The Olympics are Here!

I know, I know...enough with the skiing pictures.  But, in the spirit of the Olympics, and since we are learning to ski at a previous Olympic site, you'll have to indulge me at least one more time...

 

I finished up another ski lesson on Wednesday, February 12.  A fun group of ladies, and hopefully we can hit the slopes together sometime soon!

 

On February 15th, we went to COP in the morning.  Ben and I did about 5 runs on the blue chair (which is a green/blue run) and loved it!  By the end of the morning, Nathalie was zooming down the gold carpet with Daddy running alongside. 

After our ski time was done, we walked around the park for a bit taking pictures.  The cauldron had been lit last weekend by Robyn Ainsworth and Alex Pretorius.  Robyn was just 12 years old when Calgary hosted the Games in 1988 and she was chosen to light the Olympic flame at those Games.  Alex Pretorius is an 18 year old ski jumper that was part of the Canada Olympic team and headed to Sochi before she re-injured her knee and had to withdraw.  The flame at COP will stay list for the duration of the Games and there are screens on the slopes that visitors can watch.  It definitely helps get into the spirit of the Games!

 

We are really enjoying watching the Olympics here at our house.  We are so lucky that we get to cheer for 3 countries...USA, Canada, and The Netherlands!  And these Canadians, they are serious about their winter sports, so lots of country pride around town.  Nathalie and I were at the farmer's market and there was a hockey score announcement over the loudspeakers.  Ha!  And, the men's hockey final game, which included Team Canada, was broadcast about 5 a.m. local time.  When we got to church that morning, the pastor asked how many others had been up extra early that morning to "pray"...as in pray for Team Canada  :) 

  

I Heart You!

Happy Valentine's Day!  The kids didn't have school due to a teacher's convention, and the weather was warm enough for us to get out to the park for a bit.  Thank goodness!  It felt so good to run around outside and get some fresh, although chilly, air. 

 

  

That night after Daddy got home, it was Valentine present time!  I'm not sure if Nathalie enjoyed her presents more than her school Valentine cards...she keeps looking at those cards over and over again!  Hope everyone had a chance to snuggle with those they love!

Snow Day

Nathalie's preschool hosts a community event each year called "Snow Day".  On Saturday, February 8th, we enjoyed our first one.  It was a super cold day, and so most of the activities were inside.  But, when we arrived, we did brave the cold to roast some marshmallows for a quick s'mores.  It was funny...normally, we're enjoying s'mores at "GreeMa's beach" in Wisconsin in the heat of summer.  Instead, we were trying to force the frozen marshmallow onto the equally frozen roasting stick and shivered while we munched our goodies.  The kids decided that any weather is good for eating chocolate and marshmallows!  :)

 

Inside the community hall was a bouncy castle, magician, crafts and coloring, bake sale, raffle baskets, pizza and popcorn, and a funny photo booth.  We really enjoyed ourselves and stayed much longer than we anticipated.  A fun family Snow Day...away from the snow and cold.  :)

Skiing into 37!

On January 18, we had a family ski morning at COP.  Mom and Ben did some skiing together, while Daddy got Nathalie to go down the hill...again and again and again!  She should be all set next year for some lessons!

 

To put it mildly, Greg is addicted to skiing.  When the weather report says SNOW, he gets giddy knowing that it will be good for the ski hills.  So, is it any wonder what Greg wanted to do for his birthday weekend?  That's right, we went skiing!  On Friday, January 24th, we picked Ben up from school and drove to Canmore.  We stayed at Mystic Springs Chalets, which Nathalie called our "hotel house".  It was great, and we even made some bunny friends.  I was so tempted to open the door and feed them, but that probably wasn't a good idea...

 

We got up early on Saturday for a  beautiful drive to Nakiska ski resort.  As we got closer, you could see the ski runs on the side of the mountain.  This was going to be Ben and my first time skiing at a real mountain (versus our COP lessons).  We were excited and a bit nervous.  We had planned for Nathalie to go to "school" (ski resort daycare), but after we waited in line, the daycare filled up for the day.  Bummer.  So, Ben enjoyed his lesson while we booked Nathalie into school for Sunday and then enjoyed some coffee and snacks in the lodge while we waited for Ben to finish.  Ben had almost a private lesson; there was only one other student in his class.  He did awesome!  As we left Nakiska, the sun was shining and the weather was gorgeous.  Even with a change in plans, it was going to be a beautiful day!

We drove back to our "hotel house" and had lunch.  Then, we spent the rest of the afternoon sledding at Canmore Nordic Centre.  It was fantastic!  Not too crowded, the sun was bright and warm, and all four of us had a blast! 

Sunday skiing with the birthday boy!!  We were up early again on Sunday morning to try this skiing thing one more time.  :)  I was a bit unsure of how Nathalie would adjust to "school", but she loved it!  Ben enjoyed another lesson, and Greg and I ventured off for our first time skiing together.  The weather was a bit cooler than the day before, but we skied about five runs before heading back to pick up Ben.  Then, all three of us went a few times together before I left the boys, who kept skiing, to pick up Nathalie.  We had lunch in the lodge, and then gathered up our gear and headed back home to Calgary.   

Happy 37th Greg!!!  We celebrated that night with some lasagna and cheesecake and presents.  We are so lucky to have such a great husband and dad in our lives.  Greg, we love you, and here's to many more birthdays together!  Especially skiing ones...   :)