Canada Part 3

Our 5th day of the trip was a big day for the buggies! We woke up at 6:30, got all geared up and headed to the mountain so the kids could get to their Tiny Tigers ski and play day. I was a bit anxious and experiencing some hesitation about leaving them. It just felt weird to leave them with strangers while on vacation. But once we got inside and saw just how awesome it was and how incredibly sweet the girls that work there are, I felt super excited for the kids. Their day consisted of playing with lots of fun toys, coloring, an hour ski lesson in the morning and another in the afternoon, as well as a nutritious lunch. Of course I did have to pick them up a couple hours early because I was missing them. But they had a wonderful day!

The ski pics are from inside the lodge upstairs so they are not the best. Wouldn't you know Mason, with his insanely good vision and attention to detail, spotted Dusty out on the deck first thing at his morning lesson. He was down there screaming Daddy and I walked up and said "Dusty, he sees you! We have to go inside!" Haha. We snuck in and once he couldn't find us he went on about his business! Crazy boy!

Mallory skiing with the penguin and instructor!

And Maser skiing away!

Their little cubbies

Enjoying a snack on the gondola after a long day on the mountain!

He said "I have fun skiing Daddy!"

And yes, that's me skiing on the practice run. I enjoyed that! I also did two green runs where I fell, a lot. Still not much of a fan of skiing but it was still a fun day!

Day 6 was a relaxing day! We went to the Banff Upper Hot Springs, ate lunch in Banff and I got to do a little shopping in Canmore. That evening I packed up while the kids played.

Our final day we had to head back into Calgary to stay at the airport hotel for the night since our flight was so early on Saturday. So we spent that Friday in Calgary at the zoo! It was so neat. We saw penguins, mule deer, buffalo, caribou, elk, and many other regional animals.

That evening we met up with some friends that live in Calgary and they treated our family to dinner. It was great talking with native Canadians about the cultural differences. Here are some fun things we observed while in Canada...

1. They call silverware cutlery. So when needing another set of utensils at a restaurant they say "can we get another set of cutlery?"

2. Their ketchup is unusually sweet.

3. They don't serve Dr. Pepper but you can buy it at the store.

4. Everyone is very very friendly, helpful, and accommodating.

5. They don't say y'all. That was pointed out to me almost every time I said it, ha

6. They do say "eh". "So you enjoyed your visit here, eh?"

Our trip home started with arriving at the airport at 4:15 that morning. You actually clear US customs in Calagary, a little different from our other international trips. So getting our bags checked and through customs and security made us feel like we had been up 6 hours already! But the trip home was actually quick and we made it home just in time for a good afternoon nap!

It was a fun, successful, adventerous vacation wth my family and I love the memories we made together! Looking forward to another one! But maybe in warmer climates next round!