Weekend of fun and adventure

One of our favorite ways of spending time in Canmore.

With exploring and eating wild strawberries.

Looking out for wildlife, big and small.

 

 

Soaking our feet up to our knees in water and mud.

 

Picnics and biking the trails.

 

And family hikes

 

Trial and Tribulations

 

Mid June and I was asked on the Thursday, if I could attend a screening day for the trial on the following Thursday. It was a mad rush to book flights, find accommodation arrange child care and pack for our trip. My friends Sandy and Beth were wonderful and booked flights on their airmiles, business class. They booked the flights on the Tues, giving us a rest day on Wednesday, screening day on Thurs and tourist day on Friday, before travelling home on the Saturday. They also agreed to take care of our children.
The first comical incident occurred when we were waiting to board our flight at Calgary. We presented ourselves when business class were asked to board, and the official asked us if we would need assistance to board the plane, with a No we were asked to sit down. It was obvious that we did not have what it takes to look business like. However we waited till the very end once everyone had been boarded and then presented our tickets. We were met this time with apologies and embarrassment, as he had misread the seat numbers, but we smiled with understanding and continued on.

one of the court yards at the NIH

 

Meal at "Mon ami Gabi"

 

Below are some of the sights in Washington.

 

The White House

 

Washington memorial.

 

Our trip was four nights, and it was a gift of time to James and myself to be together. We were able to enjoy our time, relax, enjoy eating out, quiet evenings and enjoy a different rhythm of life.

looking toward the Linken memorial.

 

world war II memorial.

 

The screening went smoothly and we met the whole medical team that would be looking after us. James and I also connected with a wonderful lady called Janet who was also being screened for a trial. We spoke with her over lunch about naturopathic alternative practices, and supplements. About our journey so far, our fears, our challenges and our change in perspectives. We called her later that evening to meet for tea and enjoyed her company.

After returning home on the Saturday, we learned that the screening had been successful and that I could start on the 17th July. Janet had wanted to start as soon as possible and she was to go on the Thurs . As it would be, our paths would cross during her last week as I would start.

My friend Linda had been in touch while we were away and wanted to come and help me, in the end we decided for her to travel to Canmore for the week before and then travel down with me for my first week, meeting my Mum who would stay with me for the full three weeks, James joining us with the kids in the last week.

A weekend of Dance and Birthdays

June 14th was a busy weekend for us as it was James' birthday and Father's day. We were also getting ready for a trip to Bethesda in Washington. More about that later.
James' birthday was a lovely day, the kids both performed in their dance show and were very proud to be dancing on Dad's birthday and also on Father's day.
There were some songs and dances which brought a tear to my eyes and these were " Wherever you go" and also a ballet done to " Cannon" by Pacabelle. The music that I walked down the aisle to at our wedding.
 For James' birthday treat we took the kids out for dinner to Aroma's for a Mexican Meal.

The two shows went very well and after the finale there was an award ceremony. Finlay won an award for being a good listener and having natural moves. He was so proud, he was kind of stunned while sitting on the stage and his instructor came to hand it too him.

 

http://youtu.be/6pfnU7MDkQw

http://youtu.be/0c3pwc2Wa8g

Canmore Family camping trip to Radium

 Yes it was that time of year and weekend again, when our friends in Canmore arrange a group camping trip for 2 nights. This year we decided to keep it more local after previous years of driving 5-6 hours for a 2 night trip. Which seems a very long way, but in hindsight it still creates fond and happy memories and have created bonds between friends that otherwise would not have been formed. It is so easy to not make the effort to go the large distances, however once you are there and spending great memories together, which otherwise would not be made it is so worth it. It is amazing that all these families have to travel for a camping trip outside of Canmore to all get together. But it is worth every mile and every minute of travel.

Since my diagnosis it has been interesting to see the change in people around me and myself. My friends and neighbors and I have been guilty of seeing each other at the park, at work, in school saying" Oh we must get together for dinner" or " we must get together for a walk". Great friends at work, who I never socialise with, and always wish to do so. We make our lives busy, with tasks, duties, excuses, stuff. People have become aware of the precious time we have as we live our life and how easy time slips through our fingers without catching the grains of special moments, of human connection and interaction.

In a sense, when we all gather at these camping trips, evening meals, walks, runs, cups of tea. We are held in time engaged with others, unable to run to do "the things that need doing".....why would you when they are always going to be there anyway !, the stuff, the duties. See how much more connected and fulfilled you feel.

 I love camping and allowing my kids to run free and wild from morning til night. There were probably around 20 children on this, or largest group yet and all the kids played well in groups, as a whole and individually as needed. Observation is essential, and we all look out for everyones kids, but there was rarely a time when intervention or dicipline had to be used.

 Any one for ball!!

Finlay loves balls just now. Volley balls, soccer balls, baseballs, basket balls and bouncy balls...they are everywhere.

 Camping to Finlay means.....Marshmallows!!!!

 Hanging with the girls.

Open House Camp Chief Hector

 This summer Heather is booked for  one week day camp at Camp Chief Hector which is in Kananaskis country about a 20 min drive from Canmore. The open house was to let the kids see the facility and become familiar with the types of activities that they will be doing.
Camp Chief hector is run by the YMCA and offers out door fun for kids up to leadership courses for young adults. The younger kids can stay in cabins, and as they get older progress to yurts and the tipis and then leadership courses are often off site, up north and often last for the whole summer.
Overnight camp is available for children from 7 years, but I am very happy for Heather to come home at night for a few years yet!!!

 Heather was so proud that she was going to be involved and she was right up front of our little group, asking questions and participating in the activities

 During our afternoon, the kids tried their hand at archery, horse back riding and canoeing.

 Once the open house had finished, Heather wasn't quite ready to leave so we went for a little hike in the trails around the camp. Finding sticks and playing warriors.