Easter break

With Lily off school for the week, we thought it'd be a good opportunity to make a trip of it. Of course, to throw a snag in things, we woke up to half a foot of snow. So into the van went the winter coats, boots and a shovel.

Bunny spotted in Saskatoon and area
Along with Nana, who we took to Connie's, we headed up to Grandma and Grandpa's for Easter weekend. Ryan and Leslie and Jared and Andrea were there, along with a couple cats. Finn spent most of the weekend saying, "No. Mom." to everyone he encountered because of course, they weren't Mom. Lily got to swim in the hot tub – twice. And the Easter bunny came and left eggs all over the house, along with baskets of candy popcorn and a small toy for each of them.

On Easter Sunday, the Hurlburts were having brunch so we went out for the afternoon – after Finn's first of three morning naps of the trip. My cousin, Colleen, brought her two youngest kids, Shelby and Sidney. Brian, Colleen's brother, and his wife Amanda brought their son, Rowan. It's always so nice when Finn and Lily have other kids to play with, especially second cousins of which we have a lot of now. And if it isn't obvious, Lily kinda really loves babies. (I can relate.)

Edmonton-bound
On Easter Monday, we packed up and got on the road to Edmonton. This is the stretch I fear the most as it's a long time for Finn to be strapped down. It was good until we were leaving Lloydminster and then he cried for over half an hour. Anyway, we got to Nigel and Jessica's just before 3:30 and thankfully we still had their key from last time (and actually we still have it for next time). So we unloaded the van (with the high chair, baby clothes and gifts for Ferguson) and waited anxiously for Jessica to arrive. Well worth the wait. Ferguson is so sweet and soft and cute. Lily couldn't wait to hold him and held his hand every chance she got. Finn even asked to hold him, "My turn?" They were just so enamored by the little guy. I held him for a long time that evening, the longest stretch for the rest of the visit as he was prone to crying spells that wound him up in his mama's arms most of the time.

On Tuesday after another morning nap for Finn, we spent the afternoon at the zoo. (Nigel and Jessica and nicely situated close to the zoo and the West Edmonton Mall.) It was nice and quiet since the kids there were in school. We saw monkeys and frogs and wolves and foxes. Even a tiger and a spotted seal. Lily fell asleep on the way back and was pretty miserable for the rest of the day – until we turned the situation around with an ice cream treat.

The next day was spent at the mall. We really only intended to stay the morning. We saw the Disney store, Anthropologie, H&M, the skating rink and went on the pirate ship. Then we had lunch – right beside Galaxyland. It was closed and we said it likely wouldn't open that day. And then they opened the gates. Right in front of us. This is where it goes to heck. Trying to get Finn to sleep in his stroller. Lily begging to go on some rides. Long story short, she and Chris went on rides for two hours and I shopped during Finn's shortest nap ever, then placated him by letting him run wild in the Disney store again. We were very glad when it was over. We won't be going back to the mall for a long time.

To the land of the dinosaurs
On Wednesday morning we packed up, got Finn out of Ferguson's bedroom because he locked himself inside (he unlocked it eventually), said our good-byes to little Fergie and Jessica, and hit the road for Drumheller, Alberta. It was the scenic route, courtesy of our GPS, but we couldn't complain. It's nice to get off the beaten path sometimes. Upon arriving in town, we immediately hit the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology. Well, Lily and Chris went through while Finn and I slept. When we woke up, we went in and Lily and Chris toured us around. And it was amazing. A really beautifully done museum. Much classier than when we were there in college. The kids thought it was pretty terrific, too. Even just driving through town was cool as Finn pointed out every dinosaur around.

After checking into our hotel, we hit up the local IGA for fruit, veggies and buns for supper and a few snacks for later. Finn helped himself to the bulk bun bin before we could catch him. At least his bun kept him busy for the rest of the excursion. After supper we hit the pool and waterslide. Chris tested just how fast the waterslide was by first going down with Finn and ultimately scarring him for life by completely submerging him upon hitting the water. Then it was back to "No. Mom."

The next day we packed up again, visited the world's largest dinosaur, then headed off on another scenic route through the valley where we could gaze upon the layered hills, go across a suspension bridge and check out some hoodoos.

Just like home
Any reason to go to Medicine Hat is good so that was our last stop. We had no plans so we got some ice cream, went to the park, watched the clouds roll by, went for Chinese food, swam and went watersliding before having chips and pop. (Pretty much our only junk food was on the last day, so we felt pretty successful and not disgusting after 7 days away.) After breakfast the next morning, we went swimming again. This time Finn was all over the waterslide so all of us were up and down over and over until I got dizzy from the spiral staircase. We bathed, washed hair, packed up, and grabbed the Muppets movie at Walmart and lunch for the road.

And within five minutes of returning, Carly came over. And stayed for supper. Nana popped in within ten minutes, too. It was all back to normal.

All our photos are here if you want to check 'em out.