May Long Weekend 2010

Our camping spot - Brady lake

Allie in bed - it was FREEZING!

Tasha concentrating on her craft

Hanging out with Teena and Pam

Scott and his favorite thing to do

And his other favorite!!

May long weekend used to be traveling to the west coast for a week but we have started a new tradition closer to home and that is going camping with friends. This was our second year and we headed out to Brady Lake about 20 min from the house (Much nicer than the 17 hour drive!). The weather this year was sketchy - was pretty chilly and we had some rain but our spirits were great and we hung out at the lake and by the campfire the entire weekend. We had a ton of fun and want to head out again this summer to do some more camping!

Mexico 2010

At the end of April we took a much needed break and headed to Mexico with the girls. This was the first trip hot for the kids and they were super excited. I found a resort in the Mayan Riviera that had TONS of stuff for kids and we were booked! The resort had waterslides, pools, beaches, kids clubs and activities and wild animals wandering around. We lucked out with the weather as the week before had been rainy - we had beautiful sunny weather. Mom flew in from Toronto to join us which was great. Scott and I were able to get away for a few days to Cozumel while Mom and the girls hung at the pool. It was a great vacation and everyone is already asking when we can go back!

Winter 2010

It is ridiculous that it takes me this long to post things but as usual Winter has us all hopping! Our new business BP Motorsports is open and I have been splitting my time between Toby Creek, BP and the kids. Scott has been stationed at TCA since our mechanic moved to town. I am happy to tell you that it was a good move for the mechanics side and we are busy!

Natasha is doing wonderully - she is back at school and now out for recess. She doesn't have any headaches at all and is completely back to normal. We are seeing an Osteopath who does feel some compression in her skull but is confident that after 2 or 3 treatments she will be fine.

So, we've had, Natasha's birthday, some ski racing, snowshoeing and the latest an African Savannah sleepover at the Calgary Zoo.

Birthday -

Tasha turned 6 on February 23 and since she was still in the stages of recovery the bouncy castles were not in the mix this year! Instead we had a party at home with her friends who had pizza, cake and watched a movie.... the adults had beverages and watched an olympic hockey game. Everyone had fun!

Ski Race -

Allie participated in the Linda Putnam Ski Race at Panorama. She is not really keen on racing but she had a good time and was one of the fastest in her division. She has decided skating is her thing but skiing in with friends in the warm sunny weather has it's appeal too!

Snowshoeing -

March break in these parts lasts for 2 weeks . Two very long weeks. So to break it up a bit we took a sunny day and went Snowshoeing. It was the first physical thing Tasha had done since her accident and the best part was listening to her laugh as she fell in the snow. We had a great day!

Zoo Sleepover -

My girlfriend Dee is a Cub/Scout Leader and every year she takes them to the Calgary Zoo for a sleepover. This year she was a few kids short so she called me and I brought 5! We went to the Zoo to sleep in the African Savannah exhibit which houses the Giraffe's and Hippos. It was a great experience. The Zoo keepers had the kids learning about the animals in Africa, they did a craft, and produced a small skit. Then by 10:30 it was time for bed! The cots were out (and so were the mice) and we all snuggled into our sleeping bags and lay there watching the Hippos swim around and the Giraffe's eating and staring at us. For those who have never slept with Hippos - they are VERY loud - ALL NIGHT LONG! Needless to say we didn't get much sleep but it was well worth it when Allie woke up and the first words out of her mouth were "This is soo cool!"

Hope everyone has a Happy Easter and that the Easter Bunny comes to all your homes!

Olympic Torch Celebrations!

Holding the "fake " torch!

What a celebration. Last friday the Torch finally made it to BC and Invermere held one heck of a party. Scott, Tasha and I attended the event and we lasted about an hour and a half. Allie was with her school and the choir who performed on stage for the premier. All the kids in Allie's school wore fabulous Olympic hats made by many of the mothers. It was a great event and when I get a picture of Allie I will post it!

2010 so far......

Happy Birthday Allie!

2 weeks into recovery - still a little bit of a black eye but it is open!

Well we have had a rough start to the year 2010 but it is only going to get better! I think everyone already knows about Natasha's accident with the lockers and the fractured skull she recieved as a result. She had some bleeding on the left side of her brain and of course swelling. We are 2 weeks into recovery and I am amazed at how quickly kids can heal from something like this. Although we are trying to be low key and keep things quiet, she is determined to do things. Puzzles, Games, movies and dress up are the usual occurances in a day. She has turned into a mean card shark and I am toying with the idea of teaching her poker (we have the time!). For now though we are taking each day one at a time with the thought of school maybe next week for the afternoons only. She has to refrain from anything physical for 6 weeks and the from any sports for 12. That is going to be tough. The Dr had a good chat with her on Monday, outlining what she could and couldn't do at school. She came out of his office unimpressed."No Swings, No Slide, No Monkeybars, No Teeter totter.......only the sandbox. How much fun is the sandbox in the winter. This sucks" No gym or recess either for a few weeks but I will cross that bridge when we come to it! Overall, she is her normal self which is great. We have been reminded however that with head/brain injuries things can manifest over time but for right now, she is herself 100% and that is more than enough for us. :)

January 16th marked Allie's 9th Birthday. She opted for a smaller party this year with just the neighbour girls Ster, Tomba and Jamba Ree. So I organized a jewelery making and a cake decorating party with 2 of my girlfriends. Both were a huge hit with Pizza and a movie to end the night. Can you believe she is 9? She has a skating competition this weekend in Cranbrook so wish her luck!

Happy Holidays

Well it is December, actually 8 days prior to the big day and every year I seem to get further and further behind!! This year has been a good one. Everyone remains happy and healthy so who could ask for more really! The kids are growing and continue to amaze us in their quest for Figure Skating gold. Scott has added yet another project to the list and our new property is ready to open it's doors. Let's hope there are lots of machines that need servicing! (We have a backlog so I am already confident in this). The tours are up and running and even though we have had a cold start to the season (-29) we still have the bookings. Our favorite Dogsled Musher is back and joining Aaron this year is the owner of the Mountain Dogsled Company Jason. There is nothing like 50 sled dogs in the yard to know your season has started! Kids love it though.

Scott and I went to Mexico for a week with 17 of our close friends and had a great time. Lots of sun and fun. We all agreed though that we need to take the kids. They are all at an age where it would be a great vacation. I have branched out and joined a Synchronized Skating team this year. Got to keep up to the kids you know. It is a lot of fun but is constantly testing my skating skills. I am holding my own and never knew I could go so fast, turn and remain standing.

Dirtbiking was also a first for me this year as well (got to keep up to the husband). Scott has a passion for it so it was something that had to be tried. I like it, not a great speeds but I am good at it so that makes it easier. After 13 years of Quading, and Snowmobiling it wasn't a hard switch. Scott didn't get out to hunt this year which was a disapointment for him. He really looks forward to his outdoor adventures but this year proved to be too busy. We did get to the coast though which was great.

Loking forward to more adventures in the year to come and wishing you all the best for the Holidays (because let's be realistic - I doubt I will be posting again until 2010)

Happy Holidays from Nicole, Scott, Allison and Natasha!

Fall

Jamba Rae and Tasha playing in the snow early October
Camping with dad at the Bull River - late Sept.

Tasha started Figure Skating this year (and doesn't understand why she doesn't yet have a routine or solo like Allie)

Scott - Dirtbike night

Our new property at the crossroads of Invermere. Purchased 1 acre and are currently fixing up exisiting building to house the Motorsports side and a Activity Centre for Toby Creek. We hope to be done by Dec 1 and open. Hopefully!