Banff Trip

Here are a few of the photos that we took while in and around Banff.

First a couple of shots of our hotel - or "Canada's Castle in the Rockies" as it is called:

Banff is situated in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, within Banff National Park - Canada's first national park. It is a very scenic place. We had beautiful weather most of the time we were there - highs in the low to mid-70's. We did have one drizzly day. Here are a few of the sights that we caught on camera:

If you would like to see more, don't worry. We have 248 photos that we have had developed so others can share in the sights of our trip. Family members are expected to sit through the whole pile and act interested.

Wonderful Children

We had such a great time at Banff! One of the most memorable parts was walking into our room and seeing an assortment of chocolates and a plate of cheese and crackers waiting for us on our table. The tray with the chocolates was hand decorated in chocolate and also contained edible decorations made out of chocolate. In addition, there was a bottle of champagne on ice. Our first thought was what a wonderful hotel.

We were informed upon our arrival that our room had been upgraded to have a better view. Our room was on the eighth floor facing Mt. Rundle and we could see the Bow River and the Spray River from our window - what a wonderful hotel!

However, we noticed that there were note cards on the table too. The first note was from Chrissy, Bryan and Andrew wishing us a happy anniversary. The chocolates cheese and crackers were from our children - what wonderful children! Chrissy had called to set the whole thing up for our anniversary trip. Because she told the hotel that we were on our anniversary, they upgraded our room and provided a bottle of champagne courtesy of the Regional Manager. If Chrissy hadn't called, we probably wouldn't have had such a nice room with such a nice view.

Anyway, when Laura learned that our children had set this up, she spent the next 10 to 15 minutes crying and insisted on calling all three to let them know how wonderful they are and how much we love them. You can see Laura on the photo below teary-eyed as she talks to Chrissy.

Its wonderful having children who are so thoughtful and who remembered us on this special anniversary trip - we love you guys!

The New, Less Aerodynamic Hyundai Sonata

Now that a few days have passed and the shock has subsided, I will report on the devastation perpetrated on my lovely new car.

Was it pure accident or perhaps something purposeful - something deep and dark in her soul? We will probably never know for sure. All I do know is that in backing my car out of her mom's driveway, Laura turned, bringing the right front fender into contact with the bumper of Phil's truck (actually, I think it really is Sally's). Fortunately, there was no damage to the truck and most importantly, no one was hurt. Phil wasn't even in his truck, though he was able to watch the whole thing.

So why would I even suggest that it might be anything other than an accident? Maybe because of the pattern. I refer, of course, back to March 1987. Back to the only other time in my life that I owned a new car. Back to a time when I first met Laura. At that time, when we were dating, she also tried to scar my lovely new car by tearing the arm rest off of the door. I know she did something else to my new car during that time but my mind has blocked it out - a repressed memory.

So, what to do? The insurance company can arrange to fix my car, but what will fix the anxiety I feel?

Two Down, One to Go!

Or is that three down three to go?

A week ago, Bryan moved out of the house to live with three friends in a house in Fruit Cove. In case you are curious, no it isn't any closer to his work at Jacksonville Beach than here at home. But he is living with friends and at least he doesn't have to cross the River to get there. Oh, and he also took Austin (the dog) with him - making three down. Now we just have Andrew and two cats to go - three more.

Bryan is living in a very large, four bedroom, three and a half bath house that his friend Steve is purchasing. So far, it sounds as if the guys have it made - or should I say maid? They have a number of girls who are friends of the guys who come over and clean house. One even washed Bryan's clothes. He didn't have it that good at home.

Then there was the question about the square cut out of the carpet in Bryan's bedroom. We noticed it after he moved out. It really made me curious. The square had been hidden under Bryan's bed. It turns out that some time ago, Bryan took a bowl of chili mixed with BBQ sauce into his room to eat and spilled it on to his carpet. He couldn't get the stain out so he cut out the carpet and covered the hole with carpet that he cut out of the back of his closet. I'm sure he didn't say anything since we were often telling the boys to be careful with food and questioning them about stains on the hallway carpet leading to their rooms.

Now we will begin to change the room into my Northwest room/office. We'll move the computer desk in there from the kitchen so we have more room for cooking and eating. There may be a problem however. Laura wants to make the room for Emma when she comes over - book shelves full of her children's books, bed, etc. - we shall see...