is a relief.

Ringette is in full swing, lots of ice (love it). Robyn's team did their team bottle drive. Kayla's team is doing a wine raffle fundraiser. Both girls teams got accepted into the Lethbridge tournament, how awesome is that?

Each month just keeps passing faster, before we all knew it the end of October was upon us. The girls dressed up for Halloween as Lady Gaga (Robyn) and a Corpse Bride (Kayla). They were loaded up with candy on Halloween night which happened to be quite a warm evening thankfully.

Jason and I took in our annual Halloween party with all of our friends going as a zombie and a plastic surgeon patient. As the plastic surgeon costume I won 'Most Original'. My costume was a last minute thrown together costume and I must say pretty impressive. Haha.

~SEPTEMBER~

SEPTEMBER - Welcome to a new school year. 2010-2011 is going to be crazy busy, I know that already and it's hardly even started!

Robyn is now in Grade 6, Kayla is in Grade 3. Both girls are happy as can be with their teachers and were both excited to return to school. I guess I was a tad bit excited too because it meant resuming our schedule, and getting back to routine. That said when all was said and done...WOW...it's hard to stick to the routine and schedule.

Right off the hop the girls were both in Lisa Clark's power skating for a week before Try-outs for ringette started. It was an excellent start to the season, especially for Robyn who went out sporting her new goalie skates. That first ice time she was thrilled until she stepped on ice and found they were not exactly like player skates. Oh did we get a dirty look and frustrated child. It took a few days for her to adapt but she managed. Kayla learned a lot and in watching her it was as if she never took off a year. She looked great and pushed hard to keep up with the older kids. Lisa runs a great camp. I'm sure Kayla will be in the winter camp as well over Christmas holidays.

As that came to an end we were all deep into try-outs. Robyn got to sit out the first few ice times as did all the other goalies. Kayla did very well, rating top in her group of skaters. YAY! Of course as always we were very proud. When Robyn finally hit the ice she made it known she was there and competed very well. It was a very tough few ice times where she was neck and neck with another goalie. Had it not been for her initial ice time where she scored lower she would have been A. She made it all the way to the A draft skate, stopped the most shots in the shoot out and looked all A. Sadly news came that she was not drafted but she went top in B and landed on a team with many long time friends, so she's fine and she will only grow more as a goalie in B. After all she is only into her second season, and the first wasn't even a full season in net so she should be extremely proud of herself for having made it as far as she did! Not many new goalies make a jump like she did.


This September as I said was a very busy month, and adding to that was our 10 year wedding anniversary. Jason spoiled me royally with flowers, a lovely card and a stunning ring with three diamonds for past present and future. I was and still am in awe of what a wonderful partner, husband, friend, father and man I married. We went away with our friends Kristy, Shaun, Kelly & Miguel for a night in Banff. It was a fun time to say the least. We enjoyed a feast at the Keg and then danced the night away. While our original plans were to get away with all of our long time friends to Vegas there was so much going on with friends and wedding plans, babies on the way and because we wanted to celebrate we held off on that trip and have postponed it until such a time that we can all take part.

Chelsi & Jr. finally had their little monkey on Sept.20th @ 9:09pm...a beautiful little girl 6 pounds, 7oz. They named her Myell. We are all very thrilled for them. Girls are great! We cannot wait to spoil, babysit and enjoy this sweet and precious little bundle!

The night of the B draft skate we were rear-ended. We left plenty early but alas, were rear ended while stopped at an uncontrolled intersection for a pedestrian crossing. Our poor 10 month old Journey. It was a horrible mess, and frightening experience. I won't elaborate, but the accident resulted in both girls suffering from whiplash, and myself with sciatic nerve damage to my right side. Since the accident I did draft my team but it's kept me to coaching from the bench. I could really cry, it's not fair, the whole situation is brutal and we feel like victims of insurance and of the accident. The other driver who hit us was charged on site and given 6 dimerits but it doesn't fix anything. You'd think...but it doesn't. Below is the white truck that hit us. Our Journey was undrivable. :( We were pushed 3 meters into the crosswalk/intersection from the impact.

