Our trip to Coaldale

Ok- here goes! Get ready for lots of photos! First, here's how the story started: Nick's Mum offered us airmile points for two tickets to Alberta. She booked them for Robyn and Nick, and it was up to us to get me and Lydia there. Well, Nick's plane
was already full, so we looked up Westjet. Good ol' Westjet- they said they would
let Lydia fly for free, even though she turned two while we were there (Air Canada had said "sorry, but our policy is that you have to pay FULL FARE (about $300) for her") A no-brainer there! So Lydia and I flew to Calgary, and Nick and Robyn flew to Calgary,then took a small propeller plane to Lethbridge (to Robyn's sheer delight!!) Chris and Dirk picked us up from Calgary, then carried on to Lethbrdidge to get Robyn and Nick (thanks again so much for all that driving, guys!!!) We arrived late at night, so in the morning we were greeted by the whole family- Mum and Chris included! It was great! We spent the next 8 days skating on the pond across the street, exploring Lethbridge and Coaldale, swimming at a wonderful pool in Taber, visiting Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre (explanation to follow), playing games, spending time together...relaxing....it was a lot of fun.
On the last day, we all got up early and drove to Calgary, where we went to a chocolate factory (yum!!), saw an IMAX film about bugs and explored Science World and went for dinner. Then Lydia and I got on the plane for home and Nick and Robyn left the next morning. Here are some photos:

The ice was smooth as glass and underneath we could see minnows and frogs swimming around! Robyn used a chair for support at first, but soon was skating on her own.

Nothing like a few games of hockey to burn off all those Christmas dinner calories!

Nick set up some Lego wars complete with elastic-powered cannons which shot pieces of lego at the opponents "soldiers" Last team to have men standing won!

We all took turns reading to the kids. Uncle Dirk even told stories!

Floor puzzles were a big hit.

Tobogganing down the hill in front of the house.

Watching an IMAX DVD about beavers

Caleb waited WEEKS for us to come so he could make a
gingerbread house with Robyn!

Why are cats always attracted to people who are allergic?! D & A had THREE stray cats hanging around the house the whole time we were there....

Mum made curtains and a bed spread for Angelica!



Chocolate fondue on New Year's Eve



Just as we finished, about 30 people from the Coaldale congregation came through the door! They were going around town crashing parties and wishing everyone a happy new year. It was so funny!



Lydia absolutely adored her cousin Timothy



Endless prairies...

The Buffalo Jump Centre is where the Indians chased buffalo over a cliff, where they fell and died. The name "Head Smashed In", however, came from a boy who wanted to watch the hunt and hid below the cliff...he got in the way and was killed.

A wolf!

A re-creation of the jump

"Nibblies" supper in the living room- what a treat for the kids!

In Calgary...lots of cowboy themed stuff!

Aftermath of exchanging gifts!

Lego exhibit at Science World...too bad it was the same one we saw in Ontario already!

Lydia played for almost an hour in the pretend store set-up.

After watching an Omnimax film about bugs, Chris wanted to know what it was like to see like a fly.

Farewell dinner at Montana's.

When Nick and Robyn got home, Robyn was giggling away in bed, so Nick knew she was up to something...she couldn't stop laughing...

This is what he found under his pillow!