Happy New Year ...

Happy New Year to you all. We spent the day on the slopes of Sunshine Valley as we were half way through our ski rec lessons - 5 days of skiing tuition which was great fun - our instructor was called Ernie - that fastest milk float on skis! We had half the week at Lake Louise ski resort and then moved to Sunshine Valley. Unfortunately we did not have glorious weather as the clouds came down and it snowed for 3 of the days but had great fun - even skiing at -20 degrees. New Years Eve was fairly quiet as we all went round to our friends Jo & Pete for a few drinks but the Teskeys and Leonards were home at 10.30 pm to put very tired children to bed but we managed to stay up until 12.30am to see the new year in with a bottle of bubbles it was then straight to bed as we were up at 6.00am on New Years day for more skiing. Breakfast was eaten in the car with chocolate brownies in the cable car - energy food!

Prior to N/Y's eve Chris had a boys night out to see Calgary Flames vs LA Kings ice hockey in Calgary. He had a great night out with the Flames winning 2-1 and was home just after midnight - the following morning was another 6am start for skiing.

Tegan managed to complete 4 1/2 days of the ski rec which was great considering that she is only just 6 years old and was skiing from 9am to 3pm with only a 1hr lunch break - however by Friday lunchtime she couldn't speak due to tiredness so spent the afternoon with Chris sitting in front of a fire and drawing. Tegan and Chris did ski off the mountain on Friday night which was great - amazing to see how well she has progressed with her skiing. Fraser and I skied to the halfway point and then caught the bubble car down.

Today (Sat) has been a day off and tomorrow we are off to see the Calgary Flames hockey team on the Super Skills day which should be good fun.

Unfortunately our camera has packed in so no pictures for the moment. Wishing you all a happy 2010 - bad luck if you are back to work on Monday as we have another week here in Canmore skiing and hot tubing!!!

Happy Christmas from the Rockie Mountains...

Happy Christmas to you all - hope everyone has had a wonderful time. Tegan, Fraser and myself joined Chris in Canmore on Friday 18 Dec along with our friends Andy, Sam and their children Francesca and Millie and all 3 dogs. The house we have rented for a month is great, large 4 bedrooms along with a den downstairs for the kids. We back onto Silver Tip golf course which makes dog walking easy and we have our own hot tub in the back garden - fantastic after a day of skiing. The view from every window in the house is of the snow covered mountains, very picturesque. The golf course is also home to a large herd of elk which roam around.

Saturday afternoon we went up the mountain to have a look, Sunday we started skiing with Tegan, Fraser and Millie having lessons whilst in Tiny Tigers and Francesca having a lesson for older children. Tegan and Fraser had lessons over a couple of days and have done really well, Tegan can now snowplough her way down a green run, however Fraser is not quite there as he doesn't have any control - as normal just goes fast. Tuesday was a day off from the slopes and was spent tobogganing on the golf course, swimming at the local pool and finished off by going to watch the Canmore Eagles vs Calgary Canucks ice hockey which was really good.

Christmas eve we didn't ski and spent the day doing a few chores and popping into Canmore. That evening friends from Ralston invited us all around for drinks and mince pies then it was home to get all 4 children ready for Father Christmas, we left out milk, a carrot, sherry and mince pie, which all promptly froze. So with very excited children we were ready for our first Christmas in Canada. Fraser did wake up around 4am to say that 'he has been' but we persuaded him that he had to go back to sleep - then all 4 kids were up at 7.05 am - not bad. After a mammoth session of opening presents, a quick jump into the hot tub Chris and Sam were then in charge of cooking christmas lunch. After a splendid lunch and more playing tired children eventually went to bed.


















One of Chris's christmas presents was a day of snowmobiling along with Andy which they have both done today (Sun 27th). They left at 8am and didn't return until 5.30pm after a great day of zooming around mountains in glorious sunshine, a good boys day out.

Tomorrow we start a week of ski rec lessons at Lake Louise which should hopefully improve my skiing, as for Chris not sure if they will get him to slow down for long enough!

More to come in the next few days...

Nativity Play, Mess Xmas Party & Tegan's Birthday Party...