Since that we have all been juggling physio a few nights a week, ringette a few nights a week, school...trying to keep up with things around the house and so much more. If it weren't for my very supportive and helpful husband I'm sure I would have lost my marbles a few times. Now we are all healing and it's a slow process.

Both girls have been busy busy with ringette. We are getting far more ice time this season. Kayla got on the team we hoped for with the coach we hoped for. Her team name is the Lightening Bolts. She is U10 this year, which essentially is the oldest Novice players. Robyn as mentioned made U12B, (Petite), and her team name is a big one...the Eliminators. I have a few of the girls from last season once again on the team and many others we know. It's a team made up of tall skilled players and mainly 2nd year players which works out very well as they are aware of the shot clock and rules for this level.

Already Kayla's team has had their Banner party, and team meeting. They are very organized with a lot planned for the season. Robyn's team went to the Corn Maze for team building. It was a blast. The girls all got along great and the weather was insane that day! In fact the day ended early due to the heat.

In school Robyn had her first dance and her first kiss. Don't even get me started! She's doing well...but I will see how well when report cards come out. In band she's playing the clarinet this year and chose not to go with the flute again. Kayla was switched classes due to a shortage of grade 3 students and too many teachers so they divided Kayla's initial class between the other classrooms and her first teacher transfered to another school. I really like Kayla's teacher though that she is with now, and she's in with a good group of kids. She's already gone on a field trip and is reading just like her sister did in grade 3.

~AUGUST~

AUGUST - Wow and summer is nearing it's end of course...all good things come to an end. If only the weather had cooperated.

We left Calgary at the end of July on a family adventure we are not soon to forget. I grew up camping and traveling to BC every year as a child and still as we left on this adventure I got just as excited if not more so to be returning to Beautiful BC with my family in tow excited to share our own new adventures and memories made there.

Our trip started off ready to take on the 10hr drive to Vancouver. We left bright and early, 5am to be exact. The girls both slept almost all the way to Revelstoke where we stopped for a coffee at Tim's and a walk through the cemetary where my grandpa Lennard and great-grandpa and great-grandma are all buried. Though it is nothing like the cemetery's in France it was still beautiful surrounded by mountains, lichen on the headstones and a peaceful presence as we walked through. The girls found it very interesting and we stopped at many graves taken back at how far back history took us there.

It was only a brief stop before we all got back into the Journey and just like our vehicle started back at our journey. From Revelstoke we drove to Sky Trek Adventures and put on our brave faces to go up and do the 50ft plunge. The tower was a huge swing much like a bungee that pulls you way up with a partner and then drops you 50ft before you swing out into the massive trees of the Enchanted Forest. It was so exhilerating and all of us really enjoyed ourselves. We would all do it again and plan to stop next summer to spend a little more time at Sky Trek Adventures to do all the different rope courses and zip lines and so much more. This stop was really just to wake us up and stretch our legs and that it surely did!

Once again we were back on the road and this time to settle in for the long drive to Vancouver. Both Jason and I were very happy that we had gotten the dual headrest dvd players in the Journey because it sure kept the girls busy during the drive. It past much quicker than I would have imagined and I couldn't help but just enjoy all the amazing scenery. Before we knew it we were pulling into the heavy traffic of Vancouver and pulling into the Coast Plaza Hotel.

Our hotel was lovely, the girls swam and we went for a really great dinner at Brown's I do believe it was called. My dinner a chicken ceaser salad with avacado was to die for, so yummy! That night we ended up getting our room switched because the window to our room had no lock and being at the back of the hotel made us a little uncomfortable so we were moved up a level and just across the hall from my parents who by the way were treated as Coast Plaza Hotel's special guests and got a free room upgrade! Now that was a nice room...too bad they had the Becker's across the hall...we banged on their door to announce they had new neighbors ;)


The following morning it was back to another early morning...6am we were off and hurrying to catch our ferry in Twassan across to Horse Shoe Bay in Nanimo. The ferry was very neat for all of us, so big and lots to see. The girls saw seals, but despite watching close they did not see any Killer Whales. None of us could get over how windy it was on the upper deck...

