Child Minding

Shelly and I had a super day with our two new pals Grayson, on the left, and Cole, on the right.  Their mom and dad took off for a date today skiing, and we were all too happy to lend a hand.  The four of us hung out and played some cars on 4th Avenue for awhile, then we walked down 2nd Avenue to child minder extrodinaire Trista's for some more fun and treats.  What a day.  3 capable adults and 4 crazy kids.

This was really not too much work at all = Not considering the fact that Shelly and I have spent next to no time whatsoever with Trevor, Tara, and the kids.  It was great just getting to hang out with them.  They are really well behaved and listen well.  It is so funny to get them ready as they just "know-the-drill" to get into and out of their snowsuits.  They eat like ravenous baby birds; grapes, oranges, toast, and yogurt.  Getting them into bed at nap time was a breeze!

Trevor and Tara made it home by mid afternoon.  Shelly and I grabbed their cross country skis and headed out for a bit of a tour.   We started at Centennial Parking Lot, skied out to Red Mountain, had a beer in Rafters, then made our way home.

Lots of fun today....  Out to Trail for dinner.

Christmas In Vernon

Lots of great things to write about.  Shelly and I had a great time at the hotsprings, but it was time to leave and make our way to Vernon, BC.  The hotsprings were great.  I'd go back for sure.

Shelly and I had lunch in Revelstoke, BC which seemed like a really cool place.  We walked around and checked out some sights.

Tara family lives in Vernon.  Her parents, her grandparents, her sister and her sister's two kids.  There were eleven of us for opening gifts, and 13 for dinner.  It was really fun and not to manical at all.  The expressions prove it.

Other then seeing and being with Shelly, there were a few other highlights.  Trevor and I went for a 8km or so run.  It was a solid pace through and through, great weather, and great company.  Then Tara, Trevor, Shelly and I went for a bit of a nature walk to a beach area.  Tara was really happy to be out of the house I think.

But this is what we really looked like....

And Tara and Trevor....

So Shelly and I are just now hanging out in Rossland.   Merry Christmas 2010!

Halcyon Hotsprings

That is basically it.  Shelly and I made it to a place called Halycon Hot Springs on Tuesday.  It is a really nice place out in the middle of nowhere.  There are three pools here; the 12 degree, 38 degree and 42 degree centigrade temperatures.  We are staying in a cabin which is really nice.

So yes, it has been great being back with my sweet baby.  I have missed her a bunch.  We are going to have a terrific holiday together.



And here are a few other pictures.  Trevor, his two boys, Joel, Trista and their two boys, and I went out to Black Jack Cross Country ski area to watch a race. 

Sunny Day On The Slopes

Trista and I made it out to the hill.  It was a beautiful blue bird sunny day.  In the sun the temperature was just below freezing, and in the shade it was probably minus 4 or 5.  The only wind was that which blew across your face as your skies went down the hill.  It was a georgeous day to say the least.

We met lots of really nice people on the chair lift.  Chris was in his late forties and he was from Woodstock.  He brings his whole family to Rossland for the winters.  He was saying that they left London aeroport early in the morning, and immediately thereafter they shut it down.  He figures he was on the last flight out in those 5 days or so of that nasty storm 10 days ago or so.

Leslie was another nice lady we rode up with.  She was born in Ontario, but has been out in Rossland for thirty plus years and loves it.  She is volunteering at the cross country ski races this weekend down the road.  Leslie said her sister lives in Stratford.

So a great day skiing.  Just beautiful weather, but I must hope for a good 30 cm of fresh snow soon.  I have even mustered up a few runs this week home from skiing.



Babysitting

I told Joel and Trista anytime the two of them wanted to go skiing for a day, I'll stay home and mind the kids.  It is the very least I can could do consdering their superb hospitality and friendship towards me.  So the three of us headed off to Strong Start at the local elementary school, while mom and dad hit the slopes.

Mom and dad had a great time skiing, and the boys and I had a good morning playing with trucks, puzzles and making a few crafts.  We made it home for lunch where the menu was toast and honey.  It doesn't get too much easier.

4 Days of Skiing

I have hit the slopes everyday the hill has been open.  It opened on Saturday.  It really has been fun to get out doing, what I have come out here to do.  Have I hit the best conditions yet?  No.  There has been some rain, foggy conditions, and parts of the mountain aren't skiable yet.  But soon enough that will change.

My skiing partners have been fantastic so far.  Every other day I have gone out with either Joel or his wife Trista.  We are all new to the hill and are finding our way around with good success.

They are going out every other time as one of them has two mind these two.  Cohen and Eamen.



So no epic tales of waist deep powder and bright blue skies yet.  We have skied through some very clear Kootney skies and I have found some shin deep snow to blaze through.....  More to come.

Rossland, BC

Well I/we made it to Rossland a few days ago.  Andrew Johnston, Joel Wright and I made the 3600km trip in two vehicles unscathed.  We put in 4 hard driving days across US #2, and cut up into Canada in Roosville, BC.  The further west we drove, the windier, colder and snowier it got.

There were plenty of mentionable highlights from the drive in terms of scenery and conversation.....  The best night was probably on Thanksgiving Thursday.  We were in Malta, MT.  We rolled into town and found 1 open bar.  Everything else was closed.  We siddled in for a beer and made great conversation with the locals.  They were extremely hospitable.  The bar-flies had organized their own Thanksgiving dinner and had it set up, pot luck style, in the corner of the establishment.  It was a great scoff of ham, scalped potatoes, and veggies.

I have been very busy since getting here.  I played hockey on Saturday, and Sunday on Trevor's team called the Ice Hawks, and co-ed hippie-hockey on Tuesday with Joel.  I have also ran each day since being here.  That has been tough.  The overall lay of the land it isn't too appreciative of long distance running....  But I will keep it up.

I am missing Shelly a great deal.  But we have talked nearly every day and it is only about 2.5 weeks until she is coming out for the X-Mas holidays.  I can't wait.