It has been a week of parties, plays & carols this week, with the snow outside it really does feel like Christmas. Friday morning started off with Little Gophers Nativity Play in which Fraser was one of the 3 kings, pictured here with our friend Millie as Mary. The children all did really well with their parts and then singing several well known carols - all the mums and dads were there squashing their bottoms onto the rather small chairs with cameras in hand. Fraser just smiled all the way through it and then put his fingers in his ears during the singing, I don't blame him.

That afternoon Ralston School Choir put on a carol service in the theatre which was brilliant and we again got to join in at the end with more carols, much to my delight as I do like the odd carol, not that I can sing. Friday night was also our Christmas party in the mess which was DJ for the guys and posh frocks for girls - although a little strange all dressed up and wearing my snow boots as it was minus something on the thermometer and snowing.

Sunday we had Tegan's birthday party - we decided to do it the weekend before her actual birthday as school finishes on the 18th and we want to drive up to Canmore so Tegan was happy to have a party and she then worked out she would get another tea party and cake on her actual birthday as well - its all about the cake. We must have been mad as we had 20 children for 2 hours but I did hire Sparkle Fairy to entertain the children although whilst she was face painting one child there were 19 others running around and screaming so as you can see below I know how to entertain children - wrap them up in toilet paper!

Tegan had a great afternoon and came home to a pile of presents which of course had to be opened that evening. She had decided it was to be a 'smart & pretty' party hence the new party dress.

Chris has know finished work for four weeks so set off on Monday morning into Medicine Hat to do his Christmas shopping - a little worrying what he may have bought as Med Hat is not known for its designer shops! Before jumping into the car he did take a picture of the temperature this was taken about 9.30am - all week the temperature has been between -25 and -30 degrees but then today (Wed 16 Dec) I had to look twice as it was zero degrees - shorts & T shirts weather nearly!!!

As of Tuesday Chris decamped from Ralston and has gone to his bachelor pad for 4 days in Canmore, lounging in the outdoor hot tub, skiing at Sunshine Valley and out to supper with mates!!! Actually we decided that it would be a good idea if he went up earlier with all the children's presents and things that we would need. Luckily a friend has kindly lent me their second car so I will drive up on Friday with Tegan, Fraser and Jinx. So two more days in the village and that is it for 3 weeks along with our friends Andy & Sam and their children and dogs. I think most of Ralston village are actually going to Canmore and we already have several invites to other friends houses during the time there. Hopefully whilst in Canmore I will be able to update my blog with all our daily events - getting Tegan and Fraser on skis is going to be very interesting.

Chris, Tegan, Fraser and myself wish you all a very happy christmas and new year. Take care xx

Winter Has Arrived....

We woke this morning to -30 degrees rising to a barmy -22 degrees later on in the day and that is without windchill - so we are finally experiencing a Canadian winter - mind you the sun was out! I have to say my new boots and coat which is actually called 'Duvet' are great it's just the exposed bits that started to freeze, even my eyelashes. Jinx was ok in her coat for the first 30 mins and then she was ready to get home quickly.

Sorry yet again the weeks have run away with me so here is our update.

Tegan and Fraser are still busy with all their activities and their ice skating is getting really good, we can't keep up with Fraser as he is so quick. On the 19 Nov Tegan lost her first tooth which she was extremely proud of and the tooth fairy made a visit leaving a hefty $2 after drinking her drink and cookie - Tegan has the same principals for the tooth fairy as for Santa. The next event for Tegan has been having her ears pierced this weekend, she was very brave and didn't flinch. Having her ears pierced was her birthday present but done a little earlier so that hopefully they will have healed in time for skiing.

On Friday 20 Nov we went to the Ralston Theatre as a squadron of Gurkha's were visiting BATUS and hosted a curry evening, for those of you who have not eaten a Gurkha curry it is great. They also provided some entertainment by doing a marshal art display/Khukuri patter, traditional Nepalese Jhyaure dance, Gurkhaali Khukuri dance, comedy dance and highlander bagpiper - Tegan and Fraser had a great evening.