Finally we had made it...off the ferry we were onto our last short drive to Parksville...first stop...lunch! We were famished and had a full day ahead of us. After checking out Parksville we stopped at the beach to hunt for crabs and beachcomb. Both girls loved the crabs under the rocks and squeeled with each rock turned over. There was never ending crabs everywhere! The shells were very cool finds as well. That was the better part of the day for us until we found a sand castle contest. The sand castles were made with extreme detail and very impressive. We took our time strolling through and then stopped at the map where all visitors got to mark where they all came from to be there.



At last....we made it to the resort...the girls went swimming, we went fishing...we packed a ton into that day! Our room was not exactly accomodating to a family of 4 with barely a queen bed and single pull out couch but we made due..it just meant early mornings and long packed days.



The weather was amazing! Man had we lucked out on our two adventures, in Florida and then Parksville...and we deserved it after the weather back home in Calgary. It was beginning to remind me a lot of gloomy rainy Vancouver.

Each day was spent beach combing, fishing, swimming, strolling. We went to the marina to see all the boats, and did a little bumper boating hehe....The Murray's took us to Nanimo where Dan taught all of us how to fish for crabs with a crab trap. The girls LOVED hauling it up and down and seeing the much bigger crabs. We found star fish too! While crabbing...a mother seal and her baby came within 2 ft of the girls for a better view...it was incredible...right from the depths below us they swam up and came nose to nose with the girls. I'm sure that was a memory and once in a lifetime chance to get that up close with nature. We enjoyed seafood on the pier...what else...fish and chips!! What a feast!

While in Parksville we found Sand Dollar beach too thanks to Dan. There were thousands of sand dollars! The girls filled buckets, we even found live sand dollars. One evening while walking along the shore we came across a jelly fish...and then another...and a few steps more and we saw more...they were coming in with the tide by the hundreds. This added to our adventures and became a very educational trip since we googled and researched everything from the crabs we caught (and why they are different colors, difference between males and females), to the type of jelly fish we found (Moon Jelly fish), to the fish we caught, the star fish we found...you name it!



Before our trip ended the Murray's had us all over to their place in Craig Bay. As expected their home was beautiful and Sandra's decorating as wonderful as she is. I loved their home, and their patio which was made for relaxing and for company. Dan and Sandra cooked a feast made for a king...fresh crab legs, prawns, salmon, potatos, ribs, salad...oh it was all so good! We ate until we could eat no more. The evening was filled with great company, and again Dan taught us another new and exciting thing...frog fishing!!! Can you believe it? We caught a frog right from the little pond behind their house. Using a fly and a fly rod we bounced the fly on the lily pads and the frogs would let out this sound like a scream and jump at the fly. I love to fish and have caught many things in my years but never before have I ever caught a frog. It was very cool. Before we ended our Vancouver Island trip we got to visit briefly with Nathan, Tracy and their kids. Time sure flies..we've all grown up so much.



Sadly the trip came to an end...we were headed back bright and early across to Vancouver. We caught the ferry back over, and stopped in Vancouver at Lululemon before eating lunch at the neatest little restaurant. It was so retro with everything vintage cool! The meals were massive and very well priced. I think we all had left overs. After our lunch we went to the hotel with my parents to say our good-byes to the girls...they were going to stay for a couple days in Vancouver before heading to Kelowna for a week. Lucky little ladies. I have to admit I was jealous. As we said our good-byes we were off again ready to pack one last night into our trip and made our way to Rick & Jennine's to spend the night and visit before heading home.



It was a first for Jason and I to meet Rick who is soon to become part of the family. We had a great visit although short. I really miss Jeninne. She is such a blast to hang around with. As hard as we tried to stay up and get as much as we could into the visit we were bagged and needed sleep before the drive home the next morning...the Zzzzzz's hit us quick..I don't recall my head even making the pillows.

Just as our trip to Vancouver went, the ride home went quicker...the scenery past us by and made me really realize how we seriously need to spend more time in BC and allow the girls the chance to take it all in and make memories and friends of their own....I think it hit both of us the same because....when we got home we bought a Tent Trailer!

Yuppers...we finally did it. The Journey got hitched and we bought a tent trailer. We were all so excited. It was a bit of a bummer that we got it at the end of summer but we got a screaming deal and did manage to get a weekend in.

