Our 2016 trips to Canada
Alberta & Saskatchewan in July & August
and for Alberta in November and December
scroll to the bottom
Above, from youngest to oldest: Kate, 22 months old; Hailey, 7; Dex, 7; and Nolan, 8.

Waking early, we walked across the street from our hotel and checked into our Athens flight. Early touch down in Calgary meant that by 3:40 pm we were parking in front of our first of four daughter's houses hearing, "Wawa! Opa!" and four arms wrapping around us. The visiting (and play) began leaving us completely exhausted each night and loving every minute.

Our last weekend before flying to Panama, we drove to Red Deer for the Baby Reveal Party to learn that Les Lindsey and Kate are having a baby girl this December! Nineteen family members gathered to watch the pink balloon escape from the box: Les' mom and dad, and two nephews and niece, along with our four daughters, son-in-laws, grand kids, my nephew and niece, and their two adult kids!
Upon touch down in Calgary, we drove to Hailey's Storybook Theatre play, a product of her week-long theatre camp. We caught her just in time, and then said, "good-bye" and drove for two days to Carrot River, Saskatchewan to visit daughter Brit and family.

The mosquitoes in Saskatchewan were plenty and hungry keeping us inside most of the time. Our Alberta and Saskatchewan road-trip view was kilometers of yellow canola fields and many saturated from the heavy rain.

Back in Red Deer we babysat Kate for a day, while Lindsey attended a friend's shower in Calgary. That gave us a chance to catch up with Courtney, Mike and Hailey giving the girls "cousin" time. The rain was not going to put a damper on our day, and as we tell Hailey, "Wet is wet," so we headed out to Riley Park and played in the water features.

Our seven weeks in Canada came to an end, and we were once again in Greece, agreeing that it was, "Home."Waiting for Big Sky's launch, we booked into a sea-side air conditioned for a few days. Greece is enjoying heat, with temperatures in the mid to high 30s, so relaxing in the sea as you might imagine is bliss.



​Fun days during our trip to Canada Summer 2016 visiting family: Photos of our trip to the mini Disneyland of Calgary, Calaway Park with buddies and cousins Dex and Hailey.
​
​Pregnant Lindsey and daughter Kate joined us too, driving in from Red Deer.

​Our time with our grandkids passes quickly. They just keep growing up! In September, Dex enters grade three and Hailey grade two. Both in language emersion schools (Dex in French and Hailey in Spanish). Nolan in Saskatchewan enters Grade three.

​We're pretty lucky!
CANADA
​November - December 2016 
We arrived in Canada November 16th anticipating Amy's early arrival, however, she came into the world just hours before her due date, November 30th, at 5:47 am, a healthy eight pounder. Everybody is doing great! Two-year-old Kate says, "I got you little fella," as she reaches out to hold her. When Amy is offered into her arms Kate puts her arms down saying, "That's okay". When Amy cries Kate soothes, "Its okay little sweetie" gently touching her toes or head and then offers her one of her toys. Yesterday it was one of her prized possessions, her Mickey and Minnie dolls. Why can't everybody get along like that!

Con and I separated at the Calgary airport so I could get up to Red Deer to watch Kate when Lindsey went into labour. He carried on to Carrot River and enjoyed a week with Nolan, Brit, and Kris returning just before Amy's birth.

It's been snowing in Red Deer for the second day. It's pretty outside but darned cold! Next week we get to remember what a Canadian winter is like with temperatures dropping to -26 C and colder with windchill factors. We have just a few more weeks to enjoy family before our departure for Curacao and then to Panama for three months. Next week, you'll find us playing with our seven and eight year old grandkids Hailey and Dex.
December 3 -- Could be because she's a second baby, but Amy's pretty darned easy to be around. She wakes content, feeds well, and all systems work.
Kate is holding Amy for the first time.
December 9 -- In Calgary
Con and I left Red Deer and one-week-old baby Amy and family two days ago to visit family and friends in Calgary. Last night, we enjoyed dinner with friends Mike and Donna at an Italian restaurant in Kensington, reminding Con and me how we used to go out Friday night to different restaurants in Calgary after our busy work week. The weather dipped to -24 as we made our way back to our car.

​Today bravely, I was dropped off downtown Calgary for a lunch date with Courtney. I wore my coat --a fall coat -- with two sweaters underneath and a scarf over top. Tonight, it's currently -22 with windchill taking it to -40 C, excellent weather if you're a polar bear.
December 15 -- It's winter! Alberta has been hovering around -15 to -20 each day, with a cutting windchill wind taking the temperatures lower. Tonight, temperatures rose to -16.9 so Dex and I went outside to play. We're on the homestretch with eight days remaining in Alberta before flying south.
Last week, Hailey earned her solid yellow belt in Karate and the next week she won gold in competition! We're so proud of her!

December 17 -- The family got together at Courtney, Mike, and Hailey's to celebrate my birthday.