On Monday 23 we hosted an evening at our house for some of the Engineers who were over in BATUS helping to restore the prairie after the summer medman exercises. The CO very kindly sent round the chefs to my little kitchen who prepared some amazing food for us all.

Sat 28 Nov we had another 'Progressive Supper Party' round the village which again was great fun. It takes a lot of organisation to sort out who is cooking what course and where everyone is going but really good fun - mind you we had a dump of snow the day before so everyone wore snowboots and nice clothes.

The following day it was the christmas fair with Father Christmas arriving by helicopter which all the children thought was amazing. The SSAFA girls had worked extremely hard and transformed the Ralston Theatre into Santa's grotto with lots of things going on for the children, from face painting, decorating baubles, guessing the weight of the cake, traditional sweet shop - needless to say Tegan and Fraser came home after eating far too many 'E' numbers very happy.

It was our wedding anniversary on 30 November so instead of a romantic meal for 2 - well we have been married for many years - we were off to see the Medicine Hat Tigers play ice hockey. It was a great night however I couldn't believe how young they were 16 - 19 years old and I often lost sight of the puck as they were so quick. Unfortunately the team lost the game which apparently is the first time in a long time, on the way home we stopped of for donuts at Tim Hortons - we know how to be romantic!!

So although we haven't left the village except going into Medicine Hat the weeks have whizzed by - the change in weather has been quite significant and it now takes an extra 20 minutes to get us all kitted out before we step out the door, by which time I feel as though I have done a work out.

24hrs In Calgary & BFBS Tournament...

Tegan finished school on Tuesday lunchtime for us all to jump into the car and drive to Calgary for 24hrs. Chris flew to England on Wednesday evening and as Tegan and Fraser's schools were shut for Remembrance Day on the Wednesday we decided it would be a good opportunity to leave the village for a night. So after the 21/2 hr drive we hit a few ski shops looking for our final purchases hopefully for the winter - skis for Chris and I. Unfortunately that night we didn't find any ski's but I did managed to find an awesome coat that should hopefully keep me very warm all winter along with a few other purchases of very necessary clothes! The plan was to visit the Calgary Telus Science Museum on the Wednesday morning but we did manage to find another ski shop on the way and hey presto we came out with skis and poles - phew. The remainder of the day was spent at the Telus Science Museum which is a great place for children big and small. Everything is 'hands on' which was great for 2 children who had spent a lot of time in the car. Fraser loved the aircraft simulator whilst Tegan was happy trying everything, they both even lay on a bed of nails - which individually were very sharp. I went on a 'G' bike - which was a bike that had been fitted with a motor that propelled you round a circular cylinder up to 5g's - a great experience although a little wobbly legs when I got off. Finally we had to drop Chris off at the airport and drove home.

Wednesday was game on - White Devils vs Icemen (which is the team that Chris will be playing for once his neck is sorted out). Happy to say the White Devils won 1-0 followed by a trip to the pub - it was a good night. I had made the decision at lunchtime to have my skates sharpened - I won't be doing that again on a game night as suddenly I was unable to stop, but I did manage to stay upright most of the time.

The big event this weekend in the village was the BFBS Ice Hockey Tournament - I did warn you that everything revolves around ice hockey at this time of year. Due to Chris being in the UK I decided not to play as although Tegan is fine running around the arena with her friends Fraser is a little more of a worry. But we did spent virtually all day watching all eight teams playing. The final was between the Chieftans vs Flames with the Chieftans winning 1-0. The BFBS tournament is an annual event sponsored by BFBS and run by the Devils which is a great fund raiser for the girls team. The day was finished with a curry supper and party this year held in the Sgt's mess. I was planning to wear a smart little outfit and then got told - no you wear jeans and your ice hockey top, mind you I did cheat a little and put a belt round my top as it is soooo big!

Sunday morning Fraser was invited to visit the helicopter hangers with his friend Harry. So with a very excited Fraser and not quite so much Tegan we set off to the hangers - Fraser although a little shy at first soon thought it was great - I have to say the helicopters were a little smaller than I thought. Fraser and Harry got to sit inside the helicopter and Fraser has since not stopped talking about it.

Chris is still in the UK returning to Ralston late Thursday night - I think we are having better weather here than the UK from what I can gather. Although we are still having very high winds and I am just waiting to see if the trampoline gets blown over again.