Before our camping trip though the Lagran's or at least a few came up to stay with us from Medicine Hat for a week. Tasha was in volleyball camp once again this summer so Shelly, Emily & Tasha came to stay and hang out for a week. There must be something about girls with hormones because I tell you...Robyn and Emily's age group...not fun...at least together. The moods and attitude, super ugly. I almost went nutty that week. I'm positive I was well on my way. Perhaps my girls having had a very busy summer had something to do with it all too but regardless...it was too much for any of us.

Aug.22 Jason and I treated the girls to their first concert. Black Eyed Peas! What an amazing concert and we could not have picked a better concert. Kayla and I danced the night away, and both girls sang along to every song. Our seats were excellent, we were seated to the right of the stage first balcony and so close to the Black Eyed Peas we could see everything perfectly. What a night to remember.

Robyn's 11th Birthday followed right after that on Aug.26th. Wow 11...I cannot get over how quick the girls are growing up. She was spoiled with gifts, among them she got a laptop, a cell phone, gift card to Chapter's and so much more. It was celebrated with family and friends and as soon as school starts back in and we can find a weekend that ringette doesn't overlap we will celebrate with Robyn's friends.




We got out for one weekend to Sibald Flats with the girls and Nana and Papa Becker. September long actually. The weather...not overly great but we did get some great rays. Bella and I got in an abundance of walks and the girls walked Kiedis & Thunder a lot over the duration of the weekend even with the rain. No poor weather stops us. We cooked all our meals over the camp fire and learned a lot that weekend from Nana and Papa. Nana and I made a list of things I need for the trailer and camping or at least would come in handy, Jason added his 2 cents in as well. Over all though we pretty much had the majority of the stuff we needed and those things we didn't Nana & Papa had ready for us. It was a great and short little adventure, beautiful scenery, the tree colors were great. Sibald is very treed which is great for privacy and although there are no public facilities with running water to shower or otherwise their outhouses were very clean and new and well cared for. No complaints other then maybe the walk/run after a couple drinks and the sound of rain..haha. Bella and I even got in our own little or big moment. We woke up one morning only to find 3 cows in the site next to us. Bella sure is without a doubt part heeler. She ran at those 3 cows trying to rally and herd them into a tight little group. It was all fine and dandy until the big black one chose to run at us. We were fine but I sure learned I can still run like the wind bulls-eye.

So now the trailer is all packed up, ready and waiting for next spring's adventures, our summer has come to an end and being that life has been sooooo busy I'm only just getting caught up...September is here...

~JULY~

JULY - WOW! What busy and exhausting month for all of us here! I could repeat that over and over!

A MONTH OF RAIN - Despite the rain, either light, or severe downpour we all made the most of it during July as can be seen by Bella and Kiedis above. The rain hindered a lot of our projects, made it hard to mow the lawn or jump on the trampoline but we were pleased at least that the rain would come, leave and bring a rainbow and then a nice hot day to follow.

RINGETTE CAMP - July for us started with the girls in a week of Ringette camp. Last year they were in Ringette Review camp, but this year Ringette Review and Ringette Retreat both ran by former ringette players (Jody Black and Lisa Brown) combined turning the camp into the National Ringette School. Many of the coaches either played ringette with my sister Erin or were coached by my dad Jeff or he coached with them. Needless to say it was a reunion of sorts. Jason even knew the one coach as he played hockey in Okotoks with her brother. The girls had a fabulous time as expected. Robyn had 3 hours of ice a day, along with a nutritional class, general class that taught skills, gym, and so much more with an hour of swimming on the Friday! Being a goalie she had tons of one on one lessons and learned so much soaking up the goalie knowledge. Kayla had 2 hours a day of ice plus an hour of swimming each day, class, gym and much more. As they were in camp with friends from past ringette years they are already looking forward to the ringette season starting.

FAIRMONT - As the week of ringette came to an end Papa (Jeff) picked the girls up from ringette on the Friday and they were off to Fairmont for a week. As for Jay and I, we were getting ready to build our new fence. The girls enjoyed a fabulous week with better weather out there than we had in Calgary. As for us the weather sure delayed the fence from going up quickly. Grandma, Papa, Auntie Erin, Uncle Devon, Lily, Marilyn, Frank, Jodi, Trent, Kord, Reid & Bryn were all out there. The girls had a wonderful visit with their cousins and had so many stories to tell about everything they did and where they went. I wished Jay and I could have gone too however the week they were in Fairmont was my week to be in the hospital for my yearly testing and I was not feeling well.

