Camping

Last weekend we went camping near Bragg Creek. We hadn't ever been there, but Jonathan heard there was good fishing...that's reason to go anywhere as far as he's concerned!! We were at a great little campground, it had nice sites with lots of trees. There was a brook right behind our campsite and you could hear it from the tent. While he was fishing I relaxed and read a book/magazines, I also checked out the little town of Bragg Creek. It's probably the first really cute small town we've found out here. Lots of little gift shops and stores, reminded me of Baddeck at home.

We spent some time at Elbow Falls. There was LOTS of people around, but it's a nice spot with the falls and lots of picnic tables.

More pictures of the falls.

We didn't want to stay at the crowded picnic park for lunch, so we drove down the road a bit more and found a spot to sit by the water and eat. Just as we were finishing lunch I heard a noise and looked up. There were almost 20 horses coming across the river. While we were there we saw 4 different trail rides cross the river.
This is where I sat and relaxed while Jonathan went fishing. Great way to spend an afternoon!!

Christmas Celebrations

We had a great Christmas here in Alberta. It would have been nice to go home, but we enjoyed spending time with friends here, and had some time to relax over the holidays. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Tyler, Margaret, Lincoln and their family. It was fun to be with the whole Mattheis family to celebrate.

On Christmas Eve we went to a cute little church and sang Christmas Carols. Tyler and Jonathan took turns playing guitar, we sang Silent Night with candle light. Lincoln had fun playing with the wrapping paper. He didn't have much interest in the gifts...just the paper.

On the way home we stopped to take some pictures of the frost in the trees. It was a pretty cold day so there were some neat sights.

Camping in Jasper

On the long weekend we went camping in Jasper National Park with Margaret and Tyler. Jonathan and I hadn't been to the mountains before, so it was a pretty exciting weekend for both of us. We camped (in the freezing cold!!!!!), did some hikes, went to the hot springs, and most of all enjoyed just getting away for a few days.
Here are some pictures from Jasper...

This is our first glimps of the famous Rockies! Such an amazing sight.











Our first sighting of a mountain goat. We saw lots more of these all weekend. They just roam along the side of the road.














Athabasca Falls

On Saturday after setting up our camp site and having some lunch we went for a hike at Athabasca falls. It felt great to hear the water falls...reminded me of being home in Cape Breton!


















The four happy campers at Athabasca Falls

















Margaret and I on a hike to a Maligne Canyon.



I'll try and add more pictures soon.
If you've never been to the Rockies, I think every Canadian should experience it atleast once! And thanks to Margaret and Tyler for suggesting the camping trip!

Happy Birthday Jonathan!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband! This post is a day late, his birthday was really yesterday! We celebrated on Saturday. We had Margaret and Tyler, Jeff, Sabrina and Isabella, my brother Todd, and the Fraser's (who we life with) over for supper. It was fun to see everyone together. We didn't do too much exciting, had a chili supper followed by chocolate cake.
An update on the basement...it's pretty well all painted, and the cabinets are up. The drawers are all in, and Jonathan is working on getting the cabinet doors up. The electrician is coming on Saturday to hook up all the lights and plugs! So we're starting to feel like the end is in sight!
We enjoyed our day off on Monday...Alberta celebrates Family Day the thrid Monday in February. We spent the day working in the basement!
We're starting to see longer days here in Edmonton, it's almost in the morning when we leave, and it's bright when we get home. They say spring is less than a month away...I'll believe it when I see it!

We're not lost!!

