Banff National Park

Two weekends ago Nick and I (along with Abe/Kim and Eric/Eliza) took a work trip up to Banff National Park in Alberta Canada. It was a work retreat of sorts and was absolutely amazing. It started off with a PRIVATE JET to Calgary and I never want to go on a commercial flight again. No waiting, no security, no customs, yummy food, tons of leg room, and fast! Then we drove the 45 minutes Banff. I was immediately overcome with awe at the sheer number and size of all the pine trees. It was a see of green for hundreds of miles! It amazed me the whole trip and I still just can't believe the beauty of Banff. We stayed one night at the Fairmont in Banff and the other 3 nights at the Fairmont on Lake Louise. It was incredible with relaxing mornings, hiking, long evening dinners (with no kids and no rush), midnight strolls, and gorgeous fall weather. 

10 years ago I asked Elaine Flake (a world traveler!) what her favorite place was. She replied Lake Louise in September. Since that talk I have dreamed of going and seeing the gorgeous teal lake and enough the beatify of Banff. I never thought I would ever be able to go as it is a day travel (with flight and driving). But then in June Nick said that for work the team wanted to go to Banff and I was ecstatic. It reached and exceeded every expectation of beauty! It was simply magnificent!

Top Moments

1. Taking the drive from Calgary to Banff and seeing pine trees as far as the eye could see. The size of the rugged mountains is immense!! I have never see such epic mountains.

2. Staying in two beautiful Fairmont Hotels. Banff Springs was so romantic and had kept its 1890's feel. When I walked in I had a very Somewhere in Time moment and felt like I had just gone back in time. I couldn't help but think of what it would have looked like a hundred years ago. Our room was on the top spire of the hotel and we had gorgeous view of the mountains/rivers. The Chateau on Lake Louise was modern but the view of the Lake was breathtaking. 

3. Hiking Johnston canyon was incredible. The water was crystal clear and the waterfalls were so powerful/loud you couldn't hear nothing else but the roar of water. Every turn on the hike left me saying "this is the most beautiful place on earth!" I loved walking on the catwalks up the canyon and seeing a birds eye view of the river below. 

4. Taking the chair lift up Lake Louise Ski Resort. We had to bring bear spray as bears were sighted there the day before. I loved the view of Lake Louise in the distance.

5. Hiking the two famous tea house hikes was my favorite activity. We hiked one with the whole group and the other early Sunday morning with just nick and I. Both were gorgeous hikes through the woods and ended with a tea house. I was amazing that the cooks could make such delicious food (homemade bread, chocolate cake, and apple crumble) from scratch on small gas and wood burning stoves. The water for the herbal tea came from the lakes close by. Nick and I ordered our tea and then the gal went out to the lake to grab a bucket of water for our tea. Free glacier water. The experience was so unique and my absolute favorite from the trip! 

City Of Banff

Our room was the top window and it was amazing!

 Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. A perfect mix of the Beauty and Beast castle and Hogwarts. Yes, I loved the magical one night we stayed there!

 Serial stair case that let up to the bedroom area and another gorgeous view of the moutains

Johnston Canyon

Lake Louise

 View of our gorgeous hotel Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

 

Lake Louise Gondola

Lake Mirane 

Tea House Hikes ( 6 Glaciers and Agnes Lake Hikes)

Small kitchen that fed hundreds of people yummy food all day

6 Glaciers Tea House

lake agnes where all the tea water comes from. Yum!

Alice's first day of Pre-K

Alice had her very first day of school last week. She will be going to Mrs. Kelly 's preschool with her two best friends: Emerson Croshow and Spencer Flake. She was so, so excited when she woke up that she got dressed, ate breakfast, and did her own hair (I had to do it again). Alice is a super social little girl and always remembers all her friends' names. She got home and told me every ones name and what they picked out of the treasure box. I love Alice's natural confidence and willingness to go/do anything! This girl is excited to go anywhere and has a smile on her face 99.9% of the day. I am so excited to spend afternoons with her while Scarlett is at school and Jack naps. I am sure she will make me do puzzles, play spot-it, and watch shows with her. Its going to be a great year!

Alice's favorites (as told by her)

Food: mac n cheese and pepperoni

Book: Fancy Nancy

Song: I am a child of God

TV show: Princess Bride (likes to watch it everyday)

Activity: playing with friends

And yes, she really does want to be a mom when she grows up. She tells me everyday how much she loves me and wants to be like me when she grows up. 

Alice you are such an amazing little girl with a big personality. You are loud and in charge and you never do anything you don't want to do. You have a mischievous air about you and you can talk me in to really anything. I love that you are confident, charming, bubbly, and extremely friendly to all little kids. You are a great big sister to Jack and well, a tease to Scarlett (but you both love each other). We all love you!

Caitys Wedding

A perfect day!! Caity and Ryan were so happy and had a great peaceful aura about them. I loved that the day had a different "vibe" than Clarahs and felt so, so relaxed. I am going to miss weddings and the party they are. I love, love all the family that comes into town and the day of celebration with those you love. Here are some of my favorite moments

1. All the sisters and sister in laws got to help Caity get in her wedding gown after the ceremony. It was my favorite moment of the day! To be in the temple with all my sisters may never happen again and if not then it wont happen for a long time. We gathered around her and looked in the mirror and I felt to united with them. There is a strong family bond and I know they will be with me through the eternities! 

2. All the grandkids, on their own, sat on a step and watched Caity and Ryan dance. My girls' eyes were just fixed on them and I am sure they were day dreaming of their wedding. My girls looked forward to this day for a long time. Scarlett kept on coming up to me and saying "Mom this is happening next." She new exactly what was coming and how much fun it was. Yay for weddings!

3. Flowers!!My mom went all out for the final wedding. The flowers were gorgeous and they smell in the house was amazing! They are still decorating my house and I love looking at them.

4. The cake was super yummy and i love the middle layer. It was almond coconut and I ate a huge piece. It made me sick but it was worth it!

5. At the end of the night Nick asked me to jump in the pool with him. Of course I had too. I was about to jump in by myself but he picked me up and we jumped off the diving board together. 

6. I love helping during wedding lighting candles and bussing tables. It gave me a chance to talk to everyone and mix/mingle. It also enjoyable to walk around and see all the beautiful decorations and flowers. 

I loved every second and can't wait to see all the pictures!