KANANASKIS - So the girls returned for a very short couple days. On the Saturday we went to Kananaskis to visit Nana & Papa. We were showered with wonderfully hot weather, gained a little color, ate very well and enjoyed hiking, the streams and wildlife. Yuppers, in Kananaskis there's always wildlife and we got to see not one but two coyotes up close. Well Kayla and I did anyways. It was pretty neat and I'm happy it wasn't a bear! The dogs love the outdoors and with all of us really loving and missing camping it just reaffirmed the fact we NEED/MUST get a tent trailer asap!! The girls are growing up so fast and before we know it they won't want to camp with their parents.

MEDICINE HAT - and along came Sunday, 2 short days with our girls and we were off to Medicine Hat, down one day and back the same day to drop the girls off for a week with their cousins. It's been a yearly thing for the past couple years and the girls always enjoy Medicine Hat, all the family there and activities. I was sure missing them at this point. They were able to hear and see all the wedding planning for Stevie's wedding next summer, and went swimming and shopping and saw Eclipse. I did too...hehe. Chelsi and I went for a ladies night and gawked at the guys in the movie. Grandma and Papa Lennard drove down the following weekend for Great Aunt Jean's 75th birthday and at the same time picked up the girls and brought them home.

AUNTIE ERIN'S BIRTHDAY - Age is just a number but with Erin turning one year older it was my turn to joke she was one year closer to my age...to which she quickly replied, "You'll still be 30 before me". Haha she has a point. It was a lovely evening spent with the family. We had pizza, and DQ cake, sang Happy Birthday and enjoyed the lovely wine Devon made. Mmmm. As each year comes and goes so quickly it's most noticable in the kids, they are all growing up so quickly, especially our little Lily who has all these new teeth and words and is so funny with a really great personality. I would have posted a pic of Erin but alas we got the "Do NOT post those pictures of me...Thank You". So we posted Erin's younger version...and Lily sure is cute as pie and 'SO BIG'.

I couldn't believe it...July was almost over, we'd built a fence, worked relentlessly on the yard through the brutal rain in July and although we hadn't, the girls had packed so much into the month it had disappeared! Summer here...Summer gone is how I'm feeling...or perhaps summer is just starting as I was right back to laundry, packing and getting the family ready for our adventure to Vancouver Island leaving July 29th! With everything packed and ready to go the plan is...to do the long haul drive to Vancouver in one day, leaving on the 29th, staying over night in Vancouver before catching the Ferry bright and early Friday morning...BC Bound here we come...

STAY TUNED ~ More Adventures to come as we post about August! It's sure to be packed and just as busy as July as we share our BC adventures...Birthdays...Concerts and Sooooo much more!

June - FLORIDA


What an exciting time we had in Florida! Our weather was wonderful 35+ all week with only 10 minutes of rain the whole week. I was thrilled after all the rain we've had in Calgary.



Our first stop was Sea World on Sunday. What a great place, the girls enjoyed seeing all the sea life up close. For Kayla this was her first time seeing whales and dolphins and sharks and everything else. Robyn had been to the Vancouver aquarium years ago but Sea World was so much more enjoyable. Aside from seeing Shamu the biggest highlight was touching and feeding the sting rays. They felt like 'mushrooms, very soft' Kayla said. She was very hesitant at first but when she realized Robyn and I were safe touching them she got right in too. The dolphin nursery was also neat, they were incredibly playful and fun to watch.





Monday we went to Disney World. This is where we got our 10 minutes of rain and it happened to come down in a down pour while on the ferry crossing to Disney. It was a first ferry ride for both girls which added to the adventure. Disneyworld wasn't their favorite park, it was busy and we only managed to get on a few of the rides. Of those we did get on they were Space Mountain, It's a Small World, Mad Hatters Tea Cups, Snow White's Scary Adventures, the Safari Cruise, The Haunted Mansion, Tom Sawyer's Tree House, the Tiki Hut & Pirates of the Carribean. We did enjoy each of the rides we were able to take in, of the rides we went on the girls loved Space Mountain and the Haunted Mansion most. Kayla freaked right out when a ghost got into the ride with us.