I know, I know, it's been forever since I've posted. I'm sure my faithful bloggers have become not so faithful! I don't really have a good excuse for not posting, other than after looking at a computer screen at work all day I don't go near a computer at home. So I decided that since I have NOTHING to do at work today, I'll post at work, and try to add some pictures when I get home. So you'll have to forgive me for the lack of pictures, I know they're what makes a post exciting.
What's new....let me think. We had a very different Christmas, but it was enjoyable none the less. We celebrated with Jeff and Phyllis and family. Oh, and when I say family, I don't just mean the 4 kids. Jeff's family came from Nova Scotia for Christmas, so we had 12 people living under one roof for 4 weeks (6 of those 12 were 7 and under!!!!!!!!) And then for 2 weeks was had 14 people. Let's just say if you need advice on cooking for a crowd, talk to Phyllis! On Christmas day we went up stairs to watch the kids open their gifts, and then Todd (my brother) joined us to open gifts down stairs. Then began the preparations for Christmas dinner, since 14 had become the norm, the 28 at dinner wasn't too bad! It was a great day, very different from home, but fun none the less. And then on Boxing day I did some shopping. I must admit, it was much more fun to go Boxing Day sale hunting in Edmonton that in Sydney.
New Year's was celebrated with a bunch of people from Margaree. We had a great time. At one point there were fiddles and guitars and even some singing. What more could we ask for?
All in all life has been busy. We've been working in the basement to get the suite finished so we can move down there. As of right now it is all primed. The ceilings are almost done, and one closet is finished (I work on closets that are hidden while Jonathan does the ceilings!) Last night Jeff and Phyllis went to order cabinets at IKEA for the kitchen, and they have them in stock, so on Saturday we'll have cabinets (atleast at the house, not necessarily installed). It looks so different with primer on the walls, I can't wait until the paint goes on, I think it will make a big difference.
We've really enjoyed having Margaret and Tyler living in the same city. We see them atleast once a week. Last weekend Tyler came over and helped Jonathan paint, while Margaret and I went shopping - mostly at IKEA. We both think we got the better part of that deal!
Since I'm at work I guess I should end my post here. I promise I'll try and add some pictures soon, and try to blog more often.

Halloween pictures

I know it's a few days late, but Dad just sent me these pictures. I may be a little biased, but I think they're the cutest Halloween pictures ever!!!


Libbey was a Fairy. And in true Cape Breton style, she has a winter vest under her costume. (Here in Edmonton the kids needed full snow suits! I think it was around -11 or -12 and windy!!)



And for his first Halloween, Adam was a Bulldog. He just looks so cute!







Other than these exciting pictures life in Edmonton is pretty quiet. Jonathan is working full time framing and enjoying being back on a regular schedule. We're hoping to be in our own "suite" in the basement in the next month.
I'm starting to get excited for Christmas. The ground has been white here for 2 weeks now. And I bought 2 Christmas CD's yesterday. Jonathan insists that I can't open them until December 1st!!! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Welcome to Life in Edmonton!!

Yep...you guessed it, I have officially seen SNOW in Edmonton. Ok, so not nearly this much snow, but snow. When I was working on Tuesday, I went out to Tim Horton's for lunch, and on the way back, the rain was slowly turning to snow! It was white, and made that big 'Splat' when it hit the window! Thankfully it was melting as soon as it hit the ground.
Normally I am really excited about the first snow fall, but when it was on October 10, it was a little early for me!
We had a great Thanksgiving weekend. Phyllis (the lady we're staying with) decided to have a Thanksgiving for people who don't have any family here and therefore wouldn't have a dinner to go to. So on Saturday evening we had a big feast. My brother Todd came over, and there were 5 other people from Margaree. One of the people here was Kelly Shaw, who played the fiddle at our wedding reception. So he brought his fiddle, and his son brought a guitar and a mandolin. So after we ate the instruments came out, and I felt like I was right back in Margaree! Jonathan even got to play the guitar for an hour or so, something he hasn't done since we left home (he used to play his mom's guitar so he had to leave it in Margaree). So we really enjoyed our dinner, and it was lots of fun to get together with people we knew.
Other than that life has been pretty uneventful. I'm working lots, and Jonathan has been working here and the house, and doing a few other odd jobs. He hopes to start framing early next week! He finally has all the business paper work done, and he's ready to go! He is really looking forward to getting back to working full days, every day.
I think that's all the news from Edmonton, I'll keep you updated, and post a picture of our first snowfall that turns the ground white!