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Aunite T and Roni at home

Auntie W and Cooper the goof

Last weekend (yes, I know! I am totally behind on the whole blogging thing ) I travelled to Calgary and Banff.  I was speaking at a conference in the mountains early last week, so I though I would proceed the engagement with a visit to my friends and relations.

Gramma and I

Grampa and I sharing a laugh

It was the first time I had visited my grandpa since he had moved to a care facility – I found it really hard… I can’t imagine how Gramma feels.  Anyway, we had a nice visit though… when I showed him the pictures of the girls he said “They’re cute!” and seemed quite enthused about the idea of me bringing them out to visit next summer. We sang a song together, and had a good visit.  Thanks to my auntie T for taking me and supporting me that day!

Leo shows Auntie Nica his Christmas tree

Later in the evening I went over to my great friends’ house.  L and K’s little son Leo is not so small anymore! (See pictures/vid of his visit in the summer.) Boy, he’s almost 3 and boy do they grow so much at that age!  It’s so wonderful that our kids will be around the same age – we get to bounce things off each other and enjoy each other’s company so much.

Colouring before supper

So we went out to supper.  The plan was to meet some of my on-line Ethiopian adoption buddies – Both Hazel and Sheri (with her whole family) we going to meet us there.  The crazy thing was – when we got there we drive around and around trying to find it… and only 15 minutes later at a gas station found out that the restaurant I had recommended had closed.  Permanently. Yikes!

Sheri and two of her girls. Yummy food!

Luckily, K had already met Sheri and co. and decided on a second location.  But my poor friend Hazel came and went, either before or after us – and we still didn’t get to meet!  Next time, Haze!

In the end, we had great food and company down in Kensington at another Ethiopia restaurant.  I was amazed by Sheri’s kids – 8,6,4,2 years old – we had to wait over an hour for the food – and there was only one minor meltdown.  I was about to pitch a fit by the time the food arrived – so really, I was impressed!  Also, it was great to chat with her and her husband about their transition with the two little ones from Ethiopia.  Thanks for meeting us!!!

I read Leo his bedtime stories. He has a big-boy bed now – room for two!

Then off home to L and K’s -

K and Leo, post-bath!

We hung out in the bathroom during Leo’s bath and then I got to do the stories before bed – a real treat.  In the morning, we went to the playground, and I got to give Leo his Christmas present.  We gave him a medical kit! and it was totally hilarious watching him play vet all morning. 

In the afternoon, I was off again to Banff.  My sister met me there and we did a bunch of window shopping and musing about the girls.  I think she is the third most excited person in our family about the girls – ! behind Jrock and I The she even spent the night with me while I prepared for my presentation the next morning. 

My sister and I cheat with some Rocky Mountain chocolate… in situ.

Aparently these Oscar the Grouch mitts are contagious.

I spent the morning at the conference, then drive back to Calgary, flew out to Kelowna, then presented again in the evening in Kelowna.  What a whirlwind it all was!

But it was wonderful to see all my important people – until next time! (January for my sis and summer for the rest!)