Tuesday we went to Animal Kingdom. This was probably my favorite park. I really liked how they made the park into different continents. We spent the majority of our day in Asia where we went on Expedition Everest (the neatest & favorite ride of the trip), as well as the river raft where we got soaked! I highly recommend going on the river rafts early as being wet keeps you cool during the day in the heat. Thankfully this park had so much tree cover that it really kept the heat from getting to us. After Asia we headed to Africa. In each of the continents they have little kiosks where you can buy souvineers local to those countries. Robyn purchased a very neat instrument in Africa. We did the Animal Safari there which allowed us to get very close to animals such as the elephants, rinos, giraffes and many more. Between the rides we did jungle walks to see more animals and learn about the different animals and their habitats. All the parks had 3-D movies which were a highlight. The seats would move and we'd get sprayed. A Bugs Life which was located in the center of the huge tree at Animal Kingdom was great, not to be missed as was the Lion King show!!







Wednesday we decided to take it easy and stayed back at our resort for the day getting in lots of swimming and slept in. We went to Epcot that evening and got in a few rides. I wish we were able to get in more as Epcot was really amazing with all of their simulation rides. Soarin was excellent. I wasn't a fan of Mission to Mars but the girls were thrilled with that one. After that we headed into the world exhibits showcasing different countries. We only made it to Japan. Our first stop was Mexico, then Norway and finally Japan. Each country again sold things from their countries, neat ornaments, purfumes, foods, clothing.... we didn't purchase anything but rather turned back from Japan and headed back to Norway where we had dinner with the Princess's. Kayla was so excited about this she could hardly eat let alone speak to the princess's. It was good that we did go there as we hadn't seen any of the princess's at the parks for their autographs. Dinner was fantastic, much like the Keg (both price and food) but better! The buffet was good, dinner was exceptional and dessert was heavenly! Ariel even found Robyn a prince at dinner. After our amazing meal we took in the fireworks. Incredible show that's for sure.








Thursday it was off to Universal Studios. We all loved this park and managed to get on every ride and take in everything we wanted to. We went on the Mummy ride, Men in Black, Simpsons, Jaws, Disaster, Twister, ET, Shrek 4-D & the Terminator. Robyn got her picture with Jaws but Kayla wasn't convinced and decided against getting that close and personal with Jaws. The only ride we did not take in was Rip Ride Rocket a crazy rollercoaster that goes straight up and then straight down and all over the park. Kayla was too small but that just gives us more reason to return when the girls are a little older. :) The shopping here was excellent too outside the parks. I stopped in at Hart & Huntington but didn't get anything however Jason had a field day in Billabong!





Friday was my day! We went Outlet shopping!! What excellent outlet shopping they have there and so close to our resort. In fact everything, all the parks, ticket outlet, walmart, and outlets were all within 10 minutes if not closer to where we stayed which was a plus for sure. The outlets had great prices, we hit Nike where I got myself some new shoes and Robyn got hightops (oh how that brought back memories) and Jason got himself golf shoes, and Guess where Robyn got herself a purse, I bought myself a couple purses at Coach (for incredible prices), Kayla loved Sketcher's. I wish I had won the lottery, I could have purchased so much more! After shopping for a couple hours we returned to swim and take in the Tiki bar & the DJ. Though there was mini-golf at the resort and poolside movie we never got to either.



Our last day in Florida we went to Gatorland. We all have to say this is a must to stop at and take in if visiting Florida. It's incredible to get a foot from such massive gators with only the dock and mesh between you and these amazing creatures. We watched Gator wrestling where Kayla sat on a live gator and took in the Jumparoo where gators jump right straight up out of the water to snatch food, we fed the gators. There was so much to see and do. Huge highlight for all of us. Following that park it was off to return our car (2009 Camry) and head to the Airport. It was sad that our adventure was at an end but we said it just allows us to look forward to many more future family trips to come...starting with Vancouver Island in July!