O Canada!

Needless to say, it's been a ridiculous amount of time since I've posted a blog.  I'm determined to get caught up, and even though it means things won't be in chronological order, I thought I'd start with a recap of my trip to Canada.

When we visited the Hodens in Canada summer of 2015, I told Brian...My mom would love it here!  I was determined to take a mother-and-daughter trip in the future, and I'm happy I was able to make that a reality.  Many, many, many thanks to my sis-in-law Beth for touring us around and being an excellent addition to our group.  Our trip was amazing and filled with so many memories - I can't really express how glad I am that we were able to take it; it just was truly great.

Pictures are really the best way to sum up our days, so here they come!

Day 1 - My mom and I (and Mark) started out the day early with a trip to the YMCA for a workout.  After, we were able to get ready at a rather leisurely pace as our flight left at 11:15.  The airport was basically deserted which was nice, and I'm pretty sure my mom and I didn't stop talking for four hours as we drove up to and then sat around in the airport.  After a smooth flight and me being interrogated by the Canadian customs agent, we were greeted by Beth and Ivy and cold temperatures in Canada!  Later, I was able to pick up the kids from school and watch Max and Mya run at their cross-country meet.  We enjoyed a great dinner together too.

First flight we've taken together since I was a senior in high school!

So fun watching these two run!

So glad I got to share some cuddles and books with this cutie!

Day 2 - After the kids left for school, we got ready to make the trip to Banff.  Once again, I don't think we stopped talking the entire trip!  It was cloudy as we drove into the mountains, so initially our views were rather limited, but while we were eating a late lunch in downtown Banff, the sun made an appearance!  We hustled to get to our first destination - Sulphur Mountain.  It was an amazing hike - definitely tiring at some points but so worth the amazing views!!!  It took us an hour and forty minutes to climb up; we then spent an hour at the top (a boardwalk area where you can walk around and go to the actual summit) before taking the gondola back down.  The temperature was in the upper 30s or lower 40s - chilly in the wind, but we didn't feel the breeze much while hiking, and we were all shedding layers but the time we got to the top! We then went to the Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs and soaked in the mineral pools.  At the end of the day, my FitBit registered 293 floor climbed, 7.74 miles hiked, and 18, 271 steps.  Pretty impressive considering we also spent 3.5 hours sitting in a car!  No one was really sore after our big hike, so maybe those minerals did have some magic properties!  After hiking and our soak, we checked in at our amazing hotel - The Fairmont at Banff - it was literally a castle (in my opinion)!  We chatted over some wine and apps before grabbing a late dinner at a German Pub.  It's definitely safe to say that we all slept very well that night!

 1/2 way up Sulphur Mountain. 

 At the top!

A panoramic view from the summit.

 Sulphur Hot Springs

Day 3:  When we woke up in the morning, it was snowing!  The temperature was right around 32, and it snowed pretty much the whole day.  While this meant we couldn't see as far, it was so pretty!  We started off the morning with a quick breakfast at Tim Horton's - a Canadian classic.  Then we drove to Johnston Canyon where we were planning on hiking to the "Ink Pots" - hot springs that are a deep blue/green because of the stone/minerals.  However, when we got there, we discovered the trail was closed for maintenance.  We didn't want to go to Moraine Lake because of bear warnings, so we decided to go to Lake Louise.  We started out on a hike all together, and then my mom and I hiked an additional 6K farther to a Tea House located up in the mountains.  This was a vigorous hike!  While it wasn't technically as high as Sulphur Mountain, it felt like it because the trail was much steeper and more demanding in general.  We definitely stopped for water breaks and a chance to take some deep breaths!  I'm so glad we did it though!  It was so peaceful walking in the snow, and it didn't feel cold at all because of how hard we were working.  The tea house was really neat - we learned that the employees hike in and out with supplies every five days, staying overnight in a few small cabins also at the site.  We enjoyed a quick cup of tea/lemonade at the top and then rejoined Beth for a late lunch at the Fairmont Hotel at Lake Louise.  We tried poutine - a Canadian specialty of French fries, gravy, and melted cheese.  It was delicious.  Later, we shopped downtown Banff, filled ourselves on apps and wine in the room, and then pampered ourselves at the hotel spa.

 One section of our hotel.

 Johnston Canyon...closed but so pretty with the snow!

 A snowy and cloudy Lake Louise.  

I still couldn't get enough of the color of the water.

