In the mountains

A few weeks ago we ventured to one of our favourite spots for a little winter fun in the snow!





This was the first time the Rory really got into exploring the snow. He loved walking through the knee deep (Rory's knee deep) snow and under the bridge.

And of course there was time for some sled rides! Rory took a turn to pull his sled, which usually veered off course towards a hill.

Brrrrr...

Hello from the deep freeze of Calgary!!




Our weather station is showing -28.5 degrees outside and it blanks out at anything higher than minus 30. It was blank a couple of time over the last few days. It has been unbelievably cold- not just chilly, but eye watering, eyelash and skin freezing over cold!! Rory and I have been housebound most of this week. The weekend is looking good for maybe some sledding as temperatures begin to get closer to zero.








Lindsay took a photo of the Weather Channel's forecast for last night!! Note the wind chills!! Yikes!




Our view while we gobbled down some warm and tasty oatmeal this morning.



We were lucky enough to have a visit last Friday before the arctic air set in, from Auntie Shari and Maelle. Rory loved having Maelle to play with all morning. Maelle was a great sport as she was dragged from the train table to the colouring books to the tent to playing ball to lego to mr potato head!!






Finally a still moment sharing a book in Rory's tent and a cozy blanket specially made by Grammie Werkman.



We've spent some time this week baking, colouring, painting, building lego, playing trains and reading stories to keep ourselves warm and amused.







Rory has even had time to help daddy with some furniture moving around. Rory is quite the pro with his new drill that Santa brought him for Christmas.


A couple of weekends a go we escaped to the mountains for a day hiking in Kananaskis Country. It was a fantastic hike along the lake and Rory loved being in the sled being pulled up the hills and sliding down the other side. Lots of giggles.

Happy Holidays

Happy 2012 to you all!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic start to the New Year.

We were very lucky to have my mum and dad - Grandma and Grandpa, spend Christmas with us this year. We had a wonderful Christmas morning with lots of good eats and funny moments watching Rory open his gifts.

A very excitable Rory playing with his custom made train tracks and risers from Grandpa! The box they came in also made for a very handy seat.

Taking turns pulling a giggling Rory along the frozen pond and pathways.

Another fantastic day out in the mountains.

One of our favourite spots.

Loving the sled rides!!

We all very much enjoyed a mountain escape for a couple of days. We played in the snow, skated on Lake Louise, went sledding, hiking and most of all made some very special memories to last a lifetime.

Flurries were gently falling as we spent the morning skating on Lake Louise.

After all the outdoor activities we all enjoyed some quiet time at home - which wasn't exactly quiet - but Rory loved colouring and finger painting with Grandma, playing trains and building things with Grandpa.

All smiles and giggles finger painting with Grandma!

There was a rare quiet moment spent sharing books.

Enjoy some videos of our times over the holidays!

Skating on Lake Louise

Sledding at Cascade Ponds.

Wishing everyone all the best of health and happiness for 2012!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

The Augustine cozy Christmas corner is awaiting the arrival of the big guy himself.

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care...

Another Sunday of snowfall and fun times at the park.

And of course finding the best sticks to play with - the biggest ones will only do!

A winter wonderland...

Sledding with daddy through the snow!

Tis the season...

The Augustine's are getting into the festive spirit! It is hard not too when there is Christmas music on the radio and there is freshly fallen snow all around.
After a night of snow, Rory was able to get out on his sled for the first time this year. He enjoyed a sled ride with daddy in the park.

And what better way to warm up then a quick sled ride over to Starbucks for a yummy coffee treat. While mum popped in to get the drinks, daddy taught Rory the finer points of catching snowflakes with his tongue!

Now was time warm up our toes with a run through the powder-like snow! Almost a little too deep for Rory's little legs and snow pants which seemed to slow him down.

All the morning fresh air and running around tuckered our little Rory out and he had a long nap after lunch. To continue with our winter and Christmas festivities we took Rory to help choose our Christmas tree. Rory loved running around the tree lot and even more so, loved picking up all the 'sticks'!

It was a fantastic day, full of wintery fun and getting our home a little more festive looking. Photos of our tree will follow - I'm still in the process of vacuuming up all the fallen tree needles, but it smells so Christmasy!!

Earlier this week Rory was doing a little painting in his Christmas paint by water book. He loves painting and sat for a good 15 minutes without making a sound. That's an incredible long time for Rory to be still (and quiet) for!!

Wishing you all the best of the festive season! Not too long before the dude in the big red suit comes for a visit!!

Snow!

Winter has arrived once again, with a winter storm arriving over night and delivering about 10 cm of the white stuff!
This was Rory's first time to play in the snow - so on went the snow pants, boots, toque, mitts and winter jacket. I was worn out just getting Rory ready to head outside! Rory quite enjoyed wearing his new snow pants and boots.


Rory went around the park pointing at all the snow and saying 'oooo'. The mitts came off when he spotted a stick poking up out of the snow. This became his magic wand to help brush snow off of everything.





Looking forward to getting the sled out and heading to the hills. Bring on more snow!!

Fun times

A big hello to you all!!
I must apologize for the lack of blog posts as of late. Life has been pretty busy.

Here is a glimpse inside life at the Augustine's over the last month or so.
We've had some crazy weather - snow, rain, gale force winds, warm sunny days and freezing cold days below minus 20 - we've had all the seasons. And sometimes all in one day!

So what does one do when it is too cold to venture outside??
We build forts!! Rory has loved it! The best part he seems to like, after crawling inside and having a snack, is destroying the fort and throwing himself onto the pillows.


Bubbles and bath time also helps to keep us warm and cozy.

Our independent bather showing off his hair washing ability.

Just today we were lucky not to have minus 20 temperatures, but a balmy plus 10!!

Rory and I took advantage of the beautiful day and spent the morning in the park.

There was lots and lots of sticks to collect after all of the strong winds.

Rory was very excited to get outside into the fresh air and be able to run around without the bulky winter jacket.

Here come the winds....on our way home the winds picked up again and Rory loved watching the trees blow all the leaves around.

With the cold temperatures last week, Rory had time to do some 'repair work' to his fancy wheels!

Rory seemed to know exactly what he was doing. I think he was putting his winter tires on, ready for the snow!

With lots of time indoors it was a great to discover old toys and spend time with mum and dad building all sorts of creatures!

We hope you are all staying warm! See you again soon!