Trip to Lethbridge Part 1 in 51 pictures or less . . .

We just returned from two weeks in our hometown and we definitely packed it full of fun.  This post only covers our first week in Lethbridge.  We also spent some time in Canmore in the middle as well, that post to come soon!)

We stopped in Canmore (this was a very Canmorecentric holiday) on the way there and did a canyon walk that we did last year.  Ty is not too much different (well except for the number of Why's that come out of his mouth) but Zeke can climb rocks (Ack!!)

He doesn't have a bad arm either.  Right before this photo was taken he threw a rock at my head. 

Right after we arrived in Lethbridge, my niece Maria turned 3. All the kids loved the pinata and after the party Ty asked if he could have one at his birthday that no one else would be able to hit. 

This picture makes me laugh.  Grandma and Grandpa paparazzi in the background:

 Birthday girl cuteness!

Rolling down the hill at Grandma's park:

Zeke had a ball in Lethbridge (hahaha) and went from being a kind of shy child before going to Lethbridge to squawking at strangers in the park to pay attention to him.  Right now he has kind of a seagullesque shriek that he makes when he wants something and sometimes the decibel level can be EXTREMELY high.  Good thing he's cute!

One day we ventured to Beaver Mines Lake for some frolicking with the fam!

Zeke made a lot of new friends on this trip.  Uncle Aaron:

Tavia and Catriona

After we canoeing on the lake we convened in Beaver Mines for a BBQ reunion of sorts.  We got together with the M's and the G's,  our family friends from growing up.  It has been over 10  years (and a couple of children each) since I have seen some of them and it was great to reconnect!

Staring adoringly at Deanne.  I think I did the same thing when I was little too. ;)

All the third generation children in attendance(minus Carson)

The Originals:

Second Generation:

Marc departed for Waterton to do some bachelor party hiking the day after this BBQ and my mom and the kids and I headed to a corn maze/petting zoo outside of town.

Scary llama!!! (or is this an alpaca?)

Tu

Ty went down this crazy long slide with no reservations.  As he was about to go down I looked up and read a sign at the top that said "Caution: Slide extremely fast" and the next thing I knew Ty shot off the end about 3 feet into my arms.  The next time he wanted me to come up with him and I too shot off the end but instead of into someone's arms I went flat on my face.  (Well maybe that's a bit dramatic but funny nonetheless!)

Ty spent a lot of time with his cousin Maria (and Fraser and Stefan the week after).  These two are very funny together, I enjoy seeing their interactions in this next series of pictures.  Goofballs!

Time stamped the same time as the above photos:  Marc enjoying Wateron with Fraser and Aaron

On our last day with my folks we visited the Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale.  Lots of fun!  Ty loved these ducks until one of them bit him.  It scared him but not enough to stay away from the eagle!!

Summer lovin' babe. He doesn't want summer to end either!  What will happen to his tan???  I sometimes put suncreen on him.  Really!!!

avion ridge

on monday and tuesday, fraser, aaron and i hiked avion ridge in waterton.  fraser was in town from new york and aaron was here from singapore.  we are all converging for fraser's wedding, so it was a meaningful trip.  after meeting in the morning we bought food in pincher creek and stopped for lunch at the amazing mexican restaurant in twin butte of all places.

our route started from the red rock canyon parking lot.  we hiked the fairly flat and wide trail to snowshoe camp.

despite the forecast thundershowers, we managed to forget our tent... or more specifically our tentpoles.  we did however bring 2 tarps and some serious rope and we were able to rig up a stellar place to sleep.

we hiked to lost lake in the evening.  just before we reached the lake, lightning started crackling, and we were excited to watch sheets of hail smash into the water.

aaron also neglected to bring a raincoat, so he was styling the ever fashionable garbage bag jacket.

when we arrived back in camp it was pouring rain, but our gear was nice and dry.  we ate dinner in our shelter and snuggled in for an only slightly damp sleep.

the next morning we lazed around, had a 4 hour breakfast and didnt get going until just before noon.

our route went quickly up the shoulder of the mountain, kissed the BC border, and then turned up onto the ridge.

the views opened up quickly, and the trail along the ridge was spectacular.

we stopped on the peak of the ridge for some food and a chance to enjoy the scenery.  amazingly for waterton, there was almost no wind.  the clouds briefly threatened rain, and we could clearly see it raining in the castle range 2 valleys over, but our beautiful weather held steadfast all day.

after the peak, we still had a lot of ridge left to walk.  the shale turned red as the ridgeline bent northward.

the final section in the full alpine skirted around a col.  going up and over would have made a nice scramble, but we judged it too risky with our full packs.  the steep exposure and off camber trail were risk enough.

on the way down to goat lake we encountered a waterfall coming directly out of the mountain.  it was delicious.

descending into the valley above goat lake was a reward in itself.

after another food stop at goat lake we made the final descent to the valley and followed an easy double track out to arrive back at the car at dusk.  a beautiful trip with fun weather, great views, good food and old friends.

Camping IV

We just got back from our fourth camping trip of the summer and the weather cooperated, we had a beautiful site and the company wasn't too shabby either. ;)  We had a spot directly across from this beach and spent all day playing and relaxing.  We had a few friends camping in various spots throughout the campground the they joined us for daily fun at the beach. 

  

 

 Ty is a little fishy in the water and really improved in his swimming skills here.   He kept wanting to swim out further and further with us and on our last day we took off his life jacket and he swam a few strokes without his floatation device. 

We were camping with our friends Mike and Patti and we invited a bunch of friends up one night for a party.  It also happened to be Mike and Patti's 26th anniversary so we celebrated with some cake.

We also had a very short 24 hour visit from our friend Steve.  Steve is currently teaching in the Gambia and although the 24 hours passed much too quickly it was great to reconnect with him!!  Steve comes up with great games like hide the beans and we really enjoyed our campfire discussions with him.

Lovely site: (In our opinion the best in the campground.  The most sun and right across from the beach!)

Our boys got so dirty everyday but that is what camping is all about!!  Until next time . . .