 A panoramic of Lake Louise

 A panoramic about 1/2 way to our teahouse destination - we even got above the clouds a bit!

A tea house in the mountains.

Day 4:  To start our last day, we tried out the massive buffet at the hotel.  It was a great breakfast, and we had a beautiful view of the mountains from our table.  Then, we gave ourselves a mini-tour of the "castle" - our fond nickname for the most amazing hotel I have ever seen, none-the-less stayed in.  We stopped to see Bow Falls and do a short hike along the river.  We shopped a little more in Banff before saying goodbye to the mountains and beginning our trip home.  We had a fun evening all together back in Edmonton enjoying pizza and some games.

 Another view of the hotel - like I said...castle!

 One view from our hotel room.

 The view of our hotel from Bow Falls.

Panoramic of Bow Falls.

Day 5:  Thanks to Beth and Chris for hosting us for part this day as well; they filled us up with a big breakfast in the morning, and it was really great to have time to chat and hang out with the kids.  I felt like I got to spend quality time with each of them - something that wouldn't have happened if Olivia, Grace, and Grady would have been along as then they'd just want to play together!  Beth dropped us off at the airport around 12, and the flight home was smooth.  I dropped my mom off in Northfield and shortly after left to make the trip to Decorah.  The rest of the family seemed to have survived without me, but it sure was nice to be welcomed home in the morning by the kids!

When we went to Banff back in 2015, it was the first time I'd ever seen the mountains.  They knocked me off my feet then, and the second time seeing them was no different.  I think I've become a little obsessed....I could stare at them forever (or even pictures of them!).  They are so majestic and awe-inspiring.  Once again, many thanks to my mom, Beth, and all who helped with the kids for making this trip possible.  It was fabulous.  

Olivia's First Communion

The first Sunday in May was a big one for Miss Olivia - she got to celebrate her First Communion!  It was a lovely day filled with many memories.

The school had done such an amazing job helping the kids prepare.  I was lucky enough to attend their "First Communion Retreat."  I spent the whole day at school.  In the morning there was a teaching mass with Father Phil; later, we made banners with their names and symbols of communion on it - these hung in the church on First Communion Sunday; and, we spent the afternoon doing various activities that helped them understand the significance of the sacrament.  The day was just another that reinforced my happiness with St. Ben's as the right school for the kids - I just love the focus they can put on helping students understand and develop in their faith while at the same time teaching them all the regular school material.

So many parts of Mass were special for the kids on First Communion Sunday.  To start, it was a student-lead Mass. All of the 2nd graders processed in in the beginning - each student followed by his/her parents.  The way it worked, we ended up sitting in the front pew which was actually great for viewing!  (Grace and Grady sat with Pat and Roger.)  Olivia shared the second reading with one of her classmates - we were so proud of her!  She did really great and read so clearly!  During the blessing of the Eucharist, all the students got to gather around the altar...they watched Father bless the bread and wine and then joined hands around the altar for the "Our Father."  When it was time for Communion, each student and his/her parents went up the stairs to be up by the altar where Father stood.  It was neat how the experience was both private and personal while also being public.  I loved getting to stand behind Olivia and watch a significant moment/milestone in her life - I definitely had tears in my eyes.  First Communion was one more event to remind me how much she has grown up!  At the end of Mass, all the 2nd graders sang a song together.

After Mass and many pictures, we gathered at our house for brunch, gifts, and cake.  Olivia was so excited to have Father Phil over for brunch, too!  :)  As everything was finishing up, we realized we all had missed calls from Tara...  FaceTime opened up to Tony in a room that didn't look like it belonged in their house - he was at the hospital, and Tara had just had the baby - Alexa Louise!  Extra special news for an already special day.  I'm so glad the day turned out as it did - Olivia was pretty proud of herself and thought it was really awesome to have so much love and attention showered upon her!  Thanks to all our family and close friends who helped her celebrate!

 So glad I talked her into the veil!  :)  On her right wrist is a special bracelet from her godparents - Beth and Chris.  She also wore my cross necklace.

 A quick "selfie" before Mass.

 Classic Olivia - love this expression.

And classic Grace....Gracie had a hard time watching her big sis get all the attention.  She kept it together though and informed me the other day that when it's her First Communion, she's wearing that dress all day because it is sooo cute!  :)

The First Communion Class - 

11 of these students attend St. Ben's with Olivia (2 in her class attended and had greeting roles, but they are not Catholic so didn't fully participate).

