We're Back!

Last night, we arrived back home after spending a week in Kelowna at my parents.  The trip originally was going to be just a few days for Art's nieces wedding, but then we kept adding another day....and another....and another! 

 

We drove out to BC last Saturday, and then Sunday morning, we headed up to Silver Star for a bit of skiing.  The Girls had never been, so they had lessons in the morning (thank goodness for that patient, wonderful, goddess of an instructor!), and then my Mom and I skied with them for the afternoon on the bunny hill.  I'm not gonna lie, it's a wee bit scary, watching your beloved child hurl themselves down a mountain, through the snow fence and clear outta the bunny hill bounds to be stopped only by running into a complete stranger who happened to be standing at the wrong place at the wrong time (or, as I see it, the right place at the right time!), in order to stop said daughter from going down the "big hill".  A wee bit scary.  Or, watching another daughter from halfway down the hill come barreling towards you, skies straight, legs bent, crouching to go faster, assuming that you'll "catch them" to stop them.  A wee bit scary.  But whatever.  Like I said, thank goodness for patient, wonderful, goddess ski instructors!  Next time, another lesson may be in order before they tackle the "real mountain"....

 

I hadn't skied in probably 15 years, so it took a run or two to get my groove back, but it was a lot of fun!  We even did a black diamond run...just so I could say that I did it!

 

The next day, we spent the day relaxing and hanging out.  We took the Girls for a walk down to the lake, where they loved throwing rocks in the water.  What is it about throwing rocks in the water that is so darn wonderful?  I love it too!

 

 

I think it was close to 15C that day, and then, we woke up the next morning to this...

 

 

 I couldn't believe it!  And truthfully, I felt strangely satisfied that Spring seems confused in Kelowna too.  I'm sick, I know...

 

After lunch with my grandma on Tuesday, Art and I headed out for a 2 night stay at the Sparkling Hill Resort.  It was the first time in I don't know how many years (or really, ever?) that we went and stayed in a hotel by ourselves.  The Sparkling Hill Resort is a European style spa/hotel.  Included in your stay is a wonderful full buffet breakfast, plus access to a variety of saunas, hot tubs, swimming pools and lounge rooms.  It was wonderful!!  We napped, sauna-ed, relaxed, read, ate, went for a walk....basically, we did whatever we wanted.  For 2 days.  With no children (kids under 16 aren't even allowed in the spa area!).  Blissful!  The rooms all have floor to ceiling windows which open, so you get fresh air if you want (which I do!).

 

Back at my parents, we relaxed and visited some more, saw an old friend for an evening, and then on Saturday, were blessed to witness Art's niece get married.  Such a fun time to be able to get together with family and celebrate.  Funny enough, before Art and I headed off to Sparkling Hill, we actually ran into Art's brother and his wife at a bookstore, whom we didn't even know were in town, and got to have lunch with.  That was great, since it was their daughter getting married, and we knew we wouldn't have much of an opportunity to visit at the wedding.

 

Yesterday, we left at around 7 am, and headed on home, back to Alberta.  The roads, except for a short stretch between Valemount and Jasper, weren't bad, which we were thankful for!  Driving through Jasper, we saw a bunch of wildlife, including some on the road, licking the salt.  The Girls thought that was pretty cool!

 

 

We arrived home to 14 inches of snow that had fallen over the last few days, plus another inch overnight!  Needless to say, it feels as though spring like weather is something in my imagination.  But I know, its-a-comin'.  Sooner or later.