Lake Louise Ice Magic Festival

A day away...

Lindsay and I escaped to the mountains for the day to enjoy the Ice Magic Festival in Lake Louise. It was a beautiful day with fantastic weather, only minus 11 - balmy. We were greeted by a winter wonderland and a variety of ice sculptures in the works with a theme of "Spirit of Competition".

Olympic Countdown

The torch relay

Lindsay and I were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the 2010 Olympic torch a couple of times. The torch came down the next street over from where we live and then carried onto Olympic Plaza. We ventured down there to see celebratory concerts and festivities - welcoming the torch back to Calgary since 20 years ago, for the 1988 Winter Olympics.

Terri Clark performing on stage with the Olympic cauldron alight.

Our second Olympic torch experience came with Lindsay's work colleagues. The torch bearer, Sharon, ran 1.3 million steps to win a place to carry the torch for their company, Haworth - an official Olympic sponsor. Here are a few photos of the event and a video of the exchange of the flame.

Happy 2010!

Welcome to 2010!

I hope the New Year is off to a fantastic start for everyone. Lindsay and I brought in the New Year at my sister's, with lots of munchies and funny games. The game of the night was The Cat in the Hat. It brought out everyone's hidden talents - from jumping three times with a cake balanced on your belly, to sliding under the Trick a ma stick with a ball under your chin, to even crawling around the Trick a ma stick with a boat behind your back. It was hilarious - everyone got into the fun. I think the 'older' kids might have even had more fun then the young ones!

Lindsay sliding under the Trick a ma stick with a cake balanced on his belly!

Mom getting a helping head slide from Aidan under the Trick a ma stick

Aidan very carefully balancing a boat under his chin as he skips around the Trick a ma stick.

Three sort of jumps with a book under my chin.

Dad skipping around the Trick a ma stick with a boat!

Even Bree got dress up for the evenings events.

Bree wasn't the only one who got into the dressing up fun. Lindsay was a great sport and had some dressing up time with Aidan and Maelle. Aidan and Maelle were in fits of giggles as they called everyone downstairs to see their masterpiece.

Lindsay's day of Canadian winter sports...

Lindsay and Joanne had a fantastic day skiing at Nakiska Ski Resort in Kananaskis. Beautiful sunshine and minus 2. They met up with my sister, Shari and her husband, Brent to finish the day on the mountain. I think Lindsay has regained the skiing bug - look out Canadian Rockies.

After a full day of skiing Lindsay and Jo came back to do a little skating and hockey at the Snider's amazing backyard rink. This was only Lindsay's second time on skates and Aidan was running him through some skills with some helpful tips. We shared a few giggles, but Linds did awesome! Linds would also kick my butt on any ski hill and enjoy my lack of skiing ability with lots of laughing.

A little helping hand from Aidan and Maelle.

Christmas 2009

Happy Holidays to you all from the Augustine household!

We have very much enjoyed a white Christmas here in Calgary with beautiful sunshine. Lindsay and I had a quiet Christmas morning before heading over to my sister's for a delicious Christmas turkey dinner. All the kids were on cloud nine, excited to share the news and presents of what Santa had delivered. There was lots of playing and eating and enjoying some family time. Games were played and goodies were devoured, with many memories made.

And of course a few photos taken to capture special moments...

Enjoying an 'I Spy' book with Uncle Lindsay

Hockey time with dad and grandpa

Still full of energy.. Jenna and Bree love their bathtime.

Two days on...

The snow has stopped, but the freezing temperatures have stayed with a vengance!

Ever wonder what minus 33 looks like first thing in the morning??

The aftermath...drifts on our window sill - nine floors up!!

Snow storm in Calgary!

Winter's has arrived...

After a mild month of November, we have had a huge reminder of what life is really like in the winter living in the northern hemisphere. The warnings began on Thursday afternoon and the snow started just after 8 am on Friday. It snowed all day Friday and Friday night. Road conditions were horrendous, little to no visibility - not to forget to mention blowing and drifting snow across roads and cars! We received about 20 cm of the white stuff and even bigger snow drifts! After the snow came the frigid temperatures, plummeting to the minus 30's and that is without the windchill. All you Canadians know what these temperatures can do to one's eye lashes and nose hairs -- frozen like icicles!! Calgary has quickly turned into a winter wonderland. From the warm comforts of our blazing fire and fleecy socks - everything really does look beautiful. That is until you venture out into the Arctic tundra!