Bring On Spring

Just me and a couple of my little hippy chicks. I love that Fernando can be seen sneaking off into the forest in the distance.

Up early, awaiting the first crack of dawn so I can head out on a run with Fernando.
The groundhog did not see her shadow yesterday (Pip) so spring is on the way! Pip was born on groundhog day so she will always be my little spring indicator. Pip had a wonderful birthday. Her preschool teacher Tracy is such a kind, generously spirited person. We could not be more lucky to have her as Pip's teacher. Yesterday they spent a small portion of the day "cuddling" as Pip was having one of her moments.

Really wanted to visit my mom this weekend. She was going to help Tabs with a science project. But alas, I will not have time to drive to Kamloops if my paper is to be finished for Monday. Tabs is very distressed about this. I am unsure of what to do at this point. My mom and crew leave for Hawaii next Wednesday--so there is very little time to get together.

So looking forward to handing in my thesis and starting the next chapter of my life. There is so much left to accomplish, explore and love.

Tonight I have Zumba and parent/teacher interviews. Tomorrow night Latin dance. I believe these bursts of dance will pull me through to the other side of my thesis, if nothing else.

Disappointed the Kooteny retreat doesn't start up until April. I so wanted a yoga retreat sooner.

Banff in November

Here are more pics of Banff. I feel very spoiled as I relize that I have stayed at 7 different Fairmont Hotels around the globe to date--they are my favorite chain of hotels as I like the old world charm. Have left the old world charm behind as we are home now--arrived last night. I am in bed with bronchitis. However, the antibiotics are working and I slept like a baby. Just must take it easy until the virus leaves the building! Mist and Tabs are home today with sore throats :( Peter is well and back at work. Pip is well and at preschool--she is thrilled to be reunited with her cousin Artemis. Fernando had a lovely time at his cousins while we were gone and spent his second birthday hiking at Mara Canyon with his cousin dog Fozzy.
***Next post***We saw the most magnificent grizzly bear I have ever seen on the drive home. It was in the ditch, on railway tracks, digging for grubs. Will post my pics tomorrow. I must prepare you, this bear is amazing, gorgeous and a once in a life time gift of spotting such a robust, wild bear!

Me and my gals in the lobby closest to our room at the Banff Springs

Walking into Banff from the hotel

Tabs piggy-backing Pip--it took an army to get Pip home to the hotel from town (she cried and refused to walk).

Mist and Pip--to town they go!

Me relaxing in the lobby near our room. It was huge and empty--loved it! The ceilings were Ft 20 high and floor to ceiling windows.

Me, Pip and Mist

Tabs entertained us with her cart wheels.

Snowing in Banff

Mistaya in the outdoor pool

Me and Pip

My girls and their Maplelea Dolls, refusing to give up on the photo contest!

Our bedroom at Banff Springs

Our living room at the Banff Springs (a little messy!)

Mist helping Pip brush her teeth

View from living room window

View from bedroom window

View from second living room window

Feeling like antibiotics have kicked in. My chest was so raw, burning and achey last night and today it is less so.

Snowing outside this morning. Peter is off to the pool with the girls to swim in the snow! I will take a pot of tea in the Rundel room and read (if I can get myself ready in time!). Sigh...bronchitis in Banff has limited our trip a bit but what can one do? As a mother, I eventually catch what my kids have, (especially if we stay at a hotel in close quarters). I will never travel without my emergency Cypro though. It has been a life saver. I have asthma, and had many sessions of childhood pneumonia, thus my lungs are very sensitive to any respiratory virus and they get super-inflamed which leads to a bacterial infection.

Despite all I have managed to hike into town with the girls daily and we went to the Banff Natural History Museum yesterday (built in 1903).

Remembrance Day in Banff

We made it down town in time for the Remembrance Day Parade

These boys looked especially lovely against the mountain back ground.

My little parade watchers

An Elk on the Bow River bank

Me and my gals walking in banff

My girls at breakfast

Daddy and Pip

Mommy and Pip after dad said he saw a coyote outside the window

The cold has turned into bronchitis. Still hopeful I can fight it without antibiotics. I feel OK for most of the day. I crash in late afternoon and evening. Thus no ghost hunting trip at the Banff Springs as of yet.

The hotel room suite has become a very cozy home away from home (with 3 large mountain view windows and a fireplace).

Spending our time walking into town and swimming at the hotel. Went for supper in town last night at the Spaghetti Factory. The line up and wait was insane! I don't know if it was worth it either as I liken the Spaghetti Factory to MacDonalds. However, the kids always enjoy it and the meal was fine.

Want to find a quiet, elegant spot in the hotel to read and take my tea. I may attempt such a feat however, the girls will have to be back in the room watching television otherwise they'll never allow me to simply sit and read! Perhaps if I buy Pip a book downtown today we can accomplish this--the big girls brought books I believe. If only I wasn't ill with bronchitis--it makes it impossible to enjoy my evenings here as I feel very sick then and must retire to bed by nine :(
*just put myself on my travel Cipro from Asia (I have 3 days worth). I am coughing up bad stuff from my lungs. I NEVER get a head cold. It always skips my nose and heads right for my lungs and I get an infection :(!!!

Banff Springs Hotel

The Banff Springs Fairmont Hotel

The Banff Springs: where we are currently staying

Peter and the girls off to find breakfast

Mom and Pip after she had a nasty fall on the sidewalk

Off to the town of Banff for Breakfast

Hotel tour: Dave (tour guide) called Pip the Hotel Princess and gave her a throne to sit in.

In the hotel Cascade Ball Room

Me and my gals at the Banff Springs

Tabs the photographer

Pip and Tabs at The Banff Springs

Hiding in the stair well (not the best pic of Tabs)

We have arrived in Banff. We are staying at the Banff Springs Hotel. We have a very nice executive suite with a living room, bedroom and amazing wilderness views of the mountain valley. 

All is gorgeous and a little chilly! Highs of only +2  oC. When we walked into town for breakfast yesterday it was -3  oC and there was a wind. We are not used to the cold yet. 

The mountain views are unbelievably majestic and well worth the chilly temps. The mountains have snow on top but there is none on the ground. We saw 3 coyotes running through town on our first night here. They seem to be very populous inside the town area.

I have (most unfortunately) caught Pip's virus. A cold type: sore throat, chills, headache. I am doing my best to keep going however, what I need is the week in bed! However, the restaurants at the hotel are very expensively priced. Breakfast for a child is at least $25. So, we hike to town to eat. Last night though, I was too tired to go anywhere and we ordered room service. Mistaya was most impressed as it arrived on a large, elegant rolling table with all tall wineglasses filled with ice water for the girls. 

The outdoor pool is the best: hot, steamy with crisp mountain views.

Yesterday we toured the Hotel with a guide (the famous Dave) and learned a few ghost stories. We also toured the town and swam at the hotel. 

Today, I believe I will haul myself out into the cold to walk with the girls to the museum and for breakfast at  Phil's, and a swim in the outdoor pool. 

It is nice that TV is real novelty for the girls. We don't have TV at home, so to have cable in hotel provided the girls with a treat so I can rest. Although, Tabs wants to try the Fairmont Kid's Club at the hotel today. I'll have to call and find out about that.

Finding it hard to do my research study, I am so tired with this virus! But I am chugging along slowly. 

Taking it easy this trip. No heroic hikes and it is too early to ski or skate. Leisurely walks around the hotel and into town, swimming and a little historical site touring is about what I'm up for.