Looking Forward, Looking Back

In the past few days, I've started planning some of our adventures for the coming year. As I was compiling a list of potential people, places and things for us to see and do it occurred to me that I should look at the adventures of 2011. From dozens of fantastic day, weekend and week long trips, there some that stood out right away such as my son's birthday at the lake with friends and our trip up to Jasper with my in-laws. There was joyous trips such as my mom's surprise party in Vancouver and sad trips such as my uncle's funeral. The weather was hot, cold, dry, snowy and everything in between. There was snow, rocks, sands, trees, mud and water. In the end, I've chosen to share with you five trips which demonstrate values that form "The Big Picture" - things that made us happy and healthy as a family and as individuals. I've listened them in order they occurred as it would be impossible to rank them otherwise.

#1 Family Day Weekend in the Okanagan

We headed down to Vernon for Family Day weekend to visit my mom and stepfather, go skiing and enjoy a weekend away.  I'll always be thankful that we took the time to visit my aunt and uncle nearby while we were there. Not only was it a great visit with them and a multitude of cousins, it was the last visit I had with my uncle who passed away not a month later. I'll always look back on the weekend with bitter sweet fondness. Family is important, and while they may drive you crazy, it's important not to miss opportunities to spend time with them.

#2 Winter Hike at Mount Lorette Ponds

This was a typical day out in the mountains for us. We often pack up our gear, pack some snacks and head out with no fixed plans. This particular day was snowy and in Kananaskis. We stopped at the ponds for a short hike and we had a blast romping in the snow and enjoying winter at it's best in the mountains. And as a photographer, I was also able to get some great photographs of my son and the landscape around me. This trip demonstrates that some of the best memories don't have to be planned or grand. We have to seize the moment and look around us.

#3 Upper Kananaskis Lake Photo Hike

I took this hike in June with a local outdoor meetup group and I look back fondly at this day out with fellow photographers. A beautiful sunny day, it was a day filled with laughter, photography and new friends - it was rejuvenating to spend the day out.  It was a solo trip but I feel that it clearly belongs on the list because it demonstrates that needs of the individual in a family dynamic... and individual trips for all of us should be on this list for the coming year.

#4 Back country camping trip to Laughing Falls
We joined two other families for the August long weekend for a back country camping trip into the mountains. Six adults, three toddlers and a baby in the back country of Yoho National Park, camping beside a raging river fed by glacier water. The weekend wasn't without its challenges - missing juice, clogged filters, night terrors, thunderstorms, etc. - but we proved it possible and had a great time doing it. A back country trip is a definite for 2012.

#5  Camping at Dinosaur Park

This was a short weekend trip that we decided on literally at the last minute. Within about an hour Saturday morning, we had packed up and were heading out into the crisp fall air. We avoided the main highway as we meandered to Dinosaur Park, stopping at several small provincial parks along the way to explore. We took the time to catch frogs, have a picnic and I got some photographs. At the park, we took turns playing with our son and making camp. We watched the sunset over the badlands and ate dinner as the sky darkened. Our son fell asleep quickly and easily in the tent. We enjoyed a last cup of tea under the stars. The next day, we hiked the hills of the badlands and learned about dinosaurs. We learned to camp simply and to play with our son instead.


Now what adventures lay ahead for us this year? Only time will tell.

What a Year!

A new year is around the corner and like many others I find myself reflecting on this past one. It's been a busy year full of triumphs and challenges.

Our family activities were heavily based in the outdoors - snow, rain, ice or sunshine it didn't matter - you'd find us enjoying the wilderness at our doorstep. Though the winter was often really cold, there was plenty of opportunity for snowshoe and winter hiking trips into the mountains. Sledding and skating was fun for the whole family. Matthew enjoyed several days of playing and hiking in the snow with one parent while the other hit the ski slopes - the skis are waxed and ready for him to give the sport a try this year.