Bonfire, Black & White Dinner & Rememberance...

Thursday night was obviously Bonfire Night and we had a great bonfire and fireworks display at Fort Whoop Up in the village. The weather was perfect, fairly warm with no wind or clouds. So we all walked up to Fort Whoop Up ready for a night of ooooos and ahhhhhhs commencing at 6pm. With our chilli, hot dogs and hot chocolate in hand the spectacular display began and it was very good. Shortly after the firework display had finished and alot of families had started to walk home the bonfire seemed to be gathering momentum and getting bigger - in fact the prairie had been set alight by some of the fireworks and the fire was indeed spreading across the prairie. Eventually several fire trucks arrived to put out the fire much to Fraser's excitement - he thought that was better than the display. So we finally walked home with a yellow glow behind us.

Friday night friends invited us to a Black & White Dinner!! So with no more information than time and place we conjured up some fancy dress outfits - as you can see, and set off for dinner. I cannot give away the events of the night as it was unlike any other dinner that we have been to and would spoil the fun if we decide in the future to do the same and you should be invited! But our walk home was eventful as you can see - a full moon was out.

The remainder of the weekend was spent with skating lessons, driving in Medicine Hat for a little shopping and attending the Sunday Remembrance Service at our chapel in the village. We then went to the Mess for Sunday Brunch.

Halloween...

We have just had a very spooky weekend with Halloween being a very large event here in Canada. The shops were full of fancy dress, not only Halloween related but all styles of outfits. So with Tegan and Fraser kitted out in their new outfits the fun began. Fraser went to Little Gophers in his skeleton outfit for his party on Friday morning. Ralston School held a parade at lunchtime with all the children gathering in the school hall and parading round the room with all the parents clapping and of course the necessary photo taking - there were some great outfits, some a little too scary, Tegan went as a sort of vampiress. After a short rest after school Tegan and Fraser then went to another Halloween party organised by the Prairie Rose Club from 4-6pm. It was a quick rush home before Chris and I changed and went to a house party at Sam & Andy's. Sam worked incredibly hard all day and turned their house into an amazing halloween house. Everyone was suitably dressed in all sorts of spooky attire and with a pot luck supper there was plenty to eat and drink.

So with a small rest from dressing in Halloween costumes Saturday morning we were back on the ice with Tegan and Fraser having ice skating lessons. Both of them are doing really well and Fraser will no longer allow me anywhere near him as he 'wants to go fast'! thank goodness he has his helmet. Both of them can now skate round the rink unaided, although there are quite a few falls but they are really keen. After his lesson Fraser was off to a birthday party - more sweets and E numbers - a bouncing weekend for all children. Then by 6pm it was back into halloween costumes and round the village for more sweets with Chris trying to keep up with the very excited children. I stayed at home with my bowl of sweets for all the kids - all I could hear was the excited voices of the children as they ran from house to house.

I must apologise for the 2 week delay in updating my blog, I really don't know where the time goes. So in the past 2 weeks the following has happened. Chris finished his weeks skating school in one piece, they crammed a lot in as everyone else did it over 2 weeks. We are now a loving couple watching ice hockey together! we are even going to watch a Medicine Hat Tigers game on the 1st of Dec for our anniversary. The White Devils had a game against the Flames (one of the guys teams) and we won 2-1, followed by a trip to the pub. Jinx has her nose to the ground on all dog walks at the moment as the deer are coming into the village along with a coyote that we have seen several times on the prairie very near to the village. I was recently out on a run with a couple of girls when we saw 2 deer shortly followed by Jinx seeing them and the race was on through Ralston Village. After jogging in the vague direction and asking a passer by if she had seen a dog - her replay was "yes chasing a couple of deer - that's the one" we eventually caught up with her, luckily with no deer in sight but a very worn out dog.

We are slowly buying up the local sports store with all our kit - the latest addition was new ski boots for Chris and myself - very excited as we have never had our own boots and now I have really warm and comfortable boots. Chris has gone for a slightly more edgier pair - apparently go fast! Next on the wish list is ski for us all.