Our Alberta Visit, first week

We arrived at 2330 on tuesday and after a good sleep, we got to spend an entire day playing at all the different playgrounds around Oma and Opa's house. It was agreat way to settle in and catch up with Oma and Opa. The next day Sam had his grandparents to himself and the rest of the MacNeill Family took the LRT downtown to the Calgary Zoo. Somehow we managed to celebrate Foggy the Hippo's 46th birthday. He ate watermelon, we wore hats and the kids got candy of all things! Thomas loves the pterodactyl and the many airplanes that fly overhead. We visited Matt's favorite dinosaur, Dinny! Ben wanted to see the butterflies! It was a great day. Caleb, Reiley and Tante Elke came by to say hi in the evening. Friday started with play time with the cousins and then we loaded into the van for a trip to Edmonton. Our first stop was the Colebrook house in Red Deer. It was fun to play with the boys and we had a wonderful lunch!! Thank you again!!

Next stop was Ashif and Jacquie's house for supper. Again we had a great play and food and lots of yummy cookies. Thanks guys, it was fun meeting the girls and seeing you again!

Next stop was a sleepover at Steph and Chris' new place!! What a beautiful new house they have. On Saturday morning we managed a delicious lunch of cinnamon pull cake (apparently a new Christmas morning tradition), pancakes and fruit!! Thanks to the Holt family for sharing all the toys, costumes and playing with the boys.

We then headed back to the Keeling's for the rest of the weekend. We got to play outside a lot. Matthew learned how to split wood with his papa and Chris. Steph and mama got to clear out the garden down to rototilling the vegetable garden. The kids played so much and yes we ate...A LOT. It was such a relaxing fun way to spend the weekend for both kids and adults. Thank you for the really awesome weekend and this makes us look forward to our next meeting in Fredericton next summer!! We miss everyone already!! After a family swim at the new pool (Ben loves the lazy river), we drove home to Oma and Poopa's house.

On tuesday evening we got invited to sleep over at the Carlson's house. Caleb and Reiley had a fun play and Matt tried rollerblades for the first time! Ben was so excited to see the Garfield movie and mama was happy to spend some time with Tante Elke and Onkel Darwin. I know you guys are so busy but thanks for inviting us over anyways!! It was great. See you on the weekend!!

It is amazing how much one can squeeze into one week in Alberta. The best part is that we still have another week!!! Can't wait!! The MacNeills.