As the weather warmed, camping trips to the mountains and into the badlands were part of the menu, including a multiple family back country trip into Yoho National Park. Matthew found out the joys of riding in the kayak and getting close to birds, fish and turtles. Parks were explored and water parks sought out. Summer flew by and soon the weather cooled, the snow fell and Matthew donned snowshoes for the first time. Sled rides, wagon rides and outdoor Christmas festivities filled December.

Family visited and family was visited - trips that included Vancouver and the Okanogan. We mourned the passing of my uncle and celebrated my mother's victory over cancer. We celebrated birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. We laughed, cried and fought. We lived.

Through it all we watched our son grow from a 1 1/2 years old to 2 1/2 years old - an amazing experience. He's a running, dancing, swimming machine that rarely stops for a breath of air. From single words to sentences, he's now beginning to be able to communicate his thoughts and desires. He's not completely understandable yet, but it was fun watching him greet his aunt, uncle and grandparents at Christmas. His play has gone from simply pushing his train around the tracks to complex scenarios involving the conductor opening the doors, the people getting on, tickets collected and destinations established. And if the train goes off the track... the fire truck and the police car goes to the rescue! Always the puzzle fiend, about a month and a half ago, my son made the jump from chunky wooden puzzles to picture cardboard puzzles. He started to understand the concept of creating a picture with the pieces - from then on he's been off to the races. There's no stopping him now - he's now onto 48 pieces and having a ball.

There was an important lesson that we learned through all this and which became the premise for this blog. We learned that we can't do it all and that we shouldn't feel bad about it. The important thing is that everyone - my husband, my son and myself - are happy and healthy. So sometimes plans were cancelled, altered or postponed if the circumstances warranted instead of barrelling ahead no matter what. We made sure that we asked if we were doing stuff for the right reasons. We took a breath and smelled the proverbial roses. We enjoyed the days, the months and the seasons to the greatest extent. That is "The Big Picture".

I'm looking forward to the coming year... so much to do, so much to explore. Happy New Year!

Alberta: More Than Mountains - The Foothills

There are some people who may argue with me but there is more than mountains to Alberta. While our initial plan had been to head to the mountains for some winter fun, we decided that with five or more months of winter ahead of us we weren't quite ready to embrace it. Instead we headed south into the Foothills both Saturday and Sunday. 

On Saturday, the weather wasn't the best but we headed to Millarville Christmas Market any ways. It was a little windy and chilly but we browsed the exhibits, bought a couple of gifts and grabbed some fresh baked goods for the ride home. However, the best part as far as Matt was concerned was the hay ride! Horsies!!! The reindeer were AWOL but we enjoyed our morning out, getting back to the city in time for afternoon nap.

On Sunday, the weather was predicted to be mostly sunny - perfect for exploring! We decided to head down to Pincher Creek as they have an outdoor store we love. We find they have a great selection for the whole family - including what we wanted to complete our little ones winter wardrobe (more on that in a future post). But you don't just go to Pincher Creek to shop at one store. For us it's a day long adventure.

On the way down, we decided to stop at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. If you haven't been - go - it's great even for toddlers. It's open all year round and is a spectacular exhibit highlighting an important part of Alberta's history. And while you're at it, if you don't already have one, get the Experience Alberta's History Annual Pass - it not only allows you to get into Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump but many other of Alberta's historic sites such as the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller (Dinosaurs) and the Reynolds-Alberta Museum (Airplanes). This is where my hubby gets a big huge "Thanks". He wandered around the exhibit with Matt while I spent a good amount of time outside in the wind and cold being a photographer.

From there we meandered down a few back roads to Pincher Creek, my patient husband stopping at the side of the road so that I could jump out and take photographs of the windmills that line the ridges and fields in the area. After our shopping trip in Pincher Creek, we wound through the Foothills on the 22 and some back roads home to Calgary. A few of the stops we had thought to make on the way home were nixed as Matt fell asleep but what was missed can be seen on another trip. It was a great day, everyone was enjoyed themselves. I was able to be photographer, mom and wife all while enjoying a beautiful part of Alberta. That is The Big Picture.

How did you spend your long weekend?