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Published: January 2nd 2011
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Hello my lovelies...... a big jambo from the so stunning Canada. You forget how awe inspiring it actually is. This is our 4th time in Canada now and it is like the first time which is amazing. We love the mountains jagged with snow clinging to apparantly sheer drops, and the statuesque fir trees with dustings of snow hanging on each branch. Fairy lights are hung up everywhere. By far the most majestic sights are the frozen waterfalls as they go a turqqoise colour that is so vibrant against the white backdrop.
We arrived in to Calgary after another horror 4am rising in Ireland. The kids have been incredible travellers and just lived in the moment. I think I (Sarah) am the most unpleasant to travel with according to my family. But in my defence I do not think games of rugby in immigration corridors are appropriate, or asking questions loudly like "do we look like al quada? I become tense and the others become silly, so I decided a new tac. i would walk behind them so that I could dissassociate myself from their antics. It did not work as they all peeled back one by one until I
was again walking with the family. It is a nice comment on our little family - we run close, live close and are all blatantly honest with one another but love being together all the time. I am just so proud of the way the kids support us. I love that we are still cool to Jade, even though she looks like an adult now, she still calls us mummy and daddy. That is what these trips are all about, just learning to be together, fight as and when is needed, love, laugh, dream and vision together about the future, enjoy the antics of the wilson past. We love hearing the kids talk about where they would like to travel, what they are passionate about, what they love about us and the things they are not so keen on. eg, apparantly I am quite a cranky person but pretty cool according to Kit! Like I said complete honesty. We always have something to say to each other so meals can be challenging as each perosn vies ever more loudly than the next one for floor space. We sound like an entire rugby team out for a good time.
Anyway
we arrived at about 7pm into Banff - it is the most beautiful town, lke a fairy town you see in books. Our accomodation is small but perfectly formed. We have one bedroom with two queen beds so the kids are in one, and we are in the other. It is like a massive perpetual sleep over. Geoff is unsure of this continuing sleeping arrangement!!!! I have assured him our next stop in Whitefish the bedding arrangement will be more grown up!!!!! How funny he is......
We went to the sales for all our gear the next day as the kids have all grown out of everything. We had an absolute ball and the prices here for great cold weather gear are so cheap compared to Australia. We are now suited up and look the part, but more importantly are warm, or as warm as one can be when it has gone down to -25C and below!
Jade has started swimming here and is a very dedicated little lady getting up at 6 (does not get light until 8:30) and going out in -25 to the indoor pool which is apparantly not so warm. It is actually fun
and we got blessed the other morning with the most incredible sunrise over the rockies and two deer crossing the road in front of us! We were very thankful and really happy to be here.
Skiiing at Lake Louise was a very trying day for all concerned. New boots, gear, -25 in the sun, new mountain, have not boarded and skied for 2 years. But we made it. I have never been so cold in my entire life - I was weepy with it. It was like my toes and fingers were going to fall off. I was also sporting my new injury which Geoff can upload a picture of. I have given myself a black eye by whacking myself in the eye with the snow sweeper for the windscreen. Geoff is hating it as he feels people think he is wife basher. It is really something. It is like I have a disability of some sort and people are finding it hard to look me in the face. They talk to the non blackened side of my face and past me. I just get the giggles.
Next day after thawing out we decided to not ski and
go to Lake Louise. Awesome day of skating for the kids on the Lake, and geoff and I were able to go for an amazing walk the whole way across the lake and back. Magical lunch followed where we sat in an arch window at the Lake Louise Chateaou restaurant and just drank in the incredible view of the glacier and surrounding mountains.
New years eve and the Wilsons were happily tucked up in bed at 9:30 as we got up the next morning at 5:00 and on the road for a two hour trip to the Kicking horse resort which has the highest gondola in Canada. We were the first people up the mountain for 2011 and were blessed with an absolutely stunning new years morning sunrise over the Rockies. We were just so thrilled to be first up and capture Gods creation so personally. We are arrogant enough to think he really turned it on for us!!!! It was 360 degree view of the Rockies. As far as the eye could see mountains jutted just above cloud cover as we were so high we were above the cloud. The sun seeped a reddish orange glow over the
horizon shooting colour onto mountains and the sky above was completely clear and that lovely light winter blue hue. As the sun rose light and warmth hit us and we just stood completely arrested in the moment. So very special, but this trip has been like that. I just love Geoff for dragging us all over the planet where noone else is, for blessed moments like this.
A truly great day of skiing and boarding ensued. Java is ripping it up on the skis and is so much fun to hang out with, except for the tree runs she insists on taking her frightened mother on! Jade and Kit are also doing well on their boards, and Geoff just carved up the mountain- still heaps on knee deep powder in the tree line apparently !. I just did the Sarah thing - I am unsure how to describe my style other than hang on and hope for the best.
Well must dash as Geoff is taking Jade swimming and I am getting another cuppa and starting a new book - oh this is sooooo goooooood!!!!!!! Love you all the Wilsons(Home in 3 weeks !)
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Leigh
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Gorgeous descriptions of family dynamics Sarah! Enjoy! X