wrapping it up...

I have a few more random pictures and reflections to share from our trip.  I had even more pictures, all of which were on my phone and I lost, due to a husband malfunction.  Bummer!  :(  Anyways, still lots of good ones to be grateful for.   

Hudson was a trooper in the car.  Even though we flew there (which saved us about 50 hours of drive time) we still had plenty of time in the car during our days of exploring.  We did different things to keep him busy and distracted including reading books, coloring, holding our breath when riding through tunnels, and looking for waterfalls.  Proud of you, buddy!  

We had a "kids time" on Thursday.  Mom and Dad offered to stay with Hudson at the condo for the day so we could go "out."  Even though it took us until about noon to decide what we were going to do, we still had fun.  We started things off with a super healthy lunch (not really) on the rooftop with a beautiful view.  

We also went on a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain.  Angela took this picture of the Canadian flag up top.  And we embraced more beautiful views!  

Another fond memory of Banff was all the beautiful flowers.  They were everywhere!  Bright colors and different varieties in flower beds.  Delightful!  

A few additional fond memories...

...enjoying ice cream served from a school bus, more specifically Hudson enjoying his first ice cream cone all to himself

...relaxing at the hot springs

...shopping for hours to find the perfect souvenirs 

...making delicious meals together at our condo (have I mentioned before that my sister is a wonderful cook and her food tastes much better than you usually get at a restaurant) 

...hanging out, relaxing, and enjoying time together 

...Hudson so excited about flying in an airplane

...preparing for and talking about the Canada trip with Hudson for months prior

...telling "Canada stories," still today  

Overall, I would say it was a wonderful trip!  Blessed in so many ways!  Memorable and fantastic!  We are especially grateful for my parents generosity and making it all happen.  Its been great fun for me to do all these posts and reflect on our time, so thanks for reading along the way!

Happy trails, Canada...  

Ryan, the wildlife spotter...

We spotted some more wildlife, and even got some decent pictures of them, so I figured I better share.  Ryan spotted this elk along the road and we were the first to stop, many others followed after us.  :)  We also went on a group wildlife tour, which was pretty close to being a complete bust, but once again Ryan spotted some elk on the baseball field near the end of our 2 hour search.  It was fun to just watch them roam and explore for awhile.  Observing animals is their natural habitat is amazing!    

     

Peyto Lake

Ok...back to the Canada pictures.  I have just a few more posts/adventures to share about.  :)  On our way back to Canmore we made a stop at Peyto Lake.  This is known as "Fox Face Lake" to me because its shape looks exactly like the outline of a fox, I think.  Cool!  More beautiful views... 

  

  

A fun memory from this stop was Hudson eating an apple.  This is the first time I had given him a whole apple and had him "go for it."  Oh my...I should have thought of this idea long ago.  It kept him busy and focussed for a good 30 minutes.  He was much more interested in eating his apple than checking out Peyto Lake.  Fun!  

i created :: baked beans

I thought I would change up the posts a bit and share a favorite recipe, before I finished up with the Canada pictures, just to keep everyone interested.  :)  A few years ago my sister passed this yummy baked beans recipe along to me.  They are SO TASTY, especially with a grilled hamburger or brat.  I have made these for several BBQs and group gatherings and they always seem to be a hit, especially with my good friend Emily B.  :)  I have decided I only make these when we are hosting guests, not just for a weeknight/weekend dinner with the 3 of us.  Below are some step by step pictures, as Hudson insisted I "take picture" of all the things we were doing.  Ha!  And yes, we had a pajama at home day, Hudson and Mommy both (until our friends showed up I guess).  Enjoy!  

  

Baked Beans

1 onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 pound Kilbasa sausage

1 53 oz. can Bush's Baked Beans with Onion, drained and lightly rinsed

1/2 cup ketchup

1/2-1 cup brown sugar (amount depends on how sweet you like your beans :)  

Cut Kilbasa into 1/2 inch slices.  In large skillet, sauté with onion and green pepper until meat is brown.  Add beans.  Stir in other ingredients.  Bake in a 2 quart casserole dish at 325 degrees for 1 hour or more.  

Athabasca Falls

After our ice fields tour we traveled further, reaching Jasper National Park.  Our destination this time was the Athabasca Falls.  Hudson formed a new love for waterfalls during our trip and was always on the lookout for them.  :)  These falls certainly proved they were worth the extra driving!  The Athabasca Falls run from the Athabasca River and are known for its large quantity of water falling into a gorge.  Its literally a ROAR of water!  There are several viewing platforms and walking trails near the falls so lots of opportunities to catch great pictures and see the falls from various perspectives.  Delightful!  Beautiful!  Amazing!    

Ice Bus

The "Ice Bus" was certainly a highlight of our trip.  We drove 3+ hours into Banff National Park to get to the Columbian Ice Fields  We got tickets to ride this massive machine (which is known as the Ice Bus in our family), which took us out on to a glacier.  We got about 25 minutes out on the glacier to walk around, explore, and enjoy the sights and sounds.  Pretty cool...whether you are a 2 year old, a 32 year old, or a 62 year old.  ;)  We are still talking about this event often, remembering how cold it was, throwing ice cubes in the water, and the thrill of riding the BIG Ice Bus.  

Uncle Ryan keeping Hudson entertained with games on his phone while waiting for our turn on the Ice Bus.  

Ready to go on another adventure!  

"This is the coolest thing ever!  I have always wanted to ride a bus, and this is an ICE bus, even better!  Who needs a nap on a day like this?"  

A view of the glacier across the road.  

Our view of the glacier up close.  

A family picture to prove we all made it!  

Hudson and Bapa throwing ice cubes/chunks in the water.  

Lovin' it!

One more picture with the Ice Bus before loading and heading back.  

throwing rocks...

I had to devote an entire post to this topic, simply because it was something Hudson spent LOTS of time doing in Canada...throwing rocks.  There was lots of water and lots of rocks and little boys seem to enjoy both, so he was in heaven.  Bapa and Hudson got lots of practice and were always looking for the "big rocks."  I just love this little guy...SO MUCH!  What a joy he is!  So handsome!  So sweet...every single thing about him!  Thank you God for our precious little boy!  

"This looks like a good one."  

"Canada is a pretty cool place, and especially a great place to throw rocks."  

"What do you think Bapa, is this one big enough to make a big splash?"

"I'll grab a big handful this time."  

These two are the best of buddies and had a blast together, enjoying one other and the beauty of the place.  I feel like this could be a postcard picture, grandpa and grandson.    

Another beautiful spot and more beautiful pictures...

Lake Louise

Our next stop was Lake Louise!  This was certainly the busiest place that we went to, probably because its the most well known attraction/site in Banff National Park.  My favorite memory from our time at Lake Louise was when we first walked up to the lake and had our first view.  As I mentioned before, this was a special trip for my mom's upcoming 60th birthday, what she wanted to do.  At that moment, she just started to cry.  She was overcome with joy and gratitude for the beauty of this place and for God's gift of family in her life.  It still gets me teared up just to think about that moment.  "What an awesome God we serve, to allow us to enjoy the beauty of His creation.  And with those whom I love so much.  Its something I have always wanted to do."  This made it ALL worth it...the miles traveled, the arrangements made, the money spent. That moment will forever have a special place in my heart, my mother's joy and gratitude for the beautiful gifts God has blessed all of us with.  Thanks mom!  It was a gorgeous day and a beautiful place.  I just can't say enough.  We could have explored and hiked around for hours, but made the most of the few we had.  Enjoy the family pictures and the beauty of God's creation.  What a mighty God we serve!