Olivia though this cupcake-cake was pretty sweet!

Happy 6th Birthday Grace Elizabeth!

Dear Gracie,

I don't think I know a single kid who has ever been more excited for their birthday than you.  To be honest, you just about drove me nuts this year - you began planning your party back in July (after Olivia's party)....yes, 6 months of listening to you plan and say "I'm not going to invite you to my birthday party" every time you got mad.  Actually, you did stop with that horrible phrase after we apparently scared you with our threat to cancel your birthday party if we heard that one more time!

Your birthday was doubly cool because your class was in charge of Mass at school, so, for the first time, you got to read - you read a petition.  Dad, Grady, and I all came to Mass.Then, at the end of Mass, all the January birthdays came up for a song, and Father Phil told everyone it was your exact birthday.  Your smile was so big - I wish the picture showed it better!  Later in the day, Grady and I came to have lunch with you.  You requested chicken alfredo for dinner; then we opened a few family presents and watched a movie together before bed.

Grady sat by you all of Mass - he thought he was pretty cool. 

January birthday blessing and song

We settled on a gymnastics birthday this year, and you had a fantastic time as all these pictures show. We invited all the girls in your class and a few of Olivia's friends too.  You loved being the center of attention and getting to be first on all equipment.  Your friends are so sweet, and I loved watching all of you play together - I hope your class stays intact because it'll guarantee that you have a solid group of friends!  Other highlights of your party were your Minion cupcakes, and of course, opening a million and one presents.

It wasn't too long ago that I did a little update on you, but I do have a few things to add.

1.  You love school!  You just moved up to the C level of reading books - like your sister, sometimes you like to guess instead of use your phonics skills, but you're improving daily!  At conferences tonight, your teachers were so positive about your independence, ability to stay on track, and kind and caring nature to your friends.  I am so proud of you!

2.  Unlike at school, at home you really want to be enabled...this is not my favorite characteristic by the way!  :)  Pretty much, you want to see what you can get away without doing and figuring out for yourself.  For example, you ask every day of the week what day it is...you ask every day of the week if you're getting cold lunch (even though you know that only happens on Wednesdays), and you ask on Saturdays if you have to go to school.  Of course you know the answer to all these questions!  You also like me to tie your shoes, pack your folder and bag, re-fold all your clothes you throw on the floor, and do whatever else you can get me to do before I realize I shouldn't be doing it!  Maybe I give in because you're just so darn charming whiney!

3.  But really, Grace, you're pretty sweet.  You're so creative and imaginative.  You love playing babies, dollhouse, school, doctor, church, you name it.  You love drawing and coloring and are very detailed with what you make.  You're super good at playing with Grady, and you and Olivia get along nearly always (although you sure can get mad at her sometimes!).

4.  At your well-child check the other day you weighed 42.5 pounds (36th percentile), and were 46 inches tall (64th percentile).  You were awesome at your appointment even though you had to get some warts taken off and had to let the doctor look at your eczema - both of which make you quite upset.  I promised you a stuffed animal for your good behavior - you earned it but seemed to have forgotten about it, and I'm not going to remind you about it since you have plenty of stuffed animals already.  I'm guessing that by the time you read this one day, your obsession with stuffed animals will have gone away.  Oh, and the doctor said you have some impressive tonsils - don't know what that means for the future!

5.  You still love to suck your two fingers but only do this right before you fall asleep or if you're watching television right before bed.  You liked going to the dentist and know she wants you to stop this habit (although your teeth look great).  You don't care what blanket you use as long as its fleece.  You insist on wearing the most random pajamas and love to wear Olivia's although this makes her mad.

6.  Speaking of clothes...you lately hate jeans, say everything is too small even when it's not, and can't match very well.  Whatever - your random clothes match you and your spunky personality pretty well!

7.  You got to join jazz!  You've wanted this for the last year and have been begging...Miss Laurie let you in for this next session even though you weren't exactly six.  You've been saying you don't want to do ballet/tap any more, but I have to say I'm going to try to keep you going.  You talk about piano sometimes but don't show much interest in it, so that'll wait for a bit too.  Whatever the activity though, you really get into it once your there and finish up with a big smile on your face!

That's about all the new information I've got for you, Gracie Girl.  You're a pretty special little monkey as we still like to call you, and I just can't believe your six.  In fact, even though I'm excited for all that is to come in your future, I'm sad that your six.  You are just growing up too fast!

Lots of love,
Mom