Our Family Adventures 2018 / 2019

We arrived Halloween mid afternoon. My very kind nephew Cesar came to pick up us up from the airport, and took us back to Garfield to my Sister Pilar’s house, I was so nervous about seeing my Father again, simply because the last time we saw each other was a little under 20 years ago. But all the family here, starting with Caesar have been so warm, and welcoming. They have taken us in as though we had always known them. Myself, Maija, My Dad, and Terran

So after very little sleep the night before (a combo of excitement and anxiety over so many unknowns), we are finally on board our flight en route to New Jersey. My poor kids were both very tired, the food after going through security was expensive, and not great (Opa’s for breakfast anyone?), but boarding the plane made them forget anything negative. Terran is crazy about any machines that move; trucks, construction equipment, tractors, but specially trains, planes, and rocket ships. We had very kind flight attendants, they set up the kids with coloring books, and crayons, and they even suggested the kids go, and say hello to the captain, and co- captain of our flight before take off, Maija was so thrilled “Mom, they were both named Mike like grandpa!” and both kids loved that they (the pilots) turned lights on and off in the cockpit for them. Meeting the pilots, going to the cockpit, how cool is that?! I think that alone made my kids’ flight already. Maija and I both

The day before we leave, we finalized the last minute packing.   For a number of reasons, we have decided to go carry on only. We figured that by cutting down on the amount of junk we need to look after, we will be better able to concentrate on the experience and locations that we will see. Here we see the four backpacks after our final pack check on Tuesday evening:

About a year and a half ago our family was driving north on Highway 11, admiring how beautiful Alberta is in the spring, summer and falls months. We love Alberta, it is honest to goodness one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I love hiking in the mountains, visiting the library, walking in my community of Woodbine, my own happy place. What we were NOT looking forward to was the upcoming Alberta winter! We had just completed a family mile stone, and my husband was itching to "Do Something Different...."But what? Perhaps this was the beginning of what is referred to as a mid-life crisis, but be that as it may, if it was going to be a mid-life crisis, although I am convinced we are too young for that, we were going to make it a good one!                                                 Alberta in the summer for us.                                               What we are hoping to miss this winter That car ride became a family brainstorming session