Spruce Meadows....

Tegan is back in the routine of school and so far enjoying being in Grade 2 with a new teacher. Fraser is nearly there although he is still finishing school at 11.45 am - 2 more weeks to go before he is in full time, but like Tegan he seems to be enjoying it - however it is strange seeing my little boy in big school.

Someone has turned the weather temperature down this week just in time for the ice to be back down in Ralston arena. Lunchtime skating is full on - with first timers eager to start learning or returners getting back on the ice with a little caution for some. I've managed 3 lunchtimes along with Fraser who still just wants to go fast. Skate school commences this week for the Devils both 1st years and 2nd years in the evenings - looking forward to it.
Sunday Andy and Sam very kindly gave myself, Tegan and Fraser a lift with them up to Spruce Meadows, Calgary. Spruce Meadows is an outdoor equestrian facility built by the Southern Family and opened in 1976. The show jumping complex is in the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains just south of the city and comprises 360 acres. The current president of Spruce Meadows is Linda Southern-Heathcott, a former olympian who competed in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games for the Canadian Olympic Team. The 'masters' tournament has taken place at Spruce Meadows from Wednesday through to Sunday which is 'British Day', this is the 35th year of championship sport at Spruce Meadows. The weather was perfect both for the riders and spectors as it was cool at times but dry.
Upon our arrival we had a wonder around, Spruce Meadows is a amazing place with all the grounds in immaculate condition, flowers displays everywhere and buildings designed beautifully, along with bronze statues dotted around the grounds. During our day we got to see the Celle Stallions, Calgary Round-up Band, Calgary Stetson Show Band, Household Cavalry, Royal Horse Artillery, the Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band, pony rides, Sam Steele's Scouts, Fort Calgary Wheel & Runners and lots of others. At 11am we found seats at the International Ring to watch the Parade of Nations followed by the Grand Prix Round 1 of the masters show jumping competition - the jumps are so very big. The prize money for the winners is large, the pot is up to $1,000,000 and the events are covered on Canadian tv. I managed to watch the first 15 riders then it was time for lunch after which the kids were getting restless so I left Andy and Sam and off we went for a further look around. Tegan and Fraser got to stroke many of the horses and loved seeing all the different breeds - Fraser was especially taken with a mule horse called Biscuit. We eventually met up with Andy and Sam just after 5pm had a quick
bite to eat before making the drive back to Ralston. Thanks to Andy driving I could relax and just be the gopher in the middle of 4 kids supplying them with all the snacks, wipes, drinks and rubbish collector.

Whitefish, Montana, USA...

Chris managed to get a long weekend and as it was Labor Day Weekend (3 -6 Sept) we decided to drive to Whitefish, Montana USA. Although it was a 7 hour drive with the Canadian roads being so open and unpopulated it wasn't a difficult drive just long. We arrived at the American/Canadian boarder immigration where we had to complete the necessary forms, have our fingerprints and photo taken and then allowed to go on our journey. As we entered the Glacier National Park we took Logan's Pass road which took us up and over the mountains. At this point I was driving and it was a very interesting drive weaving our way up and down the mountain with lots of twisting and turning around bends and finally coming all the way down the mountain again.

We had chosen to stay at the Kandhar Hotel located on Big Mountain just outside Whitefish. One of the reasons to make the journey down to Whitefish was to check out Big Mountain for skiing this Christmas. So we checked in and went for a wonder around the mountain village to see what it had to offer. That night we had supper in the lounge area with a large log fire burning and fantastic pizzas. I also had a massage with 'Johnny Ray' who comes to the hotel each night for an hour and sets up his chair in the lounge for 10 minute massages - fantastic. We then jumped into the hotel's hot tub.

Saturday morning we headed slightly up the mountain to go on the Alpine Slide. The weather was perfect for whizzing down a mountain on a slide, back up on a chair lift and down again this time changing partners on the slide. After which we jumped on the Big Mountain chairlift which took us all the way to the top of the mountain for the amazing views over Whitefish. Unfortunately we didn't see any beers however the mountain we a great playground for mountain bikers which Fraser thought were fascinating.

We then left the mountain and stopped off at the Boat Club for lunch - perfect for people watching and everyone out on the lake in their speedboats and jet skies - a different lifestyle. So after a great lunch we visited the beach located just round the corner from the Boat Club and took a dip in the lake - a little cold! After getting a few supplies from the shops we made our way back to the Kandhar hotel and crashed in our room.





Sunday someone turned the temperature down drastically and the heavens opened with rain, although we were later told that it had snowed at the top of the mountain. So after a wonder around the town of Whitefish we joined in the American hobby of going bowling. Then back to the hotel hot tub and a movie. We were taken with Whitefish as it enables you to ski in/out from most of the hotels and houses so it is under consideration for Christmas. Monday after breakfast we packed the car and started the drive home, due to the snowfall we could not go back via Logan's Pass so drove the longer route which was actually also the quicker route back to Ralston.

Fraser Starts School..

30 August 2010 - Fraser Starts School.

Monday was the beginning of school after 9 weeks summer holiday along with Fraser's first day of school.

So off we set for the short walk to Ralston School, both kids with their new backpacks and lunch boxes - Fraser was very excited with his army bag and skull & crossbones lunch box - very different from Tegan's pink lunch bag. Tegan met up with her friends and joined the line to enter the school. Fraser likewise joined his line and we were then called into school and his new classroom. This year the kindergarten class has been split into two classes meaning that there will only be 15 children in each class, along with 2 new teachers. So after hanging up his backpack and changing into his indoor shoes we had a look around his new classroom. Fraser took it all in his stride and after a hug he was happy for me to leave.

So far so good - one week down and he still seems happy - although he was only there for 4 days before he had the Friday and Monday off as Chris had a long weekend so we popped to Whitefish, Montana USA for Labor